EX-2.5 2 fy2020-exhibit25.htm DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED Document


Exhibit 2.5
DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Scorpio Tankers Inc. (the “Company”) has two classes of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”):
(1)    common shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “common shares”); and
(2)    7.00% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “Notes”).
In addition, until their maturity in May 2020, our 6.75% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”) were registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
The following description sets forth certain material provisions of these securities. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the applicable provisions of (i) the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles of Incorporation”), (ii) the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and (iii) the indenture dated as of May 12, 2014 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by a fourth supplemental indenture governing the Notes, dated as of May 29, 2020, between the Company and the Trustee (the “Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 20-F of which this Exhibit is a part. We encourage you to refer to our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Indenture for additional information.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES
Under our Articles of Incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 175 million registered shares, of which 150 million are designated as common shares, par value $0.01 per share, and 25 million are designated as preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share. Holders of common shares do not have conversion, redemption or pre-emptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common shares are subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares that we may issue in the future.    
Voting Rights
Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Our directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote and serve for three-year terms. There is no provision for cumulative voting.
Dividend Rights
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred shares, holders of common shares are entitled to receive ratably all dividends, if any, declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends.
Liquidation Rights
Upon our dissolution or liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common shares are entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution.



Limitations on Ownership
Under Marshall Islands law generally and our Articles of Incorporation, there are no limitations on the right of non-residents of the Marshall Islands or owners who are not citizens of the Marshall Islands to hold or vote our common shares.
Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Several provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, which are summarized below, may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of our board of directors to maximize shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these anti-takeover provisions, which are summarized below, could also discourage, delay or prevent (1) the merger or acquisition of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise that a shareholder may consider in its best interest and (2) the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Blank check preferred stock
Under the terms of our Articles of Incorporation, our board of directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to 25 million shares of blank check preferred stock. Our board of directors may issue preferred shares on terms calculated to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of us or the removal of our management and might harm the market price of our common shares. We have no current plans to issue any preferred shares.
Election and removal of directors
Our Articles of Incorporation prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our Bylaws require parties other than the board of directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. Our Articles of Incorporation also provide that our directors may be removed for cause upon the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote for those directors. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Limited actions by shareholders
Our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders must be effected at an annual or special meeting of shareholders or by the unanimous written consent of our shareholders. Our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws provide that, unless otherwise prescribed by law, only a majority of our board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors or an officer of the Company who is also a director may call special meetings of our shareholders and the business transacted at the special meeting is limited to the purposes stated in the notice. Accordingly, a shareholder will be prevented from calling a special meeting for shareholder consideration of a proposal unless scheduled by our board of directors and shareholder consideration of a proposal may be delayed until the next annual meeting.
Advance notice requirements for shareholder proposals and director nominations
Our Bylaws provide that shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary. Generally, to be timely, a shareholder's notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 150 days nor more than 180 days prior to the one year anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. Our Bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder's notice. These provisions may impede shareholders' ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of shareholders or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of shareholders.
Classified board of directors



As described above, our Articles of Incorporation provide for the division of our board of directors into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered three year terms beginning on the expiration of the initial term for each class. Accordingly, approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. This classified board provision could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our shares or attempting to obtain control of us. It could also delay shareholders who do not agree with the policies of our board of directors from removing a majority of our board of directors for two years.
Business combinations
Although the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act (the “BCA”) does not contain specific provisions regarding "business combinations" between companies organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands and "interested shareholders," we have included these provisions in our Articles of Incorporation. Specifically, our Articles of Incorporation prohibit us from engaging in a "business combination" with certain persons for three years following the date the person becomes an interested shareholder.
Interested shareholders generally include:
any person who is the beneficial owner of 15% or more of our outstanding voting shares; or
any person who is our affiliate or associate and who held 15% or more of our outstanding voting shares at any time within three years before the date on which the person's status as an interested shareholder is determined, and the affiliates and associates of such person.
Subject to certain exceptions, a business combination includes, among other things:
certain mergers or consolidations of us or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of ours;
any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of our assets or of any subsidiary of ours having an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all of our assets, determined on a combined basis, or the aggregate value of all of our outstanding shares;
certain transactions that result in the issuance or transfer by us of any shares of ours to the interested shareholder;
any transaction involving us or any of our subsidiaries that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of any class or series of stock, or securities convertible into any class or series of stock, of ours or any such subsidiary that is owned directly or indirectly by the interested shareholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder; and
any receipt by the interested shareholder of the benefit directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a shareholder) of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through us.
These provisions of our Articles of Incorporation do not apply to a business combination if:
before a person became an interested shareholder, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction in which the shareholder became an interested shareholder;
upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85% of our voting shares outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than certain excluded shares;
at or following the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding voting shares that is not owned by the interest shareholder;
the shareholder was or became an interested shareholder prior to the closing of our initial public offering;



a shareholder became an interested shareholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divested itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the shareholder ceased to be an interested shareholder; and (ii) would not, at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to a business combination between us and such shareholder, have been an interested shareholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or
the business combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required under our Articles of Incorporation which (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the following sentence; (ii) is with or by a person who either was not an interested shareholder during the previous three years or who became an interested shareholder with the approval of the board; and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the members of the board of directors then in office (but not less than one) who were directors prior to any person becoming an interested shareholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors.
The proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to:
a merger or consolidation of us (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to the BCA, no vote of our shareholders is required);
a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of us or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of ours (other than to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary or to us) having an aggregate market value equal to 50% or more of either the aggregate market value of all of our assets determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding shares; or
a proposed tender or exchange offer for 50% or more of our outstanding voting shares.
Marshall Islands Company Considerations
Our corporate affairs are governed by our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and by the BCA. The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. While the BCA also provides that it is to be interpreted according to the laws of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the BCA in the Marshall Islands and we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as courts in the United States. As a result, you may have more difficulty protecting your interests in the face of actions by our management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction which has developed a substantial body of case law. The following table provides a comparison between the statutory provisions of the BCA and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to shareholders’ rights.
Marshall IslandsDelaware
Shareholder Meetings
Held at a time and place as designated in the bylaws.May be held at such time or place as designated in the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, or if not so designated, as determined by the board of directors.
Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the articles of incorporation or by the bylaws.Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws.



May be held within or without the Marshall Islands.May be held within or without Delaware.
Notice:
Notice:
Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and, unless it is an annual meeting, indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting. Notice of a special meeting shall also state the purpose for which the meeting is called.Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any.
A copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given personally, sent by mail or by electronic mail not less than 15 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.Written notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
Shareholders’ Voting Rights
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, any action required to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, or if the articles of incorporation so provide, by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
Any action required to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent for such action is in writing and is signed by shareholders having not fewer than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.


Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, a majority of shares entitled to vote constitutes a quorum. In no event shall a quorum consist of fewer than one-third of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting.For stock corporations, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the number of shares required to constitute a quorum but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of shares entitled to vote at a meeting. In the absence of such specifications, a majority of shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum.
When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.
The articles of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.The certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.



Merger or Consolidation
Any two or more domestic corporations may merge into a single corporation if approved by the board and if authorized by a majority vote of the holders of outstanding shares at a shareholder meeting.Any two or more corporations existing under the laws of the state may merge into a single corporation pursuant to a board resolution and upon the majority vote by shareholders of each constituent corporation at an annual or special meeting.
Any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of a corporation, if not made in the corporation’s usual or regular course of business, once approved by the board, shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the shares of those entitled to vote at a shareholder meeting.Every corporation may at any meeting of the board sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property and assets as its board deems expedient and for the best interests of the corporation when so authorized by a resolution adopted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote.
Any domestic corporation owning at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of another domestic corporation may merge such other corporation into itself without the authorization of the shareholders of any corporation.Any corporation owning at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of another corporation may merge the other corporation into itself and assume all of its obligations without the vote or consent of shareholders; however, in case the parent corporation is not the surviving corporation, the proposed merger shall be approved by a majority of the outstanding stock of the parent corporation entitled to vote at a duly called shareholder meeting.
Any mortgage, pledge of or creation of a security interest in all or any part of the corporate property may be authorized without the vote or consent of the shareholders, unless otherwise provided for in the articles of incorporation.Any mortgage or pledge of a corporation’s property and assets may be authorized without the vote or consent of shareholders, except to the extent that the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides.
Directors
The board of directors must consist of at least one member.The board of directors must consist of at least one member.
The number of board members may be changed by an amendment to the bylaws, by the shareholders, or by action of the board under the specific provisions of a bylaw.The number of board members shall be fixed by, or in a manner provided by, the bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number shall be made only by an amendment to the certificate of incorporation.
If the board is authorized to change the number of directors, it can only do so by a majority of the entire board and so long as no decrease in the number shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.If the number of directors is fixed by the certificate of incorporation, a change in the number shall be made only by an amendment of the certificate.



Removal:
Removal:
Any or all of the directors may be removed for cause by vote of the shareholders.Any or all of the directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides.
If the articles of incorporation or the bylaws so provide, any or all of the directors may be removed without cause by vote of the shareholders.In the case of a classified board, shareholders may effect removal of any or all directors only for cause.
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal
Shareholders have a right to dissent from any plan of merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all assets not made in the usual course of business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares. However, the right of a dissenting shareholder under the BCA to receive payment of the appraised fair value of his shares shall not be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which shares or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of the shareholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (i) listed on a securities exchange or admitted for trading on an interdealer quotation system or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders. The right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the fair value of his or her shares shall not be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the shareholders of the surviving corporation.Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a corporation in a merger or consolidation, subject to limited exceptions, such as a merger or consolidation of corporations listed on a national securities exchange in which listed stock is offered for consideration is (i) listed on a national securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders.
A holder of any adversely affected shares who does not vote on or consent in writing to an amendment to the articles of incorporation has the right to dissent and to receive payment for such shares if the amendment:
•    Alters or abolishes any preferential right of any outstanding shares having preference; or
•    Creates, alters, or abolishes any provision or right in respect to the redemption of any outstanding shares; or
•    Alters or abolishes any preemptive right of such holder to acquire shares or other securities; or



•    Excludes or limits the right of such holder to vote on any matter, except as such right may be limited by the voting rights given to new shares then being authorized of any existing or new class.
Shareholder’s Derivative Actions
An action may be brought in the right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by a holder of shares or of voting trust certificates or of a beneficial interest in such shares or certificates. It shall be made to appear that the plaintiff is such a holder at the time of bringing the action and that he was such a holder at the time of the transaction of which he complains, or that his shares or his interest therein devolved upon him by operation of law.In any derivative suit instituted by a shareholder of a corporation, it shall be averred in the complaint that the plaintiff was a shareholder of the corporation at the time of the transaction of which he complains or that such shareholder’s stock thereafter devolved upon such shareholder by operation of law.
A complaint shall set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to secure the initiation of such action by the board or the reasons for not making such effort.Other requirements regarding derivative suits have been created by judicial decision, including that a shareholder may not bring a derivative suit unless he or she first demands that the corporation sue on its own behalf and that demand is refused (unless it is shown that such demand would have been futile).
Such action shall not be discontinued, compromised or settled, without the approval of the High Court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Reasonable expenses including attorney’s fees may be awarded if the action is successful.
A corporation may require a plaintiff bringing a derivative suit to give security for reasonable expenses if the plaintiff owns less than 5% of any class of outstanding shares or holds voting trust certificates or a beneficial interest in shares representing less than 5% of any class of such shares and the shares, voting trust certificates or beneficial interest of such plaintiff has a fair value of $50,000 or less.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
The following description is only a summary of certain provisions of the Notes and the Indenture. You should read these documents in their entirety because they, and not this description, define the rights of holders of the Notes. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), and to all of the provisions of the Indenture and those terms made a part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. Unless the context requires



otherwise, all references to “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” in this section refer solely to Scorpio Tankers Inc., the issuer of the Notes, and not to any of its subsidiaries.
General
The Notes were issued under the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture.
Interest and Maturity
The Notes mature on June 30, 2025 and bear interest at an annual rate of 7.00% per year. Interest on the Notes accrues from and including the last interest payment date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly provided for to, but excluding, the next succeeding interest payment date, the maturity date or the redemption date, as the case may be. Interest is payable quarterly on March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 30 of each year to holders of record at the close of business on the March 15, June 15, September 15 or December 15 (whether or not that date is a business day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such interest payment date. Interest on the Notes is computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
If any interest payment date or the maturity date of the Notes falls on a day that is not a business day, the related payment of interest or principal, as the case may be, will be made on the next business day as if it were made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the amounts so payable for the period from and after such interest payment date or the maturity date of the Notes, as the case may be, to such next business day.
Sinking Funds
The Notes are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
Ranking
The Notes are our unsubordinated unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all our existing and future unsubordinated unsecured indebtedness. The Notes rank senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The Notes effectively rank junior to our current and any future secured indebtedness incurred by us, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.
The Notes are obligations solely of the Company and are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. We derive substantially all of our operating income and cash flow from our investments in our subsidiaries. Claims of creditors of our subsidiaries generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such subsidiaries over the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes. As a result, the Notes are effectively subordinated to creditors, including trade creditors and preferred stockholders, if any, other than us, of our subsidiaries.
Listing
The Notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SBBA.”
Optional Redemption
The Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 30, 2022, upon providing not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount to be redeemed), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) if redeemed during the twelve month period beginning June 30 of the years indicated below:








Year
  
Redemption
Price
 
2022
  
 
102.0
2023
  
 
101.0
2024 and thereafter
  
 
100.0

Additionally, we or our affiliates may purchase Notes from investors who are willing to sell from time to time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Notes that we or they purchase may, at our discretion, be held, resold or canceled.
Optional Redemption Upon Change of Control
Prior to June 30, 2022, the Company may redeem the Notes, at its option, in whole but not in part, at any time within 90 days of the occurrence of the Change of Control, upon providing not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at 104% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).
A “Change of Control” will be deemed to have occurred at the time after the Notes are originally issued if:
(1)    any “Person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes the “Beneficial Owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (1) such Person shall be deemed to have “Beneficial Ownership” of all shares that any such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company;
(2)    the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person other than (i) a transaction in which the survivor or transferee is a Person that is controlled by the Permitted Holder or (ii) a transaction following which, in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100.0% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction and in substantially the same proportion as before the transaction;
(3)    “Continuing Directors” (as defined below) cease to constitute at least a majority of the Company’s board of directors; or
(4)    if after the Notes are initially listed on the NYSE or another national securities exchange, the Notes fail, or at any point cease, to be listed on the NYSE or such other national securities exchange. For the avoidance of doubt, it shall not be a Change of Control if after the Notes are initially listed on the NYSE or another national securities exchange, such Notes are subsequently listed on a different national securities exchange and the prior listing is terminated.



Continuing Director” means a director who either was a member of our board of directors on the issue date of the Notes or who becomes a member of our board of directors subsequent to that date and whose election, appointment or nomination for election by our stockholders is duly approved by a majority of the continuing directors on our board of directors at the time of such approval by such election or appointment.
Permitted Holder” means (a) Emanuele Lauro, (b) Scorpio Services Holding Limited, (c) any immediate family member of Emanuele Lauro, or (d) one or more affiliates of any person listed in (a), (b) or (c). “Immediate family members” shall refer to a person’s spouse, parent, children and siblings.
Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
Selection for Redemption
If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the registrar will select the Notes, or portions thereof, to be redeemed, in compliance with the requirements of DTC, or if DTC prescribes no method of selection, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by any other method the registrar deems fair and reasonable; provided, however, that Notes, and portions thereof, selected for redemption shall only be in amounts of $25.00 or whole multiples of $25.00.
Notice of Redemption
Notices of redemption shall be sent at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the applicable redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. We will, at least five calendar days prior to the publication or sending of any notice of redemption of any Notes as described under this caption, furnish to the Trustee and the registrar written notice of redemption.
A notice of redemption will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state the provision of the Indenture pursuant to which the Notes are being redeemed; the redemption date; the redemption price, including the portion thereof constituting accrued and unpaid interest, if any; the amount of Additional Amounts, if any, payable on the date fixed for redemption; the name and address of the paying agent; that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the paying agent to collect the redemption price; that unless we default in making the redemption payment on the Notes called for redemption, interest on such Notes will cease to accrue on and after the redemption date; and that the Notes called for redemption will become due on the date fixed for redemption.
If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of all of the Notes, or portions thereof, to be redeemed on the applicable redemption date is irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or paying agent on or before the applicable redemption date, then on and after such redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on such Notes, or such portion thereof, called for redemption and such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding.
Additional Amounts
All payments made by or on behalf of the Company under or with respect to the Notes will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge (including penalties, interest and other liabilities related thereto) (hereinafter “Taxes”) unless the withholding or deduction of such Taxes is then required by law. If any deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any Taxes imposed or levied by or on behalf of the government of the Republic of Marshall Islands or any political subdivision or any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax, or any other jurisdiction in which the Company (including any successor entity) is organized or is otherwise resident for tax purposes, or any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made (including, without limitation, the jurisdiction of each paying agent) (each a “Specified Tax Jurisdiction”), will at any time be required to be made from any payments made under or with respect to the Notes, the Company will pay such additional amounts (the “Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the net amount received in respect of such payments by a holder (including Additional Amounts) after such withholding or deduction will not be less than the amount such holder



would have received if such Taxes had not been withheld or deducted; providedhowever, that the foregoing obligation to pay Additional Amounts does not apply to:
(1) any Taxes that would not have been so imposed but for the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes having any present or former connection with the Specified Tax Jurisdiction (other than the mere acquisition, ownership, holding, enforcement or receipt of payment in respect of the Notes);
(2) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, excise, transfer, personal property tax or similar tax, assessment or governmental charge;
(3) any Taxes payable other than by deduction or withholding from payments under, or with respect to, the Notes;
(4) any Taxes imposed as a result of the failure of the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes to complete, execute and deliver to the Company any form or document to the extent applicable to such holder or beneficial owner that may be required by law or by reason of administration of such law and which is reasonably requested in writing to be delivered to the Company in order to enable the Company to make payments on the Notes without deduction or withholding for Taxes, or with deduction or withholding of a lesser amount, which form or document will be delivered within 60 days of a written request therefor by the Company;
(5) any Taxes that would not have been so imposed but for the beneficiary of the payment having presented a note for payment (in cases in which presentation is required) more than 30 days after the date on which such payment or such note became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later (except to the extent that the holder would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had the note been presented on the last day of such 30-day period);
(6) any Taxes imposed on or with respect to any payment by the Company to the holder if such holder is a fiduciary or partnership or person other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment, to the extent that a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary, a member of such partnership or the beneficial owner of such payment would not have been entitled to Additional Amounts had such beneficiary, settlor, member or beneficial owner been the actual holder of such note;
(7) any Taxes that are required to be deducted or withheld on a payment pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any law implementing, or introduced in order to conform to, such directive; or
(8) any combination of items (1) through (7) above.
If the Company becomes aware that it will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any payment under or with respect to the Notes, the Company will deliver to the Trustee and paying agent at least 30 days prior to the date of that payment (unless the obligation to pay Additional Amounts arises after the 30th day prior to that payment date, in which case the Company will notify the Trustee and paying agent promptly thereafter but in no event later than five calendar days prior to the date of payment) an officers’ certificate stating the fact that Additional Amounts will be payable and the amount so payable. The officers’ certificate must also set forth any other information necessary to enable the paying agent to pay Additional Amounts to holders on the relevant payment date. The Trustee and paying agent will be entitled to rely solely on such officers’ certificate as conclusive proof that such payments are necessary. The Company will provide the Trustee and paying agent with documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and paying agent evidencing the payment of Additional Amounts.
The Company will make all withholdings and deductions required by law and will remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant governmental authority on a timely basis in accordance with applicable law. As soon as practicable, the Company will provide the Trustee and paying agent with an official receipt or, if official receipts are not obtainable, other documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and paying agent evidencing the payment of the Taxes so withheld or deducted. Upon written request, copies of those receipts or other



