SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss. 240.14a-11(c) or ss. 240.14a-12
INTERNATIONAL SHIPHOLDING CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
_____________________________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1. Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2. Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3. Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:
4. Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5. Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1. Amount Previously Paid:
2. Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3. Filing Party:
4. Date Filed:
<PAGE>
INTERNATIONAL SHIPHOLDING CORPORATION
17TH FLOOR
POYDRAS CENTER
650 POYDRAS STREET
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70130
------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
------------------------
TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS OF INTERNATIONAL SHIPHOLDING CORPORATION:
The annual meeting of stockholders of International Shipholding
Corporation will be held in the Executive Board Room, 17th Floor, Poydras
Center, 650 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, on Wednesday, April 21, 1999
at 2:00 p.m., New Orleans time, for the following purposes:
(i) to elect a board of eight directors to serve until the next annual
meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and
qualified;
(ii) to ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP, certified public
accountants, as independent auditors for the Corporation for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 1999; and
(iii) to transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only common stockholders of record at the close of business on March 5,
1999, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person.
However, if you are unable to attend in person and wish to have your stock
voted, PLEASE FILL IN, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE
ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. Your proxy may be revoked by
appropriate notice to the Secretary of International Shipholding Corporation at
any time prior to the voting thereof.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GEORGE DENEGRE
SECRETARY
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 16, 1999
<PAGE>
INTERNATIONAL SHIPHOLDING CORPORATION
17TH FLOOR
POYDRAS CENTER
650 POYDRAS STREET
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
------------------------
This Proxy Statement is furnished to stockholders of International
Shipholding Corporation (the "Corporation") in connection with the solicitation
on behalf of the Board of Directors of proxies for use at the annual meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation to be held on Wednesday, April 21, 1999, at 2:00
p.m., New Orleans time, in the Executive Board Room, 17th Floor, Poydras Center,
650 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. The approximate date of mailing of
this Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy is March 16, 1999.
Only holders of record of the Corporation's Common Stock at the close of
business on March 5, 1999, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
On that date, the Corporation had outstanding 6,498,637 shares of Common Stock,
each of which is entitled to one vote.
The enclosed proxy may be revoked by the stockholder at any time prior to
the exercise thereof by filing with the Secretary of the Corporation a written
revocation or duly executed proxy bearing a later date. The proxy will be deemed
revoked if the stockholder is present at the annual meeting and elects to vote
in person.
The cost of soliciting proxies in the enclosed form will be borne by the
Corporation. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by
personal interview, telephone and telegraph; and banks, brokerage houses and
other institutions, nominees, and fiduciaries will be requested to forward the
soliciting material to their principals and to obtain authorization for the
execution of proxies. The Corporation will, upon request, reimburse such parties
for their expenses incurred in connection therewith.
1
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following persons were known by the Corporation to own beneficially
more than five percent of its Common Stock (the only outstanding voting security
of the Corporation) as of March 5, 1999, unless otherwise indicated. The
information set forth below has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 based upon information furnished by
the persons listed. Unless otherwise indicated, all shares shown as beneficially
owned are held with sole voting and investment power.
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF PERCENT
BENEFICIAL OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OWNERSHIP CLASS
---------------- ------------ -------
Niels W. Johnsen (1)........................... 1,020,595 (2) 15.70%
(Chairman of the Board of the Corporation)
One Whitehall Street
New York, New York 10004
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.................. 904,362 (3) 13.92%
100 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Erik F. Johnsen (1)............................ 855,260 (4) 13.16%
(President and Director of the Corporation)
650 Poydras Street, Suite 1700
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.................. 483,029 (5) 7.43%
1299 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, California 90401
David L. Babson and Company Incorporated....... 474,750 (6) 7.31%
One Memorial Drive
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142-1300
- -------------
(1) Niels W. Johnsen and Erik F. Johnsen are brothers.
(2) Includes 224,622 shares owned by a corporation of which Mr. Johnsen is a
controlling shareholder.
