Exhibit 10.1
LOAN AGREEMENT
by and among
OMEGA PROTEIN
CORPORATION
and
OMEGA PROTEIN,
INC.
as Borrowers
and
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
as Lender
$35,000,000.00 Revolving Line of
Credit
dated as of
October 21, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(The Table of Contents if not a part
of the Loan
Agreement but for convenience of reference
only.)
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Page
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ARTICLE
I DEFINITIONS
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1
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Section 1.01
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Certain
Definitions
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1
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Section 1.02
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Terms
Generally
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15
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Section 1.03
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Accounting
Terms
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16
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Section 1.04
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Counting
Days
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16
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Section 1.05
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Rounding
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16
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Section 1.06
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Standby Letter
of Credit Amounts
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16
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ARTICLE
II REVOLVING CREDIT
FACILITY
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16
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Section 2.01
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The
Loan
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16
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Section 2.02
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Use of
Proceeds
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16
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Section 2.03
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Promissory
Note
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16
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Section 2.04
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Interest
Rate
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17
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Section 2.05
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Amortization
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18
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Section 2.06
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Prepayments
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18
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Section 2.07
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Unused
Commitment Fee
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19
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Section 2.08
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Standby Letter
of Credit Subfeature
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19
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ARTICLE
III COLLATERAL
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20
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Section 3.01
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Assets of
Borrowers
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20
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Section 3.02
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Assets of
Subsidiaries
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20
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Section 3.03
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Guaranty
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20
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ARTICLE
IV REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
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20
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Section 4.01
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No
Liens
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20
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Section 4.02
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Financial
Statements
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20
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Section 4.03
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Good
Standing
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20
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Section 4.04
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Authority and
Compliance
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21
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Section 4.05
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Binding
Agreements
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21
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Section 4.06
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Litigation
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21
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Section 4.07
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No Conflicting
Agreements
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21
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Section 4.08
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Taxes
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21
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Section 4.09
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No
Default
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21
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Section 4.10
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Adverse
Circumstances
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22
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Section 4.11
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Accuracy of
Information
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22
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Section 4.12
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ERISA
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22
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Section 4.13
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Environmental
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22
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Section 4.14
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Subsidiaries
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22
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Section 4.15
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OFAC
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22
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Section 4.16
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Vessels
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22
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Section 4.17
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Real
Property
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23
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Section 4.18
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Aircraft
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23
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Section 4.19
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Perfection of
Security Interests in Collateral
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23
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Section 4.20
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Continuation of
Representations and Warranties
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23
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i
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ARTICLE
V AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
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23
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Section 5.01
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Financial
Statements and Other Information
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23
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Section 5.02
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Adverse
Conditions or Events
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25
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Section 5.03
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Taxes and Other
Obligations
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25
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Section 5.04
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Insurance
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25
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Section 5.05
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Compliance with
Governmental Requirements
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25
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Section 5.06
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Environmental
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26
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Section 5.07
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Compliance with
Material Agreements
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26
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Section 5.08
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Maintenance of
Records
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26
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Section 5.09
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Inspection of
Books and Records
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26
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Section 5.10
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Existence and
Qualification
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26
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Section 5.11
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Lender as
Principal Depository
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27
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Section 5.12
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Vessel
Covenants
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27
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Section 5.13
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Citizenship
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27
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Section 5.14
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Additional
Collateral
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27
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Section 5.15
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Further
Assurances
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28
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Section 5.16
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Maximum
Leverage Ratio
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28
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Section 5.17
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Minimum
Tangible Net Worth
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28
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Section 5.18
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Asset Coverage
Ratio
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28
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Section 5.19
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Minimum
Profitability
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28
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Section 5.20
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Covenant to
Guarantee Obligations and Give Security
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28
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ARTICLE
VI NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
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29
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Section 6.01
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Negative
Pledge
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29
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Section 6.02
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Merger,
Etc
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29
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Section 6.03
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Extensions of
Credit
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30
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Section 6.04
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Borrowings
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30
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Section 6.05
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Dividends and
Distributions
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30
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Section 6.06
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Dispositions
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30
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Section 6.07
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Capital
Expenditures
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31
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Section 6.08
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Principal Debt
not to Exceed Commitment
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31
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Section 6.09
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Investments
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31
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Section 6.10
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Change of
Control of Borrower
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31
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Section 6.11
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Change in
Nature of Business
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31
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Section 6.12
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No Negative
Pledge
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31
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Section 6.13
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Arm’s
Length Transactions
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32
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Section 6.14
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Swap
Agreements
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32
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Section 6.15
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Subsidiaries
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32
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Section 6.16
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Maritime
Industry Standards
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32
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ARTICLE
VII CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
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32
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Section 7.01
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Conditions
Precedent to Closing
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32
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Section 7.02
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Conditions
Precedent to Loans
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36
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ARTICLE
VIII DEFAULT AND
REMEDIES
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37
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Section 8.01
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Default
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37
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Section 8.02
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Remedies
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39
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Section 8.03
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Application of
Funds
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39
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Section 8.04
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Right of
Setoff
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40
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ii
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ARTICLE
IX TAXES AND REGULATORY
COSTS
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40
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Section 9.01
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Taxes and
Regulatory Costs
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40
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Section
9.02
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Mitigation
Obligations
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41
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Section
9.03
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Survival
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41
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ARTICLE
X MISCELLANEOUS
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41
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Section
10.01
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Payment of
Expenses
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41
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Section
10.02
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INDEMNITY
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41
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Section
10.03
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Waiver of
Consequential Damages, Etc
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42
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Section
10.04
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Survival
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43
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Section
10.05
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Notices;
Effectiveness; Electronic Communication
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43
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Section
10.06
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Cumulative
Rights and No Waiver
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43
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Section
10.07
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Choice of Law
and Venue
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44
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Section
10.08
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Amendment and
Assignment
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44
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Section
10.09
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Authorization
to File Financing Statements
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45
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Section
10.10
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Partial
Invalidity
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45
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Section
10.11
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Survivability
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45
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Section
10.12
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Joint and
Several Liability
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45
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Section
10.13
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Agreement
Controlling
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45
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Section
10.14
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No Partnership,
Etc.