documentation, as the case may be, will be made available by the Trustee and paying agent to the holders of the Notes.
Whenever in the Indenture there is referenced, in any context, the payment of amounts based upon the principal amount of the Notes or of principal, interest or any other amount payable under, or with respect to, the Notes, such reference will be deemed to include payment of Additional Amounts as described under this caption to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.
The Company will indemnify a holder, within 10 business days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Taxes paid by such holder to a governmental authority of a Specified Tax Jurisdiction, on or with respect to any payment by on or account of any obligation of the Company to withhold or deduct an amount on account of Taxes for which the Company would have been obligated to pay Additional Amounts hereunder and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant governmental authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Company by a holder will be conclusive absent manifest error.
The Company will pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies that arise in any Specified Tax Jurisdiction from the execution, delivery, enforcement or registration of the Notes, the Indenture or any other document or instrument in relation thereof, or the receipt of any payments with respect to the Notes, and the Company will indemnify the holders for any such taxes paid by such holders.
The obligations described under this caption will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of the Indenture and will apply mutatis mutandis to any jurisdiction in which any successor person to the Company is organized or any political subdivision or authority or agency thereof or therein.
Certain Covenants
The Indenture includes the following restrictive covenants. Certain defined terms relevant to the covenants are set forth under “—Certain Definitions and Interpretations” below.
(1) Limitation on Borrowings. The Company shall not permit Net Borrowings to equal or exceed 70.0% of Total Assets.
(2) Limitation on Minimum Net Worth. The Company shall ensure that Net Worth always exceeds six hundred fifty million dollars (US$650,000,000).
(3) Restricted Payments. If (i) an event of default or an event or circumstance which, with the giving of any notice or the lapse of time, would constitute an event of default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) an event of default or an event or circumstance which, with the giving of any notice or the lapse of time, would constitute an event of default would result therefrom, (iii) the Company is not in compliance with the covenant described under “—Limitation on Borrowings” or “—Limitation on Minimum Net Worth” in Certain Covenants hereof, or (iv) any payment of dividends or any form of distribution or return of capital would result in the Company not being in compliance with the covenant described under “—Limitation on Borrowings” or “—Limitation on Minimum Net Worth” in Certain Covenants hereof, then none of the Company or any subsidiary will declare or pay any dividends or return any capital to its equity holders (other than the Company or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or authorize or make any other distribution, payment or delivery of property or cash to its equity holders (other than the Company or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company), or redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, for value, any interest of any class or series of its equity interests (or acquire any rights, options or warrants relating thereto but not including convertible debt) now or hereafter outstanding and held by persons other than the Company or any wholly-owned subsidiary, or repay any subordinated loans to equity holders (other than the Company or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or set aside any funds for any of the foregoing purposes (“Restricted Payments”).



(4) Line of Business. The Company will not, nor will the Company permit any of its subsidiaries (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) to, engage primarily in any business other than a Permitted Business.
(5) Limitation on Asset Sales. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, in the ordinary course of business or otherwise, sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the Company’s, or of any such subsidiary’s, assets (including capital stock and warrants, options or other rights to acquire capital stock) (an “Asset Sale”), other than pursuant to a Permitted Asset Sale or a Limited Permitted Asset Sale, unless (A) the Company receives, or the relevant subsidiary of the Company receives, consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (including as to the value of all non-cash consideration), as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company, of the assets subject to such Asset Sale, and (B) within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or the relevant subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be, shall apply all such Net Proceeds to:
(a) repay or prepay indebtedness under any Credit Facility secured by a lien on assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(b) acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Stock of, a person primarily engaged in a Permitted Business; provided, that in the case of the acquisition of Capital Stock of any Person, such Person is or becomes a subsidiary of the Company and will be subject to all restrictions described herein as applying to subsidiaries of the Company existing on the date the Notes are issued;
(c) make a capital expenditure;
(d) acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under IFRS and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business (including, without limitation, Vessels and Related Assets);
(e) repay unsecured senior indebtedness of the Company or any subsidiary (including any redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of the Notes); and
(f) any combination of the transactions permitted by the foregoing clauses (a) through (e),
provided, that any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the Company’s properties and assets to any person or persons (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) will be governed by the provisions described under the captions “—Optional Redemption Upon Change of Control” and “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets,” and not by the provisions of this “—Limitation on Asset Sales.”
A (1) binding contract to apply the Net Proceeds in accordance with clauses (b) through (d) above shall toll the 365-day period in respect of such Net Proceeds or (2) determination by the Company to apply all or a portion of such Net Proceeds toward the exercise of an outstanding purchase option contract shall toll the 365-day period in respect of such Net Proceeds or portion thereof, in each case, for a period not to exceed 365 days or, in the case of a binding contract to acquire one or more Vessels, until the end of the construction or delivery period specified in such binding contract, as the same may be extended, from the expiration of the aforementioned 365-day period, provided that such binding contract and such determination by the Company, in each case, shall be treated as a permitted application of Net Proceeds from the date of such binding contract or determination until and only until the earlier of (x) the date on which such acquisition or expenditure is consummated and (y) (i) in the case of a construction contract or any exercised purchase option contract, the date of expiration or termination of such construction contract or exercised purchase option contract and (ii) in all other cases, the 365th day following the expiration of the aforementioned 365-day period.
Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company or any of its subsidiaries may apply Net Proceeds to the repayment or reduction of outstanding indebtedness or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by the Indenture.



