20-F 1 froltd-201920f.htm 20-F
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)

o | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g)
| OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

ý | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
| OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended | December 31, 2019

OR

o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
| OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
| For the transition period from _________________ to _________________

OR

o | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

| Date of event requiring this shell company report _______________________________

Commission file number | 001-16601

Frontline Ltd.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
Bermuda
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
(Address of principal executive offices)

James Ayers, Telephone: (1) 441 295 6935, Facsimile: (1) 441 295 3494, Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

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

Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered
Ordinary Shares, Par Value $1.00 Per Share | FRO | New York Stock Exchange

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

None
(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

Ordinary Shares, Par Value $1.00 Per Share
(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
196,894,321 Ordinary Shares, Par Value $1.00 Per Share
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ý No o
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” "smaller reporting company," and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer x | Non-accelerated filer o
| Smaller reporting company o | Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAP x | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board o | Other o

If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:

Item 17 o |  | Item 18 o

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes | o | No | ý

INDEX TO REPORT ON FORM 20-F

|  | PAGE
PART I |  |
Item 1. | Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers | 3
Item 2. | Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable | 3
Item 3. | Key Information | 3
Item 4. | Information on the Company | 24
Item 4A. | Unresolved Staff Comments | 41
Item 5. | Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | 41
Item 6. | Directors, Senior Management and Employees | 71
Item 7. | Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | 73
Item 8. | Financial Information | 74
Item 9. | The Offer and Listing | 74
Item 10. | Additional Information | 74
Item 11. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 87
Item 12. | Description of Securities other than Equity Securities | 87
PART II |  |
Item 13. | Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies | 88
Item 14. | Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds | 88
Item 15. | Controls and Procedures | 88
Item 16. | Reserved | 89
Item 16A. | Audit Committee Financial Expert | 89
Item 16B. | Code of Ethics | 89
Item 16C. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 89
Item 16D. | Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees | 90
Item 16E. | Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers | 90
Item 16F. | Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant | 90
Item 16G. | Corporate Governance | 90
Item 16H. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 91
PART III |  |
Item 17. | Financial Statements | 92
Item 18. | Financial Statements | 92
Item 19. | Exhibits | 93

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Matters discussed in this annual report and the documents incorporated by reference may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements, which include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.
Frontline Ltd. and its subsidiaries, or the Company, desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. This annual report and any other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance, and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. When used in this document, the words "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "will," "may," "should," "expect," "targets," "likely," "would," "could," "seeks," "continue," "possible," "might" and similar expressions, terms or phrases may identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this annual report are based upon various assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation we undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this annual report.
In addition to these important factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include

• | the strength of world economies;

• | fluctuations in currencies and interest rates;

• | general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in the supply and demand for vessels comparable to ours;

• | the highly cyclical nature of the industry that we operate in;

• | the loss of a large customer or significant business relationship;

• | changes in worldwide oil production and consumption and storage;

• | changes in the Company's operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking, crew costs and insurance costs;

• | planned, pending or recent acquisitions, business strategy and expected capital spending or operating expenses, including drydocking, surveys, upgrades and insurance costs;

• | risks associated with any future vessel construction;

• | our expectations regarding the availability of vessel acquisitions and our ability to complete acquisition transactions planned;

• | our ability to renew our time charters when they expire or to enter into new time charters;

• | the market for the Company's vessels;

• | availability of financing and refinancing, our ability to obtain financing and comply with the restrictions and other covenants in our financing arrangements;

• | availability of skilled crew members other employees and the related labor costs;

• | work stoppages or other labor disruptions by our employees or the employees of other companies in related industries;

• | compliance with governmental, tax, environmental and safety regulation, any non-compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA) or other applicable regulations relating to bribery;

• | the impact of the discontinuance of LIBOR after 2021 on interest rates of our debt that reference LIBOR;

• | general economic conditions and conditions in the oil industry;

• | effects of new products and new technology in our industry, including the potential for technological innovation to reduce the value of our vessels and charter income derived therefrom;

• | vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hire;

• | the impact of an interruption in or failure of our information technology and communications system upon our ability to operate;

• | potential conflicts of interest involving members of our board of directors and senior management;

• | the failure of counter parties to fully perform their contracts with us;

• | our dependence on key personnel;

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• | adequacy of insurance coverage;

• | our ability to obtain indemnities from customers;

• | changes in laws, treaties or regulations;

• | the volatility of the price of our ordinary shares;

• | our incorporation under the laws of Bermuda and the different rights to relief that may be available compared to other countries, including the United States;

• | changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities;

• | government requisition of our vessels during a period of war or emergency;

• | potential liability from pending or future litigation;

• | the arrest of our vessels by maritime claimants;

• | general domestic and international political conditions;

• | any further changes in US trade policy that could trigger retaliatory actions by the affected countries;

• | potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, political events, acts by terrorists or acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels;

• | the impact of adverse weather and natural disasters;

• | the current outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19; and

• | other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission or Commission.

We caution readers of this annual report not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of our future performance, and actual results and future developments may vary materially from those projected in the forward looking statements. Please see our Risk Factors in Item 3 of this annual report for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.
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PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
Throughout this annual report, the "Company," "we," "us" and "our" all refer to Frontline Ltd. and its subsidiaries. We use the term deadweight ton, or dwt, in describing the size of vessels. Dwt, expressed in metric tons, which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, refers to the maximum weight of cargo and supplies that a vessel can carry. The Company operates oil tankers of two sizes: very large crude carriers, or VLCCs, which are between 200,000 and 320,000 dwt, and Suezmax tankers, which are vessels between 120,000 and 170,000 dwt. The Company also operates LR2/Aframax tankers, which are clean product tankers and range in size from 111,000 to 115,000 dwt. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to "USD," "US$" and "$" in this annual report are U.S. dollars.
A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
On July 1, 2015, the Company, Frontline Acquisition Ltd, or Frontline Acquisition, a newly formed and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Frontline 2012 Ltd, or Frontline 2012, entered into an agreement and plan of merger, (as amended from time to time, the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which Frontline Acquisition and Frontline 2012 agreed to enter into a merger transaction, or the Merger, with Frontline 2012 as the surviving legal entity and thus becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. For accounting purposes, the Merger with Frontline 2012 has been treated as a reverse business acquisition. The financial statements reflect the reverse business acquisition of the Company by Frontline 2012 for the period since November 30, 2015.
The selected statement of operations data of the Company with respect to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and the selected balance sheet data of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 have been derived from the Company's consolidated financial statements included herein and should be read in conjunction with such statements and the notes thereto. The selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 have been derived from consolidated financial statements of the Company not included herein. The selected statement of operations data with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, have been derived from consolidated financial statements of the Company not included herein.
The following table should also be read in conjunction with Item 5. "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein. The Company's accounts are maintained in U.S. dollars.
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|  | Fiscal year ended December 31,
|  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |
(in thousands of $, except ordinary shares, per share data and ratios)
Statement of Operations Data (1): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues (2) |  | 957,322 |  |  | 742,266 |  |  | 646,326 |  |  | 754,306 |  |  | 458,934 |
Total operating expenses |  | 721,222 |  |  | 669,761 |  |  | 844,978 |  |  | 574,142 |  |  | 280,639 |
Net operating income (loss) |  | 239,522 |  |  | 82,711 |  |  | (196,271 | ) |  | 177,481 |  |  | 287,218 |
Net (loss) income from continuing operations |  | 139,986 |  |  | (8,398 | ) |  | (264,322 | ) |  | 117,514 |  |  | 255,386 |
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations after non-controlling interest |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (100,701 | )
Net (loss) income attributable to the Company |  | 139,972 |  |  | (8,880 | ) |  | (264,861 | ) |  | 117,010 |  |  | 154,624 |
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to the Company from continuing operations (3) |  | $ | 0.81 |  |  | $ | (0.05 | ) |  | $ | (1.56 | ) |  | $ | 0.75 |  |  | $ | 2.13 |
Diluted earnings per share attributable to the Company from continuing operations (3) |  | $ | 0.78 |  |  | $ | (0.05 | ) |  | $ | (1.56 | ) |  | $ | 0.75 |  |  | $ | 2.13 |
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to the Company from discontinued operations (3) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (0.84 | )
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to the Company (3) |  | $ | 0.78 |  |  | $ | (0.05 | ) |  | $ | (1.56 | ) |  | $ | 0.75 |  |  | $ | 1.29 |
Diluted earnings per share attributable to the Company (3) |  | $ | 0.78 |  |  | $ | (0.05 | ) |  | $ | (1.56 | ) |  | $ | 0.75 |  |  | $ | 1.29 |
Dividends per share declared (3) (4) |  | $ | 0.10 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 0.30 |  |  | $ | 1.05 |  |  | $ | 0.25 |

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|  | Fiscal year ended December 31,
|  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |
(in thousands of $, except ordinary shares and ratios)
Balance Sheet Data (at end of year) (1): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | 174,223 |  |  | 66,484 |  |  | 104,145 |  |  | 202,402 |  |  | 264,524 |
Newbuildings |  | 46,068 |  |  | 52,254 |  |  | 79,602 |  |  | 308,324 |  |  | 266,233 |
Vessels and equipment, net |  | 2,579,905 |  |  | 2,476,755 |  |  | 2,342,130 |  |  | 1,477,395 |  |  | 1,189,198 |
Vessels and equipment under finance lease, net |  | 418,390 |  |  | 90,676 |  |  | 251,698 |  |  | 536,433 |  |  | 694,226 |
Investment in associated company |  | 4,927 |  |  | 6,246 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total assets |  | 3,697,818 |  |  | 3,077,841 |  |  | 3,133,728 |  |  | 2,966,317 |  |  | 2,883,468 |
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt |  | 438,962 |  |  | 120,479 |  |  | 113,078 |  |  | 67,365 |  |  | 57,575 |
Current portion of obligations under finance leases |  | 283,463 |  |  | 11,854 |  |  | 43,316 |  |  | 56,505 |  |  | 89,798 |
Long-term debt (8) |  | 1,254,417 |  |  | 1,610,293 |  |  | 1,467,074 |  |  | 914,592 |  |  | 745,695 |
Obligations under finance leases |  | 76,447 |  |  | 87,930 |  |  | 255,700 |  |  | 366,095 |  |  | 446,553 |
Share capital |  | 196,894 |  |  | 169,821 |  |  | 169,809 |  |  | 169,809 |  |  | 781,938 |
Total equity attributable to the Company |  | 1,509,976 |  |  | 1,163,800 |  |  | 1,187,308 |  |  | 1,499,601 |  |  | 1,446,282 |
Ordinary shares outstanding (000s) (3) |  | 196,894 |  |  | 169,821 |  |  | 169,809 |  |  | 169,809 |  |  | 156,387 |
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding (000s) (3) |  | 173,576 |  |  | 169,810 |  |  | 169,809 |  |  | 156,973 |  |  | 120,082 |
Other Financial Data: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity to assets ratio (percentage) (5) |  | 40.8 | % |  | 37.8 | % |  | 37.9 | % |  | 50.6 | % |  | 50.2 | %
Debt to equity ratio (6) |  | 1.4 |  |  | 1.6 |  |  | 1.6 |  |  | 0.9 |  |  | 0.9 |
Price earnings ratio (7) |  | 15.9 |  |  | (110.6 | ) |  | (2.9 | ) |  | 9.5 |  |  | 11.6 |
Time charter equivalent revenue (9) |  | 527,446 |  |  | 339,196 |  |  | 365,059 |  |  | 566,701 |  |  | 342,773 |

Notes:

1. | Frontline 2012 determined that the stock dividend of 75.4 million of its shares in Golden Ocean Group Limited (formerly Knightsbridge Shipping Limited, NASDAQ: VLCCF), or Golden Ocean, in June 2015 represented a significant strategic shift in its business and, therefore, recorded the results of its dry bulk operations as discontinued operations in the year ended December 31, 2015.

2. | The Company adopted ASC 606 effective from January 1, 2018 and ASC 842 lease from January 1, 2019. Prior periods have not been restated for the impact of these standards, see Note 2. and Note 3. to our Consolidated Financial Statements for an explanation of the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 and ASC 842.

3. | Earnings and dividends per share amounts, the number of ordinary shares outstanding and the weighted average ordinary shares outstanding have been restated to reflect the effect of the reverse business acquisition on November 30, 2015 and the 1-for-5 reverse share split that was effected on February 3, 2016.

4. | In June 2015, Frontline 2012 paid a stock dividend consisting of 75.4 million Golden Ocean shares. In March 2015, Frontline 2012 paid a stock dividend consisting of 4.1 million shares of Avance Gas Holding Limited, or Avance Gas.

5. | Equity-to-assets ratio is calculated as total equity attributable to the Company divided by total assets.

6. | Debt-to-equity ratio is calculated as total interest bearing current and long-term liabilities, including obligations under finance leases, divided by total equity attributable to the Company.

7. | Price earnings ratio is calculated by dividing the closing year end share price by basic earnings per share attributable to the Company. Each year end share price has been adjusted for the 1-for-5 reverse share split in February 2016.

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8. | The Company has recorded debt issuance costs (i.e. deferred charges) as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt rather than as an asset following its adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 and has applied this on a retrospective basis for all periods presented.

9. | A reconciliation of time charter equivalent revenues to total operating revenues as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |
Total operating revenues |  | 957,322 |  |  | 742,266 |  |  | 646,326 |  |  | 754,306 |  |  | 458,934 |
Less: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Finance lease interest income |  | (690 | ) |  | (1,293 | ) |  | (1,748 | ) |  | (2,194 | ) |  | (577 | )
Other income |  | (33,704 | ) |  | (24,005 | ) |  | (20,185 | ) |  | (23,770 | ) |  | (5,878 | )
Voyage expenses and commissions |  | (395,482 | ) |  | (377,772 | ) |  | (259,334 | ) |  | (161,641 | ) |  | (109,706 | )
Time charter equivalent revenue |  | 527,446 |  |  | 339,196 |  |  | 365,059 |  |  | 566,701 |  |  | 342,773 |

Consistent with general practice in the shipping industry, the Company uses time charter equivalent revenue, or TCE, which represents operating revenues less finance lease interest income, other income and voyage expenses, as a measure to compare revenue generated from a voyage charter to revenue generated from a time charter. Time charter equivalent revenue, a non-GAAP measure, provides additional meaningful information in conjunction with operating revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, because it assists Company management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of its vessels and in evaluating the Company's financial performance.
B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
Not applicable.
C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
D. RISK FACTORS
We are engaged in the seaborne transportation of crude oil and oil products. The following summarizes the risks that may materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Industry
If the tanker industry, which historically has been cyclical and volatile, declines in the future, our revenues, earnings and available cash flow may be adversely affected.
Historically, the tanker industry has been highly cyclical, with volatility in profitability, charter rates and asset values resulting from changes in the supply of, and demand for, tanker capacity and changes in the supply of and demand for oil and oil products. These factors may adversely affect the rates payable and the amounts we receive in respect of our vessels. Our ability to re-charter our vessels on the expiration or termination of their current spot and time charters and the charter rates payable under any renewal or replacement charters will depend upon, among other things, economic conditions in the tanker market and we cannot guarantee that any renewal or replacement charters we enter into will be sufficient to allow us to operate our vessels profitably.
The factors that influence demand for tanker capacity include:

• | supply and demand for oil and oil products;

• | global and regional economic and political conditions, including developments in international trade, national oil reserves policies, fluctuations in industrial and agricultural production;

• | regional availability of refining capacity;

• | changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns, including changes in the distances over which tanker cargoes are transported by sea;

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• | increases in the production of oil in areas linked by pipelines to consuming areas, the extension of existing, or the development of new, pipeline systems in markets we may serve, or the conversion of existing non-oil pipelines to oil pipelines in those markets;

• | currency exchange rates;

• | weather and acts of God and natural disasters;

• | competition from alternative sources of energy and from other shipping companies and other modes of transport;

• | international sanctions, embargoes, import and export restrictions, nationalizations, piracy, terrorist attacks and armed conflicts;

• | legal and regulatory changes including regulations adopted by supranational authorities and/or industry bodies, such as safety and environmental regulations and requirements by major oil companies; and

• | diseases and viruses, affecting livestock and humans.

The factors that influence the supply of tanker capacity include:

• | current and expected purchase orders for tankers;

• | the number of tanker newbuilding deliveries;

• | the number of shipyards and ability of shipyards to deliver vessels;

• | any potential delays in the delivery of newbuilding vessels and/or cancellations of newbuilding orders;

• | the scrapping rate of older tankers;

• | technological advances in tanker design and capacity;

• | tanker freight rates, which are affected by factors that may affect the rate of newbuilding, swapping and laying up of tankers;

• | port and canal congestion;

• | slow-steaming of vessels;

• | price of steel and vessel equipment;

• | conversion of tankers to other uses or conversion of other vessels to tankers;

• | the number of tankers that are out of service; and

• | changes in government and industry environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful lives of tankers.

In addition to the prevailing and anticipated freight rates, factors that affect the rate of newbuilding, scrapping and laying-up include newbuilding prices, secondhand vessel values in relation to scrap prices, costs of bunkers and other operating costs, costs associated with classification society surveys, normal maintenance costs, insurance coverage costs, the efficiency and age profile of the existing tanker fleet. The factors affecting the supply and demand for tankers have been volatile and are outside of our control, and the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions are unpredictable, including those discussed above. Market conditions were volatile in 2019 and continued volatility may reduce demand for transportation of oil over longer distances and increase the supply of tankers to carry that oil, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, ability to pay dividends and existing contractual obligations.
Any decrease in shipments of crude oil may adversely affect our financial performance.
The demand for our oil tankers derives primarily from demand for Arabian Gulf, West African, North Sea, Caribbean, Russian and US Shale crude oil, which, in turn, primarily depends on the economies of the world's industrial countries and competition from alternative energy sources. A wide range of economic, social and other factors can significantly affect the strength of the world's industrial economies and their demand for crude oil from the mentioned geographical areas. Any decrease in shipments of crude oil from the above mentioned geographical areas would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. Among the factors which could lead to such a decrease are:

• | increased crude oil production from other areas;

• | increased refining capacity in the Arabian Gulf or West Africa;

• | increased use of existing and future crude oil pipelines in the Arabian Gulf or West Africa;

• | a decision by oil-producing nations to increase their crude oil prices or to further decrease or limit their crude oil production;

• | armed conflict in the Arabian Gulf and West Africa and political or other factors; and

• | the development, availability and the costs of nuclear power, natural gas, coal and other alternative sources of energy.

In addition, volatile economic conditions affecting world economies may result in reduced consumption of oil products and a decreased demand for our vessels and lower charter rates, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and our ability to pay dividends.
An over-supply of tanker capacity may lead to reductions in charter rates, vessel values and profitability.
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In recent years, shipyards have produced a large number of new tankers. If the capacity of new vessels delivered exceeds the capacity of tankers being scrapped and converted to non-trading tankers, tanker capacity will increase. If the supply of tanker capacity increases and the demand for tanker capacity does not increase correspondingly, charter rates could materially decline. A reduction in charter rates and the value of our vessels may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, our ability to pay dividends and our compliance with current or future covenants in any of our agreements.
A shift in consumer demand from oil towards other energy sources or changes to trade patterns for crude oil or refined oil products may have a material adverse effect on our business.
A significant portion of our earnings are related to the oil industry. A shift in the consumer demand from oil towards other energy resources such as wind energy, solar energy, or water energy will potentially affect the demand for our tankers. This could have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
Seaborne trading and distribution patterns are primarily influenced by the relative advantage of the various sources of production, locations of consumption, pricing differentials and seasonality. Changes to the trade patterns of crude oil or refined oil products may have a significant negative or positive impact on the ton-mile and therefore the demand for our tankers. This could have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental claims against us.
There is a risk that our vessels will call at ports where smugglers may attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. To the extent our vessels are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel and whether with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental or other regulatory claims which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
Technological innovation and quality and efficiency requirements from our customers could reduce our charterhire income and the value of our vessels.
Our customers, in particular those in the oil industry, have a high and increasing focus on quality and compliance standards with their suppliers across the entire supply chain, including the shipping and transportation segment. Our continued compliance with these standards and quality requirements is vital for our operations. The charterhire rates and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors including the vessel’s efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Efficiency includes speed, fuel economy and the ability to load and discharge cargo quickly. Flexibility includes the ability to enter harbors, utilize related docking facilities and pass through canals and straits. The length of a vessel’s physical life is related to its original design and construction, its maintenance and the impact of the stress of operations. If new tankers are built that are more efficient or more flexible or have longer physical lives than our vessels, competition from these more technologically advanced vessels could adversely affect the amount of charterhire payments we receive for our vessels and the resale value of our vessels could significantly decrease. This could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
A cyber-attack or failure of our information technology systems and processes could materially disrupt our business.
We rely on information technology systems and networks in our operations and administration of our business. Information systems are vulnerable to security breaches by computer hackers and cyber terrorists. We rely on industry accepted security measures and technology to securely maintain confidential and proprietary information maintained on our information systems. However, these measures and technology may not adequately prevent security breaches. Our business operations could be targeted by individuals or groups seeking to sabotage or disrupt our information technology systems and networks, or to steal data. A successful cyber-attack could materially disrupt our operations, including the safety of our operations, or lead to unauthorized release of information or alteration of information in our systems. Any such attack or other breach of our information technology systems could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In addition, the unavailability of the information systems or the failure of these systems to perform as anticipated for any reason could disrupt our business and could result in decreased performance and increased operating costs, causing our business and results of operations to suffer. Any significant interruption or failure of our information systems or any significant breach of security could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders and other market participants with respect to our Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) policies may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks.
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Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny relating to their ESG policies. Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds, lenders and other market participants are increasingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. The increased focus and activism related to ESG and similar matters may hinder access to capital, as investors and lenders may decide to reallocate capital or to not commit capital as a result of their assessment of a company’s ESG practices. Companies which do not adapt to or comply with investor, lender or other industry shareholder expectations and standards, which are evolving, or which are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, may suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition, and/or stock price of such a company could be materially and adversely affected.
We may face increasing pressures from investors, lenders and other market participants, who are increasingly focused on climate change, to prioritize sustainable energy practices, reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability. As a result, we may be required to implement more stringent ESG procedures or standards so that our existing and future investors and lenders remain invested in us and make further investments in us, especially given the highly focused and specific trade of crude oil transportation in which we are engaged. If we do not meet these standards, our business and/or our ability to access capital could be harmed.
Additionally, certain investors and lenders may exclude oil transport companies, such as us, from their investing portfolios altogether due to environmental, social and governance factors. These limitations in both the debt and equity capital markets may affect our ability to grow as our plans for growth may include accessing the equity and debt capital markets. If those markets are unavailable, or if we are unable to access alternative means of financing on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be unable to implement our business strategy, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to service our indebtedness. Further, it is likely that we will incur additional costs and require additional resources to monitor, report and comply with wide ranging ESG requirements. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Risks Related to Shipping Generally
Risks involved with operating ocean-going vessels could result in the loss of life or harm to our seafarers, environmental accidents or affect our business and reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks. These risks include the possibility of:

• | loss of life or harm to seafarers;

• | a marine disaster;

• | environmental accidents;

• | cargo and property losses or damage; and

• | business interruptions caused by mechanical failure, human error, war, terrorism, piracy, political action in various countries, labor strikes, or adverse weather conditions.

Any of these circumstances or events could increase our costs or lower our revenues. The involvement of our vessels in an accident or oil spill or other environmental disaster may harm our reputation as a safe and reliable tanker operator. In June 2019 an explosion occurred on the Front Altair shortly after the vessel had passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. The 23 crew members onboard the Front Altair were unharmed after being rescued by a cargo vessel. The Company deployed emergency responders in a timely manner, who extinguished the fire on the vessel within hours of the incident and took precautions to limit any pollution. The vessel remained afloat and was successfully towed for repairs which were completed in November 2019. We procure insurance for our fleet against those risks that we believe the shipping industry commonly insures, which include hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance covering environmental damage and pollution insurance, freight, demurrage and defence insurance which provides coverage to shipowners and operators for legal and other costs incurred in relation to disputes that are uninsured and war risk insurance. The total cost of repairs and related services to the Company in connection with the Front Altair incident was $2.3 million, excluding amounts paid directly by our insurers, all of which is expected to be recovered under our insurance policies. In addition the Company has recovered $3.7 million under its loss of hire insurance. This incident did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations or cash flows.
If economic conditions throughout the world deteriorate or become more volatile, it could impede our operations.
Our ability to secure funding is dependent on well-functioning capital markets and on an appetite to provide funding to the shipping industry. At present, capital markets are well-functioning and funding is available for the shipping industry. However, if global economic conditions worsen or lenders for any reason decide not to provide debt financing to us, we may not be able to secure
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additional financing to the extent required, on acceptable terms or at all. If additional financing is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to meet our obligations as they come due, or we may be unable to enhance our existing business, complete additional vessel acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities as they arise.
The world economy faces a number of challenges, including the effects of volatile oil prices, continuing turmoil and hostilities in the Middle East, the Korean Peninsula, North Africa and other geographic areas and countries. If one or more of the major national or regional economies should weaken, there is a substantial risk that such a downturn will impact the world economy. There has historically been a strong link between the development of the world economy and demand for energy, including oil and gas. An extended period of deterioration in the outlook for the world economy could reduce the overall demand for oil and gas and for our services. While market conditions have improved, continued adverse and developing economic and governmental factors, together with the concurrent volatility in charter rates and vessel values, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and could cause the price of our ordinary shares to decline.
In Europe, large sovereign debts and fiscal deficits, low growth prospects and high unemployment rates in a number of countries have contributed to the rise of Eurosceptic parties, which would like their countries to leave the Euro. The exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and potential new trade policies in the United States further increase the risk of additional trade protectionism. The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union following a referendum in June 2016, or Brexit, contributes to considerable uncertainty concerning the current and future economic environment. Brexit could adversely affect European or worldwide political, regulatory, economic or market conditions and could contribute to instability in global political institutions, regulatory agencies and financial markets. We believe that these effects of Brexit won’t materially affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Continued economic slowdown in the Asia Pacific region, especially in China, may exacerbate the effect on us of the recent slowdown in the rest of the world. In recent history, China has had one of the world's fastest growing economies in terms of gross domestic product, or GDP, which had a significant impact on shipping demand. The growth rate of China's GDP for the year ended December 31, 2019, however, is estimated to be around 6.1%, down from the growth rate of 6.6% for the year ended December 31, 2018. China and other countries in the Asia Pacific region may continue to experience slowed or even negative economic growth in the future. Our financial condition and results of operations, as well as our future prospects, would likely be impeded by a continuing or worsening economic downturn in any of these countries.
Credit markets in the United States and Europe have in the past experienced significant contraction, de-leveraging and reduced liquidity, and there is a risk that U.S. federal government and state governments and European authorities continue to implement a broad variety of governmental action and/or new regulation of the financial markets. Global financial markets and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile.
Further, governments may turn and have turned to trade barriers to protect their domestic industries against foreign imports, thereby depressing shipping demand. In particular, leaders in the United States and China have implemented certain increasingly protective trade measures. The results of the 2016 presidential election and the potential results of the upcoming 2020 presidential election in the United States have created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States, China and other exporting countries, including with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. For example, in March 2018, President Trump announced tariffs on imported steel and aluminum into the United States that have had a negative impact on international trade generally and in January 2019, the United States announced expanded sanctions against Venezuela, which have had an effect on its oil output and in turn affected global oil supply. There have also been continuing trade tensions, including significant tariff increases, between the United States and China. Protectionist developments, or the perception that they may occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions, and may significantly reduce global trade. Moreover, increasing trade protectionism may cause an increase in (a) the cost of goods exported from regions globally, (b) the length of time required to transport goods and (c) the risks associated with exporting goods. Such increases may significantly affect the quantity of goods to be shipped, shipping time schedules, voyage costs and other associated costs, which could have an adverse impact on our charterers' business, operating results and financial condition and could thereby affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase the number of their time charters with us. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to pay any cash distributions to our shareholders.
We face risks attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in interest rates and instability in the banking and securities markets around the world, among other factors. We cannot predict how long the current market conditions will last. These recent and developing economic and governmental factors may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and may cause the price of our common shares to decline.
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Prospective investors should consider the potential impact, uncertainty and risk associated with the development in the wider global economy. Further economic downturn in any of these countries could have a material effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels could adversely affect our business.
Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean and in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Sea piracy incidents continue to occur, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and increasingly in the Gulf of Guinea, with tankers particularly vulnerable to such attacks. Acts of piracy could result in harm or danger to the crews that man our tankers. In addition, these piracy attacks occur in regions in which our vessels are deployed that insurers characterize as "war risk" zones or by the Joint War Committee as "war and strikes" listed areas, premiums payable for such coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. In addition, crew costs, including costs which may be incurred to the extent we employ on-board security guards, could increase in such circumstances. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, detention hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase in cost, or unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends and may result in loss of revenues, increased costs and decreased cash flows to our customers, which could impair their ability to make payments to us under our charters.
Political instability, terrorist or other attacks, war, international hostilities and public health threats can affect the tanker industry, which may adversely affect our business.
We conduct most of our operations outside of the United States, and our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and available cash may be adversely affected by changing economic, political and government conditions in the countries and regions where our vessels are employed or registered. Moreover, we operate in a sector of the economy that is likely to be adversely impacted by the effects of political conflicts, including the current political instability in the Middle East and the South China Sea region and other geographic countries and areas, geopolitical events such as Brexit, terrorist or other attacks, and war (or threatened war) or international hostilities, such as those between the United States and North Korea.
Terrorist attacks such as those in Paris on November 13, 2015, Manchester on May 22, 2017, and the frequent incidents of terrorism in the Middle East, and the continuing response of the United States and others to these attacks, as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks around the world, continues to cause uncertainty in the world's financial markets and may affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Continuing conflicts and recent developments in the Middle East, including the armed conflicts in Syria and Yemen, and increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the presence of U.S. or other armed forces in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and various other regions, may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed conflict around the world, which may contribute to further economic instability in the global financial markets. As a result of the above, insurers have increased premiums and reduced or restricted coverage for losses caused by terrorist acts generally. These uncertainties could also adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our operating results, revenues and costs. Additionally, Brexit, or similar events in other jurisdictions, could impact global markets, including foreign exchange and securities markets; any resulting changes in currency exchange rates, tariffs, treaties and other regulatory matters could in turn adversely impact our business and operations.
In January 2020, in response to certain perceived terrorist activity, the United States launched an airstrike in Baghdad that killed a high-ranking Iranian general, increasing hostilities between the U.S. and Iran. This attack or further escalations between the U.S. and Iran that may follow, could result in retaliation from Iran that could potentially affect the shipping industry, through increased attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz (which already experienced an increased number of attacks on and seizures of vessels in 2019), or by potentially closing off or limiting access to the Strait of Hormuz, where a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes through. Any restriction on access to the Strait of Hormuz, or increased attacks on vessels in the area, could negatively impact our earnings, cash flow and results of operations.
In the past, political instability has also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
In addition, public health threats, such as the coronavirus, influenza and other highly communicable diseases or viruses, outbreaks of which have from time to time occurred in various parts of the world in which we operate, including China, could adversely impact our operations, and the operations of our customers.
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Outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic of diseases and governmental responses thereto could adversely affect our business.
Our operations are subject to risks related to outbreaks of infectious diseases. For example, the recent outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”), a virus causing potentially deadly respiratory tract infections originating in China, has already and will continue to negatively affect economic conditions and the demand for tankers regionally as well as globally and otherwise impact our operations and the operations of our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. Governments in affected countries are imposing travel bans, quarantines, the closure of borders and other emergency public health measures. Those measures, though temporary in nature, may continue and increase depending on developments in the virus’ outbreak. As a result of these measures, our vessels may not be able to call on ports, and crew members may be restricted from embarking and disembarking in ports, located in regions affected by Coronavirus. The ultimate severity of the Coronavirus outbreak is uncertain at this time and therefore we cannot predict the impact it may have on our future operations, and the health of our employees, which could be material and adverse.
Our vessels may call at ports located in countries that are subject to restrictions, sanctions, or embargoes imposed by the U.S., the European Union, the United Nations or other governments, which could lead to monetary fines or adversely affect our business, reputation and the market for our ordinary shares.
From time to time on charterers' instructions, our vessels may call on ports located in countries subject to sanctions and embargoes imposed by the United States government and countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. In the past, certain of our vessels have made port calls to Iran and six of our vessels made six port calls in total to Iran during 2018. The U.S. sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in their application, as they do not all apply to the same covered persons or proscribe the same activities, and such sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be amended or strengthened over time. With effect from July 1, 2010, the U.S. enacted the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act, or CISADA, which expanded the scope of the Iran Sanctions Act. Among other things, CISADA expands the application of the prohibitions to companies, such as ours, and introduces limits on the ability of companies and persons to do business or trade with Iran when such activities relate to the investment, supply or export of refined petroleum or petroleum products. In addition, on May 1, 2012, President Obama signed Executive Order 13608 which prohibits foreign persons from violating or attempting to violate, or causing a violation of any sanctions in effect against Iran or facilitating any deceptive transactions for or on behalf of any person subject to U.S. sanctions. Any persons found to be in violation of Executive Order 13608 will be deemed a foreign sanctions evader and will be banned from all contacts with the United States, including conducting business in U.S. dollars. Also in 2012, President Obama signed into law the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, or the Iran Threat Reduction Act, which created new sanctions and strengthened existing sanctions. Among other things, the Iran Threat Reduction Act intensifies existing sanctions regarding the provision of goods, services, infrastructure or technology to Iran's petroleum or petrochemical sector. The Iran Threat Reduction Act also includes a provision requiring the President of the United States to impose five or more sanctions from Section 6(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act, as amended, on a person the President determines is a controlling beneficial owner of, or otherwise owns, operates, or controls or insures a vessel that was used to transport crude oil from Iran to another country and (1) if the person is a controlling beneficial owner of the vessel, the person had actual knowledge the vessel was so used or (2) if the person otherwise owns, operates, or controls, or insures the vessel, the person knew or should have known the vessel was so used. Such a person could be subject to a variety of sanctions, including exclusion from U.S. capital markets, exclusion from financial transactions subject to U.S. jurisdiction, and exclusion of that person's vessels from U.S. ports for up to two years.
On November 24, 2013, the P5+1 (the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia and China) entered into an interim agreement with Iran entitled the “Joint Plan of Action”, or JPOA. Under the JPOA it was agreed that, in exchange for Iran taking certain voluntary measures to ensure that its nuclear program is used only for peaceful purposes, the U.S. and EU would voluntarily suspend certain sanctions for a period of six months. On January 20, 2014, the U.S. and E.U. indicated that they would begin implementing the temporary relief measures provided for under the JPOA. These measures included, among other things, the suspension of certain sanctions on the Iranian petrochemicals, precious metals, and automotive industries from January 20, 2014 until July 20, 2014. The JPOA was subsequently extended twice.
On July 14, 2015, the P5+1 and the EU announced that they reached a landmark agreement with Iran titled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Nuclear Program, or JCPOA, which is intended to significantly restrict Iran’s ability to develop and produce nuclear weapons for 10 years while simultaneously easing sanctions directed toward non-U.S. persons for conduct involving Iran, but taking place outside of U.S. jurisdiction and does not involve U.S. persons. On January 16, 2016, or Implementation Day, the United States joined the EU and the UN in lifting a significant number of their nuclear-related sanctions on Iran following an announcement by the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, that Iran had satisfied its respective obligations under the JCPOA.
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U.S. sanctions prohibiting certain conduct that was permitted under the JCPOA were not actually repealed or permanently terminated. Rather, the U.S. government implemented changes to the sanctions regime by: (1) issuing waivers of certain statutory sanctions provisions; (2) committing to refrain from exercising certain discretionary sanctions authorities; (3) removing certain individuals and entities from OFAC's sanctions lists; and (4) revoking certain Executive Orders and specified sections of Executive Orders. These sanctions were not to be permanently "lifted" until the earlier of “Transition Day,” set to occur on October 20, 2023, or upon a report from the IAEA stating that all nuclear material in Iran is being used for peaceful activities. On October 13, 2017, President Trump announced that he would not certify Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA. This did not withdraw the U.S. from the JCPOA or reinstate any sanctions. On May 8, 2018, President Trump announced his decision to cease U.S. participation in the JCPOA and to reimpose the U.S. nuclear-related sanctions that were previously lifted, following two wind-down periods. The second wind-down period ended on November 4, 2018.
Although we believe that we have been in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, and intend to maintain such compliance, there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance in the future, particularly as the scope of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations. Any such violation could result in fines, penalties or other sanctions that could severely impact our ability to access U.S. capital markets and conduct our business, and could result in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, or not to invest, in us. In addition, certain institutional investors may have investment policies or restrictions that prevent them from holding securities of companies that have contracts with countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. The determination by these investors not to invest in, or to divest from, our common stock may adversely affect the price at which our common stock trades. Moreover, our charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of actions that do not involve us or our vessels, and those violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation. In addition, our reputation and the market for our securities may be adversely affected if we engage in certain other activities, such as entering into charters with individuals or entities in countries subject to U.S. sanctions and embargo laws that are not controlled by the governments of those countries, or engaging in operations associated with those countries pursuant to contracts with third parties that are unrelated to those countries or entities controlled by their governments. Investor perception of the value of our common stock may be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in these and surrounding countries.
Compliance with safety and other vessel requirements imposed by classification societies may be costly and could reduce our net cash flows and net income.
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be certified as being "in class" by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention.
A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel's machinery may be placed on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. We expect our vessels to be on special survey cycles for hull inspection and continuous survey cycles for machinery inspection. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every two and a half to five years for inspection of its underwater parts.
Compliance with the above requirements may result in significant expense. If any vessel does not maintain its class or fails any annual, intermediate or special survey, the vessel will be unable to trade between ports and will be unemployable, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
We are subject to complex laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations that can adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition
Our operations will be subject to numerous laws and regulations in the form of international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and national and international regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate or are registered, which can significantly affect the ownership and operation of our vessels. These requirements include, but are not limited to, European Union regulations, the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, the U.S. Clean Air Act, the U.S. Clean Water Act, the International Maritime Organization, or IMO, International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, generally referred to as CLC, the IMO International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, the IMO International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973, generally referred to as MARPOL, the IMO International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, generally referred to as SOLAS, the IMO International Convention on Load Lines of 1966 and the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or the MTSA. Compliance with such laws and regulations, where applicable, may require installation of costly equipment or operational changes and may affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. Compliance with such laws and regulations may require us to obtain certain permits or authorizations prior to commencing operations. Failure to obtain such permits or authorizations could materially impact our business results of operations, financial conditions and ability to pay dividends by delaying or limiting our ability to accept charterers. We may also incur additional costs in order to comply with other existing and future regulatory obligations, including,
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but not limited to, costs relating to air emissions including greenhouse gases, the management of ballast waters, maintenance and inspection, development and implementation of emergency procedures and insurance coverage or other financial assurance of our ability to address pollution incidents. Additionally, we cannot predict the cost of compliance with any new regulations that may be promulgated as a result of the 2010 BP plc Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico or other similar incidents in the future. These costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. The IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention, in February 2004. The BWM Convention's implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits. The BWM Convention was adopted by the required number of states and entered into force on September 8, 2017. Details about the BWM Convention are further discussed in the Environmental and Other Regulations section.
A failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in administrative and civil penalties, criminal sanctions or the suspension or termination of our operations. Environmental laws often impose strict liability for remediation of spills and releases of oil and hazardous substances, which could subject us to liability, without regard to whether we were negligent or at fault. Under OPA, for example, owners, operators and bareboat charterers are jointly and severally strictly liable for the discharge of oil in U.S. waters, including the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. An oil spill could also result in significant liability, including fines, penalties, criminal liability and remediation costs for natural resource damages under other international and U.S. Federal, state and local laws, as well as third party damages, including punitive damages, and could harm our reputation with current or potential charterers of our tankers. We will be required to satisfy insurance and financial responsibility requirements for potential oil (including marine fuel) spills and other pollution incidents. Although our technical manager will arrange for insurance to cover our vessels with respect to certain environmental risks, there can be no assurance that such insurance will be sufficient to cover all such risks or that any claims will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
If we fail to comply with international safety regulations, we may be subject to increased liability, which may adversely affect our insurance coverage and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
The operation of our vessels is affected by the requirements set forth in the IMO's International Safety Management Code, or the ISM Code. The ISM Code requires shipowners, ship managers and bareboat charterers to develop and maintain an extensive "Safety Management System" that includes the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. If we fail to comply with the ISM Code, we may be subject to increased liability, including the invalidation of existing insurance or a decrease of available insurance coverage for our affected vessels and such failure may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
Regulations relating to ballast water discharge may adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
The IMO has imposed updated guidelines for ballast water management systems specifying the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged from a vessel’s ballast water. Depending on the date of the IOPP renewal survey, existing vessels constructed before September 8, 2017 must comply with the updated D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2019. For most vessels, compliance with the D-2 standard will involve installing on-board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms. Ships constructed on or after September 8, 2017 are to comply with the D-2 standards on or after September 8, 2017. As of December 31, 2019, we have 13 vessels that require upgrading in order to be compliant following their IOPP renewal survey and costs of compliance may be substantial and adversely affect our revenues and profitability. As of December 31, 2019 the Company has incurred $9.6 million of costs in relation to the supply and installation of on-board ballast water treatments systems, or BWTS. As of December 31, 2019 the Company has committed to the purchase of BWTS equipment on a further eight vessels with a remaining financial commitment of $2.9 million excluding installation costs.
Furthermore, United States regulations are currently changing. Although the 2013 Vessel General Permit, or VGP program and the U.S. National Invasive Species Act, or NISA, are currently in effect to regulate ballast discharge, exchange and installation, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, or VIDA, which was signed into law on December 4, 2018, requires that the EPA develop national standards of performance for approximately 30 discharges, similar to those found in the VGP within two years. By approximately 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard must develop corresponding implementation, compliance and enforcement regulations regarding ballast water. The new regulations could require the installation of new equipment, which may cause us to incur substantial costs.
Maritime claimants could arrest one or more of our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flow.
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lien-holder may enforce its lien by
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"arresting" or "attaching" a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could result in a significant loss of earnings for the related off-hire period.
In addition, in jurisdictions where the "sister ship" theory of liability applies, such as South Africa, a claimant may arrest the vessel which is subject to the claimant's maritime lien and any "associated" vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. In countries with "sister ship" liability laws, claims might be asserted against us or any of our vessels for liabilities of other vessels that we own.
Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency resulting in a loss of earnings.
A government of a vessel's registry could requisition for title or seize one or more of our vessels. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. A government could also requisition one or more of our vessels for hire. Requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes the charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during a period of war or emergency. Government requisition of one or more of our vessels could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
Risks Related to Our Business
We are dependent on the spot market and any decrease in spot market rates in the future may adversely affect our earnings and our ability to pay dividends.
As of December 31, 2019, 56 of the 63 vessels, which are owned, leased or chartered-in by us, were employed in the spot market or on short-term or variable rate time charters, and we are therefore exposed to fluctuations in spot market charter rates. Historically, the tanker market has been volatile as a result of the many conditions and factors that can affect the price, supply and demand for tanker capacity. The spot market may fluctuate significantly based upon supply and demand of vessels and cargoes. The successful operation of our vessels in the competitive spot market depends upon, among other things, obtaining profitable charters and minimizing, to the extent possible, time spent waiting for charters and time spent in ballast. The spot market is very volatile, and, in the past, there have been periods when spot rates have declined below the operating cost of vessels. If future spot market rates decline, then we may be unable to operate our vessels trading in the spot market profitably, meet our obligations, including payments on indebtedness, or to pay dividends in the future. Furthermore, as charter rates in the spot market are fixed for a single voyage, which may last up to several weeks, during periods in which charter rates are rising, we will generally experience delays in realizing the benefits from such increases.
Our ability to renew the charters on our vessels on the expiration or termination of our current charters, or on vessels that we may acquire in the future, or the charter rates payable under any replacement charters and vessel values will depend upon, among other things, economic conditions in the sectors in which our vessels operate at that time, changes in the supply and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the seaborne transportation of energy resources.
A drop in spot market rates may provide an incentive for some charterers to default on their charters, and the failure of our counterparties to meet their obligations could cause us to suffer losses or otherwise adversely affect our business.
We have entered into various contracts, including charter parties with our customers, which subject us to counterparty risks. The ability of each of the counterparties to perform its obligations under a contract with us or contracts entered into on our behalf will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, the condition of the shipping sector, the overall financial condition of the counterparty, charter rates received for tankers and the supply and demand for commodities. Should a counterparty fail to honor its obligations under any such contracts, we could sustain significant losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends.
Often, when we enter into a time charter, the rates under that charter are fixed for the term of the charter. If the spot market rates or short-term time charter rates in the tanker industry become significantly lower than the time charter equivalent rates that some of our charterers are obligated to pay us under our existing charters, the charterers may have incentive to default under that charter or attempt to renegotiate the charter. If our charterers fail to pay their obligations, we would have to attempt to re-charter our vessels, which if re-chartered at lower rates, may affect our ability to operate our vessels profitably and may affect our ability to comply with current or future covenants contained in our loan agreements.
Further, if the charterer of a vessel in our fleet that is used as collateral under any loan agreement enters into default on its charter obligations to us, such default may constitute an event of default under such loan agreement, which could allow the bank to exercise
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remedies under the loan agreement. If our charterers fail to meet their obligations to us or attempt to renegotiate our charter agreements, we could sustain significant losses which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, as well as our ability to pay dividends, if any, in the future, and compliance with current or future covenants in our loan agreements.
Changes in the price of fuel, or bunkers, may adversely affect our profits.
For vessels on voyage charters, fuel oil, or bunkers, is a significant, if not the largest, expense. Changes in the price of fuel may adversely affect our profitability to the extent we have vessels on voyage charters. The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control, including geopolitical developments, supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and environmental concerns. Any future increase in the cost of fuel may reduce the profitability and competitiveness of our business versus other forms of transportation, such as truck or rail.
The operation of tankers involves certain unique operational risks.
The operation of tankers has unique operational risks associated with the transportation of oil. An oil spill may cause significant environmental damage, and a catastrophic spill could exceed the insurance coverage available. Compared to other types of vessels, tankers are exposed to a higher risk of damage and loss by fire, whether ignited by a terrorist attack, collision, or other cause, due to the high flammability and high volume of the oil transported in tankers.
Further, our vessels and their cargoes will be at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as marine disasters, bad weather and other acts of God, business interruptions caused by mechanical failures, grounding, fire, explosions and collisions, human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events. Changing economic, regulatory and political conditions in some countries, including political and military conflicts, have from time to time resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways, piracy, terrorism, labor strikes and boycotts. These hazards may result in death or injury to persons, loss of revenues or property, the payment of ransoms, environmental damage, higher insurance rates, damage to our customer relationships and market disruptions, delay or rerouting.
If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We may have to pay drydocking costs that our insurance does not cover at all or in full. The loss of revenues while these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, may adversely affect our business and financial condition. In addition, space at drydocking facilities is sometimes limited and not all drydocking facilities are conveniently located. We may be unable to find space at a suitable drydocking facility or our vessels may be forced to travel to a drydocking facility that is not conveniently located relative to our vessels' positions. The loss of earnings while these vessels are forced to wait for space or to travel to more distant drydocking facilities may adversely affect our business and financial condition. Further, the total loss of any of our vessels could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator. If we are unable to adequately maintain or safeguard our vessels, we may be unable to prevent any such damage, costs or loss which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends.
Because the market value of our vessels may fluctuate significantly, we may incur losses when we sell vessels which may adversely affect our earnings or could cause us to incur impairment charges.
The fair market value of vessels may increase and decrease depending on but not limited to the following factors:

• | general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry;

• | the balance between supply of and demand for vessels of a certain size;

• | competition from other shipping companies;

• | types and sizes of vessels;

• | the availability of other modes of transportation;

• | cost of newbuildings;

• | shipyard capacity;

• | governmental or other regulations;

• | age of vessels;

• | prevailing level of charter rates;

• | the need to upgrade secondhand and previously owned vessels as a result of charterer requirements; and

• | technological advances in vessel design or equipment or otherwise.

