SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 8, 1999
HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Florida 0-28732 65-0524593
(State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
2200 Eller Drive, P.O. Box 13038, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 954.524.4200
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Item 3. Bankruptcy or Receivership.
On September 8, 1999, Hvide Marine Incorporated (the "Company") and
certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court") (Case No.
99-3024(PJW)). No trustee, examiner with extended powers, receiver, fiscal agent
or similar officer has been appointed with respect to the Company and such
subsidiaries, which continue to operate their businesses and manage their assets
as debtors in possession pursuant to Sections 1107 and 1108 of the Bankruptcy
Code.
See Item 5 below for additional information.
Item 5. Other Events.
Prior to the filings referred to in Item 3 above, the Company and
certain lending institutions entered into Amendment No. 7 and Interim Waiver,
dated as of August 20, 1999 ("Amendment No. 7"), of the Company's Amended and
Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (such Agreement, as amended,
the "Credit Facility"). In Amendment No. 7, the Company's bank lenders agreed to
waive, until September 7, 1999, the Company's noncompliance with certain
covenants in the Credit Facility.
In addition, effective September 10, 1999, the Company and certain
lending institutions entered into a Debtor in Possession Revolving Credit and
Term Loan Agreement (the "DIP Facility"). Subject to certain conditions and
limitations, the DIP Facility provides the Company with a revolving credit
facility of up to $60 million; in addition, the approximately $241 million of
borrowings previously outstanding under the Credit Facility have been converted
into a term loan under the DIP Facility. On September 9, 1999, the Bankruptcy
Court granted interim approval of the DIP Facility and thereby authorized the
$241 million term loan and borrowings under the revolving credit facility of up
to $42 million pending a final hearing, which is scheduled to be held on
September 30, 1999. Prior to December 15, 1999, borrowings under the DIP
Facility bear interest at three percentage points over the "Base Rate" of
Citibank, N.A., Administrative Agent under the DIP Facility; on and after
December 15, 1999, any such borrowings would bear interest at seven and one-half
percentage points over such Base Rate. The DIP Facility also provides for
certain fees payable by the Company and for certain covenants relating to
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; capital
expenditures; collateral coverage; and outstanding borrowings. The DIP Facility
expires on February 28, 2000.
The above descriptions are qualified by reference to Amendment No. 7
and the DIP Facility, which are filed as exhibits to this Report and are
incorporated herein by reference.
In its September 9, 1999 announcement concerning the Chapter 11 filings
and the DIP Facility, the Company also announced that it is in active
discussions with representatives of certain major creditors on the terms of a
restructuring plan under which the Company's general and trade creditors would
be paid in full; the DIP Facility would be refinanced; holders of the Company's
8.375% Senior Notes due 2008 would exchange their Senior Notes for common equity
of the Company; and holders of the Trust Convertible Preferred Securities issued
by a subsidiary of the Company and of the Company's Common Stock would receive
common equity and/or warrants to purchase common equity. Implementation of any
such plan is subject to numerous conditions and is expected to result in
substantial dilution to the Company's current stockholders.
On September 9, 1999, The Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") announced that
trading in the Company's Common Stock had been suspended "for additional
information requested" from the Company and that trading in the Common Stock
would remain suspended until the Company "has fully satisfied Nasdaq's request
for additional information." The Company subsequently provided Nasdaq with the
requested information. However, on September 20, 1999, Nasdaq advised the
Company that, in the opinion of Nasdaq's staff, "continued listing of the
Company's securities on [Nasdaq] is no longer warranted" and that its staff "has
determined to delist the Company's securities from [Nasdaq] effective with the
close of business on September 28, 1999." Nasdaq has also advised that the
Company may appeal this determination. The Company has not yet determined
whether it will pursue an appeal and can give no assurance that an appeal, if
pursued, would be successful.
Should the Company's Common Stock be delisted, it may trade in
securities markets other than Nasdaq. However, the Company can give no assurance
that its Common Stock will trade on any other markets or as to the nature and
extent of any such trading.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
The following are being filed as exhibits to this Report:
10.1 Amendment No. 7 and Interim Waiver, dated as of August 20, 1999, of Amended
and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February
12, 1998.
10.2 Debtor in Possession Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of
September 10, 1999.
99.1 Hvide Marine Incorporated announcement dated September 9, 1999.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED
(Registrant)
By s/Robert B. Lamm
Robert B. Lamm
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Dated: September 21, 1999
AMENDMENT NO. 7 AND INTERIM WAIVER
This AMENDMENT NO. 7 AND INTERIM WAIVER (this "Amendment"), dated as of
August 20, 1999, is by and among HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED (the "Borrower"), the
Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto (the "Guarantors"), CITIBANK,
N.A., as Administrative Agent (the "Administrative Agent"), BANKBOSTON, N.A., as
Documentation Agent (the "Documentation Agent" and together with the
Administrative Agent, the "Agents"), and the lending institutions party to the
Credit Agreement referred to below (collectively, the "Banks").
WHEREAS, the Borrower, certain of the Guarantors, the Banks and the
Agents are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and
Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 12, 1998 (as amended, the "Credit
Agreement"), pursuant to which the Agents and the Banks, upon certain terms and
conditions, have agreed to make loans and otherwise extend credit to the
Borrower;
WHEREAS, the Borrower has informed the Banks that it may be in default
of the covenants contained in ss.ss.13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and 13.5 of the Credit
Agreement as at March 31, 1999 and June 30, 1999 and for the fiscal periods then
ended (such defaults are referred to herein, collectively, as the "Specified
Defaults");
WHEREAS, the Borrower and the Guarantors have requested that the Banks
and the Agents amend certain of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and grant to the Borrower an interim waiver of the
Specified Defaults;
WHEREAS, the Banks and the Agents have agreed, subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth herein, to amend the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents as set forth herein, and to grant to the
Borrower an interim waiver of the Specified Defaults; and
WHEREAS, capitalized terms which are used herein without definition and
which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meanings herein as
in the Credit Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Banks and the Agents
hereby agree as follows:
ss.1. Interim Waiver. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions
precedent set forth in ss.9 hereof and in consideration of and reliance upon the
agreements of the Borrower and each of the Guarantors contained herein, each of
the Banks agrees, during the period (the "Waiver Period) from the date hereof
until the date (the "Waiver Expiration Date") that is the earlier to occur of
September 7, 1999, at 5:00 p.m. (New York local time) and the occurrence of any
Default or Event of Default (other than the Specified Defaults and any Default
or Event of Default caused by the Specified Defaults) to waive the Specified
Defaults and any Default or Event of Default caused by the occurrence of the
Specified Defaults. Such waiver shall automatically, and without action, notice,
demand or any other occurrence, expire on and as of the Waiver Expiration Date.
Upon the expiration of the Waiver Period, and from and after such date, (a) the
Banks and the Agents shall retain all of the rights and remedies relating to the
Specified Defaults, and any other Default or Event of Default under the Credit
Agreement, (b) the Specified Defaults shall be reinstated and shall be in full
force and effect for all periods including, prior to, and after, the Waiver
Period, and (c) any obligations of the Banks to make Revolving Credit Loans and
the Issuing Bank to issue, extend or renew Letters of Credit shall be subject to
the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, including, without
limitation, the conditions precedent set forth in ss.15 thereof.
ss.2. Other Defaults. The waiver set forth in ss.1 hereof shall apply
only to the Specified Defaults and no waiver with respect to any other Default
or Event of Default, whether presently existing or hereafter arising, is granted
hereby. Any obligation of the Banks to make Revolving Credit Loans and of the
Issuing Bank to issue, extend or renew Letters of Credit shall, at all times
(including, without limitation, during the Waiver Period), be subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in the Credit Agreement,
exclusive, during the Waiver Period, of those conditions precedent relating to
the absence of the Specified Defaults. The Banks and the Agents shall, at all
times, retain all of the rights and remedies in respect of any Default or Event
of Default under the Credit Agreement other than, during the Waiver Period, the
Specified Defaults.
ss.3. Principal Payment on the Term Loan. Notwithstanding the
provisions of ss.4.3 of the Credit Agreement, the parties hereto agree that
$3,357,143 of the principal payment of the Term Loan originally due on June 30,
1999, which payment was deferred until July 30, 1999, and further deferred until
August 20, 1999, shall be further deferred until the Waiver Expiration Date, at
which time such payment shall be absolutely due and payable.
ss.4. Extension Fees. (a) As consideration for the waiver granted
hereby, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the pro rata
accounts of the Banks in accordance with their Revolving Credit Commitment
Percentages, an extension fee in the amount of $500,000, payable on September 7,
1999; provided that, in the event that the Borrower, on or about September 10,
subject to availability on the Bankruptcy Court's calendar, enters into the
Debtor In Possession Facility (the "DIP Facility") with the Agents and the Banks
substantially on the terms as outlined in the documentation attached as Annex
A-1 hereto (the "DIP Loan Agreement"), Annex A-2 hereto (the "Interim Order")
and Annex A-3 hereto (the "Fee Letter"), such fee shall be applied, on the
closing date of the DIP Facility, to the $600,000 facility fee payable on the
closing date of the DIP Facility pursuant to the DIP Loan Agreement. In the
event that the Borrower does not enter into the DIP Facility on or about
September 10, 1999, subject to availability on the Bankruptcy Court's calendar,
such fee shall be retained ratably by the Banks which shall have provided a
commitment to the Agents to provide the DIP Facility to the Borrower. The
Borrower shall not be entitled to interest on any portion of such extension fee,
if any, that shall be applied to the payment of such facility fee.
(b) The parties agree that the Extension Fee paid pursuant to Section
9(b)(i) of Amendment No. 6 and Interim Waiver to the Credit Agreement, dated as
of July 30, 1999, which has been paid to the Administrative Agent, has been
distributed to the Banks in accordance with their Commitment Percentages, and
will be retained by the Banks.
ss.5. Amendment to the Credit Agreement. Subject to the satisfaction of
the conditions precedent set forth in ss.9 hereof, the Credit Agreement is
hereby amended as follows:
ss.5.1 Definitions. Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby
amended by deleting the definition of "Waiver Expiration Date" set forth therein
and substituting in lieu thereof the following new definition:
Waiver Expiration Date. The "Waiver Expiration Date", as defined in
that certain Amendment No. 7 and Interim Waiver, dated as of August 20, 1999, by
and among the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent and the Banks.
ss.5.2 Interest on Revolving Credit Loans. The Credit Agreement is
hereby further amended by deleting ss.2.5 thereof in its entirety and
substituting in lieu thereof the following new ss.2.5:
2.5. Interest on Revolving Credit Loans. Effective as of July
30, 1999, and except as otherwise provided in ss.8.9, each Revolving
Credit Loan shall bear interest for the period commencing with the
Drawdown Date thereof and ending on the last day of the Interest Period
with respect thereto at the rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus
ten percent (10%), payable weekly in cash, on each Interest Payment
Date. The Administrative Agent is authorized to arrange for the payment
of any interest owed hereunder by debiting any account maintained by
the Borrower or any of the Guarantors with the Administrative Agent.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, including,
without limitation, ss.2.6 hereof, no Revolving Credit Loans shall bear
interest determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.
ss.5.3 Interest on Term Loan. The Credit Agreement is hereby further
amended by deleting ss.4.5.1. thereto in its entirety and substituting in lieu
thereof the following new ss.4.5.1.:
4.5.1. Interest on Term Loan. Effective as of July 30, 1999,
and except as otherwise provided in ss.8.9, the Term Loan shall bear
interest during each Interest Period relating to all or any portion of
the Term Loan at the rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus ten
percent (10%), payable weekly in cash, on each Interest Payment Date.
The Administrative Agent is authorized to arrange for the payment of
any interest owed hereunder by debiting any account maintained by the
Borrower or any of the Guarantors with the Administrative Agent.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no portion
of the Term Loan shall bear interest determined by reference to the
Eurodollar Rate.
ss.5.4 Letter of Credit Fees. Section 5.6 of the Credit Agreement is
hereby amended by deleting the first two sentences of such Section and
substituting in lieu thereof the following new text: "The Borrower shall, on the
last Business Day of each calendar week, pay a fee (in each case, a "Letter of
Credit Fee") to the Administrative Agent, for the pro rata accounts of the Banks
in accordance with their Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages, in an amount
equal to ten percent (10%) per annum on the average daily Maximum Drawing Amount
of all Letters of Credit outstanding during such week. The Administrative Agent
is authorized to arrange for the payment of any Letter of Credit Fees owing
hereunder by debiting any account maintained by the Borrower or any of the
Guarantors with the Administrative Agent".
ss.6. Agreement of the Borrower and the Guarantors.
(a) The Borrower and each of the Guarantors confirm to the Agents and
the Banks that they have investigated other financing alternatives available to
the Borrower and after such investigation have concluded that the
debtor-in-possession financing arrangements offered to the Borrower by the
Agents and the Banks as set forth on Annex A-1, Annex A-2 and Annex A-3 hereto
are in the best interests of the Borrower. Therefore, the Borrower and each of
the Guarantors agree that, to the extent the Borrower requires
debtor-in-possession financing arrangements, the Borrower shall, subject to the
approval of the Bankruptcy Court, enter into debtor-in-possession financing
arrangements with the Agents and the Banks as set forth on Annex A-1, Annex A-2
and Annex A-3 hereto and the Borrower and each of the Guarantors shall cooperate
with the Agents and the Banks in the implementation of such financing
arrangements. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall, however, preclude the
Borrower from making other financial arrangements for an entire and simultaneous
refinancing of all of the Obligations, with the refinancing lender making an
initial advance to pay all of the Obligations in full, including the cash
collateralization of all Letters of Credit in an amount equal to 110% of the
Maximum Drawing Amount thereof, and thereafter providing any needed working
capital financing to the Borrower.
(b) Each of the Borrower and each of the Guarantors shall cooperate
with the Banks and the Agents and to take all actions necessary or advisable to
maintain the bank account agreements and Agency Account Agreements provided for
in the Credit Agreement, to perfect the Agents' rights in all Collateral and to
more fully carry out the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.
(c) This Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document, as defined in the
Credit Agreement, and (i) any failure of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors
to comply with the provisions of this Amendment and/or (ii) the failure of any
representation or warranty contained herein to be true and correct in all
material respects shall constitute a Default and an Event of Default under the
Credit Agreement.
ss.7. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower and each of the
Guarantors represent and warrant to the Banks and the Agents as follows:
(a) Representations and Warranties in Credit Agreement. The
representations and warranties of the Borrower and each of the Guarantors
contained in the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, (i) were true and correct
in all material respects when made, and (ii) continue to be true and correct in
all material respects on the date hereof, except to the extent such
representations and warranties by their terms are made solely as of a prior
date, except as disclosed by the Company, in writing, to the Agents pursuant to
a letter dated as of the date hereof, and except as to the representations and
warranties set forth in ss.10.11 (with respect to the existence of the Specified
Defaults) and ss.10.22 (with respect to additional bank accounts which have been
disclosed to the Agents); provided, however, that for purposes of clause (ii) of
this Section 7(a), neither the Borrower nor any of the Guarantors shall be
deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the matters set forth in
ss.10.5 of the Credit Agreement.
(b) Authority, Etc. The execution and delivery by the Borrower and each
of the Guarantors of this Amendment and the performance by the Borrower and each
of the Guarantors of all of their agreements and obligations under this
Amendment and the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as amended
hereby (i) are within the corporate or limited partnership, as the case may be,
authority of the Borrower and each of the Guarantors, (ii) have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate or limited partnership proceedings or
actions, as the case may be, by the Borrower and each of the Guarantors, (iii)
do not conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of any provision
of law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Borrower or any of the
Guarantors is subject or any judgment, order, writ, injunction, license or
permit applicable to the Borrower or any of the Guarantors, and (iv) do not
conflict with any provision of the corporate charter, by-laws or partnership
agreement of, or any agreement or other instrument binding upon, the Borrower or
any of the Guarantors.
(c) Enforceability of Obligations. This Amendment, and the Credit
Agreement as amended hereby, and the other Loan Documents constitute the legal,
valid and binding obligations of the Borrower and each of the Guarantors
enforceable against each such Person in accordance with their respective terms.
(d) Perfection of Security Interest. Each of the Borrower and each of
the Guarantors hereby represents, warrants and affirms the first priority
perfected security interest of the Documentation Agent, for the benefit of the
Banks and the Agent, in substantially all of the Collateral, subject to
Permitted Liens entitled to priority under applicable law. The Agents and the
Banks acknowledge that such representation, warranty, and affirmation does not
constitute a waiver by the Borrower or any of the Guarantors of any avoidance
power arising under Chapter 5 of the federal Bankruptcy Code.
(e) Year 2000. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have (i) reviewed the
areas within their businesses and operations which could be adversely affected
by failure to become "Year 2000 Compliant" (i.e. that computer applications,
imbedded microchips and other systems used by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries will be able properly to recognize and perform properly
date-sensitive functions involving certain dates prior to, on and after December
31, 1999), (ii) developed a detailed plan and timetable to become Year 2000
Compliant in a timely manner, and (iii) committed adequate resources to support
the Year 2000 plan of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Based upon such review,
the Borrower reasonably believes that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries will
become "Year 2000 Compliant" in a timely manner except to the extent that
failure to do so will not have any materially adverse effect on the business or
financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
ss.8. Affirmation and Agreements of Borrower and the Guarantors.
(a) The Borrower hereby affirms its absolute and unconditional promise
to perform and pay to each Bank and the Agents the Obligations under the Notes,
the Credit Agreement as amended hereby, and the other Loan Documents at the
times and in the amounts provided for therein.
(b) Each of the Guarantors hereby acknowledges that it has read and is
aware of the provisions of this Amendment. Each of the Guarantors hereby
reaffirms its absolute and unconditional guaranty of the Borrower's payment and
performance of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby and
the other Loan Documents.
(c) In order to induce the Agents and the Banks to enter into this
Amendment, each of the Borrower and the Guarantors acknowledges and agrees that:
(i) none of them has any claim or cause of action against either of the Agents
or any of the Banks (or any of their respective directors, officers, employees
or agents); (ii) none of them has any offset right, counterclaim or defense of
any kind against any of their respective obligations, indebtedness or
liabilities to the Agents and the Banks; and (iii) each of the Agents and the
Banks have heretofore properly performed and satisfied in a timely manner all of
their obligations to the Borrower and the Guarantors. The Borrower and the
Guarantors wish to eliminate any possibility that any past conditions, acts,
omissions, events, circumstances or matters would impair or otherwise adversely
affect any of the Agents' or any Bank's rights, interests, contracts, collateral
security or remedies. Therefore, each of the Borrower and the Guarantors
unconditionally releases, waives and forever discharges (A) any and all
liabilities, obligations, duties, promises or indebtedness of any kind of either
of the Agents or any of the Banks to any of the Borrower and the Guarantors,
except the obligations to be performed by the Agent and the Banks as expressly
stated in this Amendment and the other Loan Documents, and (B) all claims,
offsets, causes of action, suits or defenses of any kind whatsoever (if any),
whether arising at law or in equity, whether known or unknown, which the
Borrower or any of the Guarantors might otherwise have against either of the
Agents or any of the Banks or any of their directors, officers, employees or
agents, in either case (A) or (B), on account of any condition, act, omission,
event, contract, liability, obligation, indebtedness, claim, cause of action,
defense, circumstance or matter of any kind whatsoever presently existing or
hereafter arising. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall
constitute a waiver by the Borrower or any of the Guarantors of any avoidance
power arising under Chapter 5 of the federal Bankruptcy Code.
ss.9. Conditions to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall be effective as
of the date hereof upon the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent
by 12:00 noon (New York local time) on September 7, 1999 (each of the following
to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents):
(a) receipt by the Agents of an original counterpart signature (or a
faxed copy thereof with originals to follow) to this Amendment, duly executed
and delivered by the Borrower, each of the Guarantors, the Banks and the Agents;
(b) receipt by the Administrative Agent of (i) the extension fee
referred to in Section 4(a) of this Amendment and (ii) amounts sufficient to
cause the retainer account for the fees and expenses of professionals retained
by the Agents to be replenished to not less than $250,000;
(c) receipt by the Banks of the revised cash flow forecast for the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries;
(d) payment by the Borrower of the fees and expenses of the Agents
(including, without limitation, all accrued cash management fees and legal
expenses related to the administration of the cash management arrangements for
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries), the fees and expenses of counsel to the
Agents, and the fees and expenses of the Agents' business, consulting and
restructuring advisors, in each case, to the extent that invoices for the same
have been presented to the Borrower; and
(e) receipt by the Agents of (i) evidence of proper corporate and/or
partnership authorization by the Borrower and each of the Guarantors of this
Amendment and (ii) all such other closing documents as reasonably requested by
either of the Agents.
ss.10. Agreement of the Banks. Each of the Banks (i) authorizes Bingham
Dana LLP to engage Dufour, Laskay & Strouse in connection with the appraisal of
the vessel fleet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (ii) agrees to be
bound by the provisions set forth in the Bank Group Agreements Re Engagement of
Dufour, Laskay & Strouse, Inc. set forth on Annex B hereto. The parties agree
that Bingham Dana LLP will provide a copy of such appraisal to the Borrower
promptly upon receipt thereof.
ss.11. Miscellaneous Provisions. (a) Except as otherwise expressly
provided by this Amendment, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the
Credit Agreement shall remain the same. It is declared and agreed by each of the
parties hereto that the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, shall continue in
full force and effect, and that this Amendment and the Credit Agreement shall be
read and construed as one instrument.
(b) The participation by either Agent or any Bank or Banks and/or any
of their respective representatives in discussions with the Borrower and/or its
affiliates or representatives shall not impose any duty on any party to
negotiate a restructuring of the Credit Agreement or to agree on any
restructuring. No oral representations or statements shall constitute an
agreement by any party. The Credit Agreement can only be amended in a duly
signed and authorized writing. The Borrower and its affiliates shall not be
entitled to rely on statements or representations of either Agent, any Bank or
their representatives, other than those in writing duly signed and authorized.
(c) THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED ACCORDING TO,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR
CHOICE OF LAW).
(d) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, but
all such counterparts shall together constitute but one instrument. In making
proof of this Amendment it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more
than one counterpart signed by each party hereto by and against which
enforcement hereof is sought.
(e) Headings or captions used in this Amendment are for convenience of
reference only and shall not define or limit the provisions hereof.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as
of the date first written above.
HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED
By:
Title:
CITIBANK, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent
By:
Title:
BANKBOSTON, N.A., individually and as Documentation Agent
By:
Title:
GMAC COMMERCIAL CREDIT LLC
(f/k/a BNY FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
By:
Title:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
By:
Title:
<PAGE>
COMAC ACQUISITION CO., L.P.
By:
Title:
BANK ONE, LOUISIANA, N.A.
(AS SUCCESSOR TO FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE)
By:
Title:
HALCYON DISTRESSED SECURITIES, L.P.
By:
Title:
ABN AMRO BANK, N.V.
By:
Title:
By:
Title:
ARAB BANKING CORPORATION (B.S.C.)
By:
Title:
<PAGE>
CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE, NEW YORK BRANCH
By:
Title:
By:
Title:
BEAR, STEARNS & CO., INC.
By:
Title:
CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
By:
Title:
SUNTRUST BANK, SOUTH FLORIDA, N.A.
By:
Title:
UNION PLANTERS BANK OF FLORIDA
By:
Title:
<PAGE>
CONTRARIAN FUNDS LLC
By:
Title:
CONTRARIAN CAPITAL ADVISERS
By:
Title:
SALOMON BROTHERS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
By:
Title:
<PAGE>
Each of the undersigned Guarantors hereby consents to the above
Amendment and confirms its unconditional guaranty of the Obligations under the
Credit Agreement, as amended hereby.
HVIDE MARINE TRANSPORT,
INCORPORATED
SEABULK CONDOR, INC.
SEABULK CORMORANT, INC.
SEABULK CARDINAL, INC.
SEABULK COOT II, INC.
SEABULK CYGNET I, INC.
SEABULK EAGLE II, INC.
SEABULK FALCON II, INC.
SEABULK GANNET I, INC.
SEABULK GANNET II, INC.
SEABULK HARRIER, INC.
SEABULK HAWAII, INC.
SEABULK KESTREL, INC.
SEABULK LARK, INC.
SEABULK MALLARD, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE GLOBAL
HOLDINGS, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE HOLDINGS, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE, LTD.
By its general partner Seabulk Tankers, Ltd.
By its general partner Hvide Marine Transport, Incorporated
SEABULK OFFSHORE OPERATORS, INC.
SEABULK OREGON, INC.
SEABULK OSPREY, INC.
SEABULK PENGUIN I, INC.
SEABULK PENGUIN II, INC.
SEABULK RAVEN, INC.
SEABULK ROOSTER, INC.
SEABULK SABINE, INC.
SEABULK SNIPE, INC.
SEABULK SWAN, INC.
<PAGE>
SEABULK TANKERS, LTD.
By its general partner Hvide Marine
Transport, Incorporated
SEABULK TOUCAN, INC.
SEABULK TRANSMARINE PARTNERSHIP, LTD.
By its general partner Seabulk Tankers, Ltd.
By its general partner Hvide Marine
Transport, Incorporated
SEABULK VERITAS, INC.
HMI OPERATORS, INC.
HVIDE MARINE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
OFFSHORE MARINE MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
SEABULK ALBANY, INC.
SEABULK ALKATAR, INC.
SEABULK ARABIAN, INC.
SEABULK ARZANAH, INC.
SEABULK ARCTIC EXPRESS, INC.
SEABULK ARIES II, INC.
SEABULK BARRACUDA, INC.
SEABULK BATON ROUGE, INC.
SEABULK BECKY, INC.
SEABULK BETSY, INC.
SEABULK BRAVO, INC.
SEABULK BUL HANIN, INC.
SEABULK CAPRICORN, INC.
SEABULK CAROL, INC.
SEABULK CAROLYN, INC.
SEABULK CHAMP, INC.
SEABULK CHRISTOPHER, INC.
SEABULK CLAIBORNE, INC.
SEABULK CLIPPER, INC.
SEABULK COMMAND, INC.
SEABULK CONSTRUCTOR, INC.
SEABULK COOT I, INC.
SEABULK CYGNET II, INC.
SEABULK DANAH, INC.
SEABULK DAYNA, INC.
SEABULK DEBBIE, INC.
SEABULK DEBORA ANN, INC.
SEABULK DEFENDER, INC.
SEABULK DIANA, INC.
SEABULK DISCOVERY, INC.
SEABULK DUKE, INC.
SEABULK EAGLE, INC.
SEABULK EMERALD, INC.
SEABULK ENERGY, INC.
SEABULK EXPLORER, INC.
SEABULK FALCON, INC.
SEABULK FREEDOM, INC.
SEABULK FULMAR, INC.
SEABULK GABRIELLE, INC.
SEABULK GAZELLE, INC.
SEABULK GIANT, INC.
SEABULK GREBE, INC.
SEABULK HABARA, INC.
SEABULK HAMOUR, INC.
SEABULK HATTA, INC.
SEABULK HAWK, INC.
SEABULK HERCULES, INC.
SEABULK HERON, INC.
SEABULK HORIZON, INC.
SEABULK HOUBARE, INC.
SEABULK IBEX, INC.
SEABULK ISABEL, INC.
SEABULK JASPER, INC.
SEABULK JEBEL ALI, INC.
SEABULK KATIE, INC.
SEABULK KING, INC.
SEABULK KNIGHT, INC.
SEABULK LAKE EXPRESS, INC.
SEABULK LARA, INC.
SEABULK LIBERTY, INC.
SEABULK LINCOLN, INC.
SEABULK LULU, INC.
SEABULK MAINTAINER, INC.
SEABULK MARLENE, INC.
SEABULK MARTIN I, INC.
SEABULK MARTIN II, INC.
SEABULK MASTER, INC.
SEABULK MERLIN, INC.
SEABULK MUBARRAK, INC.
SEABULK NEPTUNE, INC.
SEABULK NIDDY, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE ABU DHABI, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE DUBAI, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE OPERATORS TRINIDAD LIMITED
SEABULK ORYX, INC.
SEABULK PELICAN, INC.
SEABULK PENNY, INC.
SEABULK PERSISTENCE, INC.
SEABULK PETREL, INC.
SEABULK PLOVER, INC.
SEABULK POWER, INC.
SEABULK PRIDE, INC.
SEABULK PRINCE, INC.
SEABULK PRINCESS, INC.
SEABULK PUFFIN, INC.
SEABULK QUEEN, INC.
SEABULK SALIHU, INC.
SEABULK SAPPHIRE, INC.
SEABULK SARA, INC.
SEABULK SEAHORSE, INC.
SEABULK SENGALI, INC.
SEABULK SERVICE, INC.
SEABULK SHARI, INC.
SEABULK SHINDAGA, INC.
SEABULK SKUA I, INC.
SEABULK SUHAIL, INC.
SEABULK SWIFT, INC.
SEABULK TAURUS, INC.
SEABULK TENDER, INC.
SEABULK TIMS I, INC.
SEABULK TITAN, INC.
SEABULK TOOTA, INC.
