d1425386_6-k.htm
 
 
 
 

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 
 
 
 
FORM 6-K

 

 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the month of October 2013
 
Commission File Number: 001-13944

 
 
 
 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
 
 
 
 

 
 
LOM Building, 27 Reid Street, Hamilton, HM 11, Bermuda
(Address of principal executive office)

 

 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F  x            Form 40-F  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ¨
 
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨.
 
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
 

 
1

 

 
 

 
 

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
 
Attached as Exhibit 1 are management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and the condensed financial statements of Nordic American Tankers Limited (the "Company"), as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2013.
 
This Report of Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-187399) and Form F-3 (File No. 333-187400), each filed on March 21, 2013.

 
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EXHIBIT 1
 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED (NAT)
 
As used herein, "we," "us," "our" and "the Company" all refer to Nordic American Tankers Limited, together with its subsidiaries. This management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the discussion included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2013.
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013
 
GENERAL
 
Nordic American Tankers Limited was formed on June 12, 1995 under the laws of the Islands of Bermuda. We were formed for the purpose of acquiring and chartering double-hull tankers. We are an international tanker company that currently owns 20 Suezmax tankers, an increase from three vessels owned in the autumn of 2004. We expect that the expansion process will continue over time and that more vessels will be added to our fleet. The 20 vessels we currently operate average approximately 156,000 deadweight tonnes, or dwt, each.
 
In 2013, we chartered all of our operating vessels into a spot market arrangement with our wholly-owned subsidiary, Orion Tankers Ltd. The Orion Tankers pool was established in November 2011 with Orion Tankers Ltd. as pool manager.

Our Fleet
 
Our current fleet consists of 20 double-hull Suezmax tankers, and all of our vessels are employed in the spot market.
 
 
Vessel
 
Yard
 
Built
 
Deadweight Tons
 
Delivered to NAT
Nordic Harrier
Samsung
1997
151,459
August 1997
Nordic Hawk
Samsung
1997
151,475
October 1997
Nordic Hunter
Samsung
1997
151,401
December 1997
Nordic Voyager
Dalian New
1997
149,591
November 2004
Nordic Fighter
Hyundai
1998
153,328
March 2005
Nordic Freedom
Daewoo
2005
159,331
March 2005
Nordic Discovery
Hyundai
1998
153,328
August 2005
Nordic Saturn
Daewoo
1998
157,331
November 2005
Nordic Jupiter
Daewoo
1998
157,411
April 2006
Nordic Moon
Samsung
2002
160,305
November 2006
Nordic Apollo
Samsung
2003
159,998
November 2006
Nordic Cosmos
Samsung
2003
159,999
December 2006
Nordic Sprite
Samsung
1999
147,188
February 2009
Nordic Grace
Hyundai
2002
149,921
July 2009
Nordic Mistral
Hyundai
2002
164,236
November 2009
Nordic Passat
Hyundai
2002
164,274
March 2010
Nordic Vega
Bohai
2010
163,940
December 2010
Nordic Breeze
Samsung
2011
158,597
August 2011
Nordic Aurora
Samsung
1999
147,262
September 2011
Nordic Zenith
Samsung
2011
158,645
November 2011

 

 
3

 

 
Recent Developments
 
In October 2010, Nordic Harrier was redelivered, from a long-term bareboat charter agreement, to the Company, and went directly into drydock for repair. The drydock period lasted until the end of April 2011. The vessel had not been technically operated according to sound maintenance practices by Gulf Navigation Company LLC, and the vessel's condition on redelivery to us was far below the contractual obligation of the charterer. All expenses related to the drydock period were paid as of September 30, 2011. We have sought compensation for these expenses, but have not been able to reach an agreement with the charterer. As previously advised, the matter is now in arbitration. We expect to be heard before the end of 2013.
 
The Company paid a dividend of $0.16 per share in February, May and August 2013. In October the Company announced that it would, for the 65th time, pay dividend to its shareholders. The declared dividend was $0.16 per common share in respect of the third quarter.
 
In October 2012, we entered into a new $430 million revolving credit facility (the "2012 Credit Facility"). The banking group consists of DNB Bank ASA, Nordea Bank Norge ASA and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken.  See "2012 Credit Facility" below.
 
Effective January 2, 2013, the Company acquired the shares of Frontline Ltd (NYSE: FRO) in Orion Tankers Ltd at their nominal book value as of December 31, 2012, after which Orion Tankers Ltd became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Effective January 10, 2013, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of Scandic American Shipping Ltd. (the "Manager") from a company owned by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

As a consequence of the acquisition of 100% of Scandic American Shipping Ltd and Orion Tankers Ltd, the accounts as of June 30, 2013 are presented on a fully consolidated basis. The income statement and balance sheet in the Statement of Operations are not fully comparable with the June 30, 2012 comparative information. The compensation paid for Scandic American Shipping Ltd was partly in shares, and the Company issued 1,910,112 new shares related to the acquisition. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2013 include $ 1.1 million as a result of the consolidation. Other impacts in the statement of financial position due to the consolidation of the subsidiaries are considered to be immaterial.

Voyage revenue and voyage expenses in the income statement for the six months ended June 30, 2013 are presented solely on a gross basis. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the respective figures are presented primarily on a net basis. This change in presentation, effective from November 2012 reflects the transition from a cooperative arrangement with another vessel owner in the Orion pool to spot charters where the vessels are traded fully at the risk and reward of the Company and is not a result of the consolidation itself.

In the statement of financial position as of June 30, 2012, the Company presented two asset line items representing net receivables from the Orion Tankers Pool. These line items were "Accounts Receivable, net related party" in the current asset section and "Related party receivable" in the non-current asset. In 2013 these line items are not shown as the Orion Tankers Pool is now fully consolidated. Consequently, the Company presents "Accounts receivable, net", "Inventory", "Voyages in Progress" and "Accrued Voyage expenses" in the statement of financial position as of June 30, 2013.

Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Both Orion Tankers Ltd and Scandic American Shipping Ltd Groups have a Norwegian subsidiary which incurs corporate tax to the Kingdom of Norway. The total tax incurred by these subsidiaries is considered to be immaterial for the Company.
 
In April 2013, the Company issued 11,212,500 common shares at the price of $9.60 per share in a follow-on offering. The proceeds are used to fund future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.
 

 
4

 

In June 2013, the Company cancelled at an insignificant cost an agreement to buy a 2013 built Suezmax tanker as the seller failed to deliver the vessel in time.
 
In early June, the Company renewed its commercial agreement with a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation for two years. The contract is a type of first refusal arrangement that goes up to May 2015. NAT achieved the contract because of the operational standing of the Company and because of the twenty vessel fleet.
 
