SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) which includes the accounts of GS&T and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Business geographics

The Company’s vessels regularly move between countries in international waters, over hundreds of trade routes and, as a result, the disclosure of geographic information is impracticable.

Vessel acquisitions

When the Company enters into an acquisition transaction, it determines whether the acquisition transaction was the purchase of an asset or a business based on the facts and circumstances of the transaction. As is customary in the shipping industry, the purchase of a vessel is normally treated as a purchase of an asset as the historical operating data for the vessel is not reviewed nor is it material to the Company’s decision to make such acquisition.

When a vessel is acquired with an existing time charter, the Company allocates the purchase price to the vessel and the time charter based on, among other things, vessel market valuations and the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the acquired charters) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the charter terms and (ii) management’s estimate of the fair market charter rate, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the charter. The capitalized above-market (assets) and below-market (liabilities) charters are amortized as a reduction or increase, respectively, to voyage revenues over the remaining term of the charter.

Segment reporting

The Company reports financial information and evaluates its operations by voyage revenues and not by the length of ship employment for its customers, i.e., spot or time charters. Each of the Company’s vessels serve the same type of customer, have similar operation and maintenance requirements, operate in the same regulatory environment, and are subject to similar economic characteristics. Based on this, the Company has determined that it operates in one reportable segment, the ocean transportation of drybulk cargoes worldwide through the ownership and operation of drybulk carrier vessels.

Revenue recognition

Since the Company’s inception, revenues have been generated from time charter agreements, spot market voyage charters, pool agreements and spot market-related time charters. Voyage revenues also include the sale of bunkers consumed during short-term time charters pursuant to the terms of the time charter agreement.

Time charters

A time charter involves placing a vessel at the charterer’s disposal for a set period of time during which the charterer may use the vessel in return for the payment by the charterer of a specified daily hire rate, including any ballast bonus payments received pursuant to the time charter agreement. Spot market-related time charters are the same as other time charter agreements, except the time charter rates are variable and are based on a percentage of the average daily rates as published by the Baltic Dry Index (“BDI”).

The Company records time charter revenues, including spot market-related time charters, over the term of the charter as service is provided. Revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis as the average revenue over the term of the respective time charter agreement for which the performance obligations are satisfied beginning when the vessel is delivered to the charterer until it is redelivered back to the Company. The Company records spot market-related time charter revenues over the term of the charter as service is provided based on the rate determined based on the BDI for each respective billing period. As such, the revenue earned by the Company’s vessels that are on spot market-related time charters is subject to fluctuations of the spot market. Time charter contracts, including spot market-related time charters, are considered operating leases and therefore do not fall under the scope of ASC 606 (as defined under “Recent accounting pronouncements” below) because (i) the vessel is an identifiable asset; (ii) the Company does not have substantive substitution rights; and (iii) the charterer has the right to control the use of the vessel during the term of the contract and derives economic benefit from such use.

The Company has identified that time charter agreements, including fixed rate time charters and spot market-related time charters, contain a lease in accordance with ASC 842 (as defined under “Recent accounting pronouncements” below). Refer to Note 12 — Voyage Revenue for further discussion.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, six of the Company’s vessels were chartered under spot-market related time charters that included a profit-sharing element, the Genco Commodus, Baltic Lion, Genco London, Genco Maximus, Baltic Wasp and Baltic Wolf. These time charters all ended during the year ended December 31, 2017. Under these charter agreements, the rate for the spot market-related time charter was linked to a floor of $3 with a 50% index-based profit sharing component. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no time charters with profit-sharing elements.

Spot market voyage charters

In a spot market voyage charter contract, the charterer hires the vessel to transport a specific agreed-upon cargo for a single voyage, which may contain multiple load ports and discharge ports. The consideration in such a contract is determined on the basis of a freight rate per metric ton of cargo carried or occasionally on a lump sum basis. The charter party generally has a minimum amount of cargo. The charterer is liable for any short loading of cargo or "dead" freight. The contract generally has a "demurrage" or "despatch" clause. As per this clause, the charterer reimburses the Company for any potential delays exceeding the allowed laytime as per the charter party clause at the ports visited which is recorded as demurrage revenue. Conversely, the charterer is given credit if the loading/discharging activities happen within the allowed laytime known as despatch resulting in a reduction in revenue. The voyage contracts generally have variable consideration in the form of demurrage or despatch. The amount of revenue earned as demurrage or despatch paid by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is not material.