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During the period a vessel is subject to a time charter, we will not be permitted to sell it to take advantage of increases in vessel values without the charterers' agreement. If we sell a vessel at a time when ship prices have fallen, the sale may be at less than the vessel's carrying amount on our financial statements, with the result that we could incur a loss and a reduction in earnings. In addition, if we determine at any time that a vessel's future limited useful life and earnings require us to impair its value on our financial statements, that could result in a charge against our earnings and a reduction of our shareholders' equity. It is possible that the market value of our vessels will decline in the future and could adversely affect our ability to comply with current or future financial covenants contained in our loan agreements or other financing arrangements. Any impairment charges incurred as a result of declines in charter rates and other market deterioration could negatively affect our business, financial condition, operating results or the trading price of our ordinary shares.
Conversely, if vessel values are elevated at a time when we wish to acquire additional vessels, the cost of acquisition may increase and this could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.
We may be unable to successfully compete with other vessel operators for charters, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.
The operation of tankers and transportation of crude and petroleum products is extremely competitive. Through our operating subsidiaries we compete with other vessel owners (including major oil companies as well as independent companies), and, to a lesser extent, owners of other size vessels. The tanker market is highly fragmented. It is possible that we could not obtain suitable employment for our vessels, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.
Our time charters may limit our ability to benefit from any improvement in charter rates, and at the same time, our revenues may be adversely affected if we do not successfully employ our vessels on the expiration of our charters.
As of December 31, 2019, seven of the 63 vessels, which are owned, leased or chartered-in by us, were employed on fixed rate time charter with duration in excess of six months. While our fixed rate time charters generally provide reliable revenues, they also limit the portion of our fleet available for spot market voyages during an upswing in the tanker industry cycle, when spot market voyages might be more profitable. By the same token, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully employ our vessels in the future at rates sufficient to allow us to operate our business profitably or meet our obligations. A decline in charter or spot rates or a failure to successfully charter our vessels could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation and ability to pay dividends.
Purchasing and operating secondhand vessels may result in increased operating costs and vessels off-hire, which could adversely affect our earnings.
Even following a physical inspection of secondhand vessels prior to purchase, we do not have the same knowledge about their condition and cost of any required (or anticipated) repairs that we would have had if these vessels had been built for and operated exclusively by us. Accordingly, we may not discover defects or other problems with such vessels prior to purchase. Any such hidden defects or problems, when detected may be expensive to repair, and if not detected, may result in accidents or other incidents for which we may become liable to third parties. Also, when purchasing previously owned vessels, we typically do not receive the benefit of any builder warranties if the vessels we buy are older than one year.
In general, the costs to maintain a vessel in good operating condition increase with the age of the vessel. Older vessels are typically less fuel efficient than more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine technology. Governmental regulations, safety and other equipment standards related to the age of vessels may require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment to some of our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which these vessels may engage. We cannot assure you that, as our vessels age, market conditions will justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives. As a result, regulations and standards could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends.
Delays or defaults by the shipyards in the construction of our newbuildings could increase our expenses and diminish our net income and cash flows.
As of December 31, 2019, we had contracts for six newbuilding vessels. One Suezmax tanker and one VLCC are expected to be delivered in April and May 2020 and four LR2 tankers are expected to be delivered in January 2021, March 2021, October 2021 and January 2022. Vessel construction projects are generally subject to risks of delay that are inherent in any large construction project, which may be caused by numerous factors, including shortages of equipment, materials or skilled labor, unscheduled delays in the delivery of ordered materials and equipment or shipyard construction, failure of equipment to meet quality and/or performance standards, financial or operating difficulties experienced by equipment vendors or the shipyard, unanticipated actual
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or purported change orders, inability to obtain required permits or approvals, design or engineering changes and work stoppages and other labor disputes, adverse weather conditions or any other events of force majeure. Significant delays could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Additionally, failure to complete a project on time may result in the delay of revenue from that vessel, and we will continue to incur costs and expenses related to delayed vessels, such as supervision expense and interest expense for the issued and outstanding debt.
We may be unable to locate suitable vessels for acquisition which would adversely affect our ability to expand our fleet.
Changing market and regulatory conditions may limit the availability of suitable vessels because of customer preferences or because vessels are not or will not be compliant with existing or future rules, regulations and conventions. Additional vessels of the age and quality we desire may not be available for purchase at prices we are prepared to pay or at delivery times acceptable to us, and we may not be able to dispose of vessels at reasonable prices, if at all. If we are unable to purchase and dispose of vessels at reasonable prices in response to changing market and regulatory conditions, our business may be adversely affected.
As we expand our fleet, we may not be able to recruit suitable employees and crew for our vessels which may limit our growth and cause our financial performance to suffer.
As we expand our fleet, we will need to recruit suitable crew, shoreside, administrative and management personnel. We may not be able to continue to hire suitable employees as we expand our fleet of vessels. If we are unable to recruit suitable employees and crews, we may not be able to provide our services to customers, our growth may be limited and our financial performance may suffer.
Increased inspection procedures, tighter import and export controls and new security regulations could increase costs and cause disruption of our business.
International shipping is subject to security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin, destination and trans-shipment points. Under the MTSA, the U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. These security procedures can result in delays in the loading, offloading or trans-shipment and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against exporters or importers and, in some cases, carriers. Future changes to the existing security procedures may be implemented that could affect the tanker sector. These changes have the potential to impose additional financial and legal obligations on carriers and, in certain cases, to render the shipment of certain types of goods uneconomical or impractical. These additional costs could reduce the volume of goods shipped, resulting in a decreased demand for vessels and have a negative effect on our business, revenues and customer relations.
Our ability to obtain debt financing may be dependent on the performance of our then-existing charters and the creditworthiness of our charterers.
We may incur additional bank debt in the future to fund, among other things, our general corporate purposes or the expansion of our fleet. The actual or perceived credit quality of our charterers, and any defaults by them, may materially affect our ability to obtain the capital resources required to purchase additional vessels or may significantly increase our costs of obtaining such capital. Our inability to obtain financing at anticipated costs or at all may materially affect our results of operation and our ability to implement our business strategy.
Volatility of LIBOR and potential changes of the use of LIBOR as a benchmark could affect our profitability, earnings and cash flow.
London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, is the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms and other pressures may cause LIBOR to be eliminated or to perform differently than in the past. The consequences of these developments cannot be entirely predicted, but could include an increase in the cost of our variable rate indebtedness and obligations. LIBOR has been volatile in the past, with the spread between LIBOR and the prime lending rate widening significantly at times. Because the interest rates borne by a majority of our outstanding indebtedness fluctuates with changes in LIBOR, significant changes in LIBOR would have a material effect on the amount of interest payable on our debt, which in turn, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition.
Furthermore, the calculation of interest in most financing agreements in our industry has been based on published LIBOR rates. Due in part to uncertainty relating to the LIBOR calculation process in recent years, it is likely that LIBOR will be phased out in the future. As a result, lenders have insisted on provisions that entitle the lenders, in their discretion, to replace published LIBOR
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as the base for the interest calculation with their cost-of-funds rate. If we are required to agree to such a provision in future financing agreements, our lending costs could increase significantly, which would have an adverse effect on our profitability, earnings and cash flow. In addition, the banks currently reporting information used to set LIBOR will likely stop such reporting after 2021, when their commitment to reporting information ends. The Alternative Reference Rate Committee, a committee convened by the Federal Reserve that includes major market participants, has proposed an alternative rate to replace U.S. Dollar LIBOR: the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or “SOFR.” The impact of such a transition from LIBOR to SOFR could be significant for us.
We may be unable to comply with the covenants contained in our loan agreement, which could affect our ability to conduct our business.
As of December 31, 2019, we had $1,701.3 million of outstanding debt. Certain of our debt facilities require us or our subsidiaries to maintain the following financial covenants; minimum value of vessels, value-adjusted equity, positive working capital, and a certain level of free cash.
Because some of these ratios are dependent on the market value of vessels, should vessel values materially decline in the future, we may be required to take action to reduce our debt, provide additional security or to act in a manner contrary to our business objectives to meet any such financial ratios and satisfy any such financial covenants. Events beyond our control, including changes in the economic and business conditions in the shipping markets in which we operate, may affect our ability to comply with these covenants. We cannot assure you that we will meet these ratios or satisfy our financial or other covenants or that our lenders will waive any failure to do so.
These financial and other covenants may adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities or take certain corporate actions. The covenants may also restrict our flexibility in planning for changes in our business and the industry and make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse developments. A breach of any of the covenants in, or our inability to maintain the required financial ratios under the credit facilities would prevent us from borrowing additional money under our credit facilities and could result in a default under our credit facilities. If a default occurs under our credit facilities, the lenders could elect to declare the issued and outstanding debt, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable and foreclose on the collateral securing that debt, which could constitute all or substantially all of our assets.
Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could result in fines, criminal penalties and an adverse effect on our business.
We may operate in a number of countries throughout the world, including countries known to have a reputation for corruption. We are committed to doing business in accordance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics which is consistent and in full compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, or the FCPA. We are subject, however, to the risk that we, our affiliated entities or our or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents may take actions determined to be in violation of such anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA. Any such violation could result in substantial fines, sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties, curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Furthermore, detecting, investigating, and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and can consume significant time and attention of our senior management.
As an exempted company incorporated under Bermuda law, our operations may be subject to economic substance requirements.
The Economic Substance Act 2018 and the Economic Substance Regulations 2018 of Bermuda (the “Economic Substance Act” and the “Economic Substance Regulations”, respectively) became operative on December 31, 2018. The Economic Substance Act applies to every registered entity in Bermuda that engages in a relevant activity and requires that every such entity shall maintain a substantial economic presence in Bermuda. Relevant activities for the purposes of the Economic Substance Act are banking business, insurance business, fund management business, financing business, leasing business, headquarters business, shipping business, distribution and service centre business, intellectual property holding business and conducting business as a holding entity.
The Bermuda Economic Substance Act provides that a registered entity that carries on a relevant activity complies with economic substance requirements if (a) it is directed and managed in Bermuda, (b) its core income-generating activities (as may be prescribed) are undertaken in Bermuda with respect to the relevant activity, (c) it maintains adequate physical presence in Bermuda, (d) it has adequate full time employees in Bermuda with suitable qualifications and (e) it incurs adequate operating expenditure in Bermuda in relation to the relevant activity.
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A registered entity that carries on a relevant activity is obliged under the Bermuda Economic Substance Act to file a declaration in the prescribed form (the “Declaration”) with the Registrar of Companies (the “Registrar”) on an annual basis.
If we fail to comply with our obligations under the Bermuda Economic Substance Act or any similar law applicable to us in any other jurisdictions, we could be subject to financial penalties and spontaneous disclosure of information to foreign tax officials in related jurisdictions and may be struck from the register of companies in Bermuda or such other jurisdiction. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Company
Incurrence of expenses or liabilities may reduce or eliminate cash distributions.
In December 2015, our Board of Directors, or our Board, approved implementing a dividend policy to distribute quarterly dividends to shareholders equal to or close to earnings per share adjusted for non-recurring items. We paid a cash dividend of $0.10 per share in relation to the third quarter of 2019, and announced a cash dividend of $0.40 per share for the fourth quarter of 2019, which are the first cash dividends the Company has paid since 2017. The amount and timing of dividends will depend on our earnings, financial condition, cash position, Bermuda law affecting the payment of distributions and other factors. However, we could incur other expenses or contingent liabilities that would reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution by us as dividends. In addition, the timing and amount of dividends, if any, is at the discretion of our Board. We cannot guarantee that our Board will declare dividends in the future.
We may not be able to finance our future capital commitments.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain financing at all or on terms acceptable to us. If adequate funds are not available, we may have to reduce expenditures for investments in new and existing projects, which could hinder our growth and prevent us from realizing potential revenues from prior investments which will have a negative impact on our cash flows and results of operations.
We may be required to record a further goodwill impairment loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.
We recorded goodwill of $225.3 million in 2015 in connection with the Merger. We are required to assess goodwill for impairment at least on an annual basis, or more frequently, if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. Our future operating performance may be affected by potential impairment charges related to goodwill. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill is subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis. In evaluating the potential for impairment, we make assumptions and estimates regarding revenue projections, growth rates, cash flows, tax rates, control premiums and discount rates, which are uncertain and by their nature may vary from actual results and are based on factors that are beyond our control.
In 2017, our assessment of goodwill for impairment resulted in us recording an impairment loss of $112.8 million. No such impairment was required in 2018 or 2019. As of December 31, 2019, we had $112.5 million of goodwill on our balance sheet. Any further goodwill impairment loss would negatively impact our results of operations and financial position.
The aging of our fleet may result in increased operating costs in the future, which could adversely affect our earnings.
In general, the cost of maintaining a vessel in good operating condition increases with the age of the vessel. As of December 31, 2019, the average age of our tanker fleet, owned, leased or chartered-in by us, is approximately four years. As our fleet ages, we will incur increased costs. Older vessels are typically less fuel efficient and more costly to maintain than more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine technology. Cargo insurance rates also increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental regulations, including environmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of vessels may require expenditures for alterations, or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which our vessels may engage. As our vessels age, market conditions might not justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives.
If we do not set aside funds and are unable to borrow or raise funds for vessel replacement at the end of a vessel's useful life our revenue will decline, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
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If we do not set aside funds and are unable to borrow or raise funds for vessel replacement, we will be unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their remaining useful lives. Our cash flows and income are dependent on the revenues earned by the chartering of our vessels. If we are unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their useful lives, our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay dividends would be adversely affected. Any funds set aside for vessel replacement will not be available for dividends.
Hemen may be able to exercise significant influence over us and may have conflicts of interest with our other shareholders.
As of December 31, 2019, Hemen Holding Ltd, or Hemen, a Cyprus holding company, indirectly controlled by trusts established by our Chairman and President, Mr. Fredriksen, for the benefit of his immediate family, owns approximately 40.2% of our outstanding ordinary shares. For so long as Hemen owns a significant percentage of our outstanding ordinary shares, it may be able to exercise significant influence over us and will be able to strongly influence the outcome of shareholder votes on other matters, including the adoption or amendment of provisions in our articles of incorporation or bye-laws and approval of possible mergers, amalgamations, control transactions and other significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, merger, amalgamations, consolidation, takeover or other business combination. This concentration of ownership could also discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which could in turn have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares. Hemen, may not necessarily act in accordance with the best interests of other shareholders. The interests of Hemen may not coincide with the interests of other holders of our ordinary shares. To the extent that conflicts of interests may arise, Hemen may vote in a manner adverse to us or to you or other holders of our securities.
Certain of our directors, executive officers and major shareholders may have interests that are different from the interests of our other shareholders.
Certain of our directors, executive officers and major shareholders may have interests that are different from, or are in addition to, the interests of our other shareholders. In particular, Hemen Holding Limited, or Hemen, a company indirectly controlled by trusts established by Mr. Fredriksen, our director, for the benefit of his immediate family, and certain of its affiliates, holds 79,145,703, or 40.0%, of our ordinary shares as of March 19, 2020.
Hemen is also a principal shareholder of a number of other large publicly traded companies involved in various sectors of the shipping and oil services industries, or the Hemen Related Companies. In addition, certain of our directors, including Mr. Lorentzon, Mr. Fredriksen, Mr. O'Shaughnessy and Ms. Laurin, also serve on the boards of one or more of the Hemen Related Companies, including but not limited to, Golden Ocean, SFL Corporation Ltd, or SFL, Archer Limited and Flex LNG Ltd. There may be real or apparent conflicts of interest with respect to matters affecting Hemen and other Hemen Related Companies whose interests in some circumstances may be adverse to our interests.
We may be unable to attract and retain key management personnel in the tanker industry, which may negatively impact the effectiveness of our management and our results of operation.
Our success depends to a significant extent upon the abilities and efforts of our senior executives and Mr. Fredriksen, our Chairman and President, for the management of our activities and strategic guidance. While we believe that we have an experienced management team, the loss or unavailability of one or more of our senior executives and Mr. Fredriksen, for any extended period of time could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
If labor interruptions are not resolved in a timely manner, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and available cash.
As of December 31, 2019, we employed approximately 157 people in our offices in Bermuda, the United Kingdom, Norway, Singapore and India. We contract with independent ship managers to manage and operate our vessels, including the crewing of those vessels. If not resolved in a timely and cost-effective manner, industrial action or other labor unrest could prevent or hinder our operations from being carried out as we expect and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and available cash.
We may not have adequate insurance to compensate us if our vessels are damaged or lost.
We procure insurance for our fleet against those risks that we believe the shipping industry commonly insures. These insurances include hull and machinery insurance; protection and indemnity insurance, which include environmental damage and pollution insurance coverage; freight, demurrage and defence insurance, provides cover to shipowners and operators for legal and other
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costs incurred in relation to disputes that are uninsured; and war risk insurance. We can give no assurance that we will be adequately insured against all risks and we cannot guarantee that any particular claim will be paid.
Although we do not anticipate any difficulty in having our technical manager initially obtain insurance policies for us, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage for our vessels in the future or renew such policies on the same or commercially reasonable terms, or at all. For example, more stringent environmental regulations have in the past led to increased costs for, and in the future, may result in the lack of availability of, protection and indemnity insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution. Any uninsured or underinsured loss could harm our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends. In addition, our insurance may be voidable by the insurers as a result of certain of our actions, such as our vessels failing to maintain certification with applicable maritime self-regulatory organizations. Further, we cannot assure you that our insurance policies will cover all losses that we incur, or that disputes over insurance claims will not arise with our insurance carriers. Any claims covered by insurance would be subject to deductibles, and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material. In addition, our insurance policies may be subject to limitations and exclusions, which may increase our costs or lower our revenues, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
We may be subject to calls because we obtain some of our insurance through protection and indemnity associations.
We may be subject to increased premium payments, or calls, if the value of our claim records, the claim records of our fleet managers, and/or the claim records of other members of the protection and indemnity associations through which we receive insurance coverage for tort liability (including pollution-related liability) significantly exceed projected claims. In addition, our protection and indemnity associations may not have enough resources to cover claims made against them. Our payment of these calls could result in significant expense to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
Because our offices and most of our assets are outside the United States, you may not be able to bring suit against us, or enforce a judgment obtained against us in the United States.
Our executive offices, administrative activities and assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be more difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us, or to enforce both in the United States and outside the United States judgments against us in any action, including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States.
United States tax authorities could treat the Company as a "passive foreign investment company," which could have adverse United States federal income tax consequences to United States shareholders.
A foreign corporation will be treated as a "passive foreign investment company," or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of "passive income" or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation's assets produce or are held for the production of those types of "passive income." For purposes of these tests, "passive income" includes dividends, interest, and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute "passive income." United States shareholders of a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous United States federal income tax regime with respect to the distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC.
Based on our current and proposed method of operation, we do not believe that we are, have been or will be a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. In this regard, we intend to treat the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our time chartering and voyage chartering activities as services income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, we believe that our income from these activities does not constitute "passive income," and the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of that income do not constitute assets that produce, or are held for the production of, "passive income."
Although there is no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our method of operation there is substantial legal authority supporting our position consisting of case law and United States Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, it should be noted that there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court of law will accept our position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in the nature and extent of our operations.
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If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our United States shareholders will face adverse United States federal income tax consequences. Under the PFIC rules, unless those shareholders make an election available under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders, as discussed below under "Taxation-United States Federal Income Tax Considerations"), such shareholders would be liable to pay United States federal income tax at the then prevailing income tax rates on ordinary income plus interest upon excess distributions and upon any gain from the disposition of our ordinary shares, as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder's holding period of our ordinary shares. See "Taxation-United States Federal Income Tax Considerations-Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences" for a more comprehensive discussion of the United States federal income tax consequences to United States shareholders if we are treated as a PFIC.
We may not qualify for an exemption under Section 883 of the Code, and may therefore have to pay tax on United States source income, which would reduce our earnings.
Under the Code, 50% of the gross shipping income of a vessel owning or chartering corporation, such as ourselves and our subsidiaries, that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States, may be subject to a 4% United States federal income tax without allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
We believe we qualify for this statutory tax exemption for the 2019 taxable year.
However, we may not qualify for exemption under Section 883 in future taxable years. There are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption and become subject to United States federal income tax on our United States source shipping income. For example, if Hemen, who we believe to be a non-qualified shareholder, were to, in combination with other non-qualified shareholders with a 5% or greater interest in our ordinary shares, come to own 50% or more of our outstanding ordinary shares for more than half the days during the taxable year, we would not qualify for exemption under Section 883 for such taxable year. Due to the factual nature of the issues involved, there can be no assurances on our tax-exempt status or that of any of our subsidiaries.
If we are not entitled to exemption under Section 883 of the Code for any taxable year, we could be subject during those years to an effective 2% United States federal income tax on gross shipping income derived during such a year that is attributable to the transport of cargoes to or from the United States. The imposition of this tax would have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our shareholders.
The price of our ordinary shares historically has been volatile.
The trading price and volume of our ordinary shares has been and may continue to be subject to large fluctuations. The market price and volume of our ordinary shares may increase or decrease in response to a number of events and factors, including:

• | trends in our industry and the markets in which we operate;

• | changes in the market price of the services we provide;

• | the introduction of new technologies or products by us or by our competitors;

• | changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors;

• | operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;

• | announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, financings or capital commitments;

• | changes in laws and regulations;

• | significant changes in the performance of the stock markets in general;

• | general economic and competitive conditions;

• | changes in key management personnel; and

• | unforeseen events, such as natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and pandemics such as Coronavirus

This volatility may adversely affect the prices of our ordinary shares regardless of our operating performance. To the extent that the price of our ordinary shares declines, our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity or otherwise use our ordinary shares as consideration will be reduced. These factors may limit our ability to implement our operating and growth plans.
Future sales of our ordinary shares could have an adverse effect on our share price.
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In order to finance our future operations and growth, we may have to incur substantial additional indebtedness and possibly issue additional equity securities. Future ordinary share issuances, directly or indirectly through convertible or exchangeable securities, options or warrants, will generally dilute the ownership interests of our existing ordinary shareholders, including their relative voting rights and could require substantially more cash to maintain the then existing level, if any, of our dividend payments to our ordinary shareholders, as to which no assurance can be given. Preferred shares, if issued, will generally have a preference on dividend payments, which could prohibit or otherwise reduce our ability to pay dividends to our ordinary shareholders. Our debt will be senior in all respects to our ordinary shareholders, will generally include financial and operating covenants with which we will be required to comply and will include acceleration provisions upon defaults thereunder, including our failure to make any debt service payments, and possibly under other debt. Because our decision to issue equity securities or incur debt in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions and other matters that are beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the timing, amount or form of our capital raising activities in the future. Such activities could, however, cause the price of our ordinary shares to decline significantly.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
The Company
We are Frontline Ltd., an international shipping company incorporated in Bermuda as an exempted company under the Bermuda Companies Law of 1981 on June 12, 1992 (Company No. EC-17460). On November 30, 2015, the Company and Frontline 2012 completed the Merger in which the Company was the legal acquirer and Frontline 2012 was identified as the accounting acquirer. Frontline 2012 was incorporated in Bermuda on December 12, 2011. Our registered and principal executive offices are located at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda, and our telephone number at that address is +(1) 441 295 6935. Our ordinary shares are currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, and the Oslo Stock Exchange, or the OSE, under the symbol of "FRO".
We are engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of oil and product tankers. We operate through subsidiaries located in Bermuda, India, Liberia, the Marshall Islands, Norway, the United Kingdom and Singapore. We are also involved in the charter, purchase and sale of vessels.
Formation of Frontline 2012
On December 31, 2011, in conjunction with a Board approved restructuring plan to meet the challenges created by a very weak tanker market, the Company completed the sale of 15 wholly owned special purpose companies, or SPCs, to Frontline 2012. These SPCs owned six VLCCs (Front Kathrine, Front Queen, Front Eminence, Front Endurance, Front Cecilie and Front Signe, one of which was on time charter), four Suezmax tankers (Front Thor, Front Odin, Front Loki and Front Njord) and five VLCC newbuilding contracts. The SPCs were sold at fair market value of $1,120.7 million, which was the average of three independent broker valuations. As part of the transaction, Frontline 2012 assumed the obligation to pay $666.3 million in bank debt and $325.5 million in remaining commitments to the yard under the newbuilding contracts.
Avance Gas
On October 2, 2013, Frontline 2012 entered into an agreement with Stolt-Nielsen Limited, a public company incorporated in Bermuda and listed on the OSE and Sungas Holdings Ltd., a private company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, whereby Frontline 2012 became a 37.5% shareholder in Avance Gas for a purchase consideration of $70.7 million. In October 2013, Frontline 2012 declared the distribution of a dividend consisting of 12.5% of the capital stock of Avance Gas. Following the dividend distribution, the conversion of $33.4 million of shareholder loans to equity and a private placement by Avance Gas of 5,882,352 new shares, Frontline 2012 owned 6,955,975 shares in Avance Gas at December 31, 2013 representing 22.89% of the total number of shares outstanding.
On April 9, 2014, Avance Gas completed an initial public offering, or IPO, of 4,894,262 new ordinary shares. Also on April 9, 2014, Frontline 2012 sold 2,854,985 shares in Avance Gas and following the sale of shares in Avance Gas, Frontline 2012 owned 4,100,990 shares in Avance Gas at December 31, 2014, representing 11.62% of the total number of shares outstanding.
On March 25, 2015, Frontline 2012 paid a stock dividend consisting of 4.1 million Avance Gas shares. All shareholders holding 60.74 shares or more of Frontline 2012, received one share in Avance Gas for every 60.74 shares they held, rounded down to the nearest whole share. The remaining fractional shares were paid in cash. Frontline 2012 retained 112,715 shares and stopped
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accounting for the investment as an equity method investment at this time as it no longer had significant influence over Avance Gas.
Golden Ocean
On April 3, 2014, Frontline 2012 and Golden Ocean entered into an agreement pursuant to which Frontline 2012 sold all of the shares of 30 SPCs in total, each owning a cash balance and a Capesize newbuilding, to Golden Ocean. The SPCs were sold in April 2014, September 2014 and March 2015. As a result of the sale Golden Ocean issued a total 77.5 million shares to Frontline 2012. Frontline 2012 owned approximately 70% of the total shares outstanding in Golden Ocean as a consequence of these transactions and accounted for it as a business combination achieved in stages with Frontline 2012 selected as the accounting acquirer.
On October 7, 2014, Golden Ocean and Golden Ocean Group Limited, or the Former Golden Ocean, entered into an agreement and plan of merger. The merger was completed on March 31, 2015, at which time Golden Ocean acquired 100% of the Former Golden Ocean's outstanding shares and the name of Knightsbridge Shipping Limited was changed to Golden Ocean Group Limited. Frontline 2012 de-consolidated Golden Ocean as of March 31, 2015, as its shareholding in Golden Ocean fell to approximately 45% and commenced equity accounting for its investment in Golden Ocean.
In June 2015, Frontline 2012 paid a stock dividend consisting of 75.4 million Golden Ocean shares. All shareholders holding 3.2142 shares or more, received one share in Golden Ocean for every 3.2142 shares held, rounded down to the nearest whole share. The remaining fractional shares were paid in cash. Frontline 2012 held 77.5 million Golden Ocean shares prior to this stock dividend and retained 2.1 million Golden Ocean shares in respect of the treasury shares held by Frontline 2012. This stock dividend triggered discontinued operations presentation of Frontline 2012's results of operations from Golden Ocean.
The Merger
On November 30, 2015, pursuant to a Merger Agreement, dated July 1, 2015, between the Company, Frontline Acquisition Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Frontline 2012, the Company completed the Merger with Frontline 2012. The Merger has been accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting under the provisions of ASC 805, with Frontline 2012 selected as the accounting acquirer under this guidance. Consequently, the Company's historical financial statements (in all subsequent financial statements that reflect the acquisition) will be those of Frontline 2012.
Vessel Acquisitions, Disposals, Redeliveries and Newbuilding Contracts of the Company
In November 2016, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 1998-built VLCC Front Century upon the sale and delivery of the vessel to a third party. SFL has simultaneously sold the vessel to an unrelated third party. The charter with SFL terminated in March 2017. The Company agreed to a compensation payment to SFL of approximately $4.1 million for the termination of the current charter.
In January 2017, the Company took delivery of the Suezmax newbuilding Front Classic and the LR2/Aframax newbuildings Front Antares and Front Vega.
In February 2017, the Company took delivery of the VLCC newbuilding Front Duchess.
In February 2017, the Company acquired two VLCC newbuildings under construction at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering at a net purchase price of $77.5 million each. The Front Prince was delivered in September 2017 and the Front Princess was delivered in January 2018.
In March 2017, the lease with SFL for the 1998-built VLCC Front Century was terminated. The Company recorded a gain on this lease termination of $20.6 million in the first quarter of 2017.
In March 2017, the Company took delivery of the Suezmax newbuilding Front Clipper.
In April 2017, the Company took delivery of the Suezmax newbuilding Front Crystal and the LR2/Aframax newbuilding Front Sirius.
In April 2017, the Company ordered two VLCC newbuildings to be built at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries. The vessels were delivered in January and April 2019.
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In May 2017, the Company took delivery of the Suezmax newbuilding Front Coral.
In May 2017, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charters for the 2000 built VLCC Front Scilla and the 1998 built Suezmax tanker Front Brabant upon the sale and delivery of the vessels by SFL to unrelated third parties. The charters with SFL terminated in the second quarter. Frontline made compensation payments to SFL of $6.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively, for the termination of the charters. The Company recorded a loss on termination, including these termination payments, of $12.4 million.
In June 2017, the Company took delivery of the Suezmax newbuilding Front Cosmos and the LR2/Aframax newbuilding Front Castor.
In July 2017, the Company took delivery of the Suezmax newbuilding Front Cascad e and the VLCC newbuilding Front Earl.
In July 2017, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 1997 built Suezmax Front Ardenne upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charter with SFL terminated in August 2017. Frontline made a compensation payment to SFL of $4.8 million for the termination of the charter. The Company recorded a loss on termination, including this termination payment, of $5.8 million.
In August 2017, the Company took delivery of the LR2/Aframax newbuilding Front Pollux.
In September 2017, the Company took delivery of the VLCC newbuilding Front Prince and the LR2/Aframax newbuilding Front Capella.
In January 2018, the Company took delivery of the VLCC newbuildings Front Empire and Front Princess, and the LR2/Aframax newbuilding Front Polaris.
In February 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 1998-built VLCC Front Circassia upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charter with SFL terminated in February and the charter counter party Frontline Shipping Limited, or FSL, a nonrecourse subsidiary of Frontline, has agreed to make a compensation payment of approximately $8.9 million for the termination of the charter to SFL, which has been recorded as an interest-bearing note payable by FSL. The note is due for repayment in 2021 and carries interest of 7.5% per annum. The termination reduced obligations under finance leases by approximately $20.6 million. The Company recorded a loss on termination, including this termination payment, of $5.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2018.
In July 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the VLCCs Front Page, Front Stratus and Front Serenade upon the sale and delivery of the vessels by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charters with SFL terminated in July, August and September, 2018 respectively and Frontline has agreed to make a compensation payment of approximately $10.125 million for the termination of the three charters to SFL, which has been recorded as interest-bearing notes payable by Frontline. The notes are to be repaid using the same repayment profile as the original leases and carry an interest of 7.5% per annum. The notes will be fully repaid in 2025, 2025 and 2024 respectively. These terminations have reduced obligations under finance leases by approximately $92.1 million. The Company recorded a gain on termination, including the termination payment, of $7.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2018.
In October 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 2001-built VLCC, Front Ariake, upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charter terminated in October and Frontline has agreed to a total compensation payment to SFL of $3.375 million for the termination of the charter, which has been recorded as an interest bearing note payable by Frontline. The note carries interest of 7.5% per annum and will be fully repaid in 2023.
In December 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 2002-built VLCC, Front Falcon, upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charter terminated in December. No compensation is payable on termination of the charter. The terminations of Front Ariake and Front Falcon have reduced obligations under finance leases by approximately $55.2 million. The Company recorded a gain on termination, including the termination payment, of $8.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2018.
In January 2019, the Company took delivery of the VLCC newbuilding Front Defender.
In April 2019, the Company took delivery of the VLCC newbuilding Front Discovery.
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In May 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase a newbuilding contract under construction, or resale, for a Suezmax tanker at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, or HSHI, due for delivery in April 2020, at a cost of $65.4 million. The vessel will be fitted with an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System, commonly referred to as a scrubber or EGCS, allowing the vessel to comply with the amendments to Annex VI to MARPOL regarding the sulfur emissions of vessels. See Item 4. for further information on environmental regulations relevant to our business.
In June 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase an EGCS equipped VLCC resale under construction at HSHI, expected to be delivered in May 2020, at a cost of $92.5 million.
In June 2019, the Company ordered two LR2 newbuildings from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., or SWS, China, expected to be delivered in January and March 2021 at a cost of $46.7 million each.
In August 2019, the Company entered into the Sale and Purchase Agreement, or the SPA, with Trafigura Maritime Logistics, or TML, a wholly owned subsidiary of Trafigura Group Pte Ltd, or Trafigura, to acquire 10 Suezmax tankers built in 2019 through the acquisition of a special purpose vehicle, which will hold the vessels, herein referred to as the Acquisition. The Acquisition consideration per the SPA consists of (i) 16,035,856 ordinary shares of Frontline at an agreed price of $8.00 per share that were issued upon signing; and (ii) cash consideration of $538.2 million, payable upon the closing of the Acquisition on March 16, 2019. The Company agreed to time charter all the 10 vessels from Trafigura until closing of the Acquisition at a daily rate of approximately $23,000. In addition, the Company agreed to charter-out five of the vessels to Trafigura for a period of three years at a daily base rate of $28,400 plus 50% profit share. As part of the Acquisition, the Company had options to acquire an additional four Suezmax tankers built in 2019 through the acquisition of a second special purpose vehicle. The Company elected not to exercise the options in September 2019. See Note 5. to our consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of the accounting for this transaction.
In October 2019, the Company exercised the options for two additional LR2 newbuildings from SWS, expected to be delivered in October 2021 and January 2022, respectively, at a cost of $46.7 million each.
In February 2020, the Company announced that Frontline Shipping Limited, or FSL, agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 2002-built VLCC Front Hakata upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. Frontline will receive a compensation payment of approximately $3.2 million from SFL for the termination of the current charter. The Company expects to record a gain on termination, including the compensation payment, of approximately $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2020. The charter with SFL terminated in February 2020. Following this termination, FSL will have two VLCCs on charter from SFL. In conjunction with the termination of the lease, the Company settled the outstanding balances due under the notes payable in relation to the termination of the leases for Front Circassia, Front Page, Front Serenade, Front Stratus and Front Ariake of approximately $20.0 million.
B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW
As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s fleet consisted of 71 vessels, with an aggregate capacity of approximately 13.5 million DWT:

(i) | 48 vessels owned by the Company (14 VLCCs, 16 Suezmax tankers, 18 LR2/Aframax tankers);

(ii) | three VLCCs that are under finance leases;

(iii) | 10 Suezmax tankers to be acquired under the SPA, of which five are currently recorded under finance leases and five will be recorded on closing of the Acquisition (see Note 5. to our consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of the accounting for this transaction);

(iv) | one VLCC that is recorded as an investment in finance lease;

(v) | two VLCCs chartered in from an unrelated third party; and

(vi) | seven vessels that are under the Company’s commercial management (three VLCCs, two Suezmax tankers, and two Aframax oil tankers)

In the year ending December 31, 2019, the Company took delivery of the VLCC newbuildings Front Defender and Front Discovery.
Furthermore, as of December 31, 2019, the Company’s newbuilding program was comprised of one Suezmax tanker and one VLCC, which are expected to be delivered in April and May 2020, respectively, and four LR2 tankers, which are expected to be delivered in January 2021, March 2021, October 2021 and January 2022.
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Our vessels operate worldwide and therefore management does not evaluate performance by geographical region as this information is not meaningful.
We own various vessel owning and operating subsidiaries. Our operations take place substantially outside of the United States. Our subsidiaries, therefore, own and operate vessels that may be affected by changes in foreign governments and other economic and political conditions. We are engaged in transporting crude oil and its related refined petroleum products and our vessels operate in the spot and time charter markets. Our VLCCs are specifically designed for the transportation of crude oil and, due to their size, are primarily used to transport crude oil from the Middle East Gulf to the Far East, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, or LOOP. Our Suezmax tankers are similarly designed for worldwide trading, but the trade for these vessels is mainly in the Atlantic Basin, Middle East and Southeast Asia. Our LR2/ Aframax tankers are designed to be flexible, able to transport primarily refined products, but also fuel and crude oil from smaller ports limited by draft restrictions. The vessels will normally trade between the larger refinery centers around the world, being the Gulf of Mexico, Middle East, Rotterdam and Singapore.
We are committed to providing quality transportation services to all of our customers and to developing and maintaining long-term relationships with the major charterers of tankers. Increasing global environmental concerns have created a demand in the petroleum products/crude oil seaborne transportation industry for vessels that are able to conform to the stringent environmental standards currently being imposed throughout the world.
The tanker industry is highly cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability, vessel values and freight rates. Freight rates are strongly influenced by the supply of tanker vessels and the demand for oil transportation. Refer to Item 5, "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects-Overview" for a discussion of the tanker market in 2018 and 2019.
Similar to structures commonly used by other shipping companies, our vessels are all owned by, or chartered to, separate subsidiaries or associated companies. Frontline Management AS and Frontline Management (Bermuda) Limited, both wholly owned subsidiaries, which we refer to collectively as Frontline Management, support us in the implementation of our decisions. Frontline Management is responsible for the commercial management of our ship owning subsidiaries, including chartering and insurance. Each of our vessels is registered under the Bahamas, Liberian, Marshall Islands, Singapore, Malta or Hong Kong flag.
In August 2009, the Company established SeaTeam Management Pte Ltd, or SeaTeam Management, a ship management company in Singapore. SeaTeam Management is a complement to the external ship management companies currently offering services to the Company and is not a change in the Company's outsourcing strategy. However, we would like to strengthen our position towards our service providers to enhance and secure delivery of high quality service at low cost in the future. SeaTeam Management was certified and received its ISM Document of Compliance by Det Norske Veritas on February 3, 2010 and is an approved ship management company. In addition, the Company opened a crewing company in Chennai, India, in January 2010. SeaTeam Management is a 71.38% owned subsidiary of Frontline.
Strategy
Our principal focus is the transportation of crude oil and related refined petroleum cargoes for major oil companies and major oil trading companies. We seek to optimize our income and adjust our exposure through actively pursuing charter opportunities whether through spot charters, time charters, bareboat charters, sale and leasebacks, straight sales and purchases of vessels, newbuilding contracts and acquisitions.
We presently operate VLCCs, Suezmax and Aframax tankers in the crude oil tanker market and LR2 tankers in the refined product market. Our preferred strategy is to have some fixed charter income coverage for our fleet, predominantly through time charters, and trade the balance of the fleet on the spot market. We focus on minimizing time spent in ballast by "cross trading" our vessels, typically with voyages loading in the Middle East Gulf discharging in Northern Europe, followed by a trans-Atlantic voyage to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and, finally, a voyage from either the Caribbean, US Gulf or West Africa to the Far East/Indian Ocean. We believe that operating a certain number of vessels in the spot market, enables us to capitalize on a potentially stronger spot market as well as to serve our main customers on a regular non term basis. We believe that the size of our fleet is important in negotiating terms with our major clients and charterers. We also believe that our large fleet enhances our ability to obtain competitive terms from suppliers, ship repairers and builders and to produce cost savings in chartering and operations.
Our business strategy is primarily based upon the following principles:

• | emphasizing operational safety and quality maintenance for all of our vessels and crews;

• | ensuring that the work environment on board and ashore always meet the highest standards complying with all safety and health regulations, labor conditions and respecting human rights;

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• | complying with all current and proposed environmental regulations;

• | outsourcing technical management and crewing;

• | continuing to achieve competitive operational costs;

• | achieving high utilization of our vessels;

• | achieving competitive financing arrangements;

• | achieving a satisfactory mix of term charters, contracts of affreightment, or COAs, and spot voyages; and

• | developing and maintaining relationships with major oil companies and industrial charterers.

