d1145604_10q.htm
 


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010
 
OR
 
[   ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                    to
________________
 
Commission File Number 001–33831
 
EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 

Republic of the Marshall Islands
 
98–0453513
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

477 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 785–2500
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  X              NO       
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).
YES                 NO      
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer          Accelerated filer  X    Non-accelerated filer        Smaller reporting company      
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
   YES                 NO  X
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 62,290,324 shares outstanding as of November 9, 2010.
 
 


 
 

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
   
Page
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009.....................................................................................................................................................................................
1
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2010 and 2009............................................................................................................................................
 
2
     
 
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited) for the nine months ended
September 30, 2010.............................................................................................................................................................
 
3
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2010
and 2009 ...............................................................................................................................................................................
 
4
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)...............................................................................................
5
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditionand Results of
Operations..................................................................................................................................................
 
 14
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks..........................................................................................
27
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures............................................................................................................................................................
27
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.........................................................................................................................................................................
28
Item 1A.
Risk Factors...................................................................................................................................................................................
28
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds...............................................................................................
28
Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities..................................................................................................................................................
28
Item 4.
(Removed and Reserved).............................................................................................................................................................
28
Item 5.
Other Information..........................................................................................................................................................................
28
Item 6.
Exhibits............................................................................................................................................................................................
29
 
Signatures.......................................................................................................................................................................................
30
     
     
 
 
 

 

Part 1 : FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 : Financial Statements
EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
   
September 30, 2010 (unaudited)
   
December 31, 2009
 
 
ASSETS:
           
Current assets:
           
      Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 129,137,297     $ 71,344,773  
      Accounts receivable
    11,471,483       7,443,450  
      Prepaid expenses
    4,903,663       4,989,446  
      Inventories
    884,234        
      Fair value above contract value of time charters acquired
    588,304       427,359  
      Total current assets
    146,984,981       84,205,028  
 Noncurrent assets:
               
      Vessels and vessel improvements, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $161,510,709 and $125,439,001, respectively
    1,523,349,330       1,010,609,956  
      Advances for vessel construction
    157,540,121       464,173,887  
      Other fixed assets, net of accumulated amortization of $114,825 and  $59,519, respectively
    392,034       258,347  
      Restricted cash
    19,276,056       13,776,056  
      Deferred drydock costs
    4,050,966       5,266,289  
      Deferred financing costs
    17,616,127       21,044,379  
      Fair value above contract value of time charters acquired
    3,770,383       4,103,756  
      Fair value of derivative instruments and other assets
    60,582       4,765,116  
      Total noncurrent assets
    1,726,055,599       1,523,997,786  
Total assets
  $ 1,873,040,580     $ 1,608,202,814  
                 
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
     Accounts payable
  $ 2,902,194     $ 2,289,333  
     Accrued interest
    6,999,574       7,810,931  
     Other accrued liabilities
    15,457,922       3,827,718  
     Deferred revenue and fair value below contract value of time charters acquired
    5,895,051       7,718,902  
     Unearned charter hire revenue
    8,331,735       4,858,133  
  Total current liabilities
    39,586,476       26,505,017  
Noncurrent liabilities:
               
      Long-term debt
    1,123,665,747       900,170,880  
      Deferred revenue and fair value below contract value of time charters acquired
    24,354,916       26,389,796  
      Fair value of derivative instruments
    26,229,604       35,408,049  
      Total noncurrent liabilities
    1,174,250,267       961,968,725  
Total liabilities
    1,213,836,743       988,473,742  
      Commitment and contingencies
               
Stockholders' equity:
               
      Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
           
      Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 62,234,658 and 62,126,665 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
    622,347       621,267  
      Additional paid-in capital
    735,498,772       724,250,125  
      Retained earnings (net of dividends declared of $262,118,388 as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    (50,687,678 )     (74,499,387 )
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (26,229,604 )     (30,642,933 )
   Total stockholders' equity
    659,203,837       619,729,072  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 1,873,040,580     $ 1,608,202,814  
                 
                 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements
 
1

 
.

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)


   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
 
                         
                         
Revenues, net of commissions
  $ 72,825,583     $ 41,551,805     $ 192,682,148     $ 150,550,809  
                                 
Voyage expenses
    1,438,521             1,438,521        
Vessel expenses
    19,075,233       11,493,889       50,605,567       37,498,893  
Charter hire expenses
    2,837,980             2,837,980        
Depreciation and amortization
    17,193,853       11,094,238       46,437,290       32,328,402  
General and administrative expenses
    10,993,761       7,839,942       30,845,907       25,784,155  
Gain from sale of vessel
    (291,011 )           (291,011 )      
    Total operating expenses
    51,248,337       30,428,069       131,874,254       95,611,450  
                                 
                                 
Operating income
    21,577,246       11,123,736       60,807,894       54,939,359  
                                 
Interest expense
    13,432,885       7,294,151       37,217,625       20,596,321  
Interest income
    (81,792 )     (65,965 )     (221,440 )     (136,828 )
Write-off of deferred financing costs 
          3,383,289             3,383,289  
    Net interest expense
    13,351,093       10,611,475       36,996,185       23,842,782  
                                 
                                 
Net income
  $ 8,226,153     $ 512,261     $ 23,811,709     $ 31,096,577  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    62,224,675       61,976,794       62,163,617       53,808,348  
Diluted
    62,442,046       61,986,752       62,392,441       53,831,913  
                                 
Per share amounts:
                               
Basic net income
  $ 0.13     $ 0.01     $ 0.38     $ 0.58  
Diluted net income
  $ 0.13     $ 0.01     $ 0.38     $ 0.58  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
2

 
 
EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

                                     
   
Common
Shares
   
Common
Shares
Amount
   
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   
 
Net Income
   
Accumulated Deficit
   
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
   
Total Stockholders' Equity
 
                                           
Balance at December 31, 2009
    62,126,665     $ 621,267     $ 724,250,125           $ (74,499,387 )   $ (30,642,933 )   $ 619,729,072  
Comprehensive income :
                                                     
   Net income
                    $ 23,811,709       23,811,709             23,811,709  
   Net unrealized gain on derivatives
                                  4,413,329       4,413,329  
Comprehensive income
                                        28,225,038  
Issuance of restricted shares
    107,993       1,080       (446,310 )                       (445,230 )
Non-cash compensation
                11,694,957                         11,694,957  
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2010
    62,234,658     $ 622,347     $ 735,498,772             $ (50,687,678 )   $ (26,229,604 )   $ 659,203,837  
                                                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
3

 

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
   
Nine Months Ended
   
 
 
September 30, 2010
 
September 30, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
         
Net income
  $ 23,811,709     $ 31,096,577    
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                 
  Items included in net income not affecting cash flows:
                 
Depreciation
    44,151,616       30,424,426    
Amortization of deferred drydocking costs
    2,285,674       1,903,976    
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    2,246,917       881,728    
Amortization of fair value below contract value of time charter acquired
    (3,424,205 )     (1,942,278 )  
Write-off of Deferred Financing Costs
          3,383,289    
Gain from sale of vessel
    (291,011 )        
Non-cash compensation expense
    11,694,957       10,587,150    
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                 
Accounts receivable
    (4,028,033 )     (1,467,579 )  
Prepaid expenses
    85,783       (2,051,171 )  
Inventories
    (884,234 )        
Other assets
    (60,582 )        
Accounts payable
    612,861       (634,771 )  
Accrued interest
    (3,739,062 )     644,354    
Accrued expenses
    11,630,204       7,025,387    
Drydocking expenditures
    (1,505,520 )     (2,546,285 )  
Deferred revenue
    (262,098 )     3,494,546    
Unearned charter hire revenue
    3,473,602       (204,707 )  
  Net cash provided by operating activities
    85,798,578       80,594,642    
                   
  Cash flows from investing activities:
                 
Vessels and vessel improvements and advances for vessel construction
    (266,422,482 )     (145,771,439 )  
Purchase of other fixed assets
    (188,993 )     (85,849 )  
Proceeds from sale of vessel
    21,055,784          
  Net cash used in investing activities
    (245,555,691 )     (145,857,288 )  
                   
  Cash flows from financing activities:
                 
Issuance of Common Stock
          99,999,997    
Equity issuance costs
          (2,708,951 )  
Bank borrowings
    223,494,867       95,770,000    
Repayment of bank debt
          (48,645,523 )  
Changes in restricted cash
    (5,500,000 )     (1,000,000 )  
Deferred financing costs
          (4,330,801 )  
Cash used to settle net share equity awards
    (445,230 )     (486,471 )  
                   
  Net cash provided by financing activities 
    217,549,637       138,598,251    
                   
Net increase in cash
    57,792,524       73,335,605    
Cash at beginning of period
    71,344,773       9,208,862    
                   
  Cash at end of period
  $ 129,137,297     $ 82,544,467    
                   
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
4

 
 
 
EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation and General Information

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company", "we" or "our"). The Company is engaged in the ocean transportation of dry bulk cargoes worldwide through the ownership and operation of dry bulk vessels. The Company's fleet is comprised of Supramax and Handymax bulk carriers and the Company operates its business in one business segment.