SEABULK TRADER, INC.
SEABULK TRANSMARINE II, INC.
SEABULK TREASURE ISLAND, INC.
SEABULK UMM SHAIF, INC.
SEABULK VIRGO I, INC.
SEABULK VOYAGER, INC.
SEABULK ZAKUM, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
SEABULK OFFSHORE OPERATORS NIGERIA LIMITED
By:
Name:
Title:
SEABULK RED TERN LIMITED
By:
Name:
Title:
SEAMARK LTD., INC.
By: __________________________
Name:
Title:
LIGHTSHIP LIMITED PARTNER
HOLDINGS, LLC
By: Hvide Marine Incorporated,
as sole member
By:
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
HVIDE MARINE TOWING, INC.
HVIDE MARINE TOWING SERVICES, INC.
SEABULK OCEAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
LONE STAR MARINE SERVICES, INC.
SEABULK OCEAN SYSTEMS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
SEABULK OFFSHORE U.K., LIMITED
OCEAN SPECIALTY TANKERS
CORP.
SUN STATE MARINE SERVICES, INC.
By: __________________________
Name: Andrew W. Brauninger
Title: as Attorney In Fact
SEABULK ST. TAMMANY, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
HMI CAYMAN HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
HVIDE MARINE de VENEZUELA, S.R.L.
By:
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
The undersigned Guarantor hereby consents to the above Amendment and confirms
its unconditional Guaranty of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement, as
amended hereby.
MARANTA, S.A.
By:
Name:
Title:
DEBTOR IN POSSESSION REVOLVING
CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT
This DEBTOR IN POSSESSION REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT is
made as of September 10, 1999, by and among HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED (the
"Borrower"), a Florida corporation and a debtor and debtor in possession having
its principal place of business at 2200 Eller Drive, P.O. Box 13038, Port
Everglades Station, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, the Guarantors referred to
herein, the lending institutions listed on Schedule 1 hereto, CITIBANK, N.A. as
administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent"), and BANKBOSTON, N.A. as
documentation agent (the "Documentation Agent").
WHEREAS, the Borrower is a party to the Amended and Restated Revolving
Credit Agreement, dated as of February 12, 1998 (as amended, the "Prepetition
Credit Agreement"), among Hvide Marine Incorporated as borrower, certain
subsidiaries thereof as guarantors, certain lenders thereto and BankBoston, N.A.
and Citibank, N.A. as agents for such lenders;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the lenders under the Prepetition
Credit Agreement are owed approximately $160,113,058 in revolving loan principal
obligations, including $3,105,270 in letter of credit reimbursement obligations,
and $83,881,979.23 in term loan obligations, plus interest, fees, costs and
expenses.
WHEREAS, the loan obligations under the Prepetition Credit Agreement
are secured by a security interest in a substantial portion of the existing and
after-acquired assets of the Borrower and the Guarantors, and such security
interest is perfected and has priority over other security interests.
whereas, on September 8, 1999 (the "Filing Date"), the Borrower and the
Guarantors filed separate petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in
the Bankruptcy Court.
whereas, the Borrower intends to continue to operate its business
pursuant to Sections 1107 and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code.
whereas, the Borrower has requested that the Banks referred to herein
provide financing to the Borrower consisting of advances and letter of credit
reimbursement obligations in an amount up to $300,889,767.23 pursuant to
Sections 364(c)(1), (2) and (3) of the Bankruptcy Code in order to provide
working capital for the Borrower, to refinance the Prepetition Bank Debt (as
hereinafter defined) and for other general corporate purposes.
whereas, the Borrower has agreed to secure its Obligations hereunder
with, inter alia, liens on and security interests in and to a substantial
portion of the property and interests, real and personal, tangible and
intangible, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired (other than assets encumbered in favor of certain other parties),
subject in priority only to certain Liens and the Carve Out as hereinafter
provided, all on the terms and conditions set forth in the Loan Documents in
accordance with Sections 364(c)(1), (2) and (3) of the Bankruptcy Code.
whereas, the Banks have indicated their willingness to agree to lend
such amounts pursuant to Sections 364(c)(1), (2) and (3) of the Bankruptcy Code
on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and of the mutual
undertakings set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION.
1.1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings set forth
in this ss.1 or elsewhere in the provisions of this Credit Agreement referred to
below:
Adjusted Projected Revolver Outstandings. As at the last Business Day
of any week set forth in the table below, the amount set forth opposite such
week in the table below under the heading "Adjusted Projected Revolver
Outstandings":
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
Week Ending Adjusted Projected Revolver
Outstandings
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
9/12/99 $25,354,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
9/19/99 $33,110,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
9/26/99 $38,765,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
10/3/99 $42,528,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
10/10/99 $42,079,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
10/17/99 $44,529,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
10/24/99 $46,477,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
10/31/99 $51,775,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
11/7/99 $51,769,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
11/14/99 $52,400,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
11/21/99 $52,972,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
11/28/99 $55,855,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
12/5/99 $59,203,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
12/12/99 $57,477,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
12/19/99 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
12/26/99 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
1/2/00 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
1/9/00 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
1/16/00 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
1/23/00 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
1/30/00 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
2/6/00 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
2/13/00 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
2/20/00 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
2/27/00 $60,000,000
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
Administrative Agent. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Administrative Agent's Head Office. The Administrative Agent's head
office located at Two Penn's Way, Suite 200, Newcastle, Delaware 19720, or at
such other location as the Administrative Agent may designate from time to time.
Affiliate. Any Person that would be considered to be an affiliate of
the Borrower under Rule 144(a) of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, as in effect on the date hereof, if the Borrower were
issuing securities.
Agency Account Agreement. An agreement, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Agents, entered into between an Agent and a
depository institution at which the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries
maintains a depository account.
Agents. Collectively, the Administrative Agent and the Documentation
Agent.
Agents' Special Counsel. Collectively, Bingham Dana LLP and Weil
Gotshal & Manges LLP or such other counsel as may be approved by the Agents.
Assignment and Acceptance. See ss.22.1.
Balance Sheet Date. December 31, 1998.
Banks. The lending institutions listed on Schedule 1 hereto and any
other Person who becomes an assignee of any rights and obligations of a Bank
pursuant to ss.22. The term "Banks" as used herein also includes the Issuing
Bank.
Bankruptcy Code. Title 11, United States Code.
Bankruptcy Court. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District
of Delaware or such other court having jurisdiction over the Cases.
Base Rate. The higher of (i) the annual rate of interest announced from
time to time by the Administrative Agent as its "base rate" and (ii) one-half of
one percent (1/2%) above the Federal Funds Effective Rate. For the purposes of
this definition, "Federal Funds Effective Rate" shall mean for any day, the rate
per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal
funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day,
for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the
average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the
Administrative Agent from three funds brokers of recognized standing selected by
the Administrative Agent.
Base Rate Loans. Revolving Credit Loans and all or any portion of the
Term Loan bearing interest calculated by reference to the Base Rate.
Borrower. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Business Day. Any day on which banking institutions in New York, New
York and Boston, Massachusetts are open for the transaction of banking business.
Capital Assets. Fixed assets, both tangible (such as land, buildings,
fixtures, machinery and equipment) and intangible (such as patents, copyrights,
trademarks, franchises and good will); provided that Capital Assets shall not
include any item customarily charged directly to expense or depreciated over a
useful life of twelve (12) months or less in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
Capital Expenditures. Amounts paid or Indebtedness incurred by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the purchase, lease,
improvement, maintenance, or repair by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
of Capital Assets that would be required to be capitalized and shown on the
balance sheet of such Person in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Capitalized Lease. With respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by one or more of
such Persons as lessee that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, either would be required to be classified and accounted for as a
capital lease on a balance sheet of such Persons or otherwise be disclosed as
such in a note to such balance sheet, other than any such lease under which
the Borrower and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries is the lessor.
Carve Out. At any time of determination, the sum of (i) allowed
administrative expenses payable pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ss.1930(a)(6) and (ii)
Priority Professional Expenses.
Cases. Collectively, the Borrower's and the Guarantors' reorganization
cases under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, pending in the Bankruptcy Court.
Cash Budget. See ss.10.4.3.
Closing Date. The first date on which the conditions set forth in ss.14
have been satisfied and any Loan is to be made hereunder and/or any Letter of
Credit is to be issued hereunder.
Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Collateral. All of the property, rights and interests of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries that are or are intended to be subject to the security
interests and mortgages created by the Security Documents.
Commitment. With respect to any Bank, such Bank's Revolving Credit
Commitment and/or Term Loan Commitment, as the context may require.
Compliance Certificate. See ss.11.4(c).
Concentration Account. The account no. 4079-4888 maintained by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries with the Administrative Agent, or such other
account as shall be so designated in writing by the Administrative Agent.
Consolidated or consolidated. With reference to any term defined
herein, shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, consolidated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Consolidated EBITDA. With respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Persons for such period,
plus, to the extent deducted in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income and
without duplication, (i) Consolidated Total Interest Expense, (ii) income tax
expense, (iii) charges incurred in connection with the Borrower's restructuring,
(iv) depreciation, (v) amortization and (vi) other non-cash adjustments to
income for such period.
Consolidated Net Income. The consolidated net income of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries, after deduction of all expenses, taxes, and other proper
charges, without giving effect to any adjustments, accruals, deductions or
entries resulting from any gains or losses from the sale or other disposition of
assets of such Person during such period. Consolidated Net Income shall be
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or, to
the extent generally accepted accounting principles are inconsistent with the
preparation of the Cash Budget, in accordance with the Cash Budget.
Consolidated Total Interest Expense. With respect to the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries and for any period, the interest expense, net of interest
income, of such Persons for such period as determined in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
Controlled Accounts. Collectively, the Concentration Account and the
other accounts that shall be subject to an Agency Account Agreement.
Credit Agreement. This Debtor In Possession Revolving Credit and Term
Loan Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto.
Creditors' Committee. The Official Unsecured Creditors' Committee to be
organized by the United States Trustee and approved in relation to the Cases.
Default. See ss.16.1.
Delinquent Bank. See ss.18.5.3.
De Minimis Proceeds. Proceeds received from a sale or other disposition
of assets permitted pursuant to ss.12.5.2(a), provided that (i) the amount of
proceeds received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from any such sale or
other disposition does not exceed $50,000 for any individual sale or other
disposition or $500,000 for all such asset sales and other dispositions
consummated after the Closing Date and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing at the time such asset sale or other disposition is
consummated.
Derivative Transaction. Any of (i) a "swap agreement" as defined in
Section 101(53B) of the Bankruptcy Code (other than a spot foreign exchange
transaction), (ii) any equity swap, floor, collar, cap or option transaction,
(iii) any option to enter into any of the foregoing, and (iv) any combination of
the foregoing.
Distribution. The declaration or payment of any dividend on or in
respect of any shares of any class of capital stock of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries, other than dividends payable solely in shares of common stock
of the Borrower or such Subsidiary; the purchase, redemption, or other
retirement of any shares of any class of capital stock of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary or otherwise; the return of capital by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary to its shareholders as such; or any other distribution on or in
respect of any shares of any class of capital stock of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary.
Documentation Agent. As defined in the preamble hereto.
Dollars or $. Dollars in lawful currency of the United States of
America.
Drawdown Date. The date on which any Loan is made or is to be made.
Eligible Assignee. Any of (i) a commercial bank organized under the
laws of the United States, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and
having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (ii) a savings and loan
association or savings bank organized under the laws of the United States, or
any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and having a net worth of at
least $100,000,000, calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles; (iii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other
country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (the "OECD"), or a political subdivision of any such country, and
having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000, provided that such bank is
acting through a branch or agency located in the country in which it is
organized or another country which is also a member of the OECD; (iv) the
central bank of any country which is a member of the OECD; (v) with respect to
any Bank that is a fund that invests in loans, any other fund that invests in
loans and is managed by the same investment advisor of such Bank or by an
Affiliate of such investment advisor; and (vi) any other Person approved by each
of the Agents, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.
Employee Benefit Plan. Any employee benefit plan within the meaning of
ss.3(3) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate, other than a Guaranteed Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan.
Environmental Laws. See ss.10.17.
ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate. Any Person which is treated as a single employer with
the Borrower under ss.414 of the Code.
ERISA Reportable Event. A reportable event with respect to a Guaranteed
Pension Plan within the meaning of ss.4043 of ERISA and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Event of Default. See ss.16.1.
Excluded Proceeds. See ss.11.15(a).
Fee Letter. The letter agreement, dated as of September 10, 1999, among
the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Documentation Agent.
Filing Date. See preamble.
Final Order. See ss.15.6.
Fronting Fee. See ss.5.6.
generally accepted accounting principles. (i) When used in ss.13,
whether directly or indirectly through reference to a capitalized term used
therein, means (A) principles that are consistent with the principles
promulgated or adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its
predecessors, in effect for the fiscal year ended on the Balance Sheet Date, and
(B) to the extent consistent with such principles, the accounting practice of
the Borrower reflected in its financial statements for the year ended on the
Balance Sheet Date, and (ii) when used in general, other than as provided above,
means principles that are (A) consistent with the principles promulgated or
adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its predecessors, as in
effect from time to time, and (B) consistently applied with past financial
statements of the Borrower adopting the same principles, provided that in each
case referred to in this definition of "generally accepted accounting
principles" a certified public accountant would, insofar as the use of such
accounting principles is pertinent, be in a position to deliver an unqualified
opinion (other than a qualification regarding changes in generally accepted
accounting principles) as to financial statements in which such principles have
been properly applied.
Guaranteed Pension Plan. Any employee pension benefit plan within the
meaning of ss.3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any
ERISA Affiliate the benefits of which are guaranteed on termination in full or
in part by the PBGC pursuant to Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer
Plan.
Guarantors. Each entity executing this Credit Agreement as a guarantor
and each additional Subsidiary of the Borrower which delivers a guaranty of the
Obligations pursuant to ss.9 hereof.
Guaranty. The Guaranty set forth in ss.6 hereof and each additional
guaranty of the Obligations delivered pursuant to ss.9 hereof.
Indebtedness. (a) Any liability of any Person (i) for borrowed money,
or under any reimbursement obligation related to a letter of credit or bid or
performance bond facility, or (ii) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or other
evidence of indebtedness (including a purchase money obligation) representing
extensions of credit or given in connection with the acquisition of any
business, property, service or asset of any kind (other than a trade payable or
other current liability arising in the ordinary course of business) or (iii) for
obligations with respect to (A) an operating lease calculated on the basis of
the present value discounted at ten percent (10%) on the future payments from
such Person under such operating lease, or (B) a lease of real or personal
property that is or would be classified and accounted for as a Capitalized
Lease; (b) any liability of others either for any lease, dividend or letter of
credit, or for any obligation described in the preceding clause (a) that (i) the
Person has guaranteed or that is otherwise its legal liability (whether
contingent or otherwise or direct or indirect, but excluding endorsements of
negotiable instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
business) or (ii) is secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held
by that Person, regardless of whether the obligation secured thereby shall have
been assumed by or is a personal liability of that Person; and (c) any
amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension or refunding
of any liability of the types referred to in clauses (a) and (b), above.
Ineligible Professional Expenses. Fees or expenses incurred by any
Person, including the Creditors' Committee, in (A) preventing, hindering or
delaying the Banks' or the Agents' enforcement or realization upon any of the
Collateral once an Event of Default has occurred, (B) using cash collateral or
selling any other Collateral without the Agents' consent, (C) incurring
Indebtedness without the Agents' consent and (D) objecting to or contesting in
any manner, or in raising any defenses to, the validity, extent, perfection,
priority or enforceability of the Prepetition Bank Debt or the Obligations or
any mortgages, liens or security interests with respect thereto or any other
rights or interests of the Agents and the Banks, or in asserting any claims or
causes of action, including, without limitation, any actions under chapter 5 of
the Bankruptcy Code, against the Agents or the Banks, provided that Ineligible
Professional Expenses shall not include fees or expenses incurred to investigate
such matters.
Ineligible Securities. Securities which may not be underwritten or
dealt in by member banks of the Federal Reserve System under Section 16 of the
Banking Act of 1993 (12 U.S.C. ss.24, Seventh), as amended.
Insurance Assignments. Collectively, the several Assignments of
Insurance Policies, whether dated on or after the Closing Date, entered into
between the Documentation Agent and the Borrower and those Guarantors owning
Vessels which, pursuant to ss.9 hereof, are subject to a perfected first
priority mortgage in favor of the Documentation Agent.
Interest Payment Date. As to each Loan, the last Business Day of each
calendar week, including, without limitation, the calendar week which includes
the Drawdown Date of such Loan.
Interim Order. An order of the Bankruptcy Court in the Cases
authorizing and approving this Agreement on an interim basis under Section
364(c) of the Bankruptcy Code and entered at a preliminary hearing under
Bankruptcy Rule 4001, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and the
Banks and Agents' Special Counsel and the Borrower and its counsel. The Interim
Order shall, among other things, (i) have authorized (A) the borrowing of the
Term Loan and the repayment of the Prepetition Bank Debt, (B) the rollover of
the Rollover LC's pursuant to this Credit Agreement, and (C) the borrowing of
not more than $42,000,000 in Revolving Credit Loans, and granted the claim
status and Liens described in ss.9.1, and prohibited the granting of additional
Liens on the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ii) provide that such
Liens are automatically perfected by the entry of the Interim Order and also
grant to the Documentation Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Banks
relief from the automatic stay of Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code to
enable the Agents, if the Required Banks elect to do so in their discretion, to
make all filings and recordings and to take all other actions considered
necessary or advisable by the Required Banks to perfect, protect and insure the
priority of its Liens upon the Collateral as a matter of nonbankruptcy law,
(iii) provide for the preservation of certain challenges to the Prepetition
Credit Agreement but subject to the requirement that any such challenges (A) by
the Creditors' Committee be commenced no later than the date which falls on the
75th day following the appointment of the Creditors' Committee (or if such day
is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) and (B) by any other
Person be commenced no later than the date which falls on the 75th day following
the Filing Date (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding
Business Day), and (iv) be in full force and effect.
Investments. All expenditures made and all liabilities incurred
(contingently or otherwise) for the acquisition of stock or Indebtedness of, or
for loans, advances, capital contributions or transfers of property to, or in
respect of any guaranties (or other commitments as described under
Indebtedness), or obligations of, any Person. In determining the aggregate
amount of Investments outstanding at any particular time: (i) the amount of any
Investment represented by a guaranty shall be taken at not less than the
principal amount of the obligations guaranteed and still outstanding; (ii) there
shall be deducted in respect of each such Investment any amount received as a
return of capital (but only by repurchase, redemption, retirement, repayment,
liquidating dividend or liquidating distribution); (iii) there shall not be
deducted in respect of any Investment any amounts received as earnings on such
Investment, whether as dividends, interest or otherwise; and (iv) there shall
not be deducted from the aggregate amount of Investments any decrease in the
value thereof.
Issuing Bank. BankBoston, N.A.
Letter(s) of Credit. Collectively, the letters of credit issued
pursuant to ss.5 hereof and the Rollover LC's.
Letter of Credit Application. See ss.5.1.1.
Letter of Credit Fee. See ss.5.6.
Letter of Credit Participation. See ss.5.1.4.
Liens. Any lien, encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, charge,
restriction or other security interest of any kind securing any obligation of
any entity or person.
Loan Documents. This Credit Agreement, the Guaranties, the Notes, the
Letters of Credit, the Letter of Credit Applications, the Security Documents and
the Fee Letter.
Loan Request. See ss.2.6.
Loans. The Revolving Credit Loans and the Term Loan.
Maximum Drawing Amount. The maximum aggregate amount that the
beneficiaries may at any time draw under outstanding Letters of Credit, as such
aggregate amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms of the
Letters of Credit.
Multiemployer Plan. Any multiemployer plan within the meaning of
ss.3(37) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate.
Net Cash Proceeds. With respect to any sale of assets, the cash
proceeds received from such sale, net of all reasonable costs of sale and
property transfer and sales taxes paid or payable as a result thereof by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and with respect to the incurrence of any
Indebtedness, the cash proceeds received from such incurrence, net of all
reasonable costs thereof and reasonable fees and all expenses payable in
connection therewith by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
Notes. The Revolving Credit Notes and the Term Notes.
Obligations. All indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of any of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to any of the Banks and the Agents,
individually or collectively, existing on the date of this Credit Agreement or
arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or
contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or
unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or
incurred under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in
respect of any of the Loans made or Reimbursement Obligations incurred or any of
the Notes, Letter of Credit Applications, Letters of Credit, or other
instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.
Operating Account. The Borrower's bank account (No. 4065-4949) with the
Administrative Agent.
Orders. The Interim Order and the Final Order.
outstanding. With respect to the Loans, the aggregate unpaid principal
thereof as of any date of determination.
PBGC. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation created by ss.4002 of
ERISA and any successor entity or entities having similar responsibilities.
Permitted Liens. Liens, security interests and other encumbrances
permitted by ss.12.2.
Permitted Prior Liens. Valid, perfected and otherwise unavoidable Liens
existing as of the Filing Date, Liens permitted by the Vessel Mortgages and
Liens otherwise approved in writing by the Agents.
Person. Any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated
association, business, or other legal entity, and any government or any
governmental agency or political subdivision thereof.
Pledge Agreements. Collectively, the several Pledge Agreements, whether
dated on or after the Closing Date, entered into between the Borrower and/or the
Guarantors and the Documentation Agent, in each case, with respect to the
capital stock or other equity interests of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
(direct and indirect).
Prepetition Bank Debt. All of the Obligations under and as defined in
the Prepetition Credit Agreement.
Prepetition Credit Agreement. As defined in the preliminary statements
hereto.
Prepetition Debt Outstandings. At any time of determination, the
outstanding amount of the Prepetition Bank Debt at such time, including without
limitation all principal, interest, fees (including any amendment fees), and
unreimbursed expenses.
Priority Professional Expenses. Allowed and unpaid fees, costs and
reasonable expenses of professionals retained in the Cases pursuant to Sections
327 and 1103 of the Bankruptcy Code consisting of attorneys, accountants,
financial advisors, and consultants retained by the Borrower or the Creditors'
Committee; provided, however, that (i) the term "Priority Professional Expenses"
shall not include any Ineligible Professional Expenses and (ii) the amount of
Priority Professional Expenses shall not exceed the Professional Expense Cap.
Professional Expense Cap. $3,700,000 in the aggregate (inclusive of any
holdbacks required by the Bankruptcy Court), which shall accrue in equal monthly
increments of $616,500 in each of the first six months following the Filing
Date; provided however, if an Event of Default occurs the then unaccrued amount
of the $3,700,000 Professional Expense Cap shall be immediately available up to
$1,500,000, and if the unaccrued amount is greater than $1,500,000 the excess
amount shall be eliminated.
Real Estate. All real property at any time owned or leased (as lessee
or sublessee) by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
Record. The grid attached to a Note, or the continuation of such grid,
or any other similar record, including computer records, maintained by any Bank
with respect to any Loan referred to in such Note.
Register. See ss.22.3.
Reimbursement Obligation. The Borrower's obligation to reimburse the
Issuing Bank and the other Banks on account of any drawing under any Letter of
Credit as provided in ss.5.2.
Reorganization Plan. A plan or plans of reorganization in the Cases.
Required Banks. As of any date, the Banks whose sum of (i) Revolving
Credit Exposure plus (ii) the principal amount of the Term Loan owing to such
Bank constitutes at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the sum
of (i) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all the Banks plus (ii) the
aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan outstanding on such date.
Revolving Credit Commitment. With respect to each Bank, the amount set
forth on Schedule 1 hereto as the amount of such Bank's commitment to make
Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower, up to a total aggregate principal amount
outstanding for all Banks not to exceed the lesser of (i) $60,000,000 and (ii)
the amount approved in the Interim Order or the Final Order, whichever is in
effect at the time of reference thereto, as the same may be reduced from time to
time; or, if such commitment is terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof,
zero.
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage. With respect to each Bank, the
percentage set forth on Schedule 1 hereto as such Bank's percentage of the Total
Revolving Credit Commitment.
Revolving Credit Exposure. With respect to any Bank at any date of
determination, (i) prior to the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments,
such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment and (b) after the termination of the
Revolving Credit Commitments, the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of
the Revolving Credit Loans of such Bank plus (ii) the aggregate amount of such
Bank's Letter of Credit Participations.
Revolving Credit Loans. The revolving credit loans made or to be made
by the Banks to the Borrower pursuant to ss.2.
Revolving Credit Note Record. A Record with respect to a Revolving
Credit Note.
Revolving Credit Notes. See ss.2.4.
Rollover LC's. Collectively, the letters of credit issued by
BankBoston, N.A., as issuing bank, under the Prepetition Credit Agreement.
Section 20 Subsidiary. A Subsidiary of the bank holding company
controlling any Bank, which Subsidiary has been granted authority by the Federal
Reserve Board to underwrite and deal in certain Ineligible Securities.
Security Agreements. Collectively, the several Security Agreements,
whether dated on or after the Closing Date, entered into between the
Documentation Agent and the Borrower and the Guarantors.
Security Documents. Collectively, the Vessel Mortgages, the Security
Agreements, the Insurance Assignments, the Agency Account Agreements, and the
Pledge Agreements.
Senior Note Indenture. The Indenture dated as of February 19, 1998,
between The Bank of New York, as trustee and the Borrower.
Senior Notes. The senior unsecured promissory notes due 2008 of the
Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000, issued pursuant to
the Senior Note Indenture.
Settlement. The making or receiving of payments, in immediately
available funds, by the Banks, to the extent necessary to cause each Bank's
actual share of the outstanding amount of Revolving Credit Loans (after giving
effect to any Loan Request) to be equal to such Bank's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of the outstanding amount of such Revolving Credit Loans
(after giving effect to any Loan Request), in any case where, prior to such
event or action, the actual share is not so equal.
Settlement Amount. See ss.2.9.1.
Settlement Date. (a) The Drawdown Date relating to any Loan Request,
(b) Monday of each week, or if a Monday is not a Business Day, the Business Day
immediately following such Monday, or (c) at the option of the Administrative
Agent, any other Business Day.
Settling Bank. See ss.2.9.1.
Subsidiary. Any corporation, association, trust, or other business
entity of which the designated parent shall at any time own directly or
indirectly through a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries at least a majority (by number
of votes) of the outstanding Voting Stock; provided that Lightship Tanker
Holdings LLC and its Subsidiaries shall not be considered Subsidiaries of
Borrower hereunder.
Super-Priority Claim. A claim against the Borrower or its estate in its
Case or a Guarantor or its estate in its Case which is an administrative expense
claim having priority over (i) any and all allowed administrative expenses and
(ii) unsecured claims now existing or hereafter arising, including, without
limitation, administrative expenses of the kind specified in Section 503(b),
506(c) or 507(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
Termination Date. The date on which the Revolving Credit Commitment and
the Term Loan Commitment expire, which shall be the earliest of (i) February 28,
2000, (ii) the effective date of a Reorganization Plan that has been confirmed
by an order of the Bankruptcy Court, and (iii) the date which is 30 days after
the Filing Date in the event that the Final Order shall not have been entered on
or before such date.
Term Loan. The Term Loan made by the Banks pursuant to ss.4 hereof.
Term Loan Commitment. With respect to each Bank, the amount set forth
on Schedule 1 hereto as the amount of such Bank's commitment to make the Term
Loan, as the same may be reduced from time to time; or, if such Commitment is
terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, zero.
Term Loan Commitment Percentage. With respect to each Bank, the
percentage set forth on Schedule 1 hereto as such Bank's percentage of the Total
Term Loan Commitment.
Term Note(s). See ss.4.2.
Term Note Record. A Record with respect to a Term Note.
Total Commitment. The sum of the Total Revolving Credit Commitment and
the Total Term Loan Commitment, each as in effect from time to time.
Total Revolving Credit Commitment. The sum of the Revolving Credit
Commitments of the Banks, as in effect from time to time, up to an aggregate
principal amount outstanding not to exceed the lesser of (i) $60,000,000 and
(ii) the amount approved in the Interim Order or the Final Order, whichever is
in effect at the time of reference thereto, as the same may be reduced from time
to time; or if such commitment is terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof,
zero.
Total Term Loan Commitment. The sum of the Term Loan Commitments of the
Banks, as in effect from time to time.
Trust Securities. The 6 1/2% Trust Convertible Preferred Securities,
issued by Hvide Capital Trust, a Delaware statutory business trust, and the 6
1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due June 15, 2012 issued by the
Borrower to Hvide Capital Trust.
Uniform Customs. With respect to (i) any documentary or standby Letter
of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993
Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500 or (ii) any
standby Letter of Credit, International Standby Practices (ISP 98) as
promulgated by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc., or,
in each case, any successor version thereto adopted by the Issuing Bank in the
ordinary course of its business as a letter of credit issuer and in effect at
the time of issuance of such Letter of Credit.
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation. Any Reimbursement Obligation for which
the Borrower does not reimburse the Issuing Bank and the other Banks on the date
specified in, and in accordance with, ss.5.2.
Vessel(s). Collectively, all vessels owned by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, and individually, any of such vessels.