OUR CHARTERS
 
It is our policy to operate our vessels primarily in the spot market or on short term time charters. Our goal is to take advantage of potentially higher market rates with spot market related rates and voyage charters. We currently operate all of our 20 vessels in the spot market.

Up until the end of 2012 we primarily employed our vessels in cooperative arrangements with another tanker owning company. The accounting policies related to these arrangements are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2013.

After Frontline completed the withdrawal of its vessels in the Orion Tanker Pool, effective November 5 2012, the Company considered its vessels as operating under spot charters. Tankers operating in the spot market are typically chartered for a single voyage which may last up to several weeks. Under a voyage charter, revenue is generated from freight billings, as we are responsible for paying voyage expenses and the charterer is responsible for any delay at the loading or discharging ports. When our tankers are operating on spot charters, the vessels are traded fully at the risk and reward of the Company. The Company considers it appropriate to present this type of arrangement on a gross basis in the Statements of Operations. All our vessels were employed under spot charters during the six months ended June 30, 2013. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the majority of the vessels were operated through cooperative arrangements and four vessels were temporarily operated in the spot market, outside of cooperative arrangements.
 
THE 2013 TANKER MARKET
 
The freight market during 2012 for all types and sizes of tankers continued to be soft. This trend has also continued into the first half of 2013. The first half was weaker than usual as newbuildings kept coming onto the water. Bunkers were slightly lower, a basket of bunker fuel prices being 6.6% lower in the first half of 2013 compared to the same basket in 2012, and 12% lower compared to the first half of 2012.
 
As in 2012, we have observed periods in which tanker trades have yielded negative results on a time charter equivalent basis. However, this has not yet been seen in the Suezmax segment. Typically, time charter equivalents are calculated on the basis of normal service speed and corresponding bunker consumption. In 2011, we observed that earnings for the largest tankers remained in positive territory at optimized speed and consumption. In 2012 and 2013, however, this has not been the case.
 
The oil tanker fleet is generally divided into five major categories of vessels, based on carrying capacity and the types of cargoes carried.  A tanker's carrying capacity is measured in deadweight tons, or dwt, which is the amount of crude oil measured in metric tons that the vessel is capable of loading. In the single voyage market the Very Large Crude Carrier, ("VLCC"), whose carrying capacity ranges from 200,000 dwt to 320,000 dwt, reached an average of about $9,000 per day during the first half of 2013. This was significantly lower than in 2012, at a level just covering operational expenses. Suezmaxes, whose carrying capacity ranges from 120,000 dwt to 200,000 dwt, achieved $13,600 per day during the same period, down from $22,200 in the year in the first half of 2012. Corresponding rates for Aframaxes, whose carrying capacity ranges from 80,000 dwt to 120,000 dwt, were about $14,700 per day compared with $13,200 per day in the first three quarters of 2012.  Through the first half of 2013 was even more challenging for owners than the weak tanker market in the years 2011 and 2012. The earnings estimates used in this section are based on service speed and consumption. As most owners currently operate their vessels as economically as possible, i.e., by slow steaming, actual earnings are somewhat higher than those above. Earnings have periodically stayed far below operating costs resulting in substantial operating losses for many companies. Suezmax tankers have generally generated earnings above operating costs. Comparing the first half of 2013 to 2012 as a whole, market values of modern tankers declined on average about 5% over 2012. Suezmax values declined more than the average, with a decline of about 13%, having declined at a slower rate than the broader market from 2011 to 2012.
 

 
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In the first three quarters of 2013, a total of 21 VLCCs and 17 Suezmax tankers have been delivered from yards. The Suezmax fleet is estimated to have expanded by 3.4% and the VLCC fleet by 2.9% since the beginning of the year (both measured by number of vessels). This is slightly lower than our expectations one year ago. In total, net tanker fleet growth (tankers over 10,000 dwt) in the first half of 2013 was about 2.1%.
 
The sale and purchase market for tankers, measured by the number of transactions, was more active than the 2012 market.  About 152 tankers were sold in in the first half of 2013 compared to about 118 in the same period of 2012.  Prices continued to decrease across the tanker market.  
 
The International Energy Agency (IEA), according to its July 2013 report, expects global demand for oil to increase by an estimated 1.4% or 1.2mb/d in 2014. The revised estimate for 2013 showed an increase in oil demand by 1.0% or 0.9mb/d to 90.9 mb/d. With the continued financial turmoil, especially in Europe, and continued challenging times in the U.S. (despite falling unemployment and increased activity in the industry and construction sector) we remain uncertain about market developments for tankers in 2014. In addition, U.S. domestic crude oil production is expected to increase substantially as we move forward, limiting demand for imports.  It seems that Chinese economic activity is increasing following measures in 2011 and 2012 combating inflationary tendencies and that crude oil imports may continue to grow at a steady pace.
 

 

 

 

 

 
6

 

SUBSIDIARIES
 
Scandic American Shipping Ltd.
 
In June 2004, the Company entered into a management agreement (the "Management Agreement") with Scandic American Shipping Ltd. (the "Manager"). The Manager has been, from its inception and up to January 10, 2013, owned by a company controlled by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Herbjørn Hansson and his family. Under the Management Agreement, the Manager has the daily, administrative, commercial and operational responsibility for our vessels and is generally required to manage our day-to-day business according to our objectives and policies as established and directed by our Board of Directors. All decisions of a material nature concerning our business are made by the Board of Directors. The Management Agreement shall terminate on the date which is ten years from the calendar date, so that the remaining term of the Management Agreement shall always be ten years unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, essentially related to non-performance or negligence by the Manager.
 
For its services under the Management Agreement, the Manager received a management fee of $500,000 per annum for the total fleet through January 1, 2013 and is reimbursed for all of its costs incurred in connection with its services. Additionally, the Company issued to the Manager restricted common shares equal to 2% of its outstanding common shares pursuant to the Management Agreement, through January 1, 2013. This arrangement was discontinued following the Company's acquisition of the Manager. In addition, after the manager was acquired by the Company, effective January 10, 2013, all intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.
 
The acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method. The fair value of the assets and liabilities of the acquiree were determined with the assistance of an external valuation specialist. The following provisional summary of the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired:
 
Amounts in $ million
 
As of January 10, 2013
 
ASSETS
     
Cash and cash equivalents
    0.4  
Assets held for sale
    6.6  
Other current assets
    2.4  
Furniture, fixture and equipment
    1.0  
Other non-current assets
    0.2  
Total assets acquired
    10.6  
LIABILITIES
       
Accounts payable
    0.2  
Tax payable
    0.2  
Other current liabilities
    0.9  
Total liabilities assumed
    1.3  
Net assets acquired
    9.3  
Cash consideration
    8.0  
Common shares issued
    18.1  
Payable to seller
    7.2  
Total consideration
    33.3  
Net assets acquired
    9.3  
Difference
    24.0  
Settlement loss
    5.0  
Goodwill recognized
    19.0  

 

 
7

 


 
The settlement loss of $5.0 million relates the preexisting contractual relationship between the acquirer and acquiree which was recognized as a loss in the income statement for the six months ended June 30, 2013.
 