We continue to have a strategy of outsourcing, which includes the outsourcing of management, crewing and accounting services to a number of independent and competing suppliers. The technical management of our vessels is provided by independent ship management companies as well as our subsidiary, SeaTeam Management. Pursuant to management agreements, each of the independent ship management companies provides ship maintenance, crewing, technical support, shipyard supervision and related services to us. A central part of our strategy is to benchmark operational performance and cost level amongst our ship managers, including SeaTeam Management. Both SeaTeam Management and independent ship managers provide crewing for our vessels. Currently, our vessels are crewed with Russian, Ukrainian, Croatian, Romanian, Indian and Filipino officers and crews, or combinations of these nationalities.
In 2015 the Company incorporated a new subsidiary in Singapore to capitalize on the Asian market for the transportation of crude and petroleum products. As part of this process, responsibility for the management of voyage operations in relation to our fleet of LR2/Aframax vessels was transferred in-house at the start of 2017. In December 2017, the Company transferred management of voyage operations for its fleet of crude oil tankers in-house, split between its offices in Norway, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The decision to bring voyage operations in house is driven by the need to ensure that our customers receive the highest-quality and most efficient service whilst providing time-zone coverage across all of our vessel types.
Seasonality
Historically, oil trade and, therefore, charter rates increased in the winter months and eased in the summer months as demand for oil and oil products in the Northern Hemisphere rose in colder weather and fell in warmer weather. The tanker industry, in general, has become less dependent on the seasonal transport of heating oil than a decade ago as new uses for oil and oil products have developed, spreading consumption more evenly over the year. This is most apparent from the higher seasonal demand during the summer months due to energy requirements for air conditioning and motor vehicles.
Customers
No single customer in the year ended December 31, 2019, accounted for 10% or more of the Company's consolidated revenues. Revenues from one customer in the year ended December 31, 2018 individually accounted for 10% or more of the Company's consolidated revenues in the amount of $81.1 million. No single customer in the year ended December 31, 2017, accounted for 10% or more of the Company's consolidated revenues.
Competition
The market for international seaborne crude and oil products transportation services is highly fragmented and competitive. Seaborne oil transportation services are generally provided by two main types of operators: major oil company captive fleets (both private and state-owned) and independent ship-owner fleets. In addition, several owners and operators pool their vessels together on an ongoing basis, and such pools are available to customers to the same extent as independently owned-and-operated fleets. Many major oil companies and other oil trading companies, the primary charterers of the vessels owned or controlled by us, also operate their own vessels and use such vessels not only to transport their own crude oil but also to transport crude oil for third party charterers in direct competition with independent owners and operators in the tanker charter market. Competition for charters is intense and is based upon price, location, size, age, condition and acceptability of the vessel and its manager. Competition is also affected by the availability of other size vessels to compete in the trades in which the Company engages. Charters are, to a large extent, brokered through international independent brokerage houses that specialize in finding the optimal ship for any particular cargo based on the aforementioned criteria. Brokers may be appointed by the cargo shipper or the ship owner.
Environmental and Other Regulations in the Shipping Industry
Government regulation and laws significantly affect the ownership and operation of our fleet. We are subject to international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the countries in which our vessels may operate or are registered relating to safety and health and environmental protection including the storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination and liability for damage to natural
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resources. Compliance with such laws, regulations and other requirements entails significant expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of certain operating procedures.
A variety of government and private entities subject our vessels to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include the local port authorities (applicable national authorities such as the United States Coast Guard, or USCG, harbor master or equivalent), classification societies, flag state administrations (countries of registry) and charterers, particularly terminal operators. Certain of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations for the operation of our vessels. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or result in the temporary suspension of the operation of one or more of our vessels.
Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to the stricter environmental standards. We are required to maintain operating standards for all of our vessels that emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of our officers and crews and compliance with United States and international regulations. We believe that the operation of our vessels is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that our vessels have all material permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations necessary for the conduct of our operations. However, because such laws and regulations frequently change and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these requirements, or the impact of these requirements on the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. In addition, a future serious marine incident that causes significant adverse environmental impact could result in additional legislation or regulation that could negatively affect our profitability.
International Maritime Organization
The International Maritime Organization, or IMO, which is the United Nations' agency for maritime safety and the prevention of pollution by vessels, has adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, collectively referred to as MARPOL 73/78 and herein as “MARPOL,” adopted the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, or SOLAS Convention, and the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, or LL Convention. MARPOL establishes environmental standards relating to oil leakage or spilling, garbage management, sewage, air emissions, handling and disposal of noxious liquids and the handling of harmful substances in packaged forms. MARPOL is applicable to drybulk, tanker and LNG carriers, among other vessels, and is broken into six Annexes, each of which regulates a different source of pollution. Annex I relates to oil leakage or spilling; Annexes II and III relate to harmful substances carried in bulk in liquid or in packaged form, respectively; Annexes IV and V relate to sewage and garbage management, respectively; and Annex VI, lastly, relates to air emissions. Annex VI was separately adopted by the IMO in September of 1997; new emissions standards, titled IMO-2020, took effect on January 1, 2020.
In 2013, the IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee, or the MEPC, adopted a resolution amending MARPOL Annex I Condition Assessment Scheme, or CAS. These amendments became effective on October 1, 2014, and require compliance with the 2011 International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, or “ESP Code,” which provides for enhanced inspection programs. We may need to make certain financial expenditures to comply with these amendments.
Air Emissions
In September of 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution from vessels. Effective May 2005, Annex VI sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from all commercial vessel exhausts and prohibits “deliberate emissions” of ozone depleting substances (such as halons and chlorofluorocarbons), emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks, and the shipboard incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions, as explained below. Emissions of “volatile organic compounds” from certain vessels, and the shipboard incineration (from incinerators installed after January 1, 2000) of certain substances (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs) are also prohibited. We believe that all our vessels are currently compliant in all material respects with these regulations.
The MEPC adopted amendments to Annex VI regarding emissions of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and ozone depleting substances, which entered into force on July 1, 2010. The amended Annex VI seeks to further reduce air pollution by, among other things, implementing a progressive reduction of the amount of sulfur contained in any fuel oil used on board ships. On October 27, 2016, at its 70th session, the MEPC agreed to implement a global 0.5% m/m sulfur oxide emissions limit (reduced from 3.50%) starting from January 1, 2020. This limitation can be met by using low-sulfur compliant fuel oil, alternative fuels, or certain exhaust gas cleaning systems. From January 1, 2020, ships will be required to obtain bunker delivery notes and International Air Pollution Prevention, or IAPP Certificates from their flag states that specify sulfur content. Additionally, at
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MEPC 73, amendments to Annex VI to prohibit the carriage of bunkers above 0.5% sulfur on ships were adopted and will take effect March 1, 2020. These regulations subject ocean-going vessels to stringent emissions controls, and may cause us to incur substantial costs.
Sulfur content standards are even stricter within certain “Emission Control Areas,” or ECAs. As of January 1, 2015, ships operating within an ECA were not permitted to use fuel with sulfur content in excess of 0.1% m/m. Amended Annex VI establishes procedures for designating new ECAs. Currently, the IMO has designated four ECAs, including specified portions of the Baltic Sea area, North Sea area, North American area and United States Caribbean area. Ocean-going vessels in these areas will be subject to stringent emission controls and may cause us to incur additional costs. Other areas in China are subject to local regulations that impose stricter emission controls. If other ECAs are approved by the IMO, or other new or more stringent requirements relating to emissions from marine diesel engines or port operations by vessels are adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, or the states where we operate, compliance with these regulations could entail significant capital expenditures or otherwise increase the costs of our operations.
Amended Annex VI also establishes new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for marine diesel engines, depending on their date of installation. At the MEPC meeting held from March to April 2014, amendments to Annex VI were adopted which address the date on which Tier III Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) standards in ECAs will go into effect. Under the amendments, Tier III NOx standards apply to ships that operate in the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea ECAs designed for the control of NOx produced by vessels with a marine diesel engine installed and constructed on or after January 1, 2016. Tier III requirements could apply to areas that will be designated for Tier III NOx in the future. At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, the MEPC approved the North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs for nitrogen oxide for ships built on or after January 1, 2021. The EPA promulgated equivalent (and in some senses stricter) emissions standards in 2010. As a result of these designations or similar future designations, we may be required to incur additional operating or other costs.
As determined at the MEPC 70, the new Regulation 22A of MARPOL Annex VI became effective as of March 1, 2018 and requires ships above 5,000 gross tonnage to collect and report annual data on fuel oil consumption to an IMO database, with the first year of data collection commencing on January 1, 2019. The IMO intends to use such data as the first step in its roadmap (through 2023) for developing its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, as discussed further below.
As of January 1, 2013, MARPOL made mandatory certain measures relating to energy efficiency for ships. All ships are now required to develop and implement Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans, or SEEMPS, and new ships must be designed in compliance with minimum energy efficiency levels per capacity mile as defined by the Energy Efficiency Design Index, or EEDI. Under these measures, by 2025, all new ships built will be 30% more energy efficient than those built in 2014.
We may incur costs to comply with these revised standards. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could require the installation of expensive emission control systems and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Safety Management System Requirements
The SOLAS Convention was amended to address the safe manning of vessels and emergency training drills. The Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, or LLMC, sets limitations of liability for a loss of life or personal injury claim or a property claim against ship owners. We believe that our vessels are in substantial compliance with SOLAS and LLMC standards.
Under Chapter IX of the SOLAS Convention, or the International Safety Management Code, or the ISM Code, our operations are also subject to environmental standards and requirements. The ISM Code requires the party with operational control of a vessel to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. We rely upon the safety management system that our managers have developed for compliance with the ISM Code. The failure of a vessel owner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel’s management with the ISM Code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a safety management certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. Our managers have obtained applicable documents of compliance for their offices and safety management certificates for all of our vessels for which the certificates are required by the IMO. The document of compliance and safety management certificate are renewed as required.
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Regulation II-1/3-10 of the SOLAS Convention governs ship construction and stipulates that ships over 150 meters in length must have adequate strength, integrity and stability to minimize risk of loss or pollution. Goal-based standards amendments in SOLAS regulation II-1/3-10 entered into force in 2012, with July 1, 2016 set for application to new oil tankers and bulk carriers. The SOLAS Convention regulation II-1/3-10 on goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers, which entered into force on January 1, 2012, requires that all oil tankers and bulk carriers of 150 meters in length and above, for which the building contract is placed on or after July 1, 2016, satisfy applicable structural requirements conforming to the functional requirements of the International Goal-based Ship Construction Standards for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (GBS Standards).
Amendments to the SOLAS Convention Chapter VII apply to vessels transporting dangerous goods and require those vessels be in compliance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, or IMDG Code. Effective January 1, 2018, the IMDG Code includes (1) updates to the provisions for radioactive material, reflecting the latest provisions from the International Atomic Energy Agency, (2) new marking, packing and classification requirements for dangerous goods, and (3) new mandatory training requirements. Amendments which took effect on January 1, 2020 also reflect the latest material from the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, including (1) new provisions regarding IMO type 9 tank, (2) new abbreviations for segregation groups, and (3) special provisions for carriage of lithium batteries and of vehicles powered by flammable liquid or gas.
The IMO has also adopted the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, or STCW. As of February 2017, all seafarers are required to meet the STCW standards and be in possession of a valid STCW certificate. Flag states that have ratified SOLAS and STCW generally employ the classification societies, which have incorporated SOLAS and STCW requirements into their class rules, to undertake surveys to confirm compliance.
The IMO's Maritime Safety Committee and MEPC, respectively, each adopted relevant parts of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Water (the “Polar Code”). The Polar Code, which entered into force on January 1, 2017, covers design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue as well as environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in the waters surrounding the two poles. It also includes mandatory measures regarding safety and pollution prevention as well as recommendatory provisions. The Polar Code applies to new ships constructed after January 1, 2017, and after January 1, 2018, ships constructed before January 1, 2017 are required to meet the relevant requirements by the earlier of their first intermediate or renewal survey.
Furthermore, recent action by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and United States agencies indicates that cybersecurity regulations for the maritime industry are likely to be further developed in the near future in an attempt to combat cybersecurity threats. For example, cyber-risk management systems must be incorporated by ship-owners and managers by 2021. This might cause companies to create additional procedures for monitoring cybersecurity, which could require additional expenses and/or capital expenditures. The impact of such regulations is hard to predict at this time.
Pollution Control and Liability Requirements
The IMO has negotiated international conventions that impose liability for pollution in international waters and the territorial waters of the signatories to such conventions. For example, the IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (the “BWM Convention”) in 2004. The BWM Convention entered into force on September 9, 2017. The BWM Convention requires ships to manage their ballast water to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of new or invasive aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments. The BWM Convention’s implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits, and require all ships to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast water management certificate.
On December 4, 2013, the IMO Assembly passed a resolution revising the application dates of BWM Convention so that the dates are triggered by the entry into force date and not the dates originally in the BWM Convention. This, in effect, makes all vessels delivered before the entry into force date “existing vessels” and allows for the installation of ballast water management systems on such vessels at the first International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) renewal survey following entry into force of the convention. The MEPC adopted updated guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8) at MEPC 70. At MEPC 71, the schedule regarding the BWM Convention’s implementation dates was also discussed and amendments were introduced to extend the date existing vessels are subject to certain ballast water standards. Those changes were adopted at MEPC 72. Ships over 400 gross tons generally must comply with a “D-1 standard,” requiring the exchange of ballast water only in open seas and away from coastal waters. The “D-2 standard” specifies the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged, and compliance dates vary depending on the IOPP renewal dates. Depending on the date of the IOPP renewal survey, existing vessels must comply with the D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2019. For most ships, compliance with the D-2 standard will involve installing on-
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board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms. Ballast water management systems, which include systems that make use of chemical, biocides, organisms or biological mechanisms, or which alter the chemical or physical characteristics of the ballast water, must be approved in accordance with IMO Guidelines (Regulation D-3). As of October 13, 2019, MEPC 72’s amendments to the BWM Convention took effect, making the Code for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems, which governs assessment of ballast water management systems, mandatory rather than permissive, and formalized an implementation schedule for the D-2 standard. Under these amendments, all ships must meet the D-2 standard by September 8, 2024. Costs of compliance with these regulations may be substantial.
Once mid-ocean ballast water treatment requirements become mandatory under the BWM Convention, the cost of compliance could increase for ocean carriers and may have a material effect on our operations. However, many countries already regulate the discharge of ballast water carried by vessels from country to country to prevent the introduction of invasive and harmful species via such discharges. The U.S., for example, requires vessels entering its waters from another country to conduct mid-ocean ballast exchange, or undertake some alternate measure, and to comply with certain reporting requirements.
The IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, as amended by different Protocols in 1976, 1984, and 1992, and amended in 2000, or the CLC. Under the CLC and depending on whether the country in which the damage results is a party to the 1992 Protocol to the CLC, a vessel’s registered owner may be strictly liable for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil, subject to certain exceptions. The 1992 Protocol changed certain limits on liability expressed using the International Monetary Fund currency unit, the Special Drawing Rights. The limits on liability have since been amended so that the compensation limits on liability were raised. The right to limit liability is forfeited under the CLC where the spill is caused by the shipowner’s actual fault and under the 1992 Protocol where the spill is caused by the shipowner’s intentional or reckless act or omission where the shipowner knew pollution damage would probably result. The CLC requires ships over 2,000 tons covered by it to maintain insurance covering the liability of the owner in a sum equivalent to an owner’s liability for a single incident. We have protection and indemnity insurance for environmental incidents. P&I Clubs in the International Group issue the required Bunkers Convention “Blue Cards” to enable signatory states to issue certificates. All of our vessels are in possession of a CLC State issued certificate attesting that the required insurance coverage is in force.
The IMO also adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (the “Bunker Convention”) to impose strict liability on ship owners (including the registered owner, bareboat charterer, manager or operator) for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross tons to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the LLMC). With respect to non-ratifying states, liability for spills or releases of oil carried as fuel in ship’s bunkers typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.
Ships are required to maintain a certificate attesting that they maintain adequate insurance to cover an incident. In jurisdictions, such as the United States where the CLC or the Bunker Convention has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or on a strict-liability basis.
Anti‑Fouling Requirements
In 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti‑fouling Systems on Ships, or the “Anti‑fouling Convention.” The Anti‑fouling Convention, which entered into force on September 17, 2008, prohibits the use of organotin compound coatings to prevent the attachment of mollusks and other sea life to the hulls of vessels. Vessels of over 400 gross tons engaged in international voyages will also be required to undergo an initial survey before the vessel is put into service or before an International Anti‑fouling System Certificate is issued for the first time; and subsequent surveys when the anti‑fouling systems are altered or replaced. We have obtained Anti‑fouling System Certificates for all of our vessels that are subject to the Anti‑fouling Convention.
Compliance Enforcement
Noncompliance with the ISM Code or other IMO regulations may subject the ship owner or bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. The USCG and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code by applicable deadlines will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports, respectively. As of the date of this report, each of our vessels is ISM Code certified. However, there can be no assurance that such certificates will be maintained in the future. The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations. It is impossible to predict what additional regulations, if any, may be passed by the IMO and what effect, if any, such regulations might have on our operations.
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United States Regulations
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or the OPA, established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all “owners and operators” whose vessels trade or operate within the U.S., its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in U.S. waters, which includes the U.S.’s territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the U.S. The U.S. has also enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil, except in limited circumstances, whether on land or at sea. OPA and CERCLA both define “owner and operator” in the case of a vessel as any person owning, operating or chartering by demise, the vessel. Both OPA and CERCLA impact our operations.
Under OPA, vessel owners and operators are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels, including bunkers (fuel). OPA defines these other damages broadly to include:
(i) injury to, destruction or loss of, or loss of use of, natural resources and related assessment costs;
(ii) injury to, or economic losses resulting from, the destruction of real and personal property;
(iv) loss of subsistence use of natural resources that are injured, destroyed or lost;
(iii) net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees or net profit revenues resulting from injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property, or natural resources;
(v) lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property or natural resources; and
(vi) net cost of increased or additional public services necessitated by removal activities following a discharge of oil, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards, and loss of subsistence use of natural resources.
OPA contains statutory caps on liability and damages; such caps do not apply to direct cleanup costs. Effective November 12, 2019, the USCG adjusted the limits of OPA liability for a tank vessel, other than a single-hull tank vessel, over 3,000 gross tons liability to the greater of $2,300 per gross ton or $19,943,400 (subject to periodic adjustment for inflation). These limits of liability do not apply if an incident was proximately caused by the violation of an applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulation by a responsible party (or its agent, employee or a person acting pursuant to a contractual relationship), or a responsible party's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The limitation on liability similarly does not apply if the responsible party fails or refuses to (i) report the incident as required by law where the responsible party knows or has reason to know of the incident; (ii) reasonably cooperate and assist as requested in connection with oil removal activities; or (iii) without sufficient cause, comply with an order issued under the Federal Water Pollution Act (Section 311 (c), (e)) or the Intervention on the High Seas Act.
CERCLA contains a similar liability regime whereby owners and operators of vessels are liable for cleanup, removal and remedial costs, as well as damages for injury to, or destruction or loss of, natural resources, including the reasonable costs associated with assessing the same, and health assessments or health effects studies. There is no liability if the discharge of a hazardous substance results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5.0 million for vessels carrying a hazardous substance as cargo and the greater of $300 per gross ton or $500,000 for any other vessel. These limits do not apply (rendering the responsible person liable for the total cost of response and damages) if the release or threat of release of a hazardous substance resulted from willful misconduct or negligence, or the primary cause of the release was a violation of applicable safety, construction or operating standards or regulations. The limitation on liability also does not apply if the responsible person fails or refused to provide all reasonable cooperation and assistance as requested in connection with response activities where the vessel is subject to OPA.
OPA and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law, including maritime tort law. OPA and CERCLA both require owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the USCG evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the maximum amount of liability to which the particular responsible person may be subject. Vessel owners and operators may satisfy their financial responsibility obligations by providing a proof of insurance, a surety bond, qualification as a self-insurer or a guarantee. We comply and plan to comply going forward with the USCG’s financial responsibility regulations by providing applicable certificates of financial responsibility.
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in additional regulatory initiatives or statutes, including higher liability caps under OPA, new regulations regarding offshore oil and gas drilling, and a pilot inspection program for offshore facilities. However, several of these initiatives and regulations have been or may be revised. For example, the U.S. Bureau of
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Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s, or BSEE, revised Production Safety Systems Rule, or PSSR, effective December 27, 2018, modified and relaxed certain environmental and safety protections under the 2016 PSSR. Additionally, the BSEE amended the Well Control Rule, effective July 15, 2019, which rolled back certain reforms regarding the safety of drilling operations, and the U.S. President has proposed leasing new sections of U.S. waters to oil and gas companies for offshore drilling. The effects of these proposals and changes are currently unknown. Compliance with any new requirements of OPA and future legislation or regulations applicable to the operation of our vessels could impact the cost of our operations and adversely affect our business.
OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, provided they accept, at a minimum, the levels of liability established under OPA and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for oil spills. Many U.S. states that border a navigable waterway have enacted environmental pollution laws that impose strict liability on a person for removal costs and damages resulting from a discharge of oil or a release of a hazardous substance. These laws may be more stringent than U.S. federal law. Moreover, some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for discharge of pollutants within their waters, although in some cases, states which have enacted this type of legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining tanker owners’ responsibilities under these laws. The Company intends to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where the Company’s vessels call.
We currently maintain pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1.0 billion per incident for each of our vessels. If the damages from a catastrophic spill were to exceed our insurance coverage, it could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operation.
Other United States Environmental Initiatives
The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 (including its amendments of 1977 and 1990), or CAA requires the EPA to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds and other air contaminants. Our vessels are subject to vapor control and recovery requirements for certain cargoes when loading, unloading, ballasting, cleaning and conducting other operations in regulated port areas. The CAA also requires states to draft State Implementation Plans, or SIPs, designed to attain national health-based air quality standards in each state. Although state-specific, SIPs may include regulations concerning emissions resulting from vessel loading and unloading operations by requiring the installation of vapor control equipment. Our vessels operating in such regulated port areas with restricted cargoes are equipped with vapor recovery systems that satisfy these existing requirements.
The U.S. Clean Water Act, or CWA, prohibits the discharge of oil, hazardous substances and ballast water in U.S. navigable waters unless authorized by a duly issued permit or exemption, and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges. The CWA also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA and CERCLA. In 2015, the EPA expanded the definition of “waters of the United States” , or WOTUS, thereby expanding federal authority under the CWA. Following litigation on the revised WOTUS rule, in December 2018, the EPA and Department of the Army proposed a revised, limited definition of “waters of the United States.” The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on February 14, 2019 and was subject to public comment. On October 22, 2019, the agencies published a final rule repealing the 2015 Rule defining “waters of the United States” and recodified the regulatory text that existed prior to 2015 Rule. The final rule became effective on December 23, 2019. On January 23, 2020, the EPA published the “Navigable Waters Protection Rule,” which replaces the rule published on October 22, 2019, and redefines “waters of the United States.” The effect of this rule is currently unknown.
The EPA and the USCG have also enacted rules relating to ballast water discharge, compliance with which requires the installation of equipment on our vessels to treat ballast water before it is discharged or the implementation of other port facility disposal arrangements or procedures at potentially substantial costs, and/or otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. Waters. The EPA will regulate these ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the normal operation of certain vessels within United States waters pursuant to the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, or VIDA, which was signed into law on December 4, 2018 and replaces the 2013 Vessel General Permit, or VGP program (which authorizes discharges incidental to operations of commercial vessels and contains numeric ballast water discharge limits for most vessels to reduce the risk of invasive species in U.S. waters, stringent requirements for exhaust gas scrubbers, and requirements for the use of environmentally acceptable lubricants) and current Coast Guard ballast water management regulations adopted under the U.S. National Invasive Species Act, or NISA, such as mid-ocean ballast exchange programs and installation of approved USCG technology for all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks bound for U.S. ports or entering U.S. waters. VIDA establishes a new framework for the regulation of vessel incidental discharges under Clean Water Act (CWA), requires the EPA to develop performance standards for those discharges within two years of enactment, and requires the U.S. Coast Guard to develop implementation, compliance, and enforcement regulations within two years of EPA’s promulgation of standards. Under VIDA, all provisions of the 2013 VGP and USCG regulations regarding ballast water treatment remain in force and effect until the EPA and U.S. Coast Guard regulations are finalized. Non-military, non-recreational vessels greater than 79 feet in length must continue to comply with the requirements of the VGP, including
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submission of a Notice of Intent, or NOI or retention of a PARI form and submission of annual reports. We have submitted NOIs for our vessels where required. Compliance with the EPA, U.S. Coast Guard and state regulations could require the installation of ballast water treatment equipment on our vessels or the implementation of other port facility disposal procedures at potentially substantial cost, or may otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. waters.
European Union Regulations
In October 2009, the European Union amended a directive to impose criminal sanctions for illicit ship-source discharges of polluting substances, including minor discharges, if committed with intent, recklessly or with serious negligence and the discharges individually or in the aggregate result in deterioration of the quality of water. Aiding and abetting the discharge of a polluting substance may also lead to criminal penalties. The directive applies to all types of vessels, irrespective of their flag, but certain exceptions apply to warships or where human safety or that of the ship is in danger. Criminal liability for pollution may result in substantial penalties or fines and increased civil liability claims. Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 (amending EU Directive 2009/16/EC) governs the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport, and, subject to some exclusions, requires companies with ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to monitor and report carbon dioxide emissions annually, which may cause us to incur additional expenses..
The European Union has adopted several regulations and directives requiring, among other things, more frequent inspections of high-risk ships, as determined by type, age, and flag as well as the number of times the ship has been detained. The European Union also adopted and extended a ban on substandard ships and enacted a minimum ban period and a definitive ban for repeated offenses. The regulation also provided the European Union with greater authority and control over classification societies, by imposing more requirements on classification societies and providing for fines or penalty payments for organizations that failed to comply. Furthermore, the EU has implemented regulations requiring vessels to use reduced sulfur content fuel for their main and auxiliary engines. The EU Directive 2005/33/EC (amending Directive 1999/32/EC) introduced requirements parallel to those in Annex VI relating to the sulfur content of marine fuels. In addition, the EU imposed a 0.1% maximum sulfur requirement for fuel used by ships at berth in the Baltic, the North Sea and the English Channel (the so called “SOx-Emission Control Area”). As of January 2020, EU member states must also ensure that ships in all EU waters, except the SOx-Emission Control Area, use fuels with a 0.5% maximum sulfur content.
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization, or the ILO, is a specialized agency of the UN that has adopted the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, or MLC 2006. A Maritime Labour Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance is required to ensure compliance with the MLC 2006 for all ships that are 500 gross tonnage or over and are either engaged in international voyages or flying the flag of a Member and operating from a port, or between ports, in another country. We believe that all our vessels are in substantial compliance with and are certified to meet MLC 2006.
Greenhouse Gas Regulation
Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which entered into force in 2005 and pursuant to which adopting countries have been required to implement national programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with targets extended through 2020. International negotiations are continuing with respect to a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, and restrictions on shipping emissions may be included in any new treaty. In December 2009, more than 27 nations, including the U.S. and China, signed the Copenhagen Accord, which includes a non-binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris resulted in the Paris Agreement, which entered into force on November 4, 2016 and does not directly limit greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The U.S. initially entered into the agreement, but on June 1, 2017, the U.S. President announced that the United States intends to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which provides for a four-year exit process, meaning that the earliest possible effective withdrawal date cannot be before November 4, 2020. The timing and effect of such action has yet to be determined.
At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, a draft outline of the structure of the initial strategy for developing a comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships was approved. In accordance with this roadmap, in April 2018, nations at the MEPC 72 adopted an initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The initial strategy identifies “levels of ambition” to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including (1) decreasing the carbon intensity from ships through implementation of further phases of the EEDI for new ships; (2) reducing carbon dioxide emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008 emission levels; and (3) reducing the total annual greenhouse emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 while pursuing efforts towards phasing them out entirely. The initial strategy notes that technological innovation, alternative fuels and/or energy sources for
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international shipping will be integral to achieve the overall ambition. These regulations could cause us to incur additional substantial expenses.
The EU made a unilateral commitment to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions from its member states from 20% of 1990 levels by 2020. The EU also committed to reduce its emissions by 20% under the Kyoto Protocol’s second period from 2013 to 2020. Starting in January 2018, large ships over 5,000 gross tonnage calling at EU ports are required to collect and publish data on carbon dioxide emissions and other information.
In the United States, the EPA issued a finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public health and safety, adopted regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from certain mobile sources, and proposed regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from large stationary sources. However, in March 2017, the U.S. President signed an executive order to review and possibly eliminate the EPA’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and in August 2019, the Administration announced plans to weaken regulations for methane emissions. The EPA or individual U.S. states could enact environmental regulations that would affect our operations.
Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, the EU, the U.S. or other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at the international level to succeed the Kyoto Protocol or Paris Agreement, that restricts emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to make significant financial expenditures which we cannot predict with certainty at this time. Even in the absence of climate control legislation, our business may be indirectly affected to the extent that climate change may result in sea level changes or certain weather events.
Vessel Security Regulations
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security such as the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or MTSA. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, the USCG issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and at certain ports and facilities, some of which are regulated by the EPA.
Similarly, Chapter XI-2 of the SOLAS Convention imposes detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities and mandates compliance with the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, or the ISPS Code. The ISPS Code is designed to enhance the security of ports and ships against terrorism. To trade internationally, a vessel must attain an International Ship Security Certificate, or ISSC, from a recognized security organization approved by the vessel’s flag state. Ships operating without a valid certificate may be detained, expelled from, or refused entry at port until they obtain an ISSC. The various requirements, some of which are found in the SOLAS Convention, include, for example, on-board installation of automatic identification systems to provide a means for the automatic transmission of safety-related information from among similarly equipped ships and shore stations, including information on a ship’s identity, position, course, speed and navigational status; on-board installation of ship security alert systems, which do not sound on the vessel but only alert the authorities on shore; the development of vessel security plans; ship identification number to be permanently marked on a vessel’s hull; a continuous synopsis record kept onboard showing a vessel's history including the name of the ship, the state whose flag the ship is entitled to fly, the date on which the ship was registered with that state, the ship's identification number, the port at which the ship is registered and the name of the registered owner(s) and their registered address; and compliance with flag state security certification requirements.
The USCG regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board a valid ISSC that attests to the vessel’s compliance with the SOLAS Convention security requirements and the ISPS Code. Future security measures could have a significant financial impact on us. We intend to comply with the various security measures addressed by MTSA, the SOLAS Convention and the ISPS Code.
The cost of vessel security measures has also been affected by the escalation in the frequency of acts of piracy against ships, notably off the coast of Somalia, including the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea area, and the Gulf of Guinea. Substantial loss of revenue and other costs may be incurred as a result of detention of a vessel or additional security measures, and the risk of uninsured losses could significantly affect our business. Costs are incurred in taking additional security measures in accordance with Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy, notably those contained in the BMP5 industry standard.
Inspection by Classification Societies
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and SOLAS. Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage and
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lending that a vessel be certified “in class” by a classification society which is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies, the IACS. The IACS has adopted harmonized Common Structural Rules, or the Rules, which apply to oil tankers and bulk carriers contracted for construction on or after July 1, 2015. The Rules attempt to create a level of consistency between IACS Societies. Our vessels are currently classed with DNV GL, Lloyd’s Register and American Bureau of Shipping.
A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys, drydockings and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every 30 to 36 months for inspection of the underwater parts of the vessel. If any vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey, drydocking or special survey, the vessel will be unable to carry cargo between ports and will be unemployable and uninsurable which could cause us to be in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements. Any such inability to carry cargo or be employed, or any such violation of covenants, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance
The operation of any ocean-going vessel carries an inherent risk of catastrophic marine disasters and property losses caused by adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures, human error, war, terrorism and other circumstances or events. In addition, the transportation of crude oil is subject to the risk of spills, and business interruptions due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities, labor strikes and boycotts. OPA has made liability insurance more expensive for ship owners and operators imposing potentially unlimited liability upon owners, operators and bareboat charterers for oil pollution incidents in the territorial waters of the United States. We believe that our current insurance coverage is adequate to protect us against the principal accident-related risks that we face in the conduct of our business.
Our protection and indemnity insurance, or P&I insurance, covers third party liabilities and other related expenses from, among other things, injury or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, claims arising from collisions, damage to cargo and other third party property and pollution arising from oil or other substances. Our current P&I insurance coverage for pollution is the maximum commercially available amount of $1.0 billion per vessel per incident and is provided by mutual protection and indemnity associations. Each of the vessels currently in our fleet is entered in a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of Protection & Indemnity Clubs. The 13 protection and indemnity associations that comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the world's commercial tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to re-insure each association's liabilities. The International Group’s website states that the Pool provides a mechanism for sharing all claims in excess of US$ 10 million up to, currently, approximately US$ 8.2 billion. For the 2018/19 policy year, the International Group has maintained a three-layer GXL insurance program, together with an additional Collective Overspill layer, which combine to provide just over $3 billion of commercial reinsurance. As a member of protection and indemnity associations, which are, in turn, members of the International Group, we are subject to calls payable to the associations based on its claim records as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual associations and members of the pool of protection and indemnity associations comprising the International Group.
Our hull and machinery insurance covers actual or constructive total loss from covered risks of collision, fire, heavy weather, grounding and engine failure or damages from same. Our war risks insurance covers risks of confiscation, seizure, capture, vandalism, terrorism, sabotage and other war-related risks. Our loss-of-hire insurance covers loss of revenue for not less than $20,000 per day for Suezmax tankers and VLCCs for not less than 180 days resulting from an accident covered by the terms of our hull and machinery insurance for each of our vessels, with a 60 day deductible for all Suezmax tankers and VLCCs. Our LR2/Aframax product tankers are insured for not less than $20,000 for 90 days with a deductible of 14 days.
C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
See Exhibit 8.1 to this Form 20-F for a list of our significant subsidiaries.
D. PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT
The Company's Vessels
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the fleet that we operated as of December 31, 2019:

Vessel |  | Built |  | Approximate Dwt. |  | Flag |  | Type of Employment(1)

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Tonnage Owned |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
VLCCs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Front Kathrine |  | 2009 |  | 297,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Queen |  | 2009 |  | 297,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Eminence |  | 2009 |  | 321,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Endurance |  | 2009 |  | 321,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Cecilie |  | 2010 |  | 297,000 |  | HK |  | Spot market
Front Signe |  | 2010 |  | 297,000 |  | HK |  | Spot market
Front Duke |  | 2016 |  | 299,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Duchess |  | 2017 |  | 299,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Earl |  | 2017 |  | 300,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Prince |  | 2017 |  | 300,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Empire |  | 2018 |  | 300,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Princess |  | 2018 |  | 300,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Defender |  | 2019 |  | 300,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Discovery |  | 2019 |  | 300,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Suezmax Tankers |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Front Ull |  | 2014 |  | 157,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Idun |  | 2015 |  | 157,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Thor |  | 2010 |  | 156,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Loki(2) |  | 2010 |  | 156,000 |  | MLT |  | Time charter
Front Odin |  | 2010 |  | 156,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Njord |  | 2010 |  | 156,000 |  | HK |  | Spot market
Front Balder |  | 2009 |  | 156,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Brage |  | 2011 |  | 156,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Crown |  | 2016 |  | 157,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Challenger |  | 2016 |  | 157,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Classic |  | 2017 |  | 157,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Clipper |  | 2017 |  | 157,000 |  | MI |  | Market related time charter
Front Crystal |  | 2017 |  | 157,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Coral |  | 2017 |  | 158,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Cosmos |  | 2017 |  | 158,000 |  | MI |  | Market related time charter
Front Cascade |  | 2017 |  | 157,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
LR2/Aframax Tankers |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Front Lion(3) |  | 2014 |  | 115,000 |  | MI |  | Time charter
Front Puma |  | 2015 |  | 115,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Panther |  | 2015 |  | 115,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Tiger |  | 2015 |  | 115,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Ocelot |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Cheetah |  | 2016 |  | 113,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Lynx |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Cougar |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Leopard |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market

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Front Jaguar |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Altair |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Antares |  | 2017 |  | 110,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Vega |  | 2017 |  | 111,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Sirius |  | 2017 |  | 111,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Castor |  | 2017 |  | 110,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Pollux |  | 2017 |  | 110,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Capella |  | 2017 |  | 110,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Polaris |  | 2018 |  | 111,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market

Tonnage chartered-in from SFL |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
VLCCs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Front Hakata(4) |  | 2002 |  | 298,000 |  | BA |  | Spot market
Front Force |  | 2004 |  | 305,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Front Energy |  | 2004 |  | 305,000 |  | MI |  | Spot market
Tonnage chartered-in from third parties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
VLCCs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
FPMC C Melody |  | 2011 |  | 297,000 |  | LIB |  | Spot market
FMPC C Noble |  | 2012 |  | 297,000 |  | LIB |  | Spot market
Tonnage chartered-in from Trafigura |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Suezmax Tankers |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Marlin Sparta |  | 2019 |  | 150,000 |  | SG |  | Spot market
Marlin Samara(5) |  | 2019 |  | 157,000 |  | SG |  | Time charter
Marlin Siena |  | 2019 |  | 157,000 |  | SG |  | Spot market
Marlin Singapore(5) |  | 2019 |  | 150,000 |  | SG |  | Time charter
Marlin Seoul |  | 2019 |  | 157,000 |  | SG |  | Spot market
Marlin Santiago(5) |  | 2019 |  | 150,000 |  | SG |  | Time charter
Marlin Savannah(5) |  | 2019 |  | 157,000 |  | SG |  | Time charter
Marlin Suez |  | 2019 |  | 150,000 |  | SG |  | Spot market
Marlin Shanghai(5) |  | 2019 |  | 150,000 |  | SG |  | Time charter
Marlin Silkeborg |  | 2019 |  | 150,000 |  | SG |  | Spot market

1. | Time Charter includes those contracts with durations in excess of six months.

2. | This vessel commenced a time charter in March 2019 with earliest possible redelivery in March 2020.

3. | This vessel commenced a time charter in August 2015 which was extended with the earliest possible re-delivery in January 2020 with redelivery expected in March 2020.

4. | The lease for this vessel was terminated in February 2020.

5. | These vessels were chartered in and chartered back out on time charters in August 2019. See Note 5. to our consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of the accounting for the Trafigura transaction.

Our fleet chartered-in from SFL, following the termination of the lease for Front Hakata, is contracted to us under leasing arrangements with remaining fixed terms approximately seven years.
Key to Flags:
BA – Bahamas, LIB - Liberia, MI – Marshall Islands, HK – Hong Kong, SG – Singapore, MLT – Malta.
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Other than our interests in the vessels described above, we do not own any material physical properties. We lease office space in Hamilton, Bermuda from an unaffiliated third party. Frontline Management AS leases office space, at market rates, in Oslo, Norway from Seatankers Management Norway AS (formerly Bryggegata AS), a company indirectly affiliated with Hemen, our principal shareholder. We also have other leased properties, which are not considered material. Further details of our lease commitments can be found in Note 11. to our consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
A. OPERATING RESULTS
Overview
As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s fleet consisted of 71 vessels, with an aggregate capacity of approximately 13.5 million DWT:

(i) | 48 vessels owned by the Company (14 VLCCs, 16 Suezmax tankers, 18 LR2/Aframax tankers);

(ii) | three VLCCs that are under finance leases;

(iii) | 10 Suezmax tankers to be acquired under the SPA, of which five are currently recorded under finance leases and five will be recorded on closing of the Acquisition (see Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of the accounting for this transaction);

(iv) | one VLCC that is recorded as an investment in finance lease;

(v) | two VLCCs chartered in from an unrelated third party; and

(vi) | seven vessels that are under the Company’s commercial management (three VLCCs, two Suezmax tankers, and two Aframax oil tankers)

Furthermore, as of December 31, 2019, the Company’s newbuilding program was comprised of one Suezmax tanker and one VLCC, which are expected to be delivered in April and May 2020, respectively, and four LR2 tankers, which are expected to be delivered in January 2021, March 2021, October 2021 and January 2022.
A full fleet list is provided in Item 4.D. "Information on the Company" showing the vessels that we own, lease and charter-in as of December 31, 2019. See Note 31. to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for changes in our vessels subsequent to December 31, 2019.
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Fleet Changes
Refer to Item 4. for discussion on acquisitions and disposals of vessels. A summary of the changes in the vessels that we own, lease and charter-in for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is summarized in the table below.

|  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
VLCCs |  |  |  |  |  |
At start of period |  | 17 |  |  | 20 |  |  | 21 |
Other acquisitions/newbuilding deliveries |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 3 |
Disposal/lease termination |  | — |  |  | (6 | ) |  | (2 | )
Chartered-in |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | (2 | )
At end of period |  | 19 |  |  | 17 |  |  | 20 |
Suezmax tankers |  |  |  |  |  |
At start of period |  | 16 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 14 |
Other acquisitions/newbuilding deliveries |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6 |
Disposal/lease termination |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | )
Chartered-in(1) |  | 10 |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | )
At end of period |  | 26 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 16 |
LR2/Aframax tankers |  |  |  |  |  |
At start of period |  | 18 |  |  | 17 |  |  | 11 |
Other acquisitions/newbuilding deliveries |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | 6 |
Chartered-in |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
At end of period |  | 18 |  |  | 18 |  |  | 17 |
MR tankers |  |  |  |  |  |
At start of period |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 3 |
Disposal/lease termination |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Chartered-in |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (3 | )
At end of period |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total |  |  |  |  |  |
At start of period |  | 51 |  |  | 53 |  |  | 49 |
Other acquisitions/newbuilding deliveries |  | 2 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 15 |
Disposal/lease termination |  | — |  |  | (6 | ) |  | (4 | )
Chartered-in |  | 10 |  |  | 1 |  |  | (7 | )
At end of period |  | 63 |  |  | 51 |  |  | 53 |

1. | Relates to 10 vessels chartered in from Trafigura. See Note 5. for a detailed description of the accounting for this transaction

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Summary of Fleet Employment
As discussed below, our vessels are operated under time charters and voyage charters.

| As of December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2017
| Number of vessels |  |  | Percentage of fleet |  |  | Number of vessels |  |  | Percentage of fleet |  |  | Number of vessels |  |  | Percentage of fleet |
VLCCs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Spot | 19 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 17 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 20 |  |  | 100 | %
Time charter | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — | %
| 19 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 17 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 20 |  |  | 100 | %
Suezmax tankers |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Spot | 18 |  |  | 69 | % |  | 15 |  |  | 94 | % |  | 15 |  |  | 94 | %
Time charter | 6 |  |  | 23 | % |  | — |  |  | — | % |  | 1 |  |  | 6 | %
Market related time charter | 2 |  |  | 8 | % |  | 1 |  |  | 6 | % |  | — |  |  | — | %
| 26 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 16 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 16 |  |  | 100 | %
LR2/Aframax tankers |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Spot | 17 |  |  | 94 | % |  | 16 |  |  | 89 | % |  | 12 |  |  | 71 | %
Time charter | 1 |  |  | 6 | % |  | 1 |  |  | 6 | % |  | 5 |  |  | 29 | %
Market related time charter | — |  |  | — | % |  | 1 |  |  | 6 | % |  | — |  |  | — | %
| 18 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 18 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 17 |  |  | 100 | %
Total fleet |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Spot | 54 |  |  | 86 | % |  | 48 |  |  | 94 | % |  | 47 |  |  | 89 | %
Market related time charter | 2 |  |  | 3 | % |  | 2 |  |  | 4 | % |  | — |  |  | — | %
Time charter | 7 |  |  | 11 | % |  | 1 |  |  | 2 | % |  | 6 |  |  | 11 | %
| 63 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 51 |  |  | 100 | % |  | 53 |  |  | 100 | %

Market Overview and Trend Information
The statistical data provided in this section has been taken from the International Energy Agency, or IEA, and Clarksons Research, an independent third party maritime research company. The figures quoted below are estimates and may vary from estimates provided by other research services.
The past two years have been characterized by large growth in the global crude oil tanker fleet, and the growth is expected to continue in 2020. 50 VLCC’s are scheduled to be delivered in 2020, although some of these are expected to be pushed to 2021, and further contracting has decreased from the levels seen in 2019. This compares to 68 VLCCs delivered in 2019 and 39 in 2018. There was a decrease in scrapping in 2019, with four VLCCs removed from the fleet. The VLCC fleet totalled 785 vessels at the end of 2019 and the Suezmax fleet totalled 549 vessels. The LR2 product tanker fleet totalled 372 vessels.
The estimated average spot charter rate for a VLCC trading on a standard ‘TD3C’ voyage between the Middle East and China in 2019 was an estimated daily TCE rate of $ 39,400. This compares to an estimated daily TCE rate of $18,800 in 2018. The average rate for a Suezmax tanker trading on a standard ‘TD20’ voyage between West Africa and Rotterdam in 2019 was an estimated daily TCE rate of $ 25,100. This compares to an estimated daily TCE rate of $11,000 in 2018. The average rate for an LR2 product tanker trading on a standard ‘TC1’ voyage between the Middle East and Japan was an estimated daily TCE rate of $ 18,800 in 2019. This compares to an estimated daily TCE rate of $9,000 in 2018.
Crude oil demand and the world economy remains strong. The IEA, estimates that world oil demand in 2020 will be 101.5 million barrels per day, or mb/d, representing an increase of 1.2 % or 1.2 mb/d from 2019.
In 2020, global, non-OPEC, oil supply is projected to grow by 3.2 %. The oil supply growth primarily comes from the Atlantic Basin, and in particular, USA, whilst there still is robust demand growth in Asia, which is positive for tonne-mile development.
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The tanker fleet in general is also facing important regulatory changes as MARPOL bunker fuel regulations come to effect January 2020, which is estimated to lead to increased market volatility and higher demand for freight going forward.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires that management make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Management believes that the following accounting policies are the most critical in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results as they require a higher degree of judgment in their application resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. See Note 2. to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for details of all of our material accounting policies.
Goodwill and impairment of goodwill
We allocate the cost of acquired companies to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired, with the remaining amount being classified as goodwill. Our future operating performance may be affected by potential impairment charges related to goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized, but reviewed for impairment annually. Goodwill must be reviewed more frequently if impairment indicators arise in an interim period as a result of a qualitative assessment. Such an assessment includes a review of qualitative factors, examples of which include (1) macroeconomic conditions, (2) industry and market considerations, (3) cost factors, (4) overall financial performance and (5) other entity-specific events, in order to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Impairment of goodwill in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets and liabilities is determined using a two-step approach, initially based on a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to the book value of its net assets; if the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than the book value of its net assets, then the second step compares the implied fair value of the Company's goodwill with its carrying value to measure the amount of the impairment. The Company has one reporting unit for the purpose of assessing potential goodwill impairment and has selected September 30 as its annual goodwill impairment testing date. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets is highly subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis.
Our test for potential goodwill impairment is a two-step approach. We estimate the fair value of the Company based on its market capitalization plus a control premium and compare this to the carrying value of its net assets. Control premium assumptions require judgment and actual results may differ from assumed or estimated amounts. If the carrying value of the Company's net assets exceeds its estimated fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis requires us to measure the amount of the impairment loss. An impairment loss is calculated by comparing the implied fair value of the goodwill to its carrying amount. The implied fair value of goodwill is calculated in the same manner as the goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the Company determines the fair value of assets and liabilities of the reporting unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets excluding goodwill) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts determined for its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill.
Our market capitalization at September 30, 2019 was $1,752.8 million (based on a share price of $9.10) compared to our carrying value of approximately $1,379.9 million. As our market capitalization was above our carrying value, even without considering any control premium, we concluded that it was not required to complete the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis and there was no requirement for an impairment.
If our stock price declines, or if our control premium declines, without a corresponding decline in the fair value of underlying assets and liabilities the implied value of goodwill might decrease which could result in impairments of some or all of the $112.5 million of goodwill. Control premium assumptions require judgment and actual results may differ from assumed or estimated amounts. We believe that a control premium may be attributable, in part or in whole, to the expected synergies from combining our operations and those of an acquirer, particularly in respect of the benefits of operating an enlarged oil tanker fleet and assembled workforce as well as being able to take advantage of an expected reduction in costs from an expansion in scale. Events or circumstances may occur that could negatively impact our stock price, including changes in our anticipated revenues and profits and our ability to execute on our strategies. An impairment could have a material negative effect on our consolidated balance sheet and results of operations.
Revenue and expense recognition
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Our shipping revenues are primarily generated from time charters and voyage charters. In a time charter voyage, the vessel is hired by the charterer for a specified period of time in exchange for consideration which is based on a daily hire rate. Generally, the charterer has the discretion over the ports visited, shipping routes and vessel speed. The contract/charter party generally provides typical warranties regarding the speed and performance of the vessel. The charter party generally has some owner protective restrictions such that the vessel is sent only to safe ports by the charterer and carries only lawful or non hazardous cargo. In a time charter contract, we are responsible for all the costs incurred for running the vessel such as crew costs, vessel insurance, repairs and maintenance and lubes. The charterer bears the voyage related costs such as bunker expenses, port charges and canal tolls during the hire period. The performance obligations in a time charter contract are satisfied over term of the contract beginning when the vessel is delivered to the charterer until it is redelivered back to us. The charterer generally pays the charter hire in advance of the upcoming contract period. Time charter contracts, bareboat charter contracts and the lease component in those voyage charter contracts which we consider to be leases were accounted for under ASC 840 leases up until December 31, 2018 and ASC 842 leases thereafter, and revenues are recorded over the term of the charter as a service is provided. When a time charter contract is linked to an index, we recognize revenue for the applicable period based on the actual index for that period.
In a voyage charter contract, the charterer hires the vessel to transport a specific agreed-upon cargo for a single voyage. 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 charterer is responsible for any short loading of cargo or "dead" freight. The voyage charter party generally has standard payment terms with freight paid on completion of discharge. The voyage charter party generally has a "demurrage" clause. As per this clause, the charterer reimburses us for any potential delays exceeding the allowed laytime as per the charter party clause at the ports visited, which is recorded as voyage revenue, as such, demurrage is considered variable consideration under the contract. Estimates and judgments are required in ascertaining the most likely outcome of a particular voyage and actual outcomes may differ from estimates. Such estimate is reviewed and updated over the term of the voyage charter contract. In a voyage charter contract, the performance obligations begin to be satisfied once the vessel begins loading the cargo.
Effective from January 1, 2018, we adopted the new accounting standard ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers using the modified retrospective method. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Voyage and other contracts not qualifying as leases are accounted for under the provisions of ASC 606.
We have determined that our voyage charter contracts that qualify for accounting under ASC 606 consist of a single performance obligation of transporting the cargo within a specified time period. Therefore, the performance obligation is met evenly as the voyage progresses, and the revenue is recognized on a straight line basis over the voyage days from the commencement of loading to completion of discharge. Contract assets with regards to voyage revenues are reported as "Voyages in progress" as the performance obligation is satisfied over time. Voyage revenues typically become billable and due for payment on completion of the voyage and discharge of the cargo, at which point the receivable is recognized as "Trade accounts receivable, net".
In a voyage contract, the Company bears all voyage related costs such as fuel costs, port charges and canal tolls. To recognize costs incurred to fulfill a contract as an asset, the following criteria shall be met: (i) the costs relate directly to the contract, (ii) the costs generate or enhance resources of the entity that will be used in satisfying performance obligations in the future and (iii) the costs are expected to be recovered. The costs incurred during the period prior to commencement of loading the cargo, primarily bunkers, are deferred as they represent setup costs and recorded as a current asset and are subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis as we satisfy the performance obligations under the contract. Costs incurred to obtain a contract, such as commissions, are also deferred and expensed over the same period. Costs incurred during the performance of a voyage are expensed as incurred.
For our vessels operating under revenue sharing agreements, or in pools, revenues and voyage expenses are pooled and allocated to each pool’s participants on a time charter equivalent income, or TCE, basis in accordance with an agreed-upon formula. Revenues generated through revenue sharing agreements are presented gross when we are considered the principal under the charter parties with the net income allocated under the revenue sharing agreement presented as other operating income, net. For revenue sharing agreements that meet the definition of a lease, we account for such contracts as variable rate operating leases and recognize revenue for the applicable period based on the actual net revenue distributed by the pool.
Leases
The Company has adopted ASC 842 effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition approach, which allows the Company to recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit in the period of adoption rather than restate our comparative prior year periods. Based on the Company's analysis, the cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit is zero because (i) the Company did not have any unamortized initial direct costs as of January 1, 2019 that needed to be written off; (ii) the Company did not have any lease incentives or accrued rental transactions
45

that needed to be recognized; and (iii) the timing and pattern of revenue recognition under its revenue contracts that have lease and non-lease components is the same and even if accounted for separately, the lease component of such contracts would be considered operating leases.
The Company currently has three major categories of leases-in - chartered-in vessels, vessels under finance lease and leased office and other space. Upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company has recognized right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $18.5 million on the balance sheet in relation to our operating leases, which have then been amortized during the year ended December 31, 2019. The implementation of this standard has not caused a material change in the Company's operating expenses in the fiscal year 2019. The Company has not elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of our leases where we are the lessee.
ASC 842 also allows lessees to elect as an accounting policy not to apply the provisions of ASC 842 to short-term leases (i.e., leases with an original term of 12-months or less). Instead, a lessee may recognize the lease payments in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The accounting policy election for short-term leases shall be made by class of underlying asset to which the right of use relates. The Company has elected not to apply the provisions of ASC 842 to short-term leases.
For arrangements where we are the lessor, the adoption of the new lease standard has not had a material impact on our financial statements. The new lease standard provides a practical expedient for lessors in which the lessor may elect, by class of underlying asset, to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component and, instead, to account for these components as a single component if both of the following are met: (1) the timing and pattern of transfer of the non-lease component(s) and associated lease component are the same and (2) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. When a lessor, we have elected this expedient for our time charter contracts and voyage charter contracts that qualify as leases and thus do not separate the non-lease component, or service element, from the lease.
Certain of our voyage charter contracts contain a lease. Voyage charters contain a lease component if the contract (i) specifies a specific vessel asset; and (ii) has terms that allow the charterer to exercise substantive decision-making rights, which have an economic value to the charterer and therefore allow the charterer to direct how and for what purpose the vessel is used. Voyage charter revenues and expenses are recognized ratably over the estimated length of each voyage, which the Company has assessed commence on loading of the cargo. The new lease standard provides a practical expedient for lessors in which the lessor may elect, by class of underlying asset, to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component and, instead, to account for these components as a single component if both of the following are met: (1) the timing and pattern of transfer of the non-lease component(s) and associated lease component are the same and (2) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. When a lessor, we have elected this expedient for our time charter contracts and voyage charter contracts that qualify as leases and thus not separate the non-lease component, or service element, from the lease. Furthermore, the standard requires the Company to account for the combined component in accordance with ASC 606 revenues from contracts with customers if the non-lease components are the predominant components. Under this guidance the Company has assessed that the lease components were the predominant component for all of its time charter contracts. Furthermore, for certain of its voyage charter contracts the lease components were the predominant components.
Vessels and equipment
The cost of the vessels less estimated residual value is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the vessels' estimated remaining economic useful lives. The estimated economic useful life of each of the Company's vessels is 25 years. Other equipment is depreciated over its estimated remaining useful life, which approximates five years. The residual value for owned vessels is calculated by multiplying the lightweight tonnage of the vessel by the market price of scrap per tonne. The market price of scrap per tonne is calculated as the 10-year average, up to the date of delivery of the vessel, across the three main recycling markets (Far East, Indian sub-continent and Bangladesh). Residual values are reviewed annually.
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Vessel and right-of-use asset impairment
The carrying values of the Company's vessels or right-of-use assets may not represent their fair market value at any point in time since the market prices of secondhand vessels tend to fluctuate with changes in charter rates and the cost of newbuildings. Historically, both charter rates and vessel values tend to be cyclical. The carrying amounts of vessels held and used by the Company and newbuildings are reviewed for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a particular vessel may not be fully recoverable. Such indicators may include depressed spot rates and depressed secondhand tanker values. In such instances, an impairment charge would be recognized if the estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the vessel and its eventual disposition is less than the vessel's carrying amount. The impairment charge is measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. Fair values may be estimated using discounted cash flows or through estimating the amount to be received if a vessel were to be sold in an arms length transaction. This assessment is made at the individual vessel level as separately identifiable cash flow information for each vessel is available.
In developing estimates of future cash flows, the Company must make assumptions about future performance, with significant assumptions being related to charter rates, ship operating expenses, utilization, drydocking requirements, residual value, the estimated remaining useful lives of the vessels and the probability of lease terminations for vessels held under finance lease. These assumptions are based on historical trends as well as future expectations. Specifically, in estimating future charter rates, management takes into consideration rates currently in effect for existing time charters and estimated daily time charter equivalent rates for each vessel class for the unfixed days over the estimated remaining lives of each of the vessels. The estimated daily time charter equivalent rates used for unfixed days are based on a combination of (i) internally developed forecasts, and (ii) the trailing seven-year historical average rates, based on quarterly average rates published by an independent third party maritime research service. Recognizing that the transportation of crude oil is cyclical and subject to significant volatility based on factors beyond the Company's control, management believes the use of estimates based on the combination of internally forecast rates and seven year historical average rates calculated as of the reporting date to be reasonable.
Estimated outflows for operating expenses and drydocking requirements are based on historical and budgeted costs and are adjusted for assumed inflation. Finally, utilization is based on historical levels achieved and estimates of a residual value are consistent with the pattern of scrap rates used in management's evaluation of salvage value.
The more significant factors that could impact management's assumptions regarding time charter equivalent rates include (i) loss or reduction in business from significant customers, (ii) unanticipated changes in demand for transportation of crude oil and oil products, (iii) changes in production of or demand for oil, generally or in particular regions, (iv) greater than anticipated levels of tanker newbuilding orders or lower than anticipated levels of tanker scrappings, and (v) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the tanker industry, including legislation adopted by international organizations such as IMO and the EU or by individual countries. Although management believes that the assumptions used to evaluate potential impairment are reasonable and appropriate at the time they were made, such assumptions are highly subjective and likely to change, possibly materially, in the future. Tanker charter rates are volatile and can experience long periods at depressed levels. Future assessments of vessel impairment would be adversely affected by reductions in vessel values and charter rates.
In March 2017 the Company recorded an impairment loss of $21.2 million with respect to four vessels leased in from SFL, the 2000 built VLCC Front Scilla, 1998 built Suezmax tanker Front Brabant, the 1997 built Suezmax Front Ardenne and the 1999 built VLCC Front Circassia based on a 25% probability assumption of terminating the vessel leases before their next drydock.
In May 2017, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charters for the 2000 built VLCC Front Scilla and the 1998 built Suezmax tanker Front Brabant upon the sale and delivery of the vessels by SFL to unrelated third parties. The charters with SFL terminated in the second quarter. Frontline agreed to make compensation payments to SFL of $6.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively, for the termination of the charters. The Company recorded a loss on termination, including these termination payments, of $12.4 million in the second quarter.
In July 2017, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 1997 built Suezmax Front Ardenne upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charter with SFL terminated in August 2017. Frontline agreed to make compensation payments to SFL of $4.8 million for the termination of the charter. The Company recorded a loss on termination, including this termination payment, of $5.8 million in the third quarter.
In December 2017, the Company has recognized an impairment loss of $142.9 million on the remaining 9 VLCCs chartered in from SFL. The leasehold interest in these finance leased assets was recorded at fair value at the time of the Merger based on the discounted value of the expected cash flows from the vessels. Based on the deterioration in forecast rates up until December 31, 2017 since the Merger, and the reduced remaining useful economic life of the vessels as they approach the end of their leases, the
47

