UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

Date of event requiring this shell company report

 

For the transition period from           to

 

Commission file number

333-146972

 

Navios Maritime Partners L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)

 

Republic of Marshall Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

85 Akti Miaouli Street

Piraeus, Greece 185 38

(011) +30-210-4595000

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Todd E. Mason

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

The Crysler Center, 666 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(212) 935-3000

(212) 983-3115

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

 

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

28,316,815 Common Units

7,621,843 Subordinated Units

1,000,000 Subordinated Series A Units

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o  No x

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or (15)(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Yes o  No x

 

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 periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such reporting requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

by the International Accounting Standards Board o

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x

 

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Annual Report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this report.

 

Statements included in this annual report which are not historical facts (including our statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions related thereto) are forward-looking statements. In addition, we and our representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements which are also forward-looking statements. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in our business, and the markets in which we operate as described in this annual report. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

 

Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places and include statements with respect to, among other things:

 

 

 

These and other forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s current plans, expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting us and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those set forth below, as well as those risks discussed in “Item 3. Key Information”.

 

 

The risks, uncertainties and assumptions involve known and unknown risks and are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.

 

We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

 

PART I

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

 

In connection with the initial public offering (“IPO”) of Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (sometimes referred to as “Navios Partners”, the “Partnership”, “we” or “us”), on November 16, 2007 Navios Partners acquired interests in five wholly-owned subsidiaries of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (“Navios Holdings”), each of which owned a Panamax drybulk carrier (the “Initial Vessels”), as well as interests in three wholly-owned subsidiaries of Navios Holdings that operated and had options to purchase three additional vessels.

 

The following tables present, in each case for the periods and as of the dates indicated:

 

 

On August 25, 2005, International Shipping Enterprises, Inc. (“ISE”) acquired Navios Holdings through the purchase of all of the outstanding shares of common stock. As a result of this acquisition, Navios Holdings became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ISE. In addition, on August 25, 2005, simultaneously with the acquisition of Navios Holdings, ISE effected a reincorporation from the State of Delaware to the Republic of the Marshall Islands through a downstream merger with and into its newly acquired wholly-owned subsidiary, whose name was and continued to be Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. In relation to the acquisition of Navios Holdings by ISE and subsequent downstream merger, the results of operations of Navios Holdings to August 25, 2005 are labeled as “Predecessor” and remain historically reported. The results of operations from August 26, 2005 forward are labeled as “Successor” and reflect the combined operations of Navios Holdings and ISE. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements of the Company which derived their information from Navios Holdings also follow the same “Predecessor” and “Successor” presentation for periods which ended August 25, 2005 and began on August 26, 2005, respectively.

 

The selected historical financial and operating data has been prepared on the basis of the historical financial and operating data as of December 31, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and for the periods January 1, 2005 to August 25, 2005 and August 26, 2005 to December 31, 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Navios Partners.

 

The historical consolidated financial statements of the Company prior to the IPO on November 16, 2007 have been carved out of the consolidated financial statements of Navios Holdings and reflect the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. These consolidated financial statements have been presented using historical carrying costs of the five vessel-owning subsidiaries for all periods presented as each vessel-owning company was under common control of Navios Holdings. Results of operations have been included from the respective dates (i) that the vessel-owning subsidiaries were acquired or when rights to operate the vessels were obtained by Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, or (ii) at the inception of charter-in agreements for chartered-in vessels.

Our IPO and certain other transactions that occurred during 2007 have affected our historical performance or will affect our future performance. As a result, the following tables should be read together with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, (a) “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” included herein, and (b) the historical consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm therein, with respect to the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risks Inherent in Our Business

 

We may not have sufficient cash from operations to enable us to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units following the establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses or to maintain or increase distributions.

 

We may not have sufficient cash available each quarter to pay the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.35 per common unit following the establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses. The amount of cash we can distribute on our common units depends principally upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations, which may fluctuate based on numerous factors including, among other things:

 

 

The actual amount of cash we will have available for distribution also will depend on other factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as:

 

 

The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our profit or loss for the period, which will be affected by non-cash items. As a result of this and the other factors mentioned above, we may make cash distributions during periods when we record losses and may not make cash distributions during periods when we record net income.

The cyclical nature of the international drybulk shipping industry may lead to decreases in long-term charter rates and lower vessel values, resulting in decreased distributions to our common unitholders.

 

The shipping business, including the dry cargo market, is cyclical in varying degrees, experiencing severe fluctuations in charter rates, profitability and, consequently, vessel values. For example, during the period from October 30, 2007 to December 31, 2009, the Baltic Exchange’s Panamax time charter average daily rates experienced a low of $3,537 and a high of $94,977. Additionally, during the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, the Baltic Exchange’s Capesize time charter average daily rates experienced a low of $8,997 and a high of $93,197 and the Baltic Dry Index experienced a low of 772 points and a high of 4,661 points. We anticipate that the future demand for our drybulk carriers and drybulk charter rates will be dependent upon demand for imported commodities, economic growth in the emerging markets, including the Asia Pacific region, India, Brazil and Russia and the rest of the world, seasonal and regional changes in demand and changes to the capacity of the world fleet. Recent adverse economic, political, social or other developments have decreased demand and prospects for growth in the shipping industry and thereby could reduce revenue significantly. A decline in demand for commodities transported in drybulk carriers or an increase in supply of drybulk vessels could cause a further decline in charter rates, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. If we sell a vessel at a time when the market value of our vessels has fallen, the sale may be at less than the vessel’s carrying amount, resulting in a loss.

 

The demand for vessels has generally been influenced by, among other factors:

 

 

The supply of vessel capacity has generally been influenced by, among other factors:

 

 

Charter rates in the drybulk shipping industry have decreased from their historically high levels and may decrease further in the future, which may adversely affect our earnings and ability to pay dividends.

 

The industry’s current charter rates have significantly decreased from their historic highs reached in the second quarter of 2008. If the drybulk shipping industry, which has been highly cyclical, is depressed in the future when our charters expire or at a time when we may want to sell a vessel, our earnings and available cash flow may be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully charter our vessels in the future or renew our existing charters at rates sufficient to allow us to operate our business profitably, to meet our obligations, including payment of debt service to our lenders, or to pay dividends to our unitholders. Our ability to renew the charters on our vessels on the expiration or termination of our current charters, or on vessels that we may acquire in the future, the charter rates payable under any replacement charters and vessel values will depend upon, among other things, economic conditions in the sectors in which

our vessels operate at that time, changes in the supply and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the transportation of commodities.

 

All of our time charters are scheduled to expire on dates ranging from December 2010 to November 2018. If, upon expiration or termination of these or other contracts, long-term recharter rates are lower than existing rates, particularly considering that we intend to enter into long-term charters, or if we are unable to obtain replacement charters, our earnings, cash flow and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders could be materially adversely affected.

 

The market values of our vessels, which have declined from historically high levels, may fluctuate significantly, which could cause us to breach covenants in our Credit Facility and result in the foreclosure on our mortgaged vessels.

 

Factors that influence vessel values include:

 

 

If the market values of our owned vessels decrease, we may breach covenants contained in the credit facility we entered into in connection with our IPO, referred to herein as our Credit Facility. We purchased our vessels from Navios Holdings based on market prices that were at historically high levels. If we breach the Credit Facility covenants and are unable to remedy any relevant breach, our lenders could accelerate our debt and foreclose on the collateral, including our vessels. Any loss of vessels would significantly decrease our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations and therefore service our debt. In addition, if the book value of a vessel is impaired due to unfavorable market conditions, or a vessel is sold at a price below its book value, we would incur a loss.

 

We must make substantial capital expenditures to maintain the operating capacity of our fleet, which will reduce our cash available for distribution. In addition, each quarter our board of directors is required to deduct estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures from operating surplus, which may result in less cash available to unitholders than if actual maintenance and replacement capital expenditures were deducted.

 

We must make substantial capital expenditures to maintain, over the long term, the operating capacity of our fleet. These maintenance and replacement capital expenditures include capital expenditures associated with drydocking a vessel, modifying an existing vessel or acquiring a new vessel to the extent these expenditures are incurred to maintain the operating capacity of our fleet.

These expenditures could increase as a result of changes in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our significant maintenance and replacement capital expenditures will reduce the amount of cash we have available for distribution to our unitholders. Any costs associated with scheduled drydocking until November 2011 are included in a daily fee that we pay Navios ShipManagement Inc., a subsidiary of Navios Holdings referred to herein as Navios ShipManagement, under a management agreement. The initial term of the management agreement is until November 2012 and provided for daily fees of $4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,000 per owned Capesize vessel that were fixed until November 2009. In October 2009, we fixed the rate with Navios ShipManagement for an additional period of two years. The new management fees are: (a) $4,500 daily rate per owned Ultra-Handymax vessel, (b) $4,400 daily rate per Panamax vessel and (c) $5,500 daily rate per Capesize vessel until November 16, 2011. From November 2011 to November 2012, we expect that we will reimburse Navios ShipManagement for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet, which may result in significantly higher fees for that period. In the event our management agreement is not renewed, we will separately deduct estimated capital expenditures associated with drydocking from our operating surplus in addition to estimated replacement capital expenditures.

 

Our partnership agreement requires our board of directors to deduct estimated, rather than actual, maintenance and replacement capital expenditures from operating surplus each quarter in an effort to reduce fluctuations in operating surplus. The amount of estimated capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by the conflicts committee of our board of directors at least once a year. If our board of directors underestimates the appropriate level of estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures, we may have less cash available for distribution in future periods when actual capital expenditures begin to exceed previous estimates.

 

If we expand the size of our fleet in the future, we generally will be required to make significant installment payments for acquisitions of vessels even prior to their delivery and generation of revenue. Depending on whether we finance our expenditures through cash from operations or by issuing debt or equity securities, our ability to make cash distributions to unitholders may be diminished or our financial leverage could increase or our unitholders could be diluted.

 

The actual cost of a vessel varies significantly depending on the market price, the size and specifications of the vessel, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards.

 

If we purchase additional vessels in the future, we generally will be required to make installment payments prior to their delivery. If we finance these acquisition costs by issuing debt or equity securities, we will increase the aggregate amount of interest payments or minimum quarterly distributions we must make prior to generating cash from the operation of the vessel. We filed a shelf registration statement on January 29, 2009, under which we may sell any combination of securities (debt or equity) for up to a total of $500.0 million.

 

To fund the remaining portion of these and other capital expenditures, we will be required to use cash from operations or incur borrowings or raise capital through the sale of debt or additional equity securities. Use of cash from operations will reduce cash available for distributions to unitholders. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our

failure to obtain the funds for necessary future capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our ability to make cash distributions. Even if we successfully obtain necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders. In addition, incurring additional debt may significantly increase our interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional equity securities may result in significant unitholder dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required to meet our minimum quarterly distribution to unitholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to make cash distributions to unitholders.

 

Our debt levels may limit our flexibility in obtaining additional financing and in pursuing other business opportunities and our interest rates under our Credit Facility may fluctuate and may impact our operations.

 

Upon the closing of the IPO, we entered into our Credit Facility which, as recently amended, provided us with the ability to borrow up to $206.5 million, of which $195.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2009. We have the ability to incur additional debt, subject to limitations in our Credit Facility. Our level of debt could have important consequences to us, including the following:

 

 

Our ability to service our debt depends upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. Our ability to service debt under our Credit Facility also will depend on market interest rates, since the interest rates applicable to our borrowings will fluctuate with the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, or the prime rate. We do not currently hedge against increases in such rates and, accordingly, significant increases in such rate would require increased debt levels and reduce distributable cash. If our operating results are not sufficient to service our current or future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing distributions, reducing or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our debt, or seeking additional equity capital or bankruptcy protection. We may not be able to affect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms, or at all.

 

Our Credit Facility contains restrictive covenants, which may limit our business and financing activities.

 

The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our Credit Facility and any future credit facility could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage, expand or pursue our business activities. For example, our Credit Facility requires the consent of our lenders or limits our ability to, among other items:

 

 

 

Our Credit Facility also requires us to comply with the International Safety Management Code, or ISM Code, and International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, or ISPS Code, and to maintain valid safety management certificates and documents of compliance at all times.

 

On January 11, 2010, we (a) amended our Credit Facility and (b) borrowed an additional amount of $24.0 million to finance the acquisitions of the Navios Apollon, the Navios Sagittarius and the Navios Hyperion. The amended Credit Facility agreement provides for (a) prepayment of $12.5 million held in a pledged account, that took place on January 11, 2010, (b) a margin from 1.00% to 1.45% depending on the loan to value ratio, (c) an increase in the minimum net worth of the Partnership to $135.0 million, (d) the VMC (Value Maintenance Covenant) to be above 143% using charter free values and (e) the minimum leverage covenant to be calculated using charter free values. The new covenants have been applied since January 15, 2010.

 

In addition, our Credit Facility, as amended on January 11, 2010, requires us to:

 

 

Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions that are contained in our Credit Facility and any other debt instruments we may enter into in the future may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we are in breach of any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our Credit Facility, especially if we trigger a cross default currently contained in certain of our loan agreements, a significant portion of our obligations may become immediately due and payable, and our lenders’ commitment to make further loans to us may terminate. We may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, our obligations under our Credit Facility are secured by certain of our vessels, and if we are unable to repay borrowings under such Credit Facility, lenders could seek to foreclose on those vessels.

 

Restrictions in our debt agreements may prevent us from paying distributions to unitholders.

 

Our payment of principal and interest on the debt will reduce cash available for distribution on our common units. In addition, our Credit Facility prohibits the payment of distributions if we are not in compliance with certain financial covenants or upon the occurrence of an event of default.

 

Events of default under our Credit Facility include, among other things, the following:

 

 

 

We anticipate that any subsequent refinancing of our current debt or any new debt will have similar restrictions.

 

We depend on Navios Holdings and its affiliates to assist us in operating and expanding our business.

 

Pursuant to a management agreement between us and Navios ShipManagement, ShipManagement provides to us significant commercial and technical management services (including the commercial and technical management of our vessels, vessel maintenance and crewing, purchasing and insurance and shipyard supervision). In addition, pursuant to an administrative services agreement between us and Navios ShipManagement, Navios ShipManagement provides to us significant administrative, financial and other support services. Our operational success and ability to execute our growth strategy depends significantly upon Navios ShipManagement’s satisfactory performance of these services. Our business will be harmed if Navios ShipManagement fails to perform these services satisfactorily, if Navios ShipManagement cancels either of these agreements, or if Navios ShipManagement stops providing these services to us. We may also in the future contract with Navios Holdings for it to have newbuildings constructed on our behalf and to incur the construction-related financing. We would purchase the vessels on or after delivery based on an agreed-upon price.

 

Our ability to enter into new charters and expand our customer relationships will depend largely on our ability to leverage our relationship with Navios Holdings and its reputation and relationships in the shipping industry. If Navios Holdings suffers material damage to its reputation or relationships, it may harm our ability to:

 

 

If our ability to do any of the things described above is impaired, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

 

As we expand our business, we may have difficulty managing our growth, which could increase expenses.

 

We intend to seek to grow our fleet, either through purchases, the increase of the number of chartered-in vessels or through the acquisitions of businesses. The addition of vessels to our fleet or the acquisition of new businesses will impose significant additional responsibilities on our management and staff. We will also have to increase our customer base to provide continued employment for the new vessels. Our growth will depend on:

 

 

Growing any business by acquisition presents numerous risks such as undisclosed liabilities and obligations, difficulty in obtaining additional qualified personnel, and managing relationships with customers and suppliers and integrating newly acquired operations into existing infrastructures. We cannot give any assurance that we will be successful in executing our growth plans or that we will not incur significant expenses and losses in connection therewith or that our acquisitions will perform as expected, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our growth depends on continued growth in demand for drybulk commodities and the shipping of drybulk cargoes.

 

Our growth strategy focuses on expansion in the drybulk shipping sector. Accordingly, our growth depends on continued growth in world and regional demand for drybulk commodities and the shipping of drybulk cargoes, which could be negatively affected by a number of factors, such as declines in prices for drybulk commodities, or general political and economic conditions.

 

Reduced demand for drybulk commodities and the shipping of drybulk cargoes would have a material adverse effect on our future growth and could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. In particular, Asian Pacific economies and India have been the main driving force behind the current increase in seaborne drybulk trade and the demand for drybulk carriers. A negative change in economic conditions in any Asian Pacific country, but particularly in China, Japan or India, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as our future prospects, by reducing demand and resultant charter rates.

 

Our growth depends on our ability to expand relationships with existing customers and obtain new customers, for which we will face substantial competition.

 

Long-term time charters have the potential to provide income at pre-determined rates over more extended periods of time. However, the process for obtaining longer term time charters is highly competitive and generally involves a lengthy, intensive and continuous screening and vetting process and the submission of competitive bids that often extends for several months. In addition to the quality, age and suitability of the vessel, longer term shipping contracts tend to be awarded based upon a variety of other factors relating to the vessel operator, including:

 

 

 

It is likely that we will face substantial competition for long-term charter business from a number of experienced companies. Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we do. It is also likely that we will face increased numbers of competitors entering into our transportation sectors,

including in the drybulk sector. Many of these competitors have strong reputations and extensive resources and experience. Increased competition may cause greater price competition, especially for long-term charters.

 

As a result of these factors, we may be unable to expand our relationships with existing customers or obtain new customers for long-term charters on a profitable basis, if at all. However, even if we are successful in employing our vessels under longer term charters, our vessels will not be available for trading in the spot market during an upturn in the drybulk market cycle, when spot trading may be more profitable. If we cannot successfully employ our vessels in profitable time charters our results of operations and operating cash flow could be adversely affected.

 

We may be unable to make or realize expected benefits from acquisitions, and implementing our growth strategy through acquisitions may harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

Our growth strategy focuses on a gradual expansion of our fleet. Any acquisition of a vessel may not be profitable to us at or after the time we acquire it and may not generate cash flow sufficient to justify our investment. In addition, our growth strategy exposes us to risks that may harm our business, financial condition and operating results, including risks that we may:

 

 

If we purchase any newbuilding vessels, delays, cancellations or non-completion of deliveries of newbuilding vessels could harm our operating results.

 

If we purchase any newbuilding vessels, the shipbuilder could fail to deliver the newbuilding vessel as agreed or their counterparty could cancel the purchase contract if the shipbuilder fails to meet its obligations. In addition, under charters we may enter into that are related to a newbuilding, if our delivery of the newbuilding to our customer is delayed, we may be required to pay liquidated damages during the delay. For prolonged delays, the customer may terminate the charter and, in addition to the resulting loss of revenues, we may be responsible for additional, substantial liquidated damages.

 

The completion and delivery of newbuildings could be delayed, cancelled or otherwise not completed because of:

 

 

 

If delivery of a vessel is materially delayed, it could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

 

The loss of a customer or charter or vessel could result in a loss of revenues and cash flow in the event we are unable to replace such customer, charter or vessel.

 

We have eight charter counterparties. Some of our major charter counterparties are Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Cargill International S.A., The Sanko Steamship Co. Ltd., Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha and Augustea Imprese Maritime, which counterparties accounted for approximately 34.3%, 18.8%, 13.0%, 9.6% and 9.3%, respectively, of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009. For the year ended December 31, 2008, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Cargill International S.A., The Sanko Steamship Co. Ltd., Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha and Augustea Imprese Maritime accounted for approximately 28.2%, 22.2%, 15.6%, 11.9% and 9.7%, respectively, of total revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2007, Cargill International S.A., The Sanko Steamship Co. Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Augustea Imprese Maritime accounted for approximately 30.2%, 22.0%, 17.7% and 13.9%, respectively, of total revenues.