If a Limited Permitted Asset Sale occurs at any time, the Company must, within 30 days of such Limited Permitted Asset Sale, make an offer to purchase Notes having a principal amount equal to the Excess Proceeds of such Limited Permitted Asset Sale. The price that the Company will be required to pay (the “Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Price”) is equal to 101.0% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Date, subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. If the offer to purchase is for less than all of the outstanding Notes and Notes in an aggregate principal amount in excess of the purchase amount are tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the offer, the Company will purchase Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the purchase amount on a pro rata basis, with adjustments so that only Notes in multiples of $25.00 principal amount will be purchased. The “Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Date” will be a date specified by us that is not less than 20 nor more than 35 calendar days following the date of our Limited Permitted Asset Sale notice as described below. Any Notes purchased by us will be paid for in cash. See “—Offer to Purchase.”
(6) Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an officers’ certificate signed by two of the Company’s officers, one of which shall be the principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer of the Company, 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 the Indenture, and further stating, as to such officers signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Indenture (or, if a default or event of default shall have occurred, describing all such defaults or events of default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).
In addition, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an officers’ certificate signed by two of the Company’s officers, one of which shall be the principal executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer of the Company, of the occurrence of any event of default described under “—Events of Default” and any event of which such officers become aware that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would become such an event of default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Certain Definitions and Interpretations
For purposes of the foregoing provisions, the following definitions shall apply:
Cash and Cash Equivalents” means, as of a given date, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as determined in accordance with IFRS.
Credit Facility” means, with respect to Scorpio Tankers Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, any debt or commercial paper facilities with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit, term loans or letters of credit or any agreement treated as a finance or capital lease if and to the extent any of the preceding items would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified person prepared in accordance with IFRS.
IFRS” means the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Immaterial Subsidiary” means any subsidiary whose net book value of its assets or revenues is not in excess of 10.0% of the net book value of the consolidated Total Assets or consolidated vessel revenue of the Company as set out in the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the immediately preceding fiscal year, provided that, at no time shall (a) the total assets of all Immaterial Subsidiaries exceed 10.0% of the consolidated Total Assets of the Company or (b) the total vessel revenues calculated with respect to all Immaterial Subsidiaries (calculated on a stand-alone basis), in the aggregate, exceed 10.0% of the consolidated



vessel revenue of the Company, in each case as set out in the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the immediately preceding fiscal year.
“Limited Permitted Asset Sale” means any sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of any of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ assets (in the ordinary course of business or otherwise) during a single fiscal year, in a single transaction or series of transactions, (i) the Net Proceeds of which have not been applied pursuant to clauses (1) through (6) in accordance with the requirements set forth in “—Limitation on Asset Sales” and (ii) that results in Net Proceeds in excess of the amount provided for in clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Asset Sale, provided that the Net Proceeds of such Limited Permitted Asset Sale represent consideration at the time of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition at least equal to the fair market value (including as to the value of all non-cash consideration), as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company, of the assets subject to such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition. Any Net Proceeds that are not applied or invested as provided in (i) above and are in excess of the amount provided for in clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Asset Sale will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” For the avoidance of doubt, a Limited Permitted Asset Sale may occur only once. Following the first occurrence of a Limited Permitted Asset Sale, no further Limited Permitted Asset Sale shall be permitted;
Net Borrowings” means, in respect of Scorpio Tankers Inc. on a consolidated basis, as of a given date the aggregate of the following, without duplication:
(1)    Total Borrowings; less
(2)    Cash and Cash Equivalents.
Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the purchaser of indebtedness or other obligations relating to the property or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale or received in any other non-cash form and not disposed of for cash), net of fees, commissions, expenses and other direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, (a) fees and expenses related to such Asset Sale (including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, title and recording tax fees and sales and brokerage commissions, and any relocation expenses and severance or shutdown costs incurred as a result of such Asset Sale), (b) all federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, (c) any escrow or reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such assets established in accordance with IFRS and any reserve in accordance with IFRS against any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the seller after such Asset Sale, including liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale, except to the extent that such proceeds are released from any such escrow or to the extent such reserve is reduced or eliminated, and (d) any indebtedness required by its terms to be repaid, repurchased, redeemed or otherwise retired upon the applicable Asset Sale.
Net Worth” means, as of a given date, the result of, without duplication:
(1)    Total Assets, less
(2)    Total Borrowings (without giving effect to any fair value adjustments pursuant to IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement).
Permitted Asset Sale” means:
(1) any sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of any of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ assets (in the ordinary course of business or otherwise) in any transaction or series of transactions, such that (A) the aggregate market value of all assets so sold, transferred, leased or otherwise disposed of during any fiscal year may be up to (and including) 15.0% of the aggregate market value of all of the Company’s and the Company’s subsidiaries’ assets



(on a consolidated basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (B) the Company receives, or the relevant subsidiary of the Company receives, consideration at the time of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition at least equal to the fair market value (including as to the value of all non-cash consideration), as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company, of the assets subject to such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition;
(2) (a) the actual or constructive total loss of a Vessel or the agreed or compromised total loss of a Vessel, (b) the destruction of a Vessel, (c) damage to a Vessel to an extent as shall make repair thereof uneconomical or shall render such Vessel permanently unfit for normal use (other than obsolescence) or (d) the condemnation, confiscation, requisition for title, seizure, forfeiture or other taking of title to or use of a Vessel that shall not be revoked within 30 days, in each case as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company, provided that the aggregate market value of all assets included as a Permitted Asset Sale pursuant to this clause (2) during any fiscal year may not exceed 10.0% of the aggregate market value of all of the Company’s and the Company’s subsidiaries’ assets (on a consolidated basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year; and
(3) any sale of a Vessel entered into in connection with a sale and lease back transaction where concurrently with the sale of the Vessel the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries enter into a finance lease pursuant to which the Company or a subsidiary has the right or the obligation to purchase the Vessel at the termination of the lease.
Permitted Business” means any business conducted by the Company or any of its subsidiaries as described in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 and any businesses that, in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company, are reasonably related, ancillary, supplemental or complementary thereto, or reasonable extensions thereof, including without limitation, the direct or indirect ownership, management, operation and chartering of Vessels and any business incidental thereto.
Related Assets” means (a) any insurance policies and contracts from time to time in force with respect to a Vessel, (b) the capital stock of any subsidiary of the Company owning one or more Vessels and related assets, (c) any requisition compensation payable in respect of any compulsory acquisition of a Vessel, (d) any earnings derived from the use or operation of a Vessel and/or any earnings account with respect to such earnings, (e) any charters, operating leases, contracts of affreightment, Vessel purchase options and related agreements entered and any security or guarantee in respect of the charterer’s or lessee’s obligations under such charter, lease, Vessel purchase option or agreement, (f) any cash collateral account established with respect to a Vessel pursuant to the financing arrangement with respect thereto, (g) any building, conversion or repair contracts relating to a Vessel and any security or guarantee in respect of the builder’s obligations under such contract and (h) any security interest in, or agreement or assignment relating to, any of the foregoing or any mortgage in respect of a Vessel and any asset reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto.
Total Assets” means, in respect of Scorpio Tankers Inc. on a consolidated basis, as of a given date, all of the assets of Scorpio Tankers Inc. of the types presented on its consolidated balance sheet. “Total Borrowings” means, in respect of Scorpio Tankers Inc. on a consolidated basis, as of a given date, the aggregate of the following, without duplication:
(1)    the outstanding principal amount of any moneys borrowed; plus
(2)    the outstanding principal amount of any acceptance under any acceptance credit; plus
(3)    the outstanding principal amount of any bond, note, debenture or other similar instrument; plus
(4)    the book values of indebtedness under a lease, charter, hire purchase agreement or other similar arrangement which obligation is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease obligation under IFRS, and, for purposes of the indenture, the amount of such obligation at any date will be the capitalized amount thereof at such date, determined in accordance with IFRS; plus