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45
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Section
10.15
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Interest Rate
Limitation
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45
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Section
10.16
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Joint
Preparation; Construction of Indemnities and Releases
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46
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Section
10.17
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Form and Number
of Documents
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46
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Section
10.18
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Ceiling
Election
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46
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Section
10.19
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Counterparts;
Integration; Effectiveness
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47
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Section
10.20
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Reservations of
Rights
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47
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Section
10.21
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Concerning Swap
Agreements
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47
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Section
10.22
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Lender’s
Consent or Approval
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47
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Section
10.23
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Debtor-Creditor
Relationship
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47
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Section
10.24
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No Third-Party
Beneficiaries
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48
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Section
10.25
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Reversal of
Payments
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48
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Section
10.26
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Injunctive
Relief
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48
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Section
10.27
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Arbitration
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48
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Section
10.28
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WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL
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50
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Section
10.29
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Notice of Final
Agreement
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50
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Section
10.30
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USA Patriot Act
Notice
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50
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Section 10.31
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Exhibits
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50
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iii
LOAN
AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN AGREEMENT
is made as of October 21, 2009
by and between OMEGA PROTEIN CORPORATION , a Nevada
corporation, and OMEGA PROTEIN, INC. , a Virginia
corporation (each a “ Borrower ” and
collectively, “ Borrowers ”), and WELLS FARGO
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association
(“ Lender ”).
In consideration of the creation of
the revolving credit facility described below and the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be
legally bound hereby, Lender and Borrowers agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Certain
Definitions . In addition to any other terms defined herein,
the following terms shall have the meanings set forth with respect
thereto:
“ AAA ”: See
Section 10.27 .
“ Acceptable Swap
Agreements ” means (i) any Swap Agreement having
terms reasonably satisfactory to Lender entered into with a Lender
Swap Provider or other Person satisfactory to Lender for the
purpose of hedging the interest rate risk hereunder, and
(ii) any commodities Swap Agreement entered into with a Lender
Swap Provider or other Person satisfactory to Lender in the
ordinary course of business to mitigate risks and not entered into
for speculative purposes.
“ Acquisition ”
means, by any Person, the acquisition by such Person, in a single
transaction or in a series of transactions, of either (a) all
or any substantial portion of the property of, or a line of
business or division of, another Person, or (b) at least a
majority of the Equity Interests of another Person which are
entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors (or
similar governing body) of such Person, in each case whether or not
involving a merger or consolidation with such other
Person.
“ Act ”: See
Section 10.30 .
“ Affiliate ”
means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the
Person specified.
“ Agreement ”
means this Loan Agreement, including all schedules and exhibits
attached hereto, and all subsequent modifications and amendments
hereto.
“ Aircraft Security
Agreement ” means each aircraft security agreement, in
form and substance satisfactory to Lender, that purports to grant
to Lender a security interest in the aircraft owned by any Loan
Party.
Page 1
“ Applicable Margin
” means the percentage, based on the ratio of Total Funded
Debt as of any determination date to EBITDA for the twelve
(12) month period ending on such determination date as set
forth on the most recent Compliance Certificate received by Lender,
set forth opposite such ratio below:
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Level
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Ratio of
Total Funded Debt to
EBITDA
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Applicable
Margin -
LIBOR
Rate
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Applicable
Margin -
Base
Rate
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Level
1
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Less than 2.00
to 1.00
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2.00
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%
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0.50
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%
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Level
2
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Less than 2.50
to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00
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2.25
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%
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0.75
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%
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Level
3
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Less than 3.00
to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00
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2.38
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%
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1.00
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%
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Level
4
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Less than 3.50
to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00
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2.50
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%
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1.25
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%
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Level
5
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Greater than or
equal to 3.50 to 1.00
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2.75
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%
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1.50
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%
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The Applicable Margin will be
determined from Borrowers’ most recent Compliance Certificate
received by Lender, as required by this Agreement. The Applicable
Margin determined with respect to each Compliance Certificate will
be in effect from the first day of the month following receipt of
that Compliance Certificate until the first day of the month
following receipt of the next Compliance Certificate. Until Lender
receives the first Compliance Certificate, the Applicable Margin
will be Level 3. Thereafter, if any Compliance Certificate is not
delivered on time, the Applicable Margin from the date such
Compliance Certificate was due until Lender receives it will be the
highest level set forth above.
“ Asset Coverage Ratio
” means the ratio of (a) the sum of gross accounts
receivable, gross inventory, and net property, plant and equipment
(excluding NMFFP Collateral), to (b) Principal
Debt.
“ Assignment of
Insurances ” means each assignment of insurances, in form
and substance satisfactory to Lender, executed and delivered by a
Loan Party in favor of Lender and relating to insurances with
respect to any Vessel.
“ Bankruptcy Default
” means an Event of Default described in
Section 8.01(g) .
“ Base Rate ”
means, for any day, a fluctuating rate equal to the highest of:
(i) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (ii) a
rate determined by Lender to be one and one-half percent
(1.50%) above Daily One Month LIBOR, and (iii) the
Federal Funds Rate plus one and one-half percent
(1.50%).
“ Base Rate Principal
” means, at any time, the Principal Debt minus the portion,
if any, of such Principal Debt which is LIBOR Principal.
“ Business Day ”
means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which
commercial banks in Texas are authorized or required by law to
close.
Page 2
“ Change of Control
” means an event or series of events by which:
(a) any “person” or
“group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any
employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any
person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other
fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the
“beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or
group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of
all Equity Interests that such person or group has the right to
acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only
after the passage of time (such right, an “option
right”)), directly or indirectly, of thirty-five percent
(35.00%) of the Equity Interests of Omega Protein Corporation
entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or
equivalent governing body of Omega Protein Corporation on a fully
diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that
such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any
option right);
(b) during any period of twenty four
(24) consecutive months, a majority of the members of the
board of directors or other equivalent governing body of Omega
Protein Corporation cease to be composed of individuals
(i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing
body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or
nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved
by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at
the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that
board or equivalent governing body, or (iii) whose election or
nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was
approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and
(ii) above constituting at the time of such election or
nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent
governing body (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and
clause (iii), any individual whose initial nomination for, or
assumption of office as, a member of that board or equivalent
governing body occurs as a result of an actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of
one or more directors by any person or group other than a
solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on
behalf of the board of directors); or
(c) any Person or two (2) or
more Persons acting in concert shall have acquired by contract or
otherwise, or shall have entered into a contract or arrangement
that, upon consummation thereof, will result in its or their
acquisition of the power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a
controlling influence over the management or policies of Omega
Protein Corporation, or control over the Voting Stock of Omega
Protein Corporation on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into
account all such Voting Stock that such Person or group has the
right to acquire pursuant to any option right) representing
thirty-five percent (35.00%) or more of the combined voting
power of such Voting Stock; and
(d) with respect to Omega Protein,
Inc., the failure of Omega Protein Corporation to directly or
indirectly own all of the outstanding Equity Interests of Omega
Protein, Inc.
“ Closing Date ”:
See Section 7.01 .
Page 3
“ Collateral ”
means a collective reference to all real and personal property with
respect to which Liens in favor of Lender are purported to be
granted pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the
Collateral Documents.