Orion Tankers Ltd.

Effective January 2, 2013, the Company acquired Orion Tankers Ltd at its nominal book value as of December 31, 2012. Orion Tankers Ltd is domiciled in Bermuda and has a subsidiary, Orion Tankers AS, in Norway. The acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method. No goodwill or gain/loss was recognized.
 
OUR CREDIT FACILITIES
 
2012 Credit Facility
 
On October 26, 2012, the Company entered into a $430 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders in order to refinance its existing credit facility, fund future vessel acquisitions and for general corporate purposes (the "2012 Credit Facility"). Amounts borrowed under the 2012 Credit Facility bear interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin and the Company pays a commitment fee, which is a percentage of the applicable margin, on any undrawn amounts.
 
Borrowings under the 2012 Credit Facility are secured by first priority mortgages over the Company's vessels and assignments of earnings and insurance. Under the terms and conditions of the 2012 Credit Facility the Company is, among other things, required to maintain certain loan to vessel value ratios, to maintain a book equity of no less than $250.0 million, to remain listed on a recognized stock exchange, and to obtain the consent of the lenders prior to creating liens on or disposing of the Company's vessels. The finance costs incurred in connection with the refinancing of the 2012 Credit Facility will be deferred and amortized over the term of the 2012 Credit Facility on a straight-line basis. The 2012 Credit Facility matures in late October 2017.
 
The undrawn amount of this facility was $220.0 million as of June, 30, 2013. The Company is currently in compliance with its loan covenants under the 2012 Credit Facility.
 
2005 Credit Facility
 
The 2012 Credit Facility replaced the 2005 Credit Facility. The latter is further described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2013. The undrawn amount of the 2005 Credit facility was $250.0 million as of June 30, 2012.
 

 
8

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
 
Results of operations
 
We present our statements of operations using voyage revenues and voyage expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, and for the six months ended June 30, 2012, all our vessels were employed in the spot market either on spot charters or through cooperative arrangements.
 
Under a spot charter, revenue is generated from freight billing and is included in voyage revenue. Under a spot charter, the vessel owner pays all vessel voyage expenses and these expenses are included in voyage expenses. The Company considers it appropriate to present this type of arrangement on a gross basis in the Statements of Operations.
 
Up until November 2012 we have been in cooperative arrangements with another tanker company. The accounting policies related to these arrangements are described in more detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2013. The Company considered it appropriate to present this type of arrangement on a net basis in the Statements of Operations.
 
Since the amount of voyage expenses that we incur for a charter depends on the type of the charter, we use net voyage revenues to provide comparability among the different types of charters. Management believes that net voyage revenue, a non-GAAP financial measure, provides more meaningful disclosure than voyage revenues, the most directly comparable financial measure under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or US GAAP, because it enables us to compare the profitability of our vessels which are employed under bareboat charters, spot related time charters and spot charters. Net voyage revenues divided by the number of days on the charter provides the Time Charter Equivalent, or TCE, rate. Net voyage revenues and TCE rates are widely used by investors and analysts in the tanker shipping industry for comparing the financial performance of companies and for preparing industry averages. We believe that our method of calculating net voyage revenue is consistent with industry standards.

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2012

All figures in USD '000
 
2013
Unaudited
   
2012
Unaudited
   
Variance
 
Voyage Revenue
    112,310       65 938    
NA
 
Voyage Expenses
    (85,016 )     (6,914 )  
NA
 
Vessel Operating Expenses
    (32,950 )     (31,754 )     3,8 %
General and Administrative Expenses
    (10,934 )     (8,961 )     22,0 %
Depreciation Expense
    (36,632 )     (34,172 )     7,2 %
Settlement loss
    (5,000 )     0    
NA
 
Net Operating Income (Loss)
    (58,222 )     (15,863 )     (267.0 %)
Interest Income
    84       215          
Interest Expense
    (5,634 )     (1,898 )        
Other Financial Income (Expense)
    (277 )     233          
Corporate Tax
    (39 )     0          
Net (Loss) Income
    (64,088 )     (17,313 )     (270.2 %)
                         
 
 
9

 

The following table reconciles our net voyage revenues to voyage revenues.
 
Voyage Revenue – net pool earnings
    0       58,067    
NA
 
Voyage Revenue – gross freight
    112,310       7,871    
NA
 
Total Voyage Revenue
    112,310       65,938    
NA
 
Less Voyage Expenses – gross
    (85,016 )     (6,914 )  
NA
 
Net Voyage Revenue
    27,294       59,024       (53,8 %)
Vessel Calendar Days   (1)
    3,620       3,640       (0,5 %)
Less Off-hire Days
    429       140       206,4 %
Total TCE days
    3,191       3,500       (8,8 %)
TCE Rate per day        (2)
 
~$ 8,600
   
~$ 16,900
      (49,7 %)
Total Days - vessel operating expenses
    3,620       3,640       (0,5 %)
 
 (1)
Vessel Calendar Days is the total number of days the vessels were in our fleet.
 (2)
Time Charter Equivalent, ("TCE"), results from Net Voyage Revenue divided by Total TCE days.
 
Voyage revenue was $112.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared with $65.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The change in Voyage revenue is due to four main factors:
 
i)  
Changes in the type of  vessel employment
 
ii)  
Whether the employment is accounted for on a net or gross basis
 
iii)  
The number of TCE days
 
iv)  
The change in  the TCE Rate achieved
 
On i); for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 the company has employed all vessels in the spot market, either as spot charters or through cooperative arrangements. No vessels were employed on time charters or bareboat charters.
 
On ii); All our vessels were employed as spot charters during the six months ended June 30, 2013. For the six months ended June 30, 2012 all of our vessels were employed through cooperative arrangements, except that four vessels were temporarily operated on spot charters.
 
On iii) The increase in off hire days to 429 days for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from 140 days for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was partly a result of additional planned off-hire of 242 days in connection with required dry dockings in 2013. The increase in off hire days was the primary reason for the 10.8% decrease in TCE days.
 
On iv); The TCE rate per day was $8,600 for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $16,900 for the six months ended June 30, 2012, representing a decrease of 49.1%. The indicative average spot rates presented by Marex Spectron for the first six months of 2013 and 2012 decreased by 42.3% to $11,963 from $20,725, respectively.
 