Vessel Mortgages. Collectively, the several First Preferred Vessel or
Fleet Mortgages, whether dated on or after the Closing Date, entered into or to
be entered into between the Borrower and/or the Guarantors and the Documentation
Agent.
Voting Stock. Stock or similar interests, of any class or classes
(however designated), the holders of which are at the time entitled, as such
holders, to vote for the election of a majority of the directors (or persons
performing similar functions) of the corporation, association, trust or other
business entity involved, whether or not the right so to vote exists by reason
of the happening of a contingency.
1.2. Rules of Interpretation.
(a) A reference to any document or agreement shall include such
document or agreement as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time
to time in accordance with its terms and the terms of this Credit Agreement.
(b) The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the
singular.
(c) A reference to any law includes any amendment or modification to
such law.
(d) A reference to any Person includes its permitted successors and
permitted assigns.
(e) Accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them by generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
consistent basis by the accounting entity to which they refer.
(f) The words "include", "includes" and "including" are not limiting.
(g) All terms not specifically defined herein or by generally accepted
accounting principles, which terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as
in effect in the State of New York, have the meanings assigned to them therein,
with the term "instrument" being that defined under Article 9 of the Uniform
Commercial Code.
(h) Reference to a particular "ss." refers to that section of this
Credit Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
(i) The words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and words of like import
shall refer to this Credit Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
section or subdivision of this Credit Agreement.
(j) Unless otherwise expressly indicated, in the computation of periods
of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word "from" means
"from and including," the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding,"
and the word "through" means "to and including."
(k) This Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several
different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar
matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are, however, cumulative
and are to be performed in accordance with the terms thereof.
(l) This Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result
of negotiation among, and have been reviewed by counsel to, among others, the
Agents, the Borrower and the Guarantors and are the product of discussions and
negotiations among all parties. Accordingly, this Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents are not intended to be construed against the Agents or any of the
Banks merely on account of either Agent's or any Bank's involvement in the
preparation of such documents.
2. THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY.
2.1. Commitment to Lend. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Credit Agreement, each of the Banks severally agrees to lend to the
Borrower and the Borrower may borrow, repay, and reborrow from time to time from
the Closing Date up to but not including the Termination Date upon notice by the
Borrower to the Administrative Agent given in accordance with ss.2.6, such sums
as are requested by the Borrower up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding
(after giving effect to all amounts requested) at any one time equal to such
Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment minus such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment
Percentage of the sum of the Maximum Drawing Amount of all Letters of Credit and
all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, provided that the sum of the outstanding
amount of the Revolving Credit Loans (after giving effect to all amounts
requested) plus the Maximum Drawing Amount of all Letters of Credit and all
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations shall not at any time exceed the least of (i)
the Total Revolving Credit Commitment in effect at such time, (ii) Adjusted
Projected Revolver Outstandings at such time, and (iii) the amount approved to
be borrowed by way of Revolving Credit Loans and Letters of Credit in the
Interim Order or the Final Order, whichever is then in effect. The Revolving
Credit Loans shall be made pro rata in accordance with each Bank's Revolving
Credit Commitment Percentage. Each request for a Revolving Credit Loan hereunder
shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the
conditions set forth in ss.14 and ss.15, in the case of the initial Revolving
Credit Loans to be made on the Closing Date, and ss.15, in the case of all other
Revolving Credit Loans, have been satisfied on the date of such request.
2.2. Commitment Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent for the accounts of the Banks in accordance with their respective
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages a commitment fee equal to one-half of
one percent (0.50%) per annum on the average daily amount during each calendar
month or portion thereof from the date hereof to the Revolving Credit Maturity
Date by which the Total Revolving Credit Commitment minus the sum of the Maximum
Drawing Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations exceeds the outstanding
amount of Revolving Credit Loans during such calendar month. The commitment fee
shall be payable weekly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar
week for the immediately preceding calendar week, commencing on the first such
date following the date hereof, with a final payment on the Termination Date or
any earlier date on which the Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate.
2.3. Reduction of Total Revolving Credit Commitment.
(a) Optional. The Borrower shall have the right at any time
and from time to time upon three (3) Business Days prior written notice
to the Administrative Agent to reduce by $100,000 or an integral
multiple thereof, or terminate entirely, the Total Revolving Credit
Commitment, whereupon the Revolving Credit Commitments of the Banks
shall be reduced pro rata in accordance with their respective Revolving
Credit Commitment Percentages of the amount specified in such notice
or, as the case may be, terminated. Promptly after receiving any notice
of the Borrower delivered pursuant to this ss.2.3, the Administrative
Agent will notify the Banks of the substance thereof.
(b) Mandatory. After repayment in full of the Term Loan, the
Total Revolving Credit Commitment shall also be reduced upon the
consummation by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any sale or
other disposition of assets, other than a sale or other disposition
resulting in De Minimis Proceeds. The amount of such reduction of the
Total Revolving Credit Commitment shall be equal to the amount of Net
Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from such
sale or other disposition, and contemporaneously with such reduction,
the Revolving Credit Commitments of the Banks shall be reduced pro rata
in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment
Percentages of the total amount of such reduction.
(c) General. Upon the effective date of any such reduction or
termination, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the
respective accounts of the Banks, in accordance with their Revolving
Credit Commitment Percentages, the full amount of any commitment fee
then accrued on the amount of the reduction or, as the case may be,
termination. No reduction or termination of the Revolving Credit
Commitments may be reinstated.
2.4. The Revolving Credit Notes. The Revolving Credit Loans shall be
evidenced by separate promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially the form
of Exhibit A-1 hereto (each a "Revolving Credit Note"), dated as of the Closing
Date and completed with appropriate insertions. One Revolving Credit Note shall
be payable to the order of each Bank in a principal amount equal to such Bank's
Revolving Credit Commitment or, if less, the outstanding amount of all Revolving
Credit Loans made by such Bank, plus interest accrued thereon, as set forth
below. The Borrower irrevocably authorizes each Bank to make or cause to be
made, at or about the time of the Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loan or
at the time of receipt of any payment of principal on such Bank's Revolving
Credit Note, an appropriate notation on such Bank's Revolving Credit Note Record
reflecting the making of such Revolving Credit Loan or (as the case may be) the
receipt of such payment. The outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans
set forth on such Bank's Revolving Credit Note Record shall be prima facie
evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to such Bank, but the
failure to record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on such Bank's
Revolving Credit Note Record shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations
of the Borrower hereunder or under any Revolving Credit Note to make payments of
principal of or interest on any Revolving Credit Note when due.
2.5. Interest on Revolving Credit Loans. Except as otherwise provided
in ss.8.6, each Revolving Credit Loan shall bear interest commencing with the
Drawdown Date thereof and ending on the date such Revolving Credit Loan is
repaid, at the rate per annum equal to (a) from the Closing Date through
December 15, 1999, the Base Rate plus three percent (3.00%) and (b) from and
after December 16, 1999, the Base Rate plus seven and one-half percent (7.50%),
which, in each case, shall be payable weekly, in cash, on each Interest Payment
Date and on the Termination Date.
2.6. Requests for Revolving Credit Loans. The Borrower shall give to
the Administrative Agent written notice in the form of Exhibit B hereto (or
telephonic notice confirmed in a writing in the form of Exhibit B hereto) of
each Revolving Credit Loan requested hereunder (a "Loan Request") not later than
12:00 noon (New York time) on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Loan (which must
be a Business Day). Each such notice shall be signed by the Chief Financial
Officer, the Treasurer or the Director of Finance & Treasury of the Borrower and
shall specify (A) the principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loan requested
and (B) the proposed Drawdown Date of such Revolving Credit Loan. Promptly upon
receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall notify each of the
Banks thereof. Each Loan Request shall be irrevocable and binding on the
Borrower and shall obligate the Borrower to accept the Revolving Credit Loan
requested from the Banks on the proposed Drawdown Date. Each Loan Request shall
be in a minimum aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof.
2.7. Funds for Revolving Credit Loans.
2.7.1. Funding Procedures. Not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York
time) on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Revolving Credit Loans, each
of the Banks will make available to the Administrative Agent, at the
Administrative Agent's Head Office, in immediately available funds, the
amount of such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the
amount of the requested Revolving Credit Loans. Upon receipt from each
Bank of such amount, and upon receipt of the documents required by
ss.ss.14 and 15 and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth
therein, to the extent applicable, the Administrative Agent will make
available to the Borrower the aggregate amount of such Revolving Credit
Loans made available to the Administrative Agent by the Banks. The
failure or refusal of any Bank to make available to the Administrative
Agent at the aforesaid time and place on any Drawdown Date the amount
of its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the requested
Revolving Credit Loans shall not relieve any other Bank from its
several obligation hereunder to make available to the Administrative
Agent the amount of such other Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment
Percentage of any requested Revolving Credit Loans.
2.7.2. Advances by Administrative Agent. The Administrative
Agent may, unless notified to the contrary by any Bank prior to a
Drawdown Date, assume that such Bank has made available to the
Administrative Agent on such Drawdown Date the amount of such Bank's
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to
be made on such Drawdown Date, and the Administrative Agent may (but it
shall not be required to), in reliance upon such assumption, make
available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If any Bank makes
available to the Administrative Agent such amount on a date after such
Drawdown Date, such Bank shall pay to the Administrative Agent on
demand an amount equal to the product of (i) the average, computed for
the period referred to in clause (iii) below, of the weighted average
interest rate paid by the Administrative Agent for federal funds
acquired by the Administrative Agent during each day included in such
period, times (ii) the amount of such Bank's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loans, times (iii) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse from
and including such Drawdown Date to the date on which the amount of
such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Revolving
Credit Loans shall become immediately available to the Administrative
Agent, and the denominator of which is 365. A statement of the
Administrative Agent submitted to such Bank with respect to any amounts
owing under this paragraph shall be prima facie evidence of the amount
due and owing to the Administrative Agent by such Bank. If the amount
of such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Revolving
Credit Loans is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such
Bank within three (3) Business Days following such Drawdown Date, the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount from the
Borrower on demand, with interest thereon at the rate per annum
applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans made on such Drawdown Date.
2.8. Swing Line. Notwithstanding the notice and minimum amount
requirements set forth in ss.2.6 but otherwise in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent may, in its sole
discretion and without conferring with the Banks, make Revolving Credit Loans to
the Borrower (i) by entry of credits to the Borrower's Operating Account with
the Administrative Agent to cover checks or other charges which the Borrower has
drawn or made against such account or (ii) in an amount as otherwise requested
by the Borrower. The aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans made
pursuant to this ss.2.8 shall not, at any time, exceed $10,000,000. The Borrower
hereby requests and authorizes the Administrative Agent to make from time to
time such Revolving Credit Loans by means of appropriate entries of such credits
sufficient to cover checks and other charges then presented for payment from the
Operating Account or as otherwise so requested. The Borrower acknowledges and
agrees that the making of such Revolving Credit Loans shall, in each case, be
subject in all respects to the provisions of this Credit Agreement as if they
were Revolving Credit Loans covered by a Loan Request including, without
limitation, the limitations set forth in ss.2.1 and the requirements that the
applicable provisions of ss.15 be satisfied. All actions taken by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions of this ss.2.8 shall be
conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Banks. Interest on Revolving
Credit Loans made pursuant to this ss.2.8 shall, prior to a Settlement, be for
the account of the Administrative Agent.
2.9. Settlements.
2.9.1. General. On each Settlement Date, the Administrative
Agent shall, not later than 12:00 noon (New York time), give telephonic
or facsimile notice (i) to the Banks and the Borrower of the respective
outstanding amount of Revolving Credit Loans made by the Administrative
Agent on behalf of the Banks from the immediately preceding Settlement
Date through the close of business on the prior day and the amount of
any Loans to be made (following the giving of notice pursuant to
ss.2.8(ii)) on such date pursuant to a Loan Request and (ii) to the
Banks of the amount (a "Settlement Amount") that each Bank (a "Settling
Bank") shall pay to effect a Settlement of any Revolving Credit Loan. A
statement of the Administrative Agent submitted to the Banks and the
Borrower or to the Banks with respect to any amounts owing under this
ss.2.9 shall be prima facie evidence of the amount due and owing.
Notwithstanding the notice and minimum amount requirements set forth in
Section 2.6, each Settling Bank shall, not later than 3:00 p.m. (New
York time) on such Settlement Date, effect a wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent in the amount
of the Settlement Amount for such Settling Bank. All funds advanced by
any Bank as a Settling Bank pursuant to this ss.2.9 shall for all
purposes be treated as a Revolving Credit Loan made by such Settling
Bank to the Borrower and all funds received by any Bank pursuant to
this ss.2.9 shall for all purposes be treated as repayment of amounts
owed with respect to Revolving Credit Loans made by such Bank. In the
event that a Settling Bank is prevented from making any Revolving
Credit Loan to effect a Settlement as contemplated hereby, such
Settling Bank will make such dispositions and arrangements with the
other Banks with respect to such Revolving Credit Loans, either by way
of purchase of participations, distribution, pro tanto assignment of
claims, subrogation or otherwise as shall result in each Bank's share
of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans being equal, as nearly as may
be, to such Bank's Commitment Percentage of the outstanding amount of
the Revolving Credit Loans.
2.9.2. Failure to Make Funds Available. If any Settling Bank
makes available to the Administrative Agent its Settlement Amount on a
date after such Settlement Date, such Settling Bank shall pay to the
Administrative Agent on demand an amount equal to the product of (i)
the average computed for the period referred to in clause (iii) below,
of the weighted average interest rate paid by the Administrative Agent
for federal funds acquired by the Administrative Agent during each day
included in such period, times (ii) the amount of such Settlement
Amount, times (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days that elapse from and including such Settlement Date to the date on
which the amount of such Settlement Amount shall become immediately
available to the Administrative Agent, and the denominator of which is
365. A statement of the Administrative Agent submitted to such Settling
Bank with respect to any amounts owing under this ss.2.9.2 shall be
prima facie evidence of the amount due and owing to the Administrative
Agent by such Settling Bank. If such Settling Bank's Settlement Amount
is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Settling Bank
within three (3) Business Days following such Settlement Date, the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount from the
Borrower on demand, with interest thereon at the rate per annum
applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans as of such Settlement Date.
2.9.3. No Effect on Other Banks. The failure or refusal of any
Settling Bank to make available to the Administrative Agent at the
aforesaid time and place on any Settlement Date the amount of such
Settling Bank's Settlement Amount shall not (i) relieve any other
Settling Bank from its several obligations hereunder to make available
to the Administrative Agent the amount of such other Settling Bank's
Settlement Amount or (ii) impose upon any Bank, other than the Settling
Bank so failing or refusing, any liability with respect to such failure
or refusal or otherwise increase the Commitment of such other Bank.
2.10. Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans Prior to Event of Default.
2.10.1. Credit for Funds Received in Concentration Account.
Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default as to which the account
officers of the Administrative Agent active upon the Borrower's account
have actual knowledge, (i) all funds and cash proceeds in the form of
money, checks and like items received in the Concentration Account
shall be credited, on the same Business Day on which the Administrative
Agent determines that good collected funds have been received, and,
prior to the receipt of good collected funds, on a provisional basis
until final receipt of good collected funds, and applied as
contemplated by ss.2.10.2, (ii) all funds and cash proceeds in the form
of a wire transfer received in the Concentration Account shall be
credited on the same Business Day as the Administrative Agent's receipt
of such amounts (or up to such later date as the Administrative Agent
determines that good collected funds have been received), and applied
as contemplated by ss.2.10.2, and (iii) all funds and cash proceeds in
the form of an automated clearing house transfer received in the
Concentration Account shall be credited, on the next Business Day
following the Administrative Agent's receipt of such amounts (or up to
such later date as the Administrative Agent determines that good
collected funds have been received), and applied as contemplated by
ss.2.10.2. For purposes of the foregoing provisions of this ss.2.10.1,
the Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have received any such
funds or cash proceeds on any day unless received by the Administrative
Agent before 2:30 p.m. (New York time) on such day. The Borrower
further acknowledges and agrees that any such provisional credits or
credits in respect of wire or automatic clearing house funds transfers
shall be subject to reversal if final collection in good funds of the
related item is not received by, or final settlement of the funds
transfer is not made in favor of, the Administrative Agent in
accordance with the Administrative Agent's customary procedures and
practices for collecting provisional items or receiving settlement of
funds transfers.
2.10.2. Application of Payments Prior to Event of Default.
(a) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default of
which the account officers of the Administrative Agent active
on the Borrower's account have actual knowledge, all funds
transferred to the Concentration Account and for which the
Borrower has received credits shall be applied to the
Obligations as follows:
(i) first, to pay interest then due and
payable on, and then principal of, Revolving Credit
Loans advanced by the Administrative Agent pursuant
to ss.2.8;
(ii) second, to pay interest on the Loans
(other than Revolving Credit Loans advanced by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to ss.2.8) then due and
payable;
(iii) third, to any other Obligations then
due and payable;
(iv) fourth, to the Operating Account to the
extent that, after transferring such amount, the
aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents (other
than Excluded Proceeds) held by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (whether in accounts or otherwise),
exclusive of amounts held in Controlled Accounts,
shall not exceed the total sum of $8,000,000;
(v) fifth, to pay the principal of
Revolving Credit Loans,
(vi) sixth, to cash collateralize Letters of
Credit in an amount equal to 110% of the Maximum
Drawing Amount thereof;
(vii) seventh, to pay the principal of the
Term Loan; and
(viii) eighth, to the Operating Account.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
any funds in the Concentration Account constitute the proceeds
of Collateral (other than De Minimis Proceeds) which, pursuant
to ss.4.6 and/or ss.3.2(b), are required to be applied to
prepay, respectively, the Term Loan or the Revolving Credit
Loans, such amounts shall be applied first to prepay the Term
Loan in accordance with ss.4.6, second to repay Revolving
Credit Loans in accordance with ss.3.2(b) (it being understood
that such repayment shall be accompanied by a permanent
reduction in the Total Revolving Credit Commitment in the
amount of such repayment), and third in accordance with the
preceding clause (a).
(c) All prepayments of the Revolving Credit Loans
pursuant to this ss.2.10.2 shall be allocated among the Banks,
in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective
unpaid principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans outstanding
owing to the Banks, with adjustments to the extent practicable
to equalize any prior payments or repayments not exactly in
proportion. Prior to any Settlement Date, however, all
prepayments of the Revolving Credit Loans shall be applied in
accordance with this ss.2.10.2, first to outstanding Revolving
Credit Loans advanced pursuant to ss.2.8 by the Administrative
Agent.
2.11. Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans After Event of Default.
Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default of
which the account officers of the Administrative Agent active on the Borrower's
account have actual knowledge, all funds transferred to the Concentration
Account and for which the Borrower has received credits shall be applied to the
Obligations in accordance with ss.16.4.
3. REPAYMENT OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.
3.1. Maturity. The Borrower promises to pay on the Termination Date,
and there shall become absolutely due and payable on the Termination Date, all
of the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such date, together with any and
all accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
3.2. Mandatory Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans.
(a) If at any time the sum of the aggregate outstanding amount
of the Revolving Credit Loans, the Maximum Drawing Amount of all
Letters of Credit and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations exceeds the
least of (i) the Total Revolving Credit Commitment in effect at such
time, (ii) Adjusted Projected Revolver Outstandings at such time, and
(iii) the amount approved to be borrowed by way of Revolving Credit
Loans and Letters of Credit in the Interim Order or the Final Order,
whichever is then in effect, then the Borrower shall immediately pay
the amount of such excess to the Administrative Agent for the
respective accounts of the Banks for application; first, to pay
principal of Revolving Credit Loans advanced by the Administrative
Agent pursuant to ss.2.8; second, to any Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations; third, to pay the principal of Revolving Credit Loans
(other than Revolving Credit Loans advanced by the Administrative Agent
pursuant to ss.2.8); and fourth, to provide the Documentation Agent
cash collateral for Reimbursement Obligations as contemplated by
ss.5.2(b) and (c). Each payment of Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations or
prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans shall be allocated among the
Banks, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to each Reimbursement
Obligation or (as the case may be) the respective unpaid principal
amount of each Bank's Revolving Credit Note, with adjustments to the
extent practicable to equalize any prior payments or repayments not
exactly in proportion.
(b) In addition, after repayment in full of the Term Loan, the
Borrower shall, immediately upon the receipt thereof, prepay the
outstanding Revolving Credit Loans in an amount equal to the Net Cash
Proceeds received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from the sale or
other disposition of assets by any such Person, other than proceeds
which constitute De Minimis Proceeds. Such prepayment shall be
accompanied by a permanent reduction in the Total Revolving Credit
Commitment in the amount of such prepayment.
3.3. Optional Repayments of Revolving Credit Loans. The Borrower shall
have the right, at its election, to repay the outstanding amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans, as a whole or in part, at any time without penalty or
premium. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent notice of any proposed
prepayment pursuant to this ss.3.3 not later than 11:00 a.m. New York time on
the Business Day prior to the date of such prepayment, specifying the proposed
date of prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans and the principal amount to be
prepaid. Each such partial prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans shall be in
a minimum amount of $500,000 or an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess
thereof and shall be accompanied by the payment of accrued interest on the
principal prepaid to the date of prepayment. Each partial prepayment shall be
allocated among the Banks in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentages, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the
respective unpaid principal amount of each Bank's Revolving Credit Note, with
adjustments to the extent practicable to equalize any prior repayments not
exactly in proportion.
4. THE TERM LOAN.
4.1. Commitment to Lend the Term Loan. Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Credit Agreement, each Bank agrees, on the Closing
Date, to advance to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower,
its Term Loan Commitment Percentage of the principal amount of $240,889,767.23.
The proceeds of the Term Loan shall be paid by the Administrative Agent to the
lenders party to the Prepetition Credit Agreement in an amount for each such
lender equal to the aggregate amount of principal owed to such lender under or
in respect of the Prepetition Credit Agreement. The Borrower agrees that, on and
as of the Closing Date, all lending commitments under the Prepetition Credit
Agreement are hereby irrevocably terminated; provided, that the foregoing shall
not impair those expense and indemnity provisions of the Prepetition Credit
Agreement which, by their terms, survive the termination thereof.
4.2. The Term Notes. The Term Loan shall be evidenced by separate
promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto
(each a "Term Note"), dated the Closing Date and completed with appropriate
insertions. One Term Note shall be payable to the order of each Bank in a
principal amount equal to such Bank's Term Loan Commitment Percentage of the
Term Loan and representing the obligation of the Borrower to pay to such Bank
such principal amount or, if less, the outstanding amount of such Bank's Term
Loan Commitment Percentage of the Term Loan, plus interest accrued thereon, as
set forth below. The Borrower irrevocably authorizes each Bank to make or cause
to be made a notation on such Bank's Term Note Record reflecting the original
principal amount of such Bank's Term Loan Commitment Percentage of the Term Loan
and, at or about the time of such Bank's receipt of any principal payment on
such Bank's Term Note, an appropriate notation on such Bank's Term Note Record
reflecting such payment. The aggregate unpaid amount set forth on such Bank's
Term Note Record shall be prima facie evidence of the principal amount thereof
owing and unpaid to such Bank, but the failure to record, or any error in so
recording, any such amount on such Bank's Term Note Record shall not affect the
obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any Term Note to make payments of
principal of and interest on any Term Note when due.
4.3. Repayment of Principal of Term Loan. The Borrower promises to pay
to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Banks in accordance with
their Term Loan Commitment Percentages, the principal amount of the Term Loan on
the Termination Date.
4.4. Optional Prepayment of Term Loan. The Borrower shall have the
right at any time to prepay the Term Notes on or before the Termination Date, as
a whole, or in part, upon not less than one (1) Business Day's prior written
notice to the Administrative Agent, without premium or penalty, provided that
(i) each partial prepayment shall be in the principal amount of $1,000,000 or an
integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof and (ii) each partial prepayment
shall be allocated among the Banks in accordance with their respective Term Loan
Commitment Percentages, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the
respective outstanding amount of each Bank's Term Note, with adjustments to the
extent practicable to equalize any prior prepayments not exactly in proportion.
Any prepayment of principal of the Term Loan shall include all interest accrued
to the date of prepayment. No amount repaid with respect to the Term Loan may be
reborrowed.
4.5. Interest on Term Loan. Except as otherwise provided in ss.8.6, the
Term Loan shall bear interest for each day from the Drawdown Date thereof until
repaid in full at the rate per annum equal to (a) from the Closing Date through
December 15, 1999, the Base Rate plus three percent (3.00%) and (b) from and
after December 16, 1999, the Base Rate plus seven and one-half percent (7.50%),
which, in each case, shall be payable weekly, in cash, on each Interest Payment
Date and on the Termination Date.
4.6. Mandatory Prepayments of Term Loan. Except to the extent such
Proceeds constitute De Minimis Proceeds or are proceeds from sales or other
dispositions permitted pursuant to ss.12.5.2(b), the Borrower shall prepay the
Term Loan in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries from sales or other dispositions of assets pursuant to
Section 12.5.2. Prepayments of the Term Loan pursuant to this Section 4.6 shall
be made contemporaneously with the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary and shall be made pro rata to the Banks in
accordance with their Term Loan Commitment Percentages. Any prepayment shall
include all interest accrued to the date of such prepayment. No amount repaid
with respect to the Term Loan may be reborrowed.
5. LETTERS OF CREDIT.
5.1. Letter of Credit Commitments.
5.1.1. Commitment to Issue Letters of Credit. Subject to the
terms and conditions hereof and the execution and delivery by the
Borrower of a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank's
customary form (a "Letter of Credit Application"), the Issuing Bank on
behalf of the Banks and in reliance upon the agreement of the Banks set
forth in ss.5.1.4 and upon the representations and warranties of the
Borrower contained herein, agrees, in its individual capacity, to
issue, extend and renew for the account of the Borrower one or more
standby and (if agreed to by the Documentation Agent) documentary
letters of credit, in such form and for such purposes as may be
requested from time to time by the Borrower and agreed to by the
Issuing Bank (the Issuing Bank's agreement as to such purposes not to
be unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that, after giving effect
to such request, (a) the sum of the aggregate Maximum Drawing Amount of
all Letters of Credit and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations shall
not exceed the lesser of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii) any specific amount
approved by the Bankruptcy Court solely for Letters of Credit in the
Interim Order or the Final Order, whichever is then in effect, and (b)
the sum of (i) the Maximum Drawing Amount, (ii) all Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligations, and (iii) the amount of all Revolving Credit
Loans outstanding, shall not exceed the least of (A) Total Revolving
Credit Commitment at such time, (B) Adjusted Projected Revolver
Outstandings at such time, and (C) the amount approved to be borrowed
by way of Revolving Credit Loans, and Letters of Credit in the Interim
Order or the Final Order, whichever is then in effect.
5.1.2. Letter of Credit Applications. Each Letter of Credit
Application shall be completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Issuing Bank. In the event that any provision of any Letter of Credit
Application shall be inconsistent with any provision of this Credit
Agreement, then the provisions of this Credit Agreement shall, to the
extent of any such inconsistency, govern.
5.1.3. Terms of Letters of Credit. Each Letter of Credit
issued, extended or renewed hereunder shall, among other things, (i)
provide for the payment of sight drafts for honor thereunder when
presented in accordance with the terms thereof and when accompanied by
the documents described therein, and (ii) have an expiry date no later
than the Termination Date (unless otherwise agreed to by the Agents).
Each Letter of Credit so issued, extended or renewed shall be subject
to the Uniform Customs.
5.1.4. Reimbursement Obligations of Banks. Each Bank severally
agrees that it shall be absolutely liable, without regard to the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any other condition
precedent whatsoever, to the extent of such Bank's Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentage, to reimburse the Issuing Bank on demand for the
amount of each draft paid by the Issuing Bank under each Letter of
Credit to the extent that such amount is not reimbursed by the Borrower
pursuant to ss.5.2 (such agreement for a Bank being called herein the
"Letter of Credit Participation" of such Bank).
5.1.5. Participations of Banks. Each such payment made by a
Bank shall be treated as the purchase by such Bank of a participating
interest in the Borrower's Reimbursement Obligation under ss.5.2 in an
amount equal to such payment. Each Bank shall share in accordance with
its participating interest in any interest which accrues pursuant to
ss.5.2.
5.2. Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower. In order to induce the
Issuing Bank to issue, extend and renew each Letter of Credit and the Banks to
participate therein, the Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse or pay to the
Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank or (as the case may
be) the Banks, with respect to each Letter of Credit issued, extended or renewed
by the Issuing Bank hereunder,
(a) except as otherwise expressly provided in ss.5.2(b) and
(c), on each date that any draft presented under such Letter of Credit
is honored by the Issuing Bank, or the Issuing Bank otherwise makes a
payment with respect thereto, (i) the amount paid by the Issuing Bank
under or with respect to such Letter of Credit, and (ii) the amount of
any taxes, fees, charges or other costs and expenses whatsoever
incurred by the Issuing Bank or any other Bank in connection with any
payment made by the Issuing Bank or any other Bank under, or with
respect to, such Letter of Credit,
(b) upon the reduction (but not termination) of the Total
Revolving Credit Commitment to an amount less than the Maximum Drawing
Amount, an amount equal to 110% of such difference, which amount shall
be held by the Issuing Bank for the benefit of the Banks and the
Issuing Bank as cash collateral for all Obligations, and
(c) upon the termination of the Total Revolving Credit
Commitment, or the acceleration of the Reimbursement Obligations with
respect to all Letters of Credit in accordance with ss.16, or the
occurrence of the Termination Date, an amount equal to 110% of the then
Maximum Drawing Amount on all Letters of Credit, which amount shall be
held by the Issuing Bank for the benefit of the Banks and the Issuing
Bank as cash collateral for all Obligations.