 

We could lose a customer or the benefits of a charter if:

 

 

If we lose a charter, we may be unable to re-deploy the related vessel on terms as favorable to us due to the long-term nature of most charters and the cyclical nature of the industry or we may be forced to charter the vessel on the spot market at then market rates which may be less favorable that the charter that has been terminated. If we are unable to re-deploy a vessel for which the charter has been terminated, we will not receive any revenues from that vessel, but we may be required to pay expenses necessary to maintain the vessel in proper operating condition. In addition, if a customer exercises any right to purchase a vessel to the extent we have granted any such rights, we would not receive any further revenue from the vessel and may be unable to obtain a substitute vessel and charter. This may cause us to receive decreased revenue and cash flows from having fewer vessels operating in our fleet. Any replacement newbuilding would not generate revenues during its construction, and we may be unable to charter any replacement vessel on terms as favorable to us as those of the terminated charter. Any compensation under our charters for a purchase of the vessels may not adequately compensate us for the loss of the vessel and related time charter.

 

The permanent loss of a customer, time charter or vessel, or a decline in payments under our charters, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions in the event we are unable to replace such customer, time charter or vessel.

 

To mitigate this risk we have insured our charter-out contracts through a “AA+” rated governmental agency of a European Union member state, which provides that if the charterer goes into payment default, the insurer will reimburse us for the charter payments under the terms of the policy (subject to applicable

deductibles and other customary limitations for such insurance) for the remaining term of the charter-out contract.

 

The risks and costs associated with vessels increase as the vessels age.

 

Following the acquisition of the Navios Hyperion in January 2010, the vessels in our fleet have an average age of approximately seven years and most drybulk vessels have an expected life of approximately 25-28 years. We may acquire older vessels in the future. In some instances, charterers prefer newer vessels that are more fuel efficient than older vessels. Cargo insurance rates also increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers as well. Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of the vessels may require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which these vessels may engage. We cannot assure you that as our vessels age, market conditions will justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives. If we sell vessels, we may have to sell them at a loss, and if charterers no longer charter out vessels due to their age, it could materially adversely affect our earnings.

 

Vessels may suffer damage and we may face unexpected drydocking costs, which could affect our cash flow and financial condition.

 

If our owned vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and can be substantial. We may have to pay drydocking costs that insurance does not cover. The loss of earnings while these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, could decrease our revenues and earnings substantially, particularly if a number of vessels are damaged or drydocked at the same time. Under the terms of our management agreement with Navios ShipManagement, only the costs of routine drydocking repairs are included in the daily management fee of $4,500 per owned Ultra-Handymax vessel, $4,400 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,500 per owned Capesize vessel, which are fixed until November 2011. From November 2011 to November 2012, we expect that we will reimburse Navios ShipManagement for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet.

 

We are subject to various laws, regulations, and conventions, including environmental laws, that could require significant expenditures both to maintain compliance with such laws and to pay for any uninsured environmental liabilities resulting from a spill or other environmental disaster.

 

The shipping business and vessel operation are materially affected by government regulation in the form of international conventions, national, state and local laws, and regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which vessels operate, as well as in the country or countries of their registration. Because such conventions, laws and regulations are often revised, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with such conventions, laws and regulations, or the impact thereof on the fair market price or useful life of our vessels. Changes in governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards, as well as compliance with standards imposed by maritime self-regulatory organizations and customer requirements or competition, may require us to make capital and other expenditures. In order to satisfy any such requirements, we may be required to take any of our vessels out of service for extended periods of time, with corresponding losses of revenues. In the future, market conditions may not justify these expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably, particularly older vessels, during the remainder of their economic lives. This could lead to significant asset write-downs.

 

Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could limit our ability to do business, require capital expenditures or otherwise increase our cost of doing business, which may materially adversely affect our operations, as well as the shipping industry generally. For example, in various jurisdictions legislation has been enacted, or is under consideration that would impose more stringent requirements on air pollution and other ship emissions, including emissions of greenhouse gases and ballast water discharged from vessels. We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses and certificates with respect to our operations.

The operation of vessels is also affected by the requirements set forth in the ISM Code. The ISM Code requires shipowners and bareboat charterers to develop and maintain an extensive safety management system that includes the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe vessel operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. Non-compliance with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels, and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports. For example, the United States Coast Guard and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from trading in ports in the United States and European Union. Currently, each of the vessels in our owned fleet is ISM Code-certified. However, there can be no assurance that such certification will be maintained indefinitely.

 

For all vessels, including those operated under our fleet, at present, international liability for oil pollution is governed by the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or the Bunker Convention. In 2001, the IMO adopted the the Bunker Convention, which imposes strict liability on ship owners for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of “bunker oil.” The Bunker Convention defines “bunker oil” as “any hydrocarbon mineral oil, including lubricating oil, used or intended to be used for the operation or propulsion of the ship, and any residues of such oil.” The Bunker Convention also requires registered owners of ships over a certain size to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims of 1976, as amended, or the 1976 Convention). The Bunker Convention entered into force on November 21, 2008, and in early 2010 it was in effect in 47 states. In other jurisdictions, liability for spills or releases of oil from ships’ bunkers continues to be determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.

 

Environmental legislation in the United States merits particular mention as it is in many respects more onerous than international laws, representing a high-water mark of regulation with which ship owners and operators must comply, and of liability likely to be incurred in the event of non-compliance or an incident causing pollution. U.S. federal legislation, including notably the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or the OPA, establishes an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills, including bunker oil spills from drybulk vessels as well as cargo or bunker oil spills from tankers. The OPA affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade in the United States, its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in United States waters, which includes the United States’ territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Under the OPA, vessel owners, operators and bareboat 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, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or substantial threats of discharges, of oil from their vessels. In addition to potential liability under OPA as the relevant federal legislation, vessel owners may in some instances incur liability on an even more stringent basis under state law in the particular state where the spillage occurred.

 

Outside of the United States, other national laws generally provide for the owner to bear strict liability for pollution, subject to a right to limit liability under applicable national or international regimes for limitation of liability. The most widely applicable international regime limiting maritime pollution liability is the 1976 Convention referred to above. Rights to limit liability under the 1976 Convention are forfeited when a spill is caused by a shipowner’s intentional or reckless conduct. Certain states have ratified the IMO’s 1996 Protocol to the 1976 Convention. The Protocol provides for substantially higher the liability limits to apply in those jurisdictions than the limits set forth in the 1976 Convention, or the 1996 LLMC Protocol. Finally, some jurisdictions are not a party to either the 1976 Convention or the 1996 LLMC Protocol, and, therefore, a shipowner’s rights to limit liability for maritime pollution in such jurisdictions may be uncertain.

 

In some areas of regulation the EU has introduced new laws without attempting to procure a corresponding amendment of international law. Notably it adopted in 2005 a directive on ship-source pollution, imposing criminal sanctions for pollution not only where this is caused by intent or recklessness (which would be an offence under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, or

MARPOL), but also where it is caused by “serious negligence”. The directive could therefore result in criminal liability being incurred in circumstances where it would not be incurred under international law. Experience has shown that in the emotive atmosphere often associated with pollution incidents, retributive attitudes towards ship interests have found expression in negligence being alleged by prosecutors and found by courts on grounds which the international maritime community has found hard to understand. Moreover, there is skepticism that the notion of “serious negligence” is likely to prove any narrower in practice than ordinary negligence. Criminal liability for a pollution incident could not only result in us incurring substantial penalties or fines, but may also, in some jurisdictions, facilitate civil liability claims for greater compensation than would otherwise have been payable.

 

We currently maintain, for each of our owned vessels, insurance coverage against pollution liability risks in the amount of $1.0 billion per incident. The insured risks include penalties and fines as well as civil liabilities and expenses resulting from accidental pollution. However, this insurance coverage is subject to exclusions, deductibles and other terms and conditions. If any liabilities or expenses fall within an exclusion from coverage, or if damages from a catastrophic incident exceed the $1.0 billion limitation of coverage per incident, our cash flow, profitability and financial position could be adversely impacted.

 

The loss of key members of our senior management team could disrupt the management of our business.

 

We believe that our success depends on the continued contributions of the members of our senior management team, including Ms. Angeliki Frangou, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and the senior management team of Navios Partners. The loss of the services of Ms. Frangou or one of our other executive officers or those of Navios Holdings who provide us with significant managerial services could impair our ability to identify and secure new charter contracts, to maintain good customer relations and to otherwise manage our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and our ability to compete.

 

We are subject to vessel security regulations and will incur costs to comply with recently adopted regulations and we may be subject to costs to comply with similar regulations that may be adopted in the future in response to terrorism.

 

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or MTSA, came into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new chapter went into effect in July 2004, and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the newly created ISPS Code. Among the various requirements are:

 

 

Furthermore, additional security measures could be required in the future which could have a significant financial impact on us. The U.S. Coast Guard regulations, intended to be aligned with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board, by July 1, 2004, a valid International Ship Security Certificate, or ISSC, that attests to the vessel’s compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. We will implement the various security measures addressed by the MTSA, SOLAS and the ISPS Code and take measures for the vessels to attain compliance with all applicable security requirements within the prescribed time periods. Although

management does not believe these additional requirements will have a material financial impact on our operations, there can be no assurance that there will not be an interruption in operations to bring vessels into compliance with the applicable requirements and any such interruption could cause a decrease in charter revenues. Furthermore, additional security measures could be required in the future which could have a significant financial impact on us.

 

The operation of ocean-going vessels entails the possibility of marine disasters including damage or destruction of the vessel due to accident, the loss of a vessel due to piracy or terrorism, damage or destruction of cargo and similar events that may cause a loss of revenue from affected vessels and damage our business reputation, which may in turn lead to loss of business.

 

The operation of ocean-going vessels entails certain inherent risks that may materially adversely affect our business and reputation, including:

 

 

Any of these circumstances or events could substantially increase our costs. For example, the costs of replacing a vessel or cleaning up a spill could substantially lower its revenues by taking vessels out of operation permanently or for periods of time. The involvement of our vessels in a disaster or delays in delivery or damages or loss of cargo may harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel operator and cause us to lose business.

 

A failure to pass inspection by classification societies could result in one or more vessels being unemployable unless and until they pass inspection, resulting in a loss of revenues from such vessels for that period and a corresponding decrease in operating cash flows.

 

The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and with SOLAS. Our owned fleet is currently enrolled with Nippon Kaiji Kiokai, Bureau Veritas and Lloyd’s Register.

 

A vessel must undergo an annual survey, an intermediate survey and a special survey. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. Our vessels are on special survey cycles for hull inspection and continuous survey cycles for machinery inspection. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every two to three years for inspection of the underwater parts of such vessel.

 

If any vessel fails any annual survey, intermediate survey or special survey, the vessel may be unable to trade between ports and, therefore, would be unemployable, potentially causing a negative impact on our revenues due to the loss of revenues from such vessel until she is able to trade again.

 

We are subject to inherent operational risks that may not be adequately covered by our insurance.

 

The operation of ocean-going vessels in international trade is inherently risky. Although we carry insurance for our fleet against risks commonly insured against by vessel owners and operators, including hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance and protection and indemnity insurance (which include environmental damage and pollution insurance), all risks may not be adequately insured against, and any particular claim may not be paid. We do not currently maintain off-hire insurance, which would cover the loss of revenue during extended vessel off-hire periods, such as those that occur during an unscheduled drydocking

due to damage to the vessel from accidents. Accordingly, any extended vessel off-hire, due to an accident or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders. Any claims covered by insurance would be subject to deductibles, and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material.

 

We may be unable to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future. For example, more stringent environmental regulations have led in the past to increased costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution. A catastrophic oil spill or marine disaster could exceed our insurance coverage, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks may also make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain. In addition, the insurance that may be available to us may be significantly more expensive than our existing coverage.

 

Even if our insurance coverage is adequate to cover our losses, we may not be able to timely obtain a replacement vessel in the event of a loss. Furthermore, in the future, we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates for our fleet. Our insurance policies also contain deductibles, limitations and exclusions which can result in significant increased overall costs to us.

 

Because we obtain some of our insurance through protection and indemnity associations, we may also be subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts based not only on our own claim records, but also the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations.

 

We may be subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts based not only on our claim records but also the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations through which we receive insurance coverage for tort liability, including pollution-related liability. Our payment of these calls could result in significant expenses to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Because we generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but incur a portion of our expenses in other currencies, exchange rate fluctuations could cause us to suffer exchange rate losses thereby increasing expenses and reducing income.

 

We will engage in worldwide commerce with a variety of entities. Although our operations may expose us to certain levels of foreign currency risk, our transactions are at present predominantly U.S. dollar denominated. Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the date of each transaction. Expenses incurred in foreign currencies against which the U.S. dollar falls in value can increase thereby decreasing our income or vice versa if the U.S. dollar increases in value. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2009, the value of the U.S. dollar decreased by approximately 2.7% as compared to the Euro. A greater percentage of our transactions and expenses in the future may be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

 

Our operations expose us to global political risks, such as wars and political instability that may interfere with the operation of our vessels causing a decrease in revenues from such vessels.

 

We are an international company and primarily conduct our operations outside the United States. Changing economic, political and governmental conditions in the countries where we are engaged in business or where our vessels are registered will affect us. In the past, political conflicts, particularly in the Persian Gulf, resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt shipping in the area. For example, in October 2002, the vessel Limburg, which was not affiliated with us, was attacked by terrorists in Yemen. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea. Following the terrorist attack in New York City on September 11, 2001, and the military response of the United States, the likelihood of future acts of terrorism may increase, and our vessels may face higher risks of being attacked in the Middle East region and interruption of operations causing a decrease in revenues. In addition, future hostilities or other political instability in regions where our vessels trade could affect our trade

patterns and adversely affect our operations by causing delays in shipping on certain routes or making shipping impossible on such routes, thereby causing a decrease in revenues.

 

In addition, a government could requisition title or seize our vessels during a war or national emergency. Requisition of title occurs when a government takes a vessel and becomes the owner. A government could also requisition our vessels for hire, which would result in the government’s taking control of a vessel and effectively becoming the charterer at a dictated charter rate. Requisition of one or more of our vessels would have a substantial negative effect on us as we would potentially lose all revenues and earnings from the requisitioned vessels and permanently lose the vessels. Such losses might be partially offset if the requisitioning government compensated us for the requisition.

 

Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels have increased recently in frequency and magnitude, which could adversely affect our business.

 

The shipping industry has historically been affected by acts of piracy in regions such as the South China Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In 2008 and continuing through 2009, acts of piracy saw a steep rise, particularly off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden. One of the most significant examples of the increase in piracy came in November 2008 when the M/V Sirius Star, a crude oil tanker which was not affiliated with us, was captured by pirates in the Indian Ocean while carrying crude oil estimated to be worth approximately $100 million. In December 2009, the M/V Navios Apollon, one of our vessels, was seized by pirates 800 miles off the coast of Somalia while transporting fertilizer from Tampa, Florida to Rozi, India. If these piracy attacks result in regions (in which our vessels are deployed) being characterized by insurers as “war risk” zones or Joint War Committee (JWC) “war and strikes” listed areas, premiums payable for such insurance coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. Crew costs, including those due to employing onboard security guards, could increase in such circumstances. In addition, while we believe the charterer remains liable for charter payments when a vessel is seized by pirates, the charterer may dispute this and withhold charter hire until the vessel is released. A charterer may also claim that a vessel seized by pirates was not “on-hire” for a certain number of days and it is therefore entitled to cancel the charter party, a claim that we would dispute. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, detention hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase in cost, or unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels have recently increased in frequency, which could adversely affect our business and operations.

 

Disruptions in world financial markets and the resulting governmental action in the United States and in other parts of the world could have a material adverse impact on our ability to obtain financing, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows and could cause the market price of our common units to decline.

 

The United States and other parts of the world are exhibiting deteriorating economic trends and are currently in a recession. For example, the credit markets worldwide and in the United States have experienced significant contraction, de-leveraging and reduced liquidity, and the United States federal and state governments, as well as foreign governments, have implemented and are considering a broad variety of governmental action and/or new regulation of the financial markets. Securities and futures markets and the credit markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and other requirements. The Securities and Exchange Commission, other regulators, self-regulatory organizations and exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies, and may effect changes in law or interpretations of existing laws.

 

Recently, a number of financial institutions have experienced serious financial difficulties and, in some cases, have entered bankruptcy proceedings or are in regulatory enforcement actions. The uncertainty surrounding the future of the credit markets in the United States and the rest of the world has resulted in reduced access to credit worldwide. Due to the fact that we may cover all or a portion of the cost of vessel

acquisition with debt financing, such uncertainty, combined with restrictions imposed by our current debt, may hamper our ability to finance vessel or new business acquisition.

 

We face risks attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in interest rates, and instability in certain securities markets, among other factors. Major market disruptions and the current adverse changes in market conditions and regulatory climate in the United States and worldwide may adversely affect our business or impair our ability to borrow amounts under our Credit Facility or any future financial arrangements. The current market conditions may last longer than we anticipate. These recent and developing economic and governmental factors may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and could cause the price of our common units to decline significantly.

 

Maritime claimants could arrest our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flow.

 

Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo, and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages against such vessel. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lien holder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay large sums of funds to have the arrest lifted. We are not currently aware of the existence of any such maritime lien on our vessels.

 

In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the “sister ship” theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel which is subject to the claimant’s maritime lien and any “associated” vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert “sister ship” liability against one vessel in our fleet for claims relating to another ship in the fleet.

 

Navios Holdings and its affiliates may compete with us.

 

Pursuant to the omnibus agreement that we entered into with Navios Holdings in connection with the closing of the IPO, referred to herein as the Omnibus Agreement, Navios Holdings and its controlled affiliates (other than us, our general partner and our subsidiaries) generally agreed not to acquire or own Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers under time charters of three or more years without the consent of our general partner. The Omnibus Agreement, however, contains significant exceptions that allows Navios Holdings or any of its controlled affiliates to compete with us under specified circumstances which could harm our business. In addition, in connection with the IPO of Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, or Navios Acquisition, on July 1, 2008, because of the overlap between Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and us, with respect to possible acquisitions under the terms of our Omnibus Agreement, we entered into a business opportunity right of first refusal agreement commencing on June 25, 2008 and extending until the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination by Navios Acquisition or its liquidation, which provides the types of business opportunities in the marine transportation and logistics industries, we, Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition must share with the each other.

 

On June 9, 2009, Navios Holdings relieved Navios Partners from its obligation to purchase the Capesize vessel Navios Bonavis for $130.0 million and, upon delivery of the Navios Bonavis to Navios Holdings, Navios Partners was granted a 12-month option to purchase the vessel for $125.0 million. In return, Navios Holdings received 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units and was released from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions for two years in connection with acquiring vessels from third parties (but not from the requirement to offer to sell to Navios Partners qualifying vessels in Navios Holdings’ existing fleet). Pursuant to our release from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions, in June 2009, we waived our rights of first refusal with Navios Acquisition with respect to an acquisition opportunity until the earlier of (a) the consummation of a business combination by Navios Acquisition, (b) the liquidation of Navios Acquisition and (c) June 2011.

