RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	19. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities ("ASU 2017-12"). ASU 2017-12 is intended to (i) improve the transparency and understandability of information conveyed to financial statement users about an entity’s risk management activities by better aligning the entity’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with those risk management activities and (ii) reduce the complexity of and simplify the application of hedge accounting by preparers. For public business entities, the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein; however, early adoption by all entities is permitted. In September 2017 the Company adopted ASU 2017-12 which amends ASC 815 and hedge accounting. At adoption, the Company utilized the modified retrospective transition method. Under the new guidance, effectiveness is no longer measured and all changes in the fair market value of derivatives are recorded in AOCI for effective hedge relationships. The Company has elected to continue testing effectiveness quantitatively using regression analysis. All changes in fair market value of qualifying cash flow derivatives are recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and are released from AOCI in the same period and in the same line item that the underlying hedged item is recorded. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 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 consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 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. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016‑08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net). In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016‑12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016‑20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, 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 requirements of this standard include an increase in required disclosures. The Company intends to adopt the ASU’s for the interim periods after December 31, 2017, using the modified retrospective transition method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of that date. Upon adoption, the Company will recognize the cumulative effect as an adjustment to its opening balance of retained earnings. Prior periods will not be retrospectively adjusted. While the Company is still evaluating the impact of the adoption, the timing of revenue recognition will primarily affect spot charters revenues. Under ASU 2014-09, revenue will be recognized based on load-to-discharge basis as compared to the currently used discharge-to-discharge basis. During the year ended December 31, 2017 spot charter revenues represent 4.8% of the Company’s total voyage revenues with only three of the Company’s 30 vessels are operating on spot charters. Therefore, we do not expect that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on total voyage revenues on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the adjustment of any expenses and the additional presentation and disclosure requirements of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements. 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 August 2016, the FASB issued 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. Other than classification, the Company does not anticipate any material effect from adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18-Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice by adding or clarifying guidance on classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance should be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. As a result of this update, restricted cash will be included within cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s statements of consolidated cash flows. As of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company had an outstanding letter of credit of $1.4 million, as required under the terms of its office lease. This letter of credit is secured by cash placed in a restricted account amounting to $1.5 million as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Other than classification, the Company does not anticipate any material effect from adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

19. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities ("ASU 2017-12"). ASU 2017-12 is intended to (i) improve the transparency and understandability of information conveyed to financial statement users about an entity’s risk management activities by better aligning the entity’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with those risk management activities and (ii) reduce the complexity of and simplify the application of hedge accounting by preparers. For public business entities, the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein; however, early adoption by all entities is permitted. In September 2017 the Company adopted ASU 2017-12 which amends ASC 815 and hedge accounting. At adoption, the Company utilized the modified retrospective transition method. Under the new guidance, effectiveness is no longer measured and all changes in the fair market value of derivatives are recorded in AOCI for effective hedge relationships. The Company has elected to continue testing effectiveness quantitatively using regression analysis. All changes in fair market value of qualifying cash flow derivatives are recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and are released from AOCI in the same period and in the same line item that the underlying hedged item is recorded.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 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 consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016‑08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net). In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016‑12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016‑20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, 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 requirements of this standard include an increase in required disclosures. The Company intends to adopt the ASU’s for the interim periods after December 31, 2017, using the modified retrospective transition method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of that date.

Upon adoption, the Company will recognize the cumulative effect as an adjustment to its opening balance of retained earnings. Prior periods will not be retrospectively adjusted. While the Company is still evaluating the impact of the adoption, the timing of revenue recognition will primarily affect spot charters revenues. Under ASU 2014-09, revenue will be recognized based on load-to-discharge basis as compared to the currently used discharge-to-discharge basis. During the year ended December 31, 2017 spot charter revenues represent 4.8% of the Company’s total voyage revenues with only three of the Company’s 30 vessels are operating on spot charters. Therefore, we do not expect that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on total voyage revenues on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the adjustment of any expenses and the additional presentation and disclosure requirements of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements.

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 August 2016, the FASB issued 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. Other than classification, the Company does not anticipate any material effect from adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18-Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice by adding or clarifying guidance on classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance should be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. As a result of this update, restricted cash will be included within cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s statements of consolidated cash flows. As of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company had an outstanding letter of credit of $1.4 million, as required under the terms of its office lease. This letter of credit is secured by cash placed in a restricted account amounting to $1.5 million as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Other than classification, the Company does not anticipate any material effect from adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.