As a result of iii) and iv), net voyage revenues decreased by 53.8% from $59.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, to  $27.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013.
 

 
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Voyage expenses were $85.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $6.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The change in voyage expenses is primarily due to all of our vessels being on spot charters in 2013 whilst in 2012 our vessels were primarily employed through cooperative arrangements and therefore are presented on a net basis.
 
Vessel operating expenses, or operating expenses, were $33.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $31.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, an increase of 3.8%. The increase is primarily due to a general increase in prices for goods and services purchased.
 
General and administrative expenses were $10.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $9.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, an increase of 22.0%. The increase is a result of a one-time charge to General and administrative expenses of $3.6 million related to the acquisition of Scandic American Shipping Ltd, which is offset by a non-cash charge related to share based compensation in connection with the offering in January 2012 and currency translation effects on pension costs.
 
Depreciation expenses were $36.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $34.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, an increase of 7.2%. The increase is a result of an increase in amortization of drydocking costs related to capitalized drydocking expenses.
 
Settlement Loss was $5.0 for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The Settlement Loss relates to a preexisting contractual relationship between the Company and Scandic American Shipping Ltd which was recognized when the purchase of Scandic was completed.
 
Net operating loss was $58.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to a net operating loss of $15.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The increase in net operating loss is primarily caused by the reduction in net voyage revenue caused by a significant reduction in the spot market rates, and the one-time charges of $8.6 million related to the purchase of Scandic American Shipping Ltd.
 
Interest income was $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The decrease in interest income is a result of the Company's holding less excess cash in the period.
 
Interest expense was $5.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The down payment of $40m on the Credit Facility was made close to the period end, and the increase is due to an increase in interest rates during the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared with the six months ended June 30, 2012.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities decreased to ($24.9) million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $9.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities is primarily due to the significant decrease in spot market rates, which is the primary driver of operating activities.
 
Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities decreased to ($2.1) million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $7.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The decrease in cash flows in investing activities is primarily due to the purchase of Scandic American Shipping Ltd, and increased investments in vessels.

Cash flows provided by financing activities decreased to $42.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $63.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The decrease is due to a down payment on the 2012 Credit Facility which was offset by an increase in proceeds from issuance of common stock and reduction in dividends paid. Cash flows provided by, or used in, financing activities will tend to fluctuate due to the size and timing of issuance of common stock, and the Company's use of the Credit Facility.

 
11

 


 
Management believes that the Company's working capital is sufficient for its present requirements.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
The Company's significant contractual obligations as of June 30, 2013, consist of our obligations as borrower under our 2012 Credit Facility and our deferred compensation agreements for our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
 
The following table sets out long-term financial, commercial and other obligations outstanding as of June 30, 2013 (all figures in thousands of USD).

Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1-3
 years
   
3-5 years
   
More than 5 years
 
2012 Credit Facility (1)
    210,000       -       -       210,000       -  
Interest Payments (2)
    28,783       6,772       20,318       1,693       -  
Commitment Fees (3)
    11,033       2,596       7,788       649       -  
Deferred Compensation Agreement (4)
    10,857       -       -       -       10,857  
Total
    260,673       9,368       28,106       212,342       10,857  
 
 
Notes:
(1)
Refers to our obligation to repay indebtedness outstanding of the 2012 Credit Facility as of June 30, 2013.
(2)
Refers to estimated payments over the term of the indebtedness outstanding of the 2012 Credit Facility as of June 30, 2013.
(3)
Refers to estimated commitment fees over the term of the indebtedness outstanding of the 2012 Credit Facility as of June 30, 2013.
(4)
Refers to our estimated deferred compensation agreement payable to the Company's CEO and CFO as of June 30, 2013.
 
Employment Agreements
 
We have employment agreements with Herbjørn Hansson, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Turid M. Sørensen, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Rolf I. Amundsen, Advisor to the Chairman and Jan Erik Langangen, our Executive Vice President, Business Development & Legal. Mr. Hansson does not receive any additional compensation for his services as the Chairman of the Board. The aggregate compensation of our executive officers during the six months ended June 30, 2013 was approximately $1.4 million. Under certain circumstances, the employment agreement may be terminated by us or Mr. Hansson upon six months' written notice to the other party. The employment agreement with Ms. Sørensen may be terminated by us or by Ms. Sørensen upon six months' written notice to the other party. The employment agreements with Mr. Amundsen and Mr. Langangen may be terminated by us or Mr. Amundsen or Mr Langangen upon three months' written notice to the other party.
 
In 2011 the Board of Directors established a new incentive plan involving a maximum of 400,000 restricted shares of which all 400,000 shares were allocated among 23 persons employed in the management of the Company, the Manager and the members of the Board. A total of 163,000 shares were issued to our Directors as of June 30, 2012 and 2013. The vesting period was a four year cliff for 326,000 shares and a five year cliff for 74,000 shares, that is none of these shares could be sold during the first four and five years after grant, as applicable, and the shares are forfeited if the grantee leaves the Company before this time. In 2013 and 2012 the Company repurchased respectively 14,500 and 8,500 restricted common shares at par value from employees who had resigned from the Manager, and these restricted shares common shares are held as treasury shares. On January 10, 2013, the Board of Directors amended the vesting requirements for 174,000 shares allocated to the Manager lifting the vesting requirements by accelerating the vesting period. The modification resulted in $1.1m being charged to General and Administrative expense during the first quarter of 2013.

 
12

 

 

 
As of June 30, 2013, a total of 203,000 restricted common shares that are subject to vesting have been allocated among 17 persons employed in the management of the Company, the members of the Board of Directors and employees of the Manager. The holders of the restricted shares are entitled to voting rights as well as to receive dividends paid during the vesting period. The Board considers this arrangement to be in the best interests of the Company.
 
Our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have individual deferred compensation agreements. In July, 2013, the Company reserved $5.0 million in a restricted account as security for the deferred compensation owed to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer has served in his present position since the inception of the Company in 1995.
 
Employees of the Manager and Orion Tankers AS are members of a defined benefit plan in arrangements and terms common for Norwegian employees. The assets and liabilities of the plan are not material to the financial statements of the Company.
 