 

Unitholders have limited voting rights and our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning more than 4.9% of our common units.

 

Holders of our common units have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business. We hold a meeting of the limited partners every year to elect one or more members of our board of directors and to vote

on any other matters that are properly brought before the meeting. Common unitholders may only elect four of the seven members of our board of directors. The elected directors are elected on a staggered basis and serve for three year terms. Our general partner in its sole discretion has the right to appoint the remaining three directors and to set the terms for which those directors will serve. The partnership agreement also contains provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders’ ability to influence the manner or direction of management. Unitholders will have no right to elect our general partner and our general partner may not be removed except by a vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of the outstanding units, including any units owned by our general partner and its affiliates, voting together as a single class.

 

Our partnership agreement further restricts unitholders’ voting rights by providing that if any person or group owns beneficially more than 4.9% of any class of units then outstanding, any such units owned by that person or group in excess of 4.9% may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, except for purposes of nominating a person for election to our board, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes, unless required by law. The voting rights of any such unitholders in excess of 4.9% will effectively be redistributed pro rata among the other common unitholders holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of all classes of units entitled to vote. Our general partner, its affiliates and persons who acquired common units with the prior approval of our board of directors will not be subject to this 4.9% limitation except with respect to voting their common units in the election of the elected directors.

 

Our general partner and its affiliates, including Navios Holdings, own a significant interest in us and have conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary and contractual duties, which may permit them to favor their own interests to the detriment of unitholders.

 

Navios Holdings indirectly owns the 2.0% general partner interest and a 31.2% limited partner interest in us, and owns and controls our general partner. All of our officers and three of our directors are directors and/or officers of Navios Holdings and its affiliates, and our Chief Executive Officer is also the Chief Executive Officer of Navios Acquisition and Navios Holdings. As such these individuals have fiduciary duties to Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition that may cause them to pursue business strategies that disproportionately benefit Navios Holdings or Navios Acquisition or which otherwise are not in our best interests or those of our unitholders. Conflicts of interest may arise between Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and their respective affiliates including our general partner, on the one hand, and us and our unitholders on the other hand. As a result of these conflicts, our general partner and its affiliates may favor their own interests over the interests of our unitholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:

 

 

 

Although a majority of our directors will be elected by common unitholders, our general partner will likely have substantial influence on decisions made by our board of directors.

 

Our officers face conflicts in the allocation of their time to our business.

 

Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition conduct businesses and activities of their own in which we have no economic interest. If these separate activities are significantly greater than our activities, there will be material competition for the time and effort of our officers, who also provide services to Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and its affiliates. Our officers are not required to work full-time on our affairs and are required to devote time to the affairs of Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and their respective affiliates. Each of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer is also an executive officer of Navios Holdings, and our Chief Executive Officer is the Chief Executive Officer of Navios Acquisition and Navios Holdings.

 

Our partnership agreement limits our general partner’s and our directors’ fiduciary duties to our unitholders and restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our general partner or our directors.

 

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the standards to which our general partner and directors would otherwise be held by Marshall Islands law. For example, our partnership agreement:

 

 

 

In order to become a limited partner of our partnership, a common unitholder is required to agree to be bound by the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above.

 

Fees and cost reimbursements, which Navios ShipManagement determines for services provided to us, are significant, are payable regardless of profitability and reduce our cash available for distribution.

 

Under the terms of our management agreement with Navios ShipManagement, we pay a daily fee of $4,500 per owned Ultra-Handymax vessel, $4,400 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,500 per owned Capesize vessel for technical and commercial management services provided to us by Navios ShipManagement for a period of two years ending November 16, 2011. The initial term of the management agreement is until November 2012. This fee was originally fixed until November 2009 at $4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,000 per owned Capesize vessel.

 

The daily fee paid to Navios ShipManagement includes all costs incurred in providing certain commercial and technical management services to us. While this fee is fixed until November 2011, we expect that we will reimburse Navios ShipManagement for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet until November 2012, which may result in significantly higher fees that period. All of the fees we are required to pay to Navios ShipManagement under the management agreement are payable without regard to our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, Navios ShipManagement provides us with administrative services, including the services of our officers and directors, pursuant to an administrative services agreement which has an initial term until November 2012, and we reimburse Navios ShipManagement for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with the provision of those services. The fees and reimbursement of expenses to Navios ShipManagement are payable regardless of our profitability and could materially adversely affect our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders.

 

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a person or group from attempting to remove our current management or our general partner, and even if public unitholders are dissatisfied, they will be unable to remove our general partner without Navios Holdings’ consent, unless Navios Holdings’ ownership share in us is decreased.

 

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a person or group from attempting to remove our current management or our general partner.

 

 

 

The control of our general partner may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent.

 

Our general partner may transfer its general partner interest to a third party in a merger or in a sale of all or substantially all of its assets without the consent of the unitholders. In addition, our partnership agreement does not restrict the ability of the members of our general partner from transferring their respective membership interests in our general partner to a third party.

 

In establishing cash reserves, our board of directors may reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to unitholders.

 

Our partnership agreement requires our general partner to deduct from operating surplus cash reserves that it determines are necessary to fund our future operating expenditures. These reserves also will affect the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders. Our board of directors may establish reserves for distributions on the subordinated units, but only if those reserves will not prevent us from distributing the full minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages, on the common units for the following four quarters. Our partnership agreement requires our board of directors each quarter to deduct from operating surplus estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures, as opposed to actual expenditures, which could reduce the

amount of available cash for distribution. The amount of estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by our board of directors at least once a year, provided that any change must be approved by the conflicts committee of our board of directors.

 

Our general partner has a limited call right that may require unitholders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price.

 

If at any time our general partner and its affiliates, including Navios Holdings, own more than 80% of the common units, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, but not the obligation, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the common units held by unaffiliated persons at a price not less than their then-current market price. As a result, unitholders may be required to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price and may not receive any return on their investment. Unitholders may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of their units.

 

At the end of the subordination period, assuming no additional issuances of common units and conversion of our subordinated units into common units, Navios Holdings will own 10,753,258 common units and 1,000,000 subordinated series A units, representing a 31.2% limited partner interest in us based on all limited and general partner units.

 

Unitholders may not have limited liability if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes control of our business.

 

As a limited partner in a partnership organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands, unitholders could be held liable for our obligations to the same extent as a general partner if they participate in the “control” of our business. Our general partner generally has unlimited liability for the obligations of the partnership, such as its debts and environmental liabilities, except for those contractual obligations of the partnership that are expressly made without recourse to our general partner.

 

We can borrow money to pay distributions, which would reduce the amount of credit available to operate our business.

 

Our partnership agreement will allow us to make working capital borrowings to pay distributions. Accordingly, we can make distributions on all our units even though cash generated by our operations may not be sufficient to pay such distributions. Any working capital borrowings by us to make distributions will reduce the amount of working capital borrowings we can make for operating our business.

 

Increases in interest rates may cause the market price of our common units to decline.

 

An increase in interest rates may cause a corresponding decline in demand for equity investments in general, and in particular for yield-based equity investments such as our common units. Any such increase in interest rates or reduction in demand for our common units resulting from other relatively more attractive investment opportunities may cause the trading price of our common units to decline. In addition, our interest expense will increase, since initially our debt will bear interest at a floating rate, subject to any interest rate swaps we may enter into the future.

 

Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions.

 

Under some circumstances, unitholders may have to repay amounts wrongfully returned or distributed to them. Under the Marshall Islands Act, we may not make a distribution to unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. Marshall Islands law provides that for a period of three years from the date of the impermissible distribution, limited partners who received the distribution and who knew at the time of the distribution that it violated Marshall Islands law will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount. Assignees who become substituted limited partners are liable for the obligations of the assignor to make contributions to the partnership that are known to the assignee at the time it became a limited partner and for unknown obligations if the liabilities could be determined from the

partnership agreement. Liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interest and liabilities that are non-recourse to the partnership are not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted.

 

Tax Risks

 

In addition to the following risk factors, you should read “Item 4. Information on the Partnership” and “Item 10. Additional Information” for a more complete discussion of the expected material U.S. federal and non-U.S. income tax considerations relating to us and the ownership and disposition of common units.

 

U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. unitholders.

 

A non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company,” or a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes if at least 75.0% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income,” or at least 50.0% of the average value of the entity’s assets produce or are held for the production of those types of “passive income.” For purposes of these tests, “passive income” generally includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property, and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.” U.S. unitholders of a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC, and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC.

 

Based on our current and projected method of operation, and on opinion of counsel, we believe that we will not be a PFIC for our 2010 taxable year, and we expect that we will not become a PFIC with respect to any other taxable year. Our U.S. counsel, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., is of the opinion that (1) the income we receive from time chartering activities and the assets we own that are engaged in generating such income should not be treated as passive income or assets, respectively, and (2) so long as our income from time charters exceeds 25.0% of our gross income from all sources for each taxable year after our initial taxable year and the fair market value of our vessels contracted under time charters exceeds 50.0% of the average fair market value of all of our assets for each taxable year after our initial taxable year, we should not be a PFIC for any taxable year. This opinion is based on representations and projections provided by us to our counsel regarding our assets, income and charters, and its validity is conditioned on the accuracy of such representations and projections. We expect that all of the vessels in our fleet will be engaged in time chartering activities and intend to treat our income from those activities as non-passive income, and the vessels engaged in those activities as non-passive assets, for PFIC purposes. However, no assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will accept this position.

 

The preferential tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income are temporary, and the enactment of previously proposed legislation could affect whether dividends paid by us constitute qualified dividend income eligible for the preferential rate.

 

Certain of our distributions may be treated as qualified dividend income eligible for preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax to U.S. individual unitholders (and certain other U.S. unitholders). In the absence of legislation extending the term for these preferential tax rates, all dividends received by such U.S. taxpayers in tax years beginning on January 1, 2011, or later, will be taxed at graduated tax rates applicable to ordinary income.

 

In addition, legislation proposed in the U.S. Congress would, if enacted, deny the preferential rate of U.S. federal income tax currently imposed on qualified dividend income with respect to dividends received from a non-U.S. corporation, if the non-U.S. corporation is created or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction that does not have a comprehensive income tax system. Because the Marshall Islands imposes only limited taxes on entities organized under its laws, it is likely that, if this legislation were enacted, the

preferential tax rates would no longer be applicable to distributions received from us. As of the date hereof, it is not possible to predict with any certainty whether this proposed legislation will be enacted.

 

We may have to pay tax on U.S.-source income, which would reduce our earnings.

 

Under the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code, 50.0% of the gross shipping income of a vessel owning or chartering corporation that is attributable to transportation that either begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States is characterized as U.S.-source shipping income. U.S.-source shipping income generally is subject to a 4.0% U.S. federal income tax without allowance for deduction or, if such U.S.-source shipping income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, U.S. federal corporate income tax (the highest statutory rate presently is 35.0%) as well as a branch profits tax (presently imposed at a 30.0% rate on effectively connected earnings), unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code.

 

Based on an opinion of counsel, and certain assumptions and representations, we believe that we will qualify for this statutory tax exemption, and we will take this position for U.S. federal income tax return reporting purposes. However, there are factual circumstances, including some that may be beyond our control, that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption. Furthermore, our board of directors could determine that it is in our best interests to take an action that would result in this tax exemption not applying to us in the future. In addition, our conclusion that we qualify for this exemption, as well as the conclusions in this regard of our counsel, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., is based upon legal authorities that do not expressly contemplate an organizational structure such as ours; specifically, although we have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we are organized as a limited partnership under Marshall Islands law. Therefore, we can give no assurances that the IRS will not take a different position regarding our qualification for this tax exemption.

 

If we were not entitled to the Section 883 exemption for any taxable year, we generally would be subject to a 4.0% U.S. federal gross income tax with respect to our U.S.-source shipping income or, if such U.S. source shipping income were effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, U.S. federal corporate income tax as well as a branch profits tax for those years. Our failure to qualify for the Section 883 exemption could have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our unitholders.

 

You may be subject to income tax in one or more non-U.S. countries, including Greece, as a result of owning our common units if, under the laws of any such country, we are considered to be carrying on business there. Such laws may require you to file a tax return with and pay taxes to those countries.

 

We intend that our affairs and the business of each of our controlled affiliates will be conducted and operated in a manner that minimizes income taxes imposed upon us and these controlled affiliates or which may be imposed upon you as a result of owning our common units. However, because we are organized as a partnership, there is a risk in some jurisdictions that our activities and the activities of our subsidiaries may be attributed to our unitholders for tax purposes and, thus, that you will be subject to tax in one or more non-U.S. countries, including Greece, as a result of owning our common units if, under the laws of any such country, we are considered to be carrying on business there. If you are subject to tax in any such country, you may be required to file a tax return with and to pay tax in that country based on your allocable share of our income. We may be required to reduce distributions to you on account of any withholding obligations imposed upon us by that country in respect of such allocation to you. The United States may not allow a tax credit for any foreign income taxes that you directly or indirectly incur.

 

We believe we can conduct our activities in such a manner that our unitholders should not be considered to be carrying on business in Greece solely as a consequence of the acquisition, holding, disposition or redemption of our common units. However, the question of whether either we or any of our controlled affiliates will be treated as carrying on business in any particular country, including Greece, will be largely a question of fact to be determined based upon an analysis of contractual arrangements, including the management agreement and the administrative services agreement we will enter into with Navios

ShipManagement, and the way we conduct business or operations, all of which may change over time. Furthermore, the laws of Greece or any other country may change in a manner that causes that country’s taxing authorities to determine that we are carrying on business in such country and are subject to its taxation laws. Any foreign taxes imposed on us or any subsidiaries will reduce our cash available for distribution.

 

 

 

Navios Maritime Partners L.P. was formed on August 7, 2007 under the laws of Marshall Islands by Navios Holdings. Navios GP L.L.C. (the “General Partner”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings, was also formed on that date to act as the general partner of Navios Partners and received a 2% general partner interest.

 

In connection with our IPO, on November 16, 2007 we acquired interests in five wholly-owned subsidiaries of Navios Holdings, each of which owned a Panamax drybulk carrier, as well as interests in three wholly-owned subsidiaries of Navios Holdings that operated and had options to purchase three additional vessels in exchange for (a) all of the net estimated proceeds of $193.3 million from the sale of an aggregate of 10,500,000 common units in the IPO and the concurrent offering to a corporation owned by Navios Partners’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, plus (b) $160.0 million, (c) 7,621,843 subordinated units issued to Navios Holdings and (d) the issuance to the General Partner of the 2% general partner interest and all incentive distribution rights in Navios Partners. Upon the closing of the IPO, Navios Holdings owned a 43.2% interest in Navios Partners, including the 2% general partner interest.

 

On July 1, 2008, 3,131,415 common units were issued to Navios Holdings for the acquisition of the Navios Hope, and 63,906 additional general partnership units were issued to the General Partner to maintain its 2% general partner interest in us.

 

In connection with the IPO, Navios Partners entered into the following agreements:

 

 

On June 9, 2009, Navios Holdings relieved Navios Partners from its obligation to purchase the Navios Bonavis for $130,000,000 and, upon delivery of the Navios Bonavis to Navios Holdings, Navios Partners was granted a 12-month option to purchase the vessel for $125,000,000. In return, Navios Holdings received 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units, which were recognized as non-cash compensation expense in Navios Partners’ statement of income. The newly issued units are not eligible to receive distributions until the third anniversary of their issuance, at which point they will automatically convert into common units and receive distributions in accordance with all other common units. In addition, Navios Holdings will be released from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions for two years in connection with acquiring vessels from third parties (but

not from the requirement to offer to sell to Navios Partners qualifying vessels in Navios Holdings’ existing fleet). Pursuant to Navios Holding’s release from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions, in June 2009, Navios Partners waived its rights of first refusal with Navios Acquisition with respect to an acquisition opportunity until the earlier of (a) the consummation of a business combination by Navios Acquisition, (b) the liquidation of Navios Acquisition and (c) June 2011.

 

In October 2009, Navios Partners fixed the rate for ship management services of its owned fleet for an additional period of two years under the existing agreement with Navios Shipmanagement. The new management fees are: (a) $4,500 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel, (b) $4,400 daily rate per Panamax vessel and (c) $5,500 daily rate per Capesize vessel for the two-year period ending November 16, 2011.

 

Navios Partners is a limited Partnership formed under the Marshall Islands Partnership Act and domiciled in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Navios Partners is engaged in the seaborne transportation services of a wide range of drybulk commodities including iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizer, chartering its vessels under medium to long term charters. The operations of Navios Partners are managed by the Manager from its executive offices at 85 Akti Miaouli Street, Piraeus 185 38, Greece. Our telephone number at such address is (+30) 210 4595000. Our agent for service is Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc., located at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Island, P.O. Box 1405, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.

 

Equity Offerings

 

On May 8, 2009, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 3,500,000 common units at $10.32 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $36.1 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including discount and excluding offering costs of $0.5 million, were approximately $34.3 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 71,429 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.7 million.

 

On September 23, 2009, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 2,800,000 common units at $12.21 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $34.2 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including discount and excluding offering costs of $0.3 million, were approximately $32.5 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 57,143 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.7 million.

 

On October 15, 2009, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the overallotment option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering of 2,800,000 common units and purchased 360,400 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. Navios Partners raised gross proceeds of $4.4 million and net proceeds of approximately $4.2 million. Navios Partners issued 7,355 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.1 million.

 

On November 24, 2009, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 4,000,000 common units at $14.90 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $59.6 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including discount and excluding offering costs of $0.2 million, were approximately $56.8 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 81,633 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.2 million.

 

On February 8, 2010, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 3,500,000 common units at $15.51 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $54.3 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including discount and excluding estimated offering costs of $0.3 million, were approximately $51.8 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 71,429 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.1 million. On the same date, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the overallotment option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering of 3,500,000 common units and purchased 525,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. Navios Partners raised gross proceeds of $8.1 million and net proceeds of approximately $7.8 million. Navios Partners issued 10,714

additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.2 million.

 

As of February 23, 2010, there were outstanding: 28,316,815 common units, 7,621,843 subordinated units, 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units and 753,851 general partnership units. Navios Holdings owns a 33.2% interest in Navios Partners, including the 2% general partner interest.

 

Vessel Acquisitions

 

On June 10, 2009, Navios Partners acquired the rights to the Navios Sagittarius, a 2006 Japanese-built Panamax vessel with a capacity of 75,756 dead weight tonnage, or dwt, for a cash payment of $34.6 million including a long-term charter-out agreement through November 2018. On December 16, 2009, Navios Partners exercised its option to purchase the vessel, at a purchase price of $25.0 million and paid $2.5 million deposit. On January 12, 2010, Navios Partners took ownership of the Navios Sagittarius.

 

On October 29, 2009, Navios Partners purchased from Navios Holdings, the vessel Navios Apollon, a 52,073 dwt Ultra-Handymax vessel built in 2000, for a purchase price of $32.0 million, including a long-term charter-out agreement through November 2012.

 

On January 8, 2010, Navios Partners acquired from Navios Holdings the vessel Navios Hyperion, a 75,707 dwt Panamax vessel built in 2004, for a purchase price of $63.0 million, including a long-term charter-out agreement through April 2014.

 

 

Introduction

 

We are an international owner and operator of drybulk carriers formed by Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NM), a vertically integrated seaborne shipping company with over 55 years of operating history in the drybulk shipping industry. Our vessels are chartered out under medium to long-term time charters with an average remaining term of approximately 3.9 years to a strong group of counterparties, consisting of Cargill International SA, COSCO Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Rio Tinto Shipping Pty Ltd., Augustea Imprese Maritime, The Sanko Steamship Co., Ltd., Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha and Constellation Energy Group.

