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CALPETRO TANKERS (BAHAMAS III) LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT
For year ended
December 31, 1998
ON FORM 20-F
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
Registration statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
OR
X Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
OR
Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Commission File number: 33-79220
33-56377
Calpetro Tankers (Bahamas III) Limited
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Nassau, Bahamas
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Room 6/9 One International Place
Boston, Massachusetts
(Address or principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section
12(b) of the Act.
TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH
REGISTERED
None Not applicable
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Act.
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Serial First Preferred Mortgage Notes maturing serially from 1996
to 2006.
8.52% First Preferred Mortgage Notes Due 2015.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the
registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 Item 18 X
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PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
THE COMPANY
CalPetro Tankers (Bahamas III) Limited ("Bahamas III" or the
"Company") was incorporated in the Bahamas on May 13, 1994
together with three other companies: CalPetro Tankers (Bahamas I)
Limited and CalPetro Tankers (Bahamas II) Limited, each of which
is incorporated in the Bahamas, and CalPetro Tankers (IOM)
Limited which is incorporated in the Isle of Man (together the
"Companies"). Each of the Companies was organized as a special
purpose company for the purpose of acquiring one of four oil
tankers (each a "Vessel", together the "Vessels") from Chevron
Transport Corporation. California Petroleum Transport
Corporation, a Delaware corporation, acting as agent on behalf of
the Companies, issued as full recourse obligations $167,500,000
Serial First Preferred Mortgage Notes and $117,900,000 8.52%
First Preferred Mortgage Notes due 2015 (together the "Notes").
The proceeds from the sale of the Notes were applied by way of
long-term loans, being Serial Loans in respect of the Serial
First Preferred Mortgage Notes and Term Loans in respect of the
First Preferred Mortgage Notes due 2015, to the Companies to fund
the acquisition of the Vessels from the Chevron Transport
Corporation. The Company was allocated $27,640,000 of the Serial
Loans and $12,744,000 of the Term Loans and acquired its Vessel,
the WILLIAM E. CRAIN, as described below. The Company will
engage in no business other than the ownership and chartering of
its Vessel and activities resulting from or incidental to such
ownership and chartering.
The Company is wholly-owned by California Tankers Investments
Limited, a company organized under the laws of the Bahamas, which
is in turn a wholly-owned subsidiary of CalPetro Holdings
Limited, an Isle of Man company.
On May 12, 1998, ownership of CalPetro Holdings Limited was
transferred to Independent Tankers Corporation, a Cayman Islands
company ("ITC"). On the same date, all of the issued and
outstanding shares of ITC were sold to Frontline Ltd.
("Frontline"), a publicly listed Bermuda company.
Pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated December 23, 1998,
as amended on March 4, 1999, Frontline has sold, effective as of
July 1, 1998, all of the issued and outstanding shares of ITC to
Hemen Holding Limited, a Cyprus company ("Hemen"). Hemen is the
principal shareholder of Frontline and is indirectly controlled
by Mr. John Fredriksen, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Frontline.
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OVERVIEW OF OPERATIONS
The Company owns one 150,000 deadweight tonne ("dwt") Suezmax oil
tanker, the WILLIAM E. CRAIN, which was acquired from Chevron
Transport Corporation. Suezmax tankers are medium-sized vessels
ranging from approximately 120,000 to 200,000 dwt, and of maximum
length, breadth and draft capable of passing fully loaded through
the Suez Canal. The Vessel has been chartered back to Chevron
Transport Corporation (the "Initial Charterer" or "Chevron
Transport") on bareboat charter (the "Initial Charter"). The
Initial Charter has a term expiring on April 1, 2015, subject to
the Initial Charterer's right to terminate the Initial Charter on
certain specified dates. Chevron Transport is principally
engaged in the marine transportation of oil and refined petroleum
products. Chevron Transport's primary transportation routes are
from the Middle East, Indonesia, Mexico, West Africa and the
North Sea to ports in the United States, Europe, the United
Kingdom and Asia. Chevron Transport has advised the Company that
it expects to use the Vessel worldwide as permitted under the
Initial Charter.
The obligations of the Initial Charterer under the Initial
Charter are guaranteed by Chevron Corporation ("Chevron"), a
major international oil company, pursuant to a guarantee (the
"Chevron Guarantee"). Chevron Transport is an indirect, wholly-
owned subsidiary of Chevron.
The Vessel is a single-hull oil carrier of approximately 150,000
deadweight tons and is presently registered under the Liberian
flag. The Vessel was constructed under the supervision of the
Initial Charterer and designed to the Initial Charterer's
specifications to enhance safety and reduce operating and
maintenance costs, including such features as high performance
rudders, extra steel (minimal use of high tensile steels),
additional fire safety equipment, redundant power generation
equipment, extra coating and electrolytic corrosion monitoring
and protection systems, additional crew quarters to facilitate
added manning and a double-hull design patented by one of
Chevron's subsidiaries. The builder of William E. Crain was
Ishikawajima do Brasil Estaleiros S.A. ("Ishibras").