(5)    the outstanding principal amount of all moneys owing in connection with the sale or discounting of receivables (otherwise than on a non-recourse basis or which otherwise meet any requirements for de-recognition under IFRS); plus
(6)    the outstanding principal amount of any indebtedness arising from any deferred payment agreements arranged primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of an asset (except trade payables); plus
(7)    any fixed or minimum premium payable on the repayment or redemption of any instrument referred to in clause (3) above; plus
(8)    the outstanding principal amount of any indebtedness of any person of a type referred to in the above clauses of this definition which is the subject of a guarantee given by Scorpio Tankers Inc. to the extent that such guaranteed indebtedness is determined and given a value in respect of Scorpio Tankers Inc. on a consolidated basis in accordance with IFRS.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Total Borrowings” shall not include any indebtedness or obligations arising from derivative transactions entered into solely for purposes of protecting against interest rate or currency fluctuations.
For purposes of the foregoing provisions and definitions, any accounting term, phrase, calculation, determination or treatment used, required or referred to in this Certain Covenants section is to be construed in accordance with IFRS in effect as of December 31, 2019.
Vessels” means one or more shipping vessels primarily designed and utilized for the transport of cargo, including, without limitation, bulk carriers, freighters, general cargo carriers, containerships and tankers, but excluding passenger vessels, or which are otherwise engaged, used or useful in any business activities of the Company, in each case together with all related spares, equipment and any additions or improvements.
Offer to Purchase
On or before the 30th day after the occurrence of a Limited Permitted Asset Sale, we will provide to all holders of the Notes and the Trustee and paying agent a notice of the occurrence of the Limited Permitted Asset Sale and of the resulting purchase right. Such notice shall state, among other things:
the events causing a Limited Permitted Asset Sale;
the date of the Limited Permitted Asset Sale;
the last date on which a holder may exercise the repurchase right;
the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Price;
the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Date;
the name and address of the paying agent; and
the procedures that holders must follow to require us to purchase their Notes.
Simultaneously with providing such notice, we will publish a notice containing this information in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York or publish the information on our website or through such other public medium as we may use at that time to achieve a broad dissemination of such notice.
To exercise the Limited Permitted Asset Sale purchase right, a holder of Notes must deliver, on or before the third business day (or as otherwise provided in the notice provided for above) immediately preceding the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Date, the Notes to be purchased, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written purchase notice and the form entitled “Form of Purchase Notice” on the reverse side of the Notes duly completed, to the paying agent. Such purchase notice must:
if certificated, state the certificate numbers of the Notes to be delivered for purchase;



if not certificated, comply with requisite DTC procedures;
state the portion of the principal amount of Notes to be purchased, which must be $25 or a multiple thereof; and
state that the Notes are to be purchased by us pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Notes and the Indenture.
The holder of such Notes may withdraw any purchase notice (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the paying agent prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Date. The notice of withdrawal shall:
state the principal amount of the withdrawn Notes;
if certificated Notes have been issued, state the certificate numbers of the withdrawn Notes;
if not certificated, comply with requisite DTC procedures; and
state the principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the purchase notice.
We will be required to purchase the Notes on the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Date. The holder of such Notes will receive payment of the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Price on the later of the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Date and the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of the Notes. If the paying agent holds money or securities sufficient to pay the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Price of the Notes on the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Date, then:
the Notes will cease to be outstanding and interest, including any additional interest, if any, will cease to accrue (whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes is made or whether or not the Notes are delivered to the paying agent); and
all other rights of the holder of such Notes will terminate (other than the right to receive the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Price).
In connection with any offer to purchase Notes pursuant to a Limited Permitted Asset Sale purchase notice, the Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws and regulations to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Limited Permitted Asset Sale.
No Notes may be purchased at the option of holders thereof upon a Limited Permitted Asset Sale if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, any other person or sell, assign, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) to any person or persons, unless:
the successor person (if any) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the United States of America, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Panama, the Commonwealth of Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Isle of Man, Cyprus, Norway, Greece, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Malta, any Member State of the European Union and any other jurisdiction generally acceptable, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company, to institutional lenders in the shipping industries;
the successor person (if any) expressly assumes by 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 Notes and the performance or observance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;



immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
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 the Indenture.
Upon any consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the successor person formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or to which such sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the Company shall be released from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Notes.
Events of Default
The Notes are subject to the following events of default:
(1)    failure to pay principal or any premium on the Notes when due;
(2)    failure to pay any interest when due, continued for 30 days;
(3)    failure to perform or comply with the provisions of the Indenture relating to mergers and similar events;
(4)    failure to provide notice of a Limited Permitted Asset Sale or to redeem Notes or repurchase Notes tendered for repurchase following the occurrence of a Change of Control or a Limited Permitted Asset Sale in conformity with the covenants set forth under the caption “-Limitation on Asset Sales,” or “-Optional Redemption Upon a Change of Control”, as applicable;
(5)    failure to perform any of our other covenants in the Indenture, continued for 60 days after written notice has been given by the Trustee, or the holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, as provided in the Indenture;
(6)    any final judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $25.0 million is entered against us and remains outstanding for a period of 90 consecutive days following entry of such final judgment or decree and is not discharged, waived or stayed; and
(7)    certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting us or any significant subsidiary.