Each such payment shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the
Administrative Agent's Head Office in immediately available funds and shall be
promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank or such other
Bank entitled thereto. Interest on any and all amounts remaining unpaid by the
Borrower under this ss.5.2 at any time from the date such amounts become due and
payable (whether as stated in this ss.5.2, by acceleration or otherwise) until
payment in full (whether before or after judgment) shall be payable to the
Administrative Agent, for the accounts of the Issuing Bank and the other Banks,
on demand at the rate specified in ss.8.9 for overdue principal on the Revolving
Credit Loans.
5.3. Letter of Credit Payments. If any draft shall be presented or
other demand for payment shall be made under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing
Bank shall notify the Borrower of the date and amount of the draft presented or
demand for payment and of the date and time when it expects to pay such draft or
honor such demand for payment. If the Borrower fails to reimburse the Issuing
Bank as provided in ss.5.2 on or before the date that such draft is paid or
other payment is made by the Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank may at any time
thereafter notify the Banks of the amount of any such Unpaid Reimbursement
Obligation. No later than 3:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Business Day next
following the receipt of such notice, each Bank shall make available to the
Administrative Agent, at the Administrative Agent's Head Office, in immediately
available funds, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly forward the same to
the Issuing Bank, such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, together with an amount equal to the product of
(i) the average, computed for the period referred to in clause (iii) below, of
the weighted average interest rate paid by the Issuing Bank for federal funds
acquired by the Issuing Bank during each day included in such period, times (ii)
the amount equal to such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligation, times (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which
is the number of days that elapse from and including the date the Issuing Bank
paid the draft presented for honor or otherwise made payment to the date on
which such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Unpaid
Reimbursement obligation shall become immediately available to the Issuing Bank,
and the denominator of which is 360. The responsibility of the Issuing Bank to
the Borrower and the Banks shall be only to determine that the documents
(including each draft) delivered under each Letter of Credit in connection with
such presentment shall be in conformity in all material respects with such
Letter of Credit.
5.4. Obligations Absolute. The Borrower's obligations under this ss.5
shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and
irrespective of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any
condition precedent whatsoever or any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment
which the Borrower may have or have had against the Agents, the Issuing Bank,
any other Bank or any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit. The Borrower further
agrees with the Agents, the Issuing Bank, and the other Banks that the Agents,
the Issuing Bank, and the other Banks shall not be responsible for, and the
Borrower's Reimbursement Obligations under ss.5.2 shall not be affected by,
among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any
endorsements thereon, even if such documents should in fact prove to be in any
or all respects invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among
the Borrower, the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any financing
institution or other party to which any Letter of Credit may be transferred or
any claims or defenses whatsoever of the Borrower against the beneficiary of any
Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The Agents, the Issuing Bank, and the
other Banks shall not be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay
in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however
transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit. The Borrower agrees that
any action taken or omitted by the Agents, the Issuing Bank, or any other Bank
under or in connection with each Letter of Credit and the related drafts and
documents, if done in good faith, shall be binding upon the Borrower and shall
not result in any liability on the part of the Agents, the Issuing Bank, or any
other Bank to the Borrower.
5.5. Reliance by Issuer. To the extent not inconsistent with ss.5.4,
the Issuing Bank shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in
relying upon, any Letter of Credit, draft, writing, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype
message, statement, order or other document believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons
and upon advice and statements of legal counsel, independent accountants and
other experts selected by the Issuing Bank. The Issuing Bank shall be fully
justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Credit Agreement
unless it shall first have received such advice or concurrence of the Required
Banks as it reasonably deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its
reasonable satisfaction by the Banks against any and all liability and expense
which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such
action. The Issuing Bank shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in
refraining from acting, under this Credit Agreement in accordance with a request
of the Required Banks, and such request and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon the Banks and all future holders of the
Revolving Credit Notes or of a Letter of Credit Participation.
5.6. Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall, on the last Business
Day of each calendar week and on the Termination Date, pay a fee, in cash (in
each case, a "Letter of Credit Fee"), to the Administrative Agent, for the pro
rata accounts of the Banks in accordance with their Revolving Credit Commitment
Percentages, in an amount equal to (a) from the Closing Date through December
15, 1999, three percent (3.00%) per annum and (b) from and after December 16,
1999, seven and one-half percent (7.50%) per annum, in each case on the average
daily Maximum Drawing Amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding during such
week. The Borrower shall also, on the last Business Day of each calendar week
and on the Termination Date, pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of
the Issuing Bank, a fee (in each case, a "Fronting Fee") in an amount equal to
one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum on the average daily Maximum
Drawing Amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding during such week. In respect
of each Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall also pay to the Issuing Bank, for
the Issuing Bank's own account, at such other time or times as such charges are
customarily made by the Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank's customary issuance,
amendment, negotiation or document examination and other administrative fees as
in effect from time to time.
5.7. Cash Collateral For Letter of Credit Obligations. In the event
that on the Termination Date there are any outstanding Letters of Credit, the
Borrower shall, on such date, deposit with the Issuing Bank an amount equal to
110% of the aggregate Maximum Drawing Amount of all such Letters of Credit, to
be held by the Issuing Bank as cash collateral for any drawing under any such
Letter of Credit.
5.8. Rollover LC's. On the Closing Date, the Rollover LC's shall, for
all purposes hereunder, be treated as letters of credit issued pursuant to ss.5
hereof and the Borrower's reimbursement obligations in respect thereof shall be
included in the Obligations. Each Bank agrees that its Letter of Credit
Participation shall extend to the Rollover LC's.
6. GUARANTY.
6.1. Guaranty of Payment and Performance. Each of the Guarantors and
the Borrower is a member of a group of interrelated and interdependent
corporations and other entities, the success of any one of which is dependent
upon the success of the others. Each of the Guarantors expects to receive
substantial direct and indirect benefits from the extensions of credit to the
Borrower hereunder (which benefits are hereby acknowledged). In consideration
thereof, each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to the
Agents and the Banks, the full and punctual payment when due (whether at stated
maturity, by required pre-payment, by acceleration or otherwise), as well as the
performance, of all of the Obligations. Each of the Guarantors is accepting
joint and several liability hereunder in consideration of the other Guarantors
accepting joint and several liability hereunder. This Guaranty is an absolute,
unconditional and continuing guaranty of the full and punctual payment and
performance of all of the Obligations and not of their collectability only and
is in no way conditioned upon any requirement that the Agents or any Bank first
attempt to collect any of the Obligations from the Borrower or resort to any
collateral security or other means of obtaining payment. Should the Borrower
default in the payment or performance of any of the Obligations, the obligations
of the Guarantors hereunder with respect to such Obligations in default shall,
upon demand by the Administrative Agent, become immediately due and payable to
the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Banks and the Agents, without
demand or notice of any nature, all of which are expressly waived by each of the
Guarantors. Payments by the Guarantors hereunder may be required by the
Administrative Agent on any number of occasions. All payments by any of the
Guarantors hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, in the manner
and at the place of payment specified therefor in ss.8.1.1 hereof, for the
account of the Banks and the Agents.
6.2. Guarantors' Agreement to Pay Enforcement Costs, etc. Each of the
Guarantors further jointly and severally agrees, as the principal obligor and
not as a guarantor only, to pay to the Administrative Agent, on demand, all
reasonable costs and expenses (including court costs and reasonable legal
expenses, including the allocated cost of staff counsel) incurred or expended by
any Agent or any Bank in connection with the Obligations, this Guaranty and the
enforcement thereof, together with interest on amounts recoverable under this
ss.6 from the time when such amounts become due until payment, whether before or
after judgment, at the rate of interest for overdue principal set forth in
ss.8.9 hereof, provided that if such interest exceeds the maximum amount
permitted to be paid under applicable law, then such interest shall be reduced
to such maximum permitted amount.
6.3. Waivers by the Guarantors; Banks' Freedom to Act. Each of the
Guarantors agrees that the Obligations will be paid and performed strictly in
accordance with their respective terms, regardless of any law, regulation or
order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms
or the rights of the Agents or any Bank with respect thereto. Each of the
Guarantors waives promptness, diligence, presentment, demand, protest, notice of
acceptance, notice of any Obligations incurred and all other notices of any
kind, all defenses which may be available by virtue of any valuation, stay,
moratorium law or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, any right to
require the marshalling of assets of the Borrower or any other entity or other
Person primarily or secondarily liable with respect to any of the Obligations,
and all suretyship defenses generally. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, each of the Guarantors agrees to the provisions of any instrument
evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with any Obligation and
agrees that the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder shall not be released or
discharged, in whole or in part, or otherwise affected by (i) the failure of the
Agents or any Bank to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or
remedy against the Borrower or any other Person primarily or secondarily liable
with respect to any of the Obligations; (ii) any extensions, compromise,
refinancing, consolidation or renewals of any Obligation; (iii) any change in
the time, place or manner of payment of any of the Obligations or any
rescissions, waivers, compromise, refinancing, consolidation or other amendments
or modifications of any of the terms or provisions of this Credit Agreement, the
other Loan Documents or any other agreement evidencing, securing or otherwise
executed in connection with any of the Obligations; (iv) the addition,
substitution or release of any entity or other Person primarily or secondarily
liable for any Obligation; (v) the adequacy of any rights which the Agents or
any Bank may have against any collateral security or other means of obtaining
repayment of any of the Obligations; (vi) the impairment of any collateral
securing any of the Obligations, including without limitation the failure to
perfect or preserve any rights which the Agents or any Bank might have in such
collateral security or the substitution, exchange, surrender, release, loss or
destruction of any such collateral security; or (vii) any other act or omission
which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Guarantor or
otherwise operate as a release or discharge of such Guarantor, all of which may
be done without notice to such Guarantor. To the fullest extent permitted by
law, each of the Guarantors hereby expressly waives any and all rights or
defenses arising by reason of (A) any "one action" or "anti-deficiency" law
which would otherwise prevent the Agents or any Bank from bringing any action,
including any claim for a deficiency, or exercising any other right or remedy
(including any right of set-off), against such Guarantor before or after the
Agent's or such Bank's commencement or completion of any foreclosure action,
whether judicially, by exercise of power of sale or otherwise, or (B) any other
law which in any other way would otherwise require any election of remedies by
the Agents or any Bank.
6.4. Unenforceability of Obligations Against Borrower. If for any
reason the Borrower has no legal existence or is under no legal obligation to
discharge any of the Obligations, or if any of the Obligations have become
irrecoverable from the Borrower by reason of the Borrower's insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization or by other operation of law or for any other
reason, this Guaranty shall nevertheless be binding on each of the Guarantors to
the same extent as if each such Guarantor at all times had been the principal
obligor on all such Obligations. In the event that acceleration of the time for
payment of any of the Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or
reorganization of the Borrower, or for any other reason, all such amounts
otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of this Credit Agreement, the
other Loan Documents or any other agreement evidencing, securing or otherwise
executed in connection with any Obligation shall be immediately due and payable
by each of the Guarantors.
6.5. Subrogation; Subordination.
6.5.1. Postponement of Rights Against Borrower. Until the
final payment and performance in full in cash of all of the Obligations
and the termination of the Commitments, none of the Guarantors shall
exercise any rights against the Borrower arising as a result of payment
by each such Guarantor hereunder, by way of subrogation, reimbursement,
restitution, contribution or otherwise, and none of the Guarantors will
prove any claim in competition with the Agents or any Bank in respect
of any payment hereunder in any bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization case or proceedings of any nature; none of the
Guarantors will claim any setoff, recoupment or counterclaim against
the Borrower in respect of any liability of any such Guarantor to the
Borrower; and each of the Guarantors waives any benefit of and any
right to participate in any collateral security which may be held by
the Agents or any Bank.
6.5.2. Subordination. The payment of any amounts due with
respect to any indebtedness of the Borrower for money borrowed or
credit received now or hereafter owed to any of the Guarantors is
hereby subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all of the
Obligations. Each of the Guarantors agrees that, after the occurrence
of any default in the payment or performance of any of the Obligations,
such Guarantor will not demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect
any such indebtedness of the Borrower to such Guarantor until all of
the Obligations shall have been paid in full. If, notwithstanding the
foregoing sentence, any of the Guarantors shall collect, enforce or
receive any amounts in respect of such indebtedness while any
Obligations are still outstanding, such amounts shall be collected,
enforced and received by such Guarantor as trustee for the Banks and
the Agents and be paid over to the Administrative Agent, for the
benefit of the Banks and the Agents, on account of the Obligations
without affecting in any manner the liability of the Guarantors under
the other provisions of this Guaranty.
6.5.3. Provisions Supplemental. The provisions of this ss.6.5
shall be supplemental to and not in derogation of any rights and
remedies of the Banks and the Agents under any separate subordination
agreement which an Agent may at any time and from time to time enter
into with any of the Guarantors for the benefit of the Banks and the
Agents.
6.6. Further Assurances. Each of the Guarantors agrees that it will
from time to time, at the request of the Agents, do all such things and execute
all such documents as the Agents may consider necessary or desirable to give
full effect to this Guaranty and to perfect and preserve the rights and powers
of the Banks and the Agents hereunder. Each of the Guarantors acknowledges and
confirms that such Guarantor itself has established its own adequate means of
obtaining from the Borrower on a continuing basis all information desired by
such Guarantor concerning the financial condition of the Borrower and that such
Guarantor will look to the Borrower and not to the Agents or any Bank in order
for such Guarantor to keep adequately informed of changes in the Borrower's
financial condition.
6.7. Reinstatement. Notwithstanding any termination of this Guaranty,
this Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, if at any time
any payment made or value received with respect to any Obligation is rescinded
or must otherwise be returned by an Agent or any Bank upon the insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or otherwise, all
as though such payment had not been made or value received.
6.8. Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty shall be binding upon each
of the Guarantors, its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of
the Agents and the Banks and their respective successors, transferees and
assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, each Bank
may, in accordance with the provisions of ss.22, assign or otherwise transfer
this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other agreement or note
held by it evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with the
Obligations, or sell participations in any interest therein, to any other
Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested, to the extent set
forth in the agreement evidencing such assignment, transfer or participation,
with all the rights in respect thereof granted to such Bank herein. None of the
Guarantors may assign any of its obligations hereunder.
6.9. Severability. It is the intention and agreement of the Guarantors,
the Agents and the Banks that the obligations of the Guarantors under this
Guaranty shall be valid and enforceable against the Guarantors to the maximum
extent permitted by applicable law. Accordingly, if any provision of this
Guaranty creating any obligation of any Guarantor shall be declared to be
invalid or unenforceable in any respect or to any extent, it is the stated
intention and agreement of the Guarantors, the Agents and the Banks that any
balance of the obligation created by such provision and all other obligations of
such Guarantor to the Agent and the Banks created by other provisions of this
Guaranty shall remain valid and enforceable. Likewise, if by final order, a
court of competent jurisdiction shall declare any sums which the Agents or the
Banks may be otherwise entitled to collect from the Guarantors under this
Guaranty to be in excess of those permitted under any law (including any federal
or state fraudulent conveyance or like statute or rule of law) applicable to the
obligations under this Guaranty, it is the stated intention and agreement of the
Guarantors, the Agents and the Banks that all sums not in excess of those
permitted under such applicable law shall remain fully collectible by the Agents
and the Banks from the Guarantors.
7. FEES.
7.1. Facility Fees. A facility fee in the amount of $3,700,000 shall be
fully earned by the Agents and the Banks on the Closing Date. The facility fee
shall be paid by the Borrower as follows:
(i) $600,000 shall be paid on the Closing Date to the Administrative
Agent, for the pro rata accounts of the Banks in accordance with their Revolving
Credit Commitment Percentages;
(ii) $1,000,000 shall be paid on December 15, 1999 to the
Administrative Agent, for the pro rata accounts of the Banks in accordance with
their Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages; provided that, in the event that
the Obligations are repaid in full, in cash, the Commitments are irrevocably
terminated, and all Letters of Credit are either cancelled or cash
collateralized in an amount equal to 110% of the Maximum Drawing Amount thereof,
in each case, on or before December 15, 1999, such fee shall be forgiven and
shall not be payable by the Borrower; and
(iii) $2,100,000 shall be paid on February 28, 2000 to the
Administrative Agent, for the pro rata accounts of the Banks in accordance with
their Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages; provided that in the event that
the Obligations are repaid in full, in cash, the Commitments are irrevocably
terminated, and all Letters of Credit are either cancelled or cash
collateralized in an amount equal to 110% of the Maximum Drawing Amount thereof,
in each case, on or before February 28, 2000, such $2,100,000 fee shall be
forgiven and shall not be payable by the Borrower.
7.2. Agents' Fees. The Borrower shall also pay to the Administrative
Agent and the Documentation Agent certain fees as provided in the Fee Letter.
7.3. Nature of Fees. All of the above fees will be fully-earned on the
Closing Date and, except as expressly set forth above, will be non-refundable.
8. CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS.
8.1. Funds for Payments.
8.1.1. Payments to Administrative Agent. All payments of
principal, interest, commitment fees, Letter of Credit Fees, Fronting
Fees, and any other amounts due hereunder or under any of the other
Loan Documents shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the
respective accounts of the Banks and the Agents, at the Administrative
Agent's Head Office or at such other location in the New York, New York
area that the Administrative Agent may from time to time designate, in
each case in Dollars and in immediately available funds. The Borrower
and each of the Guarantors hereby expressly authorizes the
Administrative Agent to charge any account(s) of the Borrower or any
Guarantor with the Administrative Agent or to advance Swing Line Loans
or Revolving Credit Loans hereunder to effect any payments due
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents.
8.1.2. No Offset, etc. All payments by the Borrower hereunder
and under any of the other Loan Documents shall be made without setoff
or counterclaim and free and clear of and without deduction for any
taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions,
withholdings, compulsory loans, restrictions or conditions of any
nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any
political subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein
unless the Borrower is compelled by law to make such deduction or
withholding. If any such obligation is imposed upon the Borrower with
respect to any amount payable by it hereunder or under any of the other
Loan Documents, the Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent, for
the account of the Banks or (as the case may be) the Agents, on the
date on which such amount is due and payable hereunder or under such
other Loan Document, such additional amount in Dollars as shall be
necessary to enable the Banks or the Agents to receive the same net
amount which the Banks or the Agents would have received on such due
date had no such obligation been imposed upon the Borrower. The
Borrower will deliver promptly to the Administrative Agent certificates
or other valid vouchers for all taxes or other charges deducted from or
paid with respect to payments made by the Borrower hereunder or under
such other Loan Document.
8.1.3. Receipt of Funds By Administrative Agent. The Borrower
agrees that, on each day on which a payment is due hereunder with
respect to any Loan, Letter of Credit or fee or under any Note, it will
deliver to the Administrative Agent, not later than 12:00 noon (New
York time), the amount so due on such day.
8.2. Computations. All computations of interest on the Loans and of
commitment fees, Letter of Credit Fees, Fronting Fees, and other fees hereunder
shall be based on a 360-day year and paid for the actual number of days elapsed.
The outstanding amount of the Loans as reflected on the Revolving Credit Note
Records and Term Note Records from time to time shall, with respect to the
Borrower, be considered correct and binding unless within five (5) Business Days
after receipt of any notice from the Administrative Agent or any of the Banks of
such outstanding amount, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent or
such Bank to the contrary or the Administrative Agent or such Bank shall notify
the Borrower to the contrary.
8.3. Additional Costs, etc. If any present or future applicable law,
which expression, as used herein, includes statutes, rules and regulations
thereunder and interpretations thereof by any competent court or by any
governmental or other regulatory body or official charged with the
administration or the interpretation thereof and requests, directives,
instructions and notices at any time or from time to time hereafter made upon or
otherwise issued to any Bank or the Administrative Agent by any central bank or
other fiscal, monetary or other authority (whether or not having the force of
law), shall:
(a) subject any Bank or the Administrative Agent to any tax,
levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature
with respect to this Credit Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the other
Loan Documents, such Bank's Commitment or the Loans (other than taxes
based upon or measured by the income or profits of such Bank or the
Administrative Agent), or
(b) materially change the basis of taxation (except for
changes in taxes on income or profits) of payments to any Bank of the
principal of or the interest on any Loans or any other amounts payable
to any Bank or the Administrative Agent under this Credit Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents, or
(c) impose or increase or render applicable (other than to the
extent specifically provided for elsewhere in this Credit Agreement)
any special deposit, reserve, assessment, liquidity, capital adequacy
or other similar requirements (whether or not having the force of law)
against assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of, or loans
by, or letters of credit issued by, or commitments of an office of any
Bank, or
(d) impose on any Bank or the Administrative Agent any other
conditions or requirements with respect to this Credit Agreement, any
Letter of Credit, the other Loan Documents, the Loans, such Bank's
Commitment, or any class of loans, letters of credit or commitments of
which any of the Loans or such Bank's Commitment forms a part, and the
result of any of the foregoing is
(i) to increase the cost to any Bank of making,
funding, issuing, renewing, extending or maintaining any of
the Loans or such Bank's Commitment or any Letter of Credit,
or
(ii) to reduce the amount of principal, interest,
Reimbursement Obligation, or other amount payable to such Bank
or the Administrative Agent hereunder on account of such
Bank's Commitment, any of the Loans or any Letter of Credit,
or
(iii) to require such Bank or the Administrative
Agent to make any payment or to forego any interest,
Reimbursement Obligation, or other sum payable hereunder, the
amount of which payment or foregone interest or other sum is
calculated by reference to the gross amount of any sum
receivable or deemed received by such Bank or the
Administrative Agent from the Borrower hereunder,
then, and in each such case, the Borrower will, upon demand made by such Bank or
(as the case may be) the Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time
and as often as the occasion therefor may arise, pay to such Bank or the
Administrative Agent such additional amounts as will be sufficient to compensate
such Bank or the Administrative Agent for such additional cost, reduction,
payment or foregone interest or other sum.
8.4. Capital Adequacy. If after the date hereof any Bank or the
Administrative Agent determines that (i) the adoption of or change in any law,
governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not
having the force of law) regarding capital requirements for banks or bank
holding companies or any change in the interpretation or application thereof by
a court or governmental authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii)
compliance by such Bank or the Administrative Agent or any corporation
controlling such Bank or the Administrative Agent with any law, governmental
rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not having the
force of law) of any such entity regarding capital adequacy, has the effect of
reducing the return on such Bank's or the Administrative Agent's commitment with
respect to any Loans to a level below that which such Bank or the Administrative
Agent could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking
into consideration such Bank's or the Administrative Agent's then existing
policies with respect to capital adequacy and assuming full utilization of such
entity's capital) by any amount deemed by such Bank or (as the case may be) the
Administrative Agent to be material, then such Bank or the Administrative Agent
may notify the Borrower of such fact. To the extent that the amount of such
reduction in the return on capital is not reflected in the Base Rate, the
Borrower agrees to pay such Bank or (as the case may be) the Administrative
Agent for the amount of such reduction in the return on capital as and when such
reduction is determined upon presentation by such Bank or (as the case may be)
the Administrative Agent of a certificate in accordance with ss.8.7 hereof. Each
Bank shall allocate such cost increases among its customers in good faith and on
an equitable basis.
8.5. Certificate. A certificate setting forth any additional amounts
payable pursuant to ss.ss.8.3 or 8.4 and a brief explanation of such amounts
which are due, submitted by any Bank or the Administrative Agent to the
Borrower, shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, that such amounts are due
and owing.
8.6. Interest After Default. During the continuance of a Default or an
Event of Default the principal of the Revolving Credit Loans and the Term Loan
shall, until such Default or Event of Default has been cured or remedied or such
Default or Event of Default has been waived by the Required Banks pursuant to
ss.29, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) above the
rate of interest otherwise applicable to such Loans pursuant to ss.2.5 or
ss.4.5, as the case may be. During the continuance of a Default or Event of
Default the Letter of Credit Fee shall be the rate per annum equal to two
percent (2%) above the rate otherwise applicable.
8.7. Interest Limitation. Notwithstanding any other term of this Credit
Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document, the maximum amount of interest
which may be charged to or collected from any Person liable hereunder, under any
Note or under any other Loan Document by any Bank, shall be absolutely limited
to, and shall in no event exceed, the maximum amount of interest (the "Maximum
Rate") which could lawfully be charged or collected under applicable law, so
that the maximum of all amounts constituting interest under applicable law,
howsoever computed, shall never exceed, as to any Person liable therefor, the
Maximum Rate, and any term of this Credit Agreement, any Note or any other Loan
Document which could be construed as providing for interest in excess of such
lawful maximum shall be and hereby is made expressly subject to and modified by
the provisions of this Section. If, in respect of any applicable period, the
effective interest rate on any amounts owing pursuant to this Credit Agreement,
the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents, absent the Maximum Rate limitation
contained herein, would have exceeded the Maximum Rate, and if in any applicable
period, such effective interest rate would otherwise be less than the Maximum
Rate, then the effective interest rate for such future applicable period shall
be increased to the Maximum Rate until such time as the amount of interest paid
hereunder equals the amount of interest which would have been paid if the same
had not been limited by the Maximum Rate. In the event that a court of competent
jurisdiction shall, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8.7,
determine that any Bank has received interest hereunder or under any of the
other Loan Documents in excess of the Maximum Rate, such excess shall, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, be applied first to any interest not in
excess of the Maximum Rate then due and not yet paid, then to the outstanding
principal of the Loans, then to fees and any other unpaid Obligations, and
thereafter shall be refunded to the Borrower or as a court of competent
jurisdiction may otherwise order. In the event that, upon payment in full of the
Obligations, the total amount of interest paid or accrued under the terms of
this Credit Agreement is less than the total amount of interest which would have
been paid or accrued had the interest not been limited hereby to the Maximum
Rate, then the Borrower shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, pay to
the Banks hereunder or under the Notes an amount equal to the excess, if any, of
(a) the lesser of (i) the amount of interest which would have been charged if
the Maximum Rate had, at all times, been in effect with respect to the
Obligations hereunder or under the Notes and (ii) the amount of interest which
would have accrued had the applicable effective interest rate not been limited
hereunder by the Maximum Rate over (b) the amount of interest actually paid or
accrued under this Credit Agreement. In determining whether or not the interest
paid or payable under any specific contingency exceeds the Maximum Rate, the
Borrower and any Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall, to
the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, (i) characterize any
non-principal payment as an expense, fee, or premium, rather than as interest,
(ii) exclude any voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (iii) spread
the total amount of interest throughout the entire contemplated term of the
Obligations so that the interest rate is uniform throughout the entire term of
the Obligations. The term "applicable law" as used in this Section 8.7 means the
law chosen pursuant to Section 24 hereof or, if (despite the parties' intentions
otherwise) the forum court does not enforce such contractual choice of law, the
applicable law after the forum court applies the choice of law rules of the
forum, including any federally mandated choice of law. The term includes
applicable federal law, such as the provisions of Section 5197 of the Revised
Statutes of the United States of America, as amended, 12 U.S.C. Section 85, as
amended.
9. PRIORITY AND COLLATERAL SECURITY.
9.1. Super-Priority Claims and Collateral Security. The Borrower hereby
represents, warrants and covenants that, upon entry of the Interim Order or the
Final Order, whichever first occurs, (a) the Obligations shall at all times
constitute a Super-Priority Claim having priority, pursuant to Section 364(c)(1)
of the Bankruptcy Code, subject only to the Carve Out and other than in respect
of assets constituting avoidance actions of the Borrower and the Guarantors
under Chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code or proceeds thereof, and (b) pursuant to
Section 364(c)(2) and (3) of the Bankruptcy Code and the Security Documents, the
Obligations shall at all times be secured by a perfected security interest (i)
in each of the Vessels listed on Schedule 9.1(a) hereto, (ii) in substantially
all of the other assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired of the Borrower
and its Guarantors, pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents, other than
assets constituting avoidance actions of the Borrower and the Guarantors under
Chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code (or proceeds thereof), and (iii) a first
priority perfected pledge, in favor of the Documentation Agent, for the benefit
of the Banks and the Agent, of the capital stock or other equity interests of
each Subsidiary of the Borrower, other than those Subsidiaries set forth on
Schedule 9.1(b) hereto, subject only to (A) Permitted Prior Liens, and (B) the
Carve Out; provided that the priority of such Lien securing the Obligations, to
the extent the proceeds thereof shall have been used to repay (or provide cash
collateral for) the Prepetition Bank Debt, shall also be equitably subrogated to
such Lien priority as was enjoyed by the Liens securing the Prepetition Bank
Debt prior to the repayment (or cash collateralization) thereof on the Closing
Date. All payments consisting of administrative, compensation and reimbursement
expenses constituting Priority Professional Expenses or other items included in
the Carve Out shall reduce the Professional Expense Cap or (as the case may be)
the balance of the Carve Out dollar for dollar. The security interests securing
the Obligations shall not be subject to Section 551 of the Bankruptcy Code.