MANAGEMENT
The Company has entered into a management agreement (a
"Management Agreement") with P.D. Gram & Co, a.s. (in such
capacity, the "Manager") to provide administrative management and
advisory services to the Company and arrange for remarketing
services, if necessary, for the Vessel. The Manager is a
Norwegian privately owned firm, established in 1982, which
arranges and manages shipping investments. The Manager
commissioned Barber Ship Management a.s. ("Barber Ship
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Management") to provide certain maritime services during the term
of the Initial Charter. In addition, if the Initial Charterer
exercises its option to terminate the Initial Charter for the
Vessel, the Manager arranged for Barber Ship Management to
provide all technical management services for the Vessel and for
McQuilling Brokerage Partners, Inc. and ACM Shipping Limited to
provide, on a non-exclusive basis, remarketing services for the
Vessel.
On March 31, 1999, P.D.Gram & Co. a.s. resigned as Manager and
Barber Ship Management resigned as Technical Advisor and on the
same date each was replaced by Frontline, pursuant to an
assignment of the Management Agreement.
The Initial Charterer may elect to terminate the Initial Charter
on specified termination dates commencing in 2003. If the
Initial Charter is terminated by the Initial Charterer, the
Manager, acting on behalf of the Company, will attempt to find an
acceptable replacement charter for the Vessel. If an acceptable
replacement charter is commercially unavailable, the Manager will
solicit bids for the sale or recharter of the Vessel. The
Manager's ability to obtain an acceptable replacement charter, to
sell the Vessel or recharter the Vessel will depend on market
rates for new and used vessels, both of which will depend on the
supply of and demand for tanker capacity for oil transportation,
and the advantages or disadvantages of the Vessel compared with
other vessels available at the time.
THE INTERNATIONAL TANKER MARKET
International seaborne oil and petroleum products transportation
services are mainly provided by two types of operator: major oil
company captive fleets (both private and state-owned) and
independent shipowner fleets. Both types of operators transport
oil under short-term contracts (including single-voyage "spot
charters") and long-term time charters with oil companies, oil
traders, large oil consumers, petroleum product producers and
government agencies. The oil companies own, or control through
long-term time charters, approximately one third of the current
world tanker capacity, while independent companies own or control
the balance of the fleet. The oil companies use their fleets not
only to transport their own oil, but also to transport oil for
third-party charterers in direct competition with independent
owners and operators in the tanker charter market. Competition
for charters is intense and is based upon price, location, size,
age, condition and acceptability of the vessel and its manager.
Competition is also affected by the availability of other size
vessels to compete in the trades in which the Company engages.
International tanker charter rates have historically been
cyclical and volatile. A peak in charter rates was reached in
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the early 1970s as the volume of oil imported by developed
countries expanded, followed by a downturn resulting from the
economic consequences of the first "oil shock" and compounded by
the massive ordering of new tonnage. A second upward movement in
charter rates and vessel values that began in the late 1970s was
halted in the early 1980s and was followed by several years of
falling tonne-miles demand and depressed charter rates and vessel
values due to reduced overall oil demand as a result of the
recession during the early 1980s and the glut of vessel capacity
available after the dramatic expansion of the world fleet in the
1970s.
Historically, the overall oil tanker business has been highly
cyclical, with attendant volatility in profitability and asset
values resulting from changes in the supply of and demand for
vessel capacity. The supply of vessel capacity is influenced by
the number of new vessels built, the scrapping of older vessels,
the efficiency of the world fleet and government and industry
regulation of maritime transportation practices. The demand for
vessel capacity is influenced by global and regional economic
conditions, increases and decreases in industrial production and
demand for crude oil and refined petroleum products, political
changes and armed conflicts, developments in international trade
and changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns.
Consumption of crude oil and petroleum products is affected by,
among other things, general economic conditions, oil prices,
environmental concerns, weather patterns and competition from
alternative energy sources. Because many of the factors
influencing the supply of and demand for vessel capacity are
unpredictable, the nature, timing and degree of changes in tanker
industry conditions are also unpredictable.
The tanker market in general has been depressed for a number of
years, largely as a result of an excess of tonnage supply over
demand. In 1994, the tanker market appeared to be at or near a
cyclical low. Although subject to continuing volatility and
cyclicality, these markets have generally improved since that
time.
