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The Credit Agreement Amendments waive the covenant regarding required minimum balance in cash, cash equivalents and revolver availability (the "Minimum Cash Balance Covenant") under each of the Credit Facilities through November 10, 2011, unless an event of default under any such Credit Facility occurs prior to such date. Under the terms of the amendment to the 2010 Credit Facility, the amortization payment made on September 30, 2011 (the "Amortization Payment") will be used to pay down the revolver loans in lieu of the term loans. The amount of the Amortization Payment may be reborrowed, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. The Company also announced it continues to review its financing options and is currently considering various alternatives with respect to the restructuring of its capital structure. As a result, General Maritime has commenced discussions with its lenders and other creditors concerning a potential restructuring of its indebtedness. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to reach agreement with its lenders and other creditors on a consensual restructuring of its capital structure. Jeffrey D. Pribor, Chief Financial Officer of General Maritime Corporation, stated, "Management continues to take proactive measures to increase the Company's financial flexibility during a challenging market environment. We appreciate the ongoing support from our distinguished lending group and remain focused on pursuing opportunities to further strengthen our capital structure." As previously disclosed, in connection with the Oaktree transactions, Peter C. Georgiopoulos, the Company's Chairman, was granted an interest in a limited partnership that holds Oaktree's investment in the Company. Mr. Georgiopoulos intends to assign this limited partnership interest to the Company without any consideration from the Company. Mr. Georgiopoulos determined to take this step on his own initiative in order to eliminate any appearance that, as a result of this holding, his interests are not aligned with those of the Company and to emphasize his focus on achieving a positive result for the Company in the current environment. The Oaktree transactions were the result of an extensive process, overseen by an independent committee of the Company's Board of Directors, and its financial and legal advisors. The assignment of the limited partnership interest remains subject to Oaktree's consent. Additional information on the Credit Agreement Amendments and other events is available on the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About General Maritime Corporation General Maritime Corporation is a leading crude and products tanker company serving principally within the Atlantic basin, which includes ports in the Caribbean, South and Central America, the United States, West Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe and the North Sea. General Maritime also currently operates tankers in other regions including the Black Sea and Far East. General Maritime owns a fully double-hull fleet of 31 tankers - seven VLCC, nine Aframax, twelve Suezmax tankers, two Panamax and one product tanker - with a total carrying capacity of approximately 5.2 million dwt. The Company also has three product tankers that are chartered-in with options to purchase the vessels. The Company controls tonnage totaling 5.3 million dwt, including the owned fleet and the chartered-in fleet. General Maritime Corp. press release |
General Maritime Announces Amendments to Credit Facilities