9.2. Collateral Security Perfection. The Borrower and each Guarantor
agree to take all action that the Agents or any Bank may reasonably request as a
matter of nonbankruptcy law to perfect and protect the Agents' and the Banks'
Liens upon the Collateral and for such Liens to obtain the priority therefor
contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, executing and delivering
such ship mortgages and related documents and instruments, financing statements,
providing such notices and assents of third parties, obtaining such governmental
approvals and providing such other instruments and documents in recordable form
as the Agents or any Bank may reasonably request.
9.3. No Discharge; Survival of Claims. The Borrower and each Guarantor
agree that (i) the Obligations shall not be discharged by the entry of an order
confirming a Reorganization Plan (and the Borrower and each Guarantor, pursuant
to Section 1141(d)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code, hereby waive any such discharge),
(ii) the Super-Priority Claim granted to the Agents and Banks pursuant to the
Orders and the Liens granted to the Agents and Banks pursuant to the Orders and
the Security Documents shall not be affected in any manner by the entry of an
order confirming a Reorganization Plan and (iii) the Borrower and each Guarantor
shall not propose or support any Reorganization Plan that is not conditioned
upon the payment in full in cash, on or prior to the earlier to occur of (A) the
effective date of such Reorganization Plan and (B) the Termination Date, of all
of the Obligations and the Prepetition Bank Debt, and, with respect to
Obligations arising pursuant to ss.19.1 or ss.19.2 after such date, thereafter
for the payment in full of such Obligations in cash when due and payable.
9.4. Guarantees. The Obligations shall be guaranteed by each Subsidiary
(direct or indirect) of the Borrower (other than those Subsidiaries listed on
Schedule 9.4(c) hereto) pursuant to the terms of the Guaranty. The Borrower
shall notify the Agents of the acquisition or formation of any new Subsidiary
prior to such acquisition or formation. The Borrower shall, at the request of
either Agent, promptly, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days of such
request, cause each of its Subsidiaries which is not a Guarantor to (i) execute
and deliver to each of the Banks and the Agents a guaranty which is
substantially in the form of the Guaranty and which is satisfactory to the Banks
and the Agents in all respects and (ii) execute and deliver to each of the Banks
and the Agents all other documents and instruments, including, without
limitation, corporate authority documents and legal opinions, as the Agents may
reasonably request in connection with the delivery of such guaranty; provided,
that the provisions of this ss.9 shall not apply to (i) any Subsidiary which is
contractually or pursuant to its organizational documents prohibited from
delivering a guaranty of the Obligations or (ii) Seabulk Offshore Chartering,
Inc or (iii) any of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 9.4(c) hereto.
10. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Borrower and each Guarantor represents and warrants to the Banks
and the Agents as follows:
10.1. Corporate Authority.
10.1.1. Organization; Good Standing. Each of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries (i) is a corporation or limited partnership, as the
case may be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of its state of incorporation or organization, (ii) has
all requisite corporate or limited partnership power to own its
property and conduct its business as now conducted and as presently
contemplated, and (iii) is in good standing as a foreign corporation or
a foreign limited partnership, as the case may be, and is duly
authorized to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification
is necessary except where a failure to be so qualified would not have a
materially adverse effect on the business, assets or financial
condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole.
10.1.2. Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby (i) are within the corporate or limited
partnership, as the case may be, authority of such Person, (ii) have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited partnership,
as the case may be, proceedings, (iii) do not conflict with or result
in any breach or contravention of any provision of law, statute, rule
or regulation to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is
subject or any judgment, order, writ, injunction, license or permit
applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (iv) do not
conflict with any provision of the corporate charter, bylaws, or
partnership agreement of, or any agreement or other instrument binding
upon, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
10.1.3. Enforceability. The execution and delivery of this
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party will, upon entry of the Interim
Order or the Final Order, whichever occurs first, result in valid and
legally binding obligations of such Person enforceable against it in
accordance with the respective terms and provisions hereof and thereof,
except as enforceability is limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting
generally the enforcement of creditors' rights and except to the extent
that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunctive
relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought.
10.2. Governmental Approvals. Except for the entry of the Interim Order
or the Final Order, whichever occurs first, the execution, delivery and
performance by the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries of this Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is
a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not require the
approval or consent of, or filing with, any governmental agency or authority
other than those already obtained.
10.3. Title to Properties; Leases. Except as indicated on Schedule 10.3
hereto, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries own all of the assets reflected in the
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the
Balance Sheet Date or acquired since that date (except property and assets sold
or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business since that date
and/or which have been disclosed to the Agent), subject to no rights of others,
including any mortgages, leases, conditional sales agreements, title retention
agreements, liens or other encumbrances except Permitted Liens.
10.4. Fiscal Year; Financial Statements; Projections.
10.4.1. Fiscal Year, Fiscal Quarters. The Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries has a fiscal year which is the twelve months ending on
December 31 of each calendar year and fiscal quarters ending on March
31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each calendar year.
10.4.2. Financial Statements. There has been furnished to each
of the Banks a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date, and a consolidated statement
of income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then
ended, certified by Ernst & Young LLP. Such balance sheet and statement
of income have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and fairly present the financial condition of the
Borrower as at the close of business on the date thereof and the
results of operations for the fiscal year then ended. There are no
contingent liabilities of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as of
such date involving material amounts, known to the officers of the
Borrower, which were not disclosed in such balance sheet and the notes
related thereto.
10.4.3. Cash Budget. The Borrower has delivered to each of the
Banks its cash budget (the "Cash Budget"), and its forecast of the cash
flows, results of operations and loan availability of the Borrower,
each for the period through February 28, 2000, and the Cash Budget has
been prepared in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions.
10.5. No Material Changes. Since the Balance Sheet Date there has
occurred no materially adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
operations, performance, properties, or prospects of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as shown on or reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date, or the consolidated
statement of income for the fiscal year then ended, other than (i) changes in
the Borrower's financial performance which are reflected in the Cash Budget and
the financial statements delivered to the Banks for the periods prior to the
Filing Date, (ii) the commencement and continuation of the Cases, and (iii)
changes in the ordinary course of business that have not had any materially
adverse effect either individually or in the aggregate on the business or
financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole.
Since the Balance Sheet Date, the Borrower has not made any Distribution.
10.6. Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, etc. Each of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries possesses all franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks,
trade names, licenses and permits, and rights in respect of the foregoing,
adequate for the conduct of its business substantially as now conducted without
known conflict with any rights of others.
10.7. Litigation. Except for the Cases and as set forth in Schedule
10.7 hereto, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations of any
kind pending or threatened against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
before any court, tribunal or administrative agency or board that, if adversely
determined, might, either in any case or in the aggregate, materially adversely
affect the properties, assets, financial condition or business of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, or materially impair the right of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, to carry on business
substantially as now conducted by them, or result in any substantial liability
not adequately covered by insurance, or for which adequate reserves are not
maintained on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, or which question the validity of this Credit Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents, or any action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto or
thereto.
10.8. No Materially Adverse Contracts, etc. Except as disclosed on
Schedule 10.8, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to
any charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any judgment, decree,
order, rule or regulation that has or is expected in the future to have a
materially adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole. Neither the Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any contract or agreement that has or is
expected, in the judgment of the Borrower's officers, to have any materially
adverse effect on the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered
as a whole.
10.9. Compliance with Other Instruments, Laws, etc. Except as set forth
on Schedule 10.9, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
violation of any provision of its charter documents, bylaws, or any agreement or
instrument to which it may be subject or by which it or any of its properties
may be bound or any decree, order, judgment, statute, license, rule or
regulation, in any of the foregoing cases in a manner that could result in the
imposition of substantial penalties or materially and adversely affect the
financial condition, properties or business of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, considered as a whole.
10.10. Tax Status. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries (i) have made or
filed all federal and state income and all other tax returns, reports and
declarations required by any jurisdiction to which any of them is subject, (ii)
have paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges shown or
determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those
being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and (iii) have set
aside on their books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes
for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or
declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to
be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the
Borrower know of no basis for any such claim.
10.11. No Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing.
10.12. Holding Company and Investment Company Acts. Neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company", or a "subsidiary
company" of a "holding company", or an affiliate" of a "holding company", as
such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935; nor is
it an "investment company", or an "affiliated company" or a "principal
underwriter" of an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
10.13. Absence of Financing Statements, etc. Except with respect to
Permitted Liens, there is no financing statement, security agreement, chattel
mortgage, real estate mortgage, vessel mortgage or other document filed or
recorded with any filing records, registry or other public office, that purports
to cover, affect or give notice of any present or possible future lien on, or
security interest in, any assets or property of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or any rights relating thereto.
10.14. Certain Transactions. Except for items previously disclosed in
the Securities and Exchange Commission filings of the Borrower prior to August
31, 1999 and arm's length transactions pursuant to which the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries makes payments in the ordinary course of business upon terms no
less favorable than the Borrower or such Subsidiary could obtain from third
parties, none of the officers, directors, or employees of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries is presently a party to any transaction with the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries (other than for services as employees, officers and
directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for
the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal
property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from, any officer,
director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any corporation,
partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer, director, or any such
employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or
partner.
10.15. Employee Benefit Plans.
10.15.1. In General. Each Employee Benefit Plan and each
Guaranteed Pension Plan has been maintained and operated in compliance
in all material respects with the provisions of ERISA and, to the
extent applicable, the Code, including but not limited to the
provisions thereunder respecting prohibited transactions and the
bonding of fiduciaries and other persons handling plan funds as
required by ss.412 of ERISA. The Borrower has heretofore delivered to
the Administrative Agent the most recently completed annual report,
Form 5500, with all required attachments, and actuarial statement
required to be submitted under ss.103(d) of ERISA, with respect to each
Guaranteed Pension Plan.
10.15.2. Terminability of Welfare Plans. No Employee Benefit
Plan, which is an employee welfare benefit plan within the meaning of
ss.3(1) or ss.3(2)(B) of ERISA, provides benefit coverage subsequent to
termination of employment, except as required by Title I, Part 6 of
ERISA or the applicable state insurance laws. The Borrower may
terminate each such Plan at any time (or at any time subsequent to the
expiration of any applicable bargaining agreement) in the discretion of
the Borrower without liability to any Person other than for claims
arising prior to termination.
10.15.3. Guaranteed Pension Plans. Each contribution required
to be made to a Guaranteed Pension Plan, whether required to be made to
avoid the incurrence of an accumulated funding deficiency, the notice
or lien provisions of ss.302(f) of ERISA, or otherwise, has been timely
made. No waiver of an accumulated funding deficiency or extension of
amortization periods has been received with respect to any Guaranteed
Pension Plan, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is
obligated to or has posted security in connection with an amendment to
a Guaranteed Pension Plan pursuant to ss.307 of ERISA or ss.401(a)(29)
of the Code. No liability to the PBGC (other than required insurance
premiums, all of which have been paid) has been incurred by the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Guaranteed Pension
Plan and there has not been any ERISA Reportable Event (other than an
ERISA Reportable Event as to which the requirement of 30 days notice
has been waived), or any other event or condition which presents a
material risk of termination of any Guaranteed Pension Plan by the
PBGC. Based on the latest valuation of each Guaranteed Pension Plan
(which in each case occurred within twelve months of the date of this
representation), and on the actuarial methods and assumptions employed
for that valuation, the aggregate benefit liabilities of all such
Guaranteed Pension Plans within the meaning of ss.4001 of ERISA did not
exceed the aggregate value of the assets of all such Guaranteed Pension
Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities and assets
of any Guaranteed Pension Plan with assets in excess of benefit
liabilities.
10.15.4. Multiemployer Plans. Neither the Borrower nor any
ERISA Affiliate has incurred any material liability (including
secondary liability) to any Multiemployer Plan as a result of a
complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan under
ss.4201 of ERISA or as a result of a sale of assets described in
ss.4204 of ERISA. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has been
notified that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent
under and within the meaning of ss.4241 or ss.4245 of ERISA or is at
risk of entering reorganization or becoming insolvent, or that any
Multiemployer Plan intends to terminate or has been terminated under
ss.4041A of ERISA.
10.16. Use of Proceeds.
10.16.1. General. The proceeds of the Term Loan shall be used
to refinance existing Indebtedness of the Borrower under the
Prepetition Credit Agreement and the proceeds of the Revolving Credit
Loans shall be used, and Letters of Credit shall be issued, solely and
for working capital and general corporate purposes.
10.16.2. Regulations U and X. No portion of any Loan is to be
used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin security" or
"margin stock" as such terms are used in Regulations U and X of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Parts 221
and 224.
10.16.3. Ineligible Securities. No portion of the proceeds of
any Loan is to be used for the purpose of (a) knowingly purchasing, or
providing credit support for the purchase of, Ineligible Securities
from a Section 20 Subsidiary during any period in which such Section 20
Subsidiary makes a market in such Ineligible Securities, (b) knowingly
purchasing, or providing credit support for the purchase of, during the
underwriting or placement period and for thirty (30) days thereafter,
any Ineligible Securities being underwritten or privately placed by a
Section 20 Subsidiary, or (c) making, or providing credit support for
the making of, payments of principal or interest on Ineligible
Securities underwritten or privately placed by a Section 20 Subsidiary
and issued by or for the benefit of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
other Affiliate of the Borrower.
10.17. Environmental Compliance. Except as set forth on Schedule 10.17
hereto, none of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any operator of the Real
Estate or any operations thereon is in violation, or alleged violation, of any
judgment, decree, order, law, license, rule or regulation pertaining to
environmental matters, including without limitation, those arising under the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 as amended, the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Clean Water Act, the
Federal Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, or any state or local
statute, regulation, ordinance, order or decree relating to health, safety or
the environment (hereinafter "Environmental Laws"), which violation would have a
material adverse effect on the environment or the business, assets or financial
condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole.
10.18. Subsidiaries, etc. All Subsidiaries, direct and indirect, of the
Borrower are listed on Schedule 10.18(a) hereto. Except as set forth on Schedule
10.18(b) hereto, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower is
engaged in any joint venture or partnership with any other Person.
10.19. Concerning the Vessels. The name, official number, registered
owner, and jurisdiction of registration of each Vessel is set forth on Schedule
10.19(a) hereto. Except as set forth on Schedule 10.19(b), each Vessel is
operated in accordance with all applicable maritime rules and regulations,
including, without limitation, with respect to each Vessel operated in the
coastwise trade of the United States of America, the Shipping Act of 1916, as
amended and in effect, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Each Vessel
is maintained and operated in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
10.20. Disclosure. None of this Credit Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact (known to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the
case of any document or information not furnished by it or any of its
Subsidiaries) necessary in order to make the statements herein or therein not
misleading. There is no fact known to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
which materially adversely affects, or which is reasonably likely in the future
to materially adversely affect, the business, assets, financial condition or
prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, exclusive
of effects resulting from changes in general economic conditions, legal
standards or regulatory conditions.
10.21. Perfection of Security Interest. Except for matters contemplated
by ss.11.19, upon the entry of the Interim Order or the Final Order, whichever
occurs first, all filings, assignments, pledges and deposits of documents or
instruments will have been made and all other actions will have been taken that
are necessary or advisable, under applicable law, to establish and perfect the
Documentation Agent's security interest in the Collateral. The Collateral and
the Documentation Agent's rights with respect to the Collateral are not subject
to any setoff, claims, withholdings, or other defenses. The Borrower or a
Guarantor party to any Security Document is the owner of the Collateral, free
from any lien, security interest, encumbrance, or any other claim or demand,
except for Permitted Liens.
10.22. Bank Accounts. Schedule 10.22 hereto sets forth the account
numbers and location of all bank accounts of the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries, as such Schedule may be updated from time to time pursuant to
ss.12.13.
10.23. Filed Entities. All Subsidiaries, other than those Subsidiaries
listed on Schedule 10.23 hereto, are subject as debtor to a Case in the
Bankruptcy Court and are Guarantors hereunder, except as noted on Schedule
10.23. Each such Subsidiary listed on such Schedule either (i) is precluded by
applicable law, its constitutive documents or other financing documentation from
becoming a Guarantor or (ii) has no assets, other than immaterial assets.
11. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS.
The Borrower and each of the Guarantors covenants and agrees that, so
long as any Loan, Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note is
outstanding or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans and the Issuing
Bank has any obligation to issue, extend or renew any Letter of Credit:
11.1. Punctual Payment. The Borrower will duly and punctually pay or
cause to be paid the principal and interest on the Loans, all Reimbursement
Obligations, the Letter of Credit Fees, the Fronting Fees, the commitment fees,
the fees pursuant to ss.7 hereof and all other amounts provided for in this
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party, all in accordance with the terms of this Credit
Agreement and such other Loan Documents.
11.2. Maintenance of Office. The Borrower will, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, maintain its chief executive office in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, or at such other place in the United States of America as the Borrower
or such Subsidiary shall designate upon written notice to the Administrative
Agent, where notices, presentations and demands to or upon the Borrower or such
Subsidiary in respect of the Loan Documents to which the Borrower or such
Subsidiary is a party may be given or made. The Borrower will give the Agents
thirty days prior written notice of any change in the location of its, or any of
its Subsidiaries', chief executive office.
11.3. Records and Accounts. The Borrower will (i) keep, and cause each
of its Subsidiaries to keep, true and accurate records and books of account in
which full, true and correct entries will be made in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, (ii) maintain adequate accounts and reserves for
all taxes (including income taxes), depreciation, depletion, obsolescence and
amortization of its properties and the properties of its Subsidiaries,
contingencies, and other reserves, and (iii) at all times engage Ernst & Young
LLP or other independent certified public accountants reasonably satisfactory to
the Agents as the independent certified public accountants of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries and will not permit more than thirty (30) days to elapse
between the cessation of such firm's (or any successor firm's) engagement as the
independent certified public accountants of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and the appointment in such capacity of a successor firm as shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Agents.
11.4. Financial Statements, Certificates and Information. The Borrower
will deliver to each of the Banks:
(a) as soon as practicable after the end of each of the fiscal
quarters of the Borrower, but in any event not later than February 5,
in the case of each fiscal quarter ending on December 31, and November
5, in the case of each fiscal quarter ending on September 30, copies of
the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and the unaudited consolidating balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, each as at the end of such quarter, and
the related consolidated statement of income and consolidated statement
of cash flow and consolidating statement of income and consolidating
statement of cash flow for the portion of the Borrower's fiscal year
then elapsed, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, together with a certification
by the principal financial or accounting officer of the Borrower that
the information contained in such financial statements fairly presents
the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date
thereof (subject to year-end adjustments);
(b) as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty
(30) days after the end of each month in each fiscal year of the
Borrower, unaudited monthly consolidated financial statements of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such month and unaudited monthly
consolidating financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
for such month, each prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles;
(c) simultaneously with the delivery of the financial
statements referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above, a statement
certified by the principal financial or accounting officer of the
Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (the "Compliance
Certificate") and setting forth in reasonable detail computations
evidencing compliance with the covenants contained in ss.13 and (if
applicable) reconciliations to reflect changes in generally accepted
accounting principles since the Balance Sheet Date;
(d) contemporaneously with the filing or mailing thereof,
copies of all material of a financial nature filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission or sent to the equity holders or debt holders
of the Borrower;
(e) upon request of either Agent, appraisal reports in form
and substance and from independent appraisers satisfactory to the
Agents, stating the then current fair market value of each of the
Vessels subject to a Vessel Mortgage, all such appraisals to be
conducted and made at the expense of the Borrower (it being understood
that the Agents may, upon notice to the Borrower, obtain such
appraisals and that the cost of all such appraisals will be paid by the
Borrower); provided that (i) unless a Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred or be continuing, the Agents shall not request the
Borrower to obtain, and the Agents shall not obtain on their own, any
such appraisal before November 1, 1999 and (ii) such appraisals shall
be conducted by Dufour, Laskay & Strouse, Inc., unless such firm is
unable or unwilling to conduct such appraisals in a timely fashion, in
which case the Agents shall be entitled to select an alternative
appraisal firm;
(f) promptly, copies of all material pleadings, notices,
orders and other papers filed in the Cases and copies of all reports
filed with the United States Trustee in the Cases;
(g) not less frequently than weekly, (i) a consolidated
thirteen (13) week rolling cash flow forecast of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Agents, (ii) a cash flow report showing actual performance for each
weekly period reflected in the Cash Budget and variance of actual
performance from projected performance in the Cash Budget, and (iii) a
summary of accounts payable of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;
(h) from time to time upon request, a written or oral report,
in reasonable detail, as to the status of the Borrower's plan of
reorganization; and
(i) from time to time such other financial data and
information (including accountants' management letters and updates to
the Cash Budget) as either Agent may reasonably request.
11.5. Notices.
11.5.1. Defaults. The Borrower will promptly notify the
Administrative Agent and each of the Banks in writing of the occurrence
of any Default or Event of Default. If any Person shall give any notice
or take any other action in respect of a claimed default (whether or
not constituting an Event of Default) under this Credit Agreement or
any other note, evidence of Indebtedness, indenture or other obligation
to which or with respect to which the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or obligor, whether as principal, guarantor,
surety or otherwise, the Borrower shall forthwith give written notice
thereof to the Administrative Agent and each of the Banks, describing
the notice or action and the nature of the claimed default.
11.5.2. Environmental Events. The Borrower will promptly give
notice to the Administrative Agent and each of the Banks (i) of any
material violation of any Environmental Law that the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries reports in writing or is reportable by such Person in
writing (or for which any written report supplemental to any oral
report is made) to any federal, state or local environmental agency
that has the potential to materially adversely affect the assets,
liabilities, financial conditions or operations of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, or the Documentation Agent's
security interests pursuant to the Security Documents and (ii) upon
becoming aware thereof, of any inquiry, proceeding, investigation, or
other action, including a notice from any agency of potential
environmental liability, of any federal, state or local environmental
agency or board, that has the potential to materially adversely affect
the assets, liabilities, financial conditions or operations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, or the
Documentation Agent's security interests pursuant to the Security
Documents.
11.5.3. Notice of Litigation and Judgments. The Borrower will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, give notice to the
Administrative Agent and each of the Banks in writing within fifteen
(15) days of becoming aware of any litigation or proceedings threatened
in writing or any pending litigation and proceedings affecting the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or to which the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, is or becomes a party involving an
uninsured claim against the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered
as a whole, that could reasonably be expected to have a materially
adverse effect on the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and stating
the nature and status of such litigation or proceedings. The Borrower
will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, give notice to the
Administrative Agent and each of the Banks, in writing, in form and
detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days
of any judgment not covered by insurance, final or otherwise, against
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of
$1,000,000.
11.5.4. Notification of Claim Against Collateral. The Borrower
will, immediately upon becoming aware thereof, notify the Agents and
each of the Banks in writing of any setoff, claims, withholdings or
other defenses to which any of the Collateral, or the Documentation
Agent's rights with respect to the Collateral, are subject.
11.5.5. Notice Regarding Contracts. The Borrower shall notify
the Agents and the Banks prior to the Borrower or any Guarantor
rejecting any contract or making any motion to reject any contract,
setting forth in such notice the Borrower's reasons why such rejection
(i) will be in the best interests of the Borrower and the Guarantors
and (ii) will not have a material adverse effect on the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, and avoid proceeding with such
rejection if in the reasonable opinion of the Agents such rejection
will have a material adverse effect on the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, considered as a whole.
11.6. Corporate Existence; Maintenance of Properties; Etc.
(a) The Borrower will do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate
or limited partnership, as the case may be, existence, rights and
franchises and those of its Subsidiaries.
(b) The Borrower (i) will cause all of its properties and
those of its Subsidiaries used or useful in the conduct of its business
or the business of its Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary
equipment, (ii) will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the
judgment of the Borrower may be necessary so that the business carried
on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted
at all times, and (iii) will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, continue to engage primarily in the businesses now conducted by
them and in related businesses; provided that nothing in this ss.11.6
shall prevent the Borrower from discontinuing the operation and
maintenance of any of its properties or any of those of its
Subsidiaries if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the
Borrower, desirable in the conduct of its or their business and that do
not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the business of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
11.7. Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers
insurance with respect to its properties and business against such casualties
and contingencies as shall be in accordance with the general practices of
businesses engaged in similar activities in similar geographic areas and in
amounts, containing such terms, in such forms and for such periods as may be
reasonable and prudent and reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain
insurance on each Vessel subject to a Vessel Mortgage, in accordance with the
terms of such Vessel Mortgage.
11.8. Taxes. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, duly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, before the same
shall become overdue, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges
imposed upon it and its real properties, sales and activities, or any part
thereof, or upon the income or profits therefrom, as well as all claims for
labor, materials, or supplies that if unpaid might by law become a lien or
charge upon any of its property; provided that any such tax, assessment, charge,
levy or claim need not be paid if the validity or amount thereof shall currently
be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Borrower or
such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect
thereto; and provided further that the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower will pay all such taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims
forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any lien that may
have attached as security therefor.
11.9. Inspection of Properties and Books; Information.
(a) The Borrower shall permit the Banks, through the
Administrative Agent or any of the Banks' other designated
representatives, to visit and inspect any of the properties of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, to examine the books of account of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (and to make copies thereof and
extracts therefrom), and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with, and to be advised as to the
same by, its and their officers, all at such reasonable times and
intervals as the Administrative Agent or any Bank may reasonably
request.
(b) The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, continue to cooperate fully with the Agents, their
counsel and their representatives, and use their best efforts to
provide such information, documentation and records as any of them may
reasonably request concerning the operation of the Borrower's and its
Subsidiaries' Vessels, payables related thereto and other matters, such
that all such information will be presented to the Agents as promptly
as practicable after any reasonable request therefor by the Agents,
their counsel or their representatives.
11.10. Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses, and Permits. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with (i) in
all material respects, the applicable laws and regulations wherever its business
is conducted, including all Environmental Laws, (ii) the provisions of its
charter documents and by-laws, (iii) all agreements and instruments by which it
or any of its properties may be bound and (iv) all applicable decrees, orders,
and judgments. If any authorization, consent, approval, permit or license from
the Bankruptcy Court or any officer, agency or instrumentality of any government
shall become necessary or required in order that the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries may fulfill any of its obligations hereunder or any of the other
Loan Documents to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party, the Borrower
will, or (as the case may be) will cause such Subsidiary to, immediately take or
cause to be taken all reasonable steps within the power of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary to obtain such authorization, consent, approval, permit or license
and furnish the Administrative Agent and the Banks with evidence thereof.
11.11. Employee Benefit Plans. The Borrower will (i) promptly upon
filing the same with the Department of Labor or Internal Revenue Service upon
request of the Administrative Agent, furnish to the Administrative Agent a copy
of the most recent actuarial statement required to be submitted under ss.103(d)
of ERISA and Annual Report, Form 5500, with all required attachments, in respect
of each Guaranteed Pension Plan and (ii) promptly upon receipt or dispatch,
furnish to the Administrative Agent any notice, report or demand sent or
received in respect of a Guaranteed Pension Plan under ss.ss.302, 4041, 4042,
4043, 4063, 4065, 4066 and 4068 of ERISA, or in respect of a Multiemployer Plan,
under ss.ss.4041A, 4202, 4219, 4242, or 4245 of ERISA.
11.12. Use of Proceeds. The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans
and will obtain Letters of Credit solely for the purposes set forth in ss.10.16.
11.13. Concerning the Vessels; Citizenship. Except for matters
disclosed on Schedule 10.19 hereto, the Borrower will, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to operate each Vessel in compliance with all applicable
governmental rules, regulations and requirements, including, without limitation,
with respect to each Vessel operated in the coastwise trade of the United States
of America, the Shipping Act, 1916, as amended and in effect, and all
Environmental Laws. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary owning a
Vessel engaging in the coastwise trade of the United States of America to,
remain a "citizen of the United States" within the meaning of Section 2 of the
Shipping Act, 1916, as amended, eligible to engage in the coastwise trade of the
United States of America.
11.14. Further Assurances. The Borrower will, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, cooperate with the Banks and the Administrative Agent and
execute such further instruments and documents as the Banks or the
Administrative Agent shall reasonably request to carry out to their satisfaction
the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.