In 1998, rates continued to fluctuate and some reductions came as
a result of lower oil demand from the Asian economies. However,
Suezmax rates are still sufficient to meet the reduced debt
service required if the Initial Charter is not prolonged.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER REGULATIONS
The oil transportation industry has historically been subject to
regulation by national authorities and through international
conventions. Over recent years however, an environmental
protection regime has evolved which has had a significant impact
on the operations of participants in the industry in the form of
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increasingly more stringent inspection requirements, closer
monitoring of pollution-related events, and generally higher
costs and potential liabilities for the owners and operators of
tankers.
The Vessel and the operation of the Vessel must comply with
extensive and changing environmental protection laws and
regulations. Compliance with these laws and regulations may
entail significant expenses, including expenses for ship
modifications and changes in operating procedures. These laws
and regulations could have a material adverse effect on the
business and the operations of the Company and any charterer of
the Vessel. In particular, the United States Oil Pollution Act
of 1990, as amended ("OPA 90"), provides for strict liability for
owners, operators and demise charterers of any vessel for certain
oil pollution accidents in the waters of the United States.
OPA 90 established an extensive regulatory and liability regime
for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil
spills. OPA 90 affects all owners and operators whose vessels
trade to the United States or its territories or possessions or
whose vessels operate in United States waters, which include the
United States territorial sea and the two hundred nautical mile
exclusive economic zone of the United States.
Under OPA 90, vessel owners, operators and demise charterers are
"responsible parties" and are jointly, severally and strictly
liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission
of a third party (subject to certain statutory qualifications the
effects of which have not been determined by any judicial
interpretation), an act of God or an act of war) for all oil
spill containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising
from oil spills pertaining to their vessels. These other damages
are defined broadly to include (i) natural resources damage and
the costs of assessment thereof, (ii) real and personal property
damages, (iii) net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees and
other lost revenues, (iv) lost profits or impairment of earning
capacity due to property or natural resources damage, (v) net
cost of public services necessitated by a spill response, such as
protection from fire, safety or health hazards, and (vi) loss of
subsistence use of natural resources. OPA 90 limits the
liability of responsible parties to the greater of $1,200 per
gross tonne or $10 million per tanker (subject to possible
adjustment for inflation). These limits of strict liability
would not apply if the incident were proximately caused by
violation of applicable United States federal safety,
construction or operating regulations or by the responsible
party's gross negligence or willful misconduct, or if the
responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to
cooperate and assist in connection with oil removal activities.
Additionally, under OPA 90, the liability of responsible parties,
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United States or foreign, with regard to oil pollution damage in
the United States is not preempted by any international
convention.
Under OPA 90, with certain limited exceptions, all newly built or
converted tankers operating in United States waters must be built
with double hulls conforming to particular specifications.
Existing vessels which do not comply with the double hull
requirement must be phased out over a 20-year period (1995-2015)
based on size, age and place of off-loading, unless retrofitted
with double hulls.
Notwithstanding the phase-in period, OPA 90 currently permits
existing single hull tankers to operate until the year 2015 if
(i) their operations within United States waters are limited to
discharging at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port ("LOOP") or off-
loading by means of lightering activities within authorized
lightering zones more than 60 miles off-shore and (ii) they are
otherwise in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
OPA 90 expands the pre-existing financial responsibility
requirements for vessels operating in United States waters and
requires owners and operators of vessels to establish and
maintain with the US Coast Guard evidence of insurance or of
qualification as a self-insurer or other evidence of financial
responsibility sufficient to meet their potential strict
liability limit under OPA 90. The US Coast Guard has adopted
regulations which require evidence of financial responsibility
equal to the strict liability limit demonstrated by insurance,
surety bond, self-insurance or guaranty.
The US Coast Guard's regulations concerning certificates of
financial responsibility provide, in accordance with OPA 90, that
claimants may bring suit directly against an insurer or guarantor
that furnishes certificates of financial responsibility; and, in
the event that such insurer or guarantor is sued directly, it is
prohibited from asserting any defense that it may have had
against the responsible party and is limited to asserting those
defenses available to the responsible party and the defense that
the incident was caused by the willful misconduct of the
responsible party. The Initial Charterer is responsible for
furnishing and maintaining evidence of financial responsibility
with respect to the Company's Vessel.
Owners or operators of tankers operating in United States waters
must file vessel response plans with the US Coast Guard and their
tankers must operate in compliance with their US Coast Guard
approved plans. Such response plans must, among other things,
(i) identify and ensure, through contract or other approved
means, the availability of necessary private response resources
to respond to a "worst case" discharge, (ii) describe crew
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training and drills, and (iii) identify a qualified individual
with full authority to implement removal actions. The Initial
Charterer is responsible for providing such a plan to the US
Coast Guard. The Company believes that the Initial Charterer is
in compliance with that requirement.
OPA 90 specifically permits individual states to impose their own
liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents
occurring within their boundaries, and many states have enacted
legislation providing for unlimited liability for oil spills. In
some cases, states which have enacted such legislation have not
yet issued implementing regulations defining tanker owners'
responsibilities under these laws.