Company recognized an impairment loss on all of these leased vessels, calculated as the difference between the discounted value of the expected cash flows from the vessels as at December 31, 2017 and the carrying value of the vessels under finance lease at that time.
Our Fleet – Comparison of Possible Excess of Carrying Value Over Estimated Charter-Free Market Value of Certain Vessels
In "Critical Accounting Policies – Vessel Impairment" we discuss our policy for impairing the carrying values of our vessels. During the past few years, the market values of vessels have experienced particular volatility, with substantial declines in many vessel classes. As a result, the charter-free market value, or basic market value, of certain of our vessels may have declined below those vessels' carrying value, even though we did not impair those vessels' carrying value under our accounting impairment policy, due to our belief that future undiscounted cash flows expected to be earned by such vessels over their operating lives would exceed such vessels' carrying amounts.
Our estimates of basic market value assume that our vessels are all in good and seaworthy condition without need for repair and, if inspected, would be certified in class without notations of any kind. Our estimates are based on the estimated market values for our vessels that we have received from independent ship brokers and are inherently uncertain. In addition, vessel values are highly volatile; as such, our estimates may not be indicative of the current or future basic market value of our vessels or prices that we could achieve if we were to sell them.
The table set forth below indicates the carrying value of each of our owned vessels as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. As of December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and the date of this annual report, we were not holding any of the vessels listed in the table below as held for sale. We believe that the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be earned by those vessels, which have experienced a decline in charter-free market value below such vessels' carrying value, over their operating lives would exceed such vessels' carrying values as of December 31, 2019, and accordingly, have not recorded an impairment charge.

|  |  |  |  |  | Carrying Value at Dec 31
|  | Built |  | Approximate Dwt. |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
VLCCs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Front Kathrine* |  | 2009 |  | 297,000 |  | 57.3 |  |  | 56.2 |
Front Queen* |  | 2009 |  | 297,000 |  | 59.0 |  |  | 56.5 |
Front Eminence* |  | 2009 |  | 321,000 |  | 59.8 |  |  | 57.3 |
Front Endurance* |  | 2009 |  | 321,000 |  | 59.5 |  |  | 57.2 |
Front Cecilie* |  | 2010 |  | 297,000 |  | 57.3 |  |  | 60.1 |
Front Signe* |  | 2010 |  | 297,000 |  | 57.4 |  |  | 60.2 |
Front Duke |  | 2016 |  | 299,000 |  | 75.1 |  |  | 77.8 |
Front Duchess |  | 2017 |  | 299,000 |  | 76.3 |  |  | 79.1 |
Front Earl |  | 2017 |  | 300,000 |  | 91.5 |  |  | 94.9 |
Front Prince |  | 2017 |  | 300,000 |  | 71.8 |  |  | 74.3 |
Front Empire |  | 2018 |  | 300,000 |  | 93.7 |  |  | 97.1 |
Front Princess |  | 2018 |  | 300,000 |  | 75.3 |  |  | 77.9 |
Front Defender |  | 2019 |  | 300,000 |  | 82.8 |  |  | — |
Front Discovery |  | 2019 |  | 300,000 |  | 83.5 |  |  | — |
Suezmax tankers |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Front Ull* |  | 2014 |  | 157,000 |  | 59.7 |  |  | 56.9 |
Front Idun* |  | 2015 |  | 157,000 |  | 56.5 |  |  | 58.8 |
Front Thor* |  | 2010 |  | 156,000 |  | 40.5 |  |  | 42.6 |
Front Loki* |  | 2010 |  | 156,000 |  | 40.6 |  |  | 42.7 |
Front Odin* |  | 2010 |  | 156,000 |  | 40.8 |  |  | 42.9 |
Front Njord* |  | 2010 |  | 156,000 |  | 41.0 |  |  | 43.1 |

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Front Balder* |  | 2009 |  | 156,000 |  | 43.8 |  |  | 41.0 |
Front Brage |  | 2011 |  | 156,000 |  | 42.0 |  |  | 44.0 |
Front Crown |  | 2016 |  | 157,000 |  | 53.5 |  |  | 55.6 |
Front Challenger |  | 2016 |  | 157,000 |  | 53.5 |  |  | 55.5 |
Front Classic |  | 2017 |  | 157,000 |  | 54.4 |  |  | 56.4 |
Front Clipper |  | 2017 |  | 157,000 |  | 54.6 |  |  | 56.6 |
Front Crystal |  | 2017 |  | 157,000 |  | 57.1 |  |  | 59.2 |
Front Coral* |  | 2017 |  | 158,000 |  | 58.5 |  |  | 60.6 |
Front Cosmos |  | 2017 |  | 158,000 |  | 56.4 |  |  | 58.5 |
Front Cascade |  | 2017 |  | 157,000 |  | 56.6 |  |  | 58.7 |
LR2/Aframax tankers |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Front Lion* |  | 2014 |  | 115,000 |  | 40.1 |  |  | 38.7 |
Front Puma |  | 2015 |  | 115,000 |  | 37.6 |  |  | 39.0 |
Front Panther |  | 2015 |  | 115,000 |  | 37.3 |  |  | 38.8 |
Front Tiger |  | 2015 |  | 115,000 |  | 37.5 |  |  | 38.9 |
Front Ocelot |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | 40.6 |  |  | 42.2 |
Front Cheetah |  | 2016 |  | 113,000 |  | 39.8 |  |  | 41.3 |
Front Lynx |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | 40.1 |  |  | 41.6 |
Front Cougar |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | 40.2 |  |  | 41.7 |
Front Leopard |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | 40.6 |  |  | 42.1 |
Front Jaguar |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | 41.2 |  |  | 42.8 |
Front Altair* |  | 2016 |  | 110,000 |  | 45.6 |  |  | 47.3 |
Front Antares* |  | 2017 |  | 110,000 |  | 46.0 |  |  | 47.8 |
Front Vega |  | 2017 |  | 111,000 |  | 46.0 |  |  | 47.7 |
Front Sirius* |  | 2017 |  | 111,000 |  | 46.5 |  |  | 48.2 |
Front Castor* |  | 2017 |  | 110,000 |  | 47.7 |  |  | 49.4 |
Front Pollux* |  | 2017 |  | 110,000 |  | 46.8 |  |  | 48.5 |
Front Capella* |  | 2017 |  | 110,000 |  | 47.0 |  |  | 48.8 |
Front Polaris |  | 2018 |  | 111,000 |  | 47.8 |  |  | 49.5 |
|  |  |  |  |  | 2,578.2 |  |  | 2,476.0 |

* We believe the basic charter-free market value at December 31, 2019 for each vessel marked with an asterisk in the table above is lower than the vessel's carrying value. We believe that the aggregate carrying value of these vessels exceeds their aggregate basic charter-free market value by approximately $74.2 million. We refer you to the risk factor entitled "Because the market value of our vessels may fluctuate significantly, we may incur losses when we sell vessels which may adversely affect our earnings, or could cause us to incur impairment charges".
Factors Affecting our Results
The principal factors which affect the results of our continuing operations and financial position include:

• | the earnings of our vessels;

• | other operating gains and losses;

• | contingent rental income or expense;

• | vessel operating expenses;

• | administrative income and expenses;

• | impairment losses on vessels and vessels held under finance lease;

• | impairment losses on goodwill;

• | depreciation;

• | interest expense;

• | impairment losses and unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities;

49

• | gains and losses on derivatives; and

• | share of results from associated company and gain on equity interest.

We have derived our earnings from time charters, voyage charters, pool arrangements and a finance lease. As of December 31, 2019, 56 of our 63 vessels, which are owned or leased in by us, were employed in the voyage charter market or on short-term or variable rate time charters. The tanker industry has historically been highly cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability, vessel values and freight rates. In particular, freight and charter rates are strongly influenced by the supply of tanker vessels and the demand for oil transportation services.
Other operating (losses) gains relate to (i) gains and losses on the termination of finance leases before the expiration of the lease term, which are accounted for by removing the carrying value of the asset and obligation, with a gain or loss recognized for the difference. Gains and losses on the termination of leases are accounted for when the lease is terminated and the vessel is redelivered to the owners, (ii) gains and losses on the sale of vessels, which are recognized when the vessel has been delivered and all risks have been transferred and are determined by comparing the proceeds received with the carrying value of the vessel, (iii) gains or losses from pooling and other revenue sharing arrangements where the Company is considered the principal under the charter parties and records voyage revenues and costs gross, with the adjustments required as a result of the revenue sharing arrangement being recognized as other operating gains or losses and (iv) cash inflows in relation to insurance recoveries under loss of hire insurance.
Contingent rental income or expense results from the Company's finance leases, which were acquired as a result of the Merger. Any variations in the estimated profit share expense that was included in the fair valuation of these lease obligations on the date of the Merger as compared to actual profit share expense incurred is accounted for as contingent rental income or expense.
Operating costs are the direct costs associated with running a vessel and include crew costs, vessel supplies, repairs and maintenance, drydockings, lubricating oils and insurance.
Administrative expenses are comprised of general corporate overhead expenses, including personnel costs, property costs, legal and professional fees and other general administrative expenses. Personnel costs include, among other things, salaries, pension costs, fringe benefits, travel costs and health insurance.
An impairment loss on a vessel or a vessel held under finance lease, equal to the difference between the vessel's carrying value and fair value, is recognized when the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the vessel.
Depreciation, or the periodic costs charged to our income for the reduction in usefulness and long-term value of our vessels, is also related to the number of vessels we own or lease. We depreciate the cost of vessels we own, less their estimated residual value, over their estimated useful life on a straight-line basis. We depreciate the cost of vessels held under finance lease over the term of the lease. No charge is made for depreciation of vessels under construction until they are delivered.
Interest expense relates to vessel specific debt facilities and finance leases. Interest expense depends on our overall borrowing levels and may significantly increase when we acquire vessels or on the delivery of newbuildings. Interest incurred during the construction of a newbuilding is capitalized in the cost of the newbuilding. Interest expense may also change with prevailing interest rates, although the effect of these changes may be reduced by interest rate swaps or other derivative instruments.
Any change in the fair value of marketable securities are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in accordance with ASC 825.
None of the Company's interest rate swaps qualify for hedge accounting and changes in fair values are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Lack of Historical Operating Data for Vessels before their Acquisition (other than those acquired in a Business Combination)
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Consistent with shipping industry practice, other than inspection of the physical condition of the vessels and examinations of classification society records, there is no historical financial due diligence process when we acquire vessels. Accordingly, we do not obtain the historical operating data for the vessels from the sellers because that information is not material to our decision to make acquisitions, nor do we believe it would be helpful to potential investors in our ordinary shares in assessing our business or profitability. Most vessels are sold under a standardized agreement, which, among other things, provides the buyer with the right to inspect the vessel and the vessel's classification society records. The standard agreement does not give the buyer the right to inspect, or receive copies of, the historical operating data of the vessel. Prior to the delivery of a purchased vessel, the seller typically removes from the vessel all records, including past financial records and accounts related to the vessel. In addition, the technical management agreement between the seller's technical manager and the seller is automatically terminated and the vessel's trading certificates are revoked by its flag state following a change in ownership.
Under GAAP, a business is defined as an integrated set of activities and assets that is capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return in the form of dividends, lower costs, or other economic benefits directly to investors or other owners, members, or participants. To be considered a business, a set of activities and assets requires two essential elements, inputs and processes applied to those inputs. A business need not include all the inputs or processes that the seller used in operating that business. However, to be considered a business, the set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output. GAAP also includes a single or similar asset threshold such that, if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not considered a business. Consistent with shipping industry practice, we treat the acquisition of a vessel (whether acquired with or without charter) as the acquisition of an asset rather than a business. This is primarily due to the fact that an acquired vessel will not include processes applied to the asset. In addition, many transactions will meet the single or similar asset threshold as the fair value of the vessel, or vessels, is substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired.
Although vessels are generally acquired free of charter, we have agreed to acquire (and may in the future acquire) some vessels with time charters. Where a vessel has been under a voyage charter, the vessel is delivered to the buyer free of charter. It is rare in the shipping industry for the last charterer of the vessel in the hands of the seller to continue as the first charterer of the vessel in the hands of the buyer. In most cases, when a vessel is under time charter and the buyer wishes to assume that charter, the vessel cannot be acquired without the charterer's consent and the buyer's entering into a separate direct agreement with the charterer to assume the charter. The purchase of a vessel itself does not transfer the charter, because it is a separate service agreement between the vessel owner and the charterer. When we purchase a vessel and assume a related time charter, we must take the following steps before the vessel will be ready to commence operations:

• | obtain the charterer's consent to us as the new owner;

• | obtain the charterer's consent to a new technical manager;

• | in some cases, obtain the charterer's consent to a new flag for the vessel;

• | arrange for a new crew for the vessel;

• | replace all hired equipment on board, such as gas cylinders and communication equipment;

• | negotiate and enter into new insurance contracts for the vessel through our own insurance brokers;

• | register the vessel under a flag state and perform the related inspections in order to obtain new trading certificates from the flag state;

• | implement a new planned maintenance program for the vessel; and

• | ensure that the new technical manager obtains new certificates for compliance with the safety and vessel security regulations of the flag state.

Inflation
Although inflation has had a moderate impact on our vessel operating expenses and corporate overheads, management does not consider inflation to be a significant risk to direct costs in the current and foreseeable economic environment. It is anticipated that insurance costs, which have risen over the last three years, may well continue to rise moderately over the next few years. Oil transportation is a specialized area and the number of vessels is increasing. There will therefore be an increased demand for qualified crew and this has and will continue to put inflationary pressure on crew costs. However, in a shipping downturn, costs subject to inflation can usually be controlled because shipping companies typically monitor costs to preserve liquidity and encourage suppliers and service providers to lower rates and prices in the event of a downturn.
Results of Operations
Total operating revenues and voyage expenses
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|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Voyage charter revenues |  | 887,495 |  |  | 690,901 |  |  | 196,594 |  |  | 28.5 |
Time charter revenues |  | 35,433 |  |  | 26,067 |  |  | 9,366 |  |  | 35.9 |
Finance lease interest income |  | 690 |  |  | 1,293 |  |  | (603 | ) |  | (46.6 | )
Other income |  | 33,704 |  |  | 24,005 |  |  | 9,699 |  |  | 40.4 |
Total operating revenues |  | 957,322 |  |  | 742,266 |  |  | 215,056 |  |  | 29.0 |
Voyage expenses and commissions |  | 395,482 |  |  | 377,772 |  |  | 17,710 |  |  | 4.7 |

Voyage charter revenues increased in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to:

• | an increase of $50.4 million due to the delivery of four VLCCs and one LR2/Aframax newbuildings between January 2018 and December 2019.

• | an increase of $70.7 million due to the delivery of two VLCCs, four Suezmax tankers and five LR2/Aframax tankers onto voyage charters as a result of the time charters coming to an end between January 2018 and January 2019.

• | an increase of $48.4 million due to the delivery of two chartered-in VLCCs delivered in April 2018 and five Suezmax tankers in August 2019.

• | an increase of $113.6 million due to increased market rates.

• | an increase of $1.7 million due to one LR2 tanker under time charter completing a spot voyage prior to drydocking, after which it was delivered back to time charter.

These factors were partially offset by:

• | a decrease of $45.9 million due to termination of leases for six VLCCs from January to December 2018.

• | a decrease of $5.1 million due to the redelivery of one chartered-in VLCC in 2018.

• | a decrease of $30.1 million due to the delivery of three Suezmax tankers and two LR2/Aframax tankers onto time charter between January 2018 and December 2019.

• | a decrease of $7.7 million due to the results of two LR2 tankers under the Company’s commercial management in 2018 being reported net of charterhire expense for 2019.

Time charter revenues increased in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to:

• | an increase of $6.1 million due to the delivery of two VLCC newbuildings on to time charters in January and April 2019

• | an increase of $18.8 million due to the delivery of three Suezmax tankers and two LR2/Aframax tankers onto time charter between January 2018 and December 2019.

These factors were partially offset by:

• | a decrease of $13.4 million due to the delivery of two VLCCs, four Suezmax tankers and five LR2/Aframax tankers onto voyage charters between January 2018 and January 2019.

• | a decrease of $1.6 million due to one LR2 tanker under time charter completing a spot voyage prior to drydocking, after which it was delivered back to time charter.

• | a decrease of $0.5 million due to termination of the lease for one VLCC in September 2018.

Finance lease interest income in the year ended December 31, 2019 is related to the investment in finance lease for one VLCC, which has decreased due to the reduced balance of the lease receivable as a result of lease payments received.
Other income in the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily comprised of the income earned from the commercial management of related party and third party vessels and newbuilding supervision fees derived from related parties and third parties. The increase in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to an increase in new commercial management and newbuilding supervision fees earned.
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Voyage expenses and commissions increased in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to:

• | an increase of $13.2 million due to the delivery of four VLCCs and one LR2/Aframax newbuildings between January 2018 and December 2019.

• | an increase of $19.4 million due to the delivery of two VLCCs, four Suezmax tankers and five LR2/Aframax tankers onto voyage charters from time charters.

• | an increase of $15.5 million due to an increase in bunker prices.

• | an increase $5.2 million due to an increase in commissions primarily as a result of higher freight rates.

• | an increase of $21.1 million due to the delivery of two chartered-in VLCCs delivered in April 2018 and five Suezmax tankers in August 2019.

• | an increase of $0.8 million due to one LR2 tanker under time charter completing a spot voyage prior to drydocking, after which it was delivered back to time charter.

These factors were partially offset by:

• | a decrease of $31.5 million due to the termination of leases for six VLCCs from January to December 2018.

• | a decrease of $3.3 million due to the redelivery of one chartered-in VLCC in 2018.

• | a decrease of $19.4 million due to the delivery of three Suezmax tankers and two LR2/Aframax tankers onto time charter between January 2018 and December 2019.

• | a decrease of $3.5 million in port and other costs.

Other operating gains (losses)

|  |  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Gain on termination of vessel leases |  | — |  |  | 10,324 |  |  | (10,324 | ) |  | (100.0 | )
Insurance recoveries |  | 3,737 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,737 |  |  | — |
(Loss) gain on pool arrangements |  | (943 | ) |  | (118 | ) |  | (825 | ) |  | 699.2 |
Other gains |  | 628 |  |  | — |  |  | 628 |  |  | — |
|  | 3,422 |  |  | 10,206 |  |  | (6,784 | ) |  | (66.5 | )

In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a $3.7 million insurance recovery for loss of hire related to an explosion on the Front Altair. A further $0.6 million gain was recognized in relation to the settlement of miscellaneous claims.
In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a $1.5 million loss (2018: $0.2 million) related to the pooling arrangement with SFL between two of its Suezmax tankers Front Odin and Front Njord and two SFL vessels Glorycrown and Everbright. A gain of $0.6 million was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018: $0.1 million) related to other pooling arrangements.
In the year ended December 31, 2018 we terminated the leases on six VLCCs, recognizing a gain of $10.3 million. In the year ended December 31, 2017 we terminated the leases on two VLCCs and two Suezmax tankers, recognizing a gain of $2.4 million.
Contingent rental income

|  |  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Contingent rental income |  | 2,607 |  |  | 19,738 |  |  | (17,131 | ) |  | (86.8 | )

Contingent rental income in the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 relates to the Company's charter party contracts with SFL and is primarily due to the fact that the actual profit share payable of $4.8 million (2018: $1.5 million) was $2.2 million (2018: $19.7 million) less than the amount accrued in the lease obligation payable when the leases were recorded at fair value at the time of the merger with Frontline 2012 Ltd, or the Merger.
Ship operating expenses
53

|  |  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | %
Ship operating expenses |  | 157,007 |  |  | 130,623 |  |  | 26,384 |  |  | 20.2

Ship operating expenses are the direct costs associated with running a vessel and include crew costs, vessel supplies, repairs and maintenance, drydocking expenses, lubricating oils and insurance.
Ship operating expenses increased in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to:

• | an increase of $17.7 million drydocking expenses primarily due to nine vessels docking in the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with one vessel in the year ended December 31, 2018, inclusive of the impact of the amortization in 2018 of the fair value of a drydocking obligation accrued at the time of the merger that related to that vessel.

• | an increase of $5.0 million due to the delivery of four VLCCs and one LR2/Aframax newbuildings between January 2018 and December 2019.

• | an increase of $6.6 million due to the recording of the non-lease component of charter hire recorded within ship operating expenses for two chartered-in vessels.

• | an increase of $3.1 million due to the delivery of five Suezmax tankers recorded as finance leases in August 2019.

• | an increase of $6.8 million due to increases in other operating expenses.

These factors were partially offset by:

• | a decrease of $12.8 million due to termination of leases for six VLCCs in 2018.

Charter hire expenses

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Charter hire expenses |  | 8,471 |  |  | 21,244 |  |  | (12,773 | ) |  | (60.1 | )

Charter hire expense decreased in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to:

• | a decrease of $3.0 million due to the re-delivery of one chartered-in VLCC in 2018.

• | a decrease of $1.9 million related to the two chartered-in VLCCs under operating leases. Under ASC 842 from January 1, 2019 the Company is required to separate the lease and non-lease components of operating lease expenses. In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized $6.6 million of charter hire expenses within ship operating expenses in relation to the non-lease component of charter hire expenses and $8.5 million as charter hire expenses in relation to the lease component of the charters for the two VLCCs. In the year ended December 31 2018, the lease and non-lease component of the charters, of $10.3 million, were both recorded within charter hire expenses under ASC 840.

• | a decrease of $7.4 million due to the results of two LR2 tankers under the Company’s commercial management in 2018 being reported net of charter hire expense for 2019.

Administrative expenses

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | %
Administrative expenses |  | 45,019 |  |  | 37,294 |  |  | 7,725 |  |  | 20.7

Administrative expenses increased in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to:

• | an increase of $2.7 million in employee related costs.

• | an increase of $2.3 million due to an increase in expenses in relation to the management of third party and related party vessels and newbuilding projects.

• | an increase of $2.5 million in fees and costs related to the Company's corporate activities.

54

Depreciation

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Depreciation |  | 117,850 |  |  | 122,566 |  |  | (4,716 | ) |  | (3.8 | )

Depreciation expense decreased in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to:

• | a decrease of $14.1 million due to termination of leases for six VLCCs from January to December 2018.

These factors were offset by:

• | an increase of $4.8 million due to the delivery of four VLCCs and one LR2/Aframax newbuildings between January 2018 and December 2019.

• | an increase of $3.8 million due to the delivery of five Suezmax tankers as finance leases in August 2019.

• | an increase of $0.7 million due to ECGS additions.

Interest income

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | %
Interest income |  | 1,506 |  |  | 843 |  |  | 663 |  |  | 78.6

Interest income in the year ended December 31, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018 relates solely to interest received on bank deposits.
Interest expense

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | %
Interest expense |  | (94,461 | ) |  | (93,275 | ) |  | (1,186 | ) |  | 1.3

Interest expense increased in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to:

• | an increase of $4.8 million as a result of additional borrowings relating to the delivery of five newbuildings between January 2018 and December 2019.

• | an increase of $3.8 million due to the recording of five vessels under finance lease on signing of the SPA.

• | an increase of $2.1 million in amortization of deferred charges due to new loan facilities and commitments between January 2018 and December 2019.

• | an increase of $1.6 million as a result of notes payable recorded on termination of the finance leases for six VLCCs leased from SFL in 2018

• | an increase of $0.5 million in relation to a reduction in capitalized interest as a result of newbuilding deliveries between January 2018 and December 2019.

• | a net increase of $0.5 million as a result of an increase in LIBOR rates, partially offset by a reduction in interest charge due to reduced balances on our floating rate debt as a result of ongoing repayments.

These factors are partially offset by:

• | a decrease of $8.5 million in finance lease interest expense due to termination of the leases for six VLCCs from January to December 2018.

• | a decrease of $2.7 million related primarily to reduced obligations as a result of repayments on the senior unsecured facility with an affiliate of Hemen.

55

• | a decrease $1.0 million due to a reduction in finance lease interest expense as a result of ongoing repayments of the obligations on the remaining three vessels leased from SFL

Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities |  | 1,737 |  |  | (3,526 | ) |  | 5,263 |  |  | (149.3 | )

The Company recognized an unrealized gain of $1.7 million and an unrealized loss of $3.5 million due to the movement in the fair value of marketable securities for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively.
Gain on sale of shares

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Gain on sale of shares |  | — |  |  | 1,026 |  |  | (1,026 | ) |  | (100.0 | )

In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company sold 4.7 million shares of DHT Holdings Inc. ("DHT"), for proceeds of $17.8 million, recognizing a gain on sale of $1.0 million in the income statement.
Share of results of associated company

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | %
Share of results of associated company |  | 1,681 |  |  | 246 |  |  | 1,435 |  |  | 583.3

The Company has a 28.9% ownership interest in Feen Marine Scrubbers Inc., or FMSI, a leading manufacturer of EGCS. The investment is accounted for under the equity method. A share of results of $1.7 million was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2019.
Other income (expenses)

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain |  | (26 | ) |  | (869 | ) |  | 843 |  |  | (97.0 | )
(Loss) gain on derivatives |  | (10,069 | ) |  | 4,256 |  |  | (14,325 | ) |  | 336.6 |
Other non-operating items, net |  | 403 |  |  | 506 |  |  | (103 | ) |  | (20.4 | )

The loss on derivatives in 2019 relates to a loss on interest rate swaps of $10.1 million. The gain on derivatives in 2018 relates to a gain on interest rate swaps of $4.3 million.
Other non-operating income in 2019 and 2018 primarily relates to dividends received.
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest |  | (14 | ) |  | (482 | ) |  | 468 |  |  | (97.1 | )

56

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest in the year ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is attributable to the non-controlling interests in the results of SeaTeam Management.
Year ended December 31, 2018 compared with the year ended December 31, 2017
Total operating revenues and voyage expenses and commission
The Company adopted ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective January 1, 2018. Prior periods have not been restated for the impact of this standard, see Note 2. to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Voyage charter revenues |  | 690,901 |  |  | 518,156 |  |  | 172,745 |  |  | 33.3 |
Time charter revenues |  | 26,067 |  |  | 106,237 |  |  | (80,170 | ) |  | (75.5 | )
Finance lease interest income |  | 1,293 |  |  | 1,748 |  |  | (455 | ) |  | (26.0 | )
Other income |  | 24,005 |  |  | 20,185 |  |  | 3,820 |  |  | 18.9 |
Total operating revenues |  | 742,266 |  |  | 646,326 |  |  | 95,940 |  |  | 14.8 |
Voyage expenses and commissions |  | 377,772 |  |  | 259,334 |  |  | 118,438 |  |  | 45.7 |

Voyage charter revenues increased in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017
primarily due to:

• | an increase of $98.8 million due to the delivery of four VLCCs, seven LR2/Aframax and five Suezmax newbuildings between January 2017 and December 2018.

• | an increase of $125.8 million due to the delivery of four VLCCs, seven Suezmax tankers and five LR2/Aframax tankers onto voyage charters as a result of the time charters coming to an end.

• | an increase of $26.2 million due to the delivery of two chartered-in VLCCs delivered in April 2018.

• | an increase of $7.9 million due to the results of two LR2 tankers under the Company’s commercial management in 2018 being reported gross for part of the year.

• | an increase of $2.4 million due to increased market rates.

These factors were partially offset by:

• | a decrease of $19.6 million due to termination of leases for two VLCCs in March and June 2017; and two Suezmax tankers in May and August 2017.

• | a decrease of $34.7 million due to termination of leases for six VLCCs from January to December 2018.

• | a decrease of $24.4 million due to the redelivery of two chartered-in MR tankers, two Suezmax tankers and two VLCCs in 2017 and one VLCC in 2018.

• | a decrease of $10.0 million due to the delivery of one VLCC and two LR2/Aframax tankers onto time charter between January 2017 and December 2018.

Time charter revenues decreased in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to:

• | a decrease of $85.5 million due to the delivery of five VLCCs, eight Suezmax tankers and six LR2/Aframax tankers onto voyage charters between July 2016 and December 2017.

• | a decrease of $3.8 million due to a decrease in rates on renewed time charters.

• | a decrease of $1.4 million due to the redelivery of two chartered-in MR tankers in 2017.

These factors were partially offset by:

• | an increase of $10.6 million due to the delivery of two VLCCs, two Suezmax tankers and three LR2/Aframax tanker onto time charter between January 2017 and December 2018.

57

Finance lease interest income in the year ended December 31, 2018 is related to the investment in finance lease for one VLCC,
which has decreased due to the reduced balance of the lease receivable as a result of lease payments received.
Other income in the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily comprised of the income earned from the commercial management of related party and third party vessels and newbuilding supervision fees derived from related parties and third parties. The increase in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 was due to increase in new commercial management and newbuilding supervision fees earned.
Voyage expenses and commissions increased in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to:

• | an increase of $60.1 million due to the delivery of five VLCCs, seven LR2/Aframax and six Suezmax newbuildings between January 2017 and December 2018.

• | an increase of $55.4 million due to the delivery of three VLCCs, six Suezmax tankers and six LR2/Aframax tankers onto voyage charters from time charters.

• | an increase of $24.6 million primarily due to an increase in bunker prices.

• | an increase of $12.7 million due to the delivery of two chartered-in VLCCs delivered in April 2018.

These factors were partially offset by:

• | a decrease of $9.7 million due to termination of leases for two VLCCs in March and June 2017; and two Suezmax tankers in May and August 2017.

• | a decrease of $12.5 million due to termination of leases for six VLCCs in 2018.

• | a decrease of $10.4 million due to the redelivery of two chartered-in MR tankers, two Suezmax tankers, two VLCCs in 2017 and one VLCC in 2018.

• | a decrease of $1.7 million due to delivery of one LR2/Aframax tanker onto time charter.

Other operating gains (losses)

|  |  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Gain on lease termination |  | 10,324 |  |  | 2,379 |  |  | 7,945 |  |  | 334.0 |
(Loss) gain on pool arrangements |  | (118 | ) |  | 2 |  |  | (120 | ) |  | — |
|  | 10,206 |  |  | 2,381 |  |  | 7,825 |  |  | (328.6 | )

In the year ended December 31, 2018 we terminated the leases on six VLCCs, recognizing a gain of $10.3 million. In the year ended December 31, 2017 we terminated the leases on two VLCCs and two Suezmax tankers, recognizing a gain of $2.4 million.
Contingent rental income

|  |  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Contingent rental income |  | 19,738 |  |  | 26,148 |  |  | (6,410 | ) |  | (24.5 | )

Contingent rental income in the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 relates to the Company's charter party contracts with SFL and is due to the fact that the actual profit share payable of $1.5 million (2017: $5.6 million) was $19.7 million (2017: $26.1 million) less than the amount accrued in the lease obligation payable when the leases were recorded at fair value at the time of the merger with Frontline 2012 Ltd, or the Merger.
Ship operating expenses

|  |  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Ship operating expenses |  | 130,623 |  |  | 135,728 |  |  | (5,105 | ) |  | (3.8 | )

58

Ship operating expenses are the direct costs associated with running a vessel and include crew costs, vessel supplies, repairs and maintenance, drydocking expenses, lubricating oils and insurance.
Ship operating expenses decreased in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to:

• | a decrease of $12.6 million due to the termination of the leases on eight and two Suezmax tankers between January 2017 and December 2018.

• | a decrease of $11.8 million drydocking expenses primarily due to six vessels docking in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared with one vessel in the year ended December 31, 2018, inclusive of the impact of the amortization in 2018 of the fair value of a drydocking obligation accrued at the time of the merger that related to one vessel docked in 2018.

• | a decrease of $2.2 million due to additional repairs and upgrades performed on VLCCs and Suezmax tankers in 2017.

These factors were partially offset by:

• | an increase of $18.9 million due to the delivery of five VLCCs, seven LR2/Aframax and six Suezmax newbuildings between January 2017 and December 2018.

• | an increase of $1.2 million due to additional repairs and upgrades performed on LR2/ Aframax tankers in 2018.

• | an increase of $1.3 million due changes in other operating expenses.

Charter hire expense

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | %
Charter hire expense |  | 21,244 |  |  | 19,705 |  |  | 1,539 |  |  | 7.8

Charter hire expense increased in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared with the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to:

• | an increase of $18.3 million relating to two VLCCs chartered-in in April 2018 and two LR2 tankers under the Company’s commercial management in 2018 being reported gross for certain voyages where the Company is a counter party in the charter.

• | a decrease of $16.7 million relating to three MR tankers, two Suezmax tankers and three VLCCs being re-delivered from January 2017 to May 2018.

Impairment loss on vessels and vessels held under finance lease

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Impairment loss on vessels and vessels held under finance lease |  | — |  |  | 164,187 |  |  | (164,187 | ) |  | (100.0 | )

In December 2017, the Company has recognized an impairment loss of $142.9 million on the remaining 9 VLCCs chartered in from SFL. The leasehold interest in these finance leased assets was recorded at fair value at the time of the Merger based on the discounted value of the expected cash flows from the vessels. Based on the deterioration in forecast rates since the Merger, and the reduced remaining useful economic life of the vessels as they approach the end of their leases, the Company recognized an impairment loss on all of these leased vessels, calculated as the difference between the discounted value of the expected cash flows from the vessels as at December 31, 2017 and the carrying value of the vessels under finance lease at that time.
In March 2017, the company recorded an impairment loss of $21.2 million in relation to two Suezmax tankers (Front Ardenne and Front Brabant) and two VLCCs (Front Scilla and Front Circassia).
Administrative expenses

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Administrative expenses |  | 37,294 |  |  | 37,603 |  |  | (309 | ) |  | (0.8 | )

59

Administrative expenses in the year ended December 31, 2018 was comparable to the year ended December 31, 2017.
Depreciation

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Depreciation |  | 122,566 |  |  | 141,748 |  |  | (19,182 | ) |  | (13.5 | )

Depreciation expense decreased in the in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to:

• | a decrease of $32.5 million for eight VLCCs and two Suezmax tankers where the leases were terminated between March 2017 and December 2018, inclusive of the impact of the impairments booked on these vessels in the year ended December 31, 2017.

• | a decrease of $6.1 million due to impairment losses recorded in the year ended December 31, 2017 on the remaining three VLCCs leased from SFL.

These factors were offset by:

• | an increase of $19.3 million due to the delivery of five VLCCs, seven LR2/Aframax and six Suezmax newbuildings between January 2017 and December 2018.

Interest income

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | %
Interest income |  | 843 |  |  | 588 |  |  | 255 |  |  | 43.4

Interest income in the year ended December 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 relates solely to interest received on bank deposits.
Interest expense

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | %
Interest expense |  | (93,275 | ) |  | (69,815 | ) |  | (23,460 | ) |  | 33.6

Interest expense increased in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to:

• | an increase of $15.0 million as a result of additional borrowings relating to the delivery of 18 newbuildings between January 2017 and December 2018.

• | an increase of $3.1 million due to lower newbuilding interest capitalization as a result of the delivery of vessels.

• | an increase of $7.2 million due to additional fixed rate debt with related parties as a result of promissory notes issued on termination of the leases with SFL along with draw downs of the revolving credit facility.

• | an increase of $7.2 million, primarily due to an increase in LIBOR rates, partially offset by reductions as a result of repayments made under the bank facilities.

• | an increase of $0.6 million in amortization of deferred charges due to new loan facilities between January 2017 and December 2018.

These factors are partially offset by:

• | a decrease of $9.6 million in finance lease interest expense due to the termination of leases on eight VLCCs and two Suezmax tankers from March 2017 to December 2018 and the reduced obligations as a result of standard lease repayments.

Unrealized loss on marketable securities
60

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Unrealized loss on marketable securities |  | (3,526 | ) |  | — |  |  | (3,526 | ) |  | (100.0 | )

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the targeted improvements to ASC 825 Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. The Company has adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective method, with no changes recognized in the prior year comparatives and a cumulative catch up adjustment recognized in the opening retained deficit. As a result of the adoption of this guidance the Company is required to recognize the movement in the fair value of Marketable Securities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company has recognized a decrease in the retained deficit of $2.9 million upon adoption, and has recognized a mark to market loss of $3.5 million in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in relation to the movement in the fair value of its Marketable Securities in the year ended December 31, 2018.
Gain from sale of securities

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Gain on sale of marketable securities |  | 1,026 |  |  | 1,061 |  |  | (35 | ) |  | (3.3 | )

In January 2017, the Company acquired 10.9 million shares in DHT Holdings Inc., or DHT for an aggregate cost of $46.1 million. In the year ended December 31, 2017, the company sold a total of $6.2 million shares in DHT for proceeds of $27.4 million, recognizing a gain of $1.1 million. In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company sold its remaining 4.7 million shares in DHT, recognizing a gain on sale of $1.0 million in the income statement.
Share of results of associated company

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | %
Share of results of associated company |  | 246 |  |  | — |  |  | 246 |  |  | 100.0

In June 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into memorandum of agreement to acquire a 20% ownership interest in FMSI. The Company recorded its initial investment at a cost of $6.0 million. The investment is accounted for under the equity method. A share of results of $0.2 million was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2018.
Other income (expenses)

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain |  | (869 | ) |  | (55 | ) |  | (814 | ) |  | 1,480.0 |
(Loss) gain on derivatives |  | 4,256 |  |  | (753 | ) |  | 5,009 |  |  | 665.2 |
Other non-operating income |  | 506 |  |  | 1,213 |  |  | (707 | ) |  | (58.3 | )

The gain on derivatives in 2018 wholly relates to a gain on interest rate swaps of $4.3 million. The loss on derivatives in 2017 relates to a loss on interest rate swaps of $0.8 million.
The decrease in other non-operating income in 2018 as compared to 2017 primarily relates to a decrease in dividends as a result of the disposal of shares held in DHT.
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest

|  |  |  | Change
(in thousands of $) |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | $ |  |  | % |
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest |  | (482 | ) |  | (539 | ) |  | 57 |  |  | (10.6 | )

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest in the year ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is attributable to the non-controlling interests in the results of SeaTeam Management.
61

Recent accounting pronouncements
See Note 3 to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
B. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We operate in a capital intensive industry and have historically financed our purchase of tankers and other capital expenditures through a combination of cash generated from operations, equity capital and borrowings from commercial banks. Our ability to generate adequate cash flows on a short and medium term basis depends substantially on the trading performance of our vessels in the market. Historically, market rates for charters of our vessels have been volatile. Periodic adjustments to the supply of and demand for oil and product tankers causes the industry to be cyclical in nature. We expect continued volatility in market rates for our vessels in the foreseeable future with a consequent effect on our short and medium term liquidity.
Our funding and treasury activities are conducted within corporate policies to increase investment returns while maintaining appropriate liquidity for our requirements. Cash and cash equivalents are held primarily in U.S. dollars with some balances held in British pounds, Euros, Norwegian kroner and Singapore dollars.
Our short-term liquidity requirements relate to payment of operating costs (including drydocking), funding working capital requirements, repayment of debt financing, payment of newbuilding installments, payment of commitments for upgrading vessels such as for EGCS and BWTS, lease payments for our chartered-in fleet, contingent rental expense and maintaining cash reserves against fluctuations in operating cash flows. Sources of short-term liquidity include cash balances, short-term investments and receipts from our customers. Revenues from time charters are generally received monthly or fortnightly in advance while revenues from voyage charters are received upon completion of the voyage.
As of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, we had cash and cash equivalents of $174.2 million, $66.5 million and $104.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, we had restricted cash balances of $3.2 million, $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively. Restricted cash does not include cash balances of $38.3 million (2018: $37.9 million), which represents 50% (2018: 50%) of the cash required to be maintained by the financial covenants in our loan agreements. The Company is permitted to satisfy up to 50% of the cash requirement by maintaining a committed undrawn credit facility with a remaining availability of greater than 12 months. Furthermore, FSL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the chartering counterparty with SFL with respect to the remaining three VLCCs leased from them, has agreed to certain dividend restrictions as a result of the amendment of the terms of the long-term charter agreements in May 2015. In order to make or pay any dividend or other distribution to the Company, FSL shall demonstrate a cash buffer of $2.0 million per vessel both prior to and following such payment, and following payment of the next monthly hire due plus any profit share accrued under the agreement as well as settling the promissory note related to the termination of the lease on Front Circassia, including accrued interest. As at December 31, 2019, the cash held by FSL of $13.1 million (2018: $3.5 million), may be used solely for vessel operations, payment of hire to SFL or other amounts incurred under the charters and Charter Ancillary Agreement including the settlement of interest and principal due on any notes payable and any other amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business.
As of December 31, 2019, the remaining commitments for our six newbuilding contracts amounted to $302.0 million, of which we expect $159.6 million to be paid in 2020, $109.1 million to be paid in 2021 and $33.3 million to be paid in 2022.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company has committed to the purchase of EGCS on 11 vessels owned by the Company, with a financial commitment of $8.3 million, excluding installation costs. These commitments are due in 2020.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company has committed to the purchase of BWTS on eight vessels, with a financial commitment of $2.9 million excluding installation costs. These commitments are due in 2020.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company has committed to the purchase of a special purpose company, which will hold 10 Suezmax tankers as a result of the Acquisition from Trafigura. The cash amount due to Trafigura on closing of the Acquisition, which took place on March 16, 2020, is $538.2 million.
In February 2020, the Company announced that FSL has agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 2002-built VLCC Front Hakata upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. Frontline will receive a compensation payment of approximately $3.2 million from SFL for the termination of the current charter. The Company expects to record a gain on termination, including the compensation payment, of approximately $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2020. The charter with SFL terminated in February 2020. Following this termination, FSL will have two VLCCs on charter from SFL. In conjunction
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with the termination of the lease, the Company has settled the outstanding balances due under the notes payable in relation to the termination of the leases for Front Circassia, Front Page, Front Serenade, Front Stratus and Front Ariake of approximately $20.0 million.
In January 2020, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Golden Ocean Group Limited and companies in the Trafigura Group to establish a leading global supplier of marine fuels was completed. As a result, Frontline took a 15% interest in the joint venture company. The Company has also made a $1.5 million shareholder loan to the joint venture company.
In February 2020, the Company obtained a commitment from Crédit Agricole for a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $62.5 million to part-finance the VLCC resale under construction at HSHI. The facility, which is subject to final documentation, will mature five years after delivery date, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% basis points and has an amortization profile of 18 years.
In February 2020, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.40 per share for the fourth quarter of 2019.
In March 2020, the Company signed a sale-and-leaseback agreement in an amount of up to $544.0 million with ICBCL to finance the cash amount payable upon closing of the Acquisition on March 16, 2020. The lease financing has a tenor of seven years, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 2.30%, has an amortization profile of 17.8 years and includes purchase options for Frontline throughout the term with a purchase obligation at the end of the term.
As at December 31, 2019, the Company reported net current liabilities of $399.6 million. Included within current liabilities is $269.2 million in relation to the cash amount due on closing of the SPA. As noted above, the Company has subsequently secured and drawn down lease financing of $544.0 million for settlement of this liability along with the cash amount due on closing of the SPA of $269.0 million in relation to the vessels not recorded at year end, see Note 5. for a detailed description of this accounting for this transaction. In addition, the current portion of long-term debt includes $309.6 million balloon payment due on final maturity of the $500.1 million term loan facility in December 2020. The Company expects to refinance this facility prior to its maturity in December 2020. We believe that cash on hand and borrowings under our current and expected credit facilities, along with cash generated from operating activities will be sufficient to fund our requirements for, at least, the twelve months from the date of this annual report.
Medium to Long-term Liquidity and Cash Requirements
Our medium and long-term liquidity requirements include payment of newbuilding installments, funding the equity portion of investments in new or replacement vessels and repayment of bank loans. Additional sources of funding for our medium and long-term liquidity requirements include new loans, refinancing of existing arrangements, equity issues, public and private debt offerings, vessel sales, sale and leaseback arrangements and asset sales.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the periods indicated.