Pursuant to the new revenue recognition guidance as disclosed in Note 12 — Voyage Revenue, which was adopted during the first quarter of 2018, revenue for spot market voyage charters is now recognized ratably over the total transit time of each voyage, which commences at the time the vessel arrives at the loading port and ends at the time the discharge of cargo is completed at the discharge port. Prior to the adoption of the new guidance, revenue for spot market voyage charters was recognized ratably over the total transit time of the voyage, which previously commenced the latter of when the vessel departed from its last discharge port and when an agreement was entered into with the charterered, and ended at the time discharge of cargo was completed at the discharge port.

Vessel Pools

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have any of its vessels in vessel pools. Under pool arrangements, the vessels operate under a time charter agreement whereby the cost of bunkers and port expenses are borne by the pool and operating costs including crews, maintenance and insurance are typically paid by the owner of the vessel. Since the members of the pool share in the revenue less voyage expenses generated by the entire group of vessels in the pool, and the pool operates in the spot market, the revenue earned by these vessels is subject to the fluctuations of the spot market. The Company recognizes revenue from these pool arrangements based on its portion of the net distributions reported by the relevant pool, which represents the net voyage revenue of the pool after voyage expenses and pool manager fees.

Voyage expense recognition

In time charters, spot market-related time charters and pool agreements, operating costs including crews, maintenance and insurance are typically paid by the owner of the vessel and specified voyage costs such as fuel and port charges are paid by the charterer. These expenses are borne by the Company during spot market voyage charters. As such, there are significantly higher voyage expenses for spot market voyage charters as compared to time charters, spot market-related time charters and pool agreements. There are certain other non-specified voyage expenses, such as commissions, which are typically borne by the Company. At the inception of a time charter, the Company records the difference between the cost of bunker fuel delivered by the terminating charterer and the bunker fuel sold to the new charterer as a gain or loss within voyage expenses. Additionally, the Company records lower of cost and net realizable value adjustments to re-value the bunker fuel on a quarterly basis for certain time charter agreements where the inventory is subject to gains and losses. These differences in bunkers, including any lower of cost and net realizable value adjustments, resulted in a net (loss) gain of ($829), $3,000 and $2,021 during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Additionally, voyage expenses include the cost of bunkers consumed during short-term time charters pursuant to the terms of the time charter agreement.

Loss on debt extinguishment

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded $4,533 related to the loss on the extinguishment of debt in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 470-50 — “Debt – Modifications and Extinguishments” (“ASC 470-50”). This loss was recognized as a result of the refinancing of the $400 Million Credit Facility, the $98 Million Credit Facility and the 2014 Term Loan Facilities with the $495 Million Credit Facility on June 5, 2018 as described in Note 7 — Debt.

Due from charterers, net

Due from charterers, net includes accounts receivable from charters, including receivables for spot market voyages, net of the provision for doubtful accounts. At each balance sheet date, the Company records the provision based on a review of all outstanding charter receivables. Included in the standard time charter contracts with the Company’s customers are certain performance parameters which, if not met, can result in customer claims. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had a reserve of $1,064 and $669, respectively, against the due from charterers balance and an additional accrual of $577 and $345, respectively, in deferred revenue, each of which is primarily associated with estimated customer claims against the Company including vessel performance issues under time charter agreements.

Revenue is based on contracted charterparties. However, there is always the possibility of dispute over terms and payment of hires and freights. In particular, disagreements may arise concerning the responsibility of lost time and revenue. Accordingly, the Company periodically assesses the recoverability of amounts outstanding and estimates a provision if there is a possibility of non-recoverability. The Company believes its provisions to be reasonable based on information available.

Inventories

Inventories consist of consumable bunkers and lubricants. For bunkers that are subject to gains and losses as a result of certain time charter agreements, these inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, and all others are stated at cost. Cost is determined by the first in, first out method.

Vessel operating expenses

Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the cost of spares and consumable stores, and other miscellaneous expenses. Vessel operating expenses are recognized when incurred.