The International Maritime Organization, an agency of the United
Nations (the "IMO"), has adopted regulations designed to reduce
oil pollution in international waters. In complying with OPA 90,
the IMO regulations and other regulations that may be adopted,
the Owner and any charterer of the Vessel may be forced to incur
additional costs in meeting new maintenance and inspection
requirements, in developing contingency arrangements for
potential spills and in obtaining insurance coverage.
RISK OF LOSS AND LIABILITY; INSURANCE
The operation of any ocean-going vessel carries an inherent risk
of catastrophic marine disasters, environmental mishaps, cargo
and property losses or damage and business interruptions caused
by adverse weather and ocean conditions, mechanical failures,
human error, political action in various countries, war,
terrorism, piracy, labour strikes and other circumstances or
events. Pursuant to the Initial Charter the Vessel may be
operated throughout the world in any lawful trade for which the
Vessel is suitable, including carrying oil and its products. In
the past, political conflicts in many regions, particularly in
the Arabian Gulf, have included attacks on tankers, mining of
waterways and other efforts to disrupt shipping in the area.
Vessels trading in such regions have also been subject to acts of
terrorism and piracy. In addition, the carriage of petroleum
products is subject to the risk of spillage and leakage. Any
such event may result in increased costs or the loss of revenues
or assets, including the Vessel.
Under the Initial Charter, the Initial Charterer is entitled to
self-insure against marine and war risks relating to the Vessel
and against protection and indemnity risk relating to the Vessel
during the term of the Initial Charter and, accordingly,
investors in the Notes cannot rely on the existence of third-
party insurance. There can be no assurance that all risks will
be adequately insured against, that any particular loss will be
covered or that the Company will be able to procure adequate
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insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the
future. In particular, stricter environmental regulations may
result in increased costs for, or the lack of availability of,
insurance against environmental damage or pollution.
The Initial Charterer, pursuant to the Initial Charter,
indemnifies the Company for a failure to maintain any financial
responsibility requirements relating to oil or other pollution
damage. To the extent that the insurance is inadequate,
unavailable or not acquired (self-insured), the Initial Charterer
also indemnifies the Company to the extent losses, damages or
expenses are incurred by the Company relating to oil or other
pollution damage as a result of the operation of the Vessel by
the Initial Charterer.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Other than the Vessel described above, the Company does not have
any property.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not party to any legal proceedings, nor are there
any legal proceedings threatened against the Company, which are
material to its assets or businesses.
ITEM 4. CONTROL OF REGISTRANT
CalPetro Tankers (Bahamas III) Limited is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of California Tankers International Limited, a company
organized under the laws of the Bahamas, which is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of CalPetro Holdings Limited, an Isle of Man company.
The Company is ultimately controlled by Hemen as described in
Item. 1. "The Company". All the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Company are beneficially owned by CalPetro
Holdings Limited and have been pledged to the Chemical Trust
Company of California (the "Collateral Trustee") as part of the
collateral for the Notes. The parent company has full voting
control over the Company subject to the rights of the Collateral
Trustee.
ITEM 5. NATURE OF TRADING MARKET
There is no established trading market for the Serial First
Preferred Mortgage Notes and 8.52% First Preferred Mortgage Notes
due 2015.
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ITEM 6. EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS AFFECTING
SECURITY-HOLDERS
The Company was registered under the International Business
Companies Act, 1989 of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (the "IBC
Act") in May 1994. As a result of such registration the Company
is exempt from the provisions of the Exchange Control Regulations
Act of the Bahamas. Interests in the Registered Securities may
be freely transferred among non-residents of The Bahamas under
Bahamian Law.
There are no restrictions upon the payment of foreign (non-
Bahamian) currency dividends, interest or other payments in
respect of the Registered Securities.
The Company is not permitted to deal in the currency of the
Bahamas except in an external Bahamian dollar account which can
be funded only with foreign currency funds or funds the Company
has permission to convert.
None of the Company's Articles of Association, Memorandum of
Association or any other document, nor any Bahamian law nor, to
the knowledge of the Company, any foreign law, imposes
limitations on the right of non-residents or foreign owners to
hold the Company's Common Stock.
ITEM 7. TAXATION
Bahamas
No Bahamian income or withholding taxes are imposed on the
payment by the Company of any principal or interest to any holder
of Notes who is either an individual citizen or resident of the
United States or an entity formed under the laws of the United
States. There is no income tax treaty currently in effect
between the United States and Bahamas.