 

Our Fleet

 

Our fleet consists of ten modern, active Panamax vessels, one modern Capesize vessel and one Ultra-Handymax vessel. Our fleet of high quality dry cargo vessels has an average age of approximately seven years, which is significantly younger than the current industry average of about 16 years. Panamax vessels are highly flexible vessels capable of carrying a wide range of drybulk commodities, including iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizer and of being accommodated in most major discharge ports, while Capesize vessels are primarily dedicated to the carriage of iron ore and coal. Ultra-Handymax vessels are similar to Panamax vessels although with less carrying capacity and generally have self loading and discharging gear on board to accommodate undeveloped ports. We may from time to time purchase additional vessels, including vessels from Navios Holdings.

 

All of our current vessels operate under long-term time charters of three or more years at inception with counterparties that we believe are creditworthy. Under certain circumstances we may operate vessels in the spot market until the vessels are fixed under appropriate long-term charters.

The following table provides summary information about our fleet:

 

 

Long-term Chartered-in

 

 

 

 

Navios Bonavis

 

On June 9, 2009, Navios Holdings relieved Navios Partners from its obligation to purchase the Capesize vessel Navios Bonavis for $130,000,000 and, upon delivery of the Navios Bonavis to Navios Holdings, Navios Partners was granted a 12-month option to purchase the vessel for $125,000,000. In return, Navios Holdings received 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units, which were recognized as non-cash compensation expense in Navios Partners’ statement of income. The newly issued units are not eligible to receive distributions until the third anniversary of their issuance, at which point they will automatically convert into common units and receive distributions in accordance with all other common units. In addition, Navios Holdings was released from the Omnibus Agreement and has restrictions for two years in connection with acquiring vessels from third parties (but not from the requirement to offer to sell to Navios Partners qualifying vessels in Navios Holdings’ existing fleet). Pursuant to Navios Holdings’ release from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions, in June 2009, Navios Partners waived its rights of first refusal with Navios Acquisition with respect to an

acquisition opportunity until the earlier of (a) the consummation of a business combination by Navios Acquisition, (b) the liquidation of Navios Acquisition and (c) June 2011.

 

Business Opportunities

 

We believe that the following factors create opportunities for us to successfully execute our business plan and grow our business:

 

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe that our future prospects for success are enhanced by the following aspects of our business:

 

 

 

Business Strategies

 

Our primary business objective is to increase quarterly distributions per unit over time by executing the following strategies:

 

 

Our Customers

 

We provide or will provide seaborne shipping services under long-term time charters with customers that we believe are creditworthy. Currently, our customers are:

 

 

Although we believe that if any one of our charters were terminated, we could recharter the related vessel at the prevailing market rate relatively quickly, the permanent loss of a significant customer or a substantial decline in the amount of services requested by a significant customer could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations if we were unable to recharter our vessel on a favorable basis due to then-current market conditions, or otherwise.

 

Competition

 

The drybulk shipping industry is extensive, diversified, competitive and highly fragmented, divided among approximately 1,400 independent drybulk carrier owners. The world’s active drybulk fleet consists of about 7,300 vessels, aggregating over 459 million dwt. As a general principle, the smaller the cargo carrying capacity of a drybulk carrier, the more fragmented is its market, both with regard to charterers and vessel owner/operators. Even among the larger drybulk owners and operators, whose vessels are mainly in the larger sizes, only five companies are known to have fleets of 100 vessels or more: the two largest Chinese shipping companies, China Ocean (Cosco) and China Shipping Group, and the three largest Japanese shipping companies, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Kawasaki Kisen. There are about 40 owners known to have fleets of between 20 and 100 vessels. However, vessel ownership is not the only determinant of fleet control. Many owners of bulk carriers charter their vessels out for extended periods, not just to end users (owners of cargo), but also to other owner/operators and to tonnage pools. Such operators may, at any given time, control a fleet many times the size of their owned tonnage. Navios Holdings is one such operator; others include CCM (Ceres Hellenic/Coeclerici), Bocimar, Zodiac Maritime, Louis Dreyfus/Cetragpa, Cobelfret and Torvald Klaveness.

It is likely that we will face substantial competition for long-term charter business from a number of experienced companies. Many of these competitors will have significantly greater financial resources than we do. It is also likely that we will face increased numbers of competitors entering into our transportation sectors, including in the drybulk sector. Many of these competitors have strong reputations and extensive resources and experience. Increased competition may cause greater price competition, especially for long-term charters.

 

The process for obtaining longer term time charters generally involves a lengthy and intensive screening and vetting process and the submission of competitive bids. In addition to the quality and suitability of the vessel, longer term shipping contracts tend to be awarded based upon a variety of other factors relating to the vessel operator, including:

 

 

As a result of these factors, we may be unable to expand our relationships with existing customers or obtain new customers for long-term time charters on a profitable basis, if at all. However, even if we are successful in employing our vessels under longer term time charters, our vessels will not be available for trading in the spot market during an upturn in the market cycle, when spot trading may be more profitable. If we cannot successfully employ our vessels in profitable time charters our results of operations and operating cash flow could be materially adversely affected.

 

Time Charters

 

A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate. Under a time charter, the vessel owner provides crewing and other services related to the vessel’s operation, the cost of which is included in the daily rate and the customer is responsible for substantially all of the vessel voyage costs. All of the vessels in our fleet are hired out under time charters, and we intend to continue to hire out our vessels under time charters. The following discussion describes the material terms common to all of our time charters.

 

Basic Hire Rate

 

“Basic hire rate” refers to the basic payment from the customer for the use of the vessel. The hire rate is generally payable semi-monthly, in advance, in U.S. dollars as specified in the charter.

 

Expenses

 

Under the terms of our management agreement with Navios ShipManagement, for the initial term until November 2009, we paid a daily fee of $4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,000 per owned Capesize vessel for commercial and technical management services. In October 2009, we fixed the rate with Navios ShipManagement for an additional period of two years. The new management fees are: (a) $4,500 daily rate

per Ultra-Handymax vessel, (b) $4,400 daily rate per Panamax vessel and (c) $5,500 daily rate per Capesize vessel for the two-year period ending November 16, 2011. This fixed fee covers vessel operating expenses, which include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance and the cost of the special survey and related scheduled drydocking. Navios ShipManagement is directly responsible for providing all of these items and services. The charterer generally pays the voyage expenses, which include all expenses relating to particular voyages, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions. The initial term of the management agreement is until November 16, 2012, and for the remaining term we expect that we will reimburse Navios ShipManagement for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet.

 

Off-hire

 

When the vessel is “off-hire,” the charterer generally is not required to pay the basic hire rate, and we are responsible for all costs. Prolonged off-hire may lead to vessel substitution or termination of the time charter. A vessel generally will be deemed off-hire if there is a loss of time due to, among other things:

 

 

Under some of our charters, the charterer is permitted to terminate the time charter if the vessel is off-hire for an extended period, which is generally defined as a period of 90 or more consecutive off-hire days.

 

Ship Management and Maintenance

 

We are responsible for the technical management of the vessels we own and for maintaining the vessels we own, periodic drydocking, cleaning and painting and performing work required by regulations. Navios ShipManagement will provide all services related to the vessels we own pursuant to a management agreement.

 

Termination

 

We are generally entitled to suspend performance under the time charters covering our vessels if the customer defaults in its payment obligations. Under some of our time charters, either party may terminate the charter in the event of war in specified countries or in locations that would significantly disrupt the free trade of the vessel. Under some of our time charters covering our vessels require us to return to the charterer, upon the loss of the vessel, all advances paid by the charterer but not earned by us.

 

Classification, Inspection and Maintenance

 

Every sea going vessel must be “classed” by a classification society. The classification society certifies that the vessel is “in class,” signifying that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the rules of the classification society and complies with applicable rules and regulations of the vessel’s country of registry and the international conventions of which that country is a member. In addition, where surveys are required by international conventions and corresponding laws and ordinances of a flag state, the classification society will undertake them on application or by official order, acting on behalf of the authorities concerned.

 

The classification society also undertakes, on request, other surveys and checks that are required by regulations and requirements of the flag state. These surveys are subject to agreements made in each individual case or to the regulations of the country concerned. For maintenance of the class, regular and extraordinary surveys of hull, machinery (including the electrical plant) and any special equipment classed are required to be performed as follows:

 

 

 

Management of Ship Operations, Administration and Safety

 

Navios Holdings provides, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Navios ShipManagement, expertise in various functions critical to our operations. Pursuant to a management agreement and an administrative services agreement with Navios ShipManagement, we have access to human resources, financial and other administrative functions, including:

 

 

Technical management services are also provided, including:

 

 

For more information on the management agreement we have with Navios ShipManagement and the administrative services agreement we have with Navios ShipManagement, please read “Item 7. — Unitholders and Related Party Transactions”.

 

Crewing and Staff

 

Navios ShipManagement crews its vessels primarily with Greek, Filipino, Ukrainian, Polish and Georgian officers and Filipino, Georgian and Ukrainian seamen. Navios ShipManagement is responsible for selecting its Greek officers. For other nationalities, officers and seamen are referred to Navios ShipManagement by local crewing agencies. Navios ShipManagement is also responsible for travel and payroll of the crew. The crewing agencies handle each seaman’s training. Navios ShipManagement requires that all of its seamen have the qualifications and licenses required to comply with international regulations and shipping conventions.

 

Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance

 

General

 

The operation of any cargo vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, physical damage, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage, business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries,

hostilities, and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. OPA, which imposes virtually unlimited liability upon owners, operators and demise charterers of any vessel trading in the United States exclusive economic zone for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has made liability insurance more expensive for ship owners and operators trading in the U.S. market. While we believe that our present insurance coverage is adequate, not all risks can be insured, and there can be no guarantee that any specific claim will be paid, or that we will always be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates.

 

Hull and Machinery and War Risk Insurances

 

We have marine hull and machinery and war risk insurance, which include coverage of the risk of actual or constructive total loss, for all of our owned vessels. Each of the owned vessels is covered up to at least fair market value, with a deductible of $0.1 million per Panamax, $0.2 million per Capesize and $0.08 million per Ultra-Handymax vessel for the hull and machinery insurance. There are no deductibles for the war risk insurance. We have also arranged increased value insurance for most of the owned vessels. Under the increased value insurance, in case of total loss of the vessel, we will be able to recover the sum insured under the increased value policy in addition to the sum insured under the hull and machinery policy. Increased value insurance also covers excess liabilities that are not recoverable in full by the hull and machinery policies by reason of under-insurance.

 

Protection and Indemnity Insurance

 

Protection and indemnity insurance is provided by mutual protection and indemnity associations, or P&I Associations, which covers third-party liabilities in connection with its shipping activities. This includes third-party liability and other related expenses for injury or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, loss of or damage to cargo, claims arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third-party property, pollution arising from oil or other substances, towing and other related costs, including wreck removal. Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual indemnity insurance, extended by protection and indemnity mutual associations, or “clubs.” Subject to the “capping” discussed below, for pollution, our coverage is $4.25 billion per incident. Our current protection and indemnity insurance coverage for each owned vessel for pollution is $1.0 billion per vessel per incident. The 13 P&I Associations that comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the world’s commercial tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to reinsure each association’s liabilities. As a member of a P&I Association, which is a member of the International Group, we are subject to calls payable to the associations based on our claim records as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual associations, and members of the pool of P&I Associations comprising the International Group.

 

Uninsured Risks

 

Not all risks are insured and not all risks are insurable. The principal insurable risks which nonetheless remain uninsured across our fleet are “loss of hire” and “strikes.” Navios Holdings does not insure these risks because the costs are regarded as disproportionate. These insurances provide, subject to a deductible, a limited indemnity for hire that would not be receivable by the shipowner for reasons set forth in the policy. For example, loss of hire risk may be covered on a 14/90/90 basis, with a 14-day deductible, 90-day cover per incident and a 90-day overall limit per vessel per year. Should a vessel on time charter, where the vessel is paid a fixed hire day by day, suffer a serious mechanical breakdown, the daily hire will no longer be payable by the charterer. The purpose of the loss of hire insurance is to secure the loss of hire during such periods. In the case of strikes insurance, if a vessel is being paid a fixed sum to perform a voyage and the ship becomes strike bound at a loading or discharging port, the insurance covers the loss of earnings during such periods.

 

Credit Risk Insurance

 

Receivables under our charter-out contracts have been insured through a “AA+” rated governmental agency of a European Union member state, which provides that if the charterer goes into payment default, the

insurer will reimburse us for the charter payments under the terms of the policy (subject to applicable deductibles and other customary limitations for such insurance) for the remaining term of the charter-out contract.

 

Regulation

 

Sources of applicable rules and standards

 

Shipping is one of the world’s most heavily regulated industries, and, in addition, it is subject to many industry standards. Government regulation significantly affects the ownership and operation of vessels. These regulations consist mainly of rules and standards established by international conventions, but they also include national, state, and local laws and regulations in force in jurisdictions where vessels may operate or are registered, and which are commonly more stringent than international rules and standards. This is the case particularly in the United States and, increasingly, in Europe.

 

A variety of governmental and private entities subject vessels to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include local port authorities (the U.S. Coast Guard, harbor masters or equivalent entities), classification societies, flag state administration (country vessel of registry), and charterers, particularly terminal operators. Certain of these entities require vessel owners to obtain permits, licenses, and certificates for the operation of their vessels. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require a vessel owner to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend operation of one or more of its vessels.

 

Heightened levels of environmental and quality concerns among insurance underwriters, regulators, and charterers continue to lead to greater inspection and safety requirements on all vessels and may accelerate the scrapping of older vessels throughout the industry. Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to stricter environmental standards. Vessel owners are required to maintain operating standards for all vessels that will emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of officers and crews and compliance with U.S. and international regulations.

 

The International Maritime Organization, or IMO, has negotiated a number of international conventions concerned with preventing, reducing or controlling pollution from ships. These fall into two main categories, consisting firstly of those concerned generally with ship safety standards, and secondly of those specifically concerned with measures to prevent pollution.

 

Ship safety regulation

 

In the former category the primary international instrument is the Safety of Life at Sea Convention of 1974, as amended, or SOLAS, together with the regulations and codes of practice that form part of its regime. Much of SOLAS is not directly concerned with preventing pollution, but some of its safety provisions are intended to prevent pollution as well as promote safety of life and preservation of property. These regulations have been and continue to be regularly amended as new and higher safety standards are introduced with which we are required to comply.

 

An amendment of SOLAS introduced the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which has been effective since July 1998. Under the ISM Code the party with operational control of a vessel is required to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel’s management with code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by the respective flag state for the vessel, under the ISM Code. Noncompliance with the ISM Code and other IMO regulations may subject a ship owner to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels, and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. For example, the United States Coast Guard and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from trading in ports in the United States and European Union.

Another amendment of SOLAS, made after the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, introduced special measures to enhance maritime security, including the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code (ISPS Code).

 

Our owned fleet maintains ISM and ISPS certifications for safety and security of operations. In addition, Navios ShipManagement voluntarily implements and maintains certifications pursuant to the International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, for its office and ships covering both quality of services and environmental protection (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, respectively).

 

Regulations to prevent pollution from ships

 

In the secondary main category of international regulation the primary instrument is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, or MARPOL, which imposes environmental standards on the shipping industry set out in Annexes I-VI of MARPOL. These contain regulations for the prevention of pollution by oil (Annex I), by noxious liquid substances in bulk (Annex II), by harmful substances in packaged forms within the scope of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (Annex III), by sewage (Annex IV), by garbage (Annex V), and by air emissions (Annex VI).

 

These regulations have been and continue to be regularly amended as new and higher standards of pollution prevention are introduced with which we are required to comply.

 

For example, MARPOL Annex VI, together with the NOx Technical Code established thereunder, sets limits on sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons. It also includes a global cap on the sulphur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulphur emissions. Originally adopted in September 1997, Annex VI came into force in May 2005 and was amended in October 2008 (as was the NOx Technical Code) to provide for progressively more stringent limits on such emissions from 2010 onwards. We anticipate incurring costs in complying with these more stringent standards.

 

Greenhouse gas emissions

 

In February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force. Pursuant to the Kyoto Protocol, adopting countries are required to implement national programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, generally referred to as greenhouse gases, which are suspected of contributing to global warming. Currently, the greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping do not come under the Kyoto Protocol. The European Union confirmed in April 2007 that it plans to expand the European Union emissions trading scheme by adding vessels. In the United States, the California Attorney General and a coalition of environmental groups petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, in October 2007 to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from ocean-going ships under the Clean Air Act. Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, European Union, or individual countries where we operate that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases from vessels could require us to make significant financial expenditures we cannot predict with certainty at this time.

 

Other international regulations to prevent pollution

 

In addition to MARPOL, other more specialized international instruments have been adopted to prevent different types of pollution or environmental harm from ships. In February 2004, the IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention. The BWM Convention’s implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements (beginning in 2009), to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits. The BWM Convention will not enter into force until 12 months after it has been adopted by 30 states, the combined merchant fleets of which represent not less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping. To date, there has not been sufficient adoption of this standard by governments that are members of the convention for it to take force. Moreover, the IMO has supported deferring the requirements of this convention that would first come into effect until December 31, 2011, even if it were to be adopted earlier.

European regulations

 

European regulations in the maritime sector are in general based on international law. However, since the Erika incident in 1999, the European Community has become increasingly active in the field of regulation of maritime safety and protection of the environment. It has been the driving force behind a number of amendments of MARPOL (including, for example, changes to accelerate the time-table for the phase-out of single hull tankers, and to prohibit the carriage in such tankers of heavy grades of oil), and if dissatisfied either with the extent of such amendments or with the time-table for their introduction it has been prepared to legislate on a unilateral basis. In some instances where it has done so, international regulations have subsequently been amended to the same level of stringency as that introduced in Europe, but the risk is well established that EU regulations may from time to time impose burdens and costs on ship owners and operators which are additional to those involved in complying with international rules and standards.

 

In some areas of regulation the EU has introduced new laws without attempting to procure a corresponding amendment of international law. Notably, it adopted in 2005 a directive on ship-source pollution, imposing criminal sanctions for pollution not only where this is caused by intent or recklessness (which would be an offence under MARPOL), but also where it is caused by “serious negligence”. The directive could therefore result in criminal liability being incurred in circumstances where it would not be incurred under international law. Experience has shown that in the emotive atmosphere often associated with pollution incidents, retributive attitudes towards ship interests have found expression in negligence being alleged by prosecutors and found by courts on grounds which the international maritime community has found hard to understand. Moreover, there is skepticism that the notion of “serious negligence” is likely to prove any narrower in practice than ordinary negligence. Criminal liability for a pollution incident could not only result in us incurring substantial penalties or fines but may also, in some jurisdictions, facilitate civil liability claims for greater compensation than would otherwise have been payable.

 

United States environmental regulations and laws governing civil liability for pollution

 

Environmental legislation in the United States merits particular mention as it is in many respects more onerous than international laws, representing a high-water mark of regulation with which ship owners and operators must comply, and of liability likely to be incurred in the event of non-compliance or an incident causing pollution.