Charter hire expenses

During the second quarter of 2018, the Company began chartering-in third party vessels. The costs to charter-in these vessels, which primarily include the daily charter hire rate net of commissions or net freight revenue, are recorded as Charter hire expenses. The Company recorded $16,179, $1,534 and $0 of charter hire expenses during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Vessels, net

Vessels, net is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Included in vessel costs are acquisition costs directly attributable to the acquisition of a vessel and expenditures made to prepare the vessel for its initial voyage. The Company also capitalizes interest costs for a vessel under construction as a cost that is directly attributable to the acquisition of a vessel. Vessels are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, determined to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Depreciation expense for vessels for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $66,351, $64,012 and $66,514, respectively.

Depreciation expense is calculated based on cost less the estimated residual scrap value. The costs of significant replacements, renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over the shorter of the vessel’s remaining estimated useful life or the estimated life of the renewal or betterment. Undepreciated cost of any asset component being replaced that was acquired after the initial vessel purchase is written off as a component of vessel operating expense. Expenditures for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Scrap value is estimated by the Company by taking the estimated scrap value of $310 per lightweight ton (“lwt”) times the weight of the vessel noted in lwt.

Vessels held for sale

On September 25, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Genco Thunder, and the relevant vessel assets have been classified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019. The vessel is expected to be sold during the first quarter of 2020.

On November 23, 2018, the Company reached an agreement to sell the Genco Vigour, and the relevant vessel assets have been classified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018. This vessel was sold on January 28, 2019. Refer to Note 4 — Vessel Acquisitions and Dispositions for additional information.

Fixed assets, net

Fixed assets, net is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are based on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life of the specific asset placed in service. The following table is used in determining the typical estimated useful lives:


Description		Useful lives

Leasehold improvements		Lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset or life of the lease
Furniture, fixtures & other equipment		5 years
Vessel equipment		2-15 years
Computer equipment		3 years

Depreciation and amortization expense for fixed assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $989, $335 and $274, respectively.

Deferred drydocking costs

The Company’s vessels are required to be drydocked approximately every 30 to 60 months for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels are operating. The Company defers the costs associated with the drydockings as they occur and amortizes these costs on a straight-line basis over the period between drydockings. Costs deferred as part of a vessel’s drydocking include actual costs incurred at the drydocking yard; cost of travel, lodging and subsistence of personnel sent to the drydocking site to supervise; and the cost of hiring a third party to oversee the drydocking. If the vessel is drydocked earlier than originally anticipated, any remaining deferred drydock costs that have not been amortized are expensed at the end of the next drydock.

Amortization expense for drydocking for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $5,484, $4,629 and $4,988, respectively, and is included in Depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. All other costs incurred during drydocking are expensed as incurred.

Impairment of vessel assets

Impairment of long-lived assets

During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 the Company recorded $27,393, $56,586 and $21,993, respectively, related to the impairment of vessel assets in accordance with ASC 360 — “Property, Plant and Equipment” (“ASC 360”). ASC 360 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts. If indicators of impairment are present, the Company performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows to be derived from the related long-lived assets.

On February 3, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Genco Charger, a 2005-built Handysize vessel, to a third party for $5,150 less a 1.0% commission payable to a third party. As the anticipated undiscounted cash flows, including the net sales price, did not exceed the net book value of the vessel as of December 31, 2019, the vessel value for the Genco Charger was adjusted to its net sales price of $5,099 as of December 31, 2019. This resulted in an impairment loss of $1,314 during the year ended December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 19 — Subsequent Events for further detail regarding the sale.

On November 4, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Genco Raptor, a 2007-built Panamax vessel, to a third party for $10,200 less a 2.0% commission payable to a third party. As the anticipated undiscounted cash flows, including the net sales price, did not exceed the net book value of the vessel as of September 30, 2019, the vessel value for the Genco Raptor was adjusted to its net sales price of $9,996 as of September 30, 2019. This resulted in an impairment loss of $5,812 during the year ended December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 4 — Vessel Acquisitions and Dispositions for further detail regarding the sale.