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |  | 280,187 |  |  | 46,171 |  |  | 130,485 |
Net cash used in investing activities |  | (190,571 | ) |  | (199,217 | ) |  | (722,503 | )
Net cash provided by financing activities |  | 19,856 |  |  | 116,064 |  |  | 493,825 |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash |  | 109,472 |  |  | (36,982 | ) |  | (98,193 | )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year |  | 67,904 |  |  | 104,886 |  |  | 203,079 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year |  | 177,376 |  |  | 67,904 |  |  | 104,886 |

Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $234.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018.
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Net cash provided by operating activities was primarily impacted by: (i) overall market conditions as reflected by TCE rates, (ii) the size and composition of our fleet that we own, lease and charter-in, (iii) whether our vessels are operated under time charters or voyage charters, (iv) changes in operating assets and liabilities, and (v) the number of vessels drydocking in a period.

i. | Our reliance on the spot market contributes to fluctuations in cash flows from operating activities as a result of its exposure to highly cyclical tanker rates. Any increase or decrease in the average TCE rates earned by our vessels will have a positive or negative comparative impact, respectively, on the amount of cash provided by operating activities. TCE represents operating revenues less other income and voyage expenses. TCE is therefore impacted by both movements in operating revenues, as determined by market freight rates, and voyage expenses, which are primarily comprised of bunker expenses, port charges and canal tolls. In 2019, average market quoted TCE rates increased for VLCCs, Suezmax tankers and LR2 product tankers as compared to 2018, see Item 5.A. The net increase in average quoted market rates led to a $113.6 million increase in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019, due to higher operating revenues. The increase was partially offset by higher voyage expenses, also a component of TCE, in 2019 as compared to 2018 primarily due to increased commissions and bunker expenses, resulting in a $20.7 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities.

ii. | Detailed information on the size and composition of our fleet, along with whether our vessels were operated under time charters or voyage charters, including changes between the periods presented, is disclosed in Item 5.A. Changes in the size and composition of our fleet resulted in a net increase in cash provided by operating activities of $56.8 million. The increase is primarily due to the delivery of newbuildings between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019, with an increase of $56.5 million in cash received from revenues, partially offset by the increase in cash paid for voyage expenses, ship operating expenses and interest of $27.3 million, and the net impact of the delivery and redelivery of vessels chartered in under operating leases and the five vessels leased in under finance leases from Trafigura prior to the closing of the Acquisition, with an increase in cash provided by operating activities of $21.1 million. The terminations of finance leases between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 resulted in a net increase in cash flow provided by operations of $6.5 million.

iii. | The net decrease in vessels trading under time charters in 2019 as compared to 2018 resulted in a $45.2 million increase in cash provided by operating activities as the vessels subsequently traded at higher spot rates under voyage charters as a result of the recovery in the market since the date the time charters were entered into.

iv. | Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in an increase in cash provided by operating activities of $34.8 million. The movement in working capital balances are impacted by the timing of voyages, and also by the timing of fueling and consumption of fuel on board our vessels. Revenues for vessels that operate under time charters are typically billed in advance, whereas revenues under voyage charters are typically billed upon completion of a voyage. In 2018, the number of vessels trading under time charters decreased and increased again in 2019, which resulted in a net decrease in contract assets from voyages in progress and accrued voyage expenses. In addition, the high volume of drydockings at the end of 2019 caused an increase in accrued operating expenses which positively impacted cash provided by operating activities. The aforementioned were partially offset, by the increase in receivables, as the increase in rates during 2019, led to a negative impact on cash flows from operations as the higher freights, which are typically paid on completion of a voyage, had not been received at year end.

v. | The net increases in cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by the increase in drydocking expenses as one vessel docked in 2018 as compared with nine vessels in 2019, which resulted in a decrease in cash provided by operating activities of $17.7 million.

Under ASC 842 from January 1, 2019 the Company is required to present finance lease payments received within operating activities on the statement of cash flows. In the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company received finance lease payments of $15.1 million in respect of the investment in finance lease held on the balance sheet.
In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a $3.7 million insurance recovery for loss of hire related to an explosion on the Front Altair which lead to a corresponding increase in cash provided by operating activities.
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $84.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.
Net cash provided by operating activities was primarily impacted by: (i) overall market conditions as reflected by TCE rates, (ii) the size and composition of our fleet that we own, lease and charter-in, (iii) whether our vessels are operated under time charters
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or voyage charters, (iv) changes in operating assets and liabilities, (v) changes in cash interest expense as a result of changes in LIBOR, and (vi) the number of vessels drydocking in a period.

i. | Our reliance on the spot market contributes to fluctuations in cash flows from operating activities as a result of its exposure to highly cyclical tanker rates. Any increase or decrease in the average TCE rates earned by our vessels will have a positive or negative comparative impact, respectively, on the amount of cash provided by operating activities. TCE represents operating revenues less other income and voyage expenses. TCE is therefore impacted by both movements in operating revenues, as determined by market freight rates, and voyage expenses, which are primarily comprised of bunker expenses, port charges and canal tolls. In 2018, average market quoted TCE rates increased for VLCCs and decreased for Suezmax tankers and LR2 product tankers as compared to 2017. The net increase in average quoted market rates did not translate to an immediate increase in cash provided by operating activities due to the time lag between when a charter party is entered into and when the freight is billed and cash is received, typically upon completion of a voyage. The increase in rates in 2018 was most notable at the end of the year and as such we recorded an increase in cash flow from operating activities in 2019. The net increase in average quoted market rates led to a $2.4 million increase in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018, due to higher operating revenues. However, the Company recorded higher voyage expenses, also a component of TCE, in 2018 as compared to 2017 primarily due to increased bunker prices, resulting in a $24.6 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities.

ii. | Detailed information on the size and composition of our fleet, along with whether our vessels were operated under time charters or voyage charters, including changes between the periods presented, is disclosed in Item 5.A. Changes in the size and composition of our fleet resulted in a net decrease in cash provided by operating activities of $12.9 million primarily due to the terminations of finance leases between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018 of $19.1 million, offset by a $4.5 million increase due to the net impact of the delivery and redelivery of vessels chartered in under operating leases. The delivery of newbuildings between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018 had a negligible impact on overall cash provided by operating activities as the increase in operating revenues of $98.8 million was substantially offset by the increase in voyage expenses of $60.1 million, the increase in ship operating expenses of $18.9 million, and the increase in interest expense of $18.1 million.

iii. | The net decrease in vessels trading under time charters in 2018 as compared to 2017 resulted in a $12.8 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities as the vessels subsequently traded at lower rates under voyage charters as a result of a decline in the market since the date the time charters were entered into.

iv. | Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in a decrease in cash provided by operating activities of $40.6 million primarily due to the increase in contract assets from voyages in progress. Revenues for vessels that operate under time charters are typically billed in advance, whereas revenues under voyage charters are typically billed upon completion of a voyage. Furthermore, when a vessel operates under a voyage charter short-term liquidity is negatively impacted as the Company typically incurs costs upfront, in particular bunker inventory and expense, whereas under a time charter the charterer bears these costs. Therefore, the net decrease in the number of vessels trading under time charters (decrease of five vessels in 2018), as compared to voyage charters, resulted in higher contract assets from voyages in progress and higher bunker inventory balances. In addition, our operating assets and liabilities are dependant, not just on the factors that impact our net income, but also on the timing of our voyages and related operating activities. The timing of our voyages in relation to period end causes fluctuations in our inventory levels, contract assets and receivables, and other accrual balances, which can positively or negatively impact net cash provided by operating activities.

v. | Cash interest expense increased by $7.2 million primarily due to the increase in LIBOR, partially offset by reductions as a result of repayments made under our debt facilities.

vi. | The net decreases in cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by the reduction in drydocking expenses as one vessel docked in 2018 as compared with six vessels in 2018, which resulted in an increase in cash provided by operating activities of $11.8 million.

Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities of $190.6 million in 2019 comprised mainly of additions to newbuildings, vessels and equipment of $196.0 million, of which $46.1 million was in respect of six newbuilding contracts, $113.9 million in respect of the two VLCCs delivered in the period and $36.0 million mainly for ECGS additions. This was partially offset by:

• | $3.0 million repayment of a $6.0 million interest free loan extended by the Company to FMSI.

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• | $2.4 million receipts from the five Suezmax tankers lease-in from and leased-out to Trafigura, treated as reduction in the prepaid consideration (see Note 5.).

Net cash used in investing activities of $199.2 million in 2018 comprised mainly of additions to newbuildings, vessels and equipment of $216.3 million, of which most was in respect of five newbuilding contracts, of which two VLCCs and one LR2 tanker were delivered during the year. Furthermore, the Company obtained a 20% stake in FMSI in return for a $6.0 million interest free loan to FMSI. This was partially offset by:

• | sale proceeds of $17.8 million in relation to the sale of 4.7 million shares in DHT.

• | finance lease payments received of $5.3 million in respect of the investment in finance lease held on the balance sheet.

Net cash used in investing activities of $722.6 million in 2017 comprised mainly of additions to newbuildings, vessels and equipment of $713.6 million, of which most was in respect of 20 newbuilding contracts, 15 of which were delivered during the year. Furthermore, the Company purchased 10,891,009 shares in DHT for an aggregate cost of $46.1 million. This amount was partially offset by the following:

• | sale proceeds of $27.4 million in relation to the sale of 6.3 million shares in DHT.

• | finance lease payments received of $9.7 million in respect of the investment in finance lease held on the balance sheet.

Net cash provided by financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2019 of $19.9 million was primarily a result of debt drawdowns of $146.0 million and the offering of 11,037,273 new ordinary shares which generated net proceeds of $98.4 million. These items were partially offset by dividend payments of $19.7 million, debt repayments of $185.3 million, finance lease repayments of $15.2 million and debt fees paid of $4.1 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2018 of $116.1 million was primarily a result of debt drawdowns of $298.9 million. These items were partially offset by dividend payments of $0.4 million in relation to a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, debt repayments of $172.4 million and finance lease repayments of $10.1 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2017 of $493.8 million was primarily a result of loan drawdowns of $673.4 million and an additional $10.1 million of cash generated from secured short-term borrowings. These items were partially offset by dividend payments of $51.4 million, debt repayments of $84.0 million, finance lease repayments of $31.9 million, lease termination payments of $19.0 million and debt fees paid of $3.5 million.
Equity
In July 2018, the Company announced it had entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement dated July 24, 2018, with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC for the offer and sale of up to $100.0 million of common shares of Frontline through an ATM. In October 2019, the Equity Distribution Agreement was completed and a total of 11,049,141 shares were issued, of which 11,037,273 were issued in 2019 and 11,868 were issued in 2018, for total proceeds of $100.0 million.
Borrowing Activities
$466.5 million term loan facility
During December 2014, the amount of a $136.5 million term loan facility was increased to $466.5 million such that a further ten tranches of $33.0 million, each for a LR2/Aframax tanker newbuilding, could be drawn. The repayment schedule was amended to installments on a quarterly basis, in an amount of $0.4 million for each MR product tanker and $0.4 million for each LR2/Aframax tanker with a balloon payment on the final maturity date in April 2021. In addition, the loan margin and commitment fee were amended to 2.05% and 0.82%, respectively. In December 2015, the loan margin was reduced to 1.90%. During 2015, $99.0 million was drawn down on delivery of three LR2/Aframax tankers and $13.1 million was repaid. During, 2016, $192.4 million was drawn down on delivery of six LR2/Aframax tankers and $126.4 million was repaid. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$60.6 million term loan facility
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In March 2015, Frontline 2012 entered into a $60.6 million term facility to fund the purchase of two secondhand vessels. The loan has a term of five years and carries interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.80%. Repayments are made on a quarterly basis, each in an amount $0.9 million, with a balloon payment on the final maturity date in March 2021.The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$500.1 million term loan facility
In December 2015, subsidiaries of the Company signed a $500.1 million senior secured term loan facility with a number of banks, which matures in December 2020 and carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90%. This facility is secured by six VLCCs and six Suezmax tankers. Repayments are made on a quarterly basis, each in an amount of $9.5 million, with a balloon payment on the final maturity date in December 2020. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$275.0 million revolving credit facility
In June 2016, the Company signed a $275.0 million senior unsecured facility agreement with an affiliate of Hemen, the Company's largest shareholder. The $275.0 million facility carries an interest rate of 6.25%. The facility is available to the Company for a period of 18 months from the first utilization date and is repayable in full on the 18 month anniversary of the first utilization date. There are no scheduled loan repayments before this date. The facility does not include any financial covenants and will be used to partially finance the Company's current newbuilding program, partially finance potential acquisitions of newbuildings or vessels on the water and for general corporate purposes.
The Company repaid $66.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 and up to $155.0 million remains available and undrawn as of December 31, 2019. In October 2019, the Company extended the terms of the facility by six months. Following the extension, the facility is repayable in May 2021. The balance outstanding is included in long-term debt as of December 31, 2019.
$109.2 million term loan facility
In July 2016, the Company entered into a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $109.2 million with ING Bank. The facility matures on June 30, 2021, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 17 years. The Company drew down $54.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$328.4 million term loan facility
In August 2016, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $328.4 million with China Exim Bank. The facility matures in 2029, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin in line with the Company's other facilities and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The Company drew down $109.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2016 in connection with one LR2 tanker and two Suezmax tanker newbuildings, which were delivered in the year. The Company drew down a further $165.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with two Suezmax tankers and three LR2/Aframax tankers delivered in the year. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$110.5 million term loan facility (Credit Suisse)
In December 2016, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $110.5 million with Credit Suisse. The facility matures in 2022, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The Company drew down $54.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The Company drew down $54.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The Company extended the facility by $15.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2019. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$321.6 million term loan facility
In February 2017, the Company signed a second senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $321.6 million. The facility provided by China Exim Bank is insured by China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation. The facility matures in 2033, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin in line with the Company's other credit facilities and has an amortization profile of 15 years. The Company drew down $252.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with four Suezmax tankers and three LR2/Aframax tankers delivered in the period. The Company drew down $32.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 in connection with one LR2 tanker delivered in the period. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$110.5 million term loan facility (Credit Suisse #2)
In June 2017, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $110.5 million with Credit Suisse. The facility matures in 2023, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The Company drew down $54.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The Company drew down $55.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 in connection with one VLCC delivered in
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the period. The Company extended the facility by $15.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2019. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$110.5 million term loan facility (ING)
In June 2017, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $110.5 million with ING. The facility matures in 2023, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The Company drew down $55.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The Company drew down $55.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The Company extended the facility by $4.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 and drew down the $4.1 million in connection with the installation of an EGCS on the VLCC delivered in the period. The facility is fully drawn as of December 31, 2019.
$42.9 million term loan facility (Credit Suisse)
In November 2019, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility with Credit Suisse, for an amount of up to $42.9 million to part-finance the Suezmax tanker resale under construction at HSHI. The facility matures five years after the delivery date, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The facility is undrawn as of December 31, 2019.
$62.5 million term loan commitment (Crédit Agricole)
In February 2020, the Company obtained a commitment from Crédit Agricole for a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $62.5 million to partly finance the VLCC resale under construction at HSHI. The facility, which is subject to final documentation, will mature five years after delivery date, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 18 years.
$544.0 million lease finance facility
In March 2020, the Company signed a sale-and-leaseback agreement in an amount of up to $544.0 million with ICBCL to finance the cash amount payable upon closing of the Acquisition, which took place on March 16, 2020. The lease financing has a tenor of seven years, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 2.30%, has an amortization profile of 17.8 years and includes purchase options for the Company throughout the period with a purchase obligation at the end of the term. The facility was fully utilized on closing of the Acquisition on March 16, 2020.
Promissory notes
The sum of $20.1 million in relation to the promissory notes payable to SFL, following the termination of the leases on Front Circassia, Front Page, Front Stratus, Front Serenade and Front Ariake is included within long-term debt.
In February 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 1998-built VLCC Front Circassia upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charter with SFL terminated in February and the charter counter party FSL, a non recourse subsidiary of Frontline, has agreed to make a compensation payment of approximately $8.9 million for the termination of the charter to SFL, which has been recorded as an interest-bearing note payable by FSL. The note is due for repayment in 2021 and carries interest of 7.5% per annum.
In July 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the VLCCs Front Page, Front Stratus and Front Serenade upon the sale and delivery of the vessels by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charters with SFL terminated in July, August and September, 2018 respectively and Frontline has agreed to make a compensation payment of approximately $10.125 million for the termination of the three charters to SFL, which has been recorded as interest-bearing notes payable by Frontline. The notes are to be repaid using the same repayment profile as the original leases and carry an interest of 7.5% per annum. The notes will be fully repaid in 2025, 2025 and 2024 respectively.
In October 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 2001-built VLCC, Front Ariake, upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charter terminated in October and Frontline has agreed to a total compensation payment to SFL of $3.375 million for the termination of the charter, which has been recorded as an interest bearing note payable by Frontline. The note carries interest of 7.5% per annum and will be fully repaid in 2023.
In conjunction with the termination of the lease on Front Hakata in February 2020, the Company has settled the outstanding balances due under the notes payable in relation to the termination of the leases for Front Circassia, Front Page, Front Serenade, Front Stratus and Front Ariake of approximately $20.0 million. See Note 31. to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Secured borrowings
In December 2018, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of Golden Ocean and subsequently sold the shares for total proceeds of $7.7 million. At the same time, the Company entered into a forward contract to repurchase 1.3 million shares of Golden
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Ocean in March 2019 for $7.7 million. The transaction has been accounted for as a secured borrowing, with the shares recorded in Marketable securities pledged to creditors and a liability recorded at December 31, 2018 within short-term debt for $7.6 million, after adjusting for the effect of foreign exchange. The Company is required to post collateral of 20% of the total repurchase price for the duration of the agreement. As at December 31, 2018, 442,384 shares in Avance Gas were held as collateral and recorded in Marketable securities pledged to creditors with the remaining balance being paid to the counterparty as cash collateral in January 2019.
In December 2019, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of Golden Ocean and subsequently sold the shares for total proceeds of $7.6 million. At the same time, the Company entered into a forward contract to repurchase the 1.3 million shares of Golder Ocean in March 2020 for $7.2 million, with the shares recorded in Marketable securities pledged to creditors and a liability recorded at December 31, 2019 within short-term debt for $7.3 million, after adjusting for the effect of foreign exchange. The Company is required to post collateral of 20% of the total repurchase price for the duration of the agreement which was held in Restricted cash as of December 31, 2019.
Debt restrictions
The Company's loan agreements contain loan-to-value clauses, which could require the Company to post additional collateral or prepay a portion of the outstanding borrowings should the value of the vessels securing borrowings under each of such agreements decrease below required levels. In addition, the loan agreements contain certain financial covenants, including the requirement to maintain a certain level of free cash, positive working capital and a value adjusted equity covenant. Restricted cash does not include cash balances of $38.3 million (2018: $37.9 million), which represents 50% (2018: 50%) of the cash required to be maintained by the financial covenants in our loan agreements. The Company is permitted to satisfy up to 50% of the cash requirement by maintaining a committed undrawn credit facility with a remaining availability of greater than 12 months. These amounts are included in "Cash and cash equivalents". Failure to comply with any of the covenants in the loan agreements could result in a default, which would permit the lender to accelerate the maturity of the debt and to foreclose upon any collateral securing the debt. Under those circumstances, the Company might not have sufficient funds or other resources to satisfy its obligations. The Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants contained in the Company's loan agreements as of December 31, 2019.
C. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES, ETC.
We do not undertake any significant expenditures on research and development, and have no significant interests in patents or licenses.
D. TREND INFORMATION
The oil tanker and product tanker industry has been highly cyclical, experiencing volatility in charter hire rates and vessel values resulting from changes in the supply of and demand for crude oil and tanker capacity. See "Item 5, Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – A. Operating Results".
E. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Following assignments of two property leases in 2015, each to a related party, a subsidiary of the Company has guaranteed the remaining outstanding payments due under the leases of approximately $5.4 million as of December 31, 2019 (2018: approximately $6.3 million). The Company does not believe that it will be required to make any payments under these guarantees and has not recorded a liability in the balance sheet in this respect.
In August 2019, the Company entered into the SPA to acquire 10 Suezmax tankers built in 2019 through the acquisition of a special purpose vehicle, which will hold the vessels. The Acquisition consideration per the SPA consists of (i) 16,035,856 ordinary shares of Frontline at an agreed price of $8.00 per share that were issued upon signing; and (ii) a cash amount of between $551.7 million and $538.2 million, payable upon the closing of the Acquisition. Frontline has agreed to time charter all the 10 vessels from Trafigura until closing of the Acquisition at a daily rate of approximately $23,000. In addition, Frontline has agreed to charter-out five of the vessels to Trafigura for a period of three years at a daily base rate of $28,400 plus 50% profit share. Upon commencement of the charters for the five vessels which the Company does not charter back to Trafigura, the Company has concluded that the charter-in constitutes a finance lease, due to the obligation to purchase the underlying asset, and has recognized a right-of-use asset and finance lease obligation on the balance sheet. For the five vessels chartered back to Trafigura, the chartered-back vessels, the Company has determined that the charter-in of the vessels has not commenced as of December 31, 2019, as control of the right-of-use asset does not transfer to Frontline until closing of the Acquisition as a result of the lease back to Trafigura. The Company has allocated 8,017,928 of the shares issued to the purchase consideration for the vessels chartered back
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to Trafigura, which has been recognized as prepaid acquisition cost. The grant date fair value of these shares was $63.5 million, based on a share price of $7.92, consistent with the treatment of the share consideration for the finance leases described above. In addition, the Company has a commitment to pay a cash amount ranging from $275.8 million to $269.0 million on closing of the Acquisition. The net difference between the cash amounts paid and received on the charter-in and charter-out of these vessels has been treated as a reduction of the transaction price for all of the vessels. Accordingly, $9.9 million of profit on the charter-in and charter-out, including profit share due under the charter-out with Trafigura, has not been recognized in net income and has been treated as a reduction of the acquisition cost of the vessels. Of this, $8.2 million has been offset against prepaid consideration and $1.7 million has been recorded under the finance lease vessel obligations. See Note 5. to our consolidated financial statements for a full description of the accounting for the Acquisition.
F. TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
At December 31, 2019, we had the following contractual obligations and commitments:

|  | Payment due by period
(In thousands of $) |  | Less than 1 year |  |  | 1 – 3 years |  |  | 3 – 5 years |  |  | After 5 years |  |  | Total |
Floating rate debt |  | 429,611 |  |  | 483,396 |  |  | 340,260 |  |  | 300,654 |  |  | 1,553,921 |
Fixed rate debt |  | 2,022 |  |  | 133,340 |  |  | 4,107 |  |  | 622 |  |  | 140,091 |
Secured borrowings |  | 7,329 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 7,329 |
Operating lease obligations |  | 5,412 |  |  | 3,746 |  |  | 3,145 |  |  | 1,186 |  |  | 13,489 |
SFL finance lease obligations (1) |  | 7,577 |  |  | 16,856 |  |  | 19,509 |  |  | 16,309 |  |  | 60,251 |
Trafigura finance lease obligations (2) |  | 271,980 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 271,980 |
Trafigura chartered-back vessel obligations (2) |  | 268,999 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 268,999 |
Newbuilding commitments (3) |  | 159,584 |  |  | 142,417 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 302,001 |
Vessel upgrading commitments (4) |  | 11,237 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 11,237 |
Interest on floating rate debt (5) |  | 55,746 |  |  | 55,166 |  |  | 34,271 |  |  | 41,944 |  |  | 187,127 |
Interest on fixed rate debt |  | 8,741 |  |  | 4,747 |  |  | 381 |  |  | 10 |  |  | 13,879 |
Interest on finance lease obligations |  | 6,579 |  |  | 6,634 |  |  | 4,014 |  |  | 1,437 |  |  | 18,664 |
|  | 1,234,817 |  |  | 846,302 |  |  | 405,687 |  |  | 362,162 |  |  | 2,848,968 |

1. | As of December 31, 2019, the Company held three vessels under finance leases, all of which are leased from SFL and were acquired upon the Merger. The amounts shown in the table above represent the contractual obligations under these lease agreements and exclude the value of contingent rental expense that was included in the fair valuation of these lease obligations on the date of the Merger. As of December 31, 2019, we have recorded total obligations under these finance leases of $87.9 million of which $60.3 million is in respect of the minimum contractual payments and $27.6 million is in respect of contingent rental expense.

2. | Refer to Note 5. for a detailed description of the Trafigura acquisition and the related obligations as of December 31, 2019.

3. | The newbuilding commitments as of December 31, 2019 comprised one Suezmax tanker and one VLCC, which are expected to be delivered in April and May 2020 and four LR2 tankers, which are expected to be delivered in January 2021, March 2021, October 2021 and January 2022, respectively.

4. | As of December 31, 2019, the Company has committed to the purchase of EGCS on 11 vessels owned by the Company, with a financial commitment of $8.3 million excluding installation costs. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has committed to the installation of Ballast Water Treatment Systems on eight vessels, with a remaining commitment of $2.9 million excluding installation costs. These remaining commitments are due in 2020.

5. | Interest on floating rate debt has been calculated using three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR as of December 31, 2019, plus agreed margin, and outstanding borrowings as of that date.

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G. SAFE HARBOR
Forward-looking information discussed in this Item 5, includes assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events. These statements are intended as "forward-looking statements." We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events may and often do vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Please see "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in this annual report.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors and certain key officers of our wholly owned subsidiary, Frontline Management AS, who are responsible for overseeing our management.

Name |  | Age |  | Position
John Fredriksen |  | 75 |  | Chairman, President and Director
James O'Shaughnessy |  | 56 |  | Director and Audit Committee Chairman
Ulrika Laurin |  | 49 |  | Director and Audit Committee Member
Ola Lorentzon |  | 70 |  | Director
Robert Hvide Macleod |  | 41 |  | Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management AS
Inger M. Klemp |  | 56 |  | Chief Financial Officer of Frontline Management AS

Certain biographical information about each of our directors and executive officers is set forth below.
John Fredriksen has served as Chairman of the Board, President and a director of the Company since November 3, 1997. Mr. Fredriksen has established trusts for the benefit of his immediate family which indirectly control Hemen, our largest shareholder. Mr. Fredriksen was a director of Frontline 2012 at the date of the Merger. Mr. Fredriksen is also a director of a related party Golden Ocean Group Limited, a Bermuda company listed on Nasdaq and the OSE whose principal shareholder is Hemen.
James O'Shaughnessy has been a Director and member of the Audit Committee of the Company since September 2018. James O'Shaughnessy served as an Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller of Axis Capital Holdings Limited since March 26, 2012. Prior to that Mr. O'Shaughnessy has served as Chief Financial Officer of Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings and as Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President of Scottish Re Group Ltd., and Chief Financial Officer of XL Re Ltd. at XL Group plc. Mr. O'Shaughnessy received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College, Cork, Ireland and is both a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland and an Associate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of the UK. Mr. O'Shaughnessy earned a Master's Degree in Accounting from University College Dublin.
Ulrika Laurin has been a Director and member of the Audit Committee of the Company since September 2018. Ulrika Laurin has been the Executive Chairman of ship-owning company Anglo-Atlantic Steamship Co. Ltd. and the Chairman of Laurin Shipping AB, an international ship-management company. She has served as the CFO of Anglo-Atlantic Steamship Co. Ltd. and as Commercial Manager of Laurin Maritime (UK) Ltd. Prior to that, she worked with fund manager Tufton Oceanic Ltd. and with management consultant Karlöf & Partners. She holds a Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Stockholm School of Economics.
Ola Lorentzon has been director of the Company since May 2015. Mr. Lorentzon was the Managing Director of Frontline Management AS, a subsidiary of the Company, from April 2000 until September 2003. Mr. Lorentzon has served as a director of FLEX LNG Ltd. since June 2017 and is also a director, Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer of Golden Ocean Group Limited and a director of Erik Thun AB.
Robert Hvide Macleod was a director of the Company from May 2015 until September 2019 and has served as Chief Executive Officer of Frontline Management AS since November 2014. Mr. Macleod served as principal executive officer of Frontline 2012 at the date of the Merger. Mr. Macleod was employed by the A.P. Moller Group from 2002 to 2004 and Glencore-ST Shipping from 2004 to 2011. He is the founder of Highlander Tankers AS. Mr. Macleod holds a Maritime Business (Hons) degree from Plymouth University.
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Inger M. Klemp has served as Chief Financial Officer of Frontline Management AS since June 1, 2006 and served as principal financial officer of Frontline 2012 at the date of the Merger. Mrs. Klemp has served as a director of Independent Tankers Corporation Limited since February 2008 and has served as Chief Financial Officer of Golden Ocean Shipping Limited from September 2007 to March 2015. Mrs. Klemp served as Vice President Finance from August 2001 until she was promoted in May 2006. Mrs. Klemp graduated as MSc in Business and Economics from the Norwegian School of Management (BI) in 1986. Prior to joining the Company, Mrs. Klemp was Assistant Director Finance in Color Group ASA and Group Financial Manager in Color Line ASA, an OSE listed company and before that was Assistant Vice President in Nordea Bank Norge ASA handling structuring and syndication of loan facilities in the international banking market and a lending officer of Danske Bank A/S.
B. COMPENSATION
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we paid aggregate cash compensation of approximately $1.9 million and an aggregate amount of approximately $0.1 million for pension and retirement benefits to our directors and executive officers (six persons). In addition, we also recognized stock compensation expense of approximately $0.3 million in respect of 1,170,000 share options, which were granted to our directors and executive officers in July 2016. The initial exercise price of these options was $8.00 per option and is reduced by the amount of dividends paid after the date of grant. The exercise price of these options as of December 31, 2019 is $7.30.
C. BOARD PRACTICES
In accordance with our bye-laws the number of directors shall be such number not less than two as our shareholders by Ordinary Resolution may from time to time determine and each director shall hold office until the next annual general meeting following his or her election or until his or her successor is elected. We currently have four directors.
We currently have an audit committee, which is responsible for overseeing the quality and integrity of our financial statements and our accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent auditor's qualifications, independence and performance and our internal audit function. In 2018, James O'Shaughnessy and Ulrika Laurin were appointed to serve on the Audit Committee. James O'Shaughnessy is the Chairperson of the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee Financial Expert.
In lieu of a compensation committee comprised of independent directors, our Board is responsible for establishing the executive officers' compensation and benefits. In lieu of a nomination committee comprised of independent directors, our Board is responsible for identifying and recommending potential candidates to become board members and recommending directors for appointment to board committees.
Our officers are elected by the Board as soon as possible following each Annual General Meeting and shall hold office for such period and on such terms as the Board may determine.
There are no service contracts between us and any of our directors providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service.
As a foreign private issuer we are exempt from certain requirements of the NYSE that are applicable to U.S. listed companies. For a listing and further discussion of how our corporate governance practices differ from those required of U.S. companies listed on the NYSE, please see Item 16G or visit the corporate governance section of our website at www.frontline.bm.
D. EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2019, we employed approximately 157 people in our offices in Bermuda, London, Glasgow, Oslo, Singapore and India, compared to 145 employees in 2018 and 128 employees in 2017. We contract with independent ship managers to provide technical management services in respect of our vessels.
E. SHARE OWNERSHIP
As of February 28, 2019, the beneficial interests of our directors and officers in our ordinary shares were as follows:
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Director or Officer | Ordinary shares of $1.00 each |  |  | Options to acquire ordinary shares which have vested |  |  | Percentage of ordinary shares outstanding |
John Fredriksen* | * |  |  | 198,000 |  |  | * |
James O'Shaughnessy | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Ulrika Laurin | 50,000 |  |  | — |  |  | ** |
Ola Lorentzon | 3,000 |  |  | 21,000 |  |  | ** |
Robert Hvide Macleod | 1,000,000 |  |  | — |  |  | ** |
Inger M. Klemp | 180,000 |  |  | 120,000 |  |  | ** |

* Mr. Fredriksen may be deemed to beneficially own 79,145,703 Ordinary Shares through his indirect influence over Hemen Holding Limited and Greenwich Holdings Limited, the shares of which are held in the Trusts. The Trusts are the indirect sole shareholders of Greenwich Holdings Limited and the indirect owners of Hemen Holding Limited. The beneficiaries of the Trusts are certain members of Mr. Fredriksen's family. Mr. Fredriksen disclaims beneficial ownership of the 79,145,703 Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Hemen Holding Limited, and Greenwich Holdings Limited except to the extent of his voting and dispositive interests in such Ordinary Shares. Mr. Fredriksen has no pecuniary interest in the 79,145,703 Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Hemen Holding Limited and Greenwich Holdings Limited
** Less than 1%.
Share Option Scheme
In September 2009, the Board approved a share option plan, or the Frontline Scheme. The Frontline Scheme permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant options to acquire shares in the Company to employees and directors of the Company or its subsidiaries. The subscription price for all options granted under the scheme is reduced by the amount of all dividends declared by the Company in the period from the date of grant until the date the option is exercised, provided the subscription price is never reduced below the par value of the share. The vesting periods of options granted under the plan will be specific to each grant. There is no maximum number of shares authorized for awards of equity share options and authorized, un-issued or treasury shares of the Company may be used to satisfy exercised options.
In July 2016, the Company granted 1,170,000 share options with an exercise price of $8.00 per share, reduced for dividends paid of $0.70 per share up until December 31, 2019, to directors and officers in accordance with the terms of the Frontline Scheme. One third of the options vest over one year, one third vest over two years and one third vest over three years. The options have a five year term. In November 2018, the Company granted an additional 180,000 options, all of which were to employees and none were to directors and officers.
In January 2020, the Company issued 798,000 ordinary shares under its share option scheme to Robert Hvide Macleod at a strike price of $7.30 per share.
Details of options to acquire our ordinary shares by our directors and officers as of March 19, 2020, were as follows:

Director or Officer | Number of options |  | Exercise price* |  | Expiration Date
Total |  |  | Vested |  |
John Fredriksen | 198,000 |  |  | 198,000 |  |  | $7.30 |  | July 2021
Ola Lorentzon | 21,000 |  |  | 21,000 |  |  | $7.30 |  | July 2021
Inger M. Klemp | 120,000 |  |  | 120,000 |  |  | $7.30 |  | July 2021

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
The following table presents certain information as of March 19, 2020, regarding the ownership of our ordinary shares with respect to each shareholder whom we know to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares.
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Owner |  | Number of shares |  |  | %* |
Hemen Holding Ltd. |  | 79,145,703 |  |  | 40.0 | %
Urion Holdings (Malta) Limited** |  | 9,967,354 |  |  | 5.0 | %

*Based on issued share capital of 197,692,321 following the issuance of 798,000 shares under the share option scheme in January 2020.
Our major shareholders have the same voting rights as our other shareholders. We are not aware of any arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company.
B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
See Note 28. to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
C. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
See Item 18.
Legal Proceedings
We are a party, as plaintiff or defendant, to several lawsuits in various jurisdictions for demurrage, damages, off-hire and other claims and commercial disputes arising from the operation of our vessels, in the ordinary course of business or in connection with our acquisition activities. We believe that the resolution of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition.
Dividend Policy
In December 2015, our Board approved implementing a dividend policy to distribute quarterly dividends to shareholders equal to or close to earnings per share adjusted for non-cash items. In February 2020, we declared a dividend of $0.40 per share for the fourth quarter. In November 2019, we declared a dividend of $0.10 per share for the third quarter of 2019. No dividends were declared in 2018. In 2017, we declared dividends of $0.15 for the first quarter. In February 2017, we declared a dividend of $0.15 per share for the fourth quarter of 2016. The timing and amount of dividends, if any, is at the discretion of the Board. We cannot guarantee that our Board will declare dividends in the future.
B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
None.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
The Company's ordinary shares are traded on the NYSE and OSE under the symbol "FRO". As at the date of this Annual Report, the Company had 197,692,321 ordinary shares outstanding.
The NYSE is the Company's "primary listing". As an overseas company with a secondary listing on the OSE, the Company is not required to comply with certain listing rules applicable to companies with a primary listing on the OSE.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. SHARE CAPITAL
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Not applicable.
B. MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION AND BYE-LAWS
The Memorandum of Association of the Company has previously been filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2014, and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.
At the 2016 Annual General Meeting of the Company, our shareholders voted to amend the Company's bye-laws to ensure conformity with revisions to the Bermuda Companies Act 1981, as amended, and to update the Company’s bye-laws governing general meetings, delegation of the Board’s powers and proceedings of the Board. These amended bye-laws of the Company as adopted on September 23, 2016, has previously been filed as Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2017, and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.
The purposes and powers of the Company are set forth in Items 7(2)-(4) and 8(2)-(4) of our Memorandum of Association and by reference to the Second Schedule of the Bermuda Companies Act of 1981 which is attached as an exhibit to our Memorandum of Association. These purposes include acting as a group holding company, exploring, drilling, moving, transporting and refining petroleum and hydro-carbon products, including oil and oil products; the acquisition, ownership, chartering, selling, management and operation of ships and aircraft; the entering into of any guarantee, contract, indemnity or suretyship and to assure, support, secure, with or without the consideration or benefit, the performance of any obligations of any person or persons; and the borrowing and raising of money in any currency or currencies to secure or discharge any debt or obligation in any manner.
Shareholder Meetings. Under our bye-laws, annual shareholder meetings will be held in accordance with the Companies Act at our registered office in Bermuda or such other location suitable for such purpose (other than Norway or the United Kingdom) at a time selected by our Board. The quorum at any annual or general meeting, save as otherwise provided by our bye-laws, is at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote (whatever the number of shares held by them), provided however that if the Company shall have only one shareholder, such shareholder, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute the necessary quorum. The meetings may be held at any place, in or outside of Bermuda that is not a jurisdiction which applies a controlled foreign company tax legislation or similar regime. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the Board and at the request of shareholders holding at least one-tenth of all outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting. Annual shareholder meetings and special meetings must be called by not less than seven days' prior written notice specifying the place, day and time of the meeting. The Board may fix any date as the record date for determining those shareholders eligible to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting.
The Companies Act provides that a company must have a general meeting of its shareholders in each calendar year unless that requirement is waived by a resolution of the shareholders. The Companies Act does not impose any general requirements regarding the number of voting shares which must be present or represented at a general meeting in order for the business transacted at the general meeting to be valid. The Companies Act generally leaves the quorum for shareholders meeting to the company to determine in its bye-laws. The Companies Act specifically imposes special quorum requirements where the shareholders are being asked to approve the modification of rights attaching to a particular class of shares (33.33%) or an amalgamation or merger transaction (more than 33.33%) unless in either case the bye-laws provide otherwise. The Company's bye-laws do not provide for a quorum requirement other than 33.33% where the shareholders are being asked to approve the modifications of rights attaching to a particular class of shares, but where the shareholders are being asked to approve an amalgamation or merger, the Company’s bye-laws provide for a quorum requirement of at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote (whatever the number of shares held by them), or only one shareholder present in person or by proxy, if the Company shall have only one shareholder.
The key powers of our shareholders include the power to alter the terms of the Company's memorandum of association and to approve and thereby make effective any alterations to the Company's bye-laws made by the directors. Dissenting shareholders holding 20% of the Company's shares may apply to the Court to annul or vary an alteration to the Company's memorandum of association. A majority vote against an alteration to the Company's bye-laws made by the directors will prevent the alteration from becoming effective. Other key powers are to approve the alteration of the Company's capital including an increase in share capital, a reduction in share capital, to approve the removal of a director, to resolve that the Company be wound up or discontinued from Bermuda to another jurisdiction or to enter into an amalgamation or winding up. Under the Companies Act, all of the foregoing corporate actions require approval by an ordinary resolution (a simple majority of votes cast), except in the case of an amalgamation or merger transaction, which requires approval by 75% of the votes cast (unless the bye-laws provide otherwise). The Company's bye-laws only require an ordinary resolution to approve an amalgamation or merger whether or not the Company is the surviving
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company. In addition, the Company's bye-laws confer express power on the Board to reduce its issued share capital selectively with the authority of an ordinary resolution.
The Companies Act provides shareholders holding 10% of the Company's voting shares the ability to request that the Board shall convene a meeting of shareholders to consider any business which the shareholders wish to be discussed by the shareholders including (as noted below) the removal of any director. However, the shareholders are not permitted to pass any resolutions relating to the management of the Company's business affairs unless there is a pre-existing provision in the Company's bye-laws which confers such rights on the shareholders. Subject to compliance with the time limits prescribed by the Companies Act, shareholders holding 20% of the voting shares (or alternatively, 100 shareholders) may also require the directors to circulate a written statement not exceeding 1,000 words relating to any resolution or other matter proposed to be put before, or dealt with at, the annual general meeting of the Company.
Majority shareholders do not generally owe any duties to other shareholders to refrain from exercising all of the votes attached to their shares. There are no deadlines in the Companies Act relating to the time when votes must be exercised.
The Companies Act provides that a company shall not be bound to take notice of any trust or other interest in its shares. There is a presumption that all the rights attaching to shares are held by, and are exercisable by, the registered holder, by virtue of being registered as a member of the company. The company's relationship is with the registered holder of its shares. If the registered holder of the shares holds the shares for someone else (the beneficial owner) then if the beneficial owner is entitled to the shares, the beneficial owner may give instructions to the registered holder on how to vote the shares. The Companies Act provides that the registered holder may appoint more than one proxy to attend a shareholder meeting, and consequently where rights to shares are held in a chain the registered holder may appoint the beneficial owner as the registered holder's proxy.
Directors. The Companies Act provides that the directors shall be elected or appointed by the shareholders. A director may be elected by a simple majority vote of shareholders, at a meeting where at least two shareholders entitled to vote (whatever the number of shares held by them), or only one shareholder, if the Company shall have only one shareholder, are present in person or by proxy. A person holding a majority of the voting shares of the Company will be able to elect all of the directors, and to prevent the election of any person whom such shareholder does not wish to be elected. There are no provisions for cumulative voting in the Companies Act or the bye-laws and the Company's bye-laws do not contain any super-majority voting requirements.
There are also procedures for the removal of one or more of the directors by the shareholders before the expiration of his or her term of office. Shareholders holding 10% or more of the voting shares of the Company may require the Board to convene a shareholder meeting to consider a resolution for the removal of a director. At least 14 days written notice of a resolution to remove a director must be given to the director affected, and that director must be permitted to speak at the shareholder meeting at which the resolution for his or her removal is considered by the shareholders.
The Companies Act stipulates that an undischarged bankruptcy of a director (in any country) shall prohibit that director from acting as a director, directly or indirectly, and taking part in or being concerned with the management of a company, except with leave of the court. The Company's bye-laws are more restrictive in that they stipulate that the office of a director shall be vacated upon the happening of any of the following events (in addition to the director's resignation or removal from office by the shareholders):

• | If that director becomes of unsound mind or a patient for any purpose of any statute or applicable law relating to mental health and the Board resolves that such director shall be removed from office;

• | If that director becomes bankrupt or compounds with his or her creditors;

• | If that director is prohibited by law from being a director; or

• | If that director ceases to be a director by virtue of the Companies Act (as defined in the bye-laws).

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Under the Company's bye-laws, the minimum number of directors comprising the Board at any time shall be two. The Board currently consists of four directors. The minimum and maximum number of directors comprising the Board from time to time shall be determined by way of an ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company. The shareholders may, at the annual general meeting by ordinary resolution, determine that one or more vacancies in the Board be deemed casual vacancies. The Board, so long as a quorum remains in office, shall have the power to fill such casual vacancies. Under the Company’s bye-laws, the Board shall at all times comprise a majority of directors who are not resident in the United Kingdom. Each director will hold office until the next annual general meeting or until his or her successor is appointed or elected. The Company may, at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose of removing a director, do so, provided notice is served upon the concerned director 14 days prior to the meeting and he or she is entitled to be heard. Any vacancy created by such a removal may be filled at the meeting by the election of another person by the shareholders or in the absence of such election, by the Board.
Bermuda law permits the bye-laws of a Bermuda company to contain provisions excluding personal liability of a director, alternate director, officer, member of a committee authorized under Bye-law 108, resident representative or their respective heirs, executors or administrators to the company for any loss arising or liability attaching to him by virtue of any rule of law in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which the officer or person may be guilty. Bermuda law also grants companies the power generally to indemnify directors, alternate directors and officers of the Company and any members of a committee authorized under Bye-law 108, resident representatives or their respective heirs, executors or administrators if any such person was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, alternate director or officer of the Company or member of a committee authorized under Bye-law 108, resident representative or their respective heirs, executors or administrators or was serving in a similar capacity for another entity at the company's request.
The Company's bye-laws do not prohibit a director from being a party to, or otherwise having an interest in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is otherwise interested. The Company's bye-laws provide that a director who has an interest in any transaction or arrangement with the Company and who has complied with the provisions of the Companies Act and with its bye-laws with regard to disclosure of such interest shall be taken into account in ascertaining whether a quorum is present, and will be entitled to vote in respect of any transaction or arrangement in which he is so interested. The Company's bye-laws provide its Board the authority to exercise all of the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of our property and assets as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation. The Company's directors are not required to retire because of their age, and the directors are not required to be holders of the Company's ordinary shares. Directors serve for one year terms, and shall serve until re-elected or until their successors are appointed at the next annual general meeting. The Company's bye-laws provide that no director, alternate director, officer, person or member of a committee, if any, resident representative, or his or her heirs, executors or administrators, which we refer to collectively as an indemnitee, is liable for the acts, receipts, neglects, or defaults of any other such person or any person involved in our formation, or for any loss or expense incurred by us through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired by us, or for the insufficiency of deficiency of any security in or upon which any of our monies shall be invested, or for any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency, or tortious act of any person with whom any monies, securities, or effects shall be deposited, or for any loss occasioned by any error of judgment, omission, default, or oversight on his or her part, or for any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which shall happen in relation to the execution of his or her duties, or supposed duties, to us or otherwise in relation thereto. Each indemnitee will be indemnified and held harmless out of our funds to the fullest extent permitted by Bermuda law against all liabilities, loss, damage or expense (including but not limited to liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all reasonable legal and other costs and expenses properly payable) incurred or suffered by him or her as such director, alternate director, officer, person or committee member or resident representative (or in his or her reasonable belief that he is acting as any of the above). In addition, each indemnitee shall be indemnified against all liabilities incurred in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in such indemnitee's favor, or in which he is acquitted, or in connection with any application under the Companies Acts in which relief from liability is granted to him by the court. The Company is authorized to purchase insurance to cover any liability it may incur under the indemnification provisions of its bye-laws.
Dividends. Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividend and distribution payments, pro rata based on the number of ordinary shares held, when, as and if declared by the Board, in its sole discretion. Any future dividends declared will be at the discretion of the Board and will depend upon our financial condition, earnings and other factors.
As a Bermuda exempted company, we are subject to Bermuda law relating to the payment of dividends. We may not pay any dividends if, at the time the dividend is declared or at the time the dividend is paid, there are reasonable grounds for believing that, after giving effect to that payment;

• | we will not be able to pay our liabilities as they fall due; or

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• | the realizable value of our assets is less than our liabilities.