“ Collateral Documents
” means a collective reference to the Security Agreements,
the Mortgages, the Aircraft Security Agreements, the First
Preferred Ship Mortgages, the Assignment of Insurances and other
security documents as may be executed and delivered by the Loan
Parties hereunder.
“ Commitment ”
means the obligation of Lender, subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, to make Loans which shall not exceed at any one
time outstanding $35,000,000.00 less L/C Obligations.
“ Compliance
Certificate ”: See Section 5.01(d)
.
“ Contested in Good
Faith ” means, as to any payment, tax, assessment,
charge, levy, lien, encumbrance or claim, contesting the amount,
applicability or validity thereof in good faith by appropriate
proceedings or other appropriate actions promptly initiated and
diligently conducted in a manner satisfactory to Lender,
provided that the enforcement of any related Lien is stayed
in a manner satisfactory to Lender pending the resolution of such
contest.
“ Control ” means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person,
whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract
or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “
Controlled ” have meanings correlative
thereto.
“ Daily One Month LIBOR
” means, for any day, the rate of interest equal to LIBOR
then in effect for delivery for a one (1) month
period.
“ Debtor Relief Laws
” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all
other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the
benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership,
insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the
United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time
in effect and affecting the rights of creditors
generally.
“ Default Rate ”
means the lesser of (a) the Maximum Rate or (b) the Base
Rate plus four percent (4%).
“ Disposition ”
means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition
(including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by a
Loan Party (including the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary),
including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or
without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights
and claims associated therewith, but excluding any loss of, damage
to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking for
public use of, any property of a Loan Party.
“ Domestic Subsidiary
” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of
any state of the United States or the District of
Columbia.
Page 4
“ EBITDA ” means,
for any period, for Borrowers and their consolidated Subsidiaries
on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to the consolidated net
income of Borrowers and their consolidated Subsidiaries for such
period plus the following to the extent deducted in
calculating such consolidated net income: (a) consolidated
interest expense for such period, (b) the provision for
federal, state, local and foreign income taxes payable for such
period, (c) the amount of depreciation and amortization
expense and other non-cash charges for such period, and
(d) one-time charges incurred in connection with the repayment
of Borrowers’ Existing Credit Agreement and the closing of
this Agreement.
“ Eligible Vessels
” means each of the Vessels, other than any Ineligible
Vessels and any Excluded Vessel.
“ Equity Interests
” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests,
membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial
interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a
Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the
holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such Equity
Interest.
“ ERISA ” means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect as of the
date hereof and any subsequent provisions which are amendatory
thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.
“ ERISA Affiliate
” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated)
under common control with Borrowers within the meaning of
Section 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code (and
Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Internal Revenue Code for
purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Internal
Revenue Code).
“ ERISA Plan ”
means, at any time, any employee benefit plan as defined under
Section 3(3) of ERISA and in respect of which Borrowers
or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated at such
time, would under ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer”
as defined in ERISA.
“ Event of Default
”: See Section 8.01 .
“ Excluded Property
” means, with respect to any Loan Party, (a) any owned
real property which is located outside of the United States,
(b) unless requested by Lender, any leasehold interests in
real property, (c) unless requested by Lender, any trademarks,
services marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights,
franchises, licenses, and other intellectual property rights for
which a perfected Lien thereon is not effected either by filing of
a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement or by appropriate
evidence of such Lien being filed in either the United States
Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office,
(d) unless requested by Lender, any personal property (other
than personal property described in clause (b) above) for
which the attachment or perfection of a Lien thereon is not
governed by the Uniform Commercial Code, (e) unless requested
by Lender, the Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Foreign
Subsidiary of a Loan Party, (f) any property which is subject
to a Lien securing purchase money indebtedness permitted under
clause (d) of Section 6.04 pursuant to documents
which prohibit such Loan Party from granting any other Liens in
such property, (g) NMFFP Collateral, (h) the Equity
Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary that is an Inactive Subsidiary,
(i) unless requested by Lender, Equity Interests of Omega
Protein, Inc., (j) the Excluded Vessels,
Page 5
(k) Borrowers’ existing account numbers
2330943275, 3299122483, 3751624994, 3751625003, 3751625016,
3752140309, 3752140312, 3752140325, 3752196104, 4426328113, and
488004025483 at Bank of America, N.A. and the funds on deposit
therein from time to time, provided that such accounts shall
only be Excluded Property so long as they are permitted to be
maintained at Bank of America, N.A. under Section 5.11
hereof, (l) Borrowers’ existing account numbers 243916,
877880, 220-22218-1-4, and 223-08752-1-9 at Bank of America
Securities and the funds on deposit therein from time to time,
provided that such accounts shall only be Excluded Property
so long as they are permitted to be maintained at Bank of America
Securities under Section 5.11 hereof,
(m) Borrowers’ existing account number 475053001 at
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the funds on deposit therein from
time to time, provided that such account shall only be
Excluded Property so long as it is permitted to be maintained at
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. under Section 5.11 hereof,
and (n) up to $2,000,000.00 in cash or cash equivalents if
Bank of America, N.A. requires Borrowers to cash collateralize the
Acceptable Swap Agreements that Borrowers have entered into with
Bank of America, N.A. prior to the Closing Date, provided
that such cash or cash equivalents shall only be Excluded Property
so long as Bank of America, N.A. requires that such Acceptable Swap
Agreements be cash collateralized.
“ Excluded Vessels
” means the Vessels identified as “Excluded
Vessels” on Schedule 4.16 , provided that if
any such Vessel is not scrapped or sold within twelve
(12) months of the Closing Date, such Vessel shall cease to be
an Excluded Vessel.
“ Exclusive Economic
Zone ” means the zone established by Presidential
Proclamation 5030, of March 10, 1983 (16 U.S.C. § 1453
note), and any successor thereto.
“ Existing Credit
Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as
of March 26, 2007, among Omega Protein Corporation and Omega
Protein, Inc. as borrowers, the subsidiaries of Omega Protein
Corporation identified therein as guarantors, Bank of America, N.A.
as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party thereto, as
amended.
“ Federal Funds Rate
” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the
weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by
Federal funds brokers for the immediately preceding day, as
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; provided
that if no such rate is so published on any day, then the Federal
Funds Rate for such day shall be the rate most recently
published.
“ First Preferred Ship
Mortgage ” means each first preferred fleet mortgage or
first preferred ship mortgage, in form and substance satisfactory
to Lender, executed and delivered by a Loan Party in favor of
Lender with respect to an Eligible Vessel.