On September 25, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Genco Thunder, a 2007-built Panamax vessel, for $10,400 less a 2.0% broker commission payable to a third party. Therefore, the vessel value for the Genco Thunder was adjusted to its net sales price of $10,192 as of September 30, 2019. This resulted in an impairment loss of $5,749 during the year ended December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 4 — Vessel Acquisitions and Dispositions for further detail regarding the sale.

On September 20, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Genco Champion, a 2006-built Handysize vessel, for $6,600 less a 3.0% broker commission payable to a third party. Therefore, the vessel value for the Genco Champion was adjusted to its net sales price of $6,402 as of September 30, 2019. This resulted in an impairment loss of $621 during the year ended December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 4 — Vessel Acquisitions and Dispositions for further detail regarding the sale.

On August 2, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Genco Challenger, a 2003-built Handysize vessel, for $5,250 less a 2.0% broker commission payable to a third party. As the anticipated undiscounted cash flows, including the net sales price, did not exceed the net book value of the vessel as of June 30, 2019, the vessel value for the Genco Challenger was adjusted to its net sales price of $5,145 as of June 30, 2019. This resulted in an impairment loss of $4,401 during the year ended December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 4 — Vessel Acquisitions and Dispositions for further detail regarding the sale.

At June 30, 2019, the Company determined that the expected estimated future undiscounted cash flows for the Genco Champion, a 2006-built Handysize vessel, and the Genco Charger, a 2005-built Handysize vessel, did not exceed the net book value of these vessels as of June 30, 2019. As such, the Company adjusted the value of these vessels to their respective fair market values as of June 30, 2019. This resulted in an impairment loss of $9,496 during the year ended December 31, 2019.

On July 24, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Genco Surprise, a 1998-built Panamax vessel, for $5,300 less a 3.0% broker commission payable to a third party. As the anticipated undiscounted cash flows, including the net sales price, did not exceed the net book value of the vessel as of June 30, 2018, the vessel value for the Genco Surprise was adjusted to its net sales price of $5,141 as of June 30, 2018. This resulted in an impairment loss of $184 during the year ended December 31, 2018. Refer to Note 4 — Vessel Acquisitions and Dispositions for further detail regarding the sale.

On February 27, 2018, the Board of Directors determined to dispose of the Company’s following nine vessels: the Genco Cavalier, the Genco Loire, the Genco Lorraine, the Genco Muse, the Genco Normandy, the Baltic Cougar, the Baltic Jaguar, the Baltic Leopard and the Baltic Panther, at times and on terms to be determined in the future. Given this decision, and that the estimated future undiscounted cash flows for each of these older vessels did not exceed the net book value for each vessel, we adjusted the values of these older vessels to their respective fair market values during the year ended December 31, 2018. This resulted in an impairment loss of $56,402 during the year ended December 31, 2018.

On August 4, 2017, the Board of Directors determined to dispose of the Company’s vessels built in 1999, namely the Genco Beauty, the Genco Explorer, the Genco Knight, the Genco Progress and the Genco Vigour, at times and on terms to be determined in the future. Given this decision, and that the estimated future undiscounted cash flows for each of these older vessels did not exceed the net book value for each vessel, the Company has adjusted the values of these older vessels to their respective fair market values during the year ended December 31, 2017. This resulted in an impairment loss of $18,654 during the year ended December 31, 2017. Refer to Note 4 — Vessel Acquisitions and Dispositions for further detail regarding the sale of these vessels.

At June 30, 2017, the Company determined that the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the Genco Surprise did not exceed the carrying value of the vessel at June 30, 2017 and reduced the carrying value of the Genco Surprise, a 1998-built Panamax vessel, to its fair market value as of June 30, 2017. This resulted in an impairment loss of $3,339 during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Loss (gain) on sale of vessels

During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded net (losses) gains of ($168), $3,513 and $7,712, respectively, related to the sale of vessels. The ($168) net loss recognized during the year ended December 31, 2019 related primarily to the sale of the Genco Challenger, Genco Champion and Genco Raptor which was largely offset by a net gain related to the sale of the Genco Vigour. The $3,513 net gain recognized during the year ended December 31, 2018 related primarily to the sale of the Genco Progress, the Genco Cavalier, the Genco Explorer, the Genco Muse, the Genco Beauty and the Genco Knight. The $7,712 net gain recognized during the year ended December 31, 2017 related primarily to the sale of the Genco Wisdom, the Genco Reliance, the Genco Carrier, the Genco Success and the Genco Prosperity. Refer to Note 4 — Vessel Acquisitions and Dispositions for further detail regarding the sale of these vessels.