In addition, since we are a holding company with no material assets, and conduct our operations through subsidiaries, our ability to pay any dividends to shareholders will depend on our subsidiaries' distributing to us their earnings and cash flow. Some of our loan agreements currently limit or prohibit our subsidiaries' ability to make distributions to us and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
Oslo Stock Exchange. The Company's bye-laws provide that any person, other than its registrar, who acquires or disposes of an interest in shares which triggers a notice requirement of the Oslo Stock Exchange must notify the Company's registrar immediately of such acquisition or disposal and the resulting interest of that person in shares. There are no limitations on the right of non-Bermudians or non-residents of Bermuda to hold or vote our ordinary shares.
The Company's bye-laws require the Company to provide notice to the OSE if a person resident for tax purposes in Norway (or such other jurisdiction as the Board may nominate from time to time) is found to hold 50% or more of the Company's aggregate issued share capital, or holds shares with 50% or more of the outstanding voting power, other than the Company's registrar. The Company's bye-laws also require it to comply with requirements that the OSE may impose from time to time relating to notification of the OSE in the event of specified changes in the ownership of the Company's ordinary shares.
Shares and preemptive rights. Subject to certain balance sheet restrictions, the Companies Act permits a company to purchase its own shares if it is able to do so without becoming cash flow insolvent as a result. The restrictions are that the par value of the share must be charged against the company's issued share capital account or a company fund which is available for dividend or distribution or be paid for out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares. Any premium paid on the repurchase of shares must be charged to the company's current share premium account or charged to a company fund which is available for dividend or distribution. The Companies Act does not impose any requirement that the directors shall make a general offer to all shareholders to purchase their shares pro rata to their respective shareholdings. The Company's bye-laws do not contain any specific rules regarding the procedures to be followed by the Company when purchasing its own shares, and consequently the primary source of the Company's obligations to shareholders when the Company tenders for its shares will be the rules of the listing exchanges on which the Company's shares are listed.
The Companies Act and our bye-laws do not confer any pre-emptive, redemption, conversion or sinking fund rights attached to our ordinary shares. Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of ordinary shares. Unless a different majority is required by law or by our bye-laws, resolutions to be approved by holders of ordinary shares require approval by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
Bye-law 19 specifically provides that the issuance of more shares ranking pari passu with the shares in issue shall not constitute a variation of class rights, unless the rights attached to shares in issue state that the issuance of further shares shall constitute a variation of class rights. Bye-law 3 confers on the directors the right to dispose of any number of unissued shares forming part of the authorized share capital of the Company without any requirement for shareholder approval. Bye-law 93 contains certain stipulations regarding the Company's (or any of its subsidiaries') transactions with any of its Principal Shareholders (or any Associate of a Principal Shareholder). When Bye-law 93 applies, the Company is required to send to each shareholder a disclosure statement containing information about the proposed transaction. However, this bye-law provision specifically exempts from this requirement the issuance of new shares to a Principal Shareholder for cash.
Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of ordinary shares are entitled to share in our assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of our debts and liabilities, subject to any liquidation preference on any outstanding preference shares.
C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS
SFL
Charter Ancillary Agreements and Amendments
In May 2015, the Company and SFL agreed to amendments to the leases on 12 VLCCs and five Suezmax tankers, the related management agreements and further amendments to the charter ancillary agreements for the remainder of the charter periods. As a result of the amendments to the charter ancillary agreements, which took effect on July 1, 2015, the daily hire payable to SFL was reduced to $20,000 per day and $15,000 per day for VLCCs and Suezmax tankers, respectively. The fee due from SFL for operating costs was increased from $6,500 per day per vessel to $9,000 per day per vessel. In return, the Company issued 11.0 million new shares (as adjusted for the 1-for-5 reverse share split in February 2016) to SFL and the profit share above the new
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daily hire rates was increased from 25% to 50%. The Company was released from its guarantee obligation and in exchange, FSL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the chartering counterparty with SFL, has agreed to certain dividend restrictions. In order to make or pay any dividend or other distribution to the Company, FSL shall demonstrate a cash buffer of $2.0 million per vessel both prior to and following such payment, and following payment of the next monthly hire due plus any profit share accrued under the agreement as well as settling the promissory note related to the termination of the lease on Front Circassia, including accrued interest. As at December 31, 2019, the cash held by FSL of $13.1 million (2018: $3.5 million), may solely be used for vessel operations, payment of hire to SFL or other amounts incurred under the charters and Charter Ancillary Agreement, including the settlement of interest and principal due on any notes payable and any other amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business.
As the Merger with Frontline 2012 was accounted for as a reverse business acquisition in which Frontline 2012 is treated as the accounting acquirer, all of the Company's assets and liabilities were recorded at fair value on November 30, 2015 such that estimated profit share over the remaining terms of the leases has been recorded in the balance sheet obligations. Consequently, the Company will only record profit share expense following the Merger when the actual expense is different to that estimated at the date of the Merger. The Company recorded contingent rental income of $2.6 million in 2019 primarily due to the fact that the actual profit share expenses earned by SFL of $4.8 million was $2.2 million less than the amount accrued in the lease obligation payable when the leases were recorded at fair value at the time of the Merger. The Company recorded contingent rental income of $19.7 million in 2018 due to the fact that the actual profit share expenses earned by SFL of $1.5 million was $19.7 million less than the amount accrued in the lease obligation payable when the leases were recorded at fair value at the time of the Merger.
Trafigura transaction
In August 2019, the Company entered into the SPA with Trafigura to acquire 10 Suezmax tankers built in 2019 through the acquisition of a special purpose vehicle.
The Acquisition consideration per the SPA consists of (i) 16,035,856 ordinary shares of the Company at an agreed price of $8.00 per share issuable upon signing; and (ii) a cash amount of between $551.7 million and $538.2 million, payable upon the closing of the Acquisition, which is targeted to take place on March 16, 2020. Frontline agreed to time charter-in all of the 10 vessels from Trafigura until closing of the Acquisition at a daily rate of approximately $23,000. In addition, the Company agreed to charter-out five of the vessels to Trafigura for a period of three years at a daily base rate of $28,400 plus 50% profit share. As part of the Acquisition, the Company had options to acquire an additional four Suezmax tankers built in 2019 through the acquisition of a second special purpose vehicle. The Company elected not to exercise the options in September 2019.
In addition, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement dated August 23, 2019 with Trafigura, pursuant to which the Company agreed to register the shares issued to Trafigura for resale, subject to the conditions and limitations set forth therein.
We also refer you to “Item 4. Information on the Company -A. History and Development of the Company,” “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects -B. Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions -B. Related Party Transactions” for a discussion of other material agreements that we have entered into outside the ordinary course of our business during the two-year period immediately preceding the date of this annual report.
D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS
The Bermuda Monetary Authority (the "BMA") must give permission for all issuances and transfers of securities of a Bermuda exempted company like ours, unless the proposed transaction is exempted by the BMA's written general permissions. We have received general permission from the BMA to issue any unissued Ordinary Shares and for the free transferability of our ordinary shares as long as our ordinary shares are listed on an "appointed stock exchange". Our ordinary shares are listed on the New York and Oslo Stock Exchanges. The NYSE, which is an "appointed stock exchange" is the Company's "primary listing". Our ordinary shares may therefore be freely transferred among persons who are residents and non-residents of Bermuda.
Although we are incorporated in Bermuda, we are classified as a non-resident of Bermuda for exchange control purposes by the BMA. Other than transferring Bermuda Dollars out of Bermuda, there are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds into and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to U.S. residents who are holders of ordinary shares or other non-residents of Bermuda who are holders of our ordinary shares in currency other than Bermuda Dollars.
In accordance with Bermuda law, share certificates may be issued only in the names of corporations, individuals or legal persons. In the case of an applicant acting in a special capacity (for example, as an executor or trustee), certificates may, at the request of
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the applicant, record the capacity in which the applicant is acting. Notwithstanding the recording of any such special capacity, we are not bound to investigate or incur any responsibility in respect of the proper administration of any such estate or trust.
We will take no notice of any trust applicable to any of our shares or other securities whether or not we had notice of such trust.
As an "exempted company", we are exempt from Bermuda laws which restrict the percentage of share capital that may be held by non-Bermudians, but as an exempted company, we may not participate in certain business transactions including: (i) the acquisition or holding of land in Bermuda (except that required for its business and held by way of lease or tenancy for terms of not more than 21 years) without the express authorization of the Bermuda legislature; (ii) the taking of mortgages on land in Bermuda to secure an amount in excess of $50,000 without the consent of the Minister of Finance of Bermuda; (iii) the acquisition of any bonds or debentures secured on any land in Bermuda except bonds or debentures issued by the Government of Bermuda or by a public authority in Bermuda; or (iv) the carrying on of business of any kind in Bermuda, except in so far as may be necessary for the carrying on of its business outside Bermuda or under a license granted under the Companies Act.
The Bermuda government actively encourages foreign investment in "exempted" entities like us that are based in Bermuda but do not operate in competition with local business. In addition to having no restrictions on the degree of foreign ownership, we are subject neither to taxes on our income or dividends nor to any exchange controls in Bermuda. In addition, there is no capital gains tax in Bermuda, and profits can be accumulated by us, as required, without limitation. There is no income tax treaty between the United States and Bermuda pertaining to the taxation of income other than applicable to insurance enterprises.
E. TAXATION
The following discussion summarizes the material United States federal income tax and Bermuda tax consequences to United States Holders, as defined below, of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares. This summary does not purport to deal with all aspects of United States federal income taxation and Bermuda taxation that may be relevant to an investor's decision to purchase ordinary shares, nor any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, locality or other foreign jurisdiction.
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
In the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, our United States counsel, the following are the material United States federal income tax consequences to us of our activities and to United States Holders of our ordinary shares. The following discussion of United States federal income tax matters is based on the Code, judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Except as otherwise noted, this discussion is based on the assumption that we will not maintain an office or other fixed place of business within the United States.
Taxation of the Company's Shipping Income: In General
The Company anticipates that it will derive substantially all of its gross income from the use and operation of vessels in international commerce and that this income will principally consist of freights from the transportation of cargoes, charter hire from time or voyage charters and the performance of services directly related thereto, which the Company refers to as "shipping income."
Shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States will be considered to be 50% derived from sources within the United States. Shipping income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States will be considered to be 100% derived from sources within the United States. The Company is not permitted by law to engage in transportation that gives rise to 100% United States source income.
Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-United States ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Shipping income derived from sources outside the United States will not be subject to United States federal income tax.
Based upon the Company's current and anticipated shipping operations, the Company's vessels will operate in various parts of the world, including to or from United States ports. Unless exempt from United States federal income taxation under Section 883 of the Code, or Section 883, the Company will be subject to United States federal income taxation, in the manner discussed below, to the extent its shipping income is considered derived from sources within the United States.
Application of Section 883
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Under the relevant provisions of Section 883, the Company will be exempt from United States federal income taxation on its United States source shipping income if:

(i) | It is organized in a "qualified foreign country" which is one that grants an equivalent exemption from taxation to corporations organized in the United States in respect of the shipping income for which exemption is being claimed under Section 883, and which the Company refers to as the "country of organization requirement"; and

(ii) | It can satisfy any one of the following two ownership requirements for more than half the days during the taxable year:

• | the Company's stock is "primarily and regularly" traded on an established securities market located in the United States or a qualified foreign country, which the Company refers to as the "Publicly-Traded Test"; or

• | more than 50% of the Company's stock, in terms of value, is beneficially owned by any combination of one or more qualified shareholders which, as defined, includes individuals who are residents of a qualified foreign country or foreign corporations that satisfy the country of organization requirement and the Publicly-Traded Test.

The United States Treasury Department has recognized Bermuda, the country of incorporation of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as a qualified foreign country. In addition, the United States Treasury Department has recognized Liberia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Singapore and Bermuda, the countries of incorporation of certain of the Company's vessel-owning or chartering subsidiaries, as qualified foreign countries. Accordingly, the Company and its vessel owning subsidiaries satisfy the country of organization requirement.
Therefore, the Company's eligibility for exemption under Section 883 is wholly dependent upon being able to satisfy one of the stock ownership requirements.
Prior to the Merger, the Company qualified for exemption under Section 883 while Frontline 2012 did not so qualify. In addition, the Company currently does not anticipate circumstances under which the Company would be able to satisfy the 50% ownership test described above. The Company’s ability to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test is described below.
Under the Treasury Regulations, stock of a foreign corporation is considered "primarily traded" on an established securities market in a country if the number of shares of each class of stock that is traded during the taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such class that is traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country. The Company's ordinary shares were "primarily traded" on the NYSE during the 2019 taxable year.
Under the Treasury Regulations, the Company's ordinary shares will be considered to be "regularly traded" on the NYSE if: (1) more than 50% of its ordinary shares, by voting power and total value, is listed on the NYSE, referred to as the "Listing Threshold", (2) its ordinary shares are traded on the NYSE, other than in minimal quantities, on at least 60 days during the taxable year (or one-sixth of the days during a short taxable year), which is referred to as the "Trading Frequency Test"; and (3) the aggregate number of its ordinary shares traded on the NYSE during the taxable year are at least 10% of the average number of its ordinary shares outstanding during such taxable year (as appropriately adjusted in the case of a short taxable year), which is referred to as the "Trading Volume Test". The Trading Frequency Test and Trading Volume Test are deemed to be satisfied under the Treasury Regulations if the Company's ordinary shares are regularly quoted by dealers making a market in the ordinary shares.
The Company believes that its ordinary shares have satisfied the Listing Threshold, as well as the Trading Frequency Test and Trading Volume Tests, during the 2019 taxable year.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Treasury Regulations provide, in pertinent part, that stock of a foreign corporation will not be considered to be "regularly traded" on an established securities market for any taxable year during which 50% or more of such stock is owned, actually or constructively under specified stock attribution rules, on more than half the days during the taxable year by persons, or "5% Shareholders", who each own 5% or more of the vote and value of such stock, which is referred to as the "50% Override Rule." For purposes of determining the persons who are 5% Shareholders, a foreign corporation may rely on Schedules 13D and 13G filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
During the 2019 taxable year, 5% Shareholders owned less than 50% of the Company's ordinary shares for more than half the number of days in the year. Therefore, the Company was not subject to the 50% Override Rule, and therefore the Company believes that it satisfied the Publicly-Traded Test for the 2019 taxable year.
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However, the Company may not satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test in future taxable years. In this regard, Hemen, who we believe to be a non-qualified shareholder, currently owns less than 50% of the ordinary shares. If Hemen and other 5% Shareholders hold more than 50% of our ordinary shares, the Company would be subject to the 50% Override Rule for such taxable year unless it could establish that, among the ordinary shares owned by the 5% Shareholders, sufficient shares are owned by qualified shareholders, for purposes of Section 883 of the Code, to preclude non-qualified shareholders from owning 50% or more of the Company's ordinary shares for more than half the number of days during the taxable year. The requirements of establishing this exception to the 50% Override Rule are onerous and the Company may not be able to satisfy them.
Taxation in Absence of Section 883 Exemption
If the benefits of Section 883 are unavailable for any taxable year, the Company's United States source shipping income will be subject to a 4% tax imposed by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without the benefit of deductions, which the Company refers to as the "4% gross basis tax regime". Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more than 50% of the Company's shipping income would be treated as being derived from United States sources, the maximum effective rate of United States federal income tax on the Company's shipping income would never exceed 2% under the 4% gross basis tax regime.
Gain on Sale of Vessels
Regardless of whether the Company qualifies for exemption under Section 883, the Company will not be subject to United States federal income taxation with respect to gain realized on a sale of a vessel, provided the sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under United States federal income tax principles. In general, a sale of a vessel will be considered to occur outside of the United States for this purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of loss with respect to the vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States. It is expected that any sale of a vessel by the Company will be considered to occur outside of the United States.
Taxation of United States Holders
The following is a discussion of the material United States federal income tax considerations relevant to an investment decision by a United States Holder, as defined below, with respect to the ordinary shares. This summary is not intended to be applicable to all categories of investors, such as dealers in securities, traders in securities that elect the mark-to-market method of accounting, banks, thrifts or other financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt organizations, United States expatriates, persons that hold ordinary shares as part of a straddle, conversion transaction or hedge, persons who own 10% or more, actually or constructively, of our outstanding stock (by vote or value), persons deemed to sell ordinary shares under the constructive sale provisions of the Code, United States Holders whose "functional currency" is other than the United States dollar, holders required to recognize income for United States federal income tax purposes no later than when such item of income is included on an “applicable financial statement,” persons subject to the “base erosion and anti-avoidance” tax, or holders subject to the alternative minimum tax, each of which may be subject to special rules. In addition, this discussion is limited to persons who hold ordinary shares as "capital assets" (generally, property held for investment) within the meaning of Code Section 1221. This summary does not contain a detailed description of all the United States federal income tax consequences to United States Holders in light of their particular circumstances and does not address the Medicare tax on net investment income, or the effects of any state, local or non-United States tax laws. You are encouraged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences arising in your own particular situation under United States federal, state, local or foreign law of the ownership of ordinary shares.
As used herein, the term "United States Holder" means a beneficial owner of ordinary shares that is (i) a United States citizen or resident, (ii) a United States corporation or other United States entity taxable as a corporation, (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
If a partnership holds ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding ordinary shares, you are encouraged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of owning an interest in a partnership that holds ordinary shares.
Distributions
Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies below, any distributions made by the Company with respect to ordinary shares to a United States Holder will generally constitute foreign source dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or "qualified dividend income" as described in more detail below, to the extent of the Company's current or accumulated
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earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of the Company's earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the United States Holder's tax basis in its ordinary shares on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because the Company is not a United States corporation, United States Holders that are corporations will not be entitled to claim a dividends-received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from the Company.
Dividends paid on ordinary shares to a United States Holder which is an individual, trust or estate (a "United States Non-Corporate Holder") will generally be treated as "qualified dividend income" that is taxable to such shareholder at preferential United States federal income tax rates provided that (1) the ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the NYSE on which the ordinary shares are listed); (2) the Company is not a passive foreign investment company for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (which the Company does not believe it is, has been or will be); and (3) the United States Non-Corporate Holder has owned the ordinary shares for more than 60 days in the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the ordinary shares become ex-dividend.
Any dividends paid by the Company which are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a United States Holder.
Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend,” generally, a dividend paid by the Company in an amount which is equal to or in excess of 10% of a shareholder’s adjusted tax basis or dividends received within a one-year period that, in the aggregate, equal or exceed 20% of a shareholder's adjusted tax basis (or fair market value upon the shareholder's election) in an ordinary share. If the Company pays an “extraordinary dividend” on its ordinary shares that is treated as “qualified dividend income,” then any loss derived by a United States Non-Corporate Holder from the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Our Ordinary Shares
Assuming the Company does not constitute a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, a United States Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss from U.S. sources upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of the Company's ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the United States Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the United States Holder's tax basis in the ordinary shares. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the United States Holder's holding period in the ordinary shares is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Long-term capital gains of a United States Non-Corporate Holder are taxable at preferential United States federal income tax rates. A United States Holder's ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences
Special United States federal income tax rules apply to a United States Holder that holds stock in a foreign corporation classified as a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes. In general, the Company will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a United States Holder if, for any taxable year in which such holder held the Company's ordinary shares, either;

• | at least 75% of the Company's gross income for such taxable year consists of passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business), or

• | at least 50% of the average value of the assets held by the Company during such taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income.

For purposes of determining whether the Company is a PFIC, the Company will be treated as earning and owning its proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of any of its subsidiary corporations in which it owns at least 25% of the value of the subsidiary's stock. Income earned, or deemed earned, by the Company in connection with the performance of services would not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income would generally constitute "passive income" unless the Company is treated under specific rules as deriving its rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business.
Based on the Company's current operations and future projections, the Company does not believe that it is, or that it has been, nor does it expect to become, a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. Although there is no legal authority directly on point, the Company's belief is based principally on the position that, for purposes of determining whether the Company is a PFIC, the gross income the Company derives or is deemed to derive from the time chartering and voyage chartering activities should constitute
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services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, the Company believes that such income does not constitute passive income, and the assets that the Company or its wholly owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular, the vessels, do not constitute assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income for purposes of determining whether the Company is a PFIC.
Although there is no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules, the Company believes there is substantial legal authority supporting its position consisting of case law and IRS pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. Accordingly, in the absence of any legal authority specifically relating to the Code provisions governing PFICs, the IRS or a court could disagree with our position. In addition, although the Company intends to conduct its affairs in such a manner as to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, there can be no assurance that the nature of its operations will not change in the future.
As discussed more fully below, if the Company were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a United States Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the United States Holder makes an election to treat the Company as a "Qualified Electing Fund," which the Company refers to as a "QEF election." As an alternative to making a QEF election, a United States Holder should be able to elect to mark-to-market the Company's ordinary shares, which the Company refers to as a "Mark-to-Market election" as discussed below.
Taxation of United States Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
If a United States Holder makes a timely QEF election, which United States Holder is referred to by the Company as an "Electing United States Holder," the Electing United States Holder must report each year for United States federal income tax purposes its pro rata share of the Company's ordinary earnings and its net capital gain, if any, for the Company's taxable year that ends with or within the taxable year of the Electing United States Holder, regardless of whether or not distributions were received from the Company by the Electing United States Holder. The Electing United States Holder's adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that had been previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing United States Holder would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the ordinary shares. A United States Holder will be eligible to make a QEF election with respect to its ordinary shares only if the Company provides the United States Holder with annual tax information relating to the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will provide such tax information on an annual basis.
Taxation of United States Holders Making a "Mark-to-Market" Election
Alternatively, if the Company were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as anticipated, the ordinary shares are treated as "marketable stock," a United States Holder would be allowed to make a Mark-to-Market election with respect to the Company's ordinary shares. If that election is made, the United States Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year that the Company is a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ordinary shares at the end of the taxable year over such holder's adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares. The United States Holder would also be permitted an ordinary loss for each such taxable year in respect of the excess, if any, of the United States Holder's adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the Mark-to-Market election. A United States Holder's tax basis in its ordinary shares would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount. In any taxable year that the Company is a PFIC, gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the ordinary shares would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the ordinary shares would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included by the United States Holder.
Taxation of United States Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election
Finally, if the Company were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a United States Holder who does not make either a QEF election or a Mark-to-Market election for that year, who is referred to as a "Non-Electing United States Holder," would be subject to special rules with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing United States Holder on the ordinary shares in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing United States Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing United States Holder's holding period for the ordinary shares), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the ordinary shares. Under these special rules:
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• | the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing United States Holder's aggregate holding period for the ordinary shares;

• | the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable years before the Company became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income; and

• | the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed tax deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.

These penalties would not apply to a pension or profit sharing trust or other tax-exempt organization that did not borrow funds or otherwise utilize leverage in connection with its acquisition of the ordinary shares. If a Non-Electing United States Holder who is an individual dies while owning the ordinary shares, the successor of such deceased Non-Electing United States Holder generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such stock.
PFIC Annual Filing Requirements
If the Company were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a United States Holder will generally be required to file an information return on an IRS Form 8621 with respect to its ownership of the Company’s ordinary shares.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, dividend payments, or other taxable distributions, made within the United States to a United States Holder and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares that are paid to a United States Holder within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States) will be subject to information reporting requirements. Such payments will generally also be subject to "backup withholding" if paid to a non-corporate United States Holder who:

• | fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;

• | is notified by the IRS that he has failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on his United States federal income tax returns; or

• | in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.

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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, a taxpayer generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under backup withholding rules that exceed the taxpayer's income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.
Other U.S. Information Reporting Obligations
Individuals who are United States Holders (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury Regulations, certain United States entities) who hold "specified foreign financial assets" (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code) are required to file IRS Form 8938 with information relating to the asset for each taxable year in which the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $75,000 at any time during the taxable year or $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year (or such higher dollar amount as prescribed by applicable Treasury Regulations). Specified foreign financial assets would include, among other assets, the ordinary shares, unless the ordinary shares are held through an account maintained with a United States financial institution. Substantial penalties apply to any failure to timely file IRS Form 8938, unless the failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. Additionally, in the event an individual United States Holder (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury Regulations a United States entity) that is required to file IRS Form 8938 does not file such form, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of United States federal income taxes of such holder for the related tax year may not close until three years after the date that the required information is filed. United States Holders (including United States entities) are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations under this legislation.
Bermuda Taxation
As of the date of this annual report, we are not subject to taxation under the laws of Bermuda and distributions to us by our subsidiaries also are not subject to any Bermuda tax. As of the date of this document, there is no Bermuda income, corporation or profits tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, capital transfer tax, estate duty or inheritance tax payable by non-residents of Bermuda in respect of capital gains realized on a disposition of our ordinary shares or in respect of distributions by us with respect to our ordinary shares. This does not, however, apply to the taxation of persons ordinarily resident in Bermuda. Bermuda holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding possible Bermuda taxes with respect to dispositions of, and distributions on, our ordinary shares.
The Minister of Finance in Bermuda has granted the Company a tax exempt status until March 31, 2035, under which no income taxes or other taxes (other than duty on goods imported into Bermuda and payroll tax in respect of any Bermuda-resident employees) are payable by the Company in Bermuda. If the Minister of Finance in Bermuda does not grant a new exemption or extend the current tax exemption, and if the Bermudian Parliament passes legislation imposing taxes on exempted companies, the Company may become subject to taxation in Bermuda after March 31, 2035.
Currently, there are no withholding taxes payable in Bermuda on dividends distributed by the Company to its shareholders.
F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
Not applicable.
G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS
Not applicable.
H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In accordance with these requirements, we file reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These materials, including this annual report and the accompanying exhibits, may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580 Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1 (800) SEC-0330, and you may obtain copies at prescribed rates from the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C. 20549. The SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov.) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. In addition, documents referred to in this annual report may be inspected at our principal executive offices at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 08.
I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
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Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes primarily through its floating-rate borrowings that require the Company to make interest payments based on LIBOR. Significant increases in interest rates could adversely affect operating margins, results of operations and ability to service debt. The Company uses interest rate swaps to reduce its exposure to market risk from changes in interest rates. The principal objective of these contracts is to minimize the risks and costs associated with its floating-rate debt. The Company is exposed to the risk of credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparty to the interest rate swap agreements.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company's outstanding debt which was at variable interest rates, net of the amount subject to interest rate swap agreements, was $1,247.7 million. Based on this, a one percentage point increase in annual LIBOR interest rates would increase its annual interest expense by approximately $12.5 million, excluding the effects of capitalization of interest.
Currency Risk
The majority of the Company's transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. dollars, its functional currency. Certain of its subsidiaries report in British pounds, Norwegian kroner or Singapore dollars and risks of two kinds arise as a result: a transaction risk, that is, the risk that currency fluctuations will have an effect on the value of cash flows; and a translation risk, which is the impact of currency fluctuations in the translation of foreign operations and foreign assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars in the consolidated financial statements.
Inflation
Inflation has only a moderate effect on the Company's expenses given current economic conditions. In the event that significant global inflationary pressures appear, these pressures would increase operating, voyage, general and administrative, and financing costs.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
In February 2013, Frontline 2012 entered into six interest rate swaps with Nordea Bank whereby the floating interest rate on an original principal amount of $260 million of the then anticipated debt on 12 MR product tanker newbuildings was switched to fixed rate. Six of these newbuildings were subsequently financed from the $466.5 million term loan facility. In February 2016, the Company entered into an interest rate swap with DNB whereby the floating interest on notional debt of $150.0 million was switched to fixed rate. The fair value of these swaps at December 31, 2019 was an asset of $0.1 million (2018: $7.6 million) and a liability of $4.3 million (2018: nil). The Company recorded a loss on these interest rate swaps of $10.1 million in 2019 (2018: gain of $4.3 million).
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management assessed the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report as of December 31, 2019. Based upon that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the evaluation date.
b) Management's annual report on internal control over financial reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company's principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company's Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

• | Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

• | Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorizations of Company's management and directors; and

• | Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's internal controls over financial reporting using the control criteria framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in its report entitled Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).
Our management with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer assessed the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of December 31, 2019. Based upon that evaluation, our management with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company's internal controls over financial reporting are effective as of December 31, 2019.
The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers AS, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
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c) Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements, PricewaterhouseCoopers AS, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, appearing under Item 18, and such report is incorporated herein by reference.
d) Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16. RESERVED
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our Board has determined that Mr. James O'Shaughnessy is an independent director and audit committee financial expert.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all entities controlled by us and all employees, directors, officers and agents of the Company. We have posted a copy of our code of ethics on our website at www.frontline.bm. We will provide any person, free of charge, a copy of our code of ethics upon written request to our registered office.
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The Company's principal accountant for 2019 and 2018 was PricewaterhouseCoopers AS. The following table sets forth for the two most recent fiscal years the fees paid or accrued for audit and services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers AS to the Company.

(in thousands of $) | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Audit Fees (a) | 1,480 |  |  | 1,203 |
Audit-Related Fees (b) | — |  |  | 4 |
Tax Fees (c) | 14 |  |  | 15 |
All Other Fees (d) | — |  |  | 29 |
Total | 1,494 |  |  | 1,251 |

(a) Audit Fees
Audit fees represent professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and services provided by the principal accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(b) Audit–Related Fees
Audit-related fees consisted of assurance and related services rendered by the principal accountant related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements which have not been reported under Audit Fees above.
(c) Tax Fees
Tax fees represent fees for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(d) All Other Fees
All other fees include services other than audit fees, audit-related fees and tax fees set forth above.
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The Company's Board has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures in compliance with paragraph (c) (7)(i) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X that require the Board to approve the appointment of the independent auditor of the Company before such auditor is engaged and approve each of the audit and non-audit related services to be provided by such auditor under such engagement by the Company. All services provided by the principal auditor in 2019 and 2018 were approved by the Board pursuant to the pre-approval policy.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
None.
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Pursuant to an exception under the NYSE listing standards available to foreign private issuers, we are not required to comply with all of the corporate governance practices followed by U.S. companies under the NYSE listing standards, which are available at www.nyse.com. Pursuant to Section 303A.11 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, we are required to list the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the NYSE standards applicable to listed U.S. companies. Set forth below is a list of those differences:

• | Independence of Directors. The NYSE requires that a U.S. listed company maintain a majority of independent directors. As permitted under Bermuda law and our bye-laws, three members of our Board, Mr Ola Lorentzon, Mr. James O'Shaughnessy and Ms Ulrika Laurin, are independent according to the NYSE's standards for independence applicable to a foreign private issuer.

• | Executive Sessions. The NYSE requires that non-management directors meet regularly in executive sessions without management. We intend to hold executive sessions at which all non-management directors are present at least twice a year. The NYSE also requires that all independent directors meet in an executive session at least once a year. We intend to hold executive sessions at which only independent directors are present at least twice a year.

• | Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. The NYSE requires that a listed U.S. company have a nominating/corporate governance committee of independent directors and a committee charter specifying the purpose, duties and evaluation procedures of the committee. As permitted under Bermuda law and our bye-laws, we do not currently have a nominating or corporate governance committee.

• | Compensation Committee. The NYSE requires U.S. listed companies to have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors and a committee charter addressing the purpose, responsibility, rights and performance evaluation of the committee. As permitted under Bermuda law and our bye-laws, we do not currently have a compensation committee and compensation of executive officers is not required to be determined by a committee composed of independent members.

• | Audit Committee. The NYSE requires, among other things, that a listed U.S. company have an audit committee with a minimum of three members, all of whom are independent. As permitted by Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, our audit committee consists of two independent members of our Board, Mr. James O'Shaughnessy and Ms Ulrika Laurin.

• | Shareholder Approval Requirements. The NYSE requires that a listed U.S. company obtain prior shareholder approval for certain issuances of authorized stock or the approval of, and material revisions to, equity compensation plans. As permitted under Bermuda law and our bye-laws, we do not seek shareholder approval prior to issuances of authorized stock but we do seek shareholder approval to equity compensation plans and to material revisions thereof

90

• | Corporate Governance Guidelines. The NYSE requires U.S. companies to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines. The guidelines must address, among other things: director qualification standards, director responsibilities, director access to management and independent advisers, director compensation, director orientation and continuing education, management succession and an annual performance evaluation of the Board. We are not required to adopt such guidelines under Bermuda law and we have not adopted such guidelines.

ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following financial statements listed below and set forth on pages F-1 through F-48 are filed as part of this annual report:
Consolidated Financial Statements of Frontline Ltd. |
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements of Frontline Ltd. | F -1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F -2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 201 9, 2018 and 2017 | F -4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 201 9, 2018 and 2017 | F -5
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 201 9 and 2018 | F -6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 20 19, 2018 and 2017 | F -8
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 201 9, 2018 and 2017 | F -10
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | F -12

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ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

No. | Description of Exhibit
1.1* | Memorandum of Association of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
1.2* | Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of the Company as adopted by shareholders on September 23, 2016, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
1.3* | Certificate of Deposit of Memorandum of Increase of Share Capital, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.3 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
1.4* | Certificate of Deposit of Memorandum of Reduction of Issued Share Capital, dated February 3, 2016, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.4 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.
2.1* | Form of Ordinary Share Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.
2.2 | Description of securities
4.1* | Charter Ancillary Agreement between Frontline Ltd and Ship Finance International Limited dated January 1, 2004 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
4.2* | Addendum to Charter Ancillary Agreement between Frontline Ltd and Ship Finance International Limited dated June 15, 2004 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
4.3* | Form of Performance Guarantee issued by the Company dated January 1, 2004 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

93

4.4* | Frontline Ltd Share Option Scheme dated September 25, 2009. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
4.5* | Addendum No. 3 to Charter Ancillary Agreement between Frontline Ltd, Ship Finance International Limited and Frontline Shipping Ltd, dated August 21, 2007 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
4.8* | Addendum No. 7 to Charter Ancillary Agreement between Frontline Ltd., Ship Finance International Limited and Frontline Shipping Ltd., dated December 22, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
4.09* | Addendum No. 3 to Charter Ancillary Agreement between Frontline Ltd., Ship Finance International Limited and Frontline Shipping II Ltd., dated December 22, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
4.10* | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 1, 2015, among Frontline Ltd., Frontline Acquisition Ltd. and Frontline 2012 Ltd. (attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, dated July 2, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.11* | Addendum No. 8 to Charter Ancillary Agreement between Frontline Ltd., Ship Finance International Limited and Frontline Shipping Ltd., dated June 5, 2015 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.
4.12* | Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 23, 2019, by and among Frontline Ltd. and Urion Holdings (Malta) Limited, attached as Exhibit 2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, dated September 26, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
8.1 | Subsidiaries of the Company.
12.1 | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
12.2 | Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.
13.1 | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350, as adopted, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
13.2 | Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350, as adopted, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
15.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

* | Incorporated herein by reference.

101. | INS* | XBRL | Instance Document
101. | SCH* | XBRL | Taxonomy Extension Schema

101. | CAL* | XBRL | Taxonomy Extension Schema Calculation Linkbase
101. | DEF* | XBRL | Taxonomy Extension Schema Definition Linkbase
101. | LAB* | XBRL | Taxonomy Extension Schema Label Linkbase
101. | PRE* | XBRL | Taxonomy Extension Schema Presentation Linkbase

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SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

|  | Frontline Ltd.
|  | (Registrant)
Date: March 19, 2020 |  | By: | /s/ Inger M. Klemp |
|  |  | Name: | Inger M. Klemp |
|  |  | Title: | Principal Financial Officer |

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements of Frontline Ltd.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F -2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 20 19, 2018 and 2017 | F -4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 201 9, 2018 and 2017 | F -5
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20 19 and 2018 | F -6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 201 9, 2018 and 2017 | F -8
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 201 9, 2018 and 2017 | F -10
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | F -12

F -1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Frontline Ltd.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Frontline Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of cash flows and consolidated statements of changes in equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Changes in Accounting Principles
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for leases in 2019, and the manner in which it accounts for marketable securities and the manner it accounts for revenue from contracts with customers in 2018.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under item 15(b) of Frontline Ltd.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets
F -2

of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers AS
Oslo, Norway
March 19, 2020
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.
F -3

Frontline Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(in thousands of $, except per share data)

|  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |
Voyage charter revenues |  | 887,495 |  |  | 690,901 |  |  | 518,156 |
Time charter revenues |  | 35,433 |  |  | 26,067 |  |  | 106,237 |
Finance lease interest income |  | 690 |  |  | 1,293 |  |  | 1,748 |
Other income |  | 33,704 |  |  | 24,005 |  |  | 20,185 |
Total operating revenues |  | 957,322 |  |  | 742,266 |  |  | 646,326 |
Other operating gains |  | 3,422 |  |  | 10,206 |  |  | 2,381 |
Operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Voyage expenses and commission |  | 395,482 |  |  | 377,772 |  |  | 259,334 |
Contingent rental income |  | (2,607 | ) |  | (19,738 | ) |  | (26,148 | )
Ship operating expenses |  | 157,007 |  |  | 130,623 |  |  | 135,728 |
Charter hire expenses |  | 8,471 |  |  | 21,244 |  |  | 19,705 |
Impairment loss on vessels and vessels held under finance lease |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 164,187 |
Impairment loss on goodwill |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 112,821 |
Administrative expenses |  | 45,019 |  |  | 37,294 |  |  | 37,603 |
Depreciation |  | 117,850 |  |  | 122,566 |  |  | 141,748 |
Total operating expenses |  | 721,222 |  |  | 669,761 |  |  | 844,978 |
Net operating income (loss) |  | 239,522 |  |  | 82,711 |  |  | (196,271 | )
Other income (expenses) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest income |  | 1,506 |  |  | 843 |  |  | 588 |
Interest expense |  | (94,461 | ) |  | (93,275 | ) |  | (69,815 | )
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities |  | 1,737 |  |  | (3,526 | ) |  | — |
Gain on sale of shares |  | — |  |  | 1,026 |  |  | 1,061 |
Share of results of associated company |  | 1,681 |  |  | 246 |  |  | — |
Foreign currency exchange loss |  | (26 | ) |  | (869 | ) |  | (55 | )
Gain (loss) on derivatives |  | (10,069 | ) |  | 4,256 |  |  | (753 | )
Other non-operating items, net |  | 403 |  |  | 506 |  |  | 1,213 |
Net other expenses |  | (99,229 | ) |  | (90,793 | ) |  | (67,761 | )
Net income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest |  | 140,293 |  |  | (8,082 | ) |  | (264,032 | )
Income tax expense |  | (307 | ) |  | (316 | ) |  | (290 | )
Net income (loss) |  | 139,986 |  |  | (8,398 | ) |  | (264,322 | )
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest |  | (14 | ) |  | (482 | ) |  | (539 | )
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company |  | 139,972 |  |  | (8,880 | ) |  | (264,861 | )
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to the Company |  | $0.81 |  | $(0.05) |  | $(1.56)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to the Company |  | $0.78 |  | $(0.05) |  | $(1.56)

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
F -4

Frontline Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(in thousands of $)

|  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Comprehensive income |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income (loss) |  | 139,986 |  |  | (8,398 | ) |  | (264,322 | )
Unrealized gain from marketable securities |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,901 |
Gain from marketable securities reclassified to Consolidated Statement of Operations |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (571 | )
Foreign currency translation gain |  | 106 |  |  | 893 |  |  | 158 |
Other comprehensive income |  | 106 |  |  | 893 |  |  | 1,488 |
Comprehensive income (loss) |  | 140,092 |  |  | (7,505 | ) |  | (262,834 | )
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest |  | 14 |  |  | 482 |  |  | 539 |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company |  | 140,078 |  |  | (7,987 | ) |  | (263,373 | )
Comprehensive income (loss) |  | 140,092 |  |  | (7,505 | ) |  | (262,834 | )

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
F -5

Frontline Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018
(in thousands of $)

|  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
ASSETS |  |  |  |
Current Assets |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | 174,223 |  |  | 66,484 |
Restricted cash |  | 3,153 |  |  | 1,420 |
Marketable securities |  | 3,642 |  |  | 836 |
Marketable securities pledged to creditors |  | 7,323 |  |  | 8,392 |
Trade accounts receivable, net |  | 63,245 |  |  | 53,982 |
Related party receivables |  | 15,581 |  |  | 7,895 |
Other receivables |  | 25,468 |  |  | 17,068 |
Inventories |  | 66,664 |  |  | 68,765 |
Voyages in progress |  | 71,339 |  |  | 59,437 |
Prepaid expenses and accrued income |  | 11,167 |  |  | 7,804 |
Current portion of investment in finance lease |  | 157 |  |  | 10,803 |
Other current assets |  | 6,526 |  |  | 5,359 |
Total current assets |  | 448,488 |  |  | 308,245 |
Long-term assets |  |  |  |  |
Newbuildings |  | 46,068 |  |  | 52,254 |
Vessels and equipment, net |  | 2,579,905 |  |  | 2,476,755 |
Vessels and equipment under finance lease, net |  | 418,390 |  |  | 90,676 |
Right-of-use assets under operating leases |  | 12,058 |  |  | — |
Investment in finance lease |  | 10,822 |  |  | 10,979 |
Goodwill |  | 112,452 |  |  | 112,452 |
Derivative instruments receivable |  | 148 |  |  | 7,641 |
Investment in associated company |  | 4,927 |  |  | 6,246 |
Prepaid consideration |  | 55,287 |  |  | — |
Other long-term assets |  | 9,273 |  |  | 12,593 |
Total assets |  | 3,697,818 |  |  | 3,077,841 |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |  |  |  |  |  |
Current liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt |  | 438,962 |  |  | 120,479 |
Current portion of obligations under finance leases |  | 283,463 |  |  | 11,854 |
Current portion of obligations under operating lease |  | 4,916 |  |  | — |
Related party payables |  | 20,186 |  |  | 18,738 |
Trade accounts payable |  | 13,042 |  |  | 22,212 |
Accrued expenses |  | 75,745 |  |  | 37,031 |
Derivative instruments payable |  | 4,264 |  |  | — |
Other current liabilities |  | 7,545 |  |  | 3,904 |
Total current liabilities |  | 848,123 |  |  | 214,218 |
Long-term liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt |  | 1,254,417 |  |  | 1,610,293 |
Obligations under finance leases |  | 76,447 |  |  | 87,930 |
Obligations under operating lease |  | 7,561 |  |  | — |
Other long-term liabilities |  | 1,062 |  |  | 1,183 |

F -6

Total liabilities |  | 2,187,610 |  |  | 1,913,624 |
Commitments and contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity |  |  |  |  |  |
Share capital (196,894,321 shares. 2018: 169,821,192 shares. All shares are issued and outstanding at par value $1.00 per share) |  | 196,894 |  |  | 169,821 |
Additional paid in capital |  | 397,210 |  |  | 198,497 |
Contributed surplus |  | 1,070,688 |  |  | 1,090,376 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |  | 330 |  |  | 224 |
Retained deficit |  | (155,146 | ) |  | (295,118 | )
Total equity attributable to the Company |  | 1,509,976 |  |  | 1,163,800 |
Non-controlling interest |  | 232 |  |  | 417 |
Total equity |  | 1,510,208 |  |  | 1,164,217 |
Total liabilities and equity |  | 3,697,818 |  |  | 3,077,841 |

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
F -7

Frontline Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(in thousands of $)

|  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Net income (loss) |  | 139,986 |  |  | (8,398 | ) |  | (264,322 | )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Depreciation |  | 117,850 |  |  | 122,566 |  |  | 141,748 |
Amortization of deferred charges |  | 4,646 |  |  | 2,472 |  |  | 1,913 |
Other operating gains |  | — |  |  | (10,308 | ) |  | (2,378 | )
Gain on sale of shares |  | — |  |  | (1,026 | ) |  | (1,061 | )
Contingent rental income |  | (2,607 | ) |  | (21,273 | ) |  | (26,148 | )
Finance lease payments received |  | 15,149 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Impairment loss on vessels and vessels under finance lease |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 164,187 |
Mark to market on marketable securities |  | (1,737 | ) |  | 3,526 |  |  | — |
Share of results from associated company and gain on equity interest |  | (1,681 | ) |  | (246 | ) |  | — |
Impairment loss on goodwill |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 112,821 |
Mark to market loss (gain) on derivatives |  | 11,757 |  |  | (3,190 | ) |  | (93 | )
Other, net |  | 756 |  |  | 743 |  |  | 1,953 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition: |  |  |  |  |  |
Trade accounts receivable |  | (13,608 | ) |  | (133 | ) |  | (506 | )
Other receivables |  | (8,400 | ) |  | 227 |  |  | 2,122 |
Inventories |  | 2,102 |  |  | (7,323 | ) |  | (24,079 | )
Voyages in progress |  | (11,902 | ) |  | (41,486 | ) |  | 7,084 |
Prepaid expenses and accrued income |  | (3,364 | ) |  | (1,633 | ) |  | (429 | )
Other current assets |  | 6,006 |  |  | (2,349 | ) |  | (1 | )
Trade accounts payable |  | (9,171 | ) |  | 10,403 |  |  | 7,485 |
Accrued expenses |  | 36,342 |  |  | (1,177 | ) |  | 12,645 |
Related party balances |  | (5,388 | ) |  | 6,990 |  |  | 3,062 |
Other current liabilities |  | 3,641 |  |  | (2,163 | ) |  | (6,178 | )
Other |  | (190 | ) |  | (51 | ) |  | 660 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |  | 280,187 |  |  | 46,171 |  |  | 130,485 |
Investing activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additions to newbuildings, vessels and equipment |  | (195,972 | ) |  | (216,310 | ) |  | (713,560 | )
Purchase of shares |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (46,100 | )
Investment in associated company |  | — |  |  | (6,000 | ) |  | — |
Return of loan to associated company |  | 3,000 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Finance lease payments received |  | — |  |  | 5,336 |  |  | 9,745 |
Net proceeds from sale of shares |  | — |  |  | 17,757 |  |  | 27,412 |
Reduction in prepaid consideration |  | 2,401 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Net cash used in investing activities |  | (190,571 | ) |  | (199,217 | ) |  | (722,503 | )
Financing activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net proceeds from issuance of shares |  | 98,415 |  |  | 85 |  |  | — |
Proceeds from long-term debt |  | 146,007 |  |  | 298,871 |  |  | 673,416 |
Repayment of long-term debt |  | (185,262 | ) |  | (172,412 | ) |  | (83,951 | )
Payment of obligations under finance leases |  | (15,228 | ) |  | (10,094 | ) |  | (31,854 | )
Lease termination payments |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (19,006 | )

F -8

Purchase of shares from non-controlling interest |  | (269 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Debt fees paid |  | (4,119 | ) |  | — |  |  | (3,495 | )
Cash dividends paid |  | (19,688 | ) |  | (386 | ) |  | (51,401 | )
Proceeds from secured short-term borrowings |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 10,116 |
Net cash provided by financing activities |  | 19,856 |  |  | 116,064 |  |  | 493,825 |
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |  | 109,472 |  |  | (36,982 | ) |  | (98,193 | )
Cash , cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year |  | 67,904 |  |  | 104,886 |  |  | 203,079 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year |  | 177,376 |  |  | 67,904 |  |  | 104,886 |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest paid, net of interest capitalized |  | 90,602 |  |  | 80,887 |  |  | 57,291 |
Income taxes paid |  | 324 |  |  | 329 |  |  | 1,222 |

Details of non-cash investing and financing activities are given in Note 30.
See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
F -9

Frontline Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
(in thousands of $, except number of shares)

|  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Number of shares outstanding |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of the year |  | 169,821,192 |  |  | 169,809,324 |  |  | 169,809,324 |
Shares issued under ATM program |  | 11,037,273 |  |  | 11,868 |  |  | — |
Shares issued as consideration for Trafigura acquisition |  | 16,035,856 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Balance at the end of the year |  | 196,894,321 |  |  | 169,821,192 |  |  | 169,809,324 |
Share capital |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of the year |  | 169,821 |  |  | 169,809 |  |  | 169,809 |
Shares issued under ATM program |  | 11,037 |  |  | 12 |  |  | — |
Shares issued as consideration for Trafigura acquisition |  | 16,036 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Balance at the end of the year |  | 196,894 |  |  | 169,821 |  |  | 169,809 |
Additional paid in capital |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of year |  | 198,497 |  |  | 197,399 |  |  | 195,304 |
Stock compensation expense |  | 438 |  |  | 1,025 |  |  | 2,095 |
Adjustment on repurchase of non-controlling interest |  | (70 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Shares issued under ATM program |  | 87,378 |  |  | 73 |  |  | — |
Shares issued as consideration for Trafigura acquisition |  | 110,967 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Balance at the end of year |  | 397,210 |  |  | 198,497 |  |  | 197,399 |
Contributed surplus |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of year |  | 1,090,376 |  |  | 1,090,376 |  |  | 1,099,680 |
Cash dividends |  | (19,688 | ) |  | — |  |  | (9,304 | )
Balance at the end of year |  | 1,070,688 |  |  | 1,090,376 |  |  | 1,090,376 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of year |  | 224 |  |  | 2,227 |  |  | 739 |
Other comprehensive income |  | 106 |  |  | 893 |  |  | 1,488 |
Change in accounting policy: Marketable securities |  | — |  |  | (2,896 | ) |  | — |
Balance at the end of year |  | 330 |  |  | 224 |  |  | 2,227 |
Retained earnings (deficit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of year |  | (295,118 | ) |  | (272,503 | ) |  | 34,069 |
Net income (loss) |  | 139,972 |  |  | (8,880 | ) |  | (264,861 | )
Change in accounting policy: ASC 606/340 |  | — |  |  | (16,631 | ) |  | — |
Change in accounting policy: Marketable securities |  | — |  |  | 2,896 |  |  | — |
Cash dividends |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (41,711 | )
Balance at the end of year |  | (155,146 | ) |  | (295,118 | ) |  | (272,503 | )
Total equity attributable to the Company |  | 1,509,976 |  |  | 1,163,800 |  |  | 1,187,308 |
Non-controlling interest |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of year |  | 417 |  |  | 321 |  |  | 168 |
Net income |  | 14 |  |  | 482 |  |  | 539 |
Adjustment on repurchase of non-controlling interest |  | (199 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Dividend paid to non-controlling interest |  | — |  |  | (386 | ) |  | (386 | )
Balance at the end of year |  | 232 |  |  | 417 |  |  | 321 |
Total equity |  | 1,510,208 |  |  | 1,164,217 |  |  | 1,187,629 |

F -10

See accompanying Notes that are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements
F -11

Frontline Ltd.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. | ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

Historical Structure of the Company
Frontline Ltd., the Company or Frontline, is an international shipping company incorporated in Bermuda as an exempted company under the Bermuda Companies Law of 1981 on June 12, 1992. The Company's ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Oslo Stock Exchange under the symbol of "FRO".
On July 1, 2015, the Company, Frontline Acquisition Ltd, or Frontline Acquisition, a newly formed and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Frontline 2012 Ltd, or Frontline 2012, entered into an agreement and plan of merger, (as amended from time to time, the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which Frontline Acquisition and Frontline 2012 agreed to enter into a merger transaction, or the Merger, with Frontline 2012 as the surviving legal entity and thus becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. For accounting purposes, the acquisition of Frontline 2012 has been treated as a reverse business acquisition. The Merger was completed on November 30, 2015 and shareholders in Frontline 2012 received shares in the Company as merger consideration. One share in Frontline 2012 gave the right to receive 2.55 shares in the Company and 583.6 million shares were issued as merger consideration based on the total number of Frontline 2012 shares of 249.1 million less 6.8 million treasury shares held by Frontline 2012 and 13.46 million Frontline 2012 shares held by the Company, which were cancelled upon completion of the Merger.
Business
The Company operates oil tankers of two sizes: VLCCs, which are between 200,000 and 320,000 dwt, and Suezmax tankers, which are vessels between 120,000 and 170,000 dwt, and operates LR2/Aframax tankers, which are clean product tankers, and range in size from 111,000 to 115,000 dwt. The Company operates through subsidiaries located in Bermuda, India, Liberia, the Marshall Islands, Norway, the United Kingdom and Singapore. The Company is also involved in the charter, purchase and sale of vessels.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company's fleet consisted of 71 vessels, with an aggregate capacity of approximately 13.5 million DWT. The Company's fleet consisted of:

(i) | 48 vessels owned by the Company (14 VLCCs, 16 Suezmax tankers and 18 LR2/Aframax tankers),

(ii) | three VLCCs that are under finance leases,

(iii) | 10 Suezmax tankers to be acquired under the Sale and Purchase Agreement, or the SPA, with Trafigura Maritime Logistics, or TML, a wholly owned subsidiary of Trafigura Group Pte Ltd, or Trafigura, five of which are currently recorded under finance leases and five of which will be recorded on closing of the Acquisition, (see Note 5. to our consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of the accounting for this transaction)

(iv) | one VLCC that is recorded as an investment in a finance lease,

(v) | two VLCCs chartered-in from an unrelated third party, and

(vi) | seven vessels that are under the Company's commercial management (three VLCCs, two Suezmax tankers and two Aframax oil tankers).