The Company is a holding company incorporated in 2005 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and is the sole owner of all of the outstanding shares of its wholly-owned subsidiaries incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The primary activity of each of the subsidiaries is the ownership of a vessel. The operations of the vessels are managed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Eagle Shipping International (USA) LLC, a Republic of the Marshall Islands limited liability company.

During the third quarter of 2010 the Company launched a freight trading operation to capitalize on value creation strategies in spot trading, contracts of affreightment, time charter-in and -out and derivative instruments. These trading capabilities (the "Trading Operation") will extend the Company's global presence, which includes a new office in Singapore.

As of September 30, 2010, the Company's operating fleet consisted of 38 vessels. The Company has an extensive vessel newbuilding program and as of September 30, 2010 had contracts for the construction of 8 vessels. The following tables present certain information concerning the Company's fleet as of September 30, 2010:

 
No. of Vessels
 
Dwt
Vessel Type
 
Delivery
 
Employment
       
Vessels in Operation
     
38 Vessels
2,046,126
36 Supramax
 
Time Charter
   
   2 Handymax
 
Time Charter
Vessels to be delivered
     
1 Vessel
53,100
 
53,100 dwt series Supramax
    2010
 
Charter Free
 
7 Vessels
406,000
 
58,000 dwt series Supramax
    2011
 
7 Vessels on Time Charter
         

The following table represents certain information about the Company's charterers which individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company's gross time charter revenue during the periods indicated:

 
% of Consolidated Time Charter Revenue
 
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2010
September 30, 2009
September 30, 2010
September 30, 2009
Charterer
       
Charterer B
25%
13%
23%
16%
Charterer H
16%
 
13%
Charterer L
 
14%
Charterer M
17%
 
18%
Charterer W
13%
14%
Charterer X
10%
 
 
5

 
Significant Accounting Policies:
 
    The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") which apply to interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. They should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
    The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of its consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.
 
    Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
   
Inventories: Inventories, which consist of bunkers, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out method.
 
Accounting for Revenues and Expenses: Revenues are generated from time charters and voyage charters. Time charter revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective time charter agreements as service is provided. Voyage revenues for cargo transportation are recognized ratably over the estimated relative transit time of each voyage. A voyage is deemed to commence upon the completion of discharge of the vessel's previous cargo and is deemed to end upon the completion of discharge of the current cargo. The Company does not begin recognizing voyage revenue until a Charter has been agreed to by both the customer and the Company, even if the vessel has discharged its cargo and is sailing to the anticipated load port on its next voyage. Income representing ballast bonus payments by the charterer to the vessel owner is recognized in the period earned.
 
   Under voyage charters, voyage expenses such as bunkers, port charges, canal tolls, cargo handling operations and brokerage commissions are paid by the Company whereas, under time charters, such voyage costs are paid by the Company's customers. All voyage and vessel operating expenses are expensed as incurred on an accrual basis, except for commissions. Commissions are deferred over the related time or voyage charter period to the extent revenue has been deferred since commissions are earned as the Company's revenues are earned. Probable loss on voyage is provided for in full at the time such loss can be estimated.
 
Note 2.  New Accounting Pronouncements

    In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820)Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This ASU requires new disclosures and clarifies certain existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 requires a reporting entity to disclose significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, to describe the reasons for the transfers, and to present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010, early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
 
 
6

 
In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09, Subsequent Events (Topic 855) - Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements. This ASU removes the requirement for an SEC filer to disclose a date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in both issued and revised financial statements. All the amendments in ASU 2010-09 were effective upon issuance (February 24, 2010) except for the use of the issued date for conduit debt obligors. That amendment is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-09 did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
 
In March 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-11, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives. This ASU removes a scope exception, and an entity that has a beneficial interest in securitized financial assets that includes a credit derivative feature must evaluate that feature for bifurcation from the host financial asset in accordance with the guidance at ASC 815. ASU 2010-11 is effective at the beginning of a reporting entity's first fiscal quarter beginning after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted at the beginning of an entity's first fiscal quarter beginning after March 5, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-11 did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
 
In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, "Disclosure about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses." This ASU intends to enhance a financial statement user's ability to evaluate the entity's credit risk exposures and adequacy of its allowance for credit losses by requiring additional disclosure about the nature of credit risk inherent in the portfolio of receivables, factors and methodologies used in estimating the allowance for credit losses and activity that occurs during a period for both finance receivables and allowance for credit losses. The scope of this ASU is limited to financing receivables, excluding short-term trade accounts receivable and receivables measured at fair value or lower of cost or fair value. The guidance provides definitions of a finance receivable, portfolio segment, class of finance receivable, and credit quality indicator. This ASU also makes significant changes to the disclosure requirements, including further disaggregation of the information presented based on portfolio segment or class of finance receivable. The disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective in fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, ending on or after December 15, 2010. The disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Comparative disclosures are required for the periods ending after initial adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new ASU on our disclosures.

Note 3.  Vessels

a. Vessels and Vessel Improvements

At September 30, 2010, the Company's operating fleet consisted of 38 dry bulk vessels. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company took delivery of twelve newly constructed vessels, in January the Thrasher, Crane, Egret and Golden Eagle. In February the Avocet and Imperial Eagle. In April, May and June the Gannet Bulker, Grebe Bulker and Ibis Bulker, respectively. In July the Jay and Kingfisher, and in August the Martin.

On April 5, 2010, the Company decided to sell the oldest and smallest vessel in its fleet, the Griffon a 1995-built Handymax.  On May 18, 2010, the Company reached an agreement to sell the Griffon for $21,070,000, after brokerage commission payable to a third party, The Griffon was not available for delivery before August 16, 2010. On September 23, 2010 the Company realized a net gain of $291,011 and received net proceeds of $21,055,784 related to this sale.

Vessels and vessel improvements:
       
       
Vessels and Vessel Improvements, at December 31, 2009
  $ 1,010,609,956  
   Vessel Improvements
    4,074,195  
   Delivery of Newbuild Vessels
    573,091,093  
   Disposal of Vessel
    (20,329,604 )
   Depreciation Expense
    (44,096,310 )
Vessels and Vessel Improvements, at September 30, 2010
  $ 1,523,349,330  
           

 
7

 
 
                b. Advances for Vessel Construction
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company took delivery of twelve newly constructed vessels, the last two Japanese-built vessels, the Golden Eagle and Imperial Eagle, in January and February 2010, respectively, and ten Chinese-built vessels the Thrasher, Crane and Egret, in January 2010, Avocet in February 2010, the Gannet Bulker, Grebe Bulker and Ibis Bulker in April, May and June, respectively, the Jay and Kingfisher in July and the Martin in August. In 2009, the Company took delivery of four newly constructed vessels. Two vessels from a Japanese shipyard, the Crested Eagle and Stellar Eagle, were delivered in January and March 2009, respectively. Two vessels from a Chinese shipyard, the Bittern and Canary, were delivered in October and December 2009, respectively. In 2008 the Company took delivery of three vessels, the Wren and Woodstar were delivered by a Chinese shipyard in June and October 2008, respectively, and the Crowned Eagle, first of our five Japanese built vessels, was delivered in November 2008.

As of September 30, 2010, the Company has 8 Supramax vessels under construction at a shipyard in China. The total contract cost of the construction project in China is approximately $290,550,000, of which the Company has advanced $95,115,000 in payments towards the construction of these vessels. These vessels are expected to be delivered between 2010 and 2011. The Company will incur additional costs relating to the construction of these vessels, including capitalized interest, insurance, legal, and technical supervision costs.

Advances for Vessel Construction:
       
       
Advances for Vessel Construction, at December 31, 2009
  $ 464,173,887  
Progress Payments
    241,542,199  
Capitalized Interest
    10,346,700  
Legal and Technical Supervision Costs
    14,568,428  
Delivery of Newbuild Vessels
    (573,091,093 )
Advances for Vessel Construction, at September 30, 2010
  $ 157,540,121  
         

Note 4.  Long-Term Debt

At September 30, 2010, the Company's debt consisted of $1,123,665,747 in net borrowings under its amended Revolving Credit Facility. These borrowings consisted of $989,483,485 for the 38 vessels currently in operation and $134,182,262 to fund the Company's newbuilding program.