 
13

 


 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations for the six Months Ended JUNE 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
All figures in USD '000, except share and per share amount
 
   
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Voyage Revenues
    112,310       65,938  
Voyage Expenses
    (85,016 )     (6,914 )
Vessel Operating Expense - excluding depreciation expense presented below
    (32,950 )     (31,754 )
General and Administrative Expense
    (10,934 )     (8,961 )
Depreciation Expense
    (36,632 )     (34,172 )
Settlement Loss
    (5,000 )     -  
Net Operating Loss
    (58,222 )     (15,863 )
                 
Interest Income
    84       215  
Interest Expense
    (5,634 )     (1,898 )
Other Financial Income (Expense)
    (277 )     233  
Total Other Expenses
    (5,827 )     (1,450 )
Corporate income tax
    (39 )     -  
Net Loss
    (64,088 )     (17,313 )
                 
Basic (Loss) Earnings per Share
    (1.07 )     (0.33 )
Diluted (Loss) Earnings per share
    (1.07 )     (0.33 )
Basic Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
    60 120 206       52 175 563  
Diluted Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
    60 120 206       52 175 563  
 
The footnotes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 
14

 


 

 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the SIX Months Ended JUNE 30, 2013, AND 2012 (Unaudited)
All figures in USD '000
   
 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net Loss
    (64,088 )     (17,313 )
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
    -       -  
Marketable Securities, Available for Sale
    84       (32 )
Translation differences
    (141 )     -  
Total Other Comprehensive Loss
    (57 )     (32 )
Total Comprehensive Loss
    (64,145 )     (17,345 )

 
 
The footnotes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 
15

 


 
consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of JUNE 30, 2013 AND DECEMBER 31, 2012 (Unaudited)
All figures in USD '000, except share and per share amount

 
   
   
June 30, 2013
   
December 31,  2012
 
Assets
           
Current Assets
           
Cash and Cash Equivalents
    71,125       55,511  
Marketable Securities
    0       549  
Accounts Receivable, net
    8,136       54  
Accounts Receivable, net related party
    0       12,862  
Prepaid Expenses
    5,564       4,365  
Inventory
    26,772       4,048  
Voyages in Progress
    11,230       0  
Other Current Assets
    1,748       1,184  
Total Current Assets
    124,575       78,573  
                 
Non-current Assets
               
Vessels, Net
    934,782       964,855  
Goodwill
    18,979       0  
Related party receivable (Orion Tanker Pool)
    0       36,987  
Other Non-current Assets
    5,392       5,209  
Total Non-current Assets
    959,153       1,007,051  
Total Assets
    1,083,728       1,085,624  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
Current Liabilities
               
Accounts Payable
    3,805       3,095  
Accounts Payable, related party
    0       1,536  
Accrued Voyage Expenses
    4,888       0  
Accrued Liabilities
    6,652       10,343  
Total Current Liabilities
    15,345       14,974  
Long-term Debt
    210,000       250,000  
Deferred Compensation Liability
    10,996       11,267  
Total Liabilities
    236,341       276,241  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies
    -       -  
Shareholders' Equity
               
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per Share; 90,000,000 shares authorized , 66,038,251 shares issued and outstanding and 52,915,639 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012,  respectively
    660       529  
Additional Paid-in Capital
    136,965       15,615  
Contributed Surplus
    773,991       866,515  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (141 )     (84 )
Retained Deficit
    (64,088 )     (73,192 )
Total Shareholders' Equity
    847,388       809,383  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    1,083,728       1,085,624  
 
The footnotes are an integral part of these financial statements

 
16

 


 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended JUNE 30, 2013, AND 2012 (Unaudited)
All figures in USD '000
   
 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
           
Net Loss
    (64,088 )     (17,313 )
Reconciliation of Net Loss to Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities
               
Depreciation Expense
    36,632       34,172  
Settlement of contract
    5,000       -  
Dry-dock Expenditures
    (4,773 )     (5,904 )
Amortization of Deferred Finance Costs
    614       326  
Deferred Compensation Liability
    (355 )     1,089  
Compensation – Restricted Shares
    1,504       2,389  
Gain in Marketable Securities
    34       (24 )
Other, net
    3       -  
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
               
Accounts Receivables
    3,911       387  
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
    (10,419 )     (10,052 )
Prepaid and Other Current Assets
    752       12,228  
Voyages in Progress
    6,228       5,233  
Other Non-current Assets
    47       (13,481 )
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities
    (24,910 )     9,050  
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
               
Proceeds from Marketable Securities
    600       -  
Investment in Vessels
    (5,475 )     (1,503 )
Investment in other fixed assets
    (1,722 )     -  
Repayment of  Deposit
    5,475       9,000  
Acquisition of Orion Tankers Ltd
    (271 )     -  
Cash arising from obtaining control of Orion Tankers Ltd
    6,544       -  
Acquisition of in Scandic American Shipping Ltd, net of cash acquired
    (7,641 )     -  
Acquisition of Scandic Assets Held for Sale
    (5,467 )     -  
Proceeds from Sale of Scandic Assets held for Sale
    5,467       -  
Other, net
    444       (128 )
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities
    (2,046 )     7,369  
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
               
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock
    101,831       75,583  
Proceeds from Use of Credit Facility
    -       20,000  
Repayment towards Credit Facility
    (40,000 )     -  
Dividends Paid
    (19,331 )     (31,749 )
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
    42,500       63,834  
                 
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    15,544       80,253  
Effect of exchange rate  changes on cash and cash equivalents
    70       -  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the Beginning of Year
    55,511       24,006  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the End of Period
    71,125       104,259  
 
The footnotes are an integral part of these financial statements
 

 

 
17

 


 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Changes in Equity for the Six months ended June 30, 2013,  and 2012 (Unaudited)
All figures in USD '000, except number of shares
 

   
Number
 of Shares
   
Common Stock
   
Additional Paid-in Capital
   
Contributed Surplus
   
Accumulated other Comphrehensive Loss
   
Retained Deficit
   
Total Shareholders' Equity
 
Balance at January 1, 2012
    47,303,394       473       12,867       926,733       (212 )     (72,298 )     867,563  
Accumulated coverage of loss
    -       -       -       (72,298 )     -       72,298       -  
Net (Loss) Income
    -       -       -       -       -       (17,313 )     (17,313 )
Common Shares Issued
    5,500,000       55       75,527       -       -       -       75,582  
New Manager shares
    112,245       1       1,540       -       -       -       1,541  
Share based compensation
    -       -       849       -       -       -       849  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       -       -       -       (32 )     -       (32 )
Return of Capital
    -       -       -       (31,749 )     -       -       (31,749 )
Balance at June 30, 2012
    52,915,639       529       90,783       822,686       (245 )     (17,313 )     896,441  


   
Number
of Shares
   
Common Stock
   
Additional Paid-in Capital
   
Contributed Surplus
   
Accumulated other Comphrehensive Loss
   
Retained Deficit
   
Total Shareholders' Equity
 
Balance at January 1, 2013
    52,915,639       529       15,615       866,514       (84 )     (73,192 )     809,383  
Accumulated coverage of loss
    -       -       -       (73,192 )     -       73,192       -  
Net (Loss) Income
    -       -       -       -       -       (64,088 )     (64,088 )
Common Shares Issued
    11 212 500       112       101,719       -       -       -       101,831  
New Manager shares
    1 910 112       19       18,127       -       -       -       18,146  
Share based compensation
    -       -       1,504       -       -       -       1,504  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       -       -       -       (57 )     -       (57 )
Return of Capital
    -       -       -       (19,331 )     -       -       (19,331 )
Balance at June 30, 2013
    66,038,251       660       136,965       773,991       (141 )     (64,088 )     847,388  