“ Fixed Rate Term
” means a period commencing on a Business Day and continuing
for one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months, as
designated by Borrower, during which all or a portion of the
outstanding principal balance of the Note bears interest determined
in relation to LIBOR; provided however , that no Fixed Rate
Term may be selected for a principal amount less than
$1,000,000.00; and provided further , that no Fixed Rate
Term shall extend beyond the Maturity Date hereof. If any Fixed
Rate Term would end on a day which is not a Business Day, then such
Fixed Rate Term shall be extended to the next succeeding Business
Day.
“ Foreign Subsidiary
” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic
Subsidiary.
“ Funding Date ”:
See Section 7.02 .
Page 6
“ GAAP ” means
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set
forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and the statements and pronouncements of the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be
approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in
the United States, that are applied to the circumstances as of the
date of determination, consistently applied.
“ Governmental
Authority ” means any nation, country, commonwealth,
territory, state, county, parish, municipality or any political
subdivision, agency, department, commission, board or other
instrumentality of any of the foregoing.
“ Governmental
Requirements ” means any and all present and future
judicial decisions, laws, statutes, rulings, rules, regulations,
permits, certificates, or ordinances of any Governmental Authority
in any way applicable to any Borrower, any Guarantor or the
Property, including, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the ownership, use, occupancy, possession, construction,
operation, maintenance, alteration, repair, or reconstruction
thereof.
“ Guarantors ”
means Protein Finance Company, a Delaware corporation, Omega
International Marketing Company, a Delaware corporation, Omega
International Distribution Company, a Delaware corporation, Omega
Shipyard, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Protein Industries, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, and any other Person which subsequently
guaranties the payment and performance of the
Obligations.
“ Guaranty Agreement
”: See Section 3.03 .
“ Hazardous Materials
” include all materials defined as hazardous materials or
hazardous substances under any Governmental Requirements relating
to the environment, and petroleum, petroleum products, oil and
asbestos.
“ Inactive Subsidiary
” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Omega Protein
Corporation which (a) individually has assets not exceeding
$500,000.00 and (b) together with all other Inactive
Subsidiaries, has assets not exceeding $2,500,000.00 in the
aggregate. As of the Closing Date, Omega Protein Mexico S. de R.L.
de. C.V. is the only Inactive Subsidiary of Omega Protein
Corporation.
“ Indemnified Party
”: See Section 10.02 .
“ Ineligible Vessel
” means (a) the Vessels identified on Schedule
4.16 as collateral for the NMFFP Financing permitted under
clause (b) of Section 6.04 , and (b) any
Vessel that at the time of determination is mortgaged to secure any
NMFFP Financing owed by any Loan Party under the NMFFP to the
extent such NMFFP Financing is permitted under clause (c) of
Section 6.04 ; provided that if any such Vessel
described in clause (a) or clause (b) above shall cease
to secure any NMFFP Financing, including as the result of the
satisfaction or discharge of such NMFFP Financing, the release of
all Loan Parties’ obligations thereunder or the release of
such Vessel as security therefore, such Vessel shall no longer
constitute an “Ineligible Vessel”.
“ Interest Payment Date
” means (a) with respect to any Base Rate Principal, the
last Business Day of each December, March, June and September
commencing December 31, 2009,
Page 7
and (b) with respect to any LIBOR
Principal, the last day of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto,
provided that in the case of LIBOR Principal with a Fixed Rate Term
of more than three (3) months’ duration, each day prior
to the last day of such Fixed Rate Term that occurs at intervals of
three (3) months’ duration after the first day of such
Fixed Rate Term.
“ Joinder Agreement
” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of
Exhibit A executed and delivered by a Subsidiary in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5.20
.
“ Jones Act ”
means Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, as
amended (recodified at 46 U.S.C. § 55101 et seq.), and all
successors statutes thereto, and any and all regulations
promulgated under any thereof.
“ L/C Obligations
”: See Section 2.08 .
“ Lender Swap Agreement
” means any Swap Agreement between any Borrower and any of
its Affiliates, on the one hand, and a Lender Swap Provider, on the
other.
“ Lender Swap Provider
” means Lender or an Affiliate of Lender.
“ LIBOR ” means
the rate per annum determined pursuant to the following
formula:
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIBOR
=
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100.00% - LIBOR Reserve Percentage
|
|
|
(i) “ Base LIBOR
” means the rate per annum for United States dollar deposits
quoted by Lender (A) for the purpose of calculating effective
rates of interest for loans making reference to LIBOR, as the
Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate, with the understanding that such
rate is quoted by Lender for the purpose of calculating effective
rates of interest for loans making reference thereto, on the first
day of a Fixed Rate Term for delivery of funds on said date for a
period of time approximately equal to the number of days in such
Fixed Rate Term and in an amount approximately equal to the
principal amount to which such Fixed Rate Term applies, or
(B) for the purpose of calculating effective rates of interest
for loans making reference to the Daily One Month LIBOR Rate, as
the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate in effect from time to time for
delivery of funds for one (1) month in amounts approximately
equal to the principal amount of such loans. Borrowers understand
and agree that Lender may base its quotation of the Inter-Bank
Market Offered Rate upon such offers or other market indicators of
the Inter-Bank Market as Lender in its discretion deems appropriate
including, but not limited to, the rate offered for U.S. dollar
deposits on the London Inter-Bank Market.
(ii) “ LIBOR Reserve
Percentage ” means the reserve percentage prescribed by
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any
successor) for “Eurocurrency Liabilities” (as defined
in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as amended), adjusted
by Lender for expected changes in such reserve percentage during
the applicable term of the Note.
“ LIBOR Principal
” means any portion of the Principal Debt which bears
interest at an applicable LIBOR at the time in question.
Page 8
“ Lien ” means
any mortgage, ship mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other),
charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or
preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of
any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or
other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or
other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing
lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the
foregoing).
“ Loan Documents
” means this Agreement, the Note, the Guaranty Agreements,
the Security Agreements, the Mortgages, the First Preferred Ship
Mortgages, the Assignments of Insurances, the Aircraft Security
Agreements, each other Collateral Document, any applicable UCC-1
financing statements, any applicable FAA filings, any applicable
stock powers, the Partner’s Certificates, the Officer’s
Certificates, the Notice of Final Agreement, the Post-Closing
Letter, each Joinder Agreement, and such other documents
evidencing, securing or pertaining to the Loan as shall from time
to time be executed and delivered by Borrowers or any other Loan
Party to Lender in connection with the Loan, including any future
amendments hereto, or restatements hereof, or pursuant to the terms
of any of the other Loan Documents, together with any and all
renewals, extensions, and restatements of, and amendments and
modifications to, any such agreements, documents, and instruments,
but excluding any Lender Swap Agreements.