(3) Based on information contained in Schedule 13G as of December 31, 1998.
These securities are owned by various individual and institutional
investors including T. Rowe Price Small Cap Value Fund, Inc. (which owns
664,000 shares, representing 9.9% of the shares outstanding), for which T.
Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates) serves as investment
advisor with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the
securities. Sole voting power is held only with respect to 71,500 of the
shares reported. Sole dispositive power is reported with respect to all
904,362 shares. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Price Associates is deemed to be a
beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly
disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.
(4) Includes 232,319 shares held as Agent and Attorney-in-Fact with full
rights of voting, disposition, or otherwise for the benefit of Erik F.
Johnsen's children and 8,875 shares owned by Mr. Johnsen's wife. Also
includes 505,000 shares held by the Erik F. Johnsen Family Limited
Partnership of which Mr. Johnsen is General Partner with sole voting and
investment power.
2
<PAGE>
(5) Based on information contained in Schedule 13G as of December 31, 1998.
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), a registered investment
advisor, furnishes investment advice to four registered investment
companies, and serves as investment manager to certain other investment
vehicles, including commingled group trusts. Dimensional possesses both
voting and investment power over the securities. Dimensional disclaims
beneficial ownership of such securities.
(6) Based on information contained in Schedule 13G as of December 31, 1998.
As of March 5, 1999, Niels W. Johnsen and Erik F. Johnsen were the
beneficial owners of a total of 1,875,855 shares (28.86%) of the Corporation's
Common Stock, and, to the extent they act together, they may be deemed to be in
control of the Corporation.
3
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The by-laws of the Corporation authorize the Board of Directors to fix the
size of the Board. Pursuant thereto, the Board of Directors has fixed the number
of directors at eight and proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of
persons. Unless authority to vote for the election of directors is withheld, the
persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote for the election of the eight
nominees named below to serve until the next annual meeting and until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. In the unanticipated event that any
of the nominees cannot be a candidate at the annual meeting, the shares
represented by the proxies will be voted in favor of such replacement nominees
as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 5, 1999,
concerning the nominees, all of whom are now serving a one year term as a
director, and all directors and executive officers as a group, including their
beneficial ownership of shares of each class of equity securities of the
Corporation as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Unless otherwise indicated, (i) each nominee has been
engaged in the principal occupation shown for more than the past five years and
(ii) the shares of the Corporation's Common Stock shown as being beneficially
owned are held with sole voting and investment power. Niels W. Johnsen, Erik F.
Johnsen, Raymond V. O'Brien, and Harold S. Grehan, Jr. each first became a
director of the Corporation in early 1979, when the Corporation was formed.
Niels M. Johnsen and Edwin Lupberger became directors in 1988. Edward K.
Trowbridge and Erik L. Johnsen became directors in 1994.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED BELOW.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND SHARES OF COMMON STOCK PERCENT
DIRECTORSHIP IN OTHER PUBLIC CORPORATIONS BENEFICIALLY OWNED OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Niels W. Johnsen, 76 (1)(2) ................................ 1,020,595 (10) 15.70%
Chairman of the Board of the Corporation
Erik F. Johnsen, 73 (2)(3) ................................. 855,260 (11) 13.16%
President of the Corporation
Niels M. Johnsen, 53 (2)(4) ................................ 277,153 (12) 4.26%
Executive Vice President of the Corporation
Erik L. Johnsen, 41 (2)(5) ................................. 53,911 (13) .83%
Executive Vice President of the Corporation
Harold S. Grehan, Jr., 71 (6) .............................. 92,250 1.42%
Edwin Lupberger, 62 (7) .................................... 1,249 .02%
President, Nesher Investments, LLC; formerly
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of Entergy Corporation; trustee, The Lupberger
Foundation; Advisory Director, Bank One, New Orleans
Raymond V. O'Brien, Jr., 71 (8) ............................ 5,936 .09%
Director, Emigrant Savings Bank, New York
Edward K. Trowbridge, 70 (9) ............................... 625 (14) .01%
All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons) 2,047,207 31.50%
</TABLE>
(1) Niels W. Johnsen has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation since its formation in 1979. He was one of the founders of
Central Gulf Lines, Inc. ("Central Gulf"), one of the Corporation's
principal subsidiaries, in 1947.