On August 4, 2009, the Company entered into a third Amendatory Agreement to its revolving credit facility dated October 19, 2007. Among other things, the credit facility reduces the amount of the credit facility to $1,200,000,000 with maturity in July 2014. The agreement also modifies the minimum security covenant, the minimum net worth covenant, and the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant, until such time as the Company can comply with the original covenants for two consecutive accounting periods. In the interim, the measurement of the three covenants at the end of each accounting period has been amended as follows: (a) The minimum security covenant has been suspended, (b) the minimum net worth covenant has been amended to a threshold minimum of $400 million plus an amount equal to fifty percent of any equity received by the Company, with the determination of net worth to utilize book value of vessel assets as stated in the financial statements rather than the market value, and (c) until reinstatement of the original minimum security and net worth covenants, for 24 months from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011, at each accounting period, the Company's cumulative EBITDA (EBITDA as defined in the credit agreement) will at all times be not less than 120% of the cumulative loan interest incurred on a trailing four-quarter basis, and for each accounting period after June 30, 2011, the Company's cumulative EBITDA will at all times be not less than 130% of the cumulative loan interest incurred on a trailing four-quarter basis. The amendment also requires that until the Company is in compliance with the original covenants for two consecutive accounting periods, the Company will use half the net proceeds from any equity issuance to reduce the facility, including $48,645,523 from the equity raised in 2009.  These payments reduced the available amount of the credit facility to $1,151,354,477. As of September 30, 2010, $27,688,730 is available for additional borrowings under the credit facility. The Company will continue to be able to borrow the undrawn portion of the facility and the amounts borrowed will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%. Undrawn portions of the facility will bear a commitment fee of 0.7%. The facility is available in full until July 2012 when availability will begin to decline in four semi-annual reductions of $53,969,741 with a full repayment at maturity.

 
8

 
On August 4, 2010, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendatory Agreement to its revolving credit facility dated October 19, 2007, by and between the Company and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as mandated lead arranger, bookrunner, swap bank, agent and security trustee and certain other lenders (collectively the "Lenders"), pursuant to which the Lenders consented, among other things, to the Company conducting the Trading Operation.

Under the revolving credit facility, among other things, we will maintain with the lender an amount not less than the greater of $500,000 per delivered vessel or an amount equal to any reductions in the total commitments scheduled to be effected within the next six months less the amount of the then unutilized facility. As of September 30, 2010, the Company has recorded $19,000,000 as Restricted cash in the accompanying balance sheets.

Our obligations under the amended revolving credit facility are secured by a first priority mortgage on each of the vessels in our fleet and such other vessels that we may from time to time include with the approval of our lender, and by a first assignment of all freights, earnings, insurances and requisition compensation relating to our vessels. The facility also limits our ability to create liens on our assets in favor of other parties.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, interest rates on the outstanding debt ranged from 2.79% to 7.73%, including a margin of 2.50% over LIBOR applicable under the terms of the amended revolving credit facility. The weighted average effective interest rate was 4.99%. The Company incurred a commitment fee of 0.70% on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility. Interest costs on borrowings used to fund the Company's newbuilding program are capitalized until the vessels are delivered. Interest Expense, exclusive of capitalized interest, consists of:

 
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2010
September 30, 2009
September 30, 2010
September 30, 2009
Loan Interest
$12,518,711
$6,921,937
$34,970,708
$19,714,593
Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs
914,174
372,214
2,246,917
881,728
Write-off of Deferred Financing Costs
3,383,289
3,383,289
Total Interest Expense
$13,432,885
$10,677,440
$37,217,625
$23,979,610

Interest paid, exclusive of capitalized interest, in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 amounted to $32,803,204 and $19,086,392, respectively.
 
Interest Rate Swaps

The Company has entered into interest rate swaps to effectively convert a portion of its debt from a floating to a fixed rate basis. Under these swap contracts, exclusive of applicable margins, the Company will pay fixed rate interest and receive floating-rate interest amounts based on three-month LIBOR settings. The swaps are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The following table summarizes the interest rate swaps in place as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 
9

 


Notional Amount Outstanding –
September 30, 2010
   
Notional Amount Outstanding –
December 31, 2009
   
Fixed Rate
   
Maturity
 
$     $ 25,776,443       4.905 %     03/2010  
        10,995,000       4.980 %     08/2010  
        202,340,000       5.040 %     08/2010  
        100,000,000       4.220 %     09/2010  
        30,000,000       4.538 %     09/2010  
  144,700,000       144,700,000       3.580 %     10/2011  
  9,162,500       9,162,500       3.515 %     10/2011  
  3,405,174       3,405,174       3.550 %     10/2011  
  17,050,000       17,050,000       3.160 %     11/2011  
  25,048,118       25,048,118       4.740 %     12/2011  
  36,752,038       36,752,038       5.225 %     08/2012  
  81,500,000       81,500,000       3.895 %     01/2013  
  84,800,000       84,800,000       3.900 %     09/2013  
$ 402,417,830     $ 771,529,273                  
                             
 
The Company records the fair value of the interest rate swaps as an asset or liability on its balance sheet. The effective portion of the swap is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. Accordingly, liabilities of $26,229,604 and $35,408,049 have been recorded in Fair value of derivative instruments in the Company's balance sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

Foreign Currency swaps

The Company has entered into foreign exchange swap transactions to hedge foreign currency risks on its capital asset transactions (vessel newbuildings). The swaps were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges.

At December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding foreign currency swap contracts for notional amounts aggregating 8.6 billion Japanese yen swapped into the equivalent of $80,378,030. In February 2009, the Company fixed the gain on its outstanding foreign currency swaps contracts. This gain was recognized upon delivery of the remaining vessels as an offset to the cost of the vessels. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recognized a foreign currency gain of $8,710,806 which offset the cost of the Japanese vessels upon delivery or payment incurred. The Company recognized in the first quarter of 2010 a foreign currency gain of $4,765,116 which offset the cost of the last two Japanese vessels upon their delivery in January 2010 and February 2010.

The Company records the fair value of the currency swaps as an asset or liability in its financial statements. The effective portion of the currency swap is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of September 30, 2010 there are no foreign currency swaps outstanding. Accordingly, an amount of $0 and $4,765,116 had been recorded as an asset in Fair value of derivative instruments in the accompanying balance sheets as of September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively.

Note  5.  Fair Value Measurements

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and cash equivalents—the carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet for interest-bearing deposits approximate their fair value due to their short-term nature thereof.

Debt—the carrying amounts of borrowings under the revolving credit agreement approximate their fair value, due to the variable interest rate nature thereof.

Interest rate swaps—the fair value of interest rate swaps (used for hedging purposes) is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the swaps at the reporting date.

Foreign currency swaps—the fair value of foreign currency swaps (used for hedging purposes) is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the swaps at the reporting date.

 
10

 
The Company defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements is as follows:
 
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level 3 – Inputs that are unobservable (for example cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2010:
       
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:
     
Foreign currency contracts
       
Liabilities:
     
Interest rate contracts
$26,229,604

The fair value of the interest rate contracts are based on quoted market prices for a similar contract that can be obtained from external sources.

The Company's policy is to recognize any transfers into fair value measurement hierarchy levels and transfers out of levels at the beginning of each reporting period. There were no transfers in or out of Level 2 measurements for the nine months period ended September 30, 2010.

Note  6.  Commitments and Contingencies

Vessel Technical Management Contract

The Company has technical management agreements for some of its vessels with independent technical managers. The Company paid average monthly technical management fees of $9,578 and $9,017 per vessel during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

On August 4, 2009, the Company entered into a management agreement (the "Management Agreement") with Delphin Shipping LLC ("Delphin"), a Marshall Islands limited liability company affiliated with Kelso Investment Associates VII, and KEP VI, LLC and the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Sophocles Zoullas.  Delphin was formed for the purpose of acquiring and operating dry bulk and other vessels. Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Company provides commercial and technical supervisory vessel management services to dry bulk vessels to be acquired by Delphin for a fixed monthly management fee based on a sliding scale. Pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement the Company has been granted an opportunity to acquire for its own account any dry bulk vessel that Delphin proposes to acquire.  The Company has also been granted a right of first refusal on any dry bulk charter opportunity, other than a renewal of an existing charter for a Delphin owned vessel, that the Company reasonably deems suitable for a Company owned vessel.  The Management Agreement also provides the Company a right of first offer on the sale of any dry bulk vessel by Delphin. The term of the Management Agreement is one year and is renewable for successive one year terms at the option of Delphin.

Note 7.  Earnings Per Common Share

The computation of basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share gives effect to stock options and restricted stock units using the treasury stock method, unless the impact is anti-dilutive. Diluted net income per share for the nine months as of September 30, 2010, does not include 933,175 restricted stock units and 790,668 stock options as their effect was anti-dilutive.