“ Loan Party ”
means each Borrower, each Guarantor and each other Person who is,
or whose property is, directly or indirectly liable for the
Obligations.
“ Loans ”: See
Section 2.01 .
“ Material Adverse
Effect ” means (i) a material adverse effect upon
the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents,
(ii) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse
effect upon, the condition (financial or otherwise), business,
assets, prospects, or operations of any Loan Party, (iii) a
material impairment of the ability of either Borrower to fulfill
its obligations under any of the Loan Documents, (iv) a
material impairment of the ability of the Loan Parties taken as a
whole to fulfill their obligations under any of the Loan Documents,
or (v) a material impairment of the value of any Collateral
from time to time securing the Obligations or the ability of Lender
to realize thereon.
“ Maturity Date ”
means October 21, 2012.
“ Maximum Rate ”
means the higher of the maximum interest rate allowed by applicable
United States or Texas law as amended from time to time and in
effect on the date for which a determination of interest accrued
hereunder is made. The determination of the maximum rate permitted
by applicable Texas law shall be made pursuant to the weekly
ceiling as determined pursuant to Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance
Code, but Lender reserves the right to implement from time to time
any other rate ceiling permitted by such law.
“ Monetary Obligations
”: See the definition of “Obligations” in this
Section 1.01 .
“ Mortgage ”
means each mortgage, deed of trust or deed to secure debt, in form
and substance satisfactory to Lender, that purports to grant to
Lender a Lien on the fee interests of any Loan Party in any real
property.
Page 9
“ Mortgaged Property
” means any real property that is owned by a Loan Party and
is subject to a Mortgage.
“ Multiemployer Plan
” has the meaning provided therefor in ERISA.
“ NMFFP ” means
the National Marine Fisheries Finance Program.
“ NMFFP Collateral
” means (i) the Ineligible Vessels, (ii) any real
property owned by any Loan Party and identified in Schedule
4.17 as collateral for the NMFFP Financing and any real
property that at the time of determination is mortgaged to secure
any NMFFP Financing owed by any Loan Party to the extent such NMFFP
Financing is permitted by clause (c) of
Section 6.04 , and (iii) any equipment or other
property in which a Lien has been granted to secure NMFFP Financing
permitted by clauses (b) and (c) of
Section 6.04 .
“ NMFFP Financing
” means any obligation, whether actual or contingent, to
repay any amount advanced or that may be advanced by the United
States, acting under Title XI, by or through the Secretary of
Commerce or any other instrumentality, pursuant to a loan guarantee
made available pursuant to Title XI.
“ Note ” means
that certain Revolving Note of even date herewith made by Borrowers
payable to the order of Lender in the face amount of
$35,000,000.00, as amended, modified, replaced, restated, extended
or renewed from time to time.
“ Notice of Final
Agreement ”: See Section 7.01(f) .
“ Obligations ”
means the joint and several obligations of Borrowers to pay the
indebtedness, advances, late charges, L/C Obligations and
reimbursements described below (which indebtedness, advances, and
other items are collectively called the “ Monetary
Obligations ”) and to perform the agreements described
below:
(a) to pay all indebtedness arising
out of this Agreement, any future advances under this Agreement,
and all renewals, extensions or amendments of such indebtedness or
any part thereof or any such future advances, including interest
and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan
Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor
Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding,
regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in
such proceeding;
(b) to pay the principal of and
interest on the Note in accordance with the terms thereof, and all
renewals, extensions, modifications and amendments of the Note or
any part thereof, and any future advances made pursuant
thereto;
(c) to repay to Lender all amounts
advanced by Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents on
behalf of Borrowers, including advances for principal or interest
payments to prior secured parties, mortgagees, or lienors, or for
taxes, levies, insurance, rent, repairs to or maintenance, storage
or protection of any of the Collateral;
(d) to pay any and all other
indebtedness of Borrowers to Lender of every kind, nature and
description, direct or indirect, primary or secondary, secured or
unsecured (including overdrafts), joint or several, absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter
arising, regardless of how it may be evidenced, including all
future advances, whether or not presently contemplated by the
parties hereto;
Page 10
(e) to pay any and all indebtedness
and to perform all obligations of Borrowers or any of their
Affiliates to the Lender Swap Providers arising out of any Lender
Swap Agreement which Borrowers may have with such Lender Swap
Providers;
(f) to pay any and all indebtedness
and to perform all obligations of Borrowers or any of their
Affiliates to Lender or Lender’s Affiliates arising out of
any Treasury Management Agreement which Borrowers may have with
Lender or Lender’s Affiliates;
(g) to pay the late charges as
provided in this Agreement;
(h) to pay all L/C
Obligations;
(i) to perform fully and cause all
other Loan Parties to perform fully all of the terms and provisions
of each of the instruments constituting the Loan Documents;
and
(j) to reimburse Lender, on demand,
for all of Lender’s expenses and costs, which Borrowers and
the other Loan Parties are obligated to pay pursuant to the terms
of the Loan Documents.
“ OFAC ” means
the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign
Assets Control.
“ Officer’s
Certificate ” means, for each Loan Party that is a
corporation or limited liability company, a certificate executed by
an authorized officer having attached thereto (i) a copy of
its articles of incorporation or organization and bylaws or
operating agreement, and all amendments thereto, a certificate of
incumbency of all of its officers who will be authorized to execute
or attest any of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and a
copy of resolutions approving the Loan Documents to which it is a
party and authorizing the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; and (ii) certificates of existence and good
standing issued by the appropriate governmental officials of the
state in which such corporation or limited liability company is
organized, and, if different, satisfactory evidence of good
standing in the state in which real estate owned by it and
mortgaged to Lender is located .
“ Partner’s
Certificate ” means, for each Loan Party that is a
partnership, a certificate executed by an authorized officer having
attached thereto (i) a true and complete copy of an executed
copy of its partnership agreement and all amendments thereto, and
(ii) for each limited partnership, a copy of the
certificate of limited partnership accompanied by a certificate
that the copy is true and complete, issued by the appropriate
governmental officials of the state in which such limited
partnership is organized, and, if different, satisfactory evidence
of good standing in the state in which real estate owned by it and
mortgaged to Lender is located.