ITEM 8. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected income statement data of the Company with respect to
the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, and the
selected balance sheet data with respect to the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, have been derived from the
Company's audited financial statements included herein and should
be read in conjunction with such statements and the notes
thereto. The selected balance sheet data with respect to the year
ended December 31, 1996 and the selected income statement and
balance sheet data with respect to the period ended December 31,
1995 has been derived from audited financial statements of the
Company not included herein. The following table should also be
read in conjunction with Item 9 "Management's Discussion and
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Analysis" and the Company's audited financial statements and
notes thereto included herein. The Company's accounts are
maintained in US dollars.
Period
Year ended April 1, to
December 31, December 31,
________________________________________
1998 1997 1996 1995
________________________________________
(US Dollars in thousands)
Income Statement Data
Total income 2,895 3,097 3,301 2,557
Net income 152 197 217 198
Balance Sheet Data
Total assets 34,389 36,801 39,189 41,364
Long-term loans,
including current 32,984 35,514 38,044 40,384
portion
ITEM 9. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's strategy has been to acquire its Vessel and charter
it to the Initial Charterer under a bareboat charter which is
expected to provide (a) charterhire payments which the Issuer and
the Company expect will be sufficient to pay, so long as the
Initial Charter is in effect (i) the Company's obligations under
the Term Loans and Serial Loans for acquiring the Vessel (ii)
management fees and the technical advisor's fees (iii) estimated
recurring fees and taxes, and (iv) any other costs and expenses
incidental to the ownership and chartering of the Vessel that are
to be paid by the Company, (b) termination payments sufficient to
make sinking fund and interest payments on the Term Loans and
Serial Loans for acquiring the Vessel to the extent allocable to
the Vessel for which the related Initial Charter has been
terminated, for at least two years following any such
termination, during which time the Vessel may be sold or
rechartered and (c) that the Vessel will be maintained in
accordance with the good commercial maintenance practices
required by the Initial Charter; and to arrange for vessel
management and remarketing services to be available in case the
Initial Charter is terminated by the Initial Charterer or the
Vessel is for any other reason returned to the possession and use
of the Company.
The Vessel is under charter to the Initial Charterer for a period
ending April 1, 2015. The Initial Charter contains a right of
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termination that the Initial Charterer may exercise on any of the
four optional termination dates, beginning on April 1, 2003. The
Initial Charter is a bareboat charter, pursuant to which the
Company is not liable for any expense in repairing or maintaining
the Vessel and the charterhire rate continues to be payable
notwithstanding, among other things, any loss or damage to the
Vessel (not amounting to a total loss).
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED WITH THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997
TOTAL REVENUES
Finance lease interest receivable for the year ended December 31,
1998 amounted to $2,813,000, compared with $3,015,000 for the
year ended December 31, 1997.
EXPENSES
Interest payable on the Term Loans and the Serial Loans amounted
to $2,647,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998. The
amortization of discount on loans for the period amounted to
$31,000. The company is amortizing the discount over the life of
the loans. The corresponding figures for the year ended
December 31, 1997 are $2,827,000 and $31,000, respectively.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED WITH THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996
TOTAL REVENUES
Finance lease interest receivable for the year ended December 31,
1997 amounted to $3,015,000, compared with $3,224,000 for the
year ended December 31, 1996.
EXPENSES
Interest payable on the Term Loans and the Serial Loans amounted
to $2,827,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997. The
amortization of discount on loans for the period amounted to
$31,000. The company is amortizing the discount over the life of
the loans. The corresponding figures for the year ended
December 31, 1996 are $2,999,000 and $31,000, respectively.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As set forth above, revenues from the Initial Charter are
sufficient to pay the Company's obligations under the Term Loans
and the Serial Loans. The Initial Charterer may elect to
terminate the Initial Charter on specified termination dates
commencing in 2003. If the Initial Charter is terminated by the
Initial Charterer, the Manager, acting on behalf of the Company,
will attempt to find an acceptable replacement charter for the
Vessel. If an acceptable replacement charter is commercially
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unavailable, the Manager will solicit bids for the sale or
recharter of the Vessel. The Manager's ability to obtain an
acceptable replacement charter, to sell the Vessel or recharter
the Vessel will depend on market rates for new and used vessels,
both of which will depend on the supply of and demand for tanker
capacity for oil transportation, and the advantages or
disadvantages of the Vessel compared with other vessels available
at the time.
YEAR 2000
The Vessel is provided with computers and has computerized
control systems. Further, the Vessel has equipment such as, for
example, navigational aids, communications systems, machinery
equipment, cargo measuring equipment and alarm systems that rely
on computers or embedded computer chips for proper function.
The initial terms of the Charter extend beyond the year 2000.
The Initial Charterer has assured the Company that it is very
aware of the year 2000 problem. The Initial Charterer has
confirmed that in the dealings with the Vessel it is taking, and
will continue to take, all reasonable steps to allow business
continuity into the year 2000 and beyond.