Deferred financing costs

Deferred financing costs, which are presented as a direct deduction within the outstanding debt balance in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, consist of fees, commissions and legal expenses associated with securing loan facilities and other debt offerings and amending existing loan facilities. These costs are amortized over the life of the related debt and are included in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers highly liquid investments, such as money market funds and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted cash

Restricted Cash

Current and non-current restricted cash includes cash that is restricted pursuant to our credit facilities, refer to Note 7 — Debt. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:


	December 31,		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
	2019		2018		2017		2016
Cash and cash equivalents	$	155,889	$	197,499	$	174,479	$	133,400
Restricted cash - current		6,045		4,947		7,234		8,242
Restricted cash - noncurrent		315		315		23,233		27,426

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	162,249	$	202,761	$	204,946	$	169,068

United States Gross Transportation Tax

Pursuant to Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended) (the “Code”), qualified income derived from the international operations of ships is excluded from gross income and exempt from U.S. federal income tax if a company engaged in the international operation of ships meets certain requirements (the “Section 883 exemption”). Among other things, in order to qualify, the Company must be incorporated in a country that grants an equivalent exemption to U.S. corporations and must satisfy certain qualified ownership requirements.

The Company is incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Pursuant to the income tax laws of the Marshall Islands, the Company is not subject to Marshall Islands income tax. The Marshall Islands has been officially recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a qualified foreign country that currently grants the requisite equivalent exemption from tax. The Company is not taxable in any other jurisdiction, with the exception of Genco Management (USA) Limited, Genco Shipping Pte. Ltd. and Genco Shipping A/S, as noted in the “Income taxes” section below.

The Company will qualify for the Section 883 exemption if, among other things, (i) the Company’s stock is treated as primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States (the “publicly traded test”) or (ii) the Company satisfies the qualified shareholder test or (iii) the Company satisfies the controlled foreign corporation test (the “CFC test”). Under applicable Treasury Regulations, the publicly traded test cannot be satisfied in any taxable year in which persons who actually or constructively own 5% or more of the Company’s stock (which the Company sometimes refers to as “5% shareholders”), together own 50% or more of the Company’s stock (by vote and value) for more than half the days in such year (which the Company sometimes refers to as the “five percent override rule”), unless an exception applies. A foreign corporation satisfies the qualified shareholder test if more than 50 percent of the value of its outstanding shares is owned (or treated as owned by applying certain attribution rules) for at least half of the number of days in the foreign corporation's taxable year by one or more “qualified shareholders.” A qualified shareholder includes a foreign corporation that, among other things, satisfies the publicly traded test. A foreign corporation satisfies the CFC test if it is a “controlled foreign corporation” and one or more qualified U.S. persons own more than 50 percent of the total value of all the outstanding stock.

Based on the publicly traded requirement of the Section 883 regulations, the Company believes that it qualified for exemption from income tax on income derived from the international operations of vessels during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. However, based on the ownership and trading of the Company’s stock in 2017, the Company believes that it did not satisfy the publicly traded test, the qualified shareholder test or the CFC test, and therefore did not qualify for the Section 883 exemption in 2017. In order to meet the publicly traded requirement, the Company’s stock must be treated as being primarily and regularly traded for more than half the days of any such year. Under the Section 883 regulations, the Company’s qualification for the publicly traded requirement may be jeopardized if 5% shareholders own, in the aggregate, 50% or more of the Company’s common stock for more than half the days of the year. Management believes that during the year ended December 31, 2017, the combined ownership of its 5% shareholders equaled 50% or more of its common stock for more than half the days of that year. Management believes that during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the combined ownership of its 5% shareholders did not equal 50% or more of its common stock for more than half the days of each of those years.

If the Company does not qualify for the Section 883 exemption, the Company’s U.S. source shipping income, i.e., 50% of its gross shipping income attributable to transportation beginning or ending in the U.S. (but not both beginning and ending in the U.S.) is subject to a 4% tax without allowance for deductions (the “U.S. gross transportation tax”).