(2) Niels W. Johnsen and Erik F. Johnsen are brothers. Niels M. Johnsen is the
son of Niels W. Johnsen. Erik L. Johnsen is the son of Erik F. Johnsen.
(3) Erik F. Johnsen has been President, Chief Operating Officer and a director
of the Corporation since its formation in 1979. He was one of the founders
of Central Gulf in 1947.
4
<PAGE>
(4) Niels M. Johnsen joined Central Gulf in 1970 and held various positions
before being named Vice President in 1986. In 1997, he was named Executive
Vice President of the Corporation and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of each of the Corporation's principal subsidiaries, except Waterman
Steamship Corporation for which he serves as President.
(5) Erik L. Johnsen joined Central Gulf in 1979 and held various positions
before being named Vice President in 1987. In 1997, he was named Executive
Vice President of the Corporation and President and Chief Operating
Officer of each of the Corporation's principal subsidiaries, except
Waterman Steamship Corporation for which he serves as Executive Vice
President.
(6) Mr. Grehan has served as a director of the Corporation from its formation
in 1979. He also served as Vice President of the Corporation from its
formation until his retirement at the end of 1997.
(7) Mr. Lupberger served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of Entergy Corporation from 1985 to 1998.
(8) Mr. O'Brien served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Emigrant Savings Bank from January of 1978 through December of 1992.
(9) Mr. Trowbridge served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of Atlantic Mutual Companies from July of 1988 through November of 1993.
He served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Atlantic Mutual
Companies from 1985 until 1988.
(10) Includes 224,622 shares owned by a corporation of which Niels W. Johnsen
is the controlling shareholder.
(11) Includes 232,319 shares held as Agent and Attorney-in-Fact with full
rights of voting, disposition, or otherwise for the benefit of Erik F.
Johnsen's children. Mr. Johnsen disclaims beneficial ownership of such
shares. Also includes 8,875 shares owned by Erik F. Johnsen's wife and
505,000 shares held by the Erik F. Johnsen Limited Family Partnership of
which Mr. Johnsen is General Partner.
(12) Includes 2,968 shares held in trust for Niels M. Johnsen's daughter of
which he is a trustee. Also includes 224,622 shares owned by a corporation
of which Mr. Johnsen is a Vice President and director. Includes 15,750
shares held by the Niels W. Johnsen Foundation of which Niels M. Johnsen
is a director.
(13) Includes 35,022 shares held by Erik F. Johnsen as Agent and
Attorney-in-Fact for benefit of Erik L. Johnsen, referred to in footnote
(11) above and 6,500 shares held in trust for Erik L. Johnsen's two sons
of which he is a trustee.
(14) Shares owned jointly with wife.
During 1998, the Board of Directors of the Corporation held four meetings.
Each non-officer director receives fees of $16,000 per year plus $1,000 for each
meeting of the Board or a committee thereof attended.
The Board of Directors has an audit committee on which Messrs. Lupberger,
O'Brien and Trowbridge serve. The audit committee has general responsibility for
meeting from time to time with representatives of the Corporation's independent
auditors in order to obtain an assessment of the financial position and results
of operations of the Corporation and reports to the Board with respect thereto.
The audit committee met once in 1998.
During 1997, the Board established a compensation committee to administer
the Stock Incentive Plan on which Messrs. Lupberger, O'Brien and Trowbridge
serve. The compensation committee met once during 1998.
