Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

OR

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022

OR

OR

Date of event requiring this shell company report:                     

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number: 1-33373

--12-31

CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Republic of the Marshall Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus, 18537 Greece

+30 210 458 4950

(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices and company contact person)

Gerasimos (Jerry) Kalogiratos, j.kalogiratos@capitalmaritime.com

(Name and email of company contact person)

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

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None

Indicate the number of outstanding Shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

20,255,707 Common Units

566,239 Treasury Common Units

348,570 General Partner Units

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

YES   ☐                 NO   ☒

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

YES   ☐                 NO   ☒

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   ☒                 NO   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

YES  ☒                 NO   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on an attestation to it management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statements item the registrant has elected to follow.

ITEM 17   ☐                ITEM 18   ☐

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

YES   ☐                 NO  ☒

ABOUT THIS REPORT

This annual report on Form 20-F (this “Annual Report”) should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in partners’ capital, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes included herein (the “Financial Statements”).

In this Annual Report, unless the context otherwise requires:

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Our disclosure and analysis in this Annual Report concerning our business, operations, cash flows, and financial position, including, among other things, the likelihood of our success in developing and expanding our business, include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in our business, financial condition and the markets in which we operate, and involve risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “might,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “likely,” “intend,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue,” “seek” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although these statements are based upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable based upon available information, including projections of revenues, operating margins, earnings, cash flows, working capital and capital expenditures, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that are described more fully in this Annual Report in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” below. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this Annual Report and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this Annual Report and include statements with respect to, among other things:

The preceding list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all our forward-looking statements. These and other forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s current plans, expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting us and, therefore, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those risks discussed in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” below, which could cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions involve known and unknown risks and are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.

Unless required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement. You should carefully review and consider the various disclosures included in this Annual Report that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations.

 PART I

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors.

Not Applicable.

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable.

Not Applicable.

Item 3. Key Information.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk.

Some of the risks described below relate to the industries and the countries in which we operate as of the date of this Annual Report. Please read “Item 4. Information on the Partnership” for information on the current scope of our operations. While we currently own 22 vessels consisting of 11 neo-Panamax container vessels, three Panamax container vessels, one drybulk vessel and seven LNG carriers, as well as