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded estimated U.S. gross transportation tax of $365 which was recorded in Voyages expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company qualified for Section 883 exemption and, therefore, did not record any U.S. gross transportation tax.

Income taxes

To the extent the Company’s U.S. source shipping income, or other U.S. source income, is considered to be effectively connected income, as described below, any such income, net of applicable deductions, would be subject to the U.S. federal corporate income tax, imposed at a 21% rate effective 2018. In addition, the Company may be subject to a 30% "branch profits" tax on such income, and on certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of such trade or business. Shipping income is generally sourced 100% to the United States if attributable to transportation exclusively between United States ports (the Company is prohibited from conducting such voyages), 50% to the United States if attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but does not both begin and end, in the United States (as described in “United States Gross Transportation Tax” above) and otherwise 0% to the United States.

The Company’s U.S. source shipping income would be considered effectively connected income only if:

the Company has, or is considered to have, a fixed place of business in the U.S. involved in the earning of U.S. source shipping income; and

substantially all of the Company’s U.S. source shipping income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation, such as the operation of a vessel that follows a published schedule with repeated sailings at regular intervals between the same points for voyages that begin or end in the U.S.

The Company does not intend to have, or permit circumstances that would result in having, any vessel sailing to

or from the U.S. on a regularly scheduled basis. Based on the current shipping operations of the Company and the

Company’s expected future shipping operations and other activities, the Company believes that none of its U.S. source

shipping income will constitute effectively connected income. However, the Company may from time to time generate

non-shipping income that may be treated as effectively connected income.

The Company established Genco Shipping Pte. Ltd. (“GSPL”), which is based in Singapore, on September 8, 2017. GSPL applied for and was awarded the Maritime Sector Incentive – Approved International Shipping Enterprise (“MSI-AIS”) status under Section 13F of the Singapore Income Tax Act (“SITA”) by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The award is for an initial period of 10 years, commencing on August 15, 2018, and is subject to a review of performance at the end of the initial five year period. The MSI-ASI status provides for a tax exemption on income derived by GSPL from qualifying shipping operations under Section 13F of the SITA. Income from non-qualifying activities is taxable at the prevailing Singapore Corporate income tax rate (currently 17%). During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, there was no income tax recorded by GSPL.

During 2018, the Company established Genco Shipping A/S, which is a Danish-incorporated corporation which is based in Copenhagen and considered to be a resident for tax purposes in Denmark. Genco Shipping A/S was subject to corporate taxes in Denmark a rate of 22% during 2018 and 2019. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, Genco Shipping A/S recorded $241 and $79, respectively, of income tax in Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Deferred revenue

Deferred revenue primarily relates to cash received from charterers prior to it being earned. These amounts are recognized as income when earned. Additionally, deferred revenue includes estimated customer claims mainly due to time charter performance issues. Refer to “Revenue recognition” above for description of the Company’s revenue recognition policy.

Nonvested stock awards

The Company follows ASC Subtopic 718-10, “Compensation — Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718-10”), for nonvested stock issued under its equity incentive plans. Stock-based compensation costs from nonvested stock have been classified as a component of additional paid-in capital in the Consolidated Statements of Equity.

Accounting estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include vessel valuations, the valuation of amounts due from charterers, performance claims, residual value of vessels, useful life of vessels and the fair value of derivative instruments, if any. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are amounts due from charterers and cash and cash equivalents. With respect to amounts due from charterers, the Company attempts to limit its credit risk by performing ongoing credit evaluations and, when deemed necessary, requires letters of credit, guarantees or collateral. The Company earned all of its voyage revenues from 170, 182 and 102 customers during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of voyage revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2017, there were two customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of voyage revenues; Swissmarine Services S.A., including its subsidiaries (“Swissmarine”) and Clipper Group, including Clipper Bulk Shipping, the Clipper Logger Pool and the Clipper Sapphire Pool (“Clipper”), which represented 15.09% and 10.98% of voyage revenues, respectively.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company maintains all of its cash and cash equivalents with four financial institutions. None of the Company’s cash and cash equivalent balance is covered by insurance in the event of default by these financial institutions.