“ PBGC ” means
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
“ Permitted
Acquisitions ” means investments consisting of an
Acquisition by a Loan Party, provided that (a) the
property acquired (or the property of the Person acquired) in such
Acquisition is used or useful in the same or a similar line of
business as the Loan Parties were engaged in on the Closing Date
(or any reasonable extensions or expansions thereof), (b) in
the
Page 11
case of an Acquisition of the Equity Interests
of another Person, the board of directors (or other comparable
governing body) of such other Person shall have duly approved such
Acquisition, (c) Borrowers shall have delivered to Lender a
pro forma Compliance Certificate demonstrating that, upon giving
effect to such Acquisition, the Loan Parties would be in compliance
with the financial covenants set forth in Sections 5.16
through and including 5.19 on a pro forma basis,
(d) the representations and warranties made by the Loan
Parties in each Loan Document shall be true and correct in all
material respects at and as if made as of the date of such
Acquisition (after giving effect thereto), (e) if such
transaction involves the purchase of an interest in a partnership
between a Loan Party as a general partner and entities unaffiliated
with Borrowers as the other partners, such transaction shall be
effected by having such Equity Interest acquired by a corporate
holding company directly or indirectly wholly-owned by such Loan
Party newly formed for the sole purpose of effecting such
transaction, (f) immediately after giving effect to such
Acquisition, there shall be at least $5,000,000.00 of availability
existing under the Commitment, and (g) the aggregate
consideration (including cash consideration and non-cash
consideration (other than Equity Interests of Omega Protein
Corporation), any assumption of indebtedness, deferred purchase
price and any earn-out payments ) paid by the Loan Parties for all
such Acquisitions shall not exceed $5,000,000.00 during any fiscal
year and shall not exceed $10,000,000.00 during the term of this
Agreement.
“ Permitted Disposition
” means (a) Dispositions of inventory in the ordinary
course of business, (b) Dispositions of machinery and
equipment no longer used or useful in the conduct of business of a
Loan Party that are made in the ordinary course of business,
(c) Dispositions of property by a Loan Party to another Loan
Party, provided that to the extent constituting an
investment, such transaction is permitted by
Section 6.09 , (d) Dispositions of accounts
receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof,
(e) licenses, sublicenses, leases or subleases granted to
others not interfering in any material respect with the business of
the Loan Parties, and (f) the Disposition of cash equivalents
for fair market value.
“ Permitted Liens
” means (a) the Liens evidenced by the Loan Documents,
(b) other Liens in favor of Lender, (c) Liens existing on
the date hereof and listed on Schedule 6.01 (including Liens
securing the NMFFP Financing) and any renewals or extensions
thereof, provided that (i) the scope of property
covered thereby is not changed, (ii) the amount secured or
benefited thereby is not increased, and (iii) the direct or
any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed,
(d) Liens on Vessels that at any time hereafter are mortgaged
to secure NMFFP Financing permitted by clause (c) of
Section 6.04 , (e) Liens (other than Liens imposed
under ERISA) for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
levies not yet due or which are being Contested in Good Faith, if
adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books
of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP,
(f) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers,
warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and suppliers and other Liens
imposed by law or pursuant to customary reservations or retentions
of title arising in the ordinary course of business,
provided that such Liens secure only amounts not yet due and
payable or, if due and payable are not overdue by more than
forty-five (45) days, are unfiled and no other action has been
taken to enforce the same or are being Contested in Good Faith, if
adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books
of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP, (g) pledges
or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure
payment of workers’ compensation, or to participate in any
funds in connection with workers’ compensation unemployment
insurance, old age pensions, or other social security programs,
(h) deposits to
Page 12
secure the performance of bids, trade contracts
and leases (other than indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety
and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like
nature incurred in the ordinary course of business,
(i) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
encumbrances affecting real property which (1) are not Liens
which secure other indebtedness or obligations, and (2) in the
aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any
case materially detract from the value of the property subject
thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the
business of the applicable Person, (j) Liens securing
judgments for the payment of money (or appeal or other surety bonds
relating to such judgments) not constituting an Event of Default
under Section 8.01(i) , (k) Liens securing
purchase money indebtedness permitted under clause (d) of
Section 6.04 (but only to the extent of the assets
purchased with such purchase money indebtedness), (l) leases
or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material
respect with the business of Borrowers or any of their
Subsidiaries, (m) any interest of title of a lessor under, and
Liens arising from UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings,
registrations or agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to,
leases permitted by this Agreement, (n) normal and customary
rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other
depository institutions, (o) Liens of a collection bank
arising under Section 4.210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on
items in the course of collection, (p) maritime Liens on
Vessels arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of
business that are not overdue by more than forty five
(45) days or are being Contested in Good Faith, and a reserve
or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by
GAAP shall have been made therefor, (q) Liens on unearned
insurance premiums securing indebtedness permitted under
Section 6.04(h) , (r) a Lien on cash collateral to
secure up to $2,000,000.00 of Acceptable Swap Agreements that
Borrowers have entered into with Bank of America, N.A. prior to the
Closing Date, and (s) other Liens on assets having an
aggregate value not exceeding $500,000.00 at any time.
“ Person ” means
any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust,
joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental
Authority or other entity.
“ Post-Closing Letter
” means that certain letter agreement of even date herewith
between Borrowers and Lender setting forth the required time for
delivery of certain items otherwise required under
Section 7.01 to be delivered to Lender on the Closing
Date.
“ Potential Default
” means any condition, event or act, which with the giving of
notice or the lapse of time, or both, will constitute an Event of
Default hereunder.
“ Prime Rate ”
means at any time the rate of interest most recently announced
within Lender at its principal office as its Prime Rate, with the
understanding that the Prime Rate is one of Lender’s base
rates and serves as the basis upon which effective rates of
interest are calculated for those loans making reference thereto,
and is evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in
such internal publication or publications as Lender may
designate.
“ Principal Debt
”: See Section 2.03 .
“ Prohibited
Transaction ” has the meaning provided therefor in
ERISA.
“ Reportable Event
” has the meaning provided therefor in ERISA.
“ Rules ”: See
Section 10.27 .
Page 13
“ Sanctioned Entity
” means (a) an agency of the government of, (b) an
organization directly or indirectly controlled by, or (c) a
Person resident in a country that is subject to a sanctions program
identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at
http://www.treas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/sanctions/index.html,
or as otherwise published from time to time as such program may be
applicable to such agency, organization or Person.
“ Sanctioned Person
” means a Person named on the list of Specially Designated
Nationals or Blocked Persons maintained by OFAC available at
http://www.treas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/sdn/index.html, or as
otherwise published from time to time.
“ Security Agreement
” means each security agreement, pledge and other agreement,
in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, that purport to grant
to Lender a security interest in the personal property of any Loan
Party.
“ Standby Letter of
Credit ”: See Section 2.08 .
“ Subordinated
Liabilities ” means liabilities subordinated to
Borrowers’ obligations to Lender in a manner acceptable to
Lender in its sole discretion.