 
11

 

 
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2010
September 30, 2009
September 30, 2010
September 30, 2009
Net Income
$8,226,153
$512,261
$23,811,709
$31,096,577
Weighted Average Shares – Basic
62,224,675
61,976,794
62,163,617
53,808,348
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units
217,371
9,958
228,824
23,565
Weighted Average Shares – Diluted
62,442,046
61,986,752
62,392,441
53,831,913
Basic Earnings Per Share
$0.13
$0.01
$0.38
$0.58
Diluted Earnings Per Share
$0.13
$0.01
$0.38
$0.58

Note 8.  Capital Stock

Dividends

Payment of dividends is at the discretion of the board of directors and is limited by the terms of certain agreements to which the Company and its subsidiaries are parties to and provisions of Marshall Islands law. The Company's revolving credit facility permits it to pay quarterly dividends in amounts up to its cumulative free cash flows, which are earnings before extraordinary or exceptional items, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Credit Agreement EBITDA), less the aggregate amount of interest incurred and net amounts payable under interest rate hedging agreements during the relevant period and an agreed upon reserve for dry-docking for the period, provided that the Company is in compliance with its loan covenants. Depending on market conditions in the dry bulk shipping industry and acquisition opportunities that may arise, the Company may be required to obtain additional debt or equity financing which could affect its dividend policy. In December 2008, the Company's board of directors suspended the payment of dividends to stockholders in order to increase cash flow, optimize financial flexibility and enhance internal growth.  In the future, the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will always be subject to the discretion of the board of directors, restrictions contained in the credit facility and the requirements of Marshall Islands law. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among other things, the Company's earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and availability, the ability to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by the Company's growth strategy, the terms of its outstanding indebtedness and the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to distribute funds to it.

Note 9.  Stock Incentive Plans

2009 Equity Incentive plan. In May 2009, our shareholders approved the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (2009 Plan) for the purpose of affording an incentive to eligible persons. The 2009 Equity Incentive Plan provides for the grant of equity based awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, unrestricted stock, other equity based or equity related awards, and/or performance compensation awards based on or relating to the Company's common shares to eligible non-employee directors, officers, employees or consultants. The 2009 Plan is administered by a compensation committee or such other committee of the Company's board of directors. A maximum of 4.2 million of the Company's common shares have been authorized for issuance under the 2009 Plan.

2005 Equity Incentive plan. In 2005, the Company adopted the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (2005 Plan) for the purpose of affording an incentive to eligible persons. The 2005 Equity Incentive Plan provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock bonuses, dividend equivalents and other awards based on or relating to the Company's common shares to eligible non-employee directors, selected officers and other employees and independent contractors. The plan is administered by a committee of the Company's board of directors. An aggregate of 2.6 million shares of the Company's common stock were authorized for issuance under the plan. None of the Company's common shares remain available for issuance under the 2005 Plan.

 
12

 
The Company granted restricted stock units ("RSUs") to members of its management which vest ratably over periods running from three to five years. As of September 30, 2010, RSUs covering a total of 1,906,103 of the Company's shares are outstanding. These RSUs also entitle the participant to receive a dividend equivalent payment on the unvested portion of the underlying shares granted under the award, each time the Company pays a dividend to the Company's shareholders. The dividend equivalent rights on the unvested RSU are forfeited upon termination of employment. The Company is amortizing to non-cash compensation expense the fair value of the non-vested restricted stock at the grant date. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010, the amortization charge was $10,972,790 and $3,664,992, respectively. The remaining expense for each of the years ended 2010, 2011, and 2012 will be $3,026,497, $7,280,642, and $6,635,958, respectively, and $2,276,805 thereafter.

As of December 31, 2009, options covering 813,483 of the Company's common shares were outstanding.  These options were awarded to members of its management and its independent non-employee directors. On March 8, 2010 and May 20, 2010, the Company granted options to purchase 200,000 and 50,000, respectively, of the Company's common shares to its independent non-employee directors. These options vested and became exercisable on the grant date at an exercise price of $5.91 and $4.59, respectively, per share and expire five years from the date of grant. For purposes of determining the non-cash compensation cost for the Company's stock option plans using the fair value method, the fair value of the options granted of $597,034 and $114,403, respectively, was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average assumptions used for the 2010 grants included a risk free interest rate of 1.16% and 1%, respectively, and an expected stock price volatility factor of 85% and 84%, respectively.  For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company has recorded a non-cash compensation charge of $722,167 and $0, respectively. As of September 30, 2010, options covering 1,063,483 of the Company's common shares are outstanding with exercise prices ranging from $4.59 to $21.88 per share (the market prices at dates of grants). The options granted to the independent non-employee directors vested and became exercisable on the grant dates. The options granted to members of its management vest and become exercisable over three years. All options expire between six to ten years from the date of grant.

The non-cash compensation expenses recorded by the Company and included in General and Administrative Expenses are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
 
 September 30, 2010
 September 30, 2009
September 30, 2010
September 30, 2009
 
Stock Option Plans
 
 
$75,370
 
 $722,167
 
 $776,960
 
Restricted Stock Grants
 
$3,664,992
 
3,270,063
 
10,972,790
 
9,810,190
Total Non-Cash Compensation Expense
$3,664,992
$3,345,433
$11,694,957
$10,587,150

The Company granted Dividend Equivalent Rights Awards ("DERs") to its independent non-employee directors and members of its management. These DERs entitle the participant to receive a dividend equivalent payment each time the Company pays a dividend to the Company's shareholders. As of September 30, 2010, DERs equivalent to 574,000 of the Company's common shares are outstanding. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, no compensation expenses were recorded.
 
 
13

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

The following is a discussion of the Company's financial condition and results of operation for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. This section should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report and the notes to those financial statements.

This discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided for under these sections.  These statements may include words such as "believe," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Forward looking statements reflect management's current expectations and observations with respect to future events and financial performance. Where we express an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis.  However, our forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by those forward-looking statements. The principal factors that affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows include, charter market rates, which started to declined significantly in 2009 from historic highs and partially recover during 2010, periods of charter hire, vessel operating expenses and voyage costs, which are incurred primarily in U.S. dollars, depreciation expenses, which are a function of the cost of our vessels, significant vessel improvement costs and our vessels' estimated useful lives, and financing costs related to our indebtedness. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward looking statements as a result of certain factors which could include the following: (i) changes in demand in the dry bulk market, including, without limitation, changes in production of, or demand for, commodities and bulk cargoes, generally or in particular regions; (ii) greater than anticipated levels of dry bulk vessel new building orders or lower than anticipated rates of dry bulk vessel scrapping; (iii) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the dry bulk industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international bodies or organizations such as the International Maritime Organization and the European Union or by individual countries; (iv) actions taken by regulatory authorities; (v) changes in trading patterns significantly impacting overall dry bulk tonnage requirements; (vi) changes in the typical seasonal variations in dry bulk charter rates; (vii) changes in the cost of other modes of bulk commodity transportation; (viii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (ix) changes in the condition of the Company's vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking costs); (x) and other factors listed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This discussion also includes statistical data regarding world dry bulk fleet and orderbook and fleet age. We generated some of this data internally, and some were obtained from independent industry publications and reports that we believe to be reliable sources. We have not independently verified this data nor sought the consent of any organizations to refer to their reports in this quarterly report. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Overview

We are Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc., a Republic of the Marshall Islands corporation headquartered in New York City. We own one of the largest fleets of Supramax dry bulk vessels in the world. Supramax dry bulk vessels range in size from 50,000 to 60,000 dwt. We transport a broad range of major and minor bulk cargoes, including iron ore, coal, grain, cement and fertilizer, along worldwide shipping routes. As of September 30, 2010, we owned and operated a modern fleet of 38 Handymax segment dry bulk vessels, 36 of which are of the Supramax class. We also have an on-going Supramax newbuilding program for the construction of an additional 8 newbuilding vessels in China. Upon delivery of all newbuilding vessels by the end of 2011, our total fleet will consist of 46 vessels with a combined carrying capacity of approximately 2.50 million dwt.

 
14

 
We are focused on maintaining a high quality fleet that is concentrated primarily in one vessel type – Handymax dry bulk carriers and its sub-category of Supramax vessels, which are Handymax vessels ranging in size from 50,000 to 60,000 dwt. These vessels have the cargo loading and unloading flexibility of on-board cranes while offering cargo carrying capacities approaching that of Panamax dry bulk vessels, which range in size from 60,000 to 100,000 dwt and rely on port facilities to load and offload their cargoes. We believe that the cargo handling flexibility and cargo carrying capacity of the Supramax class vessels make them attractive to cargo interests and vessel charterers. The 38 vessels in our operating fleet, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 2,047,098 deadweight tons, have an average age of only five years compared to an average age for the world Handymax dry bulk fleet of approximately 14 years.