5
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY OF COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996,
1997 and 1998 the compensation paid by the Corporation with respect to the Chief
Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers
whose annual salary and bonus exceeded an aggregate of $100,000 for fiscal year
1998:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION ALL OTHER
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS COMPENSATION
----------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS (1) OPTIONS
---- -------- --------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Niels W. Johnsen, Chairman 1998 $330,000 $ 90,750 $ 0 $ 0
of the Board of the Corporation ........................... 1997 330,000 24,750 0 0
1996 330,000 0 0 31,344 (2)
Erik F. Johnsen, President 1998 330,000 90,750 0 17,132 (3)
of the Corporation ........................................ 1997 330,000 24,750 0 17,132 (3)
1996 330,000 0 0 17,132 (3)
Niels M. Johnsen, Executive Vice 1998 237,500 68,750 200,000 1,000 (4)
President of the Corporation .............................. 1997 220,000 16,500 0 1,000 (4)
1996 200,000 0 0 500 (4)
Erik L. Johnsen, Executive Vice 1998 189,583 55,000 200,000 0
President of the Corporation .............................. 1997 170,625 13,125 0 0
1996 145,000 0 0 0
Gary L. Ferguson, Vice President 1998 143,833 40,700 75,000 1,000 (4)
and Chief Financial Officer 1997 138,000 10,350 0 1,000 (4)
of the Corporation ........................................ 1996 125,000 0 0 500 (4)
</TABLE>
- -----------
(1) Represents cash bonuses earned with respect to services rendered during
the year indicated, 50% of which is paid in the following year and 25% of
which is paid in each of the next two years, if the officer remains
employed.
(2) The Corporation has an agreement with Niels W. Johnsen whereby his estate
will be paid approximately $822,000 upon his death. To fund this death
benefit, the Corporation acquired a life insurance policy at a cost of
$31,344 in 1996. In 1997, the Corporation chose to cancel this policy and
received $55,156 as its cash surrender value in March of 1997. The
Corporation has since reserved amounts sufficient to fund this death
benefit.
6
<PAGE>
(3) The Corporation has an agreement with Erik F. Johnsen whereby his estate
will be paid approximately $626,000 upon his death. To fund this death
benefit, the Corporation acquired a life insurance policy at a cost of
$17,132 in 1998, 1997 and 1996.
(4) Consists of contributions made by the Corporation to its 401(k) plan on
behalf of the employee.
7
<PAGE>
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
The Corporation has in effect a stock-based compensation plan, the Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The purpose of the Plan is to increase shareholder
value and to advance the interest of the Corporation by furnishing a variety of
economic incentives designed to attract, maintain, and motivate key employees
and officers and to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such
employees, officers, and the Corporation's shareholders. Incentives consist of
opportunities to purchase or receive shares of common stock in the form of
incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, or other
stock-based awards. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors of the Corporation or by a subcommittee thereof (the
"Committee"). Under the Plan, the Corporation may grant incentives to its
eligible Plan participants for up to 650,000 shares of common stock. No more
than 500,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted through the Plan to a single
participant in one calendar year. Key employees of the Company (including
officers and directors who are also full-time employees of the Company) will be
eligible to receive awards under the Plan when designated by the Committee.
OPTIONS GRANTED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE
SECURITIES OF TOTAL GRANT
UNDERLYING OPTIONS DATE
OPTIONS GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR BASE EXPIRATION PRESENT
NAME GRANTED (1) EMPLOYEES PRICE PER SHARE ($) DATE VALUE ($) (2)
- -------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Niels M. Johnsen ........................... 200,000 42.11% $ 17.1875 April 15, 2008 $ 1,542,000
Erik L. Johnsen ............................ 200,000 42.11% $ 17.1875 April 15, 2008 $ 1,542,000
Gary L. Ferguson ........................... 75,000 15.79% $ 17.1875 April 15, 2008 $ 578,250
</TABLE>
(1) All options became immediately exercisable on the date granted.
(2) The fair value of each of the 475,000 options granted during 1998
estiamted on the date of grant was $7.71 using the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model assuming expected volatility of 12.22% and a
risk-free rate of 5.89%.