 

U.S. federal legislation, including notably the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, establishes an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills, including bunker oil spills from drybulk vessels as well as cargo or bunker oil spills from tankers. OPA affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade in the United States, its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in United States waters, which includes the United States’ territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Under OPA, vessel owners, operators and bareboat 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, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or substantial threats of discharges, of oil from their vessels. In addition to potential liability under OPA as the relevant federal legislation, vessel owners may in some instances incur liability on an even more stringent basis under state law in the particular state where the spillage occurred.

 

Title VII of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004, or the CGMTA, amended OPA to require the owner or operator of any non-tank vessel of 400 gross tons or more, that carries oil of any kind as a fuel for main propulsion, including bunkers, to prepare and submit a response plan for each vessel on or before August 8, 2005. Prior to this amendment, these provisions of OPA applied only to vessels that carry oil in bulk as cargo. The vessel response plans must include detailed information on actions to be taken by vessel personnel to prevent or mitigate any discharge or substantial threat of such a discharge of ore from the vessel due to operational activities or casualties. OPA had historically limited liability of responsible parties to the greater of $600 per gross ton or $0.5 million per containership that is over 300 gross tons (subject to possible adjustment for inflation). Amendments to OPA which came into effect on July 11, 2006 increased the liability

limits for responsible parties for any vessel other than a tank vessel to $950 per gross ton or $0.8 million, whichever is greater.

 

These limits of liability do not apply if an incident was directly caused by violation of applicable United States federal safety, construction or operating regulations or by a 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.

 

In addition, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances (other than oil) whether on land or at sea, contains a similar liability regime and provides for cleanup, removal and natural resource damages. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $0.5 million for vessels not carrying hazardous substances as cargo or residue, unless the incident is caused by gross negligence, willful misconduct, or a violation of certain regulations, in which case liability is unlimited.

 

We currently maintain, for each of our owned vessels, insurance coverage against pollution liability risks in the amount of $1.0 billion per incident. The insured risks include penalties and fines as well as civil liabilities and expenses resulting from accidental pollution. However, this insurance coverage is subject to exclusions, deductibles and other terms and conditions. If any liabilities or expenses fall within an exclusion from coverage, or if damages from a catastrophic incident exceed the $1.0 billion limitation of coverage per incident, our cash flow, profitability and financial position could be adversely impacted.

 

OPA requires owners and operators of all vessels over 300 gross tons, even those that do not carry petroleum or hazardous substances as cargo, to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet their potential liabilities under OPA. The U.S. Coast Guard has implemented regulations requiring evidence of financial responsibility in the amount of $900 per gross ton, which includes the OPA limitation on liability of $600 per gross ton and the CERCLA liability limit of $300 per gross ton for vessels not carrying hazardous substances as cargo or residue. Under the regulations, vessel owners and operators may evidence their financial responsibility by showing proof of insurance, surety bond, self-insurance or guaranty. On February 6, 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard proposed amendments to the financial responsibility regulations to increase the required amount of such Certificates of Financial Responsibility to $1,250 per gross ton to reflect the 2006 increases in limits on OPA liability. The increased amounts will become effective 90 days after the proposed regulations are finalized. We believe our insurance coverage as described above meets the requirements of OPA.

 

Under OPA, an owner or operator of a fleet of vessels is required only to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility in an amount sufficient to cover the vessel in the fleet having the greatest maximum liability under OPA. Under the self-insurance provisions, the ship owner or operator must have a net worth and working capital, measured in assets located in the United States against liabilities located anywhere in the world, that exceeds the applicable amount of financial responsibility. We have complied with the U.S. Coast Guard regulations by providing a certificate of responsibility from third party entities that are acceptable to the U.S. Coast Guard evidencing sufficient self-insurance.

 

The U.S. Coast Guard’s regulations concerning certificates of financial responsibility provide, in accordance with OPA, that claimants may bring suit directly against an insurer or guarantor that furnishes certificates of financial responsibility. In the event that such insurer or guarantor is sued directly, it is prohibited from asserting any contractual 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. Certain organizations, which had typically provided certificates of financial responsibility under pre-OPA laws, including the major protection and indemnity organizations, have declined to furnish evidence of insurance for vessel owners and operators if they are subject to direct actions or required to waive insurance policy defenses. This requirement may have the effect of limiting the availability of the type of coverage required by the Coast Guard and could increase our costs of obtaining this insurance as well as the costs of our competitors that also require such coverage.

OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, and some 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 vessels owners’ responsibilities under these laws. We intend to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.

 

The United States Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in U.S. navigable waters and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for unauthorized discharges. The Clean Water Act also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under CERCLA. Pursuant to regulations promulgated by the EPA in the early 1970s, the discharge of sewage and effluent from properly functioning marine engines was exempted from the permit requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES. This exemption allowed vessels in U.S. ports to discharge certain substances, including ballast water, without obtaining a permit to do so. However, on March 30, 2005, a U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted summary judgment to certain environmental groups and U.S. states that had challenged the EPA regulations, arguing that the EPA exceeded its authority in promulgating them. On September 18, 2006, the U.S. District Court issued an order invalidating the exemption in EPA’s regulations for all discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel as of September 30, 2008, and directing the EPA to develop a system for regulating all discharges from vessels by that date.

 

Although the EPA appealed this decision on November 16, 2006 and the court heard oral arguments in August 2007, the EPA also provided notice on June 21, 2007 of its intention to promulgate rules regarding the regulation of ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels and solicited public comments. If the exemption is repealed or the EPA promulgates a final rule placing NPDES permitting requirements on ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels, we could be required to: install equipment on our vessels to treat ballast water before it is discharged; implement other port facility disposal arrangements or procedures at potentially substantial cost; and/or otherwise restrict our vessel traffic in U.S. waters. The installation, operation and upkeep of these systems would increase the costs of operating in the United States and other jurisdictions where similar requirements might be adopted. In the absence of federal standards, states have enacted legislation or regulations to address invasive species through ballast water and hull cleaning management and permitting requirements.

 

The Federal Clean Air Act (CAA), requires the EPA to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds and other air contaminants. Our vessels are subject to CAA vapor control and recovery standards for cleaning fuel tanks and conducting other operations in regulated port areas and emissions standards for so-called “Category 3 “marine diesel engines operating in U.S. waters. The marine diesel engine emission standards are currently limited to new engines beginning with the 2004 model year. In November 2007, the EPA announced its intention to proceed with development of more stringent standards for emissions of particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides and other related provisions for new Category 3 marine diesel engines. If these proposals are adopted and apply not only to engines manufactured after the effective date but also to existing marine diesel engines, we may incur costs to install control equipment on our vessels to comply with the new standards.

 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

 

As noted above, in the United States, the California Attorney General and a coalition of environmental groups petitioned the EPA in October 2007 to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from ocean going ships under the Clean Air Act. Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, European Union, or individual countries where we operate, including the U.S. that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases from vessels could require us to make significant financial expenditures the amount of which we cannot predict with certainty at this time.

Security Regulations

 

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the Marine Transportation Security Act of 2002, or MTSA, came into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the United States Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to SOLAS created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new chapter went into effect on July 1, 2004, and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the newly created ISPS Code. Among the various requirements are:

 

 

The U.S. Coast Guard regulations, intended to be aligned with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board, by July 1, 2004, a valid International Ship Security Certificate that attests to the vessel’s compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. The vessels in our initial fleet have on board valid International Ship Security Certificates and, therefore, are exempt from obtaining U.S. Coast Guard approved MTSA security plans.

 

International laws governing civil liability to pay compensation or damages

 

In 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or the Bunker Convention, which imposes strict liability on ship owners for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of “bunker oil.” The Bunker Convention defines “bunker oil” as “any hydrocarbon mineral oil, including lubricating oil, used or intended to be used for the operation or propulsion of the ship, and any residues of such oil.” The Bunker Convention also requires registered owners of ships over a certain size to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims of 1976, as amended, or the 1976 Convention). The Bunker Convention entered into force on November 21, 2008, and in early 2009 it was in effect in 22 states. In other jurisdictions liability for spills or releases of oil from ships’ bunkers continues to be determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.

 

Outside the United States, national laws generally provide for the owner to bear strict liability for pollution, subject to a right to limit liability under applicable national or international regimes for limitation of liability. The most widely applicable international regime limiting maritime pollution liability is the 1976 Convention. Rights to limit liability under the 1976 Convention are forfeited where a spill is caused by a shipowners’ intentional or reckless conduct. Some states have ratified the 1996 LLMC Protocol to the 1976 Convention, which provides for liability limits substantially higher than those set forth in the 1976 Convention to apply in such states. Finally, some jurisdictions are not a party to either the 1976 Convention or the 1996 LLMC Protocol, and, therefore, shipowners’ rights to limit liability for maritime pollution in such jurisdictions may be uncertain.

 

Taxation of the Partnership

 

United States Taxation

 

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us This discussion is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code, final and temporary

regulations thereunder (“Treasury Regulations”), and administrative rulings and court decisions, all as in effect currently and during our year ended December 31, 2009 and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. The following discussion is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us.

 

Election to be Treated as a Corporation.  We have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, we are subject to U.S. federal income tax on our income to the extent it is from U.S. sources or otherwise is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the Unites States as discussed below.

 

Taxation of Operating Income.  Substantially all of our gross income is attributable to the transportation of drybulk and related products. For this purpose, gross income attributable to transportation (“Transportation Income”) includes income derived from, or in connection with, the use (or hiring or leasing for use) of a vessel to transport cargo, or the performance of services directly related to the use of any vessel to transport cargo, and thus includes both time charter and bareboat charter income.

 

Transportation Income that is attributable to transportation that either begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end in the United States (“U.S. Source International Transportation Income”) is considered to be 50.0% derived from sources within the United States. Transportation Income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States (“U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income”) is considered to be 100.0% derived from sources within the United States. Transportation Income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. destinations is considered to be 100.0% derived from sources outside the United States. Transportation Income derived from sources outside the United States generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

We believe that we did not earn any U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and expect that we will not earn any such income for future years. However, certain of our activities gave rise to U.S. Source International Transportation Income, and future expansion of our operations could result in an increase in the amount of U.S. Source International Transportation Income, which generally would be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, unless the exemption from U.S. federal income taxation under Section 883 of the Code (the “Section 883 Exemption”) applied.

 

The Section 883 Exemption.  In general, the Section 883 Exemption provides that if a non-U.S. corporation satisfies the requirements of Section 883 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (the “Section 883 Regulations”), it will not be subject to the net basis and branch profit taxes or the 4.0% gross basis tax described below on its U.S. Source International Transportation Income. The Section 883 Exemption applies only to U.S. Source International Transportation Income and does not apply to U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income. We qualify for the Section 883 Exemption if, among other matters, we meet the following three requirements:

 

 

We are organized under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The U.S. Treasury Department has recognized the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a jurisdiction that grants an Equivalent Exemption with respect to the type of income we have earned and are expected to earn. Consequently, our U.S. Source International Transportation Income (including for this purpose, any such income earned by our subsidiaries, all of which have elected to be disregarded as entities separate from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation provided we meet the Publicly Traded Test or the Qualified Shareholder Stock Ownership Test and we satisfy certain substantiation, reporting and other requirements.

In order to meet the “Publicly Traded Test”, the equity interests in the non-U.S. corporation at issue must be “primarily traded” and “regularly traded” on an established securities market either in the United States or in a jurisdiction outside the United States that grants an Equivalent Exemption. The Section 883 Regulations generally provide, in pertinent part, that a class of equity interests in a non-U.S. corporation will be considered to be “primarily traded” on an established securities market in a given country if the number of units of such class that are traded during any taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of units in such class that are traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country. Equity interests in a non-U.S. corporation will be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market under the Section 883 Regulations provided one or more classes of such equity interests representing more than 50.0% of the aggregate vote and value of all of the outstanding equity interests in the non-U.S. corporation satisfy certain listing and trading volume requirements. These listing and trading volume requirements are satisfied with respect to a class of equity interests listed on an established securities market provided trades in such class are effected, other than in de minimis quantities, on such market on at least 60 days during the taxable year and the aggregate number of units in such class that are traded on such market or markets during the taxable year are at least 10% of the average number of units outstanding in that class during the taxable year (with special rules for short taxable years). In addition, a class of equity interests traded on an established securities market in the United States will be considered to satisfy the listing and trading volume requirements if the equity interests in such class are “regularly quoted by dealers making a market” in such class (within the meaning of the Section 883 Regulations). Notwithstanding these rules, a class of equity that would otherwise be treated as “regularly traded” on an established securities market will not be so treated if, for more than half of the number of days during the taxable year, one or more “5.0% unitholders” (i.e., unitholders owning, actually or constructively, at least 5.0% of the vote and value of that class) own in the aggregate 50.0% or more of the vote and value of that class (the “Closely Held Block Exception”), unless the corporation can establish that a sufficient proportion of such 5.0% unitholders are Qualified Shareholders (as defined below) so as to preclude other persons who are 5.0% unitholders from owning 50.0% or more of the value of that class for more than half the days during the taxable year.

 

Because our common units are and have been traded solely on the New York Stock Exchange, which is considered to be an established securities market, our common units are and have been “primarily traded” on an established securities market for purposes of the Publicly Traded Test.

 

Further, although the matter is not free from doubt, based upon our expected cash flow and distributions on our outstanding equity interests, we believe that our common units represented more than 50.0% of the total value of all of our outstanding equity interests, and we believe that we satisfied the trading volume requirements described previously for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. We believe that we did not lose eligibility for the Section 883 Exemption as a result of the Closely Held Block Exception for such year, and consequently, we believe we satisfied the Publicly Traded Test for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

 

While there can be no assurance that we will continue to satisfy the requirements for the Publicly Traded Test in the future, and our board of directors could determine that it is in our best interests to take an action that would result in our not being able to satisfy the Publicly Traded Test, we presently expect to continue to satisfy the requirements for the Publicly Traded Test and the Section 883 Exemption for future years. Please see below for a discussion of the consequences in the event we do not satisfy the Publicly Traded Test or otherwise fail to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption.

 

Even if we were not able to satisfy the Publicly Traded Test for a given taxable year, we may be able to satisfy a “Qualified Shareholder Stock Ownership Test” for a year in the event Navios Holdings owned more than 50.0% of the value of our outstanding equity interests for more than half of the days in such year, Navios Holdings itself met the Publicly Traded Test for such year and Navios Holdings provided us with certain information that we need in order to claim the benefits of the Qualified Shareholder Stock Ownership Test. In connection with our IPO, Navios Holdings has represented that it then met the Publicly Traded Test and agreed to provide the information described above. However, there can be no assurance that Navios Holdings will meet the Publicly Traded Test or be able to provide the information we need to claim the benefits of the Section 883 Exemption under the Qualified Shareholder Ownership Test. Further, the relative values of our

equity interests are uncertain and subject to change, and as a result Navios Holdings may not own more than 50.0% of the value of our outstanding equity interests for any year. Consequently, there can be no assurance that we would meet the Qualified Shareholder Stock Ownership Test based upon the ownership by Navios Holdings of an indirect ownership interest in us.

 

The Net Basis Tax and Branch Profits Tax.  If we earn U.S. Source International Transportation Income and the Section 883 Exemption does not apply, the U.S. source portion of such income may be treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (“Effectively Connected Income”) if we have a fixed place of business in the United States and substantially all of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or, in the case of bareboat charter income, is attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States.

 

We believe that, for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, none of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income was attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or received pursuant to bareboat charters. As a result, we believe that none of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income for such year would be treated as Effectively Connected Income even in the event we did not qualify for the Section 883 Exemption. However, there is no assurance that we will not earn income pursuant to regularly scheduled transportation or bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States in the future, which would result in such income being treated as Effectively Connected Income. In addition, any U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income generally will be treated as Effectively Connected Income. Any income we earn that is treated as Effectively Connected Income would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax (the highest statutory rate is currently 35.0%) as well as 30.0% branch profits tax imposed under Section 884 of the Code. In addition, a 30.0% branch interest tax could be imposed on certain interest paid or deemed paid by us.

 

On the sale of a vessel that has produced Effectively Connected Income, we could be subject to the net basis corporate income tax as well as branch profits tax with respect to the gain recognized up to the amount of certain prior deductions for depreciation that reduced Effectively Connected Income. Otherwise, we would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain realized on the sale of a vessel, provided the gain is not attributable to an office or other fixed place of business maintained by us in the United States under U.S. federal income tax principles.

 

The 4.0% Gross Basis Tax.  If the Section 883 Exemption does not apply and the net basis tax does not apply, we would be subject to a 4.0% U.S. federal income tax on the U.S. source portion of our gross U.S. Source International Transportation Income, without benefit of deductions.

 

Marshall Islands Taxation

 

Based on the opinion of Reeder and Simpson, P.C., our counsel as to matters of the law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, because we, our operating subsidiary and our controlled affiliates do not, and do not expect to, conduct business or operations in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, neither we nor our controlled affiliates will be subject to income, capital gains, profits or other taxation under current Marshall Islands law. As a result, distributions by our operating subsidiary and our controlled affiliates to us will not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation.

 

 

Please read exhibit 8.1 to this Annual Report for a list of our significant subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009.

 

 

Other than our vessels, we do not have any material property, plants or equipment.

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

Overview

 

We are an international owner and operator of drybulk carriers, formed in August 2007 by Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., a vertically integrated seaborne shipping company with over 55 years of operating history in the drybulk shipping industry. We completed our IPO on November 16, 2007. In connection with the IPO, through a series of transactions, we acquired all of the capital stock of the subsidiaries of Navios Holdings that owned or had rights to eight vessels as follows:

 

 

On November 15, 2007, Navios Partners entered into a Credit Facility agreement with Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG maturing on November 15, 2017. This Credit Facility provided Navios Partners with financing availability of up to $260.0 million, of which $165.0 million was drawn on November 16, 2007. On June 25, 2008, the available borrowings under the Credit Facility were increased by $35.0 million to finance the acquisition of the Navios Hope on July 1, 2008, and on May 2, 2008, Navios Partners borrowed $35.0 million to finance the acquisition of the vessel Navios Fantastiks.

 

The availability of the $60.0 million provided by the Credit Facility, to partially finance the purchase of the capital stock of the Navios Holdings subsidiary that would own the Navios Bonavis upon its delivery to Navios Holdings in June 2009, was cancelled.

 

On July 1, 2008, we issued 3,131,415 common units to Navios Holdings for the acquisition of the Navios Hope, and 63,906 general partnership units to the General Partner in exchange for the contribution received from the General Partner to maintain its 2% general partner interest in us.

 

In January 2009, Navios Partners amended the terms of its Credit Facility. The Credit Facility amendment was effective until January 15, 2010 and provides for (a) repayment of $40.0 million, which took place in February 2009, (b) maintenance of a cash reserve balance into a pledged account with the agent bank as follows: $2.5 million on January 31, 2009; $5.0 million on March 31, 2009; $7.5 million on June 30, 2009, $10.0 million on September 30, 2009; and $12.5 million on December 31, 2009, and (c) a margin of 2.25%. Further, the covenants were amended by (a) reducing the minimum net worth covenant to $100.0 million, (b) reducing the VMC (Value Maintenance Covenant) to be at 100% using charter free values, (c) adjusting the minimum leverage covenant to be calculated using charter inclusive adjusted values until December 31, 2009 and (d) introducing a new VMC that is based on charter-attached valuations set at 143%. As of December 31, 2009, Navios Partners was in compliance with the financial covenants as required under its January 2009 amended Credit Facility.