On April 5, 2010, the Company decided to sell the oldest and smallest vessel in its fleet, the Griffon a 1995-built Handymax.  On May 18, 2010, the Company reached an agreement to sell the Griffon for $21,070,000, after brokerage commission payable to a third party, The Griffon was not available for delivery before August 16, 2010. On September 23, 2010 the Company realized a net gain of $291,011 and received net proceeds of $21,055,784 related to the sale.

During the third quarter of 2010 the Company launched its Trading Operation.

Each of our vessels is owned by us through a separate wholly owned Republic of the Marshall Islands limited liability company.

We maintain our principal executive offices at 477 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Our telephone number at that address is (212) 785-2500. Our website address is www.eagleships.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute part of this quarterly report.
 
Our financial performance is based on the following key elements of our business strategy:
 
(1)  
Concentration in one vessel category: Supramax class of Handymax dry bulk vessels, which we believe offer size, operational and geographical advantages over Panamax and Capesize vessels.

(2)  
Our strategy is to balance between long-term time charters and revenues generated by voyage charters to  maximize our financial performance throughout shipping cycles. We charter our vessels primarily pursuant to one- to three-year time charters to allow us to take advantage of the stable cash flow and high utilization rates that are associated with medium to long-term time charters. The vessels that are on time charter usually range in length from one to three years, and several of the newly constructed vessels are on long term charters with an average duration of eight years. The vessels that are on charters whose revenues are linked to the Baltic Supramax index or on voyage charters have durations of one-year or less. These index linked charters and voyage charters provide us with the revenue upside as the market improves. We believe that this structure provides significant visibility to our future financial results and allows us to take advantage of the stable cash flows and high utilization rates that are associated with medium- to long-term time charters, while at the same time providing us with the revenue upside potential from the index linked or voyage charters. Our use of time charters also mitigates in part, the seasonality of the spot market business. Generally, spot markets are strongest in the first and fourth quarters of the calendar year and weaker in the second and third quarters. All the charters provide for fixed semi-monthly payments in advance. While we remain focused on securing charters with fixed base rates, we have also entered into contracts with fixed minimum rates and profit sharing arrangements, enabling us to benefit from an increasing rate environment while still minimizing downside risk. We regularly monitor the dry bulk shipping market and based on market conditions we may consider taking advantage of short-term charter rates.

(3)  
Maintain high quality vessels and improve standards of operation through improved environmental procedures, crew training and maintenance and repair procedures.

(4)  
Maintain a balance between purchasing vessels as market conditions and opportunities arise and maintaining prudent financial ratios (e.g. leverage ratio).

 
15

 
    We have employed all of our owned vessels in our operating fleet on time charters. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we took delivery of twelve newbuilding vessels, the Thrasher, Crane, Egret, Golden Eagle, Avocet, Imperial Eagle, Gannet Bulker, Grebe Bulker, Ibis Bulker, Jay, Kingfisher and the Martin which entered into their respective charters. The following table represents certain information about the Company's revenue earning charters on its owned operating fleet:
 
 
Vessel
Year
Built
 
Dwt
 
 
Time Charter Expiration(1)
Daily Time
Charter Hire Rate
           
Avocet (3)
2010
53,462
 
May 2016
May 2016 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,400
$18,000 (with 50%
profit share over $22,000)
           
Bittern (4)
2009
57,809
 
Jan 2015
Jan 2015 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,850
$18,000 (with 50%
profit share over $22,000)
           
Canary (5)
2009
57,809
 
Mar 2015
Mar 2015 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,850
$18,000 (with 50%
profit share over $22,000)
           
Cardinal
2004
55,362
 
Nov 2010
$16,250
           
Condor (2)
2001
50,296
 
Jul 2011 to Oct 2011
Index
           
Crane (6)
2010
57,809
 
Apr 2015
Apr 2015 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,850
$18,000 (with 50%
profit share over $22,000)
           
Crested Eagle (2)
2009
55,989
 
Jan 2011 to Apr 2011
$11,500 (with 50% Index share over $11,500)
           
Crowned Eagle(2)
2008
55,940
 
Jun 2011 to Sep 2011
Index
           
Egret Bulker(7)
2010
57,809
 
Oct 2012 to Feb 2013
$17,650 (with 50%
profit share over $20,000)
           
Falcon
2001
50,296
 
Nov 2010
$20,000
           
Gannet Bulker(7)
2010
57,809
 
Jan 2013 to May 2013
$17,650 (with 50%
profit share over $20,000)
           
Golden Eagle (2)
2010
55,989
 
Dec 2010 to Mar 2011
Index
           
Goldeneye
2002
52,421
 
Nov 2010 to Dec 2010
$21,000
           
Grebe Bulker(7)
2010
57,809
 
Feb 2013 to Jun 2013
$17,650 (with 50%
profit share over $20,000)
           
Harrier
2001
50,296
 
Jul 2011 to Oct 2011
$21,000
           
Hawk I
2001
50,296
 
Jul 2011 to Sep 2011
$20,000
           
Heron
2001
52,827
 
Jan 2011 to May 2011
$26,375
           
Ibis Bulker(7)
2010
57,775
 
Mar 2013 to Jul 2013
$17,650 (with 50%
profit share over $20,000)
           
Imperial Eagle (2)
2010
55,989
 
Jan 2011 to Mar 2011
Index
           
Jaeger (2)
2004
52,248
 
Nov 2010 to Jan 2011
Index
           
Jay (8)
2010
57,802
 
Dec 2015
 
Dec 2015 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,500(with 50%
profit share over $21,500)
$18,000 (with 50%
profit share over $22,000)
           
 
 
 
16

 
Kestrel I
2004
50,326
 
Nov 2010 to Dec 2010
$23,000
           
Kingfisher (9)
2010
57,776
 
Dec 2015
 
Dec 2015 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,500(with 50%
profit share over $21,500)
$18,000 (with 50%
profit share over $22,000)
           
Kite
1997
47,195
 
Nov 2010 to Jan 2011
$17,000
           
Kittiwake
2002
53,146
 
Nov 2010
$19,000
           
Martin
2010
57,809
 
Feb 2017 to Feb 2018
$18,400
           
Merlin(10)
2001
50,296
 
Dec 2010 to Mar 2011
$23,000
           
Osprey I
2002
50,206
 
Nov 2010
$20,250
           
Peregrine (2)
2001
50,913
 
Jan 2011 to Mar 2011
$10,500 (with 50% Index share over $10,500)
           
Redwing
2007
53,411
 
Jul 2011 to  Sep 2011
$20,000
           
Shrike
2003
53,343
 
Jun 2011 to Aug 2011
$20,000
           
Skua
2003
53,350
 
Nov 2010
$18,000
           
Sparrow
2000
48,225
 
Nov 2010
$24,000
           
Stellar Eagle(2)
2009
55,989
 
Apr 2011 to Jun 2011
Index
           
Tern
2003
50,200
 
Nov 2010 to Feb 2011
$25,000
           
Thrasher (11)
2010
53,360
 
Apr 2016
Apr 2016 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,400
$18,000 (with 50%
profit share over $22,000)
           
Woodstar (12)
2008
53,390
 
Jan 2014
Jan 2014 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,300
$18,000 (with 50%
profit share over $22,000)
           
Wren (13)
2008
53,349
 
Dec 2011
Dec 2011 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$24,750
$18,000 (with 50%
profit share over $22,000)
           
 
____________________________
(1)
The date range provided represents the earliest and latest date on which the charterer may redeliver the vessel to the Company upon the termination of the charter. The time charter hire rates presented are gross daily charter rates before brokerage commissions, ranging from 1.25% to 6.25%, to third party ship brokers.
(2)
Index, an average of the trailing Baltic Supramax Index. 
(3) Revenue recognition for the AVOCET is based on an average daily base rate of $18,281.  
(4)
Revenue recognition for the BITTERN is based on an average daily base rate of $18,485. 
(5)
Revenue recognition for the CANARY is based on an average daily base rate of $18,493. 
(6)
Revenue recognition for the CRANE is based on an average daily base rate of $18,497.
(7)
The EGRET BULKER, GANNET BULKER, GREBE BULKER and IBIS BULKER have entered into a charter for 33 to 37 months. The charter rate is $17,650 per day with a 50% profit share for earned rates over $20,000 per day. The charterer has an option to extend the charter by 2 periods of 11 to 13 months each.
(8)
Revenue recognition for the JAY is based on an average daily rate of $18,320. 
(9)
Revenue recognition for the KINGFISHER is based on an average daily rate of $18,320. 
(10)
Revenue recognition for the MERLIN is based on an average daily rate of $25,000. 
(11)
Revenue recognition for the THRASHER is based on an average daily base rate of $18,280. 
(12) Revenue recognition for the WOODSTAR is based on an average daily base rate of $18,154.  
(13)
Revenue recognition for the WREN is based on an average daily base rate of $20,245. 
 