Fair value of financial instruments

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, such as amounts due to / due from charterers, accounts payable and long-term debt, approximate their individual carrying amounts as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 due to their short-term maturity or the variable-rate nature of the respective borrowings under the credit facilities. See Note 8 — Fair Value of Financial Instruments for additional disclosure on the fair value of long-term debt.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”),” which change the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, adding, and modifying certain disclosures. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within that year. Early adoption is permitted for any eliminated or modified disclosures upon issuance of this ASU. The Company has evaluated the impact of the adoption of ASU 2018-03 and has determined that there is no effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”). This ASU provides guidance on determining which changes to the terms and conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to apply modification accounting. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods within that year and early adoption is permitted. ASU 2017-09 must be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 during the first quarter of 2018 and there was no effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”). This ASU adds or clarifies the guidance in ASC 230 – Statement of Cash Flows regarding the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted. This ASU shall be applied retrospectively to all periods presented, but may be applied prospectively from the earliest date practicable if retrospective application would be impracticable. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 during the first quarter of 2018. The retrospective application of ASU 2016-15 resulted in insurance proceeds for protection and indemnity claims and loss of hire claims to be separately disclosed in the cash flows from operating activities and resulted in insurance proceeds for hull and machinery claims to be separately disclosed in the cash flows from investing activities. These amounts were previously recorded in the cash flows from operating activities as the change in prepaid expenses and other current assets. Additionally, as part of ASU 2016-15, any cash payments for debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs (including third party costs, premiums paid and other fees paid to lenders) must be classified as cash outflows for financing activities. Lastly, for any debt instruments that contain interest payable in-kind, any cash payments attributable to the payment of in-kind interest will be classified as cash outflows for operating activities. There were no cash payments for in-kind interest during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2017. Refer to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASC 842”), which replaced the existing guidance in ASC 840 – Leases (“ASC 840”). This ASU requires a dual approach for lessee accounting under which a lessee would account for leases as finance leases or operating leases. Both finance leases and operating leases will result in the lessee recognizing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability for leases with lease terms of more than twelve months. For finance leases, the lessee would recognize interest expense and amortization of the right-of-use asset and for operating leases, the lessee would recognize a straight-line total lease expense. Accounting by lessors will remain largely unchanged from current U.S. GAAP. The requirements of this standard include an increase in required disclosures. This ASU was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Lessees and lessors were required to apply the new standard at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements in which they first apply the new guidance, using a modified retrospective transition method. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements” which provided clarifications and improvements to ASC 842, including allowing entities to elect an additional transition method with which to adopt ASC 842. The approved transition method enables entities to apply the transition requirements at the effective date of ASC 842 (rather than at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented as currently required) with the effect of the initial application of ASC 842 recognized as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the period of adoption. As a result, an entity’s reporting for the comparative periods presented in the year of adoption would continue to be in accordance with ASC 840, including the disclosure requirements of ASC 840. The Company adopted ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 using this transition method.

The new guidance provides a number of optional practical expedients in the transition. The Company had elected the package of practical expedients, which among other things, allows the carryforward of the historical lease classification. Further, upon implementation of the new guidance, the Company has elected the practical expedients to combine lease and non-lease components and to not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases. Upon adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the Company recorded a right-of-use asset of $9,710 and an operating lease liability of $13,095 in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 13 — Leases for further information regarding our operating lease agreement and the effect of the adoption of ASC 842 from a lessor perspective.

Pursuant to ASC 842, the Company has identified revenue from its time charter agreements as lease revenue. Refer to Note 12 — Voyage revenue for additional information regarding the adoption of ASC 842 from a lessor perspective.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). This ASU requires that equity investments be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income (loss). ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 during the first quarter of 2018 and there was no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company currently does not have any equity investments.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09” or “ASC 606”), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASC 606 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein, and shall be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption (the “modified retrospective transition method”). The Company adopted ASC 606 during the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method applied to all contracts and determined that the only impact was to spot market voyage charter contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, the Company recognized the cumulative effect of adopting this guidance as an adjustment to its opening balance of retained deficit as of January 1, 2018. Prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a financial impact on the recognition of revenue generated from time charter agreements, spot market-related time charters and pool agreements. Refer to Note 12 — Voyage Revenue for further discussion of the financial impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.