 

In January 2009, Navios Partners and its counterparty to the Navios Hope charter party mutually agreed for a lump sum amount of approximately $30.4 million ($29.5 million net of expenses) paid to Navios Partners in February 2009. Under a new charter agreement, the balance of the aggregate value of the original contract has been allocated to the period until its original expiration in 2013.

On January 11, 2010, Navios Partners further amended its Credit Facility and borrowed an additional amount of $24.0 million to finance the acquisitions of the Navios Apollon, the Navios Sagittarius and the Navios Hyperion. The amended facility agreement provides for (a) prepayment of $12.5 million that took place on January 11, 2010, (b) margin from 1.00% to 1.45% depending on the loan to value ratio, (c) increase of the minimum net worth to $135.0 million, (d) VMC (Value Maintenance Covenant) to be above 143% using charter free values and (e) the minimum leverage covenant to be calculated using charter free values. The new covenants will be applied after January 15, 2010.

 

Equity Offerings

 

During fiscal 2009, Navios Partners completed three equity offering and issued a total amount of 10,660,400 common units and raised gross proceeds of total $134.3 million (excluding the general partner contribution) to fund its fleet expansion.

 

On February 8, 2010, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 3,500,000 common units at $15.51 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $54.3 million to fund its fleet expansion. On the same date, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the overallotment option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering of 3,500,000 common units and purchased 525,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. Navios Partners raised gross proceeds of $8.1 million.

 

As of February 23, 2010, there were outstanding: 28,316,815 common units, 7,621,843 subordinated units, 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units and 753,851 general partnership units. Navios Holdings owns a 33.2% interest in Navios Partners, including the 2% general partner interest.

 

Please see “Item 4. — Information on the Partnership”.

 

Fleet Development

 

On June 10, 2009, Navios Partners acquired from Navios Holdings the rights to the Navios Sagittarius, a 2006 Japanese-built Panamax vessel with a capacity of 75,756 dwt, for a cash payment of $34.6 million including a long-term charter-out agreement through November 2018. On December 16, 2009, Navios Partners exercised its option to purchase the vessel, at a purchase price of $25.0 million and paid $2.5 million in advance. Navios Partners took ownership of the vessel on January 12, 2010.

 

On October 29, 2009, Navios Partners purchased from Navios Holdings, the vessel Navios Apollon, a 52,073 dwt Ultra-Handymax vessel built in 2000, for a purchase price of $32.0 million.

 

On January 8, 2010, Navios Partners acquired from Navios Holdings the vessel Navios Hyperion for a purchase price of $63.0 million.

 

The acquisitions were partly financed with the proceeds from the public offerings and borrowings under the Credit Facility.

Accordingly, the historical results discussed below, and the historical financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report, present operating results of the fleet for the periods beginning from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

 

Our Charters

 

We generate revenues by charging our customers for the use of our vessels to transport their drybulk commodities. All of the vessels in our fleet are chartered-out under time charters, which range in length from two to nine years. We may in the future operate vessels in the spot market until the vessels have been chartered under appropriate long-term charters.

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, we had eight charter counterparties, the most significant of which were Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Cargill International S.A., The Sanko Steamship Co. Ltd., Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha and Augustea Imprese Maritime, and accounted for approximately 34.3%, 18.8%, 13.0%, 9.6% and 9.3%, respectively, of our total revenues. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Cargill International S.A., The Sanko Steamship Co.Ltd., Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha and Augustea Imprese Maritime, accounted for approximately 28.2%, 22.2%, 15.6%, 11.9% and 9.7%, respectively, of total revenues. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, Cargill International S.A., The Sanko Steamship Co.Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Augustea Imprese Maritime accounted for approximately 30.2%, 22.0%, 17.7% and 13.9% respectively, of total revenues. We believe that the combination of the long-term nature of our charters (which provide for the receipt of a fixed fee for the life of the charter) and our management agreement with Navios ShipManagement (which provides for a fixed management fee until November 16, 2012) will provide us with a strong base of stable cash flows.

 

Our revenues are driven by the number of vessels in the fleet, the number of days during which the vessels operate and our charter hire rates, which, in turn, are affected by a number of factors, including:

 

 

 

Time charters are available for varying periods, ranging from a single trip (spot charter) to long-term which may be many years. In general, a long-term time charter assures the vessel owner of a consistent stream of revenue. Operating the vessel in the spot market affords the owner greater spot market opportunity, which may result in high rates when vessels are in high demand or low rates when vessel availability exceeds demand. We intend to operate our vessels in the long-term charter market. Vessel charter rates are affected by world economics, international events, weather conditions, strikes, governmental policies, supply and demand and many other factors that might be beyond our control.

 

We could lose a customer or the benefits of a charter if:

 

 

If we lose a charter, we may be unable to re-deploy the related vessel on terms as favorable to us due to the long-term nature of most charters and the cyclical nature of the industry or we may be forced to charter the vessel on the spot market at then market rates which may be less favorable that the charter that has been terminated. However, we believe that if any one of our current charters were terminated, we could recharter the vessel in an expeditious manner at a favorable rate, based on current conditions in the drybulk carrier market. The loss of any of our customers, time charters or vessels, or a decline in payments under our charters, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions in the event we are unable to replace such customer, time charter or vessel.

 

Under some of our time charters, either party may terminate the charter contract in the event of war in specified countries or in locations that would significantly disrupt the free trade of the vessel. Some of the time charters covering our vessels require us to return to the charterer, upon the loss of the vessel, all advances paid by the charterer but not earned by us.

 

Receivables under our charter out contracts have been insured through a “AA+” rated governmental agency of a European Union member state, which provides that if the charterer goes into payment default, the insurer will reimburse us for the charter payments under the terms of the policy (subject to applicable deductibles and other customary limitations for such insurance) for the remaining term of the charter-out contract.

 

Vessel Operations

 

Under our charters, our vessel manager is generally responsible for commercial, technical, health and safety and other management services related to the vessels’ operation, and the charterer is responsible for bunkering and substantially all of the vessel voyage costs, including canal tolls and port charges.

 

Under the management agreement we entered into with Navios ShipManagement, Navios ShipManagement bears all of our vessel operating expenses in exchange for the payment of fees as described below. Under this agreement, Navios ShipManagement is responsible for commercial, technical, health and

safety and other management services related to the vessels’ operation, including chartering, technical support and maintenance, insurance and costs associated with special surveys and related drydockings. The initial term of the management agreement is five years until November 2012, and we currently pay Navios ShipManagement a daily fee of $4,500 per owned Ultra-Handymax vessel, $4,400 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,500 per owned Capesize vessel, which is fixed for a two-year period ending November 16, 2011. This fixed daily fee covers all of our vessel operating expenses, other than certain extraordinary costs. Extraordinary costs and expenses include fees and costs resulting from:

 

 

Payment of any extraordinary fees or expenses to Navios ShipManagement could significantly increase our vessel operating expenses and impact our results of operations.

 

During the remaining term of the management agreement, we expect that we will reimburse Navios ShipManagement for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet.

 

Administrative Services

 

Under the administrative services agreement we entered into with Navios ShipManagement, we reimburse Navios ShipManagement for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of the services under this agreement within 15 days after Navios ShipManagement submits to us an invoice for such costs and expenses, together with any supporting detail that may be reasonably required. Under this agreement

until November 2012, Navios ShipManagement provides significant administrative, financial and other support services to us.

 

Trends and Factors Affecting Our Future Results of Operations

 

We believe the principal factors that will affect our future results of operations are the economic, regulatory, political and governmental conditions that affect the shipping industry generally and that affect conditions in countries and markets in which our vessels engage in business. Other key factors that will be fundamental to our business, future financial condition and results of operations include:

 

 

In addition to the factors discussed above, we believe certain specific factors will impact our combined and consolidated results of operations. These factors include:

 

 

Please read “Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain risks inherent in our business.

 

 

Overview

 

Our historical results of operations and cash flows prior to the IPO are not indicative of results of operations and cash flows to be expected from any future period, principally for the following reasons:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2008

 

The following table presents consolidated revenue and expense information for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. This information was derived from the audited consolidated revenue and expense accounts of Navios Partners for the respective periods.

 

 

Time Charter and Voyage Revenues.  Time charter and voyage revenues are comprised of the charter hire received from unaffiliated third-party customers. Time charter revenues amounted to approximately $92.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $75.1 million for the year ended 2008. The increase was mainly attributable to the delivery of the Navios Aldebaran on March 17, 2008, the acquisition of the Navios Hope on July 1, 2008, both of which were fully operating during the year ended December 31, 2009, the acquisition of the rights to the Navios Sagittarius on June 10, 2009 and the acquisition of the Navios Apollon on October 29, 2009.

 

Time Charter and Voyage Expenses.  Time charter and voyage expenses amounted to $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was mainly attributable to the deliveries of the following chartered-in vessels: of the Navios Aldebaran on March 17, 2008, which was fully operating during the year ended December 31, 2009, and the delivery of the Navios Sagittarius on June 10, 2009. The increase was mitigated by the acquisition of the Navios Fantastiks from Navios Holdings into the owned fleet on May 2, 2008, from chartered-in vessel.

 

Direct Vessel Expenses.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, direct vessel expenses amounted to $0.4 million compared to $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, and comprised of the amortization of drydock and special survey costs.

 

Management Fees.  Management fees were paid to Navios ShipManagement for providing commercial and technical management services to Navios Partners for a daily fee of $4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,000 per owned Capesize vessel until November 16, 2009. In October 2009, Navios Partners fixed the

rate with Navios ShipManagement for an additional period of two years. The new management fees are: (a) $4,500 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel, (b) $4,400 daily rate per Panamax vessel and (c) $5,500 daily rate per Capesize vessel for the two-year period ending November 16, 2011. Total management fees for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $11.0 million and $9.3 million, respectively. The increase of $1.7 million is mainly attributable to the increase in the number of owned vessels.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  Total general and administrative fees for the year ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $3.2 million compared to $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Pursuant to the administrative services agreement, Navios ShipManagement provides administrative services and is reimbursed for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of these services. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the expenses charged by Navios ShipManagement for administrative services were $1.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The remaining balances of $1.4 million and $2.3 million of general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 related to legal and professional fees including audit fees.

 

Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization amounted to $15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The main reason for the increase of $4.0 million was: (a) the increase in depreciation expense of $3.2 million due to the acquisitions of the Navios Fantastiks on May 2, 2008 (which until then was part of the chartered-in fleet of Navios Partners) and the Navios Hope on July 1, 2008, both of which were fully operating during the year ended December 31, 2009, and the acquisition of the Navios Apollon on October 29, 2009; (b) the increase in amortization expense of $2.5 million relating to the $27.4 million of backlog asset and $3.5 million of favorable lease term recognized with the acquisition of the rights to the Navios Sagittarius and the $8.3 million backlog asset recognized with the acquisition of the Navios Apollon on October 29, 2009. The above increase of $5.7 million was mitigated by a $1.7 million decrease in amortization expense relating to the $52.9 million of intangible assets (favorable lease terms charter-in) recognized on the acquisition of the Navios Fantastiks, which were transferred to vessel cost when the vessel was owned on May 2, 2008. Depreciation of vessels is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 years from the date the vessel was originally delivered from the shipyard. Intangible assets are amortized over the contract periods, which range from four to ten years.

 

Interest Expense and Finance Cost, Net.  Interest expense and finance cost, net amounted to $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Interest expense relating to the Credit Facility for the purchase of our vessels amounted to $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, while amortization of deferred finance fees amounted to $0.7 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in interest expense was mainly attributable to (a) the decrease in average outstanding loan balance from $206.0 million in 2008 to $200.3 million in 2009; and (b) the decrease in effective interest rate from 4.17% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to 3.60% for the year ended December 31, 2009, as a result of the decrease in Libor rates. The increase in the amortization of deferred finance fees is mainly attributable to the $0.4 million write off due to the cancellation of the availability of the $60.0 million under the Credit Facility. The outstanding loan balance under our Credit Facility was $195.0 million and $235.0 million as at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Compensation expense:  On June 9, 2009, Navios Holdings relieved Navios Partners from its obligation to purchase the Capesize vessel Navios Bonavis for $130.0 million and, with the delivery of the Navios Bonavis to Navios Holdings, Navios Partners was granted a 12-month option to purchase the vessel for $125.0 million. In return, Navios Partners issued 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units to Navios Holdings and recognized a non-cash compensation expense of $6.1 million.

 

Net Income.  Net income for year ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $34.3 million compared to $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase in net income of $5.5 million was due to the factors discussed above.

Seasonality.  Because Navios Partners’ vessels operate under long-term charters, the results of operations are not generally subject to the effect of seasonable variations in demand.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2007

 

The following table presents consolidated revenue and expense information for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. This information was derived from the audited consolidated revenue and expense accounts of Navios Partners for the respective periods.

 

 

Time Charter and Voyage Revenues.  Time charter and voyage revenues are comprised of the charter hire received from unaffiliated third-party customers. Time charter revenues amounted to approximately $75.1 million for year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $50.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was mainly attributable to the delivery of the Navios Prosperity on June 19, 2007, as well as the acquisition of the Navios Fantastiks (as part of the acquisition of Kleimar by Navios Holdings) in February 2007, both of which were fully operated in 2008 along with the delivery of the Navios Aldebaran on March 17, 2008 and the acquisition of the Navios Hope on July 1, 2008.

 

Time Charter and Voyage Expenses.  Time charter and voyage expenses amounted to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $8.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was mainly attributable to the deliveries of the following chartered-in vessels: the Navios Prosperity on June 19, 2007, the Navios Fantastiks (as part of the acquisition of Kleimar by Navios Holdings) in February 2007 and of the Navios Aldebaran on March 17, 2008. This increase was mitigated by the acquisition of the Navios Fantastiks from Navios Holdings into the owned fleet on May 2, 2008, from chartered in vessel.

 

Direct Vessel Expenses.  Direct vessel expenses represent the vessels’ operating expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2008 direct vessel expenses amounted to $0.6 million and comprised of the amortization of drydock and special survey costs. Starting on November 16, 2007, the vessels’ operating expenses are managed by Navios ShipManagement. For the year ended December 31, 2007, direct vessel expenses amounted to $5.6 million and were comprised of crewing and related costs (approximately 40.7%), stores, provisions, lubricants and chemicals (approximately 24.6%), insurance (approximately 13.4%), spares, repairs, maintenance and other (approximately 21.3%).

 

Management Fees.  Starting on November 16, 2007, in connection with the management agreement entered into by Navios Partners, Navios ShipManagement provides all of Navios Partners’ owned vessels with commercial and technical management services for a daily fee of $4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and

$5,000 per owned Capesize vessel until November 16, 2009. Total management fees for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 amounted to $9.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  Total general and administrative fees for the year ended December 31, 2008 amounted to $3.8 million compared to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Navios ShipManagement charged for the period prior to the IPO a fixed monthly fee of $15,000 in 2007 per vessel in exchange of a wide range of services such as chartering, technical support and maintenance, insurance, consulting, financial and accounting services.

 

Subsequent to the IPO and pursuant to the administrative services agreement, Navios ShipManagement provides administrative services and is reimbursed for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of these services. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the expenses charged by Navios ShipManagement for administrative services were $1.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The remaining balances of $2.3 million and $1.2 million of general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 related to legal and professional fees including audit fees.

 

Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization amounted to $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The main reason for this increase of $2.5 million was: (a) the increase in depreciation expense of $4.2 million due to the acquisitions of the Navios Fantastiks on May 2, 2008 (which until then was part of the chartered-in fleet of Navios Partners) and the Navios Hope on July 1, 2008; (b) amortization income of $1.4 million related to backlog liabilities which were fully amortized during the year ended December 31, 2007 and, therefore, there is no such income from amortization of backlog liabilities, in the year ended December 31, 2008. The above increase was mitigated by $3.1 million decrease in amortization expense relating to the $51.1 million of intangible assets and liabilities (favorable and unfavorable leases) recognized on the acquisition of the Navios Fantastiks (which was a chartered-in vessel until May 2, 2008 and then became an owned vessel) as part of the acquisition of Kleimar by Navios Holdings in February 2007. Depreciation of vessels is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 years from the date the vessel was originally delivered from the shipyard. Intangible assets are amortized over the contract periods, which range from four to ten years.

 

Interest Expense and Finance Cost, Net.  Interest expense and finance cost, net amounted to $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Interest expense relating to the Credit Facility for the purchase of our vessels amounted to $9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 ($1.2 million was the interest for the period from the drawdown date on November 16, 2007 to December 31, 2007), while amortization of deferred finance fees amounted to $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in interest expense was mainly attributable to the increase in average outstanding loan balance from $88.0 million in 2007 to $206.0 million in 2008. As at December 31, 2007, the outstanding loan balance under our Credit Facility was $165.0 million and $235.0 million as at December 31, 2008.

 

Income Taxes.  Income taxes amounted to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2008 and $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The amount in 2007 was related to the vessel Navios Fantastiks, which was part of Kleimar Fleet upon its acquisition from Navios Holdings in February 2007.

 

Net Income.  Net income for year ended December 31, 2008 amounted to $28.8 million compared to $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in net income of $9.3 million was due to the factors discussed above.

 

Seasonality.  Because Navios Partners’ vessels operate under long-term charters, the results of operations are not generally subject to the effect of seasonable variations in demand.

 

Credit Facility

 

Upon the closing of the IPO, we entered into a $260.0 million Credit Facility with DVB Bank AG and Commerzbank AG. We borrowed $165.0 million upon the closing of the IPO to fund a portion of the purchase price of the capital stock of the subsidiaries that owned or had rights to the nine vessels in our initial fleet. The balance of the drawn amount was used as working capital. On June 25, 2008, the available borrowings under the Credit Facility were increased by $35.0 million to finance the acquisition of the vessel Navios Hope on July 1, 2008. On May 2, 2008, Navios Partners borrowed $35.0 million to finance the acquisition of the vessel Navios Fantastiks.

 

In January 2009, Navios Partners amended the terms of its Credit Facility. The amendment was effective until January 15, 2010 and provided for (a) repayment of $40.0 million, which took place in February 2009, (b) maintenance of a cash reserve balance into a pledged account with the agent bank as follows: $2.5 million on January 31, 2009; $5.0 million on March 31, 2009; $7.5 million on June 30, 2009, $10.0 million on September 30, 2009; and $12.5 million on December 31, 2009, and (c) a margin of 2.25%. Further, the covenants were amended by (a) reducing the minimum net worth covenant to $100.0 million, (b) reducing the VMC (Value Maintenance Covenant) to be at 100% using charter free values, (c) adjusting the minimum leverage covenant to be calculated using charter-inclusive adjusted values until December 31, 2009 and (d) introducing a new VMC that is based on charter-attached valuations set at 143%. The new revised covenants were applied for 2009 year-end compliance purposes and Navios Partners was in compliance with these.

 

The availability of the $60.0 million provided by the Credit Facility, to partially finance the purchase of the capital stock of the Navios Holdings subsidiary that would own the Navios Bonavis upon its delivery to Navios Holdings in June 2009, was cancelled because Navios Holdings relieved Navios Partners from its obligation to purchase the vessel.