OPTIONS EXERCISED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
UNEXERCISED VALUE OF
NUMBER OF OPTIONS AT UNEXERCISED
SHARES DECEMBER 31, 1998 IN-THE-MONEY
ACQUIRED VALUE EXERCISABLE/ OPTIONS AT
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED ($) UNEXERCISABLE DECEMBER 31, 1998
- -------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Niels M. Johnsen ......... 0 0 200,000 / 0 0
Erik L. Johnsen .......... 0 0 200,000 / 0 0
Gary L. Ferguson ......... 0 0 75,000 / 0 0
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
PENSION PLAN
The Corporation has in effect a defined benefit pension plan, in which all
employees of the Corporation and its domestic subsidiaries who are not covered
by union sponsored plans may participate after one year of service. Computation
of benefits payable under the plan is based on years of service, up to thirty
years, and the employee's highest sixty consecutive months of compensation,
which is defined as a participant's base salary plus overtime, excluding
incentive pay, bonuses or other extra compensation, in whatever form. The
following table reflects the estimated annual retirement benefits (assuming
payment in the form of a straight life annuity) an executive officer can expect
to receive upon retirement at age 65 under the plan, assuming the years of
service and compensation levels indicated below:
YEARS OF SERVICE
----------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS 15 20 25 30 OR MORE
- --------------------- ------- -------- -------- ----------
$100,000 ............ $21,527 $ 28,702 $ 35,878 $ 43,053
$150,000 ............ 33,902 45,202 56,503 67,803
$200,000 ............ 46,277 61,702 77,128 92,553
$250,000 ............ 58,652 78,202 97,753 117,303
$300,000 ............ 71,027 94,702 118,378 142,053
$350,000 ............ 83,402 111,202 139,003 166,803
This table does not reflect the fact that the benefit provided by the Retirement
Plan's formula is subject to certain constraints under the Internal Revenue
Code. For 1999, the maximum annual benefit generally is $130,000 under Code
Section 415. Furthermore, under Code Section 401(a)(17), the maximum annual
compensation that may be taken into account in calculating benefits in 1999 is
$160,000. These dollar limits are subject to cost of living increases in future
years.
Each of the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table set forth
above is a participant in the plan and, for purposes of the plan, was credited
during 1998 with a salary of $160,000, except that Mr. Ferguson was credited
with his actual salary. At December 31, 1998, such individuals had 51, 46, 28,
19 and 30 credited years of service, respectively, under the plan. The plan
benefits shown in the above table are not subject to deduction or offset by
Social Security benefits.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Decisions on cash compensation of the Corporation's executive officers for
1998 were made by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee of the
Board, which is made up of four independent directors, administers the
Corporation's Stock Incentive Plan and makes decisions on the grant of stock
options. Set forth below is a report submitted by the Board and the Committee
addressing the Corporation's executive compensation policies for 1998.
The Corporation's executive compensation structure for 1998 was comprised
of salaries, annual cash bonuses, and stock option grants. The salaries of
Messrs. Niels W. and Erik F. Johnsen, Chairman of the Board and President,
respectively, were set at $330,000 by the Board in 1990 and have not been
increased. The Board delegates to Niels W. and Erik F. Johnsen the power to set
the salaries of the other executive officers.
The Board believes that a significant portion of executive compensation
should be tied to corporate performance. The Board also believes that the
efforts of individual officers and employees can have a direct impact on the
ability of the Corporation to reduce and control general and administrative
expenses. The Officers Bonus Plan for 1998 (the "1998 Plan") adopted by the
Board was made up of two components, one based on the achievement of certain
profit levels by the Corporation and the other based on reductions in the
Corporation's administrative and general expenses. The 1998 Plan offered an
9
<PAGE>
opportunity for all officers to earn incentive cash bonuses of up to 30% of
salary. An officer had an opportunity to earn a cash bonus of between 3.75% and
22.5% of salary if certain corporate profit targets were reached. An officer
could earn a cash bonus of between 1.25% and 7.5% of salary if administrative
and general expenses were reduced to certain levels. Based on the corporate
profit earned and the reduction of expenses achieved in 1998, each executive
officer earned a cash bonus equal to 27.5% of salary.