The Initial Charterer's obligation to pay charter hire is
absolute, including in circumstances where a Vessel should be
unfit for use due to computer related problems, should such occur
in spite of the Initial Charterer's diligent approach to the
preparations for the year 2000. In addition, the Initial
Charterer is obliged to indemnify the Company in respect of
events arising through the term of the Charter with respect to,
among other things, all liabilities claims and proceedings
arising in any manner out of the operation of the Vessel by the
Initial Charterer with no exclusion of events relating to
computers or problems that could affect computers at certain
dates. The Initial Charterer's obligations as described above
are guaranteed by the Chevron Guarantees.
The Company relies on banks for its payments and on general
communication equipment. The Company will only rely on
internationally recognized commercial banks and communication
companies for providing such services. The Company relies on
services provided by the Manager for their administration and
management. The Manager provides these services at a fixed
price. The Manager has assured the Company that it shall be able
to provide such services without date related interruptions.
Accordingly, the Company does not expect to incur any year 2000
related expenses.
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ITEM 9 (A) QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
MARKET RISK
(a) QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK
Quantitative information about market risk instruments at
December 31, 1998 is as follows:
i) SERIAL LOANS:
The principal balances of the Serial Loans bear interest at
rates ranging from 7.30% to 7.62% and mature over an eight
year period beginning April 1, 1999. The loans are reported
net of the related discounts which are amortized over the
term of the loans.
The outstanding serial loans have the following
characteristics:
PRINCIPAL INTEREST MATURITY
DUE RATE DATE
$ 000
2,530 7.30% April 1, 1999
2,530 7.35% April 1, 2000
2,530 7.44% April 1, 2001
2,530 7.49% April 1, 2002
2,530 7.55% April 1, 2003
2,530 7.57% April 1, 2004
2,530 7.60% April 1, 2005
2,530 7.62% April 1, 2006
______
20,240
______
ii) TERM LOANS:
The Term Loans bear interest at a rate of 8.52% per annum.
Interest is payable semi-annually. Principal is repayable
on the Term Loans in accordance with a twelve year sinking
fund schedule.
The table below provides the revised scheduled sinking fund
redemption amounts and final principal payment of the
Allocated Principal Amount of the Term Loans following
termination of the related Initial Charter on each of the
optional termination dates.
16
<PAGE>
PAYMENT CHARTER NOT CHARTER CHARTER CHARTER
DATE TERMINATED TERMINATED TERMINATED TERMINATED
2006 2008 2010
$000 $000 $000 $000
April 1, 2007 1,416 570 1,416 1,416
April 1, 2008 1,416 620 1,416 1,416
April 1, 2009 1,416 670 490 1,416
April 1, 2010 1,416 730 530 1,416
April 1, 2011 1,416 790 570 270
April 1, 2012 1,416 850 620 290
April 1, 2013 1,416 930 670 310
April 1, 2014 1,416 1,010 730 340
April 1, 2015 1,416 6,574 6,302 5,870
______ ______ ______ ______
12,744 12,744 12,744 12,744
______ ______ ______ ______
(b) QUALITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company was organised solely for the purpose of the
acquisition of one Vessel and subsequently entered into a
long-term agreement between the Company and Chevron
Transport Corporation.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT
Directors and Executive Officers of Calpetro Tankers
(Bahamas III) Limited
Age Position
Tor Olav Troim 36 Director and President
Alexandra Kate Blankenship 34 Director and Secretary
Tor Olav Troim has been a Director of Calpetro Tankers (Bahamas
III) Limited since 1998. Mr. Troim serves as a Director and Vice
President of Frontline. Mr. Troim also serves as a director of
Frontline AB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Frontline, and is the
Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management AS, which company
supports Frontline in the implementation of decisions made by the
Board of Directors.
Kate Blankenship has been a Director of Calpetro Tankers (Bahamas
III) Limited since 1998. Mrs. Blankenship has served as Group
Financial Controller and Secretary of Frontline since 1994.
Prior to joining Frontline she was a Manager with KPMG Peat
Marwick in Bermuda. Mrs. Blankenship is a member of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
17
<PAGE>
ITEM 11. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
During the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company paid to its
directors and officers, total compensation of $3,000.00.
ITEM 12. OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SECURITIES FROM REGISTRANT
OR SUBSIDIARIES
None.
ITEM 13. INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
None.
PART II
ITEM 14. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
Inapplicable
PART III
ITEM 15. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 16. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND CHANGES IN SECURITY FOR
REGISTERED SECURITIES AND
Use of Proceeds
None.