 

On January 11, 2010, Navios Partners further amended its existing Credit Facility and borrowed an additional amount of $24.0 million to finance the acquisitions of the Navios Apollon, the Navios Sagittarius and the Navios Hyperion. The amended facility agreement provides for (a) prepayment of the $12.5 million, held in a pledged account, which took place on January 11, 2010, (b) a new margin from 1.00% to 1.45%, depending on the loan to value ratio, (c) increase of the minimum net worth covenant to $135.0 million, (d) adjustment of the VMC (Value Maintenance Covenant) to be above 143% using charter-free values and (e) adjusting the minimum leverage covenant to be calculated using charter-free values. The new covenants have been applied since January 15, 2010. Commitment fee for undrawn amounts under the amended terms is 0.50%.

 

Amounts drawn under this Credit Facility are secured by first preferred mortgages on Navios Partners’ owned vessels and other collateral and are guaranteed by each vessel-owning subsidiary. The Credit Facility contains a number of restrictive covenants that prohibit Navios Partners from, among other things: incurring or guaranteeing indebtedness; entering into affiliate transactions; charging, pledging or encumbering the vessels; changing the flag, class, management or ownership of Navios Partners’ vessels; changing the commercial and technical management of Navios Partners’ vessels; selling or changing the ownership or control of Navios Partners’ vessels; and subordinating the obligations under the credit facility to any general and administrative costs relating to the vessels, including the fixed daily fee payable under the management agreement.

 

The credit facility also requires us to comply with the ISM Code and ISPS Code and to maintain valid safety management certificates and documents of compliance at all times.

 

In addition, our Credit Facility, as amended, also requires us to:

 

 

 

In addition, Navios Holdings and its affiliates (as defined in the Credit Facility) are required to own at least 30% of us and to own 100% of our general partner. The credit facility prohibits us from paying distributions to our unitholders or making new investments if, before and after giving effect to such distribution or investment we are not in compliance with the financial covenants described above or upon the occurrence of an event of default. Events of default under our credit facility include:

 

 

As of December 31, 2009, Navios Partners was in compliance with the financial covenants as revised under its January 2009 amended Credit Facility.

 

The repayment of the remaining balance of Credit Facility, which currently is $206.5 million, starts no earlier than February 2012 and is subject to changes in repayment amounts and dates depending on various factors such as the future borrowings under the agreement.

 

Liquidity and Cash Needs

 

On May 8, 2009, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 3,500,000 common units at $10.32 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $36.1 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including discount and excluding offering costs of $0.5 million, were approximately $34.3 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 71,429 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.7 million.

 

On June 9, 2009, Navios Holdings relieved Navios Partners from its obligation to purchase the Capesize vessel Navios Bonavis for $130.0 million and with the delivery of the Navios Bonavis to Navios Holdings, Navios Partners was granted a 12-month option to purchase the vessel for $125.0 million. In return, Navios Partners issued 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units recognizing in the results a non-cash compensation expense amounting to $6.1 million. The newly issued units are not eligible to receive distributions until the third anniversary of their issuance, at which point they will automatically convert into common units and receive distributions in accordance with all other common units. In addition, Navios Holdings was released from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions for two years in connection with acquiring vessels from third parties

(but not from the requirement to offer to sell to Navios Partners qualifying vessels in Navios Holdings’ existing fleet). Pursuant to the issuance of the 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units, Navios Partners issued 20,408 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.2 million.

 

On September 23, 2009, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 2,800,000 common units at $12.21 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $34.2 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including discount and excluding offering costs of $0.3 million, were approximately $32.5 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 57,143 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.7 million.

 

On October 15, 2009, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the overallotment option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering of 2,800,000 common units and purchased 360,400 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. Navios Partners raised gross proceeds of $4.4 million and net proceeds of approximately $4.2 million. Navios Partners issued 7,355 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.1 million.

 

On November 24, 2009, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 4,000,000 common units at $14.90 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $59.6 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including discount and excluding offering costs of $0.2 million, were approximately $56.8 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 81,633 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.2 million.

 

On February 8, 2010, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 3,500,000 common units at $15.51 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $54.3 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including discount and excluding estimated offering costs of $0.3 million, were approximately $51.8 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 71,429 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.1 million. On the same date, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the overallotment option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering of 3,500,000 common units and purchased 525,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. Navios Partners raised gross proceeds of $8.1 million and net proceeds of approximately $7.8 million. Navios Partners issued 10,714 additional general partnership units to the General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.2 million.

 

As of February 23, 2010, there were outstanding: 28,316,815 common units, 7,621,843 subordinated units, 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units and 753,851 general partnership units. The amount of available cash we need to pay the minimum quarterly distributions for four quarters on our common units, subordinated units (not including holders of subordinated Series A units) and the 2.0% general partner interest is $51.4 million. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 the aggregate amount of cash distribution paid was $39.0 million and $24.6 million, respectively.

 

On February 11, 2010, we paid a cash distribution for the fourth quarter of 2009 of $0.41 per unit, or $15.1 million in total, to unitholders of record on February 8, 2010.

 

In addition to distributions on our units, our primary short-term liquidity needs are to fund general working capital requirements, drydocking expenditures, cash reserve requirements as per our January 2010 amended Credit Facility agreement and debt repayment, while our long-term liquidity needs primarily relate to expansion and investment capital expenditures and other maintenance capital expenditures and debt repayment. Expansion capital expenditures are primarily for the purchase or construction of vessels to the extent the expenditures increase the operating capacity of or revenue generated by our fleet, while maintenance capital expenditures primarily consist of drydocking expenditures and expenditures to replace vessels in order to maintain the operating capacity of or revenue generated by our fleet. Investment capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that are neither maintenance capital expenditures nor expansion capital expenditures.

We anticipate that our primary sources of funds for our short-term liquidity needs will be cash flows from operations. We believe that cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our existing short-term liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months. In addition, we filed a shelf registration statement on January 29, 2009 under which we may sell any combination of securities (debt or equity) for up to a total of $500.0 million.

 

Generally, our long-term sources of funds will be from cash from operations, long-term bank borrowings and other debt or equity financings. Because we distribute all of our available cash, we expect that we will rely upon external financing sources, including bank borrowings and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund acquisitions and expansion and investment capital expenditures, including opportunities we may pursue under the Omnibus Agreement, as amended in June 2009. We cannot assure you that we will be able to raise the size of our Credit Facility or obtaining additional funds on favorable terms.

 

Cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the year ended December 31, 2008:

 

The following table presents cash flow information for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. This information was derived from the audited consolidated statement of cash flows of Navios Partners for the respective periods.

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008:

 

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $38.9 million to $80.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $41.7 million for the same period in 2008.

 

The increase resulted from higher net income for the year ended December 31, 2009 of $34.3 million compared to $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and other factors as discussed below. In determining net cash provided by operating activities, net income is adjusted for the effects of certain non-cash items including compensation expense of $6.1 million and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and depreciation and amortization of $15.9 million and $11.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Amounts due to related parties increased by $0.5 million from $1.5 million in amounts due to related parties at December 31, 2008 to $2.0 million in amounts due to related parties at December 31, 2009. The increase is due to an increase in the management fees payable to Navios ShipManagement of $2.2 million mitigated by an amount due to Navios Partners of $1.7 million, which was received in January 2010.

 

Restricted cash increased from $0 as of December 31, 2008 to $13.3 million as of December 31, 2009. Out of the $13.3 million, an amount of $0.8 million was held as deposit to guarantee a claim related to an owned vessel and the remaining $12.5 million, that is presented in financing activities, was the cash reserve maintained in pledged account under the January 2009 amendment of our Credit Facility.

 

Accounts receivable increased by $0.3 million from $0.3 million at December 31, 2008 to $0.6 million at December 31, 2009. The primary reason was an increase in amounts receivable from charterers.

 

Deferred voyage revenue primarily relates to cash received from charterers prior to it being earned. These amounts are recognized as revenue over the voyage or charter period. Deferred voyage revenue increased by $24.2 million from $2.6 million at December 31, 2008 to $26.8 million at December 31, 2009. In January 2009, Navios Partners and its counterparty to the Navios Hope charter party mutually agreed for a lump sum

amount of approximately $30.4 million, of which Navios Partners received net of expenses in the amount of $29.6 million in February 2009. Under a new charter agreement, the balance of the aggregate value of the original contract will be allocated to the period until its original expiration. The amount of $30.4 million has been recognized as deferred revenue and amortized over the life of the vessel’s contract.

 

Accounts payable decreased by $0.1 million to $0.5 million at December 31, 2009 from $0.6 million at December 31, 2008. The main reason was a decrease in insurers’ payable of $0.1 million.

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets increased by $0.4 million to $0.8 million at December 31, 2009 from $0.4 million at December 31, 2008. The increase was mainly attributable to the increase in prepaid voyage costs by $0.3 million and the increase in other current assets by $0.1 million, respectively.

 

Accrued expenses increased by $0.2 million from $1.6 million at December 31, 2008 to $1.8 million at December 31, 2009. This increase is due to the increase in accrued voyage expenses by $0.5 million, which was partially offset by a decrease in accrued loan interest of $0.2 million and a decrease in accrued legal and professional fees of $0.1 million.

 

Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008:

 

Net cash used in investing activities of $69.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 was related to the fleet expansion. On June 10, 2009, Navios Partners acquired from Navios Holdings, the rights to the Navios Sagittarius for a cash payment of $34.6 million including a long-term charter-out agreement through November 2018. On December 16, 2009, Navios Partners exercised its option to purchase the vessel, at a purchase price of $25.0 million, and paid $2.5 million in advance.

 

On October 29, 2009, Navios Partners purchased from Navios Holdings the vessel Navios Apollon for a purchase price of $32.0 million. Backlog assets recognized through this transaction amounted to $8.3 million and were related to the acquisition of the rights on the time charter-out contract of the vessel, and the amount of $23.7 million was classified under vessels and other fixed assets.

 

During the corresponding period of 2008, net cash used in investing activities of $69.5 million was mostly related to the acquisition of vessels. On May 2, 2008, Navios Partners purchased the vessel Navios Fantastiks for an amount of $34.2 million and paid an additional $0.3 million for capitalized expenses related to the vessel’s acquisition. On July 1, 2008, Navios Partners purchased the vessel Navios Aurora I, renamed to the Navios Hope, for a cash consideration of $35.0 million.

 

Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008:

 

Cash provided by financing activities of $38.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 was due to the following: (a) net proceeds of $126.8 million from the issuance of 10,660,400 common units; (b) $2.9 million from the issuance of 237,968 general partnership units to the General Partner; (c) total cash distribution of $39.0 million paid during the year ended December 31, 2009; (d) repayment of $40.0 million on the Credit Facility and $0.2 million restructuring fees; and (e) maintenance of $12.5 million as cash reserves in pledged account under the January 2009 amendment of our Credit Facility.

 

Cash provided by financing activities of $46.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 was due to the following: (a) additional borrowings of $70.0 million under the Credit Facility in order to finance the acquisition of the vessel Navios Fantastiks on May 2, 2008 and the Navios Hope on July 1, 2008 netted against payment of debt issuance cost amounting to $0.3 million; (b) an amount of $0.9 million Navios Partners received in exchange for the issuance of 63,906 units to the General Partner to maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners in connection with the issuance of 3,131,415 common units to

Navios Holdings as part of the purchase price for the Navios Hope; and (c) total cash distribution of $24.6 million paid during the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the year ended December 31, 2007

 

The following table presents cash flow information for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. This information was derived from the audited consolidated statement of cash flows of Navios Partners for the respective periods.

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007:

 

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $31.2 million to $41.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 2007. The increase is analyzed as follows:

 

The increase resulted from higher net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $28.8 million compared to $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 and other factors as discussed below. In determining net cash provided by operating activities, net income is adjusted for the effects of certain non-cash items including depreciation and amortization of $11.9 million and $9.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Amounts due to related parties decreased by $2.9 million from $4.5 million in amounts due to related parties at December 31, 2007 to $1.5 million in amounts due to related parties at December 31, 2008. The main reason for this decrease was the payment of $3.8 million to Navios Holdings for the deferred acquisition expenses related to the IPO mitigated by an increase of $0.9 million in the amounts payable to Navios Holdings for managing our vessels and for general and administrative expenses charged to us.

 

Restricted cash had a zero balance as of December 31, 2008 from $0.8 million as of December 31, 2007. The reason for the decrease was that the banks no longer obliges us to keep cash in our retention account as of December 31, 2008 for the payment of the interest as was previously required under our Credit Facility with ISH Nordbank and Commerzbank A.G. in 2007.

 

Accounts receivable decreased by $0.1 million from $0.4 million at December 31, 2007 to $0.3 million at December 31, 2008. The primary reason for this decrease was the receipt of a long outstanding balance from a charterer.

 

Deferred voyage revenue primarily reflects charter-out amounts collected on voyages that have not been completed. Deferred voyage revenue, net of commissions increased by $2.4 million from $0.2 million at December 31, 2007 to $2.6 million at December 31, 2008.

 

Accounts payable remained almost the same at December 31, 2007 compared to December 31, 2008 at $0.6 respectively. There was an increase in brokers’ payables of $0.2 million offset by an equal decrease in professional and legal fees payable.

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets increased by $0.4 million from $0.04 million at December 31, 2007 to $0.4 million at December 31, 2008. This increase was mainly due to prepaid voyage costs that increased by $0.3 million at December 31, 2008 from $0.04 million at December 31, 2007.

Accrued expenses increased by $0.2 million from $1.4 million at December 31, 2007 to $1.6 million at December 31, 2008. The primary reason for the increase was an increase in accrued voyage expenses by $0.2 million and an increase in accrued legal and other professional fees by $0.3 million mitigated by a decrease in accrued loan interest by $0.3 million.

 

As part of the management agreement entered into on November 16, 2007, Navios ShipManagement is responsible for commercial, technical, health and safety and other management services related to the vessels’ operation, including chartering, technical support and maintenance, insurance and costs associated with special surveys and related drydockings. The initial term of the management agreement is until November 2012 and Navios Partners paid Navios ShipManagement a fixed daily fee of $4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,000 per owned Capesize vessel until November 16, 2009. This fixed daily fee covers the entire operating expenses of Navios Partners’ vessels, other than certain extraordinary costs. As such, there was no drydock/special survey related payments for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007:

 

Net cash used in investing activities of $69.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 was mostly related to the acquisition of vessels. On May 2, 2008, Navios Partners purchased the vessel Navios Fantastiks for an amount of $34.2 million, and paid an additional $0.3 million for capitalized expenses related to the vessel’s acquisition. On July 1, 2008, Navios Partners purchased the vessel Navios Hope for a cash consideration of $35.0 million.

 

During the corresponding period of 2007, Navios Partners did not have any kind of investing activities.

 

Cash (used in)/ provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007:

 

Cash provided by financing activities of $46.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 was due to the following: (a) additional borrowings of $70.0 million under the Credit Facility in order to finance the acquisitions of the vessel Navios Fantastiks on May 2, 2008 and the Navios Hope on July 1, 2008, netted against payment of debt issuance cost amounting to $0.3 million; (b) an amount of $0.9 million Navios Partners received in exchange for the issuance of 63,906 units to the General Partner to maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners in connection with the issuance of 3,131,415 common units to Navios Holdings as part of the purchase price for the Navios Hope; and (c) total cash distribution of $24.6 million paid during the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Cash used in financing activities of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 was the result of cash contributed to Navios Holdings amounting to $353.3 million for the purchase of the capital stock of Navios Partners’ subsidiaries, as well as debt repayment amounting to $2.3 million and payment of debt issuance costs amounting to $2.5 million. This was offset by the proceeds from the new Credit Facility of $165.0 million that Navios Partners entered into on November 15, 2007 and the actual net proceeds of $192.7 million derived from the IPO.

Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Cash from Operating Activities

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA:  Adjusted EBITDA represents net income plus interest and finance costs plus depreciation and amortization and income taxes plus non-cash compensation expense for the release of the obligation to acquire the Navios Bonavis. Adjusted EBITDA is included because it is used by certain investors to measure a company’s financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a “non-GAAP financial measure” and should not be considered a substitute for net income, cash flow from operating activities and other operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or as a measure of profitability or liquidity.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is presented to provide additional information with respect to Navios Partners’ ability to satisfy its obligations including debt service, capital expenditures, working capital requirements and determination of cash distribution. While adjusted EBITDA is frequently used as a measure of operating results and the ability to meet debt service requirements, the definition of adjusted EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.

 

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $14.4 million or 28.7% to $64.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $50.1 million for the same period of 2008. This $14.4 million increase in EBITDA was primarily due to: (a) a $17.5 million increase in revenue as a result of the increased number of operating days from 2,991 for the year ended December 31, 2008 to 3,552 for the year ended December 31, 2009; (b) a $0.6 million decrease in general and administrative expenses; and (c) a $0.3 million decrease in net other expenses which was partially offset by a $2.3 million increase in time charter and voyage expenses as a result of the increased number of vessels in Navios Partners’ chartered-in fleet and a $1.7 million increase in management fees, due to the increase in the number of vessels.

 

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $15.6 million to $50.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $34.5 million for the same period of 2007. This $15.6 million increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to: (a) $24.7 million increase in revenues as a result of the increased number of vessels in Navios Partners’ fleet; and (b) $4.9 million decrease in direct vessel expenses due to the vessels being managed by Navios ShipManagement since the closing of the IPO, for a fixed daily fee of $4,000 per Panamax and $5,000 per Capesize vessel. The above overall favorable variance of $29.6 million was mitigated by: (a) a $3.2 million increase in time charter and voyage expenses for the same reason the revenue increased in 2008; (b) a $8.4 million increase in management fees paid to Navios ShipManagement since the closing of the IPO as described above; and (c) a $2.4 million increase in general and administrative expenses due to the increase in the number of owned and chartered-in vessels during 2008 compared to 2007. The decrease in direct vessel expenses is mainly due to the acquisition of the Navios Fantastiks from Navios Holdings into Navios Partners’ owned fleet on May 2, 2008, from chartered in vessel. Further, as a result of the management agreement which was effective on November 16, 2007, Navios Partners no longer bears the cost of operating expenses of owned fleet as such costs would already be included in the fixed fees paid to Navios ShipManagement (originally fixed until November 16, 2009). As such, there was an increase in management

fees but a decrease in direct vessel expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Borrowings

 

Our long-term third-party borrowings are reflected in our combined balance sheet as “Long-term debt, net” and as current liabilities in “Current portion of long-term debt.” As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, long-term debt amounted to $195.0 million, and the current portion of long-term debt amounted to $0 and $40.0 million, respectively.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we financed our capital expenditures with cash flow from operations, the incurrence of bank debt, owner’s contribution and equity raising. Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 amounted to $69.1 million, $69.5 million and $0, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2009, expansion capital expenditures of $69.1 million related to the acquisition of the rights and charter out contract to the Navios Sagittarius on June 10, 2009 and the acquisition of the Navios Apollon on October 29, 2009. For the year ended December 31, 2008, expansion capital expenditures of $69.5 million related to the acquisition of the Navios Fantastiks on May 2, 2008 and the Navios Hope on July 1, 2008.

 

After the closing of the IPO, maintenance for our vessels and expenses related to drydocking are included in the fee we pay our vessel manager under our management agreement. We paid Navios ShipManagement a daily fee of $4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,000 per owned Capesize vessel, which amounts were originally fixed for two years until November 16, 2009, to provide such commercial and technical services to the vessels in our fleet. In October 2009, we fixed the rate with Navios ShipManagement for an additional period of two years. The new management fees are: (a) $4,500 daily rate per owned Ultra-Handymax vessel, (b) $4,400 daily rate per owned Panamax vessel and (c) $5,500 daily rate per owned Capesize vessel for the two-year period ending November 16, 2011. The fee we pay to Navios ShipManagement includes any costs associated with scheduled drydockings during the term of the management agreement.