 
17

 
 
The following table, as of September 30, 2010, represents certain information about the Company's newbuilding vessels being constructed and their expected employment upon delivery:
 
           
Vessel
Dwt
Year Built –Expected Delivery (1)
Time Charter
Employment Expiration
(2)
Daily Time Charter
Hire Rate
(3)
 
Profit Share
 
Thrush
53,100
2010Q4
Charter Free
 
Nighthawk
58,000
2011Q1
Sep 2017 to Sep 2018
$18,400
 
Oriole
58,000
2011Q3
Nov 2017 to Nov 2018
$18,400
 
Owl
58,000
2011Q3
Feb 2018 to Feb 2019
$18,400
 
Petrel (4) 
58,000
2011Q4
Apr 2014 to Aug 2014
$17,650
50% over $20,000
 
Puffin (4) 
58,000
2011Q4
Jul 2014 to Nov 2014
$17,650
50% over $20,000
 
Roadrunner (4) 
58,000
2011Q4
Aug 2014 to Dec 2014
$17,650
50% over $20,000
 
Sandpiper (4) 
58,000
2011Q4
Sep 2014 to Jan 2015
$17,650
50% over $20,000
 
             
 
(1)
(2)  
Vessel build and delivery dates are estimates based on guidance received from shipyard.
The date range represents the earliest and latest date on which the charterer may redeliver the vessel to the Company upon the termination of the charter.
 
(3)
The time charter hire rate presented are gross daily charter rates before brokerage commissions ranging from 1.25% to 6.25% to third party ship brokers.
 
(4)
The charterer has an option to extend the charter by 2 periods of 11 to 13 months each.
 
Fleet Management

The management of our fleet includes the following functions:
 
      Strategic management. We locate and obtain financing and insurance for purchase and sell vessels.
●      Commercial management. We obtain employment for our vessels and manage our relationships with charterers and customers.
●      Technical management. The technical managers perform day-to-day operations and maintenance of our vessels.
 
 
18

 
Commercial and Strategic Management

We carry out the commercial and strategic management of our fleet through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Eagle Shipping International (USA) LLC, a Republic of the Marshall Islands limited liability company that maintains its principal executive offices in New York City, and Eagle Bulk Pte. Ltd, a Singapore company. We currently have a total of forty-six shore  based personnel, including our senior management team and our office staff, who either directly or through this subsidiary, provides the following services:

      commercial operations and technical supervision;
●      safety monitoring;
●      vessel acquisitions; and
●      financial, accounting and information technology services.
 
Technical Management
 
The technical management of the majority of our fleet is provided by unaffiliated third party technical managers, V.Ships, Wilhelmsen Ship Management and Anglo Eastern International Ltd., which we believe are three of the world's largest providers of independent ship management and related services. We have also established in-house technical management capability, through which we provide technical management services to several of our vessels, in order to establish a vessel management bench-mark with the external technical managers. We review the performance of the managers on an annual basis and may add or change technical managers.

Technical management includes managing day-to-day vessel operations, performing general vessel maintenance, ensuring regulatory and classification society compliance, supervising the maintenance and general efficiency of vessels, arranging our hire of qualified officers and crew, arranging and supervising drydocking and repairs, purchasing supplies, spare parts and new equipment for vessels, appointing supervisors and technical consultants and providing technical support. Our technical managers also manage and process all crew insurance claims. Our technical managers maintain records of all costs and expenditures incurred in connection with their services that are available for our review on a daily basis. Our technical managers are members of marine contracting associations which arrange bulk purchasing thereby enabling us to benefit from economies of scale.

The third-party technical managers are paid a fixed management fee for each vessel in our operating fleet for the technical management services they provide. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the technical management fee averaged $9,441 and $8,983 per vessel per month, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the technical management fee averaged $9,578 and $9,017 per vessel per month, respectively. Management fees paid to our third-party technical managers are recorded as a component of Vessel Expenses.

Value of Assets and Cash Requirements

The replacement costs of comparable new vessels may be above or below the book value of our fleet. The market value of our fleet may be below book value when market conditions are weak and exceed book value when markets conditions are strong. Customary with industry practice, we may consider asset redeployment which at times may include the sale of vessels at less than their book value.

The Company's results of operations and cash flow may be significantly affected by future charter markets.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our interim, unaudited, consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and the rules and regulations of the SEC which apply to interim financial statements. The preparation of those financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

 
19

 
Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments of uncertainties and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. As the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our interim, unaudited, consolidated financial statements, they do not include all of the information on critical accounting policies normally included in consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, a detailed description of these critical accounting policies should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes from the "Critical Accounting Policies" previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Inventories: Inventories, which consist of bunkers, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost determined on a first in, first out method.
 
Accounting for Revenues and Expenses: Revenues are generated from time charter agreements and voyage charters. Time charter revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective time charter agreements as service is provided. Voyage revenues for cargo transportation are recognized ratably over the estimated relative transit time of each voyage. A voyage is deemed to commence upon the completion of discharge of the vessel's previous cargo and is deemed to end upon the completion of discharge of the current cargo. The Company does not begin recognizing voyage revenue until a Charter has been agreed to by both the customer and the Company, even if the vessel has discharged its cargo and is sailing to the anticipated load port on its next voyage. Income representing ballast bonus payments by the charterer to the vessel owner is recognized in the period earned.
 
Under voyage charters, expenses such as bunkers, port charges, canal tolls, cargo handling operations and brokerage commissions are paid by the Company whereas, under time charters, such voyage costs are paid by the Company's customers. All voyage and vessel operating expenses are expensed as incurred on an accrual basis, except for commissions. Commissions are deferred over the related time or voyage charter period to the extent revenue has been deferred since commissions are earned as the Company's revenues are earned. Probable loss on voyage is provided for in full at the time such loss can be estimated.
 
Results of Operations for the three month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

Fleet Data

We believe that the measures for analyzing future trends in our results of operations consist of the following:

 
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2010
September 30, 2009
September 30, 2010
September 30, 2009
         
Ownership Days
3,510
2,300
9,462
6,713
Chartered-in under Operating Lease Days
   140
   140
Available Days
3,628
2,271
9,520
6,657
Operating Days
3,623
2,264
9,480
6,634
Fleet Utilization
99.9%
99.7%
99.6%
99.7%
 
 
20

 
          Ownership days:  We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.  Ownership days for the three month period ended September 30, 2010, increased 53% from the corresponding period in 2009 as we operated 38 vessels in the third quarter of 2010 compared to 25 vessels in the corresponding period in 2009.

●           Chartered-in under operating lease days: We define chartered-in under operating lease days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which we chartered-in vessels. We started to charter-in vessels on a spot basis during the third quarter of 2010.

●           Available days:  We define available days as the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to vessel familiarization upon acquisition, scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues. During the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company drydocked five and five vessels, respectively.

●           Operating days:  We define operating days as the number of our available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

●           Fleet utilization:  We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades, special surveys or vessel positioning. Our fleet continues to perform at high utilization rates.

Revenues

All of our owned vessels are employed on time charters. Our time charter equivalent ("TCE") rate on our owned vessels is equal to the time charter rate. As is common in the shipping industry, we pay commissions ranging from 1.25% to 6.25% of the total daily charter hire rate of each charter to unaffiliated ship brokers and in-house brokers associated with the charterers, depending on the number of brokers involved with arranging the charter.

Gross time charter revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 2010 were $72,671,094, an increase of 66% from $43,688,025 recorded in the comparable quarter in 2009, primarily due to operation of a larger fleet and marginally higher charter rates. Gross voyage charter revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 2010 were $3,738,973, compared to none in the comparable quarter in 2009. During the third quarter of 2010, the Company launched its Trading Operation. Gross revenues for the quarters ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, include an amount of $1,388,101 and $645,098, respectively, relating to the non-cash amortization of fair value below contract value of time charters acquired. Brokerage commissions incurred on revenues earned in the quarter ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were $3,584,484 and $ 2,136,220, respectively. Net revenues during the quarter ended September 30, 2010, increased 75% to $72,825,583 from $41,551,805 in the comparable quarter in 2009.