PART IV
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Inapplicable.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
See pages F-1 through F-7, incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 19. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
The following financial statements, together with the report
thereon of Ernst & Young, are filed as part of this Annual
Report:
18
<PAGE>
Page
Report of Independent Auditors F-1
Statement of Income for the years
ended December 31, 1998, F-2
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996
Balance Sheet as at December 31, 1998 and 1997 F-3
Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1998, December 31, 1997, and December 31, 1996 F-4
Notes to the Financial Statements F-5
SIGNATURES
Subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
CALPETRO TANKERS (BAHAMAS III) LIMITED
Registrant
/s/ Alexandra Kate Blankenship
Alexandra Kate Blankenship
Director and Secretary
Date: June 10, 1999
19
<PAGE>
CALPETRO TANKERS (BAHAMAS III) LIMITED
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
THE SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CALPETRO TANKERS
(BAHAMAS III) LIMITED
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Calpetro
Tankers (Bahamas III) Limited as of December 31, 1998 and 1997
and the related statements of income and cash flows for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audits in accordance with United Kingdom
auditing standards which do not differ in any significant respect
from United States generally accepted auditing standards. Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of Calpetro Tankers (Bahamas III) Limited at December 31, 1998
and 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States.
Ernst & Young
Douglas, Isle of Man Chartered Accountants
March 12, 1999
F-1
<PAGE>
CALPETRO TANKERS (BAHAMAS III) LIMITED
STATEMENT OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
(US Dollars in thousands) Notes 1998 1997 1996
INCOME
Finance lease interest 2(b) 2,813 3,015 3,224
Bank interest 51 51 46
Recognition of unearned
finance lease income 2(b) 31 31 31
______ ______ ______
2,895 3,097 3,301
EXPENSES
Interest expense 3 (2,647) (2,827) (2,999)
General and administrative
expenses (65) (42) (54)
Amortization of discount
on loans 2(d) (31) (31) (31)
______ ______ ______
INCOME BEFORE TAXES 152 197 217
Provision for taxes 2(e) - - -
______ ______ ______
NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR 152 197 217
====== ====== ======
F-2
<PAGE>
CALPETRO TANKERS (BAHAMAS III) LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31,
(US Dollars in thousands) Notes 1998 1997
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 1,408 1,354
Current portion of net
investment in direct
financing leases 2(b) 2,436 2,415
Interest receivable 679 730
Other current assets 22 22
______ ______
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 4,545 4,521
Net investment in direct
financing leases 2(b) 29,576 31,981
Discount on loans less
amortization 2(d) 268 299
______ ______
TOTAL ASSETS 34,389 36,801
====== ======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued interest 616 673
Current portion of serial loans 4 2,530 2,530
Other liabilities 25 2
______ ______
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 3,171 3,205
Long-term loans 4 30,454 32,984
====== ======
TOTAL LIABILITIES 33,625 36,189
______ ______
F-3
<PAGE>
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock: 1,000 shares
authorized; 100 shares of
$1 par value
issued and outstanding - -
______ ______
Retained earnings 764 612
______ ______
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 764 612
====== ======
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 34,389 36,801
====== ======
F-4
<PAGE>
CALPETRO TANKERS (BAHAMAS III) LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
(US Dollars in thousands) 1998 1997 1996
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income 152 197 217
Adjustments to reconcile
net income to
net cash provided by
operating activities:
Amortization of discount
on loans 31 31 31
Recognition of unearned
income (31) (31) (31)
Changes in assets and
liabilities
Accounts receivable 51 49 39
Accounts payable (34) (55) (52)
____ ____ ____
Net cash provided by
operating activities 169 191 204
____ ____ ____
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of direct finance
leases 2,415 2,393 2,253
_____ _____ _____
Net cash from investing
activities 2,415 2,393 2,253
_____ _____ _____
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term loans - - -
Serial loans redeemed (2,530) (2,530) (2,340)
_____ _____ _____
Net cash (used in)
financing activities (2,530) (2,530) (2,340)
_____ _____ _____
F-5
<PAGE>
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS 54 54 117
Cash and cash equivalents at
start of year 1,354 1,300 1,183
_____ _____ _____
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of year 1,408 1,354 1,300
====== ====== ======
F-6
<PAGE>
CALPETRO TANKERS (BAHAMAS III) LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
The company, which was incorporated in the Bahamas on May 13,
1994 is one of four companies: Calpetro Tankers (Bahamas I)
Limited, Calpetro Tankers (Bahamas II) Limited each of which
is incorporated in the Bahamas and Calpetro Tankers (IOM)
Limited which is incorporated in the Isle of Man. Each of
the Companies (the "Owners") has been organized as a special
purpose company for the purpose of acquiring one of the four
recently constructed oil tankers from Chevron Transport
Corporation (the "Initial Charterer') and for which long-term
charter agreements have been signed with the Initial
Charterer. California Petroleum Transport Corporation acting
as agent on behalf of the Owners issued as full recourse
obligations Term Mortgage Notes and Serial Mortgage Notes.