 

Replacement Reserve

 

Our annual replacement reserve for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $8.0 million and $9.9 million, respectively, for replacing our vessels at the end of their useful lives.

 

As of January 2009, the amount for estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures attributable to future vessel replacement was based on the following assumptions: (i) current market price to purchase a five year old vessel of similar size and specifications; (ii) a 25-year useful life; and (iii) a relative net investment rate.

 

Our board of directors, with the approval of the conflicts committee, may determine that one or more of our assumptions should be revised, which could cause our board of directors to increase or decrease the amount of estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures. The actual cost of replacing the vessels in our fleet will depend on a number of factors, including prevailing market conditions, charter hire rates and the availability and cost of financing at the time of replacement. We may elect to finance some or all or our maintenance and replacement capital expenditures through the issuance of additional common units which could be dilutive to existing unitholders.

 

Possible Acquisitions of Other Vessels

 

Although we do not currently have in place any agreements relating to acquisitions of other vessels (other than our options to purchase the Navios Prosperity and the Navios Aldebaran, which we currently charter-in), we assess potential acquisition opportunities on a regular basis. Pursuant to our Omnibus Agreement with Navios Holdings, as amended in June 2009, we will have the opportunity to purchase additional drybulk vessels from Navios Holdings when those vessels are fixed under charters of three or more years upon their

expiration of their current charters or upon completion of their construction. Subject to the terms of our loan agreements, we could elect to fund any future acquisitions with equity or debt or cash on hand or a combination of these forms of consideration. Any debt incurred for this purpose could make us more leveraged and increase our debt service obligations or could subject us to additional operational or financial restrictive covenants.

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

 

The following table summarizes our long-term contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates in the application of our accounting policies based on the best assumptions, judgments and opinions of management. Following is a discussion of the accounting policies that involve a higher degree of judgment and the methods of their application that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments or uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. For a description of all of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to the Notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

Impairment of Long Lived Assets

 

Vessels, other fixed assets and other long lived assets held and used by Navios Partners are reviewed periodically for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a particular asset may not be fully recoverable. In accordance with “Impairment of Long Lived Assets”, Navios Partners’ management evaluates the carrying amounts and periods over which long-lived assets are depreciated to determine if events or changes in circumstances have occurred that would require modification to their carrying values or useful lives. In evaluating useful lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, certain indicators of potential impairment are reviewed, such as undiscounted projected operating cash flows, vessel sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions. Undiscounted projected net operating cash flows are determined for each vessel and compared to the vessel carrying value. In the event that impairment occurred, the fair value of the related asset is determined and a charge is recorded to operations calculated by comparing the asset’s carrying value to the estimated fair market value. Fair market value is estimated primarily through the use of third-party valuations performed on an individual vessel basis.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, management of Navios Partners, after considering various indicators, including but not limited to the market price of its long-lived assets, its contracted revenues and cash flows and the economic outlook, has no reason to suspect that a long-lived asset may not be recoverable and therefore did not test for impairment nor did it recognize any loss on the long-lived assets of Navios Partners as of December 31, 2009.

 

Although management believes the underlying indicators supporting this assessment are reasonable, if charter rate trends and the length of the current market downturn, vary significantly from our forecasts, management may be required to perform impairment analysis in the future that could expose Navios Partners to material impairment charges in the future.

 

Vessels

 

Vessels are stated at historical cost, which consists of the contract price, any material expenses incurred upon acquisition (improvements and delivery expenses). Subsequent expenditures for major improvements and upgrading are capitalized, provided they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels. Expenditures for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

 

Depreciation is computed using the straight line method over the useful life of the vessels, after considering the estimated residual value. Management estimates the useful life of our vessels to be 25 years from the vessel’s original construction. However, when regulations place limitations over the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, its useful life is re-estimated to end at the date such regulations become effective.

 

Deferred Drydock and Special Survey Costs

 

Our vessels are subject to regularly scheduled drydocking and special surveys which are carried out every 30 or 60 months to coincide with the renewal of the related certificates issued by the classification societies, unless a further extension is obtained in rare cases and under certain conditions. Under the terms of our management agreement with Navios ShipManagement, the costs of drydocking and special surveys are included in the daily management fee of $4,500 per owned Ultra-Handymax vessel, $4,400 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,500 per owned Capesize vessel, which fees are fixed until November 2011. From November 2011 to November 2012, we expect that we will reimburse Navios ShipManagement for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet.

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recorded when services are rendered, we have a signed charter agreement or other evidence of an arrangement, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. We generate revenue from transportation of cargos and time charter of vessels.

 

Voyage revenues for the transportation of cargo are recognized ratably over the estimated relative transit time of each voyage. A voyage is deemed to commence when a vessel is available for loading and is deemed to end upon the completion of the discharge of the current cargo. Estimated losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses become evident. Under a voyage charter, we agree to provide a vessel for the transportation of specific goods between specific ports in return for payment of an agreed upon freight rate per ton of cargo.

 

Revenues from time chartering of vessels are accounted for as operating leases and are thus recognized on a straight line basis as the average revenue over the rental periods of such charter agreements, as service is performed, except for loss generating time charters, in which case the loss is recognized in the period when such loss is determined. A time charter involves placing a vessel at the charterer’s disposal for a period of time during which the charterer uses the vessel in return for the payment of a specified daily hire rate. Short period charters for less than three months are referred to as spot charters. Charters extending three months to a year are generally referred to as medium term charters. All other charters are considered long term. Under time charters, operating cost such as for crews, maintenance and insurance are typically paid by the owner of the vessel.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Fair Value

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued guidance that defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB deferred the effective date for us to January 1, 2009 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (that is, at least annually). The guidance was effective for Navios Partners for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009 and did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued additional guidance for estimating fair value. The additional guidance addresses determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased and identifying transactions that are not orderly. This additional guidance was effective for Navios Partners for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of Navios Partners.

 

Earnings per unit computations

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued guidance that may impact a publicly traded master limited partnership (MLP) that distributes “available” cash to the limited partners (LPs), the general partner (GP), and the holders of incentive distribution rights (IDRs). This guidance addresses earnings-per-unit (EPU) computations for all MLPs with IDR interests. MLPs will need to determine the amount of “available cash” at the end of a reporting period when calculating the period’s EPU. This guidance was effective for Navios Partners for the fiscal year beginning as of January 1, 2009 and did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of Navios Partners.

 

Accounting for Business Combinations

 

Navios Partners adopted new U.S. GAAP guidance related to business combinations beginning in its first quarter of fiscal 2009. Earlier adoption was prohibited. The adoption of the new guidance did not have an immediate significant impact on its consolidated financial statements; however, it will impact the accounting for any future business combinations. Under the new guidance, an entity is required to recognize the assets aquired, liabilities assumed, contractual contingencies and contingent consideration at their fair value on the acquisition date. It further requires that acquisition-related costs be recognized separately from the acquisition and expensed as incurred; that restructuring costs generally be expensed in periods subsequent to the

acquisition date; and that changes in accounting for deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties after the measurement period be recognized as a component of provision for income taxes. In addition, acquired-in process research and development is capitalized as an intangible asset and amortized over its estimated useful life.

 

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Navios Partners adopted new U.S. GAAP guidance related to noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements beginning in its first quarter of fiscal 2009. Earlier adoption was prohibited. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on Navios Partners’ consolidated financial statements. The guidance revises new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and the accounting for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It also clarifies that changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation are equity transactions if the parent retains its controlling financial interest and requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. The gain or loss is measured using the fair value of the noncontrolling equity investment on the deconsolidation date. The guidance also requires expanded disclosures regarding the interest of the parent of the noncontrolling interest.

 

Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets

 

Navios Partners adopted new U.S. GAAP guidance concerning the determination of the useful life of intangible assets beginning in its first quarter of fiscal 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on Navios Partners’ consolidated financial statements. The new guidance amends the factors that are to be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. The new guidance is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows originally used to measure the fair value of the intangible asset under U.S. GAAP.

 

Transfers of Financial Assets

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance concerning the transfer of financial assets. This guidance amends the criteria for a transfer of a financial asset to be accounted for as a sale, creates more stringent conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale, changes the initial measurement of a transferor’s interest in transferred financial assets, eliminates the qualifying special-purpose entity concept and provides for new disclosures. This new guidance will be effective for Navios Partners for transfers of financial assets beginning in its first quarter of fiscal 2010, with earlier adoption prohibited. Navios Partners does not expect the impact of this guidance to be material to its consolidated financial statements.

 

Determining the Primary Beneficiary of a Variable Interest Entity

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance concerning the determination of the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). This new guidance amends current U.S. GAAP by: requiring ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE; amending the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of the VIE; modifying the guidance used to determine whether an equity is a VIE; adding an additional reconsideration event (e.g. troubled debt restructurings) for determining whether an entity is a VIE; and requiring enhanced disclosures regarding an entity’s involvement with a VIE.

 

This new guidance will be effective for Navios Partners beginning in its first quarter of fiscal 2010, with earlier adoption prohibited. Navios Partners does not expect the impact of this new guidance to be material to its consolidated financial statements.

 

FASB Accounting Standards Codification

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance concerning the organization of authoritative guidance under U.S. GAAP. This new guidance created the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”). The

Codification has become the source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification became effective for Navios Partners in its third quarter of fiscal 2009. As the Codification is not intended to change or alter existing U.S. GAAP, it did not have any impact on Navios Partners’ consolidated financial statements. On its effective date, the Codification superseded all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other nongrandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become nonauthoritative.

 

Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value

 

In August 2009, the FASB released new guidance concerning measuring liabilities at fair value. The new guidance provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using certain valuation techniques. Additionally, it clarifies that a reporting entity is not required to adjust the fair value of a liability for the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. This new guidance is effective for the first reporting period after its issuance, however earlier application is permitted. The application of this new guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on Navios Partners’ consolidated financial statements.

 

Interim Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

In April 2009, the FASB amended the Fair Value of Financial Instruments Subsection of the ASC to require an entity to provide disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim financial information (“Fair Value Disclosure Amendment”). The Fair Value Disclosure Amendment requires a publicly traded company to include disclosures about the fair value of its financial instruments whenever it issues summarized financial information for interim reporting periods. In addition, entities must disclose in the body or in the accompanying notes of its summarized financial information for interim reporting periods and in its financial statements for annual reporting periods, the fair value of all financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value, whether recognized or not recognized in the statement of financial position. The Fair Value Disclosure Amendment became effective for Navios Partners in the quarter ended June 30, 2009, and its adoption did not have significant effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

 

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and senior management:

 

Biographical information with respect to each of our directors and our executive officers is set forth below. The business address for our directors and executive officers is 85 Akti Miaouli Street, Piraeus Greece 185 38.

 

Angeliki Frangou was appointed our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in August 2007. Ms. Frangou has been Navios Holdings’ Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since August 25, 2005, the date of the acquisition of Navios Holdings by International Shipping Enterprises Inc. (“ISE”). Prior to the acquisition, Ms. Frangou was the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of ISE. Ms. Frangou has been the Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Enterprises Management S.A., a company located in Piraeus, Greece that specializes in the management of dry cargo vessels of various types and sizes, since she founded the company in October 2001 until August 2005. From 1990 to October 2001, Ms. Frangou was the chief executive officer of Franser Shipping S.A., a company that was located in Piraeus, Greece and was also engaged in the management of dry cargo vessels. Prior to her employment with Franser Shipping, Ms. Frangou was an analyst on the trading floor of Republic National Bank of New York, from 1987 to 1989. Ms. Frangou was also a member of the board of directors of Emporiki Bank of Greece, the second largest retail bank in Greece, up to July 2005. Ms. Frangou is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange listed company as of June 2008. Ms. Frangou is also the chairman of the board of IRF European Finance Investments Ltd., listed in SFM of the London Stock Exchange. She was also chairman of the board of directors of Proton Bank, based in Athens, Greece, from June 2006 until September 2008. Ms. Frangou is a member of the Mediterranean Committee of China Classification Society, a member of the Hellenic and Black Sea Committee of Bureau Veritas and member of the Greek Committee of Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. Ms. Frangou received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University (summa cum laude) and a masters degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University.

 

Efstratios Desypris was appointed our Chief Financial Officer in January 2010. Mr. Desypris has been the Financial Controller of Navios Holdings since May 2006. Mr. Desypris worked for 12 years in the accounting profession, most recently as manager of the audit department at Ernst & Young in Greece. Mr. Desypris started his career as an auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co. in 1997. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Piraeus.

 

Michael E. McClure was appointed our Executive Vice President — Corporate Affairs in January 2010, having served since August 2007 as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. McClure has been Senior Vice President — Corporate Affairs of Navios Holdings since April 12, 2007. Prior to that date, Mr. McClure was Chief Financial Officer of Navios Holdings from October 1, 2005 to April 12, 2007. Mr. McClure joined Navios Holdings in 1978, at which time he served as Manager of Financial Analysis and then Director of South American Transportation Projects, which included Navios Holdings’ owned port facility in Uruguay and its commercial leads in Venezuela and Columbia. He is a board member of The Baltic Exchange and prior chairman of the Baltic Exchange Freight Market Indices Committee, which is the organization responsible for all freight indices utilized for freight derivative trading by the industry. Mr. McClure received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s College and an MBA degree from Marquette University.

 

George Achniotis was appointed to our Board of Directors in August 2007 and has been our Executive Vice President-Business Development since February 2008. Mr. Achniotis has been Navios Holdings’ Chief Financial Officer since April 12, 2007. Prior to being appointed Chief Financial Officer of Navios Holdings, Mr. Achniotis served as Senior Vice President — Business Development of Navios Holdings from August 2006 to April 2007. Prior to joining Navios Holdings, Mr. Achniotis was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1999 to August 2006.

 

Vasiliki Papaefthymiou was appointed our Secretary in August 2007. Ms. Papaefthymiou has been Executive Vice President — Legal and a member of Navios Holdings’ board of directors since August 25, 2005, and prior to that was a member of the board of directors of ISE. Ms. Papaefthymiou has served as general counsel for Maritime Enterprises Management S.A. since October 2001, where she has advised the company on shipping, corporate and finance legal matters. Ms. Papaefthymiou provided similar services as general counsel to Franser Shipping from October 1991 to September 2001. Ms. Papaefthymiou received her

undergraduate degree from the Law School of the University of Athens and a Masters degree in Maritime Law from Southampton University in the United Kingdom. Ms. Papaefthymiou is admitted to practice law before the Bar in Piraeus, Greece.

 

Shunji Sasada was appointed to our Board of Directors in August 2007. Mr. Sasada has been Chief Operating Officer of Navios Corporation since July 2007. Prior to July 2007, Mr. Sasada was Senior Vice President — Fleet Development of Navios Holdings from October 1, 2005 to July 2007. Mr. Sasada joined Navios Holdings in May 1997. Mr. Sasada started his shipping career in 1981 in Japan with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. In 1991, Mr. Sasada joined Trinity Bulk Carriers as its chartering manager as well as subsidiary board member representing MOSK as one of the shareholders. Mr. Sasada is a graduate of Keio University, Tokyo, with a B.A. degree in business.

 

Serafeim Kriempardis was appointed to our Board of Directors in December 2009. Mr. Kriempardis previously served as the Head of Shipping of Piraeus Bank and Emporiki Bank of Greece. Mr. Kriempardis is an accountant by training and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Athens University of Economics and Business and a Master’s degree in management from the McGill University of Canada.

 

Efstathios Loizos was appointed to our Board of Directors in October 2007. Since 2005, Mr. Loizos has served as the President of the International Packaging Association and has been the Vice President of the board of directors of the Hellenic Association of Steel Packaging Manufacturers. Mr. Loizos has served as the General Manager and a member of the board of directors of Elsa S.A., a Greek steel packaging company and has been the Vice Chairman of the board of directors of Atlas S.A., one of its affiliates. In October 2008, Mr. Loizos joined the Managing Team of ION S.A. a leading Greek chocolate and cocoa group of companies and has been appointed Joint Managing Director of MABEL S.A., one the affiliated companies of the group. He is also one the founders and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the recently formed company Facility Plus, which is engaged in the field of property and facility management. Mr. Loizos received a Matrise en sciences economiques from the University of Strasbourg and an MBA in finance from New York University.

 

Robert Pierot was appointed to our Board of Directors in October 2007. Since 1979, Mr. Pierot has been engaged in brokering the sale and purchase of a variety of ocean-going vessels, ranging from large bulk carriers and tankers to vessels used to service offshore oil and gas exploration and production facilities. Currently, Mr. Pierot serves as director and principal of Jacq. Pierot Jr. & Sons, Inc., a privately held shipbrokers firm based in New York. From 1987 to 2007, Mr. Pierot was one of the founding shareholders of Scorpion Offshore. Mr. Pierot was one of the original members of the board of directors of Chiles Offshore. Mr. Pierot is also a member of the board of directors of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held since 1980.

 

John Karakadas was appointed to our Board of Directors in October 2007. Since March 2006, Mr. Karakadas serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SingularLogic, a South East European software vendor and information technology services provider. Additionally, Mr. Karakadas is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MIG Technology Holdings SA, a special purpose vehicle for the acquisition of technology leaders in the South East Europe. Previously, Mr. Karakadas has served as an Executive Director of Marfin Investment Group, an Athens Exchange listed company. He has also served on the board of directors of IRF European Finance Investments Ltd., a London Stock Exchange listed company, and on the board of directors of Greek Information Technology Holdings S.A. During the period between 2002 and 2003, Mr. Karakadas was the Managing Director of Tchibo GmbH. Prior to that time, from 1999 to 2000, Mr. Karakadas was President, Asia Pacific, of Burger King, based in Sydney, Australia. Mr. Karakadas received a BBA in Industrial Management from Kent State University.

 

 

Reimbursement of Expenses of Our General Partner

 

Our General Partner does not receive any management fee or other compensation for services from us, although it will be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred on our behalf. In addition, we reimburse

Navios ShipManagement and certain affiliates for expenses incurred pursuant to the management agreement and administrative services agreement we entered into with Navios ShipManagement. Our General Partner and its other affiliates are reimbursed for expenses incurred on our behalf. These expenses include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the conduct of our business and allocable to us, as determined by our General Partner. For the period after the closing of the IPO on November 16, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and for the year ended December 31, 2008, no amounts were paid to the General Partner.

 

Officers’ Compensation

 

We and our General Partner were formed in August 2007. Because our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer are employees of Navios Holdings, their compensation is set and paid by Navios Holdings, and we reimburse Navios Holdings for time they spend on partnership matters pursuant to the administrative services agreement. Under the terms of the administrative agreement, we reimburse Navios Holdings for the actual costs and expenses it incurs in providing administrative support services to us. The amount of our reimbursements to Navios Holdings for the time of our officers depends on an estimate of the percentage of time our officers spent on our business and is based on a percentage of the salary and benefits that Navios Holdings pays to such officers after the closing of the IPO. Our officers, and officers and employees of affiliates of our General Partner, may participate in employee benefit plans and arrangements sponsored by Navios Holdings, our General Partner or their affiliates, including plans that may be established in the future. Our board of directors may establish such plans without the approval of our limited partners. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and for the period from November 16, 2007 to December 31, 2007, the fee charged by Navios ShipManagement for administrative services was $1.8 million, $1.5 million and $161,000, respectively.

 

Compensation of Directors