Gross time charter revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 were $199,095,962, an increase of 26% from $158,243,472 recorded in the comparable period in 2009, primarily due to operation of a larger fleet offset by lower charter rates. Gross voyage charter revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 were $3,738,973, compare to none in the comparable quarter in 2009. During the third quarter of 2010, the Company launched its Trading Operation. Gross revenues recorded in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, include an amount of $3,424,205 and $1,942,278, respectively, relating to the non-cash amortization of fair value below contract value of time charters acquired. Gross revenues recorded in 2010 include $1,089,759 related to an arbitration settlement, reached in March 2010. Brokerage commissions incurred on revenues earned in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were $10,152,787 and $7,692,663, respectively. Net revenues during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, increased 28% to $192,682,148 from $150,550,809 in the comparable period in 2009.
 
21

 
           Vessel Expenses

Vessel expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010, were $19,075,233 compared to $11,493,889 in the comparable quarter in 2009. The increase in vessel expense is attributable to a larger fleet size in operation. Vessel expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010, included $18,216,366 in vessel operating costs and $858,867 in technical management fees. Vessel expenses for the comparable period in 2009 included $10,814,631 in vessel operating costs and $679,259 in technical management fees.
 
Vessel expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 were $50,605,567 compared to $37,498,893 in the comparable nine-month period ended September 30, 2009. The increase in vessel expense is attributable to a larger fleet size in operation for the nine-month period of 2010. Vessel expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 included $48,130,823 in vessel operating costs and $2,474,744 in technical management fees. Vessel expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 included $35,511,143 in vessel operating costs and $1,987,750 in technical management fees.
 
Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the cost of spares and consumable stores and related inventory, tonnage taxes, pre-operating costs associated with the delivery of acquired vessels including providing the newly acquired vessels with initial provisions and stores, other miscellaneous expenses, and technical management fees paid to our third party managers.
 
Our vessel expenses will increase with the enlargement of our fleet. Other factors beyond our control, some of which may affect the shipping industry in general, may also cause these expenses to increase, including, for instance, developments relating to market prices for crew, insurance and petroleum-based lubricants and supplies.

Depreciation and Amortization

For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, total depreciation and amortization expense were $17,193,853 and $11,094,238, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 includes $16,344,878 of vessel depreciation and other assets amortization, and $848,975 relating to the amortization of deferred drydocking costs. Comparable amounts for the three-month period ended September 30, 2009 were $10,404,514 of vessel depreciation and $689,724 of amortization of deferred drydocking costs. The increase in depreciation expense is attributable to a larger fleet size in operation during the three-month period in 2010 compared to 2009.
 
For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, total depreciation and amortization expense were $46,437,290 and $32,328,402, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 includes $44,151,616 of vessel depreciation and other assets amortization, and $2,285,674 relating to the amortization of deferred drydocking costs. Comparable amounts for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 were $30,424,426 of vessel depreciation and $1,903,976 of amortization of deferred drydocking costs.

The cost of our vessels is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of each vessel. Depreciation is based on the cost of the vessel less its estimated residual value. We estimate the useful life of our vessels to be 28 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard to the original owner. Furthermore, we estimate the residual values of our vessels to be $150 per lightweight ton, which we believe is common in the dry bulk shipping industry. Our depreciation charges will increase as our fleet is enlarged. Drydocking relates to our regularly scheduled maintenance program necessary to preserve the quality of our vessels as well as to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. The Company anticipates that vessels are to be drydocked every two and a half years and, accordingly, these expenses are deferred and amortized over that period.

 
22

 
 
Amortization of deferred financing costs which relate to debt increased to purchase the vessels on the water is included in interest expense. These financing costs relate to costs associated with our revolving credit facility and these are amortized over the life of the facility. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the amortization of deferred financing costs allocated to the vessels on the water was $914,174 and $372,214, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the amortization of deferred financing costs allocated to the vessels on the water was $2,246,917 and $881,728, respectively.

General and Administrative Expenses

Our general and administrative expenses include onshore vessel administration related expenses such as legal and professional expenses and administrative and other expenses including payroll and expenses relating to our executive officers and office staff, office rent and expenses, directors fees, and directors and officers insurance. General and administrative expenses also include non-cash compensation expenses.
 
General and administrative expenses for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were $10,993,761 and $7,839,942, respectively. These general and administrative expenses include a non-cash compensation component of $3,664,992 and $3,345,433, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010, is primarily attributable to higher administrative costs associated with operating a larger fleet, our extensive newbuilding program, accruals of compensation expense and amortization of restricted stock awards and the opening a new office in Singapore.
 
General and administrative expenses for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were $30,845,907 and $25,784,155, respectively. These general and administrative expenses include a non-cash compensation component of $11,694,957 and $10,587,150, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, is primarily attributable to higher administrative costs associated with operating a larger fleet, our extensive newbuilding program, accruals of compensation expense and amortization of restricted stock awards.
 
Capitalized Interest
 
At September 30, 2010, we had contracts for the construction of 8 newbuilding vessels which are expected to be delivered through 2011. Interest costs on borrowings used to fund the Company's newbuilding program are capitalized as part of the cost of the newbuilding vessels until the vessels are delivered.
 
For the three-month period ended September 30, 2010, capitalized interest amounted to $2,071,261 and this amount has been recorded and included in Advances for Vessel Construction in the financial statements. For the corresponding three-month period in 2009, capitalized interest amounted to $7,382,920.
 
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, capitalized interest amounted to $10,346,700 and this amount has been recorded and included in Advances for Vessel Construction in the financial statements. For the corresponding nine-month period in 2009, capitalized interest amounted to $20,895,336.
 
 
EBITDA

EBITDA represents operating earnings before extraordinary items, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and income taxes, if any. EBITDA is included because it is used by certain investors to measure a company's financial performance. EBITDA is not an item recognized by GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for net income, cash flow from operating activities and other operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA is presented to provide additional information with respect to the Company's ability to satisfy its obligations including debt service, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. While EBITDA is frequently used as a measure of operating results and the ability to meet debt service requirements, the definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.

 
23

 
Our revolving credit facility permits us to pay dividends, subject to certain limitations, in amounts up to our cumulative free cash flows which is our earnings before extraordinary or exceptional items, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Credit Agreement EBITDA), less the aggregate amount of interest incurred and net amounts payable under interest rate hedging agreements during the relevant period and an agreed upon reserve for dry-docking. Therefore, we believe that this non-GAAP measure is important for our investors as it reflects our ability to pay dividends. The following table is a reconciliation of net income, as reflected in the consolidated statements of operations, to the Credit Agreement EBITDA:

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
 
Net Income
  $ 8,226,153     $ 512,261     $ 23,811,709     $ 31,096,577  
Interest Expense
    13,432,885       7,294,151       37,217,625       20,596,321  
Depreciation and Amortization
    17,193,853       11,094,238       46,437,290       32,328,402  
Amortization of fair value below market of time charter acquired
    (1,388,101 )     (645,098 )     (3,424,205 )     (1,942,278 )
EBITDA
    37,464,790       18,255,552       104,042,419       82,079,022  
Adjustments for Exceptional Items:
                               
Write-off of Financing Fees (1)
            3,383,289               3,383,289  
Non-cash Compensation Expense (2)
    3,664,992       3,345,433       11,694,957       10,587,150  
Credit Agreement EBITDA
  $ 41,129,782     $ 24,984,274     $ 115,737,376     $ 96,049,461  

(1)  One time charge (see Note 4 to the financial statements).
(2)  Stock based compensation related to stock options and restricted stock units.

Effects of Inflation

We do not believe that inflation has had or is likely, in the foreseeable future, to have a significant impact on vessel operating expenses, drydocking expenses or general and administrative expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, was $85,798,578 and $80,594,642, respectively. The increase was due to higher revenue from larger fleet offset by increased operational cost and interest expense resulting from delivery of an additional 12 newbuilding vessels.

Net cash used in investing activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, was $245,555,691, compared to $145,857,288 during the corresponding nine-month period ended September 30, 2009. Investing activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 related primarily to making progress payments and incurring related vessel construction expenses for the newbuilding vessels, of which 12 delivered during the first nine months of 2010.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, was $217,549,637, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $138,598,251 during the corresponding nine-month period ended September 30, 2009. Financing activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, primarily involved borrowings of $223,494,867 from our revolving credit facility.  During the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, we received $97,291,046 in net proceeds from sale of common shares of the Company, borrowed $95,770,000 from our revolving credit facility, repaid $48,645,523 to our lenders under the terms of the amended debt agreement, and incurred $4,330,801 in financing costs relating to our debt agreements.
 
24

 
As of September 30, 2010, our cash balance was $129,137,297, compared to a cash balance of $71,344,773 at December 31, 2009. In addition, $19,000,000 in cash deposits are maintained with our lender for loan compliance purposes and this amount is recorded in Restricted cash in our financial statements as of September 30, 2010. Also recorded in Restricted Cash is an amount of $276,056, which is collateralizing letters of credit relating to our office leases.