 
18

 

 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
1. INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA
 
The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for Nordic American Tankers Limited (the "Company") have been prepared on the same basis as the Company's audited financial statements and, in the opinion of management, include all material adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The accompanying unaudited condensed interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes included in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
Comparative Information
As a consequence of the 100% acquisition of Scandic American Shipping Ltd and the remaining 50% of Orion Tankers Ltd, the accounts as of June 30, 2013 are presented on a fully consolidated basis. The comparative information as of June 30, 2012 has not been adjusted and is presented on a non-consolidated basis. As a result the income statement and balance sheet in the Statement of Operations as of June 30, 2013 are not fully comparable with the June 30, 2012 comparative information and additionally the Company gained control of cash held by Orion Tankers Ltd, and Scandic American Shipping Ltd. The most noticeable effects are:

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2013 include $ 1.1 million as a result of the consolidation.

In the statement of financial position as of June 30, 2012, the Company presented two asset line items representing net receivables from the Orion Tankers Pool. These line items were "Accounts Receivable, net related party" in the current asset section and "Related party receivable" in the non-current asset. In 2013 these line items are not shown as the Orion Tankers Pool is now fully consolidated. Consequently, the Company presents "Accounts receivable, net", "Inventory", "Voyages in Progress" and "Accrued Voyage expenses" in the statement of financial position as of June 30, 2013. Additionally the Company has gained control of cash held by the Orion Tankers Pool.

There are no other material impacts following the consolidation of subsidiaries.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
A summary of the Company's significant accounting policies is identified in Note 1 of the Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F.
 
Inventories: Inventories, which are comprised of bunker fuel and lubrication oil, are stated at the lower of cost or market, which is determined on a first-in, first out ("FIFO") basis.
 
New Accounting Policies:
 
Consolidation
 
Entities in which the Company has controlling financial interest are consolidated in accordance with ASC 810. The subsidiaries accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The consolidated subsidiaries do not generate external revenue for the Company. Expenses from the consolidated subsidiaries have been included in the statement of operations as from January 1, 2013.
 
Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. Currency translation differences are recognized in Other Comprehensive income in accordance with ASC 830-20-35-3 and 4.

 
19

 

 

 
Income Taxes
 
The Company is incorporated in Bermuda. Under current Bermuda law, the Company is not subject to corporate income tax.
 
The Company has two wholly-owned subsidiaries in Norway which are subject to income tax in their jurisdictions at 28% of their taxable profit. The tax incurred and paid by subsidiaries is not material.
 
Recent account pronouncements:
 
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02 to amend, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). The ASU require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. The Company adopted ASU 2013-02 from January 1, 2013, without material impact on our financial position, result of operations, or cash flows.
 
In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU requires the Company to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The guidance ASU 2011-11 is effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company adopted ASU 2011-11 from January 1, 2013 without material impact on our financial position, result of operations, or cash flows.
 
3. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
Scandic American Shipping Ltd.:
 
In June 2004, the Company entered into a Management Agreement with Scandic American Shipping Ltd. ("Scandic" or the "Manager"). The Manager has been, from its inception and up to January 10, 2013, owned by a company controlled by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Herbjørn Hansson and his family. In order to align the Manager's interests with those of the Company, the Company pursuant to the Management Agreement issued to the Manager restricted common shares equal to 2% of the Company's outstanding common shares, through January 1, 2013. The arrangement ended when the Company acquired the Manager, as described below.
 
The Manager has the daily administrative, commercial and operational responsibility for the Company's vessels and is required to manage the Company's day-to-day business subject to the Company's objectives and policies as established by the Board of Directors.
 
On December 15, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of the Manager. The acquisition is described in note 10.
 
In February 2011, the Company adopted a new equity incentive plan which we refer to as the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, pursuant to which a total of 400,000 restricted shares were reserved for issuance. All of 400,000 restricted shares were allocated among 23 persons employed in the management of the Company, including the Manager and the members of the Board. On January 10, 2013, the Board of Directors amended the vesting requirements for 174,000 shares allocated to the Manager lifting the vesting requirements by means of accelerated vesting. The modification to the vesting requirements resulted in $1.1 million being charged to General and Administrative expense during the first quarter of 2013.

As of June 30, 2013, a total number of 203,000 restricted common shares that are subject to vesting have been allocated among 17 persons employed in the management of the Company, by the Manager and the members of the Board of Directors. The holders of the restricted shares are entitled to voting rights as well as to receive dividends paid during the vesting period.

 
20

 


 

 
Board Member and Employees:
 
Mr. Jan Erik Langangen, Board Member and an employee of the Company, is a partner of Langangen & Helset Advokatfirma AS, a firm which provides legal services to the Company. The Company recognized $22,096 and $49,862 in costs for the six months ended June 30, 2013, and the six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, for the services provided by Langangen & Helset Advokatfirma AS. These costs are included in "General and Administrative Expenses" in the statement of operations. There were no related amounts included within "Accounts Payable" at June 30, 2013 and at December 31, 2012.
 
Mr. Rolf Amundsen, former Investor Relations Manager, is a partner of Amundsen & Partners AS, a firm which provides consultancy services to the Company.  The Company recognized $23,948 and $38,867 in costs for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the six months ended June 30, 2012 respectively, for the services provided by Amundsen & Partners AS. These costs are included in "General and Administrative Expenses" within the statement of operations. There were no related amounts included within "Accounts Payable" at June 30, 2013 and at December 31, 2012.
 
Orion Tankers Ltd
 
Orion was established as a pool manager equally owned by the Company and Frontline Ltd("Frontline"). In September 2012, it was agreed that Frontline would withdraw its nine Suezmax tankers from the pool during the fourth quarter of 2012. The withdrawal of these vessels was completed effective November 5, 2012. Effective January 2, 2013 the Company acquired Frontline's shares in Orion at their nominal book value as of December 31, 2012, after which Orion Tankers Ltd. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
 
As of December 31, 2012, "Related party receivable" amounted to $37.0 million. The "Related party receivable" amount represented the outstanding working capital from the Orion pool. The working capital represented the value of bunkers on board the Company's vessels on delivery to the cooperative arrangements, including payment of initial funding of $0.2 million per vessel. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, these figures are presented on gross basis.
 