In order to encourage the executive officers to remain employed by the
Corporation, one-half of the bonus is paid in the year following that in which
it is earned and the remaining portion is paid one-half in each of the next two
years, if the officer remains employed by the Corporation on the date of
payment. Future bonus payments are not forfeited, however, if employment
terminates as the result of eligible retirement, death or curtailment of
operations of the Corporation.
In 1998, the Compensation Committee granted stock options to Niels M.
Johnsen, Erik L. Johnsen and Gary L. Ferguson, reflecting the Committee's goal
of strengthening the relationship between executive compensation and increases
in the market price of the Common Stock, thereby better aligning the executive
officers' financial interests with those of the Corporation's stockholders. The
size of the option grant to each executive officer was tied to that officer's
level of corporate responsibility. (The Committee also considered information
furnished by executive compensation consultants regarding stock option practices
among comparable companies.)
Since each executive officer's annual compensation is substantially less
than $1 million, the Board does not believe that any action is necessary in
order to ensure that all executive compensation paid in cash will continue to be
deductible by the Corporation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
In addition, stock options granted in accordance with the terms of the Stock
Incentive Plan qualify as "performance-based" compensation and are excluded in
calculating the $1 million limit on executive compensation.
Submitted by the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee
Niels W. Johnsen Erik F. Johnsen
Niels M. Johnsen Erik L. Johnsen
Harold S. Grehan, Jr. Laurance Eustis*
Edwin Lupberger* Raymond V. O'Brien, Jr.*
Edward K. Trowbridge*
- --------------
*Member of the Compensation Committee
BOARD OF DIRECTOR INTERLOCKS,
INSIDER PARTICIPATION IN COMPENSATION DECISIONS
AND CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Decisions as to the cash compensation of the executive officers of the
Corporation are made by the Board of Directors. Five of the eight members of the
Board, Messrs. Niels W. Johnsen, Erik F. Johnsen, Niels M. Johnsen, Erik L.
Johnsen and Harold S. Grehan, Jr. (retired), are or were executive officers of
the Corporation and participated in decisions as to the 1998 Officer Bonus Plan.
Decisions on salary increases for executive officers other than themselves were
made by Niels W. Johnsen and Erik F. Johnsen. No executive officer of the
Corporation served during the last fiscal year as a director, or member of the
compensation committee, of another entity, one of whose executive officers
served as a director of the Corporation.
10
<PAGE>
Furnished below is information regarding certain transactions in which
officers and directors of the Corporation had an interest during 1998.
A son of the President of the Corporation is a partner in the law firm of
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere and Denegre which has represented
the Corporation since its inception. Fees paid to the firm for legal services
rendered to the Corporation during 1998 were $1,102,000. The Corporation
believes that these services are provided on terms at least as favorable to the
Corporation as could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following performance graph compares the performance of the
Corporation's Common Stock to the S & P 500 Index and to an Industry Peer Group
(which includes OMI Corporation, Overseas Shipholding Group, Stolt Tankers, Sea
Containers Limited and Alexander and Baldwin) for the Corporation's last five
fiscal years.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS *
INT'L SHIPHOLDING CORP., S&P 500, PEER GROUP
(PERFORMANCE RESULTS THROUGH 12/31/98)
[LINEAR GRAPH PLOTTED FROM DATA IN TABLE BELOW]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ISH --o-- $100.00 $105.70 $142.03 $128.32 $121.36 $112.11
S & P 500 --o-- $100.00 $101.32 $139.40 $171.40 $228.59 $293.91
Peer Group --|X|-- $100.00 $ 96.67 $106.61 $109.40 $136.26 $ 96.77
</TABLE>
Assumes $100 invested at the close of trading on the last trading day preceding
the first day of the fifth preceding fiscal year in ISH common stock, S&P 500,
and Industry Peer Group.
* Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
11
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Corporation's 1998 financial statements were audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP. The Board of Directors has appointed Arthur Andersen LLP as
independent auditors of the Corporation for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1999, and is submitting that appointment to its stockholders for ratification at
the annual meeting. Arthur Andersen LLP has served as the Corporation's auditors
since its inception in 1979. If the stockholders do not ratify the Board of
Directors' appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP by the affirmative vote of at
least a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented at the meeting in
person or by proxy, the selection of independent auditors will be reconsidered
by the Board.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.
OTHER MATTERS
QUORUM AND VOTING OF PROXIES
The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Corporation is necessary to constitute a quorum.
If a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of the Common Stock present or
represented will decide all questions properly brought before the meeting,
except that directors will be elected by plurality vote.
All proxies in the form enclosed received by the Board of Directors will
be voted as specified and, in the absence of instructions to the contrary, will
be voted for the election of the nominees named above and in favor of the
proposals specified above.
Management has not received any notice that a stockholder desires to
present any matter for action by stockholders at the annual meeting and does not
know of any matters to be presented at the annual meeting other than the
election of directors and the ratification of the selection of independent
auditors. The enclosed proxy will confer discretionary authority with respect to
any other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment
thereof. It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote
in accordance with their best judgment on any such matter.
EFFECT OF ABSTENTION AND BROKER NON-VOTES
Because directors are elected by plurality vote, abstentions and broker
non-votes will not affect the election of directors. With respect to the
proposal to ratify the selection of independent auditors and any other matter
that is properly before the meeting, an abstention from voting on the proposal
by a shareholder will have the same effect as a vote "against" the proposal, and
a broker non-vote will be counted as "not present" with respect to the proposal
and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of the vote with respect
thereto.
12
<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any stockholder who desires to present a proposal qualified for inclusion
in the Corporation's proxy material relating to the 2000 annual meeting must
forward the proposal to the Secretary of the Corporation at the address shown on
the first page of this Proxy Statement in time to arrive at the Corporation
prior to November 17, 1999. Proxies solicited on behalf of the Board of
Directors for the 2000 annual meeting will confer discretionary authority to
vote with respect to any other matter properly submitted by a stockholder for
action at the 2000 annual meeting if the Corporation does not, on or before
January 31, 2000, receive written notice, addressed to the Secretary of the
Corporation at the address shown on the first page of this Proxy Statement, that
the stockholder intends to do so.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GEORGE DENEGRE
Secretary
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 16, 1999
13
<PAGE>
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL YOUR
PROXY CARD BACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
INTERNATIONAL SHIPHOLDING CORPORATION
APRIL 21, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
A [X] Please mark your
votes as in this
example
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
FOR TO VOTE FOR
ALL NOMINEES NOMINEES
LISTED AT RIGHT LISTED AT RIGHT
<S> <C>
1. Election of [ ] [ ] Nominees: Niels W. Johnsen
Directors Erik F. Johnsen
To withhold authority to vote for any individual Niels M. Johnsen
nominee, strike a line through that nominee's name Erik L. Johnsen
in the list at right. Harold S. Grehan, Jr.
Raymond V. O'Brien, Jr.
Edwin Lupberger
Edward K. Trowbridge
</TABLE>
2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of Arthur FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Andersen LLP, certified public accountants as [ ] [ ] [ ]
the independent auditors for the Corporation for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999.
3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by
the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted
FOR proposals 1 and 2.
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
SIGNATURE__________________________ DATE________
SIGNATURE__________________________ DATE________
SIGNATURE IF HELD JOINTLY
NOTE: When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
title as such. If a corporation, please sign full corporate name by
President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign
in partnership name by authorized person.