At September 30, 2010, the Company's debt consisted of $1,123,665,747 in net borrowings under the amended Revolving Credit Facility. These borrowings consisted of $989,483,485 for the 38 vessels currently in operation and $134,182,262 to fund the Company's newbuilding program.

On August 4, 2009, the Company entered into a third Amendatory Agreement to its revolving credit facility dated October 19, 2007 (See section in the Company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled "Revolving Credit Facility" for a description of the facility and its amendments). The facility also provides us with the ability to borrow up to $20,000,000 for working capital purposes.

On August 4, 2010, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendatory Agreement to its revolving credit facility the credit agreement dated October 19, 2007, by and between the Company and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as mandated lead arranger, bookrunner, swap bank, agent and security trustee and certain other lenders (collectively the "Lenders"), pursuant to which the Lenders have consented, among other things, to the Trading Operation.

We were in compliance with all of the covenants contained in our amended debt agreements as of September 30, 2010. We anticipate that our current financial resources, together with cash generated from operations and, if necessary, borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund the operations of our fleet, including our working capital requirements, for the next twelve months. We will rely on operating cash flows as well as our revolving credit facility and possible additional equity and debt financing alternatives to fund our long term capital requirements for vessel construction and implement future growth plans.

Our loan agreements for our borrowings are secured by liens on our vessels and contain various financial covenants. The covenants relate to our financial position, operating performance and liquidity. The market value of dry bulk vessels is sensitive, among other things, to changes in the dry bulk charter market. The decline in charter rates in the dry bulk market coupled with the prevailing difficulty in obtaining financing for vessel purchases have adversely affected dry bulk vessel values. A continuation of these conditions, could lead to a significant decline in the fair market values of our vessels, which could impact our compliance with these loan covenants. The recent developments in the credit markets and related impact on the dry bulk charter market and have also resulted in additional risks. The occurrence of one or more of these risk factors could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. Please refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Part II of this document which should be read in conjunction with the risk factors included in the Company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

It is our intention to fund our future acquisition related capital requirements initially through borrowings under the amended revolving credit facility and to repay all or a portion of such borrowings from time to time with cash generated from operations and from net proceeds of issuances of securities. The Company has a shelf registration filed on Form S-3 in March 2, 2009, subsequently amended, which would enable the Company to issue such securities.

Dividends

The Company did not make any dividend payments in the first, second and third quarters of 2010 and 2009. In the future, the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will always be subject to the discretion of the board of directors, restrictions contained in the amended credit facility and the requirements of Marshall Islands law. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among other things, the Company's earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and availability, the ability to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by the Company's growth strategy, the terms of its outstanding indebtedness and the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to distribute funds to it.

 
25

 

Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our expected contractual obligations and their maturity dates as of September 30, 2010:
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
Within
One Year
   
One to
Three Years
   
Three to
Five Years
   
More than
Five years
   
Total
 
                               
Vessels (1) 
  $ 186,273     $ 9,162                 $ 195,435  
Bank Loans
          134,221     $ 989,445             1,123,666  
Interest and borrowing fees (2) 
    49,141       98,371       38,837             186,349  
Office lease
    1,070       2,636       2,240     $ 2,964       8,910  
Total
  $ 236,484     $ 244,390     $ 1,030,522     $ 2,964     $ 1,514,360  

 
(1)  The balance of the contract price in US dollars for the 8 newbuilding vessels which are to be constructed and delivered between 2010 and 2011.
 
(2)  The Company is a party to floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps covering aggregate notional amount of $402,417,830. Interest and borrowing fees includes capitalized interest for the newbuilding vessels.

Capital Expenditures
 
Our capital expenditures relate to the purchase of vessels and capital improvements to our vessels which are expected to enhance the revenue earning capabilities and safety of these vessels.
 
We may incur additional capital expenditures from time to time related to our acquired vessels.  As of September 30, 2010, our fleet consists of 38 vessels which are currently operational and 8 newbuilding vessels which have been contracted for construction.
 
In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, the Company's other major capital expenditures include funding the Company's maintenance program of scheduled drydocking necessary to preserve the quality of our vessels as well as to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. Although the Company has some flexibility regarding the timing of its dry docking, the costs are relatively predictable. The Company anticipates that vessels are to be drydocked every two and a half years. Funding of these requirements is anticipated to be met with cash from operations. We anticipate that this process of recertification will require us to reposition these vessels from a discharge port to shipyard facilities, which will reduce our available days and operating days during that period.
 
Drydocking costs incurred are amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the period through the date the next drydocking for those vessels are scheduled to occur. Two vessels were drydocked in the three-months ended September 30, 2010. The following table represents certain information about the estimated costs for anticipated vessel drydockings in the next four quarters, along with the anticipated off-hire days:

Quarter Ending
Off-hire Days(1)
Projected Costs(2)
   
December 31, 2010
66
$1.65 million
   
March 31, 2011
44
$1.10 million
   
June 30, 2011
44
$1.10 million
   
September 30, 2011
44
$1.10 million
   
 
 
(1)
Actual duration of drydocking will vary based on the condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors.
 
 
(2)
Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed.
 

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 
26

 
 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk

There have been no material changes from the "Interest Rate Risk" previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Currency and Exchange Rates

There have been no material changes from the "Currency and Exchange Rates" risk previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act")) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
 
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
27

 

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings

We are not aware of any legal proceedings or claims to which we or our subsidiaries are party or of which our property is subject. From time to time in the future, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. Those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure by us of significant financial and managerial resources.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

Other than the risk factor set forth below, there have been no material changes from the "Risk Factors" previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Investment in derivative instruments such as freight forward agreements could result in losses.
 
From time to time, we may take positions in derivative instruments including freight forward agreements, or FFAs. FFAs and other derivative instruments may be used to hedge a vessel owner's exposure to the charter market by providing for the sale of a contracted charter rate along a specified route and period of time. Upon settlement, if the contracted charter rate is less than the average of the rates, as reported by an identified index, for the specified route and period, the seller of the FFA is required to pay the buyer an amount equal to the difference between the contracted rate and the settlement rate, multiplied by the number of days in the specified period. Conversely, if the contracted rate is greater than the settlement rate, the buyer is required to pay the seller the settlement sum. If we take positions in FFAs or other derivative instruments and do not correctly anticipate charter rate movements over the specified route and time period, we could suffer losses in the settling or termination of the FFA. This could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.

Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.
 
Item 4 - (Removed and Reserved)
 
 
Item 5 - Other Information  

 
(a)           None
 

(b)           There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to the Company's Board of Directors in the period covered by this report.

 
28

 
Item 6 – Exhibits  
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 

 
3.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (1)
 
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (2)
 
3.3
Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (3)
 
4.1
Form of Share Certificate of the Company (4)
 
4.2
Form of Senior Indenture (5)
 
4.3
Form of Subordinated Indenture (6)
 
4.4
Rights Agreement (7)
 
10.1
Amendatory Agreement, dated as of July 3, 2008, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and the banks and financial institutions party thereto and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as mandated lead arranger (8)
 
10.2
Second Amendatory Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2008, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and the banks and financial institutions party thereto and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as mandated lead arranger (9)
 
10.3
Third Amendatory Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2009, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and the banks and financial institutions party thereto and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as mandated lead arranger (10)
 
10.4
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for Mr. Sophocles N. Zoullas (11)
 
10.5
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (12)
 
10.6
Delphin Management Agreement (13)
 
10.7
Fourth Amendatory Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2010, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and the banks and financial institutions party thereto and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as mandated lead arranger
 
31.1
Rule 13a-14(d) / 15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
 
31.2
Rule 13a-14(d) / 15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
 
32.1
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
 
32.2
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, File No. 333-123817, filed on June 20, 2005.
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, File No. 333-123817, filed on June 20, 2005.
(3) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, File No. 001-33831, dated November 13, 2007.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, File No. 333-123817, filed on June 20, 2005.
(5) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-139745, filed on December 29, 2006.
(6) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-139745, filed on December 29, 2006.
(7) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, File No. 001-33831, dated November 13, 2007.
(8) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2008.
(9) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Company's Post-Effective Amendment to an automatic shelf registration statement on Form POSASR, File No. 333-148417, filed on March 2, 2009.
(10) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2009.
(11) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 20, 2008.
(12) Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company's Proxy Statement pursuant to Schedule 14A filed on April 10, 2009.
(13) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 5, 2010.

 
29

 
 
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.
 
 

 
EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.

By:    /s/ Sophocles N. Zoullas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sophocles N. Zoullas
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 9, 2010


By:    /s/ Alan S. Ginsberg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan S. Ginsberg
Chief Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer
Date: November 9, 2010

 
30