As of December 31, 2012, "Accounts Receivable, net related party" amounted to $12.9 million. The "Accounts Receivable, net related party" amount represented the outstanding voyage revenue from Orion pool.

As of June 30, 2013, Orion Tankers Ltd is a subsidiary and all intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
 
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
The Company has a $430 million revolving credit facility (the "2012 Credit Facility"), with a maturity in October 2017 which replaced the previous 2005 Credit Facility in late October 2012. Accordingly comparative figures for the six months ended June 30, 2012, reflect payments under the 2005 Credit Facility.
 
The 2012 Credit Facility provides funding for future vessel acquisition and general corporate purposes. The Credit Facility cannot be reduced by the lender and there are no repayment obligations of the principal during the term of the facility. Amounts borrowed bear interest equal to LIBOR plus a margin. The company pays a commitment fee of 40% of the applicable margin on any undrawn amounts. Total commitment fees paid for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2012 were $1.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The undrawn amount of this facility as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $220 million and $180 million, respectively.
 
Borrowings under the 2012 Credit Facility are secured by first priority mortgages over the Company's vessels and assignments of earnings and insurance. Under the terms and conditions of the 2012 Credit Facility the Company is, among other things, required to maintain certain loan to vessel value ratios, to maintain a book equity of no less than $250.0 million, to remain listed on a recognized stock exchange, and to obtain the consent of the lenders prior to creating liens on or disposing of the Company's vessels. The Company is permitted to pay dividends in accordance with its dividend policy as long as it is not in default under the 2012 Credit Facility.
 

 
21

 


 
The Company was in compliance with its loan covenants as of June 30, 2013.
 
5. SHARE CAPITAL
 
Included in Additional Paid in Capital is the Company's Share Premium Fund as defined by Bermuda Law. The Share Premium Fund cannot be distributed without complying with certain legal procedures designed to protect the creditors of the Company. The Share Premium Fund was $101.7 million and $0 million as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
 
In April 2013, the Company issued 11,212,500 common shares at the price of $9.60 per share in a registered transaction, used to fund future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.
 
As of June 30, 2013, 66,038,251 shares were issued and outstanding, which included 203,000 restricted shares issued to employees, Directors and non-employees, and 23,000 treasury shares. As of December 31, 2012, 52,915,639 shares were issued and outstanding, which included 690,551 restricted shares issued to the Manager, of which 217,500 shares were restricted to members of the Board, employees of the Company and to persons employed by the Manager.
 
On June 1, 2011, at its Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held in Bermuda, the Company increased authorized share capital from 51,200,000 common shares to 90,000,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share.
 
6. VESSELS
 
As of June 30, 2013 and as of December 31, 2012, "Vessels, Net" consisted of 20 Suezmax crude oil tankers and capitalized drydocking charges. Depreciation is calculated based on cost less estimated residual value of $4.0 million and is provided over the estimated useful life of the vessel using the straight-line method. The estimated useful life of a vessel is 25 years from the date the vessel is delivered from the shipyard. During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, we did not impair any of our vessels' carrying value under our accounting impairment policy, as we believe the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be earned by such vessels over their operating lives would exceed the vessels' carrying amounts.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company paid $4.8 million in drydocking charges, compared to $5.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
 
7. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
 
Management Agreement
In order to align the Manager's interests with the Company's, the Company agreed to issue to the Manager restricted common shares equal to 2% of its outstanding common shares at par value of $0.01 per share. Any time additional common shares are issued, the Manager was entitled to receive additional restricted common shares to maintain the number of common shares issued to the Manager at 2% of total outstanding common shares. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company issued to the Manager 112,245 restricted shares at an average fair value of $13.73. In December 2012, the Company announced that it would acquire 100% of the shares of the Manager. The acquisition was effective January 10, 2013. In addition to gaining full direct control of the Manager's operations, the Company is no longer obligated to maintain the Manager's ownership of the Company's common shares at 2%. The compensation for the Manager was partly in shares, and the Company issued 1,910,112 new shares related to the acquisition, the shares have a lock up period of one year from issuance.

 
22

 


 
Equity Incentive Plan 2011
In 2011, the Board of Directors decided to establish a new incentive plan involving a maximum of 400,000 restricted shares of which all 400,000 shares have been allocated among 23 persons employed in the management of the Company, the Manager and the members of the Board of Directors. These allocated shares constituted 0.8% of the outstanding shares of the Company. The vesting period is four year cliff vesting period for 326,000 shares and five year cliff vesting period for 74,000 shares, that is, none of these shares may be sold during the first four or five years after grant, as applicable, and the shares are forfeited if the grantee leaves the Company before that time. The holders of the restricted shares are entitled to receive dividends paid in the period as well as voting rights. The Board considers this arrangement to be in the best interests of the Company.
 
In 2012 and 2013 respectively, the Company repurchased from employees who had resigned from the Manager 8,500 and 14,500 restricted common shares that had a four-year cliff vesting period. The total 23,000 restricted common shares are held as treasury shares as of June 30, 2013.

In 2013 the Board of Directors amended the vesting requirements for the 174,000 shares allocated to the Manager under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and the vesting requirements were lifted. This resulted in $1.1 million being charged to General and Administrative expense in the first quarter of 2013.

The remaining 203,000 restricted shares under the Plan were allocated among 17 persons employed in the management of the Company, the Manager and the members of the Board.
 
Restricted Shares to Employees and Directors and to Non-Employees
Under the terms of the equity incentive plan 400,000 shares of restricted stock awards were granted to certain employees and Directors and to non-employees during 2011. Of these shares, 326,000 restricted shares were granted on February 23, 2011, at a grant date fair value of $23.88 per share, and 74,000 restricted shares were granted on August 5, 2011, at a grant date fair value of $18.05 per share. The Company repurchased 8,500 and 14,500 restricted common shares in 2012 and 2013 respectively, the shares were granted on February 23, 2011.
 
The fair value of restricted shares is estimated based on the market price of the Company's shares. The fair value of restricted shares granted to employees is measured at grant date and the fair value of unvested restricted shares granted to non-employees is measured at fair value at each reporting date.
 
The shares are considered restricted as the shares vest after a period of four years and five years. The holders of the restricted shares are entitled to receive dividends paid in the period as well as voting rights.
 
The Board of Directors lifted the vesting requirements for 100,000 restricted shares which would be fully vested in February 2015, and 74,000 restricted shares which would be fully vested in August 2016. The remaining 203,000 restricted shares remaining will be fully vested in February 2015.
 
The compensation cost for employees, Directors and non-employees is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period and is presented as part of the general and administrative expenses. The total compensation cost related to restricted shares under the plan for the six months ending June 30, 2013 was $1.5 million, compared to $0.8 million for the six months ending June 30, 2012.
 