These statements reflect the net proceeds from the sale of
the Term Mortgage Notes together with the net proceeds from
the sale of the Serial Mortgage Notes having been applied by
way of long-term loans to the Owners to fund the acquisition
of the Vessels from the Initial Charterer.
2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States. A summary of the more important accounting policies,
which have been consistently applied, is set out below.
(a) ACCOUNTING CONVENTION
The financial statements are prepared under the
historical cost convention.
(b) FINANCE LEASES
The long-term charter agreement between the Company
and Chevron Transport Corporation subsequently
transfers all the risks and rewards associated with
ownership, other than legal title and contains
bargain purchase options and as such is classified
as a direct financing lease in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13.
Primary rental income from finance leased contracts
after setting aside amounts for amortization of the
investment in finance leases over the primary
period of the lease is apportioned between the
F-7
<PAGE>
finance element which is determined by spreading
interest and charges over the period of repayment
in proportion to the net cash investment and is
allocated to the Statement of Income and the
capital element which reduces the outstanding
obligations for future instalments.
(c) INTEREST PAYABLE RECOGNITION
Interest payable on the Term Loans and on the
Serial Loans is accrued on a daily basis.
(d) DISCOUNT ON LOANS
Discount on issue of the long-term debt which
comprises the Term Loans and Serial Loans are being
amortized over the respective periods to maturity
of the debt as described in Note 4.
(e) INCOME TAXES
The company is not liable to income taxes in the
Bahamas.
(f) CASH EQUIVALENTS
The company considers all highly liquid investments
with a maturity date of three months or less when
purchased to be cash equivalents.
(g) REPORTING CURRENCY
The reporting currency is United States dollars.
The functional currency is United States dollars.
3. INTEREST EXPENSE
Year ended
December 31,
1998 1997 1996
$ 000 $ 000 $ 000
Long-term loans 2,467 2,827 2,999
====== ===== =====
F-8
<PAGE>
4. LONG-TERM LOANS
1998 1997
$ 000 $ 000
Opening balance 32,98 438,514
Less: current portion 2,530 2,530
______ ______
Long-term loans 30,454 32,984
====== ======
The fair value of the long-term loans approximates to
their carrying value.
(a) SERIAL LOANS
The serial loans have the following characteristics:
PRINCIPAL DUE INTEREST RATE MATURITY DATE
ON MATURITY
$ 000
2,530 7.30% April 1, 1999
2,530 7.35% April 1, 2000
2,530 7.44% April 1, 2001
2,530 7.49% April 1, 2002
2,530 7.55% April 1, 2003
2,530 7.57% April 1, 2004
2,530 7.60% April 1, 2005
2,530 7.62% April 1, 2006
_______
20,240
=======
Interest is payable semi-annually.
(b) TERM LOANS
The Term Loans bear interest at a rate of 8.52% per
annum. Interest is payable semi-annually.
Principal is repayable on the Term Loans in
accordance with a twelve year sinking fund
schedule.
The tables below provide the revised scheduled
sinking fund redemption amounts and final principal
payment of the Allocated Principal Amount of the
Term Loans following termination of the related
F-9
<PAGE>
Initial Charter on each of the optional termination
dates.
PAYMENT CHARTER NOT CHARTER CHARTER CHARTER
DATE TERMINATED TERMINATED TERMINATED TERMINATED
2006 2008 2010
$000 $000 $000 $000
April 1, 2007 1,416 570 1,416 1,416
April 1, 2008 1,416 620 1,416 1,416
April 1, 2009 1,416 670 490 1,416
April 1, 2010 1,416 730 530 1,416
April 1, 2011 1,416 790 570 270
April 1, 2012 1,416 850 620 290
April 1, 2013 1,416 930 670 310
April 1, 2014 1,416 1,010 730 340
April 1, 2015 1,416 6,574 6,302 5,870
______ ______ ______ ______
12,744 12,744 12,744 12,744
______ ______ ______ ______
TOTAL LONG-TERM
LOANS 32,984 32,984 32,984 32,984
======= ======= ======= =======
The Term and Serial Loans are collateralized by first preference
mortgage on the Vessel to California Petroleum. The earnings and
insurance relating to the Vessel have been collaterally assigned
pursuant to an Assignment of Earnings and Insurance to California
Petroleum which in turn has assigned such Assignment of Earnings and
Insurance to the Collateral Trustee. The Initial Charter and Chevron
Guarantee relating to the Vessel has been collaterally assigned
pursuant to the Assignment of Initial Charter and Assignment of
Initial Charter Guarantee to California Petroleum, which in turn has
assigned such Assignment to the Collateral Trustee. The Capital
Stock of the company has been pledged to California Petroleum
pursuant to the Stock Pledge Agreement.
F-10
02089006.AA7