If an event of default, other than an event of default described in clause (7) above, occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default described in clause (7) above occurs, the principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will automatically become immediately due and payable.
After any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and any premium, interest or Additional Amounts which have become due as a result of such acceleration, have been cured or waived.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we so elect, the sole remedy under the Indenture for an event of default relating to (i) our failure to file with the Trustee pursuant to Section 314(a)(1) of the TIA any documents or reports



that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or (ii) the failure to comply with our annual reporting obligations to the Trustee and the SEC, as described under “—Reports” below, will, after the occurrence of such an event of default, consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the Notes at an annual rate equal to (i) 0.25% per annum of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes for each day during the 90-day period beginning on, and including, the date on which such event of default first occurs and on which such event of default is continuing; and (ii) 0.50% per annum of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes for each day during the 90-day period beginning on, and including, the 91st day following, and including the date on which such event of default first occurs and on which such event of default is continuing. In the event we do not elect to pay the additional interest upon an event of default in accordance with this paragraph, the Notes will be subject to acceleration as provided above. This additional interest will be payable in arrears on the same dates and in the same manner as regular interest on the Notes. On the 181st day after such event of default first occurs (if not waived or cured prior to such 181st day), such additional interest will cease to accrue and the Notes will be subject to acceleration as provided above. The provisions of the Indenture described in this paragraph will not affect the rights of holders of Notes 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 the reporting obligations in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, we must notify all holders of record of Notes and the Trustee and paying agent of such election on or before the close of business on the fifth business day prior to the date on which such event of default would otherwise occur. Upon our failure to timely give such notice or pay additional interest, the Notes will be immediately subject to acceleration as provided above.
The Trustee will not be obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request of the holders unless the holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to the Indenture and applicable law and upon providing indemnification satisfactory to the Trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes will 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 Notes. The Indenture will provide that in the event an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder.
No holder of Notes will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy under the Indenture (except actions for payment of overdue principal and interest), unless:
such holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to the Notes;
the holders of not less than 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made a written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default in its own name as Trustee under the Indenture;
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;
the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute such proceedings; and
no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever 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.



However, notwithstanding any other provision in the Indenture, the holder of any Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Note on the stated maturity date (or, in the case of redemption, on the applicable 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.
Generally, the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes may waive any default or event of default unless:
we fail to pay the principal of or any interest on any Note when due;
we fail to comply with any of the provisions of the Indenture that would require the consent of the holder of each outstanding Note affected.
The Indenture provides that within 120 days after the Trustee receives written notice of a default, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all holders of Notes, notice of such default hereunder, unless such default shall have been cured or waived. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the best interest of the holders of Notes.
Each holder of Notes shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of:
the principal (including the Limited Permitted Asset Sale Purchase Price, if applicable) of;
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on; and
Additional Amounts, if any, on
such holder’s Notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the Indenture, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be, and such right to receive such payment or delivery, as the case may be, on or after such respective dates shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.
Modification and Waiver
Except as otherwise set forth below, we and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture with respect to the Notes with the consent (including consents obtained in connection with any tender offer or exchange offer) of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes. In addition, except as otherwise set forth below, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may waive our compliance in any instance with any provision of the Indenture without notice to the other holders of Notes. However, no amendment, supplement or waiver may be made without the consent of each holder of outstanding Notes affected thereby if such amendment, supplement or waiver would:
change the stated maturity of the principal of or any interest on the Notes;
reduce the principal amount of or interest on the Notes;
change the interest rate applicable to the Notes;
change the currency of payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or change any Note’s place of payment;
impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on, or with respect to, the Notes;
modify the provisions with respect to the purchase rights of the holders as described above under “—Limitation on Asset Sales” in a manner adverse to holders of Notes;
change the ranking of the Notes;
change our obligation to pay Additional Amounts on any Note;
waive a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Note (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the holders of at least a majority in



principal amount of the outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note or change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes; or
modify provisions with respect to modification, amendment or waiver (including waiver of events of default), except to increase the percentage required for modification, amendment or waiver or to provide for consent of each affected holder of the Notes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes without notice to, or the consent of, the holders of the Notes to:
cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of the Notes in any material respect;
provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations under the Indenture in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture;
secure the Notes;
add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of the Notes or surrender any right or power conferred upon us;
to provide for uncertificated Notes, at any time the Notes are in certificated form;
to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes;
to comply with the requirements of the TIA and any rules promulgated under the TIA; or
make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect.
The consent of the holders of the Notes is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the Indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to the holders of the Notes a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all the holders of the Notes, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
Satisfaction and Discharge
We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the Indenture by delivering to the registrar for cancellation all outstanding Notes or depositing with the Trustee or delivering to the holders, as applicable, after all outstanding Notes have become due and payable, or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, cash sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness of all outstanding Notes and all other sums payable under the Indenture by us. Such discharge is subject to terms contained in the Indenture.
Defeasance
We may terminate at any time all our obligations with respect to the Notes and the Indenture, which we refer to as “legal defeasance,” except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the Notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the Notes. We may also terminate at any time our obligations with respect to the Notes under the covenants described under “—Certain Covenants” and “—Reports,” and the operation of certain events of default, which we refer to as “covenant defeasance.” We may exercise the legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option.
If we exercise our legal defeasance option with respect to the Notes, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an event of default with respect thereto. If we exercise the covenant defeasance option with respect to the Notes, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an event of default specified in clause (4), clause (5) (with respect to the covenants described under “—Certain Covenants” or “—Reports”) or clause (6).



The legal defeasance option or the covenant defeasance option with respect to the Notes may be exercised only if:
(1)    we irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee cash or U.S. Government obligations or a combination thereof sufficient, in the opinion of a firm of certified public accountants, for the payment of principal of and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on the Notes to maturity,
(2)    such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance does not constitute a default under the Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument binding us,
(3)    no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and, with respect to covenant defeasance only, at any time during the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of such deposit (other than, if applicable, a default or event of default with respect to the Notes resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposits),
(4)    in the case of the legal defeasance option, we deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that:
(a)    we have received from the IRS a letter ruling, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service a Revenue Ruling, or
(b)    since the date of the Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such legal defeasance had not occurred,
(5)    in the case of the covenant defeasance option, we deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred,
(6)    we deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that, after the 123rd day after the date of deposit, all money and U.S. Government obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to the terms of the Indenture) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to be held in trust will not be subject to any case or proceeding (whether voluntary or involuntary) in respect of the Company under any U.S. Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or any decree or order for relief in respect of the Company issued in connection therewith, and
(7)    we deliver to the Trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Notes have been complied with as required by the Indenture.
Transfer and Exchange
We will maintain an office in New York City where the Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange. This office is an office or agency of the Trustee. No service charge will be imposed by us, the Trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but any tax or similar governmental charge required by law or permitted by the Indenture because a holder requests any Notes to be issued in a name other than such holder’s name will be paid by such holder. We are not required to transfer or exchange any Note surrendered for purchase except for any portion of that Note not being purchased.
We reserve the right to:



vary or terminate the appointment of the security registrar or paying agent; or
•    approve any change in the office through which any security registrar acts.
Payment and Paying Agents
Payments in respect of the principal and interest on global notes registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, in its capacity as the registered holder under the Indenture. In the case of certificated Notes, payments will be made in U.S. dollars at the office of the Trustee or, at our option, by check mailed to the holder’s registered address (or, if requested by a holder of more than $1,000,000 principal amount of Notes, by wire transfer to the account designated by such holder). We will make any required interest payments to the person in whose name each Note is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.
The Trustee is be designated as our paying agent for payments on the Notes. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.
Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the Trustee and paying agent shall pay to us upon written request any money held by them for payments on the Notes that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders of Notes entitled to the money must look to us for payment. In that case, all liability of the Trustee or paying agent with respect to that money will cease.
Purchase and Cancellation
The registrar and paying agent (if other than the Trustee) will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them by holders of such Notes for transfer, exchange or payment. All Notes delivered to the Trustee shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee in the manner provided in the Indenture and may not be reissued or resold. No Notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any Notes cancelled, except as provided in the Indenture.
We or our affiliates may purchase Notes from investors who are willing to sell from time to time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Notes that we or they purchase may, at our discretion, be held, resold or canceled. We may, to the extent permitted by law, and directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such Notes are surrendered to us), purchase Notes in the open market or by tender offer at any price or by private agreement.
Reports
So long as any Notes are outstanding, we will (i) file with the SEC within the time periods prescribed by its rules and regulations and applicable to us and (ii) furnish to the Trustee and the holders of the Notes within 15 days after the date on which we 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 or any other rule or order enacted by the SEC from time to time), all financial information to the extent required of us to be contained in Form 20-F and, with respect to the annual consolidated financial statements only, a report thereon by our independent auditors. We 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 will be required to be furnished to the Trustee. Documents filed by us with the SEC via the EDGAR system will be deemed to have been furnished to the Trustee and the holders of the Notes as of the time such documents are filed via EDGAR, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed pursuant to EDGAR.
Replacement of Notes



We will replace mutilated, destroyed, stolen or lost Notes at the expense of the holder of such Notes upon delivery to the Trustee of the mutilated Notes, or evidence of the loss, theft or destruction of the Notes satisfactory to us and the Trustee. In the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed note, indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee and us may be required at the expense of the holder of such Note before a replacement Note will be issued.
Notices
Except as otherwise described herein, notice to registered holders of the Notes will be given to the addresses as they appear in the security register. Notices will be deemed to have been given on the date of such mailing or electronic delivery. Whenever a notice is required to be given by us, such notice may be given by the Trustee on our behalf (and we will make any notice we are required to give to holders of Notes available on our website).
Governing Law
The Indenture and the Notes is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Concerning the Trustee
The Trustee, in its individual and any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for us as if it were not the Trustee; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign.
The Indenture will provide that in case an event of default shall occur and be continuing (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any holder of the Notes, unless such holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is the Trustee under the Indenture. The Trustee also acts as the paying agent, registrar and custodian for the Notes.
Book-entry System; Delivery and Form
Global Notes
The Notes were issued in the form of one or more global notes in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form.
The global notes were deposited with or on behalf of DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.
DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear
Beneficial interests in the global notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may hold interests in the global notes through either DTC (in the United States), Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg, which we refer to as Clearstream, or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as Euroclear, in Europe, either directly if they are participants in such systems or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the U.S. depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.



We have obtained the information in this section concerning DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear and the book-entry system and procedures from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
We understand that:
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC and facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates.
Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations.
DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, LLC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (successor to the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.).
Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly.
The rules applicable to DTC and its direct and indirect participants are on file with the SEC.
    We understand that Clearstream is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its customers and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its customers through electronic book-changes in accounts of its customers, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to its customers, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Section. Clearstream customers are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream customer either directly or indirectly.
We understand that Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., which we refer to as the Euroclear Operator, under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation, which we refer to as the Cooperative. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers, and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.



We understand that the Euroclear Operator is licensed by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission to carry out banking activities on a global basis. As a Belgian bank, it is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission.
We have provided the descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear herein solely as a matter of convenience, and we make no representation or warranty of any kind with respect to these operations and procedures. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of those organizations and are subject to change by them from time to time. None of us, the underwriters or the Trustee takes any responsibility for these operations or procedures, and you are urged to contact DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their participants directly to discuss these matters.
We expect that under procedures established by DTC:
 
upon deposit of the global notes with DTC or its custodian, DTC will credit on its internal system the accounts of direct participants designated by the underwriters with portions of the principal amounts of the global notes; and
ownership of the Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee, with respect to interests of direct participants, and the records of direct and indirect participants, with respect to interests of persons other than participants.
 
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of those securities in definitive form. Accordingly, the ability to transfer interests in the Notes represented by a global note to those persons may be limited. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in Notes represented by a global note to pledge or transfer those interests to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC’s system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of such interest.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the Indenture and under the Notes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note will not be entitled to have Notes represented by that global note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Notes and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture or under the Notes for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the Trustee. Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that holder is not a direct or indirect participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of Notes under the Indenture or a global note.
Neither we nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of Notes by DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of those organizations relating to the Notes.
Payments on the Notes represented by the global notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner thereof. We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment on the Notes represented by a global note, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the global note as shown in the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global note held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case with securities held for the accounts



of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. The participants will be solely responsible for those payments.
Distributions on the Notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of its customers in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively referred to herein as the Terms and Conditions). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants.
Distributions on the Notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of its participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.
Clearance and Settlement Procedures
Initial settlement for the Notes was made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants occurs in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between Clearstream customers and/or Euroclear participants occurs in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear, as applicable, and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional Eurobonds in immediately available funds.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by the U.S. depositary. Such cross-market transactions, however, will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving the Notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream customers and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to their U.S. depositaries.
Because of time-zone differences, credits of the Notes received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in the Notes settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of the Notes by or through a Clearstream customer or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.
Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of the Notes among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time.
Certificated Notes



We will issue certificated Notes to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of the Notes represented by a global note upon surrender by DTC of the global note if:
 
DTC notifies us that it is no longer willing or able to act as a depositary for such global note or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and we have not appointed a successor depositary within 90 days of that notice or becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered;
an event of default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, and DTC requests the issuance of certificated Notes; or
we determine not to have the Notes represented by a global note.
 Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC, its nominee or any direct or indirect participant in identifying the beneficial owners of the Notes. We and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be fully protected in relying on, instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes, including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the certificated Notes to be issued.

DESCRIPTION OF 2020 NOTES
For a description of the terms of our 2020 Notes, which are no longer outstanding, please see Exhibit 2.7 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2020.