The tables below summarize the Company's restricted stock awards as of June 30, 2013:
 

   
Restricted shares -Employees
   
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
- Employees
   
Restricted shares
- Non-employees
   
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
- Non-employees
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2013
    163,000     $ 23.88       228,500     $ 22.06  
Granted during the year
    -       -       -       -  
Vested during the year
    -       -       (174,000 )     -  
Forfeited during the year
    -       -       (14,500 )     -  
Non-vested at June 30, 2013
    163,000     $ 23.88       40,000     $ 23.88  
 


 
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The tables below summarize the Company's restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2012:
 
   
Restricted shares -Employees
   
Weighted-average grant-date fair value - Employees
   
Restricted shares
- Non-employees
   
Weighted-average grant-date fair value - Non-employees
 
Non-vested at January 1, 2012
    163,000     $ 23.88       237,000     $ 22.06  
Granted during the year
    -       -       -       -  
Vested during the year
    -       -       -       -  
Forfeited during the year
    -       -       (8,500 )     -  
Non-vested at December 31, 2012
    163,000     $ 23.88       228,500     $ 22.06  
 
8. EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
Basic earnings per share ("EPS") are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common stock equivalents (i.e., stock options, warrants) outstanding during the period.
 
For the six months ending June 30, 2013 and for the six months ending June 30, 2012, the Company had a net loss. Thus any effect of common stock equivalents outstanding would be antidilutive.
 
9. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The Company did not hold any derivative instruments for the six months ended June 30, 2013 or for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
 
The majority of the Company's transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in United States dollars, the functional currency of the Company. There is no significant risk that currency fluctuations will have a negative effect of the value of the Company's cash flows.
 
The carrying value of estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments at June 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

  June 30, 2013    
December 31, 2012
 
All figures in USD '000
Fair Value
Hierarchy
Level (1)
 
Fair
Value
   
Carrying
Value
   
Fair
Value
   
Carrying
Value
 
Cash and Cash Equivalent
Level 1
    71,125       71,125       55,511       55,511  
Marketable Securities
Level 1
    -       -       549       549  
Working capital, Orion Tanker pool (non-current assets)
      -       -       36,987       36,987  
2012 Credit Facility
      (210,000 )     (210,000 )     (250,000 )     (250,000 )
 
           
(1)
The fair value hierarchy level is only applicable to each financial instrument on the balance sheet that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis
 
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities is reasonable estimate of fair value. The estimated fair value for the long term debt is considered to be equal to the carrying values since it bears variable interest rates.

 
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10. ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARIES
 
Effective January 10, 2013 the Company acquired Scandic. The purchase price was $33.3 million, $18.1 million of which was paid in shares, $8.0 million of which was paid in cash and $7.2 million in payable to seller for additional assets which were sold during the first quarter of 2013. The number of shares transferred was 1,910,117, trading at $9,50 on the acquisition date. The share component of the purchase price is subject to a one-year lock-up, while the cash component was primarily used by the seller to pay taxes associated with this transaction. The transaction was effective January 10, 2013, and the Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In addition to gaining full direct control of the Manager's operations, the Company is no longer obligated to maintain the Managers ownership of the Company's common shares at 2%. The Company shares owned by the Manager were not part of the transaction and remained with the seller. The acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method.
 
Effective January 2, 2013, the Company acquired the remaining 50% of Orion Tankers Ltd at its nominal book values as of December 31, 2012. It was determined that the fair value of the assets and liabilities of Orion Tankers Ltd matched their book values. Fair value of total assets acquired was $1.8m and liabilities assumed $1.3m, accordingly the cash consideration for the Company was $0.3 for the 50% stake and no goodwill or gain/loss was recognized.

For further background and details related to the acquisitions please see note 3.
 
The fair value of the assets and liabilities of the Scandic were determined with assistance of en external valuation specialist. The following is a provisional summary of the fair values of the assets and liabilities:
 
Amounts in $ million
 
Scandic
As of January 10, 2013
 
ASSETS
     
Cash and cash equivalents
    0.4  
Assets held for sale
    6.6  
Other current assets
    2.4  
Furniture, fixture and equipment
    1.0  
Other non-current assets
    0.2  
Total assets acquired
    10.6  
LIABILITIES
       
Accounts payable
    0.2  
Tax payable
    0.2  
Other current liabilities
    0.9  
Total liabilities assumed
    1.3  
Net assets acquired
    9.3  
Cash consideration
    8.0  
Common shares issued
    18.1  
Payable to seller
    7.2  
Total consideration
    33.3  
Net assets acquired
    9.3  
Difference
    24.0  
Settlement loss
    5.0  
Net Goodwill recognized
    19.0  

 
The settlement loss of $5.0 million relates to a preexisting contractual relationship between the acquirer and acquiree which was recognized as a loss in the income statement for the six months ended June 30, 2013.
 

 
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11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Nordic Harrier
In October 2010, Nordic Harrier was redelivered, from a long-term bareboat charter agreement, to the Company and went directly into drydock. The drydock period lasted until the end of April 2011. The vessel had not been technically operated according to sound maintenance practices by Gulf Navigation Company LLC, and the vessel's condition on redelivery to the Company was far below the contractual obligation of the charterer. All expenses related to the drydock period were paid as of September 30, 2011. The Company has sought compensation for these expenses, but has not been able to reach an agreement with Gulf Navigation Company LLC. Arbitration procedures have commenced and are expected to be heard in 2013.
 
Legal Proceedings and Claims
The Company may become a party to various legal proceedings generally incidental to its business and is subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control laws and regulations. As is the case with other companies in similar industries, the Company faces exposure from actual or potential claims and legal proceedings. Although the ultimate disposition of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of the Company's management that the outcome of any claim which might be pending or threatened, either individually or on a combined basis, will not have a materially adverse effect on the financial position of the Company, but could materially affect the Company's results of operations in a given year.
 
No claims have been filed against the Company for the fiscal year 2013 or 2012, and the Company has not been a party to any legal proceedings for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2012, except for information set forth above.
 
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In August the company paid a dividend of $0.16 per common share.

In October the Company announced that it would, for the 65th time, pay dividend to its shareholders. The declared dividend was $0.16 per common share in respect of the 3rd quarter.

There have been no other material events subsequent to the six months ended June 30, 2013.
 
 * * * *
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Matters discussed in this report may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements 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.
 
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. The words "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
 
The forward-looking statements in this report are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other 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. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
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 and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and world wide oil consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to piracy, accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hire, failure on the part of a seller to complete a sale to us and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
             
       
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
       
(registrant)
       
Dated: October 30, 2013
     
By:
 
/S/    HERBJØRN HANSSON        
           
Herbjørn Hansson
           
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

 

 
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