“ Subsidiary ” of
a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited
liability company or other business entity of which a majority of
the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors or other governing body (other
than securities or interests having such power only by reason of
the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned,
or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such
Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a
“Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall
refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of any Borrower.
“ Swap Agreement
” means any interest rate, currency, commodity, or equity
cap, floor, collar, forward agreement, or other similar exchange or
rate or price protection arrangement, or any similar transaction or
any option with respect to any such transaction, including any swap
agreement as defined in 11 U.S. Code Section 101.
“ Tangible Net Worth
” means at any time the consolidated stockholders equity of
Borrowers and their consolidated Subsidiaries plus Subordinated
Liabilities and minus intangibles (including goodwill, patents,
trademarks, trade names, organization expense, unamortized debt
discount and expense, capitalized or deferred research and
development costs, deferred marketing expenses, and other like
intangibles, and monies due from Affiliates, officers, directors,
employees, shareholders, members or managers of
Borrower).
“ Title XI ”
means Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 and any and all
regulations promulgated under any provision thereof.
“ Total Funded Debt
” means, as of any date, with respect to Borrowers and their
consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, without
duplication, all indebtedness for borrowed money (including
obligations under capitalized leases).
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“ Total Liabilities
” means, at any time, consolidated total liabilities of
Borrowers and their consolidated Subsidiaries.
“ Treasury Management
Agreement ” means any agreement governing the provision
of treasury or cash management services, including deposit
accounts, funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance
accounts, returned check, concentration, controlled disbursement,
lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance
services.
“ U.S. Citizen ”
means a person that (a) is an “eligible owner”
within the meaning of 46 U.S.C. § 12103(b), and any and all
successor statutes thereto, and any and all regulations promulgated
under any thereof, and (b) if such Person is an entity,
satisfies the ownership requirements of 46 U.S.C. § 12113(c)
and 46 C.F.R. 356.3(e), and any and all successor statutes thereto,
and any and all regulations promulgated under any
thereof.
“ U.S. Coast Guard
” means the United States Coast Guard, a military
organization under the Department of Homeland Security.
“ U.S. Fisheries Trade
” means processing, storing, transporting (except in foreign
commerce), catching, taking and harvesting fish in the navigable
waters of the United States or in the Exclusive Economic Zone, and
landing any catch, wherever caught, in the United
States.
“ Vessels ”
means, at any time, each of the vessels owned by any Loan Party at
such time, including the vessels listed on Schedule 4.16 ,
in each case together with all engines, boilers, machinery, masts,
anchors, cables, rigging, tackle, apparel, furniture, boats,
chains, equipment and all other appurtenances to such vessels
whether aboard or removed from such vessels, together with any and
all additions, improvements and/or replacements which may hereafter
be made to, on or in such vessels or any part thereof.
“ Voting Stock ”
means, with respect to any Person, Equity Interests issued by such
Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of
contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or
persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though
the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such
contingency.
Section 1.02 Terms
Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally
to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the
context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding
masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words
“include,” “includes” and
“including” shall be deemed to be followed by the
phrase “without limitation.” The word
“will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and
effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires
otherwise, (a) any definition of or reference to any
agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed
as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as
from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
(subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or
modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document),
(b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to
include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the
words “herein,” “hereof” and
“hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in
any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan
Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision
thereof, (d) all references in a Loan Document to Articles,
Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to
Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules
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to, the Loan Document in which such references
appear, (e) any reference to any law shall include all
statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending,
replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or
regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or
regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time,
and (f) the words “asset” and
“property” shall be construed to have the same meaning
and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible
assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and
contract rights.
Section 1.03 Accounting
Terms . Unless specified elsewhere herein, all accounting terms
used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations
hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements to be
delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with
GAAP.
Section 1.04 Counting
Days . If any time period referenced herein ends on a day other
than a Business Day, such period shall be deemed to end on the next
succeeding Business Day.
Section 1.05 Rounding .
Any financial ratio as required to be maintained by any Loan Party
pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the
appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result
to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is
expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest
number (rounding up if there is no nearest number).
Section 1.06 Standby Letter
of Credit Amounts . Unless otherwise specified, all references
herein to the amount of a Standby Letter of Credit at any time
shall be deemed to mean the maximum face amount of such Standby
Letter of Credit after giving effect to all increases thereof
contemplated by such Standby Letter of Credit or the issuer
documents related thereto, whether or not such maximum face amount
is in effect at such time.
ARTICLE II
REVOLVING CREDIT
FACILITY
Section 2.01 The Loan .
Lender agrees, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, to lend
Borrowers at any time and from time to time on or before the
Maturity Date sums (each herein called a “ Loan
” and collectively the “ Loans ”) which
may be repaid and reborrowed pursuant to the terms hereof and which
shall not exceed at any one time outstanding the amount of the
Commitment. Whenever Borrowers desire to borrow hereunder, they
shall comply with Lender’s standard procedures under its
Internet-based program “CEO,” as the same may change
from time to time.
Section 2.02 Use of
Proceeds . The proceeds of Loans may be used solely to fund
Borrower’s general corporate needs, including working capital
and routine capital expenditures, and to pay off the indebtedness
of Borrowers to Bank of America, N.A. and the other lenders for
which Bank of America, N.A. is Administrative Agent.
Section 2.03 Promissory
Note . The obligation of Borrowers to repay the aggregate
principal balance of all Loans hereunder outstanding at any one
time (the “ Principal Debt ”) shall be evidenced
by the Note which shall (a) be payable for the amount of
$35,000,000.00 or the
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Principal Debt then outstanding at the time
payment in full is made or due, whichever is less, (b) bear
interest from the date of each advance hereunder until paid as
provided in Section 2.04 , (c) be payable as to
principal and interest as provided in Section 2.05 ,
(d) be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement and the
security provided for herein, and (e) be in such form as is
acceptable to Lender. So long as no Event of Default exists,
Borrower may select the interest rate for each Loan or change from
one rate to the other, as provided in Section 2.04 . If
an Event of Default exists, (i) Borrower may not change from
one rate to another, and (ii) at Lender’s option, the
interest rate for all Loans shall be the higher of the two rates or
the Default Rate.
Section 2.04 Interest
Rate .