Furthermore, as of December 31, 2019, the Company’s newbuilding program comprised one Suezmax tanker and one VLCC, which are expected to be delivered in April and May 2020, respectively, and four LR2 tankers, which are expected to be delivered in January 2021, March 2021, October 2021 and January 2022.
F -12

2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities of us and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Investments in companies over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not control, are accounted for using the equity method. The Company records its investments in equity-method investees in the consolidated balance sheets as "Investment in associated companies" and its share of the investees' earnings or losses in the consolidated statements of operations as "Share of results of associated companies". The excess, if any, of purchase price over book value of the Company's investments in equity method investees is included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in "Investment in associated companies".
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions impact, among others, the following: vessels and obligations under finance leases, the amount of uncollectible accounts and accounts receivable, the amount to be paid for certain liabilities, including contingent liabilities, the amount of costs to be capitalized in connection with the construction of our newbuildings and the lives of our vessels. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair values
We have determined the estimated fair value amounts presented in these consolidated financial statements using available market information and appropriate methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The estimates presented in these consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange. Estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination requires the use of estimates and significant judgments, among others, the following: the expected revenues earned by vessels held under finance lease and the operating costs (including drydocking costs) of those vessels, the expected contingent rental expense, if applicable, to be included in obligations under finance lease, the discount rate used in cash flow based valuations, the market assumptions used when valuing acquired time charter contracts and the value of contingent claims. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts for us and our wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The operating results of acquired companies are included in our Consolidated Statement of Operations from the date of acquisition.
For investments in which we own 20% to 50% of the voting shares and have significant influence over the operating and financial policies, the equity method of accounting is used. Accordingly, our share of the earnings and losses of these companies are included in the share of results from associated company and gain on equity interest in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Foreign currency translation
Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Exchange gains and losses on translation of our net equity investments in subsidiaries are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, all demand and time deposits and highly liquid, low risk investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered equivalent to cash.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash consists of cash, which may only be used for certain purposes and is held under a contractual arrangement.
Marketable securities
F -13

Marketable equity securities held by the Company are considered to be available-for-sale securities and as such are carried at fair value. Any resulting unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes if any, are recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income in equity unless the securities are considered to be other than temporarily impaired, in which case unrealized losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017.
In 2018, the Company adopted the targeted improvements to ASC 825-10 Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. The Company adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective method, with no changes recognized in the prior year comparatives and a cumulative catch up adjustment recognized in the opening retained deficit. As a result of the adoption of this guidance the Company records the movement in the fair value of Marketable Securities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Inventories
Inventories comprise principally of fuel and lubricating oils and are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis.
Vessels and equipment
The cost of the vessels less estimated residual value is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the vessels' estimated remaining economic useful lives. The estimated economic useful life of the Company's vessels is 25 years. Other equipment, excluding vessel upgrades, is depreciated over its estimated remaining useful life, which approximates five years. The residual value for owned vessels is calculated by multiplying the lightweight tonnage of the vessel by the market price of scrap per tonne. The market price of scrap per tonne is calculated as the ten year average, up to the date of delivery of the vessel, across the three main recycling markets (Far East, Indian sub continent and Bangladesh). Residual values are reviewed annually.
The Company capitalizes and depreciates the costs of significant replacements, renewals and upgrades to its vessels over the shorter of the vessel’s remaining useful life or the life of the renewal or upgrade. The amount capitalized is based on management’s judgment as to expenditures that extend a vessel’s useful life or increase the operational efficiency of a vessel. Costs that are not capitalized are recorded as a component of direct vessel operating expenses during the period incurred. Expenses for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Advances paid in respect of vessel upgrades in relation to EGCS and BWTS are included within "other long-term assets", until such time as the equipment is installed on a vessel, at which point it is transferred to "Vessels and equipment, net".
Vessels and equipment under finance lease
The Company classifies a lease as a finance lease when the lease meets any of the following criteria at lease commencement:

• | The lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term.

• | The lease grants the lessee an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise.

• | The lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset. However, if the commencement date falls at or near the end of the economic life of the underlying asset, this criterion shall not be used for purposes of classifying the lease.

• | The present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee that is not already reflected in the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.

• | The underlying asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.

When none of these criteria are met the Company classifies the lease as an operating lease.
At the commencement date, Frontline shall recognize a lease liability at the present value of the lease payments not yet paid, discounted using the discount rate for the lease at lease commencement and a right-of-use asset. The right-of-use asset shall consist of all of the lease liability, any lease payments made to the lessor at or before the commencement date, minus any lease incentives received, and any initial direct costs incurred by the lessee. Each lease payment is allocated between liability and finance charges to achieve a constant rate on the balance outstanding. The interest element of the finance cost is charged to the Consolidated Statement of Operations over the lease period.
Three of the Company's finance leases were acquired as a result of the Merger and contain a profit share (contingent rental expense), which was reflected in the fair valuation of the obligations under finance lease at the date of the Merger. Any variations in the estimated profit share expense as compared to actual profit share expense incurred is accounted for as contingent rental income or expense and is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the period in which it becomes realizable.
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Depreciation of vessels and equipment under finance lease is included within "Depreciation" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Vessels and equipment under finance lease are depreciated on a straight-line basis from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. However, if the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Company or the Company is reasonably certain to exercise an option to purchase the underlying asset, the Company depreciates the right-of-use asset to the end of the useful life of the underlying asset.
Upon termination of a finance lease, any remaining assets and obligations related to the vessel are written off to the Statement of Operations. The net position, including any termination payments, are presented in Other operating gains (losses).
Vessels and equipment under operating lease
The Company as lessee currently has two major categories of operating leases: chartered-in vessels and leased office and other space. The Company recognizes right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities for its operating leases.
The Company has not elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of our leases where we are the lessee. ASC 842 also allows lessees to elect as an accounting policy not to apply the provisions of ASC 842 to short-term leases (i.e., leases with an original term of 12-months or less). Instead, a lessee may recognize the lease payments in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The accounting policy election for short-term leases shall be made by class of underlying asset to which the right of use relates. The Company has elected not to apply the provisions of ASC 842 to short-term leases.
Where the Company is lessee, operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
In determining the appropriate discount rate to use in calculating the present value of the Company’s contractual lease payments, the Company makes significant judgments and assumptions to estimate the incremental borrowing rate, or IBR, as the rate implicit in the Company’s leases cannot be readily determined. The incremental borrowing rate is defined as the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a 100% collateralized basis over a term similar to the lease term and amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.
The Company makes significant judgments and assumptions to separate lease components from non-lease components of our contracts. For purposes of determining the standalone selling price of the vessel lease and non-lease components of the Company’s time charters and voyage charters, the Company uses the residual approach given that vessel rates are highly variable depending on shipping market conditions. The Company believes that the standalone transaction price attributable to the non-lease component is more readily determinable than the price of the lease component and, accordingly, the price of the service components is estimated using cost plus a margin and the residual transaction price is attributed to the lease component.
Newbuildings
The carrying value of the vessels under construction, or newbuildings, represents the accumulated costs to the balance sheet date which the Company has had to pay by way of purchase installments and other capital expenditures together with capitalized interest and associated finance costs. No charge for depreciation is made until the vessel is available for use.
Goodwill and impairment of goodwill
Goodwill arising from a business combination, being the value of purchase consideration in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets and liabilities is not amortized and is subject to annual review for impairment or more frequently should indications of impairment arise. For purposes of performing the impairment test of goodwill, we have established that the Company has one reporting unit: tankers. Impairment of goodwill in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets and liabilities is determined using a two-step approach, initially based on a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to the book value of its net assets; if the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than the book value of its net assets, then the second step compares the implied fair value of the Company's goodwill with its carrying value to measure the amount of the impairment. The Company has selected September 30 as its annual goodwill impairment testing date. Goodwill is tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
Interest expense
Interest costs are expensed as incurred except for interest costs that are capitalized. Interest expenses are capitalized during construction of newbuildings based on accumulated expenditures for the applicable project at the Company's current rate of borrowing. The amount of interest expense capitalized in an accounting period shall be determined by applying an interest rate, or the capitalization rate, to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the asset during the period. The capitalization rates used in an accounting period shall be based on the rates applicable to borrowings outstanding during the period. The Company does not capitalize amounts beyond the actual interest expense incurred in the period.
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If the Company's financing plans associate a specific new borrowing with a qualifying asset, the Company uses the rate on that borrowing as the capitalization rate to be applied to that portion of the average accumulated expenditures for the asset that does not exceed the amount of that borrowing. If average accumulated expenditures for the asset exceed the amounts of specific new borrowings associated with the asset, the capitalization rate to be applied to such excess shall be a weighted average of the rates applicable to other borrowings of the Company.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The carrying values of long-lived assets held and used by the Company and newbuildings are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may no longer be recoverable. Such indicators may include depressed spot rates, depressed secondhand tanker values and issues at the shipyard. The Company assesses recoverability of the carrying value of each asset or newbuilding on an individual basis by estimating the future net cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposal. In developing estimates of future cash flows, the Company must make assumptions about future performance, with significant assumptions being related to charter rates, ship operating expenses, utilization, drydocking requirements, residual values, the estimated remaining useful lives of the vessels and the probability of lease terminations. These assumptions are based on historical trends as well as future expectations. If the future net undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, or the current carrying value plus future newbuilding commitments, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the asset's or newbuildings carrying value and fair value. In addition, long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less estimated costs to sell.
Deferred charges
Loan costs, including debt arrangement fees, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant loan. The straight line basis of amortization approximates the effective interest method. Amortization of loan costs is included in interest expense. If a loan is repaid early, any unamortized portion of the related deferred charges is charged against income in the period in which the loan is repaid. The Company has recorded debt issuance costs (i.e. deferred charges) as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt.
Trade accounts receivable
Trade and other receivables are presented net of allowances for doubtful balances. If amounts become uncollectible, they are charged against income when that determination is made.
Revenue and expense recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled for those goods or services. To do so, the Company performs the following five steps: (1) identifies the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identifies the performance obligations of the contract; (3) determines the transaction price; (4) allocates the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognizes revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation.
Our shipping revenues are primarily generated from time charters and voyage charters. In a time charter voyage, the vessel is hired by the charterer for a specified period of time in exchange for consideration which is based on a daily hire rate. Generally, the charterer has the discretion over the ports visited, shipping routes and vessel speed. The contract/charter party generally provides typical warranties regarding the speed and performance of the vessel. The charter party generally has some owner protective restrictions such that the vessel is sent only to safe ports by the charterer and carries only lawful or non hazardous cargo. In a time charter contract, we are responsible for all the costs incurred for running the vessel such as crew costs, vessel insurance, repairs and maintenance and lubes. The charterer bears the voyage related costs such as bunker expenses, port charges, canal tolls during the hire period. The performance obligations in a time charter contract are satisfied over term of the contract beginning when the vessel is delivered to the charterer until it is redelivered back to us. The charterer generally pays the charter hire in advance of the upcoming contract period. Time charter contracts, bareboat contracts and the lease component in those voyage charter contracts which we consider to be leases are accounted for under ASC 840 Leases up until December 31, 2018 and under ASC 842 leases thereafter, and revenues are recorded over the term of the charter as a service is provided. When a time charter contract is linked to an index, we recognize revenue for the applicable period based on the actual index for that period.
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In a voyage charter contract, the charterer hires the vessel to transport a specific agreed-upon cargo for a single voyage. 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 charterer is responsible for any short loading of cargo or "dead" freight. The voyage charter party generally has standard payment terms with freight paid on completion of discharge. The voyage charter party generally has a "demurrage" clause. As per this clause, the charterer reimburses us for any potential delays exceeding the allowed laytime as per the charter party clause at the ports visited, which is recorded as voyage revenue, as such, demurrage is considered variable consideration under the contract. Estimates and judgments are required in ascertaining the most likely outcome of a particular voyage and actual outcomes may differ from estimates. Such estimates are reviewed and updated over the term of the voyage charter contract. In a voyage charter contract, the performance obligations begin to be satisfied once the vessel begins loading the cargo.
The Company has determined that its voyage charter contracts, that qualify for accounting under ASC 606, consist of a single performance obligation of transporting the cargo within a specified time period. Therefore, the performance obligation is met evenly as the voyage progresses, and the revenue is recognized on a straight line basis over the voyage days from the commencement of loading to completion of discharge. Contract assets with regards to voyage revenues are reported as "Voyages in progress" as the performance obligation is satisfied over time. Voyage revenues typically become billable and due for payment on completion of the voyage and discharge of the cargo, at which point the receivable is recognized as "Trade accounts receivable, net".
In a voyage contract, the Company bears all voyage related costs such as fuel costs, port charges and canal tolls. To recognize costs incurred to fulfill a contract as an asset, the following criteria shall be met: (i) the costs relate directly to the contract, (ii) the costs generate or enhance resources of the entity that will be used in satisfying performance obligations in the future and (iii) the costs are expected to be recovered. The costs incurred during the period prior to commencement of loading the cargo, primarily bunkers, are deferred as they represent setup costs and recorded as a current asset and are subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis as we satisfy the performance obligations under the contract. Costs incurred to obtain a contract, such as commissions, are also deferred and expensed over the same period. Costs incurred during the performance of a voyage are expensed as incurred.
For our vessels operating under revenue sharing agreements, or in pools, revenues and voyage expenses are pooled and allocated to each pool’s participants on a time charter equivalent income, or TCE, basis in accordance with an agreed-upon formula. Revenues generated through revenue sharing agreements are presented gross when we are considered the principal under the charter parties with the net income allocated under the revenue sharing agreement presented as other operating income, net. For revenue sharing agreements that meet the definition of a lease, we account for such contracts as variable rate operating leases and recognize revenue for the applicable period based on the actual net revenue distributed by the pool.
Rental payments from the Company's sales-type lease are allocated between lease service revenue, lease interest income and repayment of net investment in leases. The amount allocated to lease service revenue is based on the estimated fair value, at the time of entering the lease agreement, of the services provided which consist of ship management and operating services.
Other income primarily comprises income earned from the commercial and technical management of related party and third party vessels and newbuilding supervision fees derived from related parties and third parties. Other revenues are recognized over time on a straight line basis using the accruals method as the services are provided and performance obligations are met.
Other operating (losses) gains
Other operating (losses) gains relate to (i) gains and losses on the termination of finance leases before the expiration of the lease term, which are accounted for by removing the carrying value of the asset and obligation, with a gain or loss recognized for the difference. Gains and losses on the termination of leases are accounted for when the lease is terminated and the vessel is redelivered to the owners, (ii) gains and losses on the sale of vessels, which are recognized when the vessel has been delivered and all risks have been transferred and are determined by comparing the proceeds received with the carrying value of the vessel and (iii) gains or losses from pooling and other revenue sharing arrangements where the Company is considered the principal under the charter parties and records voyage revenues and costs gross, with the adjustments required as a result of the revenue sharing arrangement being recognized as other operating gains or losses.
Drydocking
Normal vessel repair and maintenance costs are expensed when incurred. The Company recognizes the cost of a drydocking at the time the drydocking takes place, that is, it applies the "expense as incurred" method.
Contingent rental income (expense)
Contingent rental income (expense) results from the Company's finance leases acquired as a result of the Merger. Any variations in the estimated profit share expense that was included in the fair valuation of these lease obligations on the date of the Merger as compared to actual profit share expense incurred is accounted for as contingent rental income (expense). Any contingent rental expense on operating leases is recorded as charter hire expense. When a lease is terminated, the estimated profit share included
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with the lease obligation, as calculated at the time of the Merger, is written off to other operating gains or losses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Financial instruments
In determining the fair value of its financial instruments, the Company uses a variety of methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and risks existing at each balance sheet date. All methods of assessing fair value result in a general approximation of value, and such value may never actually be realized.
Derivatives
Interest rate and bunker swaps
The Company enters into interest rate and bunker swap transactions from time to time to hedge a portion of its exposure to floating interest rates and movements in bunker prices. These transactions involve the conversion of floating rates into fixed rates over the life of the transactions without an exchange of underlying principal. The fair values of the interest rate and bunker swap contracts are recognized as assets or liabilities. None of the interest rate and bunker swaps qualify for hedge accounting and changes in fair values are recognized in 'gain (loss) on derivatives' in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Cash outflows and inflows resulting from derivative contracts are presented as cash flows from operations in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is computed based on the income available to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share includes the effect of the assumed conversion of potentially dilutive instruments. ASC 260 defines issued shares that are held in escrow and all or part must be returned if specified conditions are not met as "contingently returnable" and as such are omitted from the calculation of basic earnings per share. Such shares are included in diluted earnings per share.
Share-based compensation
The Company accounts for share-based payments in accordance with ASC Topic 718 "Compensation – Stock Compensation", under which the fair value of issued stock options is expensed over the period in which the options vest.

3. | RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which revises guidance for the accounting for credit losses on financial instruments within its scope. The new standard introduces an approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments and modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification improvements to Financial instruments-Credit Losses, (Topic 326), which includes amendments related to the estimate of equity method losses. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842, Leases. The accounting standard updates are effective January 1, 2020. Entities are required to apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. Based on the Company's evaluation, these standard updates will not materially impact its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures on adoption.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and other (Topic 350), which simplifies the test for goodwill impairment. The accounting update eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, however the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The accounting standard update is effective January 1, 2020. The Company will apply the one step approach in our quantitative assessments thereafter which may result in the recognition of impairment losses sooner as compared to the two-step impairment test. Management does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements on adoption.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This update removes, modifies and adds specific disclosure requirements
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in relation to fair value measurement with the aim of improving the effectiveness of disclosures to the financial statements. The accounting standard update is effective January 1, 2020 and the Company will disclose the required information in our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures thereafter. Management does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements
In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808), to provide clarity on when transactions between entities in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under the new revenue standard, ASC 606. In determining whether transactions in collaborative arrangements should be accounted under the revenue standard, the update specifies that entities shall apply unit of account guidance to identify distinct goods or services and whether such goods and services are separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. The accounting update also precludes entities from presenting transactions with a collaborative partner which are not in scope of the new revenue standard together with revenue from contracts with customers. The accounting standard update is effective January 1, 2020 and the adoption of the accounting standard update is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Accounting Standards Updates, recently adopted
ASC 842 (Leases)
The Company has adopted ASC 842 effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition approach, which allows the Company to recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit in the period of adoption rather than restate our comparative prior year periods. Based on the Company's analysis, the cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit is zero because (i) the Company did not have any unamortized initial direct costs as of January 1, 2019 that needed to be written off; (ii) the Company did not have any lease incentives or accrued rental transactions that needed to be recognized; and (iii) the timing and pattern of revenue recognition under its revenue contracts that have lease and non-lease components is the same and even if accounted for separately, the lease component of such contracts would be considered operating leases.
Upon adoption of ASC 842, the Company has recognized right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $18.5 million on the balance sheet in relation to our operating leases, which have then been amortized during the year ended December 31, 2019. The implementation of this standard has not caused a material change in the Company's operating expenses in the fiscal year 2019. For arrangements where we are the lessor, the adoption of the new lease standard has not had a material impact on our financial statements.
ASU 2018-07 (ASC 718 Compensation - Stock Compensation)
The Company has adopted this update effective January 1, 2019. The amendments in this update expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. An entity should apply the requirements of Topic 718 to nonemployee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost (that is, the period of time over which share-based payment awards vest and the pattern of cost recognition over that period). The amendments specify that Topic 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The amendments also clarify that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Consistent with the accounting requirement for employee share-based payment awards, nonemployee share-based payment awards within the scope of Topic 718 are measured at grant-date fair value of the equity instruments that an entity is obligated to issue when the good has been delivered or the service has been rendered and any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments have been satisfied. Equity-classified nonemployee share- based payment awards are measured at the grant date. The definition of the term grant date was also amended to generally state the date at which a grantor and a grantee reach a mutual understanding of the key terms and conditions of a share-based payment award. Consistent with the accounting for employee share-based payment awards, an entity considers the probability of satisfying performance conditions when nonemployee share-based payment awards contain such conditions. An entity should only remeasure liability-classified awards that have not been settled by the date of adoption and equity-classified awards for which a measurement date has not been established through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Upon transition, the entity is required to measure these nonemployee awards at fair value as of the adoption date. No such remeasurement is required upon adoption of the Update by the Company. The revised definition of the grant date of share-based awards has been applied in accounting for the share consideration transferred to Trafigura on signing of the SPA. The shares have been accounted for as prepaid consideration at the grant date when a mutual understanding of the key terms and conditions for the issuance is reached on signing of the SPA and furthermore the shares are legally issued to Trafigura. Further details of the accounting for the transaction are disclosed in Note 5.
ASU No. 2014-09 (ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers)
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In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASC 606, which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. We adopted the provisions of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. As such, the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for periods prior to January 1, 2018. Under the modified retrospective approach, we recognized the cumulative effect of adopting this standard as a net adjustment amounting to $16.6 million to increase the opening balance of Accumulated Deficit as of January 1, 2018.
ASC 606 has been applied to those contracts that were not completed at the date of initial application. The cumulative effect of the adjustments made to our condensed consolidated statement position at January 1, 2018 from the adoption of ASC 606 was as follows:
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(in thousands of $) | December 31, 2017 |  | Adjustments for ASC 606 |  | January 1, 2018 |
Assets |  |  |
Voyages in progress | 38,254 |  | (20,303 | ) | 17,951 |
Other current assets | 13 |  | 3,071 |  | 3,084 |
Liabilities |  |  |
Accrued expenses | 38,809 |  | (601 | ) | 38,208 |
Equity |  |  |
Accumulated deficit | (272,503 | ) | (16,631 | ) | (289,134 | )

The impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated income statements of operations and condensed consolidated statements of cash flow for 2018 were as follows:
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

| Balance at December 31, 2018
(in thousands of $) | As reported |  | Adjustments for ASC 606 |  | Balance without ASC 606 |
Assets |  |  |
Voyages in progress | 59,437 |  | (31,850 | ) | 91,287 |
Other current assets | 5,359 |  | 5,410 |  | (51 | )
Liabilities |  |  |
Accrued expenses | 37,031 |  | (959 | ) | 37,990 |
Equity |  |  |
Accumulated deficit | (295,118 | ) | (25,481 | ) | (269,637 | )

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

| For the period ended December 31, 2018
(in thousands of $) | As reported |  | Adjustments for ASC 606 |  | Balance without ASC 606 |
|  |  | — |
Voyage charter revenues | 690,901 |  | (11,548 | ) | 702,449 |
Voyage expenses and commission | 377,772 |  | (2,698 | ) | 380,470 |
Net (loss) income | (8,398 | ) | (8,850 | ) | 452 |
Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to the Company | (0.05 | ) | 0.05 |  | — |

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Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

| For the period ended December 31, 2018
(in thousands of $) | As reported |  | Adjustments for ASC 606 |  | Balance without ASC 606 |
Net loss | (8,398 | ) | (8,850 | ) | 452 |
Change in operating assets and liabilities | (38,695 | ) | 8,850 |  | (47,545 | )
Net cash provided by operating activities | 46,171 |  | — |  | 46,171 |

In accordance with ASC 606, we have applied the practical expedient not to disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations, or when the Company expects to recognize this as revenue for these contracts given that the original expected contract duration is less than one year. In accordance with ASC 606, we have applied the available exemptions not to disclose the nature of performance obligations and the remaining duration of performance obligations.
Time charter contracts are considered operating leases and therefore do not fall under the scope of ASC 606 because (i) the vessel is an identifiable asset (ii) we do 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 the economic benefits from such use. Time charter contracts and other contracts considered to be leases continue to be accounted as operating leases in accordance with ASC 840 Leases up until December 31, 2018 and under ASC 842 leases thereafter and related interpretations. The implementation of the new revenue standard therefore did not have an effect on income recognition from such contracts or on the lease component from such contracts.
Since the Company has used the modified retrospective method for adopting ASC 606, the prior years have not been restated, therefore the provisions of ASC 605 remain applicable for these periods. Under ASC 605, the following critical accounting policies were applicable:
Revenues and expenses were recognized on the accruals basis. Voyage revenues were recognized ratably over the estimated length of each voyage and, therefore, are allocated between reporting periods based on the relative transit time in each period. Voyage expenses were recognized as incurred. The Company previously used a discharge-to-discharge basis in determining percentage of completion for all spot voyages and voyages servicing contracts of affreightment whereby it recognized revenue ratably from when product is discharged at the end of one voyage to when it is discharged after the next voyage. However, the Company did not recognize revenue if a charter has not been contractually committed to by a customer and the Company, even if the vessel has discharged its cargo and was sailing to the anticipated load port on its next voyage.
Revenues and voyage expenses of the vessels operating in pool arrangements are pooled and the resulting net pool revenues, calculated on a time charter equivalent basis, are allocated to the pool participants according to an agreed formula on the basis of the number of days a vessel operates in the pool. The pool participants are responsible for paying voyage expenses. Adjustments between the pool participants are settled on a quarterly basis. Pool revenues are reported as voyage charter revenues for all periods presented.
Rental payments from the Company's sales-type lease are allocated between lease service revenue, lease interest income and repayment of net investment in leases. The amount allocated to lease service revenue is based on the estimated fair value, at the time of entering the lease agreement, of the services provided which consist of ship management and operating services.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 Financial instruments, Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this update require all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). The amendments in this update also require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. In addition, the amendments in this update eliminate the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities and the requirement for to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet for public business entities. As a result of the adoption of the standard, we present the change in the fair value of our marketable equity securities in our consolidated statements of operations. In our opening balance at January 1, 2018, we recognized a decrease of $2.9 million in accumulated deficit. In 2018, we recognized a mark to market loss of $3.5 million of these equity securities.
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In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of cash flows (Topic 230): Classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments. This ASU addresses the following eight specific cash flow issues: Debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (COLIs) (including bank-owned life insurance policies (BOLIs)); distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. When a reporting entity applies the equity method of accounting to an investment it should make a policy election to classify distributions received from the equity method investee as follows:

• | Cumulative earnings approach - distributions received are considered returns on investment and classified as cash inflows from operating activities unless the investor's cumulative distributions received in prior periods exceed the cumulative equity in earnings of the investee. when such an excess occurs the current period distribution up to this excess should be classified as a cash inflow from investing activity.

• | Nature of distribution approach - distributions received should be classified based on the nature of the activity of the investee that generated the distribution as either a return of investments (cash inflow from investing activity) or a return on investment (cash inflow from operating activities)

The amendments in this Update were applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The adoption of this Update did not have a significant impact on these condensed consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of cash flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The new standard requires that the statement of cash flows explains the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The amendments in this Update were applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. As a result of the adoption of the standard, we have classified restricted cash as a component of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows for all periods presented. In the beginning of period 2018 and 2017 balances, restricted cash of $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, have been aggregated with cash and cash equivalents in the beginning of period line items at the bottom of the statements of cash flows for each period presented. The adoption of this Update did not have a significant impact on these condensed consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. The update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The amendments in this Update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures upon adoption.

4. | GOODWILL

(in thousands of $) |  | Goodwill |  |  | Accumulated impairment losses |  |  | Net carrying value |
Balance as of December 31, 2017 |  | 225,273 |  |  | (112,821 | ) |  | 112,452 |
Balance as of December 31, 2018 |  | 225,273 |  |  | (112,821 | ) |  | 112,452 |
Balance as of December 31, 2019 |  | 225,273 |  |  | (112,821 | ) |  | 112,452 |

On the date of the Merger the share price of Frontline Ltd. was $15.15, adjusted for the 1-for-5 reverse share split in February 2016, and the Company recorded goodwill of $225.3 million. The Company has one reporting unit for the purpose of assessing potential goodwill impairment and has selected September 30 as its annual goodwill impairment testing date.
At December 31, 2017, the Company's share price had fallen by $1.45 per share, or 24% from its September 30, 2017 share price, and as such, the Company concluded that the requirement to complete the first step of the goodwill impairment analysis was triggered. The Company's market capitalization as at December 31, 2017 was $779.0 million (based on a share price of $4.59) and the Company calculated the fair value of the Company to be $1,013 million, based on an estimated control premium of 30%, compared to its carrying value of $1,300 million (prior to recording any impairment loss on goodwill). The Company believes
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that the control premium may be attributable, in part or in whole, to the expected synergies from combining the operations of the Company and an acquirer, particularly in respect of the benefits of operating an enlarged oil tanker fleet and assembled workforce as well as being able to take advantage of an expected reduction in costs from an expansion in scale. As the fair value of the Company was below the carrying value, the Company concluded that it was required to complete the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis. Under the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis, the Company estimated that the fair value of the underlying assets and liabilities amount to approximately $901.0 million, which gives an implied fair value of goodwill of $112.5 million. A comparison of this to the carrying value of goodwill resulted in an impairment loss in respect of goodwill of $112.8 million. The impairment was a result of the declining forecast charter rates, declining vessel values and ultimately the fall in the Company's share price since the date of the Merger.
At June 30, 2018, September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2018, the Company carried out the first step of the two step impairment analysis. At March 31, 2018, the Company carried out the second step of the two step impairment test. The Company concluded that no impairment was required following these impairment tests.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company both assessed qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill, as well as performing the first step of the two step impairment analysis. The Company concluded that no impairment was required following these impairment tests.

5. | TRAFIGURA TRANSACTION

In August 2019, the Company entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Trafigura to acquire 10 Suezmax tankers built in 2019 through the acquisition of a special purpose vehicle which will hold the vessels, or the Acquisition.
The Acquisition consideration per the SPA consists of (i) 16,035,856 ordinary shares of Frontline at an agreed price of $8.00 per share issuable upon signing; and (ii) a cash amount of between $551.7 million and $538.2 million, payable upon the closing of the Acquisition, which took place on March 16, 2020. Frontline has agreed to time charter-in all the 10 vessels from Trafigura until closing of the Acquisition at a daily rate of approximately $23,000. In addition, Frontline agreed to charter-out five of the vessels to Trafigura for a period of three years at a daily base rate of $28,400 plus 50% profit share. As part of the Acquisition, Frontline had options to acquire an additional four Suezmax tankers built in 2019 through the acquisition of a second special purpose vehicle. Frontline elected not to exercise the options in September 2019.
Upon commencement of the charters for the five vessels which the Company does not charter back to Trafigura, the Company has concluded that the charter-in constitutes a finance lease, due to the obligation to purchase the underlying asset, and has recognized a right-of-use asset and finance lease obligation. The lease obligation for these vessels on signing of the agreement includes the scheduled charter payments and the cash amount to be paid on closing of between $275.9 million and $269.2 million, discounted using the rate implicit in the lease. On issuance of the shares on August 23, 2019, the Company initially recorded a prepayment of $63.5 million, based on the grant date fair value of the shares of $7.92 per share, which has subsequently been adjusted to the right-of-use asset on commencement of the leases. The SPA was executed on August 23, 2019 which was treated as the grant date as this is the date on which a mutual understanding of the key terms and conditions of the share issuance was reached. The share consideration held in escrow (see Note 8.) has not been accounted for as contingent consideration as it is subject only to general representations and warranties, and such representations and warranties were valid at the date of the transfer of the share consideration. Furthermore, legal title to the shares has transferred to Trafigura. The Company has recognized a right-of-use asset of $336.0 million and a finance lease obligation of $272.0 million in respect of these vessels as of December 31, 2019. Depreciation of $3.8 million and finance lease interest expense of $3.8 million has been recognized in the year ended December 31, 2019 in relation to these vessels. The weighted average discount rate for these finance leases is 4.36%.
For the five vessels chartered back to Trafigura, the Company has determined that the charter-in of the vessels has not commenced as of December 31, 2019, as control of the right-of-use asset does not transfer to Frontline until closing of the Acquisition as a result of the lease back to Trafigura. The Company has allocated 8,017,928 of the shares issued to the purchase consideration for these vessels, which has been recognized as prepaid acquisition cost. The grant date fair value of these shares was $63.5 million, based on a share price of $7.92, consistent with the treatment of the share consideration for the finance leases described above. In addition, the Company has a commitment to pay a cash amount ranging from $275.8 million to $269.0 million on closing of the Acquisition. The net difference between the cash amounts payable and receivable on the charter-in and charter-out of these vessels has been treated as a reduction of the transaction price for all of the vessels. Accordingly, $9.9 million of receipts, net of payments, including accrued profit share due, has not been recognized in net income and has been treated as a reduction of the
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Acquisition cost of the vessels. Of this, $8.2 million has been offset against prepaid consideration and $1.7 million has been recorded under the finance lease obligations.

6. | SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company and the chief operating decision maker, or CODM, measure performance based on the Company's overall return to shareholders based on consolidated net income. The CODM does not review a measure of operating result at a lower level than the consolidated group. Consequently, the Company has only one reportable segment: tankers. The tankers segment includes crude oil tankers and product tankers.
The Company's management does not evaluate performance by geographical region as this information is not meaningful.
No customers in the year ended December 31, 2019, individually accounted for 10% or more of the Company's consolidated operating revenues.
Revenues from one customer in the year ended December 31, 2018 individually accounted for 10% or more of the Company's consolidated operating revenues in the amount of $81.1 million.
No customers in the year ended December 31, 2017, individually accounted for 10% or more of the Company's consolidated operating revenues.

7. | INCOME TAXES

Bermuda
Under current Bermuda law, the Company is not required to pay taxes in Bermuda on either income or capital gains. The Company has received written assurance from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda that, in the event of any such taxes being imposed, the Company will be exempted from taxation until March 31, 2035.
United States
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company did not accrue U.S. income taxes as the Company is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business and is exempted from a gross basis tax under Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
Under Section 863(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, 50% of all transportation revenue attributable to transportation which begins or ends in the United States shall be treated as from sources within the United States where no Section 883 exemption is available. Such revenue is subject to 4% tax. No revenue tax has been recorded in voyage expenses and commissions in the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018: nil, 2017: nil).
Other Jurisdictions
Certain of the Company's subsidiaries in Singapore, Norway, India and the United Kingdom are subject to income tax in their respective jurisdictions. The tax paid by subsidiaries of the Company that are subject to income tax is not material to our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
The Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits, material accrued interest or penalties relating to income taxes.

8. | EARNINGS PER SHARE

The computation of basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year and net income attributable to the Company. The impact of stock options using the treasury stock method was dilutive in 2019 as the exercise price was lower than the average share price and therefore 141,000 options were included in the denominator. The impact of stock options using the treasury stock method was anti-dilutive in 2018 and 2017 as the exercise price was higher than the average share price and, therefore 1,317,000 and 1,170,000 options were excluded from the denominator in the calculation for 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The 16,035,856 shares issued to Trafigura as consideration as part of the Acquisition were legally issued and outstanding as of the grant date on August 23, 2019 and are included in share capital as of December 31, 2019. Trafigura was the beneficial owner
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of the shares, was entitled to exercise voting rights, and was also eligible for any dividends if-and-when declared. ASC 260 defines issued shares that are held in escrow and all or part must be returned if specified conditions are not met as "contingently returnable". The shares issued as part of the Acquisition have been treated as contingently returnable shares for the purpose of calculating earnings per share while they are held in escrow until such date after November 30, 2019 that Trafigura wishes to dispose of such shares, in which case they can be removed from escrow and sold, with the proceeds being placed in a cash escrow account until closing of the Acquisition. Any shares not disposed of prior to closing of the Acquisition will remain in the escrow account until closing. As of December 31, 2019, 4,198,447 of the shares initially issued to Trafigura were disposed of from the escrow account and are now included within the denominator in the calculation of basic earnings per share. The 11,837,409 shares remaining in the escrow account are treated as contingently returnable and have been excluded from the denominator in the calculation of basic earnings per share and included in the denominator in the calculation of diluted earnings per share.
The components of the numerator and the denominator in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company |  | 139,972 |  |  | (8,880 | ) |  | (264,861 | )

(in thousands) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Weighted average number of shares |  | 173,576 |  |  | 169,810 |  |  | 169,809 |
Dilutive effect of contingently returnable shares |  | 5,598 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Dilutive effect of share options |  | 141 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Denominator for diluted earnings per share |  | 179,315 |  |  | 169,810 |  |  | 169,809 |

|  | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2017
Cash dividends per share declared |  | $0.10 |  | $0.00 |  | $0.30

9. | OPERATING REVENUES

Certain of our voyage charter contracts contain a lease. Voyage charters contain a lease component if the contract (i) specifies a specific vessel asset; and (ii) has terms that allow the charterer to exercise substantive decision-making rights, which have an economic value to the charterer and therefore allow the charterer to direct how and for what purpose the vessel is used. Voyage charter revenues and expenses are recognized ratably over the estimated length of each voyage, which the Company has assessed commence on loading of the cargo. The new lease standard provides a practical expedient for lessors in which the lessor may elect, by class of underlying asset, to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component and, instead, to account for these components as a single component if both of the following are met: (1) the timing and pattern of transfer of the non-lease component(s) and associated lease component are the same and (2) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. When a lessor, we have elected this expedient for our time charter contracts and voyage charter contracts that qualify as leases and thus not separate the non-lease component, or service element, from the lease. Furthermore, the standard requires the Company to account for the combined component in accordance with ASC 606 revenues from contracts with customers if the non-lease components are the predominant components. Under this guidance the Company has assessed that the lease components were the predominant component for all of its time charter contracts. Furthermore, for certain of its voyage charter contracts the lease components were the predominant components.
The lease and non-lease components of our revenues were as follows:

(in thousands of $) | Lease |  | Non-lease |  | Total |
Time charter revenues | 35,433 |  | — |  | 35,433 |
Voyage charter revenues | 292,720 |  | 594,775 |  | 887,495 |
Finance lease interest income | 690 |  | — |  | 690 |
Other income | — |  | 33,704 |  | 33,704 |
Total | 328,843 |  | 628,479 |  | 957,322 |

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Certain voyage expenses are capitalized between the previous discharge port, or contract date if later, and the next load port and amortized between load port and discharge port. $5.3 million of contract assets were capitalized in the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018: $9.1 million) as Other current assets, of which $0.8 million was amortized up to December 31, 2019 (2018: $3.7 million), leaving a remaining balance of $4.5 million (2018: $5.4 million) as of December 31, 2019. $5.4 million of contract assets were amortized in the year ended December 31, 2019 in relation to voyages in progress at the end of December 31, 2018. No impairment losses were recognized in the period.
As at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company reported the following contract assets in relation to its contracts with customers, including those contracts containing lease components where the non-lease component was the predominant component and the revenues where therefore accounted for under ASC 606:

(in thousands of $) | 2019 |  | 2018 |
Voyages in progress | 26,021 |  | 59,437 |
Trade accounts receivable | 42,104 |  | 52,278 |
Related party receivables | 9,137 |  | 3,084 |
Other current assets | 4,491 |  | 5,359 |
Total | 81,753 |  | 120,158 |

The adoption of ASC 842 had no impact on operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 as the timing and pattern of revenue recognition under our revenue contracts that have lease and non-lease components is not materially different even when accounted for separately under ASC 842 and ASC 606, respectively.

10. | OTHER OPERATING GAINS

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Insurance recoveries |  | 3,737 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Other gains |  | 628 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Gain on termination of vessel leases |  | — |  |  | 10,324 |  |  | 2,379 |
Gain (loss) on pool arrangements |  | (943 | ) |  | (118 | ) |  | 2 |
|  | 3,422 |  |  | 10,206 |  |  | 2,381 |

In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a $3.7 million insurance recovery for loss of hire related to an explosion on the Front Altair. A further $0.6 million gain was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2019 in relation to the settlement of miscellaneous claims.
In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a $1.5 million loss (2018: $0.2 million) related to the pooling arrangement with SFL between two of its Suezmax tankers Front Odin and Front Njord and two SFL vessels Glorycrown and Everbright. A gain of $0.6 million was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018: $0.1 million) related to other pooling arrangements.
In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company terminated the leases on six VLCCs, recognizing a gain of $10.3 million. In the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company terminated the leases on two VLCCs and two Suezmax tankers, recognizing a gain of $2.4 million.
Further information on the gain on termination of vessel leases can be found in Note 19.

11. | LEASES

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As of December 31, 2019, the Company leased in three vessels (2018: three vessels) from SFL and five vessels (2018: nil) from Trafigura on time charters classified as finance leases, see Note 19. for further details. The Company leased in two vessels (2018: two vessels) from a third party on time charters classified as operating leases. The operating leases are at fixed rates for an initial two-year period, with an option to extend for an additional year. The minimum lease payments disclosed below do not include the optional year as the Company assessed that it was not reasonably certain of extending the leases at the date the contracts were entered into. The Company has allocated the consideration due under the operating leases between the lease and non-lease components based upon the estimated stand alone price of the services provided by the owner of the vessels, which include the provision of crewing, vessel insurance, repairs and maintenance and lubes. The Company has recorded the non-lease component of $6.6 million within Ship operating expenses and has recognized the lease component of $8.5 million within Charter hire expense within the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year end December 31, 2019. The Company is also committed to make rental payments under operating leases for office premises. Certain of these leases include variable lease elements linked to inflation indexes. Such variable payments have been estimated on the date of adoption of ASC 842 based on the index at that time and are included in the minimum lease payments. Rental expense for office premises of $2.7 million is recorded in Administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year end December 31, 2019.
Rental expense
The future minimum lease payments under the Company's non-cancellable operating leases as at December 31, 2019 are as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  |
2020 |  | 5,412 |
2021 |  | 2,039 |
2022 |  | 1,707 |
2023 |  | 1,578 |
2024 |  | 1,567 |
Thereafter |  | 1,186 |
Total minimum lease payments |  | 13,489 |
Less: Imputed interest |  | (1,012 | )
Present value of operating lease liabilities |  | 12,477 |

The future minimum lease payments under the Company's non-cancellable operating leases as at December 31, 2018 are as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  |
2019 |  | 17,348 |
2020 |  | 6,682 |
2021 |  | 550 |
2022 |  | 181 |
2023 |  | 41 |
Thereafter |  | — |
|  | 24,802 |

Total expense for operating leases was $11.2 million, $23.2 million and $21.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Cash paid for amounts included in operating lease liabilities was $10.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2019. The weighted-average discount rate based on the Company's IBR in relation to the operating leases was 3.9% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the weighted-average remaining lease term was four years as of December 31, 2019.
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Rental income
One LR2 tanker and one Suezmax tanker were on fixed rate time charters at December 31, 2019 (2018: one LR2 tanker). Two Suezmax tankers were on fixed rate time charters with profit share clauses at December 31, 2019 (2018: nil vessels). In addition, the Company agreed to charter-out five Suezmax tankers to Trafigura under the SPA, for a period of three years at a daily base rate of $28,400 plus 50% profit share. For accounting purposes the leases do not commence until closing of the transaction (see Note 5.) which took place on March 16, 2020. The minimum lease rental income for these five vessels has been included from March 16, 2020 until the end of the leases. The future minimum lease payments to be received under these contracts as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  |
2020 |  | 47,709 |
2021 |  | 51,830 |
2022 |  | 28,968 |
2023 |  | — |
2024 |  | — |
Thereafter |  | — |
Total minimum lease payments |  | 128,507 |

The future minimum lease payments to be received under non-cancellable operating lease contracts as of December 31, 2018 are as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  |
2019 |  | 7,037 |
2020 |  | 117 |
2021 |  | — |
2022 |  | — |
2023 |  | — |
Thereafter |  | — |
Total minimum lease payments |  | 7,154 |

The cost and accumulated depreciation of vessels leased to third parties under time charters, excluding the five Suezmax tankers chartered-out to Trafigura, as of December 31, 2019 were $239.4 million and $47.8 million, respectively, and as of December 31, 2018 were $158.8 million and $12.3 million, respectively.
Contingent rental income
In July 2018, the Company entered into an agreement to charter-out one Suezmax tanker on a variable rate time charter. The Company recognized charter income of $5.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018: $2.7 million) in relation to this charter. In August 2019, the vessel was chartered on a fixed rate charter with profit sharing clause. Profit share income of $1.6 million was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2019 in relation to this charter.
In September 2018, the Company entered into an agreement to charter-out one LR2 tanker on a variable rate time charter. The rate of hire is based on the actual earnings of the vessel, with no ceiling and no floor. The Company recognized charter income of $5.0 million including profit share in the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018: $2.4 million) in relation to this charter.
In January 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to charter-out one Suezmax tanker on a fixed rate time charter, including profit share. No profit share was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2019 in relation to this charter.

12. | RESTRICTED CASH

Restricted cash consists of cash, which may only be used for certain purposes and is held under a contractual arrangement.
Restricted cash does not include cash balances of $38.3 million (2018: $37.9 million), which represents 50% (2018: 50%) of the cash required to be maintained by the financial covenants in our loan agreements. The Company is permitted to satisfy up to 50% of the cash requirement by maintaining a committed undrawn credit facility with a remaining availability of greater than 12 months.
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These amounts are included in Cash and cash equivalents. Furthermore, FSL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the chartering counterparty with SFL with respect to the remaining three VLCCs leased from them, has agreed to certain dividend restrictions as a result of the amendment of the terms of the long-term charter agreements in May 2015. In order to make or pay any dividend or other distribution to the Company, FSL shall demonstrate a cash buffer of $2.0 million per vessel both prior to and following such payment, and following payment of the next monthly hire due plus any profit share accrued under the agreement as well as settling the promissory note related to the termination of the lease on Front Circassia, including accrued interest. As at December 31, 2019, the cash held by FSL of $13.1 million (2018: $3.5 million), may solely be used for vessel operations, payment of hire to SFL or other amounts incurred under the charters and Charter Ancillary Agreement including the settlement of interest and principal due on any notes payable and any other amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business.

13. | INVESTMENT IN FINANCE LEASE

As of December 31, 2019, one of the Company's vessels was accounted for as a sales-type lease (2018: one). The components of the investment in the sales-type lease are summarized as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Net minimum lease payments receivable |  | 157 |  |  | 11,651 |
Estimated residual values of leased property (unguaranteed) |  | 10,822 |  |  | 10,821 |
Less: finance lease interest income |  | — |  |  | (690 | )
Total investment in sales-type lease |  | 10,979 |  |  | 21,782 |
Current portion |  | 157 |  |  | 10,803 |
Long-term portion |  | 10,822 |  |  | 10,979 |
|  | 10,979 |  |  | 21,782 |

The minimum future gross revenues to be received under the sales-type lease as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  |
2020 |  | 157 |
2021 |  | — |
2022 |  | — |
2023 |  | — |
2024 |  | — |
Thereafter |  | — |
|  | 157 |

The counterparty to the lease is a state-owned oil company, which the Company has deemed to have a low credit risk.

14. | MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Marketable securities held by the Company are listed equity securities considered to be available-for-sale securities.
The cost of sale of available-for-sale marketable securities is calculated on an average cost basis.

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Balance at the beginning of the year |  | 836 |  |  | 19,231 |
Repurchase of marketable securities pledged to creditors |  | 8,392 |  |  | 10,272 |
Disposals |  | — |  |  | (16,749 | )
Unrealized gain (loss) |  | 1,737 |  |  | (3,526 | )
Marketable securities pledged to creditors |  | (7,323 | ) |  | (8,392 | )
Total |  | 3,642 |  |  | 836 |

The brought forward balance includes marketable securities pledged to creditors which are subsequently reclassified.
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Avance Gas
As of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company held 442,384 shares in Avance Gas.
In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $0.6 million in relation to the 0.4 million shares held in Avance Gas in the Statement of Operations.
In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $1.9 million in relation to the 0.4 million shares held in Avance Gas in the Statement of Operations.
SFL
As of December 31, 2019, the Company held 73,165 (2018: 73,383) shares in SFL.
In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $0.4 million in relation to the 0.1 million shares held in SFL in the Statement of Operations.
In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $0.3 million in relation to the 0.1 million shares held in SFL in the Statement of Operations.
Golden Ocean
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018 the Company held 1,270,657 shares in Golden Ocean.
In December 2018, the Company sold the shares for total proceeds of $7.7 million. At the same time the Company entered into a forward contract to repurchase 1.3 million shares of Golden Ocean in March 2019 for $7.7 million. The transaction was accounted for as a secured borrowing, with the shares retained in marketable securities pledged to creditors and a liability recorded within short-term debt for $7.6 million as of December 31, 2018.
In March 2019, the Company repurchased these shares and subsequently sold them for proceeds of $6.6 million. At the same time the Company entered into a forward contract to repurchase 1.3 million shares in Golden Ocean in June 2019 for $6.6 million and as such made a net cash settlement of $1.0 million after adjustment for foreign exchange differences, this was treated as a repayment of debt.
In June 2019, the Company repurchased these shares and subsequently sold them for proceeds of $6.7 million. At the same time the Company entered into a forward contract to repurchase 1.3 million shares in Golden Ocean in September 2019 for $6.7 million and as such received a net cash settlement of $0.1 million after adjustment for foreign exchange differences, this was treated as a repayment of debt.
In September 2019, the Company repurchased these shares and subsequently sold them for proceeds of $7.6 million. At the same time the Company entered into a forward contract to repurchase 1.3 million shares in Golden Ocean in December 2019 for $7.6 million and as such received a net cash settlement of $1.2 million after adjustment for foreign exchange differences, this was treated as a repayment of debt.
In December 2019, the Company repurchased these shares and subsequently sold them for proceeds of $7.2 million. At the same time the Company entered into a forward contract to repurchase 1.3 million shares in Golden Ocean in March 2020 for $7.2 million and as such made a net cash settlement of $0.5 million after adjustment for foreign exchange differences. This was treated as a repayment of debt. The transaction was accounted for as a secured borrowing, with the shares retained in marketable securities and a liability recorded within short-term debt for $7.3 million as of December 31, 2019. These transactions have been reported on a net basis in the Statement of Cash Flows.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company held 1,270,657 shares of Golden Ocean, of which 1,260,358 were held as marketable securities pledged to creditors.
In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $2.5 million in relation to the 1.3 million shares held in Golden Ocean in the Statement of Operations.
In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $0.4 million in relation to the 1.3 million shares held in Golden Ocean in the Statement of Operations.
DHT
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The Company acquired 10.9 million shares in DHT in the year ended December 31, 2017 for an aggregate cost of $46.1 million. The Company sold 6.2 million shares in DHT for proceeds of $27.4 million, recognizing a gain of $1.1 million in the Statement of Operations in the year ended December 31, 2017 of which $0.6 million related to the gain reclassification from Other Comprehensive Income.
In the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $3.0 million in relation to the shareholding in DHT in Other Comprehensive Income.
In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company sold the remaining 4.7 million shares of DHT for proceeds of $17.8 million, recognizing a gain on disposal of $1.0 million in the Statement of Operations.
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15. | TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2.9 million (2018: $5.8 million). Movements in the allowance for doubtful accounts in the three years ended December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows;

(in thousands of $) |  |
Balance at December 31, 2016 |  | 6,170 |
Additions charged to income |  | — |
Deductions credited to income |  | (172 | )
Balance at December 31, 2017 |  | 5,998 |
Deductions credited to income |  | (203 | )
Balance at December 31, 2018 |  | 5,795 |
Deductions credited to income |  | (2,847 | )
Balance at December 31, 2019 |  | 2,948 |

16. | OTHER RECEIVABLES

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Claims receivable |  | 5,178 |  |  | 9,690 |
Agent receivables |  | 3,474 |  |  | 3,733 |
Other receivables |  | 16,816 |  |  | 3,645 |
|  | 25,468 |  |  | 17,068 |

Claims receivable is primarily attributable to insurance claims.
Other receivables are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts amounting to nil as of December 31, 2019 (2018: nil).
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17. | NEWBUILDINGS

Movements in the three years ended December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  |
Balance at December 31, 2016 |  | 308,324 |
Additions, net, continuing basis |  | 707,988 |
Transfer to Vessels and equipment, net |  | (941,388 | )
Interest capitalized, continuing basis |  | 4,678 |
Balance at December 31, 2017 |  | 79,602 |
Additions, net, continuing basis |  | 201,653 |
Transfer to Vessels and equipment, net |  | (230,596 | )
Interest capitalized, continuing basis |  | 1,595 |
Balance at December 31, 2018 |  | 52,254 |
Additions, net, continuing basis |  | 158,846 |
Transfer to Vessels and equipment, net |  | (166,121 | )
Interest capitalized, continuing basis |  | 1,089 |
Balance at December 31, 2019 |  | 46,068 |

The following table sets forth certain details of our newbuildings delivered in the three years ended December 31, 2019:

(in thousands of $) |  |  |  |
Vessel name |  | Vessel type |  | Date of delivery
Front Discovery |  | VLCC |  | April 2019
Front Defender |  | VLCC |  | January 2019
Front Empire |  | VLCC |  | January 2018
Front Princess |  | VLCC |  | January 2018
Front Polaris |  | LR2/ Aframax |  | January 2018
Front Classic |  | Suezmax |  | January 2017
Front Vega |  | LR2/ Aframax |  | January 2017
Front Antares |  | LR2/ Aframax |  | January 2017
Front Duchess |  | VLCC |  | February 2017
Front Clipper |  | Suezmax |  | March 2017
Front Crystal |  | Suezmax |  | April 2017
Front Sirius |  | LR2/ Aframax |  | April 2017
Front Coral |  | Suezmax |  | May 2017
Front Cosmos |  | Suezmax |  | June 2017
Front Castor |  | LR2/ Aframax |  | June 2017
Front Cascade |  | Suezmax |  | July 2017
Front Earl |  | VLCC |  | July 2017
Front Pollux |  | LR2/ Aframax |  | August 2017
Front Capella |  | LR2/ Aframax |  | September 2017
Front Prince |  | VLCC |  | September 2017

As of December 31, 2017, the Company's newbuilding program comprised four VLCCs and one LR2/Aframax tanker newbuildings.
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In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company took delivery of two VLCC newbuildings, and one LR2/Aframax tanker newbuilding.
As of December 31, 2018, the Company's newbuilding program comprised two VLCC newbuildings.
In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company took delivery of two VLCC newbuildings.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s newbuilding program comprised one Suezmax tanker and one VLCC, which are expected to be delivered in April and May 2020, respectively, and four LR2 tankers, which are expected to be delivered in January 2021, March 2021, October 2021 and January 2022.

18. | VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Movements in the three years ended December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  | Cost |  |  | Accumulated Depreciation |  |  | Net Carrying Value |
Balance at December 31, 2016 |  | 1,635,011 |  |  | (157,616 | ) |  | 1,477,395 |
Transfers from Newbuildings |  | 941,388 |  |  | — |  |  |
Additions |  | 894 |  |  | — |  |  |  |
Depreciation |  | — |  |  | (77,547 | ) |  |  |
Balance at December 31, 2017 |  | 2,577,293 |  |  | (235,163 | ) |  | 2,342,130 |
Depreciation |  | — |  |  | (96,438 | ) |  |
Additions |  | 467 |  |  | — |  |  |
Transfers from Newbuildings |  | 230,596 |  |  | — |  |  |
Balance at December 31, 2018 |  | 2,808,356 |  |  | (331,601 | ) |  | 2,476,755 |
Depreciation |  | — |  |  | (102,000 | ) |  |
Additions |  | 39,029 |  |  | — |  |  |
Transfers from Newbuildings |  | 166,121 |  |  | — |  |  |
Balance at December 31, 2019 |  | 3,013,506 |  |  | (433,601 | ) |  | 2,579,905 |

A summary of the vessel deliveries in the three years ended December 31, 2019 can be found in Note 17.

19. | VESSELS UNDER FINANCE LEASE, NET

Movements in the three years ended December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  | Cost |  |  | Accumulated Depreciation |  |  | Net Carrying Value |
Balance at December 31, 2016 |  | 607,449 |  |  | (71,016 | ) |  | 536,433 |
Impairment loss |  | (187,379 | ) |  | 4,727 |  |  |
Lease termination |  | (61,075 | ) |  | 23,192 |  |  |
Depreciation |  | — |  |  | (64,200 | ) |  |
Balance at December 31, 2017 |  | 358,995 |  |  | (107,297 | ) |  | 251,698 |
Lease termination |  | (218,494 | ) |  | 83,601 |  |  |
Depreciation |  | — |  |  | (26,129 | ) |  |
Balance at December 31, 2018 |  | 140,501 |  |  | (49,825 | ) |  | 90,676 |
Additions |  | 343,564 |  |  | — |  |  |
Depreciation |  | — |  |  | (15,850 | ) |  |
Balance at December 31, 2019 |  | 484,065 |  |  | (65,675 | ) |  | 418,390 |

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The outstanding obligations under finance leases as of December 31, 2019 are payable as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  |
2020 |  | 291,964 |
2021 |  | 17,557 |
2022 |  | 16,419 |
2023 |  | 17,557 |
2024 |  | 16,468 |
Thereafter |  | 25,920 |
Minimum lease payments |  | 385,885 |
Less: imputed interest |  | (25,975 | )
Present value of obligations under finance leases |  | 359,910 |

In August 2019, the Company recognized additional right-of-use assets and finance lease obligations in relation to five vessels chartered in from Trafigura in connections with the SPA. See Note 5. for full details of the accounting for this transaction.
In May 2015, the Company and SFL agreed to amendments to the leases on 12 VLCCs and five Suezmax tankers, the related management agreements and further amendments to the charter ancillary agreements for the remainder of the charter periods. As a result of the amendments to the charter ancillary agreements, which took effect on July 1, 2015, the daily hire payable to SFL was reduced to $20,000 per day and $15,000 per day for VLCCs and Suezmax tankers, respectively. The fee due from SFL for operating costs was increased from $6,500 per day per vessel to $9,000 per day per vessel. In return, the Company issued 11.0 million new shares (as adjusted for the 1-for-5 reverse share split in February 2016) to SFL and the profit share above the new daily hire rates was increased from 25% to 50%. The Company was released from its guarantee obligation and in exchange FSL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the chartering counterparty with SFL, has agreed to certain dividend restrictions. In order to make or pay any dividend or other distribution to the Company, FSL shall demonstrate a cash buffer of $2.0 million per vessel both prior to and following such payment, and following payment of the next monthly hire due plus any profit share accrued under the agreement. As at December 31, 2019, the cash held by FSL of $13.1 million (2018: $3.5 million) may solely be used for vessel operations, payment of hire to SFL or other amounts incurred under the charters and Charter Ancillary Agreement and any other amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business.
As the Merger has been accounted for as a reverse business acquisition in which Frontline 2012 is treated as the accounting acquirer, all of the Company's assets and liabilities were recorded at fair value on November 30, 2015 such that estimated profit share over the remaining terms of the leases has been recorded in the balance sheet obligations. Consequently, the Company will only record profit share expense following the Merger when the actual expense is different to that estimated at the date of the Merger. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has recorded total obligations under these finance leases of $87.9 million of which $52.9 million is in respect of the minimum contractual payments and $35.0 million is in respect of contingent rental expense. Profit share arising in the year ended December 31, 2019 was $4.8 million, which was $2.2 million less than the amount accrued in the lease obligations payable when the leases were recorded at fair value at the time of the merger with Frontline 2012. Profit share arising in the year ended December 31, 2018 was $1.5 million, which was $19.7 million less than the amount accrued in the lease obligations payable when the leases were recorded at fair value at the time of the merger with Frontline 2012. Profit share arising in the year ended December 31, 2017 was $5.6 million, which was $26.1 million less than the amount accrued in the lease obligations payable when the leases were recorded at fair value at the time of the merger with Frontline 2012.
The following table sets forth certain details of vessel lease terminations in the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. There were no lease terminations in the year ended December 31, 2019:
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(in thousands of $) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Vessel |  | Year |  | Termination agreed |  | Termination date |  | Termination (payment)/ receipt |  | Gain/ (loss) on termination
Front Circassia |  | 2018 |  | February 2018 |  | February 2018 |  | (8,891 | ) |  | (5,811 | )
Front Page |  | 2018 |  | June 2018 |  | July 2018 |  | (3,375 | ) |  | 2,638 |
Front Stratus |  | 2018 |  | June 2018 |  | August 2018 |  | (3,375 | ) |  | 2,144 |
Front Serenade |  | 2018 |  | June 2018 |  | September 2018 |  | (3,375 | ) |  | 2,426 |
Front Ariake |  | 2018 |  | October 2018 |  | October 2018 |  | (3,375 | ) |  | 3,523 |
Front Falcon |  | 2018 |  | November 2018 |  | December 2018 |  | — |  |  | 5,404 |
Vessels terminated in 2018 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (22,391 | ) |  | 10,324 |
Front Ardenne |  | 2017 |  | July 2017 |  | August 2017 |  | (4,853 | ) |  | (5,824 | )
Front Scilla |  | 2017 |  | May 2017 |  | June 2017 |  | (6,465 | ) |  | (7,341 | )
Front Brabant |  | 2017 |  | May 2017 |  | May 2017 |  | (3,578 | ) |  | (5,021 | )
Front Century |  | 2017 |  | November 2016 |  | March 2017 |  | (4,110 | ) |  | 20,565 |
Vessels terminated in 2017 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (19,006 | ) |  | 2,379 |

In March 2017, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $21.2 million with respect to four vessels leased in from SFL - the 1997-built Front Ardenne, the 1998-built Front Brabant, the 2000-built Front Scilla and the 1999-built Front Circassia - based on a 25% probability assumption of terminating the vessel's lease before the next drydock.
In December 2017, the Company has recognized an impairment loss of $142.9 million on the remaining nine VLCCs chartered in from SFL. The leasehold interest in these finance leased assets was recorded at fair value at the time of the Merger based on the discounted value of the expected cash flows from the vessels. Based on the deterioration in forecast rates since the Merger, and the reduced remaining useful economic life of the vessels as they approach the end of their leases, the Company recognized an impairment loss on all of these leased vessels, calculated as the difference between the discounted value of the expected cash flows from the vessels as at December 31, 2017 and the carrying value of the vessels under finance lease at that time.
In February 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 1998-built VLCC Front Circassia upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charter with SFL terminated in February and the charter counter party FSL, a non recourse subsidiary of Frontline, has agreed to make a compensation payment of approximately $8.9 million for the termination of the charter to SFL, which has been recorded as an interest-bearing note payable by FSL. The note is due for repayment in 2021 and carries interest of 7.5% per annum. The termination reduced obligations under finance leases by approximately $20.6 million. The Company recorded a loss on termination, including this termination payment, of $5.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2018.
In July 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the VLCCs Front Page, Front Stratus and Front Serenade upon the sale and delivery of the vessels by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charters with SFL terminated in July, August and September 2018, respectively, and Frontline agreed to make a compensation payment of approximately $10.1 million for the termination of the three charters to SFL, which was recorded as interest-bearing notes payable by Frontline. The notes are to be repaid using the same repayment profile as the original leases and carry an interest of 7.5% per annum. The notes will be fully repaid in 2025, 2025 and 2024, respectively. These terminations reduced obligations under finance leases by approximately $92.1 million. The Company recorded a gain on termination, including the termination payment, of $7.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2018.
In October 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 2001-built VLCC, Front Ariake, upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charter terminated in October and Frontline has agreed to a total compensation payment to SFL of $3.4 million for the termination of the charter, which has been recorded as an interest bearing note payable by Frontline. The note carries interest of 7.5% per annum and will be fully repaid in 2023. In December 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 2002-built VLCC, Front Falcon, upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. The charter terminated in December. No compensation is payable on termination of the charter. These terminations reduced obligations under finance leases by approximately $55.2 million. The
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Company recorded a gain on termination, including the termination payment, of $8.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2018.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company leased in three vessels on long-term charter from SFL (2018: three vessels) and five vessels from Trafigura, all of which are classified as finance leases. The remaining periods on these leases at December 31, 2019 range from zero to 7 years. The Company recognized finance lease interest expense in the year ended December 31, 2019 of $10.7 million (2018: $16.4 million). None of these vessels have been subleased under non-cancellable operating leases.

20. | EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

In June 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into memorandum of agreement to acquire a 20% ownership interest in FMSI. The Company recorded its initial investment at a cost of $6.0 million. The Company’s investment is in the form of an interest free loan with no fixed repayment date. The Company became a shareholder in the third quarter of 2018 when the nominal value of the shares was paid and the loan was advanced. The investment is accounted for under the equity method. A share of results of $0.2 million was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2018.
In January 2019, the Company announced that its ownership interest in FMSI had increased to 28.9% following the purchase by FMSI of a 30.8% stake in FMSI from Bjørnar Feen, one of FMSI’s founders.
In January 2019, FMSI repaid $3.0 million of the $6.0 million Shareholder Loan. The repayment of the loan was recorded against the investment in associated company.
A share of results of $1.7 million was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2019.

21. | OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

Other long-term assets are comprised of advances paid and costs incurred in respect of vessel upgrades in relation to EGCS and BWTS until such time as the equipment is installed on a vessel, at which point it is transferred to Vessels and equipment, net.

22. | ACCRUED EXPENSES

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Voyage expenses |  | 33,984 |  |  | 15,934 |
Ship operating expenses |  | 27,248 |  |  | 7,879 |
Administrative expenses |  | 4,540 |  |  | 2,365 |
Interest expense |  | 9,132 |  |  | 9,914 |
Taxes |  | 709 |  |  | 727 |
Other |  | 132 |  |  | 212 |
|  | 75,745 |  |  | 37,031 |

23. | OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Deferred charter revenue |  | 4,975 |  |  | 304 |
Other |  | 2,570 |  |  | 3,600 |
|  | 7,545 |  |  | 3,904 |

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24. | DEBT

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
U.S. dollar denominated floating rate debt |  |  |  |
$500.1 million term loan facility |  | 347,689 |  |  | 385,792 |
$60.6 million term loan facility |  | 44,126 |  |  | 47,594 |
$466.5 million term loan facility |  | 264,752 |  |  | 281,273 |
$109.2 million term loan facility |  | 89,929 |  |  | 96,353 |
$328.4 million term loan facility |  | 230,805 |  |  | 246,079 |
$321.6 million term loan facility |  | 241,127 |  |  | 260,108 |
$110.5 million term loan facility (ING) |  | 106,189 |  |  | 51,413 |
$110.5 million term loan facility (Credit Suisse) |  | 112,190 |  |  | 103,747 |
$110.5 million term loan facility (Credit Suisse #2) |  | 117,098 |  |  | 52,636 |
Total U.S. dollar denominated floating rate debt |  | 1,553,905 |  |  | 1,524,995 |
U.S. dollar denominated fixed rate debt |  |  |  |
$275.0 million revolving credit facility |  | 120,000 |  |  | 186,000 |
Total U.S. dollar denominated fixed rate debt |  | 120,000 |  |  | 186,000 |
Credit facilities |  | 23 |  |  | 32 |
Secured borrowings |  | 7,329 |  |  | 7,631 |
Promissory notes |  | 20,084 |  |  | 21,894 |
Total debt |  | 1,701,341 |  |  | 1,740,552 |
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt |  | 438,962 |  |  | 120,479 |
Deferred charges |  | 7,962 |  |  | 9,780 |
Long-term portion of debt |  | 1,254,417 |  |  | 1,610,293 |

The outstanding debt as of December 31, 2019 is repayable as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  |
2020 |  | 438,962 |
2021 |  | 558,928 |
2022 |  | 57,808 |
2023 |  | 219,290 |
2024 |  | 125,077 |
Thereafter |  | 301,276 |
|  | 1,701,341 |

$466.5 million term loan facility
During December 2014, the amount of a $136.5 million term loan facility was increased to $466.5 million such that a further ten tranches of $33.0 million, each for a LR2/Aframax tanker newbuilding, could be drawn. The repayment schedule was amended to installments on a quarterly basis, in an amount of $0.4 million for each MR product tanker and $0.4 million for each LR2/Aframax tanker with a balloon payment on the final maturity date in April 2021. In addition the loan margin and commitment fee were amended to 2.05% and 0.82%, respectively. In December 2015, the loan margin was reduced to 1.90%. During 2015, $99.0 million was drawn down on delivery of three LR2/Aframax tankers and $13.1 million was repaid. During, 2016, $192.4 million was drawn down on delivery of six LR2/Aframax tankers and $126.4 million was repaid. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$60.6 million term loan facility
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In March 2015, Frontline 2012 entered into a $60.6 million term facility to fund the purchase of two secondhand vessels. The loan has a term of five years and carries interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.80%. Repayments are made on a quarterly basis, each in an amount of $0.9 million, with a balloon payment on the final maturity date in March 2021.The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$500.1 million term loan facility
In December 2015, subsidiaries of the Company signed a $500.1 million senior secured term loan facility with a number of banks, which matures in December 2020 and carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90%. This facility is secured by six VLCCs and six Suezmax tankers. Repayments are made on a quarterly basis, each in an amount of $9.5 million, with a balloon payment on the final maturity date in December 2020. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$275.0 million revolving credit facility
In June 2016, the Company signed a $275.0 million senior unsecured facility agreement with an affiliate of Hemen, the Company's largest shareholder. The $275.0 million facility carries an interest rate of 6.25%. The facility is available to the Company for a period of 18 months from the first utilization date and is repayable in full on the 18 month anniversary of the first utilization date. There are no scheduled loan repayments before this date. The facility does not include any financial covenants and will be used to part finance the Company's current newbuilding program, partially finance potential acquisitions of newbuildings or vessels on the water and for general corporate purposes.
The Company repaid $66.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 and up to $155.0 million remains available and undrawn as of December 31, 2019. In October 2019, the Company extended the terms of the facility by six months. Following the extension, the facility is repayable in May 2021. The balance outstanding is included in long-term debt as of December 31, 2019.
$109.2 million term loan facility
In July 2016, the Company entered into a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $109.2 million with ING Bank. The facility matures on June 30, 2021, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 17 years. The Company drew down $54.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$328.4 million term loan facility
In August 2016, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $328.4 million with China Exim Bank. The facility matures in 2029, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin in line with the Company's other facilities and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The Company drew down $109.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2016 in connection with one LR2 tanker and two Suezmax tanker newbuildings, which were delivered in the year. The Company drew down a further $165.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with two Suezmax tankers and three LR2/Aframax tankers delivered in the year. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$110.5 million term loan facility (Credit Suisse)
In December 2016, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $110.5 million with Credit Suisse. The facility matures in 2022, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The Company drew down $54.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The Company drew down $54.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The Company extended the facility by $15.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2019. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$321.6 million term loan facility
In February 2017, the Company signed a second senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $321.6 million. The facility provided by China Exim Bank is insured by China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation. The facility matures in 2033, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin in line with the Company's other credit facilities and has an amortization profile of 15 years. The Company drew down $252.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with four Suezmax tankers and three LR2/Aframax tankers delivered in the period. The Company drew down $32.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 in connection with one LR2 tanker delivered in the period. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$110.5 million term loan facility (Credit Suisse #2)
In June 2017, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $110.5 million with Credit Suisse. The facility matures in 2023, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The Company drew down $54.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The Company drew down $55.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 in connection with one VLCC delivered in
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the period. The Company extended the facility by $15.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2019. The facility is fully drawn down as of December 31, 2019.
$110.5 million term loan facility (ING)
In June 2017, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $110.5 million with ING. The facility matures in 2023, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The Company drew down $55.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The Company drew down $55.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 in connection with one VLCC delivered in the period. The Company extended the facility by $4.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 and drew down the $4.1 million in connection with the installation of an EGCS on the VLCC delivered in the period. The facility is fully drawn as of December 31, 2019.
$42.9 million term loan facility (Credit Suisse)
In November 2019, the Company signed a senior secured term loan facility with Credit Suisse, for an amount of up to $42.9 million to part-finance the Suezmax tanker resale under construction at HSHI. The facility matures five years after the delivery date, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 18 years. The facility is undrawn as of December 31, 2019.
Promissory notes
The sum of $20.1 million in relation to the promissory notes payable to SFL, following the termination of the leases on Front Circassia, Front Page, Front Stratus, Front Serenade and Front Ariake is included within long-term debt. See Note 19. of these Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
Secured borrowings
In December 2018, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of Golden Ocean and subsequently sold the shares for total proceeds of $7.7 million. At the same time, the Company entered into a forward contract to repurchase 1.3 million shares of Golden Ocean in March 2019 for $7.7 million. The transaction has been accounted for as a secured borrowing, with the shares recorded in Marketable securities pledged to creditors and a liability recorded at December 31, 2018 within short-term debt for $7.6 million, after adjusting for the effect of foreign exchange. The Company is required to post collateral of 20% of the total repurchase price for the duration of the agreement. As at December 31, 2018, 442,384 shares in Avance Gas were held as collateral and recorded in Marketable securities pledged to creditors with the remaining balance being paid to the counterparty as cash collateral in January 2019.
In December 2019, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of Golden Ocean and subsequently sold the shares for total proceeds of $7.6 million. At the same time, the Company entered into a forward contract to repurchase the 1.3 million shares of Golder Ocean in March 2020 for $7.2 million, with the shares recorded in Marketable securities pledged to creditors and a liability recorded at December 31, 2019 within short-term debt for $7.3 million, after adjusting for the effect of foreign exchange. The Company is required to post collateral of 20% of the total repurchase price for the duration of the agreement which was held in Restricted cash as of December 31, 2019.
The Company's loan agreements contain loan-to-value clauses, which could require the Company to post additional collateral or prepay a portion of the outstanding borrowings should the value of the vessels securing borrowings under each of such agreements decrease below required levels. In addition, the loan agreements contain certain financial covenants, including the requirement to maintain a certain level of free cash, positive working capital and a value adjusted equity covenant. Restricted cash does not include cash balances of $38.3 million (2018: $37.9 million), which represents 50% (2018: 50%) of the cash required to be maintained by the financial covenants in our loan agreements. The Company is permitted to satisfy up to 50% of the cash requirement by maintaining a committed undrawn credit facility with a remaining availability of greater than 12 months. These amounts are included in Cash and cash equivalents. Failure to comply with any of the covenants in the loan agreements could result in a default, which would permit the lender to accelerate the maturity of the debt and to foreclose upon any collateral securing the debt. Under those circumstances, the Company might not have sufficient funds or other resources to satisfy its obligations. The Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants contained in the Company's loan agreements as of December 31, 2019.
Assets pledged

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Vessels, net |  | 2,578,135 |  |  | 2,475,649 |

Deferred charges
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(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Debt arrangement fees |  | 16,831 |  |  | 17,490 |
Accumulated amortization |  | (8,869 | ) |  | (7,710 | )
|  | 7,962 |  |  | 9,780 |

The Company paid $0.7 million of debt arrangement fees in the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018: nil). The Company paid a $3.4 million guarantee fee to an affiliate of Hemen in the year ended December 31, 2019, further details can be found in Note 28. The Company recognized $2.1 million of the guarantee fee within Interest expense in the year ended December 31, 2019. The remaining balance of $1.3 million is recorded in Other current assets as of December 31, 2019.

25. | SHARE CAPITAL

Equity distribution
In July 2018, the Company announced it had entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement dated July 24, 2018, with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC for the offer and sale of up to $100.0 million of common shares of Frontline through an ATM. In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 11,037,273 shares for proceeds of $98.4 million.
Trafigura
In August 2019, the Company issued 16,035,856 shares at a closing share price of $7.92 as a part of the consideration for the Acquisition, see Note 5. for further details.
The following table summarizes the movement in the number of shares outstanding during the two years ended December 31, 2019;

Outstanding shares at December 31, 2017 | 169,809,324 |
Shares issuance in the year | 11,868 |
Outstanding shares at December 31, 2018 | 169,821,192 |
Shares issued under ATM program | 11,037,273 |
Shares issued as consideration for Trafigura acquisition | 16,035,856 |
Outstanding shares at December 31, 2019 | 196,894,321 |

26. | SHARE OPTIONS

In November 2006, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share option plan, which was cancelled in 2009 and replaced with the Frontline Ltd. Share Option Scheme, or the Frontline Scheme. The Frontline Scheme permits the Board of Directors, at its discretion, to grant options to acquire shares in the Company to employees and directors of the Company or its subsidiaries. The subscription price for all options granted under the scheme is reduced by the amount of all dividends declared by the Company in the period from the date of grant until the date the option is exercised, provided the subscription price is never reduced below the par value of the share. The vesting periods of options granted under the Frontline Scheme will be specific to each grant. There is no maximum number of shares authorized for awards of equity share options and authorized, un-issued or treasury shares of the Company may be used to satisfy exercised options.
In July 2016, the Company granted 1,170,000 share options, with an exercise price of $8.00 per share, to directors and officers in accordance with the terms of the Frontline Scheme. One third of the options vested over one year, one third vested over two years and one third vested over three years. The options have a five-year term.
In November 2018, the Company granted 180,000 share options, with an exercise price of $7.40 per share, to employees in accordance with the terms of the Frontline Scheme. All options vested in July 2019. The options have a thirty-three month term.
The fair value of the granted option awards was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions:
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|  | July 2016 |  | November 2018 |
Risk free interest rate |  | 0.69 | % | 2.78 | %
Expected life (years) |  | 3.5 |  | 1.6 |
Expected volatility |  | 79.80 | % | 38.24 | %
Expected dividend yield |  | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | %

The risk-free interest rate was estimated using the interest rate on three-year U.S. treasury zero coupon issues for the options granted in July 2016 and on prorated one to two year U.S. treasury zero coupon issues for the options granted in November 2018. The volatility was estimated using historical share price data. The dividend yield was estimated at 0% as the exercise price is reduced by all dividends declared by the Company from the date of grant to the exercise date. It was assumed that all of the options granted in July 2016 and November 2018 will vest.
The initial exercise price for the options granted in July 2016 and November 2018 was reduced by the amount of dividends paid after the date of grants. As at December 31, 2019, the exercise price of the options granted in July 2016 and November 2018 was $7.30 and the Company's share price was $12.86. As at December 31, 2019, 1,350,000 options had vested. As at December 31, 2019, 33,000 of these share options had been forfeited. As at December 31, 2019, there was no unrecognized stock compensation expense related to non-vested options. As at December 31, 2018, there was $0.3 million and $0.2 million in unrecognized stock compensation expense related to non-vested options for the options granted in July 2016 and November 2018, respectively. Stock compensation expense of $0.4 million was recognized in 2019 (2018: $1.0 million, 2017: $2.1 million).
The weighted average grant-date fair value of the options granted in 2016 was $4.06 per share and $1.53 per share for the options granted in 2018.

27. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Interest rate swap agreements
In February 2013, Frontline 2012 entered into six interest rate swaps with Nordea Bank whereby the floating interest rate on an original principal amount of $260 million of the then anticipated debt on 12 MR product tanker newbuildings was switched to fixed rate. Six of these newbuildings were subsequently financed from the $466.5 million term loan facility. In February 2016, the Company entered into an interest rate swap with DNB whereby the floating interest on notional debt of $150.0 million was switched to fixed rate. The contract had a forward start date of February 2019. The aggregate fair value of these swaps at December 31, 2019 was an asset of $0.1 million (2018: $7.6 million) and a liability of $4.3 million (2018: nil). The fair value (level 2) of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreements at the reporting date, taking into account, as applicable, fixed interest rates on interest rate swaps, current interest rates, forward rate curves and the current credit worthiness of both the Company and the derivative counterparty. The estimated fair value is the present value of future cash flows. The Company recorded a loss on these interest rate swaps of $10.1 million in 2019 (2018: gain of $4.3 million, 2017: loss of $0.8 million).
The interest rate swaps are not designated as hedges and are summarized as at December 31, 2019 as follows:

Notional Amount |  | Inception Date | Maturity Date | Fixed Interest Rate |
($000s) |  |  |  |
12,892 |  | June 2013 | June 2020 | 1.4025 | %
38,546 |  | September 2013 | September 2020 | 1.5035 | %
65,645 |  | December 2013 | December 2020 | 1.6015 | %
12,690 |  | March 2014 | March 2021 | 1.6998 | %
13,033 |  | June 2014 | June 2021 | 1.7995 | %
13,376 |  | September 2014 | September 2021 | 1.9070 | %
150,000 |  | February 2016 | February 2026 | 2.1970 | %
306,182 |  |  |  |

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Foreign currency risk
The majority of the Company's transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. dollars, the functional currency of the Company. There is a risk that currency fluctuations will have a negative effect on the value of the Company's cash flows. The Company has not entered into forward contracts for either transaction or translation risk, which may have an adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. Certain of the Company's subsidiaries report in Sterling, Singapore dollars and Norwegian kroner and risks of two kinds arise as a result:

• | a transaction risk, that is, the risk that currency fluctuations will have a negative effect on the value of the Company's cash flows;

• | a translation risk, that is, the impact of adverse currency fluctuations in the translation of foreign operations and foreign assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars for the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accordingly, such risk may have an adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. The Company has not entered into material derivative contracts for either transaction or translation risk.
Fair Values
The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

| 2019 |  | 2018
(in thousands of $) | Carrying Value |  |  | Fair Value |  |  | Carrying Value |  |  | Fair Value |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | 174,223 |  |  | 174,223 |  |  | 66,484 |  |  | 66,484 |
Restricted cash | 3,153 |  |  | 3,153 |  |  | 1,420 |  |  | 1,420 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Floating rate debt | 1,553,928 |  |  | 1,553,928 |  |  | 1,525,028 |  |  | 1,525,028 |
Fixed rate debt | 147,413 |  |  | 146,225 |  |  | 215,524 |  |  | 212,696 |

The estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities are as follows:

(in thousands of $) | 2019 Fair Value |  |  | Level 1 |  |  | Level 2 |  |  | Level 3 |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | 174,223 |  |  | 174,223 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Restricted cash | 3,153 |  |  | 3,153 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Floating rate debt | 1,553,928 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,553,928 |  |  | — |
Fixed rate debt | 146,225 |  |  | — |  |  | 7,329 |  |  | 138,896 |

(in thousands of $) | 2018 Fair Value |  |  | Level 1 |  |  | Level 2 |  |  | Level 3 |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | 66,484 |  |  | 66,484 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Restricted cash | 1,420 |  |  | 1,420 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Floating rate debt | 1,525,028 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,525,028 |  |  | — |
Fixed rate debt | 212,696 |  |  | — |  |  | 7,631 |  |  | 205,065 |

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument;
Cash and cash equivalents – the carrying values in the balance sheet approximate fair value.
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Restricted cash – the carrying values in the balance sheet approximate fair value.
Floating rate debt - the fair value of floating rate debt has been determined using level 2 inputs and is considered to be equal to the carrying value since it bears variable interest rates, which are reset on a quarterly basis.
Fixed rate debt - short-term debt held with a third party bank has been valued using level 2 inputs, the remaining fixed rate debt has been determined using level 3 inputs being the discounted expected cash flows of the outstanding debt.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Nonrecurring fair value measurements include a goodwill impairment assessment completed during the year. The impairment test used Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 inputs. See Note 4.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Marketable securities are listed equity securities considered to be available-for-sale securities for which the fair value as at the balance sheet date is the aggregate market value based on quoted market prices (level 1).
The fair value (level 2) of interest rate agreements is the present value of the estimated future cash flows that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreements at the balance sheet date, taking into account, as applicable, fixed interest rates on interest rate swaps, current interest rates, forward rate curves and the credit worthiness of both the Company and the derivative counterparty.
Concentrations of risk
There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents to the extent that substantially all of the amounts are carried with Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, or SEB, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, DNB Bank ASA and Nordea Bank Norge, or Nordea. There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to restricted cash to the extent that substantially all of the amounts are carried with DNB Bank ASA. However, the Company believes this risk is remote.

28. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We transact business with the following related parties, being companies in which Hemen and companies associated with Hemen have a significant interest: SFL, Seadrill Limited, Seatankers Management Norway AS, Seatankers Management Co. Ltd, Golden Ocean, Arcadia Petroleum Limited, Archer Limited, North Atlantic Drilling Ltd, Northern Drilling Ltd, Flex LNG Ltd, and Avance Gas. We also own an interest in FMSI which is accounted for as an equity method investment.
SFL Transactions
SFL are the counterparty to three vessels we hold as Vessels Under Finance Lease, further information can be found in Note 19.
In the year ended December 31, 2018 we terminated the leases on six VLCCs. In the year ended December 31, 2017 we terminated the leases on two VLCCs and two Suezmax tankers. Further information on the gain (loss) on termination of leases can be found in Note 19.
A total of $20.1 million in relation to the promissory notes payable to SFL, following the termination of the leases on Front Circassia, Front Page, Front Stratus, Front Serenade and Front Ariake, is included within long-term debt as of December 31, 2019 (2018: $21.9 million). The Company was charged $1.6 million (2018: $0.9 million) in the year ended December 31, 2019 for interest expense in relation to these notes.
A summary of leasing transactions with SFL in the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are as follows;

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Charter hire paid (principal and interest) |  | 11,745 |  |  | 47,324 |  |  | 75,055 |
Lease termination payments |  | — |  |  | (22,391 | ) |  | (19,006 | )
Lease interest expense |  | 6,940 |  |  | 16,400 |  |  | 25,980 |
Contingent rental income |  | (2,607 | ) |  | (19,738 | ) |  | (26,148 | )
Remaining lease obligation |  | 87,930 |  |  | 99,784 |  |  | 299,016 |

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Contingent rental income in 2019 is primarily due to the fact that the actual profit share expense earned by SFL in 2019 of $4.8 million (2018: $1.5 million, 2017: $5.6 million) was $2.2 million (2018: $19.7 million, 2017: $26.1 million) less than the amount accrued in the lease obligation payable when the leases were recorded at fair value at the time of the Merger.
In January 2014, the Company commenced a pooling arrangement with SFL, between two of its Suezmax tankers Front Odin and Front Njord and two SFL vessels Glorycrown and Everbright. The Company recognized a loss of $1.5 million in 2019 in relation to the pooling arrangement which is payable to SFL (2018: gain of $0.2 million, 2017: loss of $2.1 million).
FMSI transactions
In July 2018, the Company advanced a loan of $6.0 million to FMSI. The loan is interest free with no fixed repayment date. In January 2019, FMSI repaid $3.0 million to the Company. In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company entered into agreements to purchase EGCS from FMSI with a financial commitment of approximately $26.0 million, excluding installation costs. In the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company paid or accrued amounts totalling $9.1 million (2018: $8.2 million) in relation to the installation of EGCS on its owned and leased vessels.
Transactions with other affiliates of Hemen
In June 2016, the Company signed a $275.0 million senior unsecured facility agreement with an affiliate of Hemen, the Company's largest shareholder. The Company repaid $66.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 from the facility and up to $155.0 million remains available and undrawn as of December 31, 2019. The Company recognized interest expense of $8.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2019 (2018: $9.3 million). In October 2019, the Company extended the terms of the facility by six months to May 2021.
In August 2019, an affiliate of Hemen provided a guarantee to finance the cash amount of up to $547.0 million, payable at closing of the Acquisition. A $3.4 million guarantee fee was paid in the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company closed the Acquisition on March 16, 2020 with the proceeds from the ICBCL financing arrangement, hence the Company will not proceed with the Hemen facility. See Note 31. for further details.
A summary of net amounts earned from (paid to) related parties for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Seatankers Management Co. Ltd |  | 18,878 |  |  | 7,152 |  |  | 3,420 |
SFL |  | 1,591 |  |  | 2,001 |  |  | 3,473 |
Golden Ocean |  | 6,851 |  |  | 7,138 |  |  | 6,671 |
Seatankers Management Norway AS |  | (705 | ) |  | (735 | ) |  | (767 | )
Arcadia Petroleum Limited |  | 3,197 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Seadrill Limited |  | 367 |  |  | 279 |  |  | 470 |
Archer Limited |  | 418 |  |  | 317 |  |  | 238 |
Flex LNG Ltd |  | 1,195 |  |  | 1,788 |  |  | 4,432 |
North Atlantic Drilling Ltd |  | — |  |  | 29 |  |  | 37 |
Avance Gas |  | 518 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Other related parties |  | 197 |  |  | 101 |  |  | 67 |

Net amounts earned from other related parties comprise office rental income, technical and commercial management fees, newbuilding supervision fees, freights, corporate and administrative services income. Amounts paid to related parties comprise rental for office space and the provision of other administrative services.
Related party balances
A summary of balances due from related parties at December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
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(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
SFL |  | 4,982 |  |  | 1,653 |
Seatankers Management Co. Ltd |  | 5,490 |  |  | 2,657 |
Archer Limited |  | 94 |  |  | 173 |
Golden Ocean |  | 3,593 |  |  | 2,370 |
Seadrill Limited |  | 554 |  |  | 538 |
Arcadia Petroleum Limited |  | — |  |  | — |
Flex LNG Ltd |  | 391 |  |  | 210 |
North Atlantic Drilling Ltd |  | 25 |  |  | 116 |
Avance Gas |  | 240 |  |  |
Other related parties |  | 212 |  |  | 178 |
|  | 15,581 |  |  | 7,895 |

A summary of balances due to related parties at December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

(in thousands of $) |  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
SFL Corporation Ltd |  | 9,193 |  |  | 8,886 |
Seatankers Management Co. Ltd |  | 4,037 |  |  | 3,236 |
Golden Ocean |  | 6,241 |  |  | 5,558 |
Flex LNG Ltd |  | 636 |  |  | 1,058 |
Avance Gas |  | 79 |  |  | — |
|  | 20,186 |  |  | 18,738 |

29. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

As of December 31, 2019, the Company's newbuilding program comprised one Suezmax tanker and one VLCC, which are expected to be delivered in April and May 2020, and four LR2 tankers, which are expected to be delivered in January 2021, March 2021, October 2021 and January 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, total installments of $45.0 million had been paid and remaining commitments amounted to $302.0 million, of which we expect $159.6 million to be paid in 2020, $109.1 million to be paid in 2021 and $33.3 million to be paid in 2022.
The Company insures the legal liability risks for its shipping activities with mutual protection and indemnity associations, who are members of the International Group of P&I Clubs. As a member of these mutual associations, the Company is subject to calls payable to the associations based on the Company's claims record in addition to the claims records of all other members of the associations. A contingent liability exists to the extent that the claims records of the members of the associations in the aggregate show significant deterioration, which result in additional calls on the members.
The Company is a party, as plaintiff or defendant, to several lawsuits in various jurisdictions for unpaid charter hire, demurrage, damages, off-hire and other claims and commercial disputes arising from the operation of its vessels, in the ordinary course of business or in connection with its acquisition activities. The Company believes that the resolution of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations or financial condition individually and in the aggregate.
Following assignments of two property leases in 2015, each to a related party, a subsidiary of the Company has guaranteed the remaining outstanding payments due under the leases of approximately $5.4 million as of December 31, 2019 (2018: approximately $6.3 million). The Company does not believe that it will be required to make any payments under these guarantees and has not recorded a liability in the balance sheet in this respect.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company has committed to the purchase of EGCS on 11 vessels owned by the Company, with a financial commitment of $8.3 million, excluding installation costs. These commitments are due in 2020.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company has committed to the purchase of BWTS on eight vessels, with a financial commitment of $2.9 million, excluding installation costs. These commitments are due in 2020.
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As of December 31, 2019, the Company has committed to the purchase of a special purpose company, which will hold 10 Suezmax tankers as a result of the Acquisition from TML. The cash amount due to TML on closing of the Acquisition on March 16, 2020 is $538.2 million. The Company has recognized $269.2 million of the cash amount due within the finance lease obligation of $272.0 million in respect of the five vessels which the Company does not charter back to Trafigura as of December 31, 2019. The remaining cash amount due will be recognized upon closing of the Acquisition. See Note 5. for full details of the accounting for this transaction.

30. | SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

In the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for three vessels. The Company recognized a reduction in finance lease obligations of $53.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 in respect of these vessels.
In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for six vessels. The Company recognized a reduction in finance lease obligations of $167.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 in respect of these vessels.
Further information on the termination of long-term charters with SFL can be found in Note 19.
In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 16,035,856 shares as part of the consideration under the SPA to acquire 10 Suezmax tankers from Trafigura. The shares have been recorded at the grant date fair value of $7.92 per share, totaling $127.0 million. See Note 5. for full details of the accounting for this transaction.

31. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In October 2019, the Company announced that FMSI and Clean Marine AS had entered into a term sheet pursuant to which the entities will effect a business combination to create a leading provider of EGCS. The merger completed on January 23, 2020. Furthermore, the Company acquired an additional stake in the combined company from another shareholder for $0.8 million. Following the transactions, Frontline owns a 17.34% interest in the combined company.
In January 2020, the Company issued 798,000 ordinary shares under its share option scheme, the Frontline Scheme, to Robert Hvide Macleod at a strike price of $7.30 per share. Following such issuance, Frontline has an issued share capital of $197,692,321 divided into 197,692,321 ordinary shares.
In January 2020, the joint venture agreement with Golden Ocean Group Limited and companies in the Trafigura Group to establish a leading global supplier of marine fuels was completed. As a result, Frontline took a 15% interest in the joint venture company and made a $1.5 million shareholder loan to the joint venture company. Furthermore, the Company has agreed to provide a $50.0 million guarantee in respect of the performance of its subsidiaries, and two subsidiaries of an affiliate of Hemen, under a bunker supply arrangement with the joint venture.
In February 2020, the Company announced that FSL has agreed with SFL to terminate the long-term charter for the 2002-built VLCC Front Hakata upon the sale and delivery of the vessel by SFL to an unrelated third party. Frontline will receive a compensation payment of approximately $3.2 million from SFL for the termination of the current charter. The Company expects to record a gain on termination, including the compensation payment, of approximately $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2020. The charter with SFL terminated in February 2020. Following this termination, FSL will have two VLCCs on charter from SFL. In conjunction with the termination of the lease, the Company has settled the outstanding balances due under the notes payable in relation to the termination of the leases for Front Circassia, Front Page, Front Serenade, Front Stratus and Front Ariake of approximately $20.0 million.
In February 2020, the Company obtained a commitment from Crédit Agricole for a senior secured term loan facility in an amount of up to $62.5 million to part-finance the VLCC resale under construction at HSHI. The facility, which is subject to final documentation, will mature five years after delivery date, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.90% and has an amortization profile of 18 years.
In February 2020, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.40 per share for the fourth quarter of 2019.
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In March 2020, the Company signed a sale-and-leaseback agreement in an amount of up to $544.0 million with ICBCL to finance the cash amount payable upon closing of the Acquisition, which took place on March 16, 2020. The lease financing has a tenor of seven years, carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 2.30%, has an amortization profile of 17.8 years and includes purchase options for Frontline throughout the term with a purchase obligation at the end of the term.
In March 2020, the Company closed the acquisition of 10 Suezmax tankers under the SPA with Trafigura.
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