11.15. Cash Management Arrangements; Depository Arrangements.
(a) The Borrower shall implement and maintain in place cash
management arrangements as shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Agents. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the parties agree that:
(i) subject to the interest of third party creditors
in proceeds of accounts receivable securing other third-party
Indebtedness permitted hereunder ("Excluded Proceeds"), all
cash and cash equivalents held by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and all proceeds of accounts receivable, chattel
paper, general intangibles and instruments for which the
Borrower or, as the case may be, any of its Subsidiaries, is
an obligee shall be deposited into either a depository,
collection or lock box account (each, a "Lock Box Account")
maintained with the Administrative Agent or with another
financial institution which shall have entered into an Agency
Account Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent;
(ii) all such proceeds of accounts receivable,
chattel paper, general intangibles and instruments and all
cash and cash equivalents held by the Borrower (other than
Excluded Proceeds and proceeds arising from the international
operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are of a
type which is not, as of the Closing Date, normally deposited
into an account located in the United States of America
("Foreign Proceeds")) shall, on each Business Day or such
other frequency as may be agreed to by the Administrative
Agent, be transferred to the Concentration Account for
application to the Obligations pursuant to the provisions
hereof;
(iii) subject to clause (iv) below, Foreign Proceeds
will be deposited into Lock Box Accounts and/or held in local
operating or concentration accounts, each of which shall be
subject to an Agency Account Agreement, which shall provide
that amounts in such account(s) may be swept into the
Concentration Account at the discretion of the Agent; and
(iv) at no time shall the aggregate amount of cash
and cash equivalents (other than the Excluded Proceeds) held
or maintained by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (whether in
accounts or otherwise) outside of the Controlled Accounts
exceed $8,000,000 in the aggregate.
(b) In the event that, the Borrower or, as the case may be,
its Subsidiary, receives any cash, checks or other payments or proceeds
of Collateral (other than Excluded Proceeds), the Borrower or, as the
case may be, its Subsidiary, shall, promptly upon receipt thereof, in
the identical form received, cause such cash, checks and other payments
and proceeds (except for any endorsements thereon which may be required
by the Administrative Agent), to be paid directly into the a lock box
maintained with the Administrative Agent. Prior to such payment, all
such items shall be held in trust by the Borrower or, as the case may
be, its Subsidiary, for the benefit of the Agents and the Banks.
11.16. Retention of Financial Advisor. The Borrower and the Guarantors
agree that the Agents and/or their counsel may continue to retain Zolfo Cooper,
LLC to, among other things, make visits to, and discuss financial and
operational matters with, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and to advise the
Agents and the Banks as to the business, operations and financial condition of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Such consultant shall not be limited in the
frequency of visits to the facilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. The
Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, cooperate with such
consultant and provide such consultant with all information reasonably requested
by such consultant in connection with its engagement by the Agents and/or their
counsel.
11.17. Collateral Preservation. The Borrower shall, and shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, take all such further actions as the Agents may
from time to time reasonably request to preserve, protect, perfect and ensure
the priority of any Collateral of an existing type, subject to Permitted Liens
entitled to priority under applicable law.
11.18. Engagement of Advisor(s). The Agents shall be entitled at any
time to retain an advisor or advisors to assist the Agents and the Banks in,
among other things, exercising their rights and remedies following an Event of
Default. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
cooperate with such advisor(s) and provide such advisor(s) with such
information, documentation, and access to employees as may be reasonably
requested by such advisor(s). The Agents shall notify the Borrower of any such
retention.
11.19. Security Documentation. To the extent not delivered on the
Closing Date, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to
deliver to the Documentation Agent all such documents and instruments and take
all such actions as may reasonably be requested by the Documentation Agent in
order to fully perfect the Documentation Agent's first priority perfected
security interest in and mortgage on each of the Vessels listed on Schedule
9.1(a) hereto and the other Collateral including, without limitation, financing
statements, mortgages, legal opinions, and corporate authority documentation
relating thereto.
12. CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS.
The Borrower and each Guarantor covenants and agrees that, so long as
any Loan, Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note is outstanding or
any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans or the Issuing Bank has any
obligation to issue, extend or renew any Letter of Credit:
12.1. Restrictions on Indebtedness. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or
remain liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to any Indebtedness other
than:
(a) Indebtedness to the Banks and the Agents arising under any of the
Loan Documents;
(b) endorsements for collection, deposit or negotiation and warranties
of products or services, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of
business;
(c) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and listed and described
on Schedule 12.1 hereto;
(d) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of the Borrower owing to the Borrower
or a Guarantor; and
(e) (i) Indebtedness in respect of operating leases and (ii) purchase
money Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business and, in each case
referred to in this clause (e) approved by the Agents.
12.2. Restrictions on Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) create or incur or suffer to be created or
incurred or to exist any lien, encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, charge,
restriction or other security interest of any kind upon any of its property or
assets of any character whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or upon the
income or profits therefrom; (ii) transfer any of such property or assets or the
income or profits therefrom for the purpose of subjecting the same to the
payment of Indebtedness or performance of any other obligation in priority to
payment of its general creditors; (iii) acquire, or agree or have an option to
acquire, any property or assets upon conditional sale or other title retention
or purchase money security agreement, device or arrangement; or (iv) suffer to
exist for a period of more than thirty (30) days after the same shall have been
incurred any Indebtedness or claim or demand against it that if unpaid might by
law or upon bankruptcy or insolvency, or otherwise, be given any priority
whatsoever over its general creditors; provided that the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries may create or incur or suffer to be created or incurred or to
exist:
(a) liens in favor of the Borrower on all or part of the assets of
Subsidiaries of the Borrower securing Indebtedness owing by Subsidiaries of the
Borrower to the Borrower;
(b) liens to secure taxes, assessments and other government charges in
respect of obligations not overdue or liens to secure claims for labor, material
or supplies in respect of obligations not overdue;
(c) deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment
of, workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other
social security obligations;
(d) liens in respect of judgments or awards that have been in force for
less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as execution is not
levied thereunder or in respect of which the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall
at the time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and
in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been obtained pending such
appeal or review;
(e) liens or claims of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, ship
repairers and materialmen, and other like liens, in existence less than 120 days
from the date of creation thereof in respect of obligations which are either (i)
not overdue or (ii) being contested in good faith by the Borrower;
(f) encumbrances on Real Estate consisting of easements, rights of way,
zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property and defects and
irregularities in the title thereto, landlord's or lessor's liens under leases
to which the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower is a party, and other
minor liens or encumbrances none of which in the opinion of the Borrower
interferes materially with the use of the property affected in the ordinary
conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which defects do
not individually or in the aggregate have a materially adverse effect on the
business of the Borrower individually or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on
a consolidated basis;
(g) liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 12.2
hereto;
(h) liens in favor of the Administrative Agent or the Documentation
Agent for the benefit of the Banks and the Agents under the Loan Documents;
(i) liens permitted pursuant to the Vessel Mortgages; and
(j) liens in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to
ss.12.1(e)(ii).
12.3. Restrictions on Investments. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or permit to exist or to remain
outstanding any Investment except Investments in:
(a) marketable direct or guaranteed obligations of the United
States of America that mature within one (1) year from the date of
purchase by the Borrower;
(b) demand deposits, certificates of deposit, bankers
acceptances and time deposits of any Bank or any United States banks
having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000;
(c) securities commonly known as "commercial paper" issued by
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United
States of America or any state thereof that at the time of purchase
have been rated and the ratings for which are not less than "P 1" if
rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and not less than
"A 1" if rated by Standard and Poor's Rating Group ("S&P"); provided
that such Investment in such commercial paper otherwise permitted
hereunder shall be permitted if such commercial paper is rated either
(i) not less than "P 2" by Moody's and "A 1" by S&P or (ii) not less
than "A 2" by S&P and "P 1" by Moody's;
(d) Investments existing on the date hereof and listed on
Schedule 12.3 hereto;
(e) Investments with respect to Indebtedness permitted by
ss.12.1(d) so long as such entities remain Subsidiaries of the Borrower
and Guarantors hereunder;
(f) Investments consisting of the Guaranty and Investments by
the Borrower in the Guarantors;
(g) Investments consisting of loans and advances to employees
for moving, entertainment, travel and other similar expenses in the
ordinary course of business not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at
any time outstanding; and
(h) Investments by the Borrower and/or a Guarantor consisting
of the purchase of up to either (i) 32.32% of the equity interests of
Lightship Limited Partner Holdings, LLC or (ii) 25% of the equity
interests of each of Lightship Tankers I LLC, Lightship Tankers II LLC,
Lightship Tankers III LLC, Lightship Tankers IV LLC, or Lightship
Tankers V LLC, in each case on or before December 31, 1999; provided
that (i) prior to the making of such Investment, the Borrower and/or a
Guarantor has received Net Cash Proceeds from the sale of equity
interests in Lightship Partners, L.P. which exceed the consideration
paid and payable for such Investment, (ii) the making of such
Investment does not result in the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owning
more than 49.99% of the equity interests of each of Lightship Tankers I
LLC, Lightship Tankers II LLC, Lightship Tankers III LLC, Lightship
Tankers IV LLC, and Lightship Tankers V LLC, and (iii) such Investment
is approved by an order not subject to appeal or stayed pending appeal
of the Bankruptcy Court (the Agents and the Banks reserving their
rights to object to the granting of any such approval).
12.4. Distributions.
(a) The Borrower will not make any Distributions. The Borrower
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any Distribution other
than Distributions to the Borrower or a Guarantor.
(b) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, create or permit to exist any restriction on the
ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to pay dividends to the
Borrower.
12.5. Merger, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets.
12.5.1. Mergers and Acquisitions. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a party to any
merger or consolidation except the merger or consolidation of one or
more of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower with and into the Borrower or
a Guarantor, with the Borrower or such Guarantor being the surviving
corporation of such merger or consolidation, or the merger or
consolidation of two or more non-Guarantor Subsidiaries; provided that,
in each case, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, or would result from such merger or consolidation. The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
effect any asset acquisition or stock acquisition, other than the
acquisition of assets (other than vessels) in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices.
12.5.2. Disposition of Assets. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a party to or agree to or
effect any disposition of assets, other than (a) the sale of inventory
and the disposition of equipment other than Vessels no longer used or
useful in the business or operations of the Borrower, in each case, in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (b) the
transfer of assets from any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower
or a Guarantor or from any non-Guarantor Subsidiary to the Borrower or
another Subsidiary of the Borrower, and (c) the sale of assets by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries not otherwise permitted pursuant to the
foregoing clauses of this Section 12.5.2; provided that, for purposes
of this clause (c), (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, (ii) each such sale is made to a third
party which is not an Affiliate of the Borrower, (iii) the Agents and
the Required Banks shall have given their prior written consent to such
sale (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld so long as, in
consideration for such sale, the Borrower and/or one or more of its
Subsidiaries receives cash in an amount not less than the fair market
value of such assets), and (iv) the Borrower shall apply the Net Cash
Proceeds received from such sale, transfer or other disposition to the
prepayment of the Term Loan in accordance with Section 4.6 and, after
the repayment in full of the Term Loan, to the repayment of the
Revolving Credit Loans, which repayment of Revolving Credit Loans will
be accompanied by an equivalent and permanent reduction in the Total
Revolving Credit Commitment.
12.6. Sale and Leaseback. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly,
whereby the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall sell or transfer
any property owned by it in order then or thereafter to lease such property or
lease other property that the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower intends
to use for substantially the same purpose as the property being sold or
transferred.
12.7. Compliance with Environmental Laws. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) except in compliance with all
applicable laws, use any of the Real Estate or any portion thereof for the
handling, processing, storage or disposal of hazardous substances, (ii) cause or
permit to be located on any of the Real Estate any underground tank or other
underground storage receptacle for hazardous substances, (iii) except in
compliance with all applicable laws, generate any hazardous substances on any of
the Real Estate, (iv) conduct any activity at any Real Estate, on any Vessel, or
use any Real Estate or any Vessel in any manner so as to cause a release (i.e.
releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging,
injecting, escaping, leaching, disposing or dumping) or threatened release of
hazardous substances on, upon or into the Real Estate or from any Vessel, if
such activity or release could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the environment or the business, assets or financial condition of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole or (v) otherwise conduct
any activity at any Real Estate or use any Real Estate or operate any Vessel in
any manner that would violate any Environmental Law or bring such Real Estate or
such Vessel in violation of any Environmental Law.
12.8. Trust Securities; Senior Notes. Except pursuant to a
Reorganization Plan, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, (a) amend, supplement or otherwise modify the terms of any of
the Trust Securities or prepay, redeem or repurchase any of the Trust Securities
or (b) amend, supplement or otherwise modify any of the terms of the Senior
Notes or the Senior Note Indenture, or prepay, redeem, repurchase or defease any
of the Senior Notes.
12.9. Employee Benefit Plans. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA
Affiliate will
(a) engage in any "prohibited transaction" within the meaning
of ss.406 of ERISA or ss.4975 of the Code which could result in a
material liability for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or
(b) permit any Guaranteed Pension Plan to incur an
"accumulated funding deficiency", as such term is defined in ss.302 of
ERISA, whether or not such deficiency is or may be waived; or
(c) fail to contribute to any Guaranteed Pension Plan to an
extent which, or terminate any Guaranteed Pension Plan in a manner
which, could result in the imposition of a lien or encumbrance on the
assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to ss.302(f)
or ss.4068 of ERISA; or
(d) amend any Guaranteed Pension Plan in circumstances
requiring the posting of security pursuant to ss.307 of ERISA or
ss.401(a)(29) of the Code; or
(e) permit or take any action which would result in the
aggregate benefit liabilities (with the meaning of ss.4001 of ERISA) of
all Guaranteed Pension Plans exceeding the value of the aggregate
assets of such Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit
liabilities and assets of any such Plan with assets in excess of
benefit liabilities.
12.10. Business Activities. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, engage directly or indirectly (whether through
Subsidiaries or otherwise) in any type of business other than the businesses
conducted by them on the Closing Date and in related businesses.
12.11. Fiscal Year; Fiscal Quarters. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of it Subsidiaries to, change the date of the end of its fiscal
year or any of its fiscal quarters from that set forth in ss.10.4.1.
12.12. Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any transaction with any
Affiliate (other than for services as employees, officers and directors),
including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the
furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal
property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any such
Affiliate or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any corporation, partnership,
trust or other entity in which any such Affiliate has a substantial interest or
is an officer, director, trustee or partner, on terms more favorable to such
Person than would have been obtainable on an arm's-length basis in the ordinary
course of business.
12.13. Bank Accounts. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, (i) establish any bank accounts other than those listed on
Schedule 10.22 without an Agent's prior written consent, (ii) violate directly
or indirectly any Agency Account Agreement with respect to such account, or
(iii) deposit into any of the payroll accounts listed on Schedule 10.22 any
amounts in excess of amounts necessary to pay current payroll obligations from
such accounts. Upon the written consent of an Agent to the establishment of an
additional bank account pursuant to clause (i) of this ss.12.13, Schedule 10.22
hereto will be amended to reflect the addition of such bank account.
12.14. Bankruptcy Cases. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to seek, consent or suffer to exist (i) any modification,
stay, vacation or amendment to the Orders; (ii) a priority claim for any
administrative expense or unsecured claim against the Borrower or the Guarantor
(now existing or hereafter arising of any kind or nature whatsoever, including
without limitation any administrative expense of the kind specified in Section
503(b), 506(c) or 507(b) of the Bankruptcy Code) equal or superior to the
priority claim of the Agent and the Banks in respect of the Obligations, except
for the Agreed Administrative Expense Priorities; and (iii) any Lien on any
Collateral, having a priority equal or superior to the Liens in favor of the
Agents and the Banks in respect of the Obligations, except for Permitted Prior
Liens.
13. FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER.
The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Loan,
Reimbursement Obligation, Letter of Credit or Note is outstanding or any Bank
has any obligation to make any Loans or the Issuing Bank has any Obligation to
issue, extend or renew any Letter of Credit:
13.1. Collateral Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not, at any time,
permit the ratio of (a) the aggregate fair market value of each of the Vessels
subject to a first priority perfected mortgage in favor of the Documentation
Agent pursuant to the Security Documents, as determined pursuant to independent
appraisals as shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents to (b)
the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans
and the Term Loan, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, plus the Maximum
Drawing Amount and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, to be less than
1.4:1.0.
13.2. Minimum Consolidated EBITDA. The Borrower will not permit
Consolidated EBITDA, determined at the end of each month set forth in the table
below for the month ended on such date, to be less than the amount set forth
opposite such month in such table:
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Month Ending Minimum EBITDA
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
October 31, 1999 $1,500,000
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
November 30, 1999 and each month thereafter $2,500,000
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
13.3. Capital Expenditures. (a) The Borrower will not permit the
aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
made during the three month period of September, October and November, 1999 to
be (i) less than $4,560,000 or (ii) greater than $6,840,000.
(b) The Borrower will not permit the aggregate amount of Capital
Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries made during the three month
period of December, 1999, January, 2000, and February, 2000 to be (i) less than
$5,200,000 or (ii) greater than $7,800,000; provided that, in the event that the
actual amount of Capital Expenditures made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
during the three month period described in clause (a) are in excess of
$4,560,000 but less than $5,700,000, the amount set forth in this clause (b)(ii)
shall be increased by an amount equal to $5,700,000 minus the actual amount of
such Capital Expenditures during such three month period referred to in clause
(a).
13.4. Revolver Outstandings. The Borrower shall not, as at the last
Business Day of any week, permit the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of
Revolving Credit Loans outstanding at such time, plus the Maximum Drawing Amount
of all Letters of Credit and all Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations to exceed (b)
Adjusted Projected Revolver Outstandings at such time; provided that, failure to
comply with this Section 13.4 shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default
hereunder unless and until the Borrower shall have failed to comply with this
Section 13.4 for three (3) consecutive weeks.
14. CLOSING CONDITIONS.
The obligations of the Banks to make the Term Loan and the initial
Revolving Credit Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue any initial Letter of
Credit on the Closing Date shall be subject to the commencement of the Cases on
or prior to September 8, 1999 and the satisfaction of the following additional
conditions precedent on or prior to September 10, 1999, subject to the calendar
of the Bankruptcy Court:
14.1. Loan Documents. Other than as may be agreed to by the Agents with
respect to certain Loan Documents to be completed on a post-closing basis, each
of the Loan Documents shall have been duly executed and delivered by the
respective parties thereto, shall be in full force and effect and shall be in
form and substance satisfactory to each of the Banks. Each Bank shall have
received a fully executed copy of each such document.
14.2. Certified Copies of Charter Documents. Each of the Banks shall
have received from the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries a copy, certified
by a duly authorized officer of such Person to be true and complete on the
Closing Date, of each of (i) its charter or other incorporation documents as in
effect on such date of certification, and (ii) its by-laws as in effect on such
date.
14.3. Corporate Action. All corporate action necessary for the valid
execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to
become a party shall have been duly and effectively taken, and evidence thereof
satisfactory to the Banks shall have been provided to each of the Banks.
14.4. Incumbency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
received from the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries an incumbency
certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, signed by a duly authorized officer
of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, and giving the name and bearing a specimen
signature of each individual who shall be authorized: (i) to sign, in the name
and on behalf of each of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, each of the Loan
Documents to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is or is to become a party;
(ii) in the case of the Borrower, to make Loan Requests and to apply for Letters
of Credit; and (iii) to give notices and to take other action on its behalf
under the Loan Documents.
14.5. Certificates of Insurance. The Agents shall have received (i) a
certificate of insurance from an independent insurance broker dated as of the
Closing Date, identifying insurers, types of insurance, insurance limits, and
policy terms, and otherwise describing the insurance obtained in accordance with
the provisions hereof and the Security Documents and (ii) certified copies of
all policies evidencing such insurance (or certificates therefor signed by the
insurer or an agent authorized to bind the insurer).
14.6. Opinions of Counsel. Each of the Banks and the Agents shall have
received a favorable legal opinion addressed to the Banks and the Agents, dated
as of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Banks and the Agents, from counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and, to
the extent requested by the Agents, from local counsel, except for loan
documentation which the Agents shall have agreed in writing shall be completed
post-closing.
14.7. Payment of Fees. The Borrower shall have paid to the
Administrative Agent, for the account of the Banks or the Agents, as
appropriate, the fees to be paid on the Closing Date.
14.8. Perfection Certificates and Search Results. The Agents shall have
received from the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owning Vessels which
will be subject to a Vessel Mortgage a Perfection Certificate (as defined in the
Security Agreements) and, except to the extent agreed in writing by the Agents
to be completed on a post-closing basis, the results of UCC and maritime
registry searches with respect to the Collateral and the other assets of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, indicating no liens other than Permitted Liens
and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents.
14.9. Validity of Liens. The Security Documents shall, upon entry of
the Interim Order or the Final Order, whichever occurs first, be effective to
create in favor of the Documentation Agent and the Administrative Agent, as
appropriate, for the benefit of the Banks and the Agents, a legal, valid and
enforceable first priority (except for Permitted Liens entitled to priority
under applicable law) security interest in and lien upon the Collateral,
including, without limitation, a first preferred mortgage on each of the Vessels
constituting Collateral. All filings, recordings, deliveries of instruments and
other actions necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Documentation Agent
to protect and preserve such security interests shall have been duly effected.
The Documentation Agent shall have received evidence thereof in form and
substance satisfactory to the Documentation Agent.
14.10. Repayment of Indebtedness. All interest, fees and expenses owing
under the Prepetition Credit Agreement shall have been paid to the
Administrative Agent for the accounts of the agents and the banks party to the
Prepetition Credit Agreement; provided that, in the event that any other amounts
thereunder remain unpaid, such amounts may be paid by the Administrative Agent
through the advance of a Revolving Credit Loan hereunder.
14.11. Cash Budget. The Banks shall have received the Cash Budget in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Banks.
15. CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS.
The obligations of the Banks to make any Loan and of the Issuing Bank
to issue, extend or renew any Letter of Credit, in each case whether on or after
the Closing Date, shall also be subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent:
15.1. Representations True; No Event of Default. Each of the
representations and warranties of any of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
contained in this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or in any document
or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Credit Agreement
shall be true as of the date as of which they were made and shall also be true
at and as of the time of the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter
of Credit, with the same effect as if made at and as of that time (except to the
extent of changes resulting from transactions contemplated or permitted by this
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to the extent that such
representations and warranties relate expressly to an earlier date) and no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would
result from the making of such Loan.
15.2. No Legal Impediment. No change shall have occurred in any law or
regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof that in the reasonable opinion
of any Bank would make it illegal for such Bank to make such Loan or to
participate in the issuance, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit or in
the reasonable opinion of the Issuing Bank would make it illegal for the Issuing
Bank to issue, extend or renew such Letter of Credit.
15.3. Governmental Regulation. Each Bank shall have received such
statements in substance and form reasonably satisfactory to such Bank as such
Bank shall require for the purpose of compliance with any applicable regulations
of the Comptroller of the Currency or the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
15.4. Proceedings and Documents. All proceedings in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
all other documents incident thereto shall be reasonably satisfactory in
substance and in form to the Banks and to the Agents and the Agents' Special
Counsel, and the Banks, the Agents and such counsel shall have received all
information and such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such
documents as the Agents may reasonably request.
15.5. Case Administration. The Interim Order shall be in full force and
effect and shall not have been reversed, modified or amended in any respect,
provided, that the Bankruptcy Court shall enter a final order (the "Final
Order") authorizing and approving this Credit Agreement pursuant to Section
364(c) of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 4001, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agents and the Banks, and the Final Order shall be in full
force and effect, and shall not have been reversed, modified or amended in any
respect, prior to the earlier to occur of (i) the date which is thirty (30) days
after the date hereof and (ii) the time of the making of any Loan or the
issuance, extension or renewal of any Letter of Credit the amount of which, when
added to the principal amount of all Loans or (as the case may be) the Maximum
Drawing Amount of all Letters of Credit then outstanding, would exceed the
aggregate amount thereof which was authorized by the Bankruptcy Court in the
Interim Order for Loans or Letters of Credit or both. If either the Interim
Order or the Final Order is the subject of a pending appeal in any respect, none
of such Order, the making of the Loans, the issuance, extension or renewal of
any Letters of Credit, or the performance by the Borrower or the Guarantor of
any of its obligations under any of the Loan Documents shall be the subject of a
presently effective stay pending appeal. The Borrower, the Guarantors and the
Agents and the Banks shall be entitled to rely in good faith upon the Orders
notwithstanding objection thereto or appeal therefrom by any interested party.
The Borrower, the Guarantors and the Agents and the Banks shall be permitted and
required to perform their respective obligations in compliance with this
Agreement notwithstanding any such objection or appeal unless the relevant Order
has been stayed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
15.6. Payment of Fees. The Borrower shall have paid all fees, expenses
and other amounts then due and owing on the Drawdown Date of such Loan or the
date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit.
16. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC.