(a) Interest . The
outstanding principal balance of the Note shall bear interest
(computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed,
unless such calculation would result in a usurious rate, in which
case interest shall be computed on the basis of a 365/366-day year,
as the case may be, actual days elapsed) at the lesser of
(i) at Borrower’s option, either (A) a fluctuating
rate per annum equal to the Base Rate in effect from time to time
plus the Applicable Margin, or (B) a fixed rate per annum
determined by Lender to be equal to LIBOR in effect on the first
day of the applicable Fixed Rate Term plus the Applicable Rate, or
(ii) the Maximum Rate. When interest is determined in relation
to the Base Rate, each change in the interest rate shall become
effective each Business Day that Lender determines that the Base
Rate has changed. Lender is hereby authorized to note the date,
principal amount and interest rate applicable thereto and any
payments made thereon on Lender’s books and records (either
manually or by electronic entry) and/or on any schedule attached to
the Note, which notations shall be prima facie evidence of the
accuracy of the information noted.
(b) Selection of Interest Rate
Options . At any time any portion of the Note bears interest
determined in relation to LIBOR for a Fixed Rate Term, it may be
continued by Borrower at the end of the Fixed Rate Term applicable
thereto so that all or a portion thereof bears interest determined
in relation to the Base Rate or to LIBOR for a new Fixed Rate Term
designated by Borrower. At any time any portion of the Note bears
interest determined in relation to the Base Rate, Borrower may at
any time convert all or a portion thereof so that it bears interest
determined in relation to LIBOR for a Fixed Rate Term designated by
Borrower. At such time as Borrower requests an advance hereunder or
wishes to select an interest rate determined in relation to the
Base Rate or a Fixed Rate Term for all or a portion of the
outstanding principal balance hereof, and at the end of each Fixed
Rate Term, Borrower shall give Lender notice specifying:
(i) the interest rate option selected by Borrower;
(ii) the principal amount subject thereto; and (iii) for
each LIBOR selection for a Fixed Rate Term, the length of the
applicable Fixed Rate Term. Any such notice may be given by
telephone (or such other electronic method as Lender may permit) so
long as, with respect to each LIBOR selection for a Fixed Rate
Term, (A) if requested by Lender, Borrower provides to Lender
written confirmation thereof not later than three (3) Business
Days after such notice is given, and (B) such notice is given
to Lender prior to 10:00 a.m. on the first day of the Fixed Rate
Term, or at a later time during any Business Day if Lender, at its
sole option but without obligation to do so, accepts
Borrower’s notice and quotes a fixed rate to Borrower. If
Borrower does not immediately accept a fixed rate when quoted by
Lender, the quoted rate shall expire and any subsequent LIBOR
request from Borrower shall be subject to a redetermination by
Lender of the applicable fixed rate. If, at the time any advance is
requested hereunder or at the end of any Fixed Rate Term, Borrower
does not designate whether such advance or the principal amount to
which such Fixed Rate Term is applied is to bear interest at the
Base Rate or at a Fixed Term Rate, Borrower shall be deemed to have
made a Base Rate interest selection for such advance or principal
amount.
Page 17
(c) Default Interest . From
and after the Maturity Date, or such earlier date as all principal
owing hereunder becomes due and payable by acceleration or
otherwise, or at Lender’s option during the existence of an
Event of Default, the outstanding principal balance of the Note
shall bear interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year,
actual days elapsed, unless such calculation would result in a
usurious rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the
basis of a 365/366-day year, as the case may be, actual days
elapsed) at an increased rate equal to the Default Rate.
Section 2.05
Amortization . Accrued unpaid interest shall be due and
payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date; provided
that in the event of any conversion of any LIBOR Principal to Base
Rate Principal prior to the end of the current Fixed Rate Term
therefor, accrued interest on such LIBOR Principal shall be due and
payable on the effective date of such conversion. Accrued unpaid
interest shall also be due and payable at such other times as may
be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in
accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and
before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any
Debtor Relief Law. The Principal Debt then outstanding, plus
accrued but unpaid interest then outstanding, plus accrued but
unpaid interest to the date of payment, shall be due and payable on
the Maturity Date. Lender is authorized to debit Borrowers’
operating accounts on the date payment is due for all Obligations,
including all payments of principal and interest due under the Note
(and Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested a Loan for such
purpose irrespective of satisfaction of conditions precedent
thereto or whether any Event of Default or Potential Default then
exists).
Section 2.06 Prepayments
.
(a) Base Rate . Borrowers may
prepay Base Rate Principal at any time, in any amount and without
penalty.
(b) LIBOR . Borrowers may
prepay LIBOR Principal at any time. In consideration of Lender
providing this prepayment option to Borrowers, or if any such
portion of the Note shall become due and payable at any time prior
to the last day of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto,
Borrowers shall pay to Lender immediately upon demand a fee which
is the sum of the discounted monthly differences for each month
from the month of prepayment through the month in which such Fixed
Rate Term matures, calculated as follows for each such
month:
(i) Determine the amount of
interest which would have accrued each month on the amount prepaid
at the interest rate applicable to such amount had it remained
outstanding until the last day of the Fixed Rate Term applicable
thereto.
(ii) Subtract from the amount
determined in (i) above the amount of interest which would
have accrued for the same month on the amount prepaid for the
remaining term of such Fixed Rate Term at LIBOR in effect on the
date of prepayment for new loans made for such term and in a
principal amount equal to the amount prepaid.
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(iii) If the result obtained in
(ii) for any month is greater than zero, discount that
difference by LIBOR used in (ii) above.
Borrowers acknowledge that
prepayment of such amount may result in Lender incurring additional
costs, expenses and/or liabilities, and that it is difficult to
ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses and/or
liabilities. Borrowers, therefore, agree to pay the above-described
prepayment fee and agree that said amount represents a reasonable
estimate of the prepayment costs, expenses and/or liabilities of
Lender.
Section 2.07 Unused
Commitment Fee . Borrowers agree to pay Lender an unused
commitment fee for the period commencing with the date of this
Agreement to the Maturity Date, computed at the rate of three
eighths of one percent (0.375%) per annum on the average daily
unused portion of the Commitment. The phrase “unused portion
of the Commitment” as used in the preceding sentence means
the difference between (a) the Commitment, and (b) the
sum of the Principal Debt and the L/C Obligations. The commitment
fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears upon receipt of billing
from Lender.
Section 2.08 Standby Letter
of Credit Subfeature . As a subfeature under the revolving
credit facility created by this Agreement, Lender shall from time
to time up to and including seven (7) days prior to the
Maturity Date, issue Standby Letters of Credit for the account of
Borrowers (each a “ Standby Letter of Credit ”
and collectively, the “ Standby Letters of Credit
”); provided that (a) the form and substance of
each Standby Letter of Credit shall be subject to approval by
Lender in its sole discretion, and (b) the aggregate undrawn
amount of all outstanding Standby Letters of Credit shall not at
any time exceed $7,500,000.00. If the expiry date of any Standby
Letter of Credit is subsequent to the Maturity Date, then on the
Maturity Date Borrowers shall provide to Lender cash collateral in
an amount