Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Vessel Sales and Leasebacks Accounted for as Finance Leases (in accordance with ASC 840)

At December 31, 2020, the Company's fleet includes three vessels financed under sale and leaseback financing arrangements accounted for as finance leases in accordance with ASC 840, prior to adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019. These leases are secured by the assignment of earnings and insurances and by guarantees of the Company.

The selling price of the m/v Bulk Destiny to the new owner (lessor) was $21.0 million and the fair value of the vessel at the inception of the lease was $24.0 million. The difference between the selling price and the fair value of the vessel was recorded as prepaid rent and is being amortized over the 25 year estimated useful life of the vessel. Prepaid rent is included in finance lease right of use assets (previously "vessels under capital lease") on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020. Minimum lease payments fluctuate based on three-month LIBOR and are payable quarterly over the seven year lease term, with a purchase obligation of $11.2 million due with the final lease payment in January 2024. Interest is floating at LIBOR plus 2.75% (2.98% including the margin, at inception of the lease). The Company will own this vessel at the end of the lease term. The lease contains a minimum liquidity requirement, positive working capital of the leasee and a collateral maintenance ratio clause which requires the fair market value of the vessel plus the net realizable value of any additional collateral previously provided, to remain above defined ratios. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

The selling price of the m/v Bulk Beothuk was $7.0 million and the fair value was estimated to be the same. The lease is payable at $3,500 per day every fifteen days over the five year lease term, and a balloon payment of $4.0 million is due with the final lease payment in June 2022. The implied interest rate at inception was 11.83%. In January 2020 the Company completed an early buy-out of the lease for a purchase price of $5.5 million and the vessel was sold to an unrelated third party for a net sale price of $4.6 million on August 4, 2020.

The selling price of the m/v Bulk Trident was $13.0 million and the fair value was estimated to be the same. The Company simultaneously leased the vessel back from the buyer. The minimum lease payments fluctuate based on three-month LIBOR and are payable monthly over the eight-year lease term. The Company has the option to purchase the vessel at the end of the third year of the lease or thereafter, or in the case of default by the lessor, at any time during the lease term. Interest is floating at LIBOR plus 1.7% (1.93% including the margin, at December 31, 2020). The Company will own this vessel at the end of the lease term.

The selling price of the m/v Bulk PODS was $14.8 million and the fair value was estimated to be the same. The Company simultaneously leased the vessel back from the buyer. The minimum lease payments fluctuate based on three-month LIBOR and are payable monthly over the eight-year lease term. The Company has the option to purchase the vessel at the end of the third year of the lease or thereafter, or in the case of default by the lessor, at any time during the lease term. Interest is floating at LIBOR plus 1.7% (1.94% including the margin, at December 31, 2020). The Company will own this vessel at the end of the lease term.

Vessel Acquisition Accounted for as a Finance Lease (in accordance with new accounting guidance - ASC 842, adopted January 1, 2019)

In February 2019, the Company acquired the m/v Bulk Spirit for $13.0 million, which is the estimated fair value and simultaneously entered into a failed sale and leaseback of the vessel. The Company determined that the transfer of the vessel to the lessor was not a sale in accordance with ASC 606, because control of the vessel was not transferred to the lessor. The lease is classified as finance lease in accordance with ASC 842, because the lease transfers ownership of the vessel to the Company by the end of the lease term. The minimum lease payments include interest at 5.10% for the first five years. Interest fluctuates based on the three-month LIBOR for the remaining three years of the eight-year lease term. The Company has the option to purchase the vessel at the end of the second year of the lease or thereafter, or in the case of default by the lessor, at any time during the lease term. The Company is obligated to repurchase the vessel at the end of the lease term. A balloon payment of $3.9 million is due with the final lease payment in March 2027. This lease is secured by the assignment of earnings and insurances and by a guarantee of the Company.

In September 2019, the Company acquired the m/v Bulk Friendship for $14.1 million, which is the estimated fair value and simultaneously entered into a failed sale and leaseback of the vessel. The Company determined that the transfer of the vessel to the lessor was not a sale in accordance with ASC 606, because control of the vessel was not transferred to the lessor. The lease is classified as finance lease in accordance with ASC 842, because the lease includes a fixed price purchase option, which the Company expects to exercise at the end of the lease term. The minimum lease payments include imputed interest at 5.29%. The Company has the option to purchase the vessel at the end of the third year of the lease or thereafter, or in the case of default by the lessor, at any time during the lease term. In the event the Company has not exercised any of the purchase options during the term of the charter then the Company shall have a final purchase option to purchase the vessel at the end of the fifth year at a fixed price of $7.8 million. This lease is secured by the assignment of earnings and insurances and by a guarantee of the Company.

Vessel Newbuildings

During the second and third quarter of 2019, the Company entered into two vessel newbuilding contracts to build four new high ice class post-panamax 95,000 dwt dry bulk vessels. The new vessels, with a building cost of between approximately $37.7 million to $38.3 million each, are expected to be delivered in 2021. The Company has made deposits of $15.4 million for the four new vessels in 2019. The second installments of 20% are due and payable upon the earlier of, five months after launching of the vessels or delivery, and the final payments are due upon delivery of the vessels.

The Company entered into a series of transactions to finance its four new post-panamax dry bulk vessels, to be delivered in 2021, under sale and leaseback transactions. The agreements obligate the Company to sell the vessels upon completion of construction at the lesser of approximately $32 million or 85% of fair market value at closing. Following the sale, the Company is obligated to charter the vessels from the buyer under a bareboat charter for a period of 15 years with a purchase obligation of $2.5 million at the end of year 15. The Company has options to purchase the vessels at designated prices starting the sixth year after delivery of each vessel. The Company expects to account for these transactions as failed sale and leaseback transactions and classify the leases as finance leases.

The Company has also entered into a LLC agreement with the non-controlling interest holder of NBP which includes certain obligations as described in Note 11.

Legal Proceedings and Claims

The Company is subject to certain asserted claims arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company intends to vigorously assert its rights and defend itself in any litigation that may arise from such claims. While the ultimate outcome of these matters could affect the results of operations of any one year, and while there can be no assurance with respect thereto, management believes that after final disposition, any financial impact to the Company would not be material to its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Long-term Contracts Accounted for as Operating Leases

The Company leases office space for its Copenhagen operations. Since December 31, 2018, this lease continues on a month to month basis. The non-cancelable period is six months.

The Company leases office space for its Singapore operations. At December 31, 2020, the remaining lease term is eleven months.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized approximately $0.2 million as lease expense for office leases in General and Administrative Expenses.

Future minimum lease payments under finance leases with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2020 were:


	Year ending December 31,
2021	$	9,380,057
2022	9,264,017
2023	9,148,487
2024	26,062,633
2025	5,443,736
Thereafter	7,576,832
Total minimum lease payments	$	66,875,762
Less amount representing interest	9,377,276
Present value of minimum lease payments	57,498,486
Less current portion	6,978,192
Long-term portion	$	50,520,294