16.1. Events of Default and Acceleration. If any of the following
events ("Events of Default" or, if the giving of notice or the lapse of time or
both is required, then, prior to such notice or lapse of time, "Defaults") shall
occur:
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of, or
interest on the Loans or any Reimbursement Obligation or any Letter of
Credit Fee, commitment fee, or other fee or expense hereunder when the
same shall become due and payable, whether at the stated date of
maturity or any accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed
for payment;
(b) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to
comply with any of their covenants contained in ss.ss.11.5, 11.6(a),
11.7, 11.12, 11.13, 12 or 13;
(c) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall, in any
material respect, fail to perform any term, covenant or agreement
contained herein or in any of the other Loan Documents (other than
those specified elsewhere in this ss.16.1) for twenty (20) days after
the occurrence thereof;
(d) any representation or warranty of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents or in any other document or instrument delivered pursuant to
or in connection with this Credit Agreement shall prove to have been
false in any material respect upon the date when made or deemed to have
been made or repeated;
(e) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall default in
the payment when due of any principal of or interest on any
post-petition Indebtedness, or any pre-petition Indebtedness if, by
order of the Bankruptcy Court issued with respect to such pre-petition
Indebtedness, a default thereunder would entitle the holder thereof to
relief from the automatic stay of ss.362 of the Bankruptcy Code in
excess of $1,000,000 of such post-petition or pre-petition
Indebtedness, or any event specified in any note, agreement, indenture
or other document evidencing or securing any such Indebtedness shall
occur if the effect of such event is to cause, or (with the giving of
notice or the lapse of time or both) to permit the holder or holders of
such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or
holders) to cause such Indebtedness to become due, or to be prepaid in
full prior to its stated maturity; or the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries shall default in the payment when due of any amount in
excess of $1,000,000 under any Derivative Transaction; or any event
specified in any Derivative Transaction to which the Borrower or any
Subsidiary is a party shall occur if the effect of such event is to
cause, or (with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both) to
permit, termination or liquidation payments in respect of such
Derivative Transaction in excess of $1,000,000 to become due;
(f) the Borrower or a Guarantor shall be enjoined from
conducting any part of its business as a debtor in possession, or there
shall occur any disruption to such business, or there shall occur any
loss or change in any license or permit of the Borrower or the
Guarantor, which in each such case would reasonably be expected to have
a material adverse effect on the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
considered as a whole;
(g) if any of the Loan Documents shall be cancelled,
terminated, revoked or rescinded; or the Documentation Agent's or the
Administrative Agent's, as appropriate, security interests in any of
the Collateral shall cease to be perfected or have the priority
contemplated by the Security Documents, except in compliance with the
provisions hereof, including, without limitation, ss.13.1 hereof, or
with the express prior written agreement, consent or approval of the
Banks; or any action at law, suit or in equity or other legal
proceeding to cancel, revoke or rescind any of the Loan Documents shall
be commenced by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
party thereto; or any court or any other governmental or regulatory
authority or agency of competent jurisdiction shall make a
determination that, or issue a judgment, order, decree or ruling to the
effect that, any one or more of the Loan Documents is illegal, invalid
or unenforceable in accordance with the terms thereof;
(h) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurs any liability
to the PBGC or a Guaranteed Pension Plan pursuant to Title IV of ERISA
in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000,000 or the Borrower or any
ERISA Affiliate is assessed withdrawal liability pursuant to Title IV
of ERISA by a Multiemployer Plan requiring aggregate annual payments
exceeding $1,000,000, or any of the following occurs with respect to a
Guaranteed Pension Plan: (i) an ERISA Reportable Event, or a failure to
make a required installment or other payment (within the meaning of
ss.302(f)(1) of ERISA), provided that the Administrative Agent
determines in its reasonable discretion that such event (A) could be
expected to result in liability of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries to the PBGC or such Guaranteed Pension Plan in an
aggregate amount exceeding $1,000,000 and (B) could constitute grounds
for the termination of such Guaranteed Pension Plan by the PBGC, for
the appointment by the appropriate United States District Court of a
trustee to administer such Guaranteed Pension Plan or for the
imposition of a lien in favor of such Guaranteed Pension Plan; or (ii)
the appointment by a United States District Court of a trustee to
administer such Guaranteed Pension Plan; or (iii) the institution by
the PBGC of proceedings to terminate such Guaranteed Pension Plan;
(i) there shall occur any material damage to, or loss, theft
or destruction of any material item of Collateral which is not insured
or which is insured but as to which loss, theft or destruction, the
insurance proceeds relating thereto have not been paid to the
Documentation Agent, for the benefit of the Banks and the Agents, in
accordance with the terms of the Security Documents;
(j) the Bankruptcy Court shall enter any order (i) amending,
supplementing, altering, staying, vacating, rescinding or otherwise
modifying any Order, (ii) appointing a chapter 11 trustee or an
examiner with enlarged powers relating to the operation of the business
(powers beyond those set forth in Section 1106(a)(3) and (4) of the
Bankruptcy Code) under Section 1106(b) of the Bankruptcy Code in any of
the Cases, (iii) dismissing any of the Cases or converting any of the
Cases to a chapter 7 case or (iv) granting relief from the automatic
stay to any creditor holding or asserting a Lien or reclamation claim
on a material portion (i.e., more than $100,000 per creditor or
$500,000 in the aggregate) of the assets of the Borrower or a Guarantor
or where the deprivation of the Borrower or a Guarantor of such assets
would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole;
(k) the Bankruptcy Court shall fail to enter the Final Order
within thirty (30) days of the Filing Date, such Final Order to be in
form and substance satisfactory to the Agents;
(l) an application shall be filed by the Borrower or a
Guarantor for the approval of any other Super-Priority Claim in any of
the Cases which is pari passu with or senior to the claims of the
Agents and the Banks against the Borrower or a Guarantor hereunder or
under any of the other Loan Documents (unless after giving effect to
the transactions contemplated by such application, all Obligations
(whether contingent or otherwise) shall be paid in full in cash and the
Commitments shall be terminated), or there shall arise any such
Super-Priority Claim;
(m) the Borrower or a Guarantor shall be unable to pay its
post-petition debts as they mature or shall fail to comply with any
order of the Bankruptcy Court in any material respect;
(n) there shall remain undischarged for more than thirty (30)
days any final post-petition judgment or execution action against the
Borrower or a Guarantor, or relief from the automatic stay of Section
362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code shall be granted to any creditor or
creditors of the Borrower or a Guarantor with respect to assets having
an aggregate value in excess of $500,000 or where the deprivation of
the Borrower or a Guarantor of such assets would reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
considered as a whole;
(o) the Borrower or a Guarantor shall pay or discharge any
pre-petition Indebtedness (other than Prepetition Bank Debt,
pre-petition Indebtedness contemplated to be paid pursuant to the Cash
Budget, and customary first day orders reasonably acceptable to the
Agents) in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate;
(p) the Borrower or a Guarantor shall file a motion in any of
the Cases (i) to use cash collateral of the Banks under Section 363(c)
of the Bankruptcy Code without the Banks' consent, (ii) to recover from
any portions of the Collateral any costs or expenses of preserving or
disposing of such Collateral under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy
Code, or (iii) to take any other action or actions adverse to the Banks
or their rights and remedies hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents or the Banks' interest in any of the Collateral, which other
action or actions would, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material adverse effect on the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
considered as a whole;
(q) a suit or action against the Banks or the Agents shall be
commenced by the Borrower, a Guarantor, any federal, state
environmental protection or health and safety agency or any official
committee in any Case, which suit or action asserts any claim or legal
or equitable remedy contemplating subordination of any claim or Lien of
the Banks or the Agents, and, with respect to any suit or action by any
such federal or state agency, (i) a preliminary order for relief or
judgment or decree shall have been entered in such suit or action
against the Banks or the Agents or (ii) a motion to dismiss brought by
the Banks or the Agents in response thereto shall have been denied;
(r) (i) the failure, by February 1, 2000, of a Reorganization
Plan, contemplating the repayment in full, in cash, of the Obligations
and the provision for the cash-collateralization of all Letters of
Credit in an amount equal to 110% of the Maximum Drawing Amount
thereof, to be approved by the votes of the holders of the Senior Notes
required for a confirmation of such Reorganization Plan, unless the
Borrower has delivered to the Agents and the Banks on or before such
date a commitment letter or "highly confident" letter of the type
described below contemplating a repayment of the Obligations and the
cash-collateralization of all Letters of Credit in an amount equal to
110% of the Maximum Drawing Amount thereof on or before the Termination
Date outside of a Reorganization Plan; (ii) the failure of such
Reorganization Plan to be confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court by February
15, 2000; or (iii) the failure of such Reorganization Plan to become
effective by February 28, 2000; or
(s) the failure of the Borrower to deliver to the Agents and
the Banks, on or before February 1, 2000, commitment letters from one
or more financial institutions, investors or asset purchasers
acceptable to the Agents, or a letter from an investment banking firm
of recognized national or international standing, indicating that such
firm is "highly confident" that it could arrange the placement of
securities of the Borrower by the Termination Date; in each case, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and providing
for the repayment of the Obligations and the cash-collateralization of
all Letters of Credit in an amount equal to 110% of the Maximum Drawing
Amount thereof from funds from such financings, investments, securities
offerings and asset sales;
then, and in any such event, so long as the same may be continuing, the
Administrative Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Banks shall, by
notice in writing to the Borrower declare all amounts owing with respect to this
Credit Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents and all Reimbursement
Obligations to be, and they shall thereupon forthwith become, immediately due
and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.
16.2. Termination of Commitments. If any Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, the Administrative Agent may and, upon the request
of the Required Banks, shall, by notice to the Borrower, terminate the unused
portion of the credit hereunder, and upon such notice being given such unused
portion of the credit hereunder shall terminate immediately and each of the
Banks shall be relieved of all further obligations to make Loans and the Issuing
Bank shall be relieved of all further obligations to issue, extend or renew
Letters of Credit. No termination of the credit hereunder shall relieve the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any of the Obligations.
16.3. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and
following the giving and expiration of five Business Days' notice to the
Borrower, the committee of unsecured creditors of the Borrower, and the United
States Trustee, the Agents shall have (i) relief from the automatic stay and may
foreclose on all or any portion of the Collateral or otherwise exercise remedies
against the Collateral permitted by applicable nonbankruptcy law and (ii) as an
additional remedy, the right and authority to conduct public or private sales in
the Bankruptcy Court of any or all of the Collateral, subject to the Bankruptcy
Court having jurisdiction relating thereto, whether as individual asset sales or
sales of business segments. During such five-Business-Day notice period, the
Borrower shall be entitled to an emergency hearing with the Bankruptcy Court for
the sole purposes of contesting whether (i) an Event of Default has occurred,
(ii) the terms of a proposed sale are commercially reasonable, or (iii) an Agent
or Bank has committed an intentional tort which has materially impaired the
Borrower's ability to arrange for the refinancing of the Obligations. Unless
during such period the Bankruptcy Court determines that an Event of Default has
not occurred, that the proposed terms of such sale are not commercially
reasonable, or that an Agent or Bank has committed such an intentional tort, the
automatic stay, as to the Banks and the Agents, shall automatically terminate at
the end of such notice period and without further notice or order and the Agents
shall be entitled, at the end of such notice period to request from time to time
Bankruptcy Court approval for such sales. Motions to approve any such sales
shall be on notice to the Borrower, the Creditors' Committee, the United States
Trustee, the indenture trustees with respect to the Senior Notes and the Hvide
Marine Incorporated 6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due June 15,
2012, and the holders of the twenty largest unsecured claims against the
Borrower.
In addition, at the expiration of any five Business Day notice period
referred to above, in case any one or more of the Events of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, and whether or not the Banks shall have accelerated
the maturity of the Loans pursuant to ss.16.1, each Bank, if owed any amount
with respect to the Loans, Reimbursement Obligations or other Obligations, may,
and the Documentation Agent may, if requested by the Required Banks and in its
sole discretion, on behalf of the Banks, proceed to protect and enforce its
rights by suit in equity, action at law or other appropriate proceeding, whether
for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any instrument pursuant to
which the Obligations to such Bank are evidenced, including as permitted by
applicable law the obtaining of the ex parte appointment of a receiver, and, if
such amount shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, proceed to
enforce the payment thereof or any other legal or equitable right of such Bank.
No remedy herein conferred upon any Bank or the Administrative Agent or the
holder of any Note or the purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participation is
intended to be exclusive of any other remedy and each and every remedy shall be
cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now
or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or any other provision
of law.
16.4. Distribution of Collateral Proceeds. (a) In the event that,
following the occurrence or during the continuance of any Event of Default,
either Agent or any Bank, as the case may be, receives any monies in connection
with the enforcement of any of the Security Documents, or otherwise with respect
to the realization upon any of the Collateral, such monies shall be applied to
the Obligations as follows:
(i) First, to the payment of, or (as the case may be)
the reimbursement of the Agents for or in respect of all
reasonable costs, expenses, disbursements and losses which
shall have been incurred or sustained by the Agents in
connection with the collection of such monies by the Agents,
for the exercise, protection or enforcement by the Agents of
all or any of the rights, remedies, powers and privileges of
the Agents under this Credit Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents or in respect of the Collateral or in support
of any provision of adequate indemnity to the Agents against
any taxes or liens which by law shall have, or may have,
priority over the rights of the Agents to such monies,
(ii) second, to pay interest on, and then principal
of, Revolving Credit Loans advanced by the Administrative
Agent pursuant to ss.2.8;
(iii) third, to pay interest on the Loans (other than
Revolving Credit Loans advanced by the Administrative Agent
pursuant to ss.2.8) then due and payable;
(iv) fourth, to any other Obligations then due and
payable;
(v) fifth, to pay the principal of Revolving Credit
Loans (it being understood that such repayment shall be
accompanied by a permanent reduction in the Total Revolving
Credit Commitment (if then in effect) in the amount of such
repayment);
(vi) sixth, to cash collateralize Letters of Credit
in an amount equal to 110% of the Maximum Drawing Amount
thereof;
(vii) seventh, to pay the principal of the Term Loan;
(viii) eighth, upon payment and satisfaction in full
or other provisions for payment in full satisfactory to the
Banks and the Agents of all of the Obligations, to the payment
of any obligations required to be paid pursuant to
ss.9-504(1)(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code; and
(ix) ninth, the excess, if any, shall be returned to
the Borrower or to such other Persons as are entitled thereto.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any such
amounts constitute the proceeds of Collateral which, pursuant to
ss.4.6, are required to be applied to prepay the Term Loan, such
amounts shall be applied first to pay amounts pursuant to clause (a)(i)
above, second to prepay the Term Loan in accordance with ss.4.6, third
to repay Revolving Credit Loans (it being understood that such
repayment shall be accompanied by a permanent reduction in the Total
Revolving Credit Commitment in the amount of such repayment), and
fourth in accordance with the preceding clause (a).
(c) (i) With respect to each type of Obligation owing to the
Banks, such as interest, principal, fees and expenses, all payments
shall be made to the Banks pro rata, and (ii) the Agents may in their
discretion make proper allowance on a pro rata basis among the Banks to
take into account any Obligations not then due and payable.
17. AGREEMENT OF THE BANKS.
Each of the Banks agrees with each other Bank that if such Bank shall
receive from the Borrower or any Guarantor, whether by voluntary payment,
counterclaim, cross action, enforcement of the claim evidenced by the Notes held
by or constituting Reimbursement Obligations owed to such Bank, by proceedings
against the Borrower or any Guarantor at law or in equity or by proof thereof in
bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, receivership or similar proceedings, or
otherwise, and shall retain and apply to the payment of the Note or Notes held
by or Reimbursement Obligations owing to such Bank, any amount in excess of its
ratable portion of the payments received by all of the Banks with respect to the
Notes held by and Reimbursement Obligations owing to all of the Banks, such Bank
will make such disposition and arrangements with the other Banks with respect to
such excess, either by way of distribution, pro tanto assignment of claims,
subrogation or otherwise as shall result in each Bank receiving in respect of
the Notes held by, or Reimbursement Obligations owing to it, its proportionate
payment as contemplated by this Credit Agreement; provided that if all or any
part of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such Bank, such
disposition and arrangements shall be rescinded and the amount restored to the
extent of such recovery, but without interest.
18. THE AGENTS; ETC.
18.1. Authorization.
(a) Each Agent is authorized to take such action on behalf of
each of the Banks and to exercise all such powers as are hereunder and
under any of the other Loan Documents and any related documents
delegated to such Agent, together with such powers as are reasonably
incident thereto, provided that no duties or responsibilities not
expressly assumed herein or therein shall be implied to have been
assumed by either Agent.
(b) The relationship between each Agent and each of the Banks
is that of an independent contractor. The use of the terms "Agent",
"Agents", "Administrative Agent" and "Documentation Agent" is for
convenience only and such terms are used to describe, as a form of
convention, the independent contractual relationship between the Agents
and each of the Banks. Nothing contained in this Credit Agreement or
the other Loan Documents shall be construed to create an agency, trust
or other fiduciary relationship between the Agents and any of the
Banks.
(c) As an independent contractor empowered by the Banks to
exercise certain rights and perform certain duties and responsibilities
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, each Agent is
nevertheless a "representative" of the Banks, as that term is defined
in Article 1 of the Uniform Commercial Code, for purposes of actions
for the benefit of the Banks and the Agents with respect to all
collateral security and guaranties contemplated by the Loan Documents.
Such actions include the designation of an Agent as "secured party",
"mortgagee" or the like on all financing statements and other documents
and instruments, whether recorded or otherwise, relating to the
attachment, perfection, priority or enforcement of any security
interests, mortgages or deeds of trust in collateral security intended
to secure the payment or performance of any of the Obligations, all for
the benefit of the Banks and the Agents.
(d) In addition, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable
by the Documentation Agent in order to receive and hold the security
interest contemplated by the Security Documents, but without conflict
with the provisions of ss.18.1(b), each of the Banks hereby appoints
BankBoston, N.A., in its capacity as Documentation Agent, and any
successor Documentation Agent, to act as trustee/mortgagee on its
behalf and the Documentation Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The
provisions of this ss.18 shall apply to such appointment as well.
18.2. Employees and Agents. Each Agent may exercise its powers and
execute its duties by or through employees or agents and shall be entitled to
take, and to rely on, advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to its
rights and duties under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each
Agent may utilize the services of such Persons as such Agent in its sole
discretion may reasonably determine, and all reasonable fees and expenses of any
such Persons shall be paid by the Borrower, subject to any limitations therefor
provided in ss.19.1 hereof.
18.3. No Liability. Neither Agent nor any of their respective
shareholders, directors, officers or employees nor any other Person assisting
them in their duties nor any agent or employee thereof, shall be liable for any
waiver, consent or approval given or any action taken, or omitted to be taken,
in good faith by it or them hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents,
or in connection herewith or therewith, or be responsible for the consequences
of any oversight or error of judgment whatsoever, except that each Agent or such
other Person, as the case may be, may be liable for losses due to its willful
misconduct or gross negligence.
18.4. No Representations.
18.4.1. General. Neither Agent shall be responsible for the
execution or validity or enforceability of this Credit Agreement, the
Notes, the Letters of Credit any of the other Loan Documents or any
instrument at any time constituting, or intended to constitute,
collateral security for the Obligations, or for the value of any such
collateral security or for the validity, enforceability or
collectability of any such amounts owing with respect to the Notes or
the Letters of Credit, or for any recitals or statements, warranties or
representations made herein or in any of the other Loan Documents or in
any certificate or instrument hereafter furnished to it by or on behalf
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or be bound to ascertain or
inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms,
conditions, covenants or agreements herein or in any instrument at any
time constituting, or intended to constitute, collateral security for
the Obligations or to inspect any of the properties, books or records
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither Agent shall be
bound to ascertain whether any notice, consent, waiver or request
delivered to it by the Borrower or any holder of any of the Notes shall
have been duly authorized or is true, accurate and complete. Neither
Agent has made nor does it now make any representations or warranties,
express or implied, nor does it assume any liability to the Banks, with
respect to the credit worthiness or financial condition of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries. Each Bank acknowledges that it has,
independently and without reliance upon either Agent or any other Bank,
and based upon such information and documents as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into
this Credit Agreement.
18.4.2. Closing Documentation, etc. For purposes of
determining compliance with the conditions set forth in ss.14, each
Bank that has executed this Credit Agreement shall be deemed to have
consented to, approved or accepted, or to be satisfied with, each
document and matter either sent, or made available, by an Agent to such
Bank for consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required
thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or
satisfactory to such Bank, unless an officer of such Agent active upon
the Borrower's account shall have received notice from such Bank prior
to the Closing Date specifying such Bank's objection thereto and such
objection shall not have been withdrawn by notice to such Agent to such
effect on or prior to the Closing Date.
18.5. Payments.
18.5.1. Payments to Administrative Agent. A payment by the
Borrower to the Administrative Agent hereunder or any of the other Loan
Documents for the account of any Bank shall constitute a payment to
such Bank. The Administrative Agent agrees promptly to distribute to
each Bank such Bank's pro rata share of payments received by the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Banks except as otherwise
expressly provided herein or in any of the other Loan Documents.
18.5.2. Distribution by Agents. If in the opinion of an Agent
the distribution of any amount received by it in such capacity
hereunder, under the Notes or under any of the other Loan Documents
might involve it in liability, it may refrain from making distribution
until its right to make distribution shall have been adjudicated by a
court of competent jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction
shall adjudge that any amount received and distributed by an Agent is
to be repaid, each Person to whom any such distribution shall have been
made shall either repay to such Agent its proportionate share of the
amount so adjudged to be repaid or shall pay over the same in such
manner and to such Persons as shall be determined by such court.
18.5.3. Delinquent Banks. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents, any Bank that fails (i) to make available to the
Administrative Agent its pro rata share of any Loan or to purchase any
Letter of Credit Participation or (ii) to comply with the provisions of
ss.17 with respect to making dispositions and arrangements with the
other Banks, where such Bank's share of any payment received, whether
by setoff or otherwise, is in excess of its pro rata share of such
payments due and payable to all of the Banks, in each case as, when and
to the full extent required by the provisions of this Credit Agreement,
shall be deemed delinquent (a "Delinquent Bank") and shall be deemed a
Delinquent Bank until such time as such delinquency is satisfied. A
Delinquent Bank shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments
due to it from the Borrower, whether on account of outstanding Loans,
Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, interest, fees or otherwise, to the
remaining nondelinquent Banks for application to, and reduction of,
their respective pro rata shares of all outstanding Loans and Unpaid
Reimbursement Obligations. The Delinquent Bank hereby authorizes the
Administrative Agent to distribute such payments to the nondelinquent
Banks in proportion to their respective pro rata shares of all
outstanding Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations. A Delinquent
Bank shall be deemed to have satisfied in full a delinquency when and
if, as a result of application of the assigned payments to all
outstanding Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations of the
nondelinquent Banks, the Banks' respective pro rata shares of all
outstanding Loans and Unpaid Reimbursement Obligations have returned to
those in effect immediately prior to such delinquency and without
giving effect to the nonpayment causing such delinquency.
18.6. Holders of Notes. Each Agent may deem and treat the payee of any
Note or the purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participation as the absolute
owner or purchaser thereof for all purposes hereof until it shall have been
furnished in writing with a different name by such payee or by a subsequent
holder, assignee or transferee.
18.7. Indemnity. The Banks ratably agree hereby to indemnify and hold
harmless each Agent and its affiliates and the Issuing Bank from and against any
and all claims, actions and suits (whether groundless or otherwise), losses,
damages, costs, expenses (including any expenses for which such Agent, the
Issuing Bank or such affiliate has not been reimbursed by the Borrower as
required by ss.19), and liabilities of every nature and character arising out of
or related to this Credit Agreement, the Notes, or any of the other Loan
Documents or the transactions contemplated or evidenced hereby or thereby, or
such Agent's or the Issuing Bank's actions taken hereunder or thereunder, except
to the extent that any of the same shall be directly caused by such Agent's or
the Issuing Bank's willful misconduct or gross negligence.
18.8. Agents as Banks. In its individual capacity, each of Citibank,
N.A. and BankBoston, N.A. shall have the same obligations and the same rights,
powers and privileges in respect to its Commitment and the Loans made by it, and
as the holder of any of the Notes and the purchaser of any Letter of Credit
Participation, as it would have were it not also an Agent.
18.9. Resignation. Either Agent or the Issuing Bank may resign at any
time by giving sixty (60) days prior written notice thereof to the Banks and the
Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Banks shall have the right to
appoint a successor Agent or Issuing Bank. Unless a Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, such successor Agent or Issuing Bank
shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrower. If no successor Agent or Issuing
Bank shall have been so appointed by the Required Banks and shall have accepted
such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Agent's or Issuing
Bank's giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent or Issuing Bank
may, on behalf of the Banks, appoint a successor Agent or Issuing Bank, which
shall be a financial institution having a rating of not less than A or its
equivalent by Standard & Poor's Corporation. Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Agent or Issuing Bank hereunder by a successor Agent or Issuing
Bank, such successor Agent or Issuing Bank shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent
or Issuing Bank, and the retiring Agent or Issuing Bank shall be discharged from
its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring Agent's or Issuing
Bank's resignation, the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Agent or Issuing Bank.
18.10. Notification of Defaults and Events of Default. Each Bank hereby
agrees that, upon learning of the existence of a Default or an Event of Default,
it shall promptly notify the Agents thereof. Each Agent hereby agrees that upon
receipt of any notice under this ss.18.10 it shall promptly notify the other
Banks of the existence of such Default or Event of Default.
18.11. Duties in the Case of Enforcement. In case one or more Events of
Default have occurred and shall be continuing, and whether or not acceleration
of the Obligations shall have occurred, the Documentation Agent shall, if (i) so
requested by the Required Banks and (ii) the Banks have provided to the
Documentation Agent such additional indemnities and assurances against expenses
and liabilities as the Documentation Agent may reasonably request, proceed to
enforce the provisions of the Security Documents authorizing the sale or other
disposition of all or any part of the Collateral and exercise all or any such
other legal and equitable and other rights or remedies as it may have in respect
of such Collateral. The Required Banks may direct the Documentation Agent in
writing as to the method and the extent of any such sale or other disposition,
the Banks hereby agreeing to indemnify and hold the Documentation Agent,
harmless from all liabilities incurred in respect of all actions taken or
omitted in accordance with such directions, provided that the Documentation
Agent need not comply with any such direction to the extent that the
Documentation Agent reasonably believes the Documentation Agent's compliance
with such direction to be unlawful or commercially unreasonable in any
applicable jurisdiction.
19. EXPENSES AND INDEMNIFICATION.
19.1. Expenses. The Borrower agrees to pay (i) the reasonable costs of
producing and reproducing this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
the other agreements and instruments mentioned herein, (ii) any taxes (including
any interest and penalties in respect thereto) payable by the Agents or any of
the Banks (other than taxes based upon any Agent's or any Bank's net income) on
or with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement (the
Borrower hereby agreeing to indemnify each Agent and each Bank with respect
thereto), (iii) the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of the Agents'
Special Counsel, additional special counsel to the Agents and any local counsel
to the Agents incurred in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery,
syndication, administration or interpretation of the Loan Documents and other
instruments mentioned herein, any cash management documentation and related
matters, each closing hereunder, any amendments, modifications, approvals,
consents or waivers hereto or hereunder, or the cancellation of any Loan
Document upon payment in full in cash of all of the Obligations and the
termination of the Commitments or pursuant to any terms of such Loan Document
providing for such cancellation, (iv) the fees, expenses and disbursements of
each of the Agents or any of their affiliates incurred by such Agent or such
affiliate in connection with the preparation, syndication, administration or
interpretation of the Loan Documents and other instruments mentioned herein,
including fees, expenses and disbursements associated with collateral
examination and appraisals and environmental surveys, (v) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees
and costs, which attorneys may be employees of any Bank or Agent, and reasonable
consulting, accounting, appraisal, investment banking and similar professional
fees and charges) incurred by any Bank or Agent in connection with (A) the
enforcement of or preservation of rights under any of the Loan Documents against
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the administration thereof after the
occurrence of a Default or Event of Default and (B) any litigation, proceeding
or dispute whether arising hereunder or otherwise, in any way related to any
Bank's or Agent's relationship with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
(vi) all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any Bank or Agent and
their counsel incurred in connection with the filing and recordation of the
Documentation Agent's liens and security interests pursuant to the Security
Documents and with UCC searches and maritime registry searches and obtaining
vessel abstracts and similar documentation from the Coast Guard National Vessel
Documentation Center and any other maritime authority, (vii) the fees and
expenses of Holland & Knight LLP, special maritime counsel to the Agents
(subject to such counsel entering into a confidentiality agreement to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Borrower), (viii) any fees, costs and expenses
and bank charges, including bank charges for returned checks, incurred by an
Agent or any Bank in establishing, maintaining or handling agency accounts, lock
box accounts, cash management arrangements and/or any other accounts, agreements
or arrangements for the collection of any of the Collateral, (ix) the reasonable
fees and expenses of Zolfo Cooper, LLC, special restructuring advisors to the
Agents and the Banks, (x) the reasonable fees and expenses of Dufour Laskay &
Strouse, Inc., and (xi) the reasonable fees and expenses of the advisor(s), if
any, retained by the Agents pursuant to ss.11.18; provided that, unless an Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (in which case the Borrower
shall only be liable in respect of such fees and expenses as relate to the
period following the occurrence of the Event of Default), (A) the Borrower shall
not be responsible for the fees or expenses of the advisor(s) referred to in
this clause (xi) which are incurred before December 16, 1999 and (B) the
Borrower shall not be responsible for any fees of such advisor(s) to the extent
such fees exceed $125,000 in any one month. Without prejudice to the foregoing
provisions of this ss.19.1, the Borrower shall on the Closing Date deposit with
the Administrative Agent sufficient funds to cause the amount on deposit in the
retainer account currently held by the Administrative Agent to be at least
$250,000. Such retainer shall be used for the fees and expenses of (i) Bingham
Dana LLP, (ii) Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, (iii) Holland & Knight LLP, (iv)
Zolfo Cooper LLC, (v) Dufour Laskay & Strouse, Inc., and (vi) to the extent so
entitled, such advisor(s), each of which shall be entitled to bill and charge
for their fees and expenses on a weekly basis. Such invoices shall be paid by a
debit from such retainer, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the
Administrative Agent to so debit such retainer. The Borrower shall, not later
than 5:00 p.m. on the last Business Day of each week, deposit additional amounts
to such retainer account, as necessary so that the aggregate amount on deposit
therein shall not be less than $250,000. In the event that such additional
amounts are not so added to the retainer account, the Administrative Agent may
debit any account maintained by the Borrower or any of the Guarantors with the
Administrative Agent and transfer such amounts to the retainer account. Upon the
indefeasible payment in full, in cash, of the Obligations, the irrevocable
termination of the Commitments and the cash collateralization of all Letters of
Credit in an amount equal to 110% of the Maximum Drawing Amount thereof, any
unused funds in the retainer account shall be returned to the Borrower.
19.2. Indemnification. The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Agents, their affiliates and the Banks and their respective
directors, officers, employees, representatives and agents from and against any
and all claims, actions and suits whether groundless or otherwise, and from and
against any and all liabilities, losses, damages and expenses of every nature
and character arising out of this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby including, without limitation,
(i) any actual or proposed use by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of the
proceeds of any of the Loans or Letters of Credit, (ii) the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries entering into or performing this Credit Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents, (iii) with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and their respective properties and assets, the violation of any Environmental
Law, the presence, disposal, escape, seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge,
emission, release or threatened release of any hazardous substances or any
action, suit, proceeding or investigation brought or threatened with respect to
any hazardous substances (including, but not limited to, claims with respect to
wrongful death, personal injury or damage to property), (iv) the reversal or
withdrawal of any provisional credits granted by an Agent or any Bank or any
other Person upon the transfer of funds from lock box, bank agency or
concentration accounts or in connection with the provisional honoring of checks
or other items, or (v) except to the extent that any such liability, loss,
damage or expense shall have been finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction to have been caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of an Agent or a Bank, an Agent or any Bank entering into any agency agreements
or other arrangements with respect to any lockbox accounts maintained by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with any Person, including any liability of
an Agent or any Bank arising under any indemnification obligations incurred
pursuant to any of the foregoing, in each case including, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal
counsel incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation or other
proceeding. In litigation, or the preparation therefor, the Banks and the Agents
and their affiliates shall be entitled to select their own counsel and, in
addition to the foregoing indemnity, the Borrower agrees to pay promptly the
reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. If and to the extent that the
obligations of the Borrower under this ss.19.2 are unenforceable for any reason,
the Borrower hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment in
satisfaction of such obligations which is permissible under applicable law.
19.3. Survival. The covenants contained in this ss.19 shall survive
payment or satisfaction in full of all other Obligations and the termination of
the Commitments.
20. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
20.1. Sharing of Information with Section 20 Subsidiary. The Borrower
acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and
other services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or one or more of its
Subsidiaries, in connection with this Credit Agreement or otherwise, by a
Section 20 Subsidiary. The Borrower, for itself and each of its Subsidiaries,
hereby authorizes (a) such Section 20 Subsidiary to share with each Agent and
each Bank any information delivered to such Section 20 Subsidiary by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (b) each Agent and each Bank to share
with such Section 20 Subsidiary any information delivered to such Agent or such
Bank by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Credit
Agreement, or in connection with the decision of such Bank to enter into this
Credit Agreement; it being understood, in each case, that any such Section 20
Subsidiary receiving such information shall be bound by the confidentiality
provisions of this Credit Agreement. Such authorization shall survive the
payment and satisfaction in full of all of Obligations.
20.2. Confidentiality. (a) Each of the Banks and the Agents agrees, on
behalf of itself and each of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and
representatives, to use reasonable precautions to keep confidential, in
accordance with their customary procedures for handling confidential information
of the same nature and in accordance with safe and sound banking practices, any
non-public information supplied to it by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant to this Credit Agreement that is identified by such Person as being
confidential at the time the same is delivered to the Banks or the Agents,
provided that nothing herein shall limit the disclosure of any such information
(a) after such information shall have become public other than through a
violation of this ss.20, (b) to the extent required by statute, rule, regulation
or judicial process, (c) to counsel for any of the Banks or the Agents, (d) to
bank examiners or any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over any
Bank or the Agents, or to auditors or accountants, (e) to an Agent, any Bank or
any Section 20 Subsidiary, (f) in connection with any litigation to which any
one or more of the Banks, the Agents or any Section 20 Subsidiary is a party, or
in connection with the enforcement of rights or remedies hereunder or under any
other Loan Document, (g) to a Subsidiary or affiliate of such Bank as provided
in ss.20.1 or (h) to any assignee or participant (or prospective assignee or
participant) so long as such assignee or participant agrees to be bound by the
provisions of ss.22.6.
(b) With respect to the advisor(s), if any, retained by the Agents
pursuant to ss.11.18, the Agents agree that they shall not, and shall not
authorize such advisor(s) to, in each case, prior to the earlier to occur of an
Event of Default and December 15, 1999, advertise or otherwise market for sale
any of the assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
20.3. Prior Notification. Unless specifically prohibited by applicable
law or court order, each of the Banks and the Agents shall, prior to disclosure
thereof, notify the Borrower of any request for disclosure of any such
non-public information by any governmental agency or representative thereof
(other than any such request in connection with an examination of the financial
condition of such Bank by such governmental agency) or pursuant to legal
process. In the event that the Borrower applies for a protective order, the
Banks and the Agents shall, to the extent consistent with regulatory
requirements and to the extent that doing so would not expose any Bank or either
Agent to liability, not object to the granting of such protective order and
shall comply therewith.
20.4. Other. In no event shall any Bank or Agent be obligated or
required to return any materials furnished to it or any Section 20 Subsidiary by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. The obligations of each Bank and each
Agent under this ss.20 shall supersede and replace the obligations of such Bank
and each Agent under any confidentiality letter in respect of this financing
signed and delivered by such Bank or such Agent to the Borrower prior to the
date hereof and shall be binding upon any assignee of, or purchaser of any
participation or interest in any of the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations.
21. SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC.
All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein,
in the Notes, in any of the other Loan Documents or in any documents or other
papers delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant hereto shall be deemed to have been relied upon by the Banks and the
Agents, notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or hereafter made by any of
them, and shall survive the making by the Banks of any of the Loans and the
issuance, extension or renewal of any Letters of Credit and shall continue in
full force and effect so long as any amount due under this Credit Agreement or
the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents remains outstanding or any Bank has
any obligation to make any Loans or the Issuing Bank has any obligation to
issue, extend or renew any Letter of Credit, and for such further time as may be
otherwise expressly specified in this Credit Agreement. All statements contained
in any certificate or other paper delivered to any Bank or Agent at any time by
or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant hereto or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall constitute
representations and warranties by the Borrower or such Subsidiary hereunder.
22. ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION.
22.1. Conditions to Assignment by Banks. Except as provided herein,
each Bank may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its
interests, rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or
a portion of its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage and Revolving Credit
Commitment and the same portion of the Revolving Credit Loans at the time owing
to it and the Revolving Credit Notes held by it and its participating interest
in the risk related to any Letters of Credit and the same portion of its Term
Loan Commitment Percentage and Term Loan Commitment and the same portion of the
Term Loan owing to it and the Term Note held by it); provided that (i) either
(a) such assignment is to another Bank or an affiliate of the assigning Bank or
(b) each of the Agents shall have given their prior written consent to such
assignment, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, (ii) each such
assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all the
assigning Bank's rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement, (iii) each
assignment shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 or a larger integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or if less, the entire Revolving
Credit Commitment and Term Loan Commitment of the assigning Bank) and (iv) the
parties to such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative
Agent, for recording in the Register (as hereinafter defined), an Assignment and
Acceptance, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto (an "Assignment and
Acceptance"), together with any Notes subject to such assignment. Upon such
execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the effective date
specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, which effective date shall be at
least five (5) Business Days after the execution thereof (unless an earlier
effective date is agreed to by the Agents), (i) the assignee thereunder shall be
a party hereto and, to the extent provided in such Assignment and Acceptance,
have the rights and obligations of a Bank hereunder, and (ii) the assigning Bank
shall, to the extent provided in such assignment and upon payment to the
Administrative Agent of the registration fee referred to in ss.22.3, be released
from its obligations under this Credit Agreement.
22.2. Certain Representations and Warranties; Limitations; Covenants.
By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the parties to the
assignment thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties
hereto as follows:
(a) other than the representation and warranty that it is the
legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free
and clear of any adverse claim, and that it has made arrangements with
the assignee Bank satisfactory to such assignor with respect to its pro
rata share of Letter of Credit Fees with respect to outstanding Letters
of Credit, the assigning Bank makes no representation or warranty,
express or implied, and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with
this Credit Agreement or the execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Credit
Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant hereto or the attachment, perfection or priority of
any security interest or mortgage;
(b) the assigning Bank makes no representation or warranty and
assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any other Person primarily or
secondarily liable in respect of any of the Obligations, or the
performance or observance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any
other Person primarily or secondarily liable in respect of any of the
Obligations of any of their obligations under this Credit Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant hereto or thereto;
(c) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this
Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial
statements referred to in ss.10.4 and ss.11.4 and such other documents
and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance;
(d) such assignee will, independently and without reliance
upon the assigning Bank, the Agents or any other Bank and based on such
documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking
action under this Credit Agreement;
(e) such assignee represents and warrants that it is an
Eligible Assignee;
(f) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agents to take
such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under
this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to
the Agents by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such powers as
are reasonably incidental thereto;
(g) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance
with their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of this
Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Bank; and
(h) such assignee represents and warrants that it is legally
authorized to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance.
22.3. Register. The Administrative Agent shall maintain a copy of each
Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register or similar list (the
"Register") for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks and the
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage and Term Loan Commitment Percentage of,
and principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans and the Term Loan owing to,
and Letter of Credit Participations purchased by, the Banks from time to time.
The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest
error, and the Borrower, the Agents and the Banks may treat each Person whose
name is recorded in the Register as a Bank hereunder for all purposes of this
Credit Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower
and the Banks at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior
notice. Upon each such recordation, the assigning Bank agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent a registration fee in the sum of $3,500.
22.4. New Notes. Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance
executed by the parties to such assignment, together with each Note subject to
such assignment, the Administrative Agent shall (i) record the information
contained therein in the Register, and (ii) give prompt notice thereof to the
Borrower and the Banks (other than the assigning Bank). Within five (5) Business
Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrower, at its own expense, shall
execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, in exchange for each
surrendered Note, a new Note to the order of such Eligible Assignee in an amount
equal to the amount assumed by such Eligible Assignee pursuant to such
Assignment and Acceptance and, if the assigning Bank has retained some portion
of its obligations hereunder, a new Note to the order of the assigning Bank in
an amount equal to the amount retained by it hereunder. Such new Notes shall
provide that they are replacements for the surrendered Notes, shall be in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
surrendered Notes, shall be dated the effective date of such Assignment and
Acceptance and shall otherwise be in substantially the form of the assigned
Notes. Within five (5) days of issuance of any new Notes pursuant to this
ss.22.4, the Borrower shall deliver an opinion of counsel, addressed to the
Banks and the Agents, relating to the due authorization, execution and delivery
of such new Notes and the legality, validity and binding effect thereof, in form
and substance satisfactory to the Banks. The surrendered Notes shall be
cancelled and returned to the Borrower.
22.5. Participations. Each Bank may sell participations to one or more
banks or other entities in all or a portion of such Bank's rights and
obligations under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided
that (i) each such participation shall be in an amount of not less than
$2,500,000, (ii) any such sale or participation shall not affect the rights and
duties of the selling Bank hereunder to the Borrower and (iii) the only rights
granted to the participant pursuant to such participation arrangements with
respect to waivers, amendments or modifications of the Loan Documents shall be
the rights to approve waivers, amendments or modifications that would reduce the
principal of or the interest rate on any Loans, extend the term or increase the
amount of the Commitments of such Bank as it relates to such participant, reduce
the amount of any commitment fees or Letter of Credit Fees to which such
participant is entitled or extend any regularly scheduled payment date for
principal or interest.
22.6. Disclosure. The Borrower agrees that in addition to disclosures
made in accordance with standard and customary banking practices any Bank may
disclose information obtained by such Bank pursuant to this Credit Agreement to
assignees or participants and potential assignees or participants hereunder;
provided that such assignees or participants or potential assignees or
participants shall agree (i) to treat in confidence such information unless such
information otherwise becomes public knowledge, (ii) not to disclose such
information to a third party, except as required by law or legal process and
(iii) not to make use of such information for purposes of transactions unrelated
to such contemplated assignment or participation.
22.7. Assignee or Participant Affiliated with the Borrower. If any
assignee Bank is an Affiliate of the Borrower, then any such assignee Bank shall
have no right to vote as a Bank hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents for purposes of granting consents or waivers or for purposes of
agreeing to amendments or other modifications to any of the Loan Documents or
for purposes of making requests to the Administrative Agent pursuant to ss.16.1
or ss.16.2, and the determination of the Required Banks shall for all purposes
of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents be made without regard to
such assignee Bank's interest in any of the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations.
If any Bank sells a participating interest in any of the Loans to a participant,
and such participant is the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower, then such
transferor Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the sale of
such participation. A transferor Bank shall have no right to vote as a Bank
hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents for purposes of granting
consents or waivers or for purposes of agreeing to amendments or modifications
to any of the Loan Documents or for purposes of making requests to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to ss.16.1 or ss.16.2 to the extent that such
participation is beneficially owned by the Borrower or any Affiliate of the
Borrower, and the determination of the Required Banks shall for all purposes of
this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents be made without regard to the
interest of such transferor Bank in the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations to
the extent of such participation.
22.8. Miscellaneous Assignment Provisions. Any assigning Bank shall
retain its rights to be indemnified pursuant to ss.19 with respect to any claims
or actions arising prior to the date of such assignment. If any assignee Bank is
not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof, it shall, prior to the date on which any interest or fees are payable
hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents for its account, deliver to
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent certification as to its exemption from
deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes. Anything
contained in this ss.22 to the contrary notwithstanding, any Bank may at any
time pledge all or any portion of its interest and rights under this Credit
Agreement (including all or any portion of its Notes) to any (a) of the twelve
Federal Reserve Banks organized under ss.4 of the Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C.
ss.341 or (b) to a lender to such Bank (or a trustee therefor) in connection
with a bona fide financing transaction. No such pledge or the enforcement
thereof shall release the pledgor Bank from its obligations hereunder or under
any of the other Loan Documents.
22.9. Assignment by Borrower. The Borrower shall not assign or transfer
any of its rights or obligations under any of the Loan Documents without the
prior written consent of each of the Banks.
23. NOTICES, ETC.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, all
notices and other communications made or required to be given pursuant to this
Credit Agreement or the Notes or any Letter of Credit Applications shall be in
writing and shall be delivered in hand, mailed by United States registered or
certified first class mail, postage prepaid, sent by overnight courier, or sent
by facsimile or and confirmed by delivery via courier or postal service,
addressed as follows:
(a) if to the Borrower, at 2200 Eller Drive, Building 27, P.O. Box
13038, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, Attention: Robert B. Lamm, Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary, Telecopier No. 954-527-1772, with a
copy to Robert J. Feinstein, Esquire, Kronish Lieb Weiner & Hellman LLP, 1114
Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, Telecopier No. 212-479-6461 and to
James B. Ellis II, Esquire, Dyer Ellis & Joseph, 600 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.,
Washington, DC 20037, Telecopier No. 202-944-3068, or at such other address for
notice as the Borrower shall last have furnished in writing to the Person giving
the notice;
(b) if to the Administrative Agent, at 599 Lexington Avenue, 21st
Floor, New York, NY 10043, Attention: Bradley Dietz, Telecopier No.:
212-793-9470, with a copy to Martin J. Bienenstock, Esquire, Weil, Gotshal &
Manges LLP, 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10153, Telecopier No. 212-310-8007,
or such other address for notice as the Administrative Agent shall last have
furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice;
(c) if to the Documentation Agent, at 100 Federal Street, Mail Stop:
01-06-01, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: C. Christopher Smith, Vice
President, Telecopier No. 617-434-4775, with a copy to Edwin E. Smith, Esquire,
Bingham Dana LLP, 150 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110, Telecopier No.
617-951-8736, or such other address for notice as the Documentation Agent shall
last have furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice; and
(d) if to any Bank, at such Bank's address set forth on Schedule 1
hereto, or such other address for notice as such Bank shall have last furnished
in writing to the Person giving the notice.
Any such notice or demand shall be deemed to have been duly given or
made and to have become effective (i) if delivered by hand, overnight courier or
facsimile to a responsible officer of the party to which it is directed, at the
time of the receipt thereof by such officer or the sending of such facsimile and
(ii) if sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid, on
the third Business Day following the mailing thereof.
24. GOVERNING LAW.
THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED
THEREIN, EACH OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE CONTRACTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF SAID STATE OF NEW YORK (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO
CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW). EACH OF THE BORROWER AND EACH GUARANTOR AGREES THAT
ANY SUIT FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE BANKRUPTCY COURT AND/OR THE COURTS OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AND CONSENTS TO THE
NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT AND SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT
BEING MADE UPON THE BORROWER OR SUCH GUARANTOR BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED
IN ss.23. EACH OF THE BORROWER AND EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION
THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT OR ANY SUCH
COURT OR THAT SUCH SUIT IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT.
<PAGE>
25. HEADINGS.
The captions in this Credit Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not define or limit the provisions hereof.
26. COUNTERPARTS.
This Credit Agreement and any amendment hereof may be executed in
several counterparts and by each party on a separate counterpart, each of which
when executed and delivered shall be an original, and all of which together
shall constitute one instrument. In proving this Credit Agreement it shall not
be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by
the party against whom enforcement is sought.
27. ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC.
The Loan Documents and any other documents executed in connection
herewith or therewith express the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. Neither this Credit Agreement
nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except as
provided in ss.29.
28. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
Each party hereto hereby waives its right to a jury trial with respect
to any action or claim arising out of any dispute in connection with this Credit
Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents, any rights or
obligations hereunder or thereunder or the performance of which rights and
obligations. Except as prohibited by law, the Borrower hereby waives any right
it may have to claim or recover in any litigation referred to in the preceding
sentence any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages or any
damages other than, or in addition to, actual damages. The Borrower (i)
certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any Bank or the Agents
has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such Bank or the Agents would not,
in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers and (ii)
acknowledges that the Agents and the Banks have been induced to enter into this
Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents to which it is a party by, among
other things, the waivers and certifications contained herein.
29. CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC.
Any consent or approval required or permitted by this Credit Agreement
to be given by the Banks may be given, and any term of this Credit Agreement,
the other Loan Documents or any other instrument related hereto or mentioned
herein may be amended, and the performance or observance by the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries of any terms of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
Documents or such other instrument or the continuance of any Default or Event of
Default may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively) with, but only with, the written consent of the
Borrower and the written consent of the Required Banks. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the amount of the Commitments of the Banks hereunder may not be
changed, and the rate of interest on the Notes (other than interest accruing
pursuant to ss.8.9.2 following the effective date of any waiver by the Required
Banks of the Default or Event of Default relating thereto) and the amount of
commitment fee or Letter of Credit Fees hereunder may not be reduced, without
the written consent of the Borrower and the written consent of each Bank
affected thereby; the Termination Date and the date of any scheduled payment of
any principal, interest or fees hereunder may not be postponed without the
written consent of each Bank affected thereby; all or substantially all of the
Guarantors may not be released from their Obligations under the Guaranty,
Collateral may not be released if after giving effect to such release, and any
additional Collateral substituted in lieu thereof, the Borrower would not be in
compliance with ss.13.4, this ss.29, each other provision hereof specifying that
the Banks are to receive payments "pro rata" or that payments are to be made
"for the respective accounts of the Banks" or in accordance with each Bank's
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage or Term Loan Commitment Percentage, or
words of similar import, or which specifies the number or percentage of Banks
required to make any determinations, consent to any matter, or waive any rights
hereunder or to modify any provision hereof, and the definition of Required
Banks may not be amended without the written consent of all of the Banks; the
amount of, or timing or order of payment of, the Agency fee, and ss.18 may not
be amended without the written consent of each of the Agents; and the amount of,
or timing or order of payment of, any Fronting Fee and ss.5 may not be amended
without the consent of the Issuing Bank. No waiver shall extend to or affect any
obligation not expressly waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No
course of dealing or delay or omission on the part of the Agents or any Bank in
exercising any right shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise be
prejudicial thereto. No notice to or demand upon the Borrower shall entitle the
Borrower to other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
30. SEVERABILITY.
The provisions of this Credit Agreement are severable and if any one
clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in
part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect
only such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction, and shall
not in any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction, or
any other clause or provision of this Credit Agreement in any jurisdiction.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Credit
Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
HVIDE MARINE INCORPORATED,
debtor and debtor in possession
By:
Title:
CITIBANK, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent
By:
Title:
BANKBOSTON, N.A., individually and as Documentation Agent
By:
Title:
GMAC COMMERCIAL CREDIT LLC
(f/k/a BNY FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
By:
Title:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
By:
Title:
<PAGE>
COMAC ACQUISITION CO., L.P.
By:
Title:
BANK ONE, LOUISIANA, N.A.
(AS SUCCESSOR TO FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE)
By:
Title:
HALCYON DISTRESSED SECURITIES, L.P.
By:
Title:
ABN AMRO BANK, N.V.
By:
Title:
By:
Title:
ARAB BANKING CORPORATION (B.S.C.)
By:
Title:
<PAGE>
CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE, NEW YORK BRANCH
By:
Title:
By:
Title:
BEAR, STEARNS & CO., INC.
By:
Title:
CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
By:
Title:
SUNTRUST BANK, SOUTH FLORIDA, N.A.
By:
Title:
UNION PLANTERS BANK OF FLORIDA
By:
Title:
<PAGE>
CONTRARIAN FUNDS LLC
By:
Title:
CONTRARIAN CAPITAL ADVISERS
By:
Title:
SALOMON BROTHERS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
By:
Title:
<PAGE>
Each of the undersigned Guarantors hereby agrees to the above Credit
Agreement and confirms its unconditional guaranty of the Obligations hereunder.
HVIDE MARINE TRANSPORT,
INCORPORATED
SEABULK CONDOR, INC.
SEABULK CORMORANT, INC.
SEABULK CARDINAL, INC.
SEABULK COOT II, INC.
SEABULK CYGNET I, INC.
SEABULK EAGLE II, INC.
SEABULK FALCON II, INC.
SEABULK GANNET I, INC.
SEABULK GANNET II, INC.
SEABULK HARRIER, INC.
SEABULK HAWAII, INC.
SEABULK KESTREL, INC.
SEABULK LARK, INC.
SEABULK MALLARD, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE GLOBAL
HOLDINGS, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE HOLDINGS, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE, LTD.
By its general partner Seabulk Tankers, Ltd.
By its general partner Hvide Marine Transport
Incorporated
SEABULK OFFSHORE OPERATORS, INC.
SEABULK OREGON, INC.
SEABULK OSPREY, INC.
SEABULK PENGUIN I, INC.
SEABULK PENGUIN II, INC.
SEABULK RAVEN, INC.
SEABULK ROOSTER, INC.
SEABULK SABINE, INC.
SEABULK SNIPE, INC.
SEABULK SWAN, INC.
<PAGE>
SEABULK TANKERS, LTD.
By its general partner
Hvide Marine Transport,
Incorporated
SEABULK TOUCAN, INC.
SEABULK VERITAS, INC.
HMI OPERATORS, INC.
HVIDE MARINE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
OFFSHORE MARINE MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
SEABULK ALBANY, INC.
SEABULK ALKATAR, INC.
SEABULK ARABIAN, INC.
SEABULK ARZANAH, INC.
SEABULK ARCTIC EXPRESS, INC.
SEABULK ARIES II, INC.
SEABULK BARRACUDA, INC.
SEABULK BATON ROUGE, INC.
SEABULK BECKY, INC.
SEABULK BETSY, INC.
SEABULK BUL HANIN, INC.
SEABULK CAPRICORN, INC.
SEABULK CAROL, INC.
SEABULK CAROLYN, INC.
SEABULK CHAMP, INC.
SEABULK CHRISTOPHER, INC.
SEABULK CLAIBORNE, INC.
SEABULK CLIPPER, INC.
SEABULK COMMAND, INC.
SEABULK CONSTRUCTOR, INC.
SEABULK COOT I, INC.
SEABULK CYGNET II, INC.
SEABULK DANAH, INC.
SEABULK DAYNA, INC.
SEABULK DEBBIE, INC.
SEABULK DEFENDER, INC.
SEABULK DIANA, INC.
SEABULK DISCOVERY, INC.
SEABULK DUKE, INC.
SEABULK EAGLE, INC.
SEABULK EMERALD, INC.
SEABULK ENERGY, INC.
SEABULK EXPLORER, INC.
SEABULK FALCON, INC.
SEABULK FREEDOM, INC.
SEABULK FULMAR, INC.
SEABULK GABRIELLE, INC.
SEABULK GAZELLE, INC.
SEABULK GIANT, INC.
SEABULK GREBE, INC.
SEABULK HABARA, INC.
SEABULK HAMOUR, INC.
SEABULK HATTA, INC.
SEABULK HAWK, INC.
SEABULK HERCULES, INC.
SEABULK HERON, INC.
SEABULK HORIZON, INC.
SEABULK HOUBARE, INC.
SEABULK IBEX, INC.
SEABULK ISABEL, INC.
SEABULK JASPER, INC.
SEABULK JEBEL ALI, INC.
SEABULK KATIE, INC.
SEABULK KING, INC.
SEABULK KNIGHT, INC.
SEABULK LAKE EXPRESS, INC.
SEABULK LARA, INC.
SEABULK LIBERTY, INC.
SEABULK LINCOLN, INC.
SEABULK LULU, INC.
SEABULK MAINTAINER, INC.
SEABULK MARLENE, INC.
SEABULK MARTIN I, INC.
SEABULK MARTIN II, INC.
SEABULK MASTER, INC.
SEABULK MERLIN, INC.
SEABULK MUBARRAK, INC.
SEABULK NEPTUNE, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE ABU DHABI, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE DUBAI, INC.
SEABULK OFFSHORE OPERATORS TRINIDAD LIMITED
SEABULK ORYX, INC.
SEABULK PELICAN, INC.
SEABULK PENNY, INC.
SEABULK PERSISTENCE, INC.
SEABULK PETREL, INC.
SEABULK PLOVER, INC.
SEABULK POWER, INC.
SEABULK PRIDE, INC.
SEABULK PRINCE, INC.
SEABULK PRINCESS, INC.
SEABULK PUFFIN, INC.
SEABULK QUEEN, INC.
SEABULK SALIHU, INC.
SEABULK SAPPHIRE, INC.
SEABULK SARA, INC.
SEABULK SEAHORSE, INC.
SEABULK SENGALI, INC.
SEABULK SERVICE, INC.
SEABULK SHARI, INC.
SEABULK SHINDAGA, INC.
SEABULK SKUA I, INC.
SEABULK SUHAIL, INC.
SEABULK SWIFT, INC.
SEABULK TAURUS, INC.
SEABULK TENDER, INC.
SEABULK TIMS I, INC.
SEABULK TITAN, INC.
SEABULK TOOTA, INC.
SEABULK TRADER, INC.
SEABULK TRANSMARINE II, INC.
SEABULK TREASURE ISLAND, INC.
SEABULK UMM SHAIF, INC.
SEABULK VIRGO I, INC.
SEABULK VOYAGER, INC.
SEABULK ZAKUM, INC.,
each a debtor and debtor in possession
By:
Name: Jean Fitzgerald
Title: Chairman of the Board of
Directors, President and
Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
SEABULK OFFSHORE OPERATORS
NIGERIA LIMITED, debtor and
debtor in possession
By:
Name: Jean Fitzgerald
Title: Director
SEABULK RED TERN LIMITED,
debtor and debtor in possession
By:
Name: Jean Fitzgerald
Title: Director
SEAMARK LTD., INC.,
debtor and debtor in possession
By: __________________________
Name: Jean Fitzgerald
Title: President
LIGHTSHIP LIMITED PARTNER
HOLDINGS, LLC,
debtor and debtor in possession
By:
Name: Jean Fitzgerald
Title: President
OCEAN SPECIALITY TANKERS
CORPORATION,
debtor and debtor in possession
By:
Name: Jean Fitzgerald
Title: Chairman of the Board of
Directors
<PAGE>
HVIDE MARINE de VENEZUELA, S.R.L.
HVIDE MARINE TOWING SERVICES, INC.
SEABULK OCEAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
SEABULK OCEAN SYSTEMS HOLDINGS CORPORATION,
each a debtor and debtor in possession
By: __________________________
Name: Jean Fitzgerald
Title: Chairman of the Board of
Directors, President and
Chief Executive Officer
SEABULK OFFSHORE U.K. LIMITED
HMI CAYMAN HOLDINGS, INC.,
debtor and debtor in possession
By:
Name: Jean Fitzgerald
Title: Director
HVIDE MARINE TOWING, INC.
SUN STATE MARINE SERVICES, INC.,
each a debtor and debtor in possession
By:
Name: Jean Fitzgerald
Title: Attorney-in-Fact
LONE STAR MARINE SERVICES, INC.,
debtor and debtor in possession
By:
Name: Jean Fitzgerald
Title: Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Chief Executive
Officer
<PAGE>
The undersigned Guarantor hereby agrees to the above Credit Agreement
and confirms its unconditional guaranty of the Obligations hereunder.
MARANTA, S.A.,
debtor and debtor in possession
By:
Name: Orlando A. Luzi
Title: President
Contact: Jack O'Connell (Corporate Communications), 954/524-4200, x224
HVIDE MARINE ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY CHAPTER 11 FILING AS RESTRUCTURING
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE o Operations to Continue as Normal throughout Period of
Reorganization o New $60 Million Credit Facility in Place
Fort Lauderdale, FL, September 9, 1999 - Hvide Marine Incorporated (Nasdaq:
HMAR) today announced a voluntary Chapter 11 filing in the United States
Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. The filing allows the Company to operate its
businesses in the normal fashion under court protection, and with adequate
funding, while it continues discussions with representatives of certain major
creditors and others on a restructuring plan that would deleverage its balance
sheet, restore liquidity, and enhance its competitive ability in the
marketplace.
To ensure liquidity throughout the period of reorganization, including
payment of suppliers and trade creditors, the Company has secured a new $60
million, debtor-in possession (DIP) credit facility from its current bank
syndicate, led by Citibank, N.A. and BankBoston. The Company anticipates that it
will complete its restructuring and emerge from Chapter 11 in late 1999 or early
2000.
As previously reported, the Company is in active discussions concerning
a proposed restructuring plan under which its general and trade creditors would
be paid in full; its existing credit facility would be refinanced; holders of
its Senior Notes would exchange their Senior Notes for common equity of the
Company; and holders of the Trust Convertible Preferred Securities and Common
Stock would receive common equity and/or warrants to purchase common equity.
Implementation of the plan is subject to numerous conditions, including the need
to reach agreements with lenders and other third parties, and is expected to
result in substantial dilution to the Company's current stockholders.
"Today's filing helps remove the cloud of uncertainty that has hung
over the Company for the last several months and gives us time to put our
financial house in order," commented Jean Fitzgerald, Chairman, President and
CEO. "While a number of issues remain to be worked out, the general outline is
in place and has the support of our major creditors. The end result will be a
significant deleveraging of our balance sheet, which should in turn strengthen
our operating capabilities and enable us to be a financially sound and
competitive enterprise going forward."
As a leading worldwide operator of oilfield support vessels, the
Company has suffered from the prolonged drought in offshore drilling activity
and reported a loss for its fiscal second quarter of $23.7 million or $1.53 per
diluted share. "While there are encouraging signs of a future upturn in the
sector, the Company's growing liquidity problems made today's actions
necessary," stated Mr. Fitzgerald. "The successful completion of a restructuring
would position the Company to benefit significantly from any increase in
drilling activity."
With a fleet of 276 vessels, Hvide Marine is one of the world's leading
providers of marine support and transportation services, primarily to the energy
and chemical industries. The Company's three main businesses are offshore energy
support services, offshore and harbor towing, and petrochemical transportation.
This announcement contains "forward-looking" statements. Hvide Marine
Incorporated is subject to risks and other uncertainties that could cause such
statements to prove incorrect. For a discussion of those risks and
uncertainties, please refer to the Company's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K and
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30,
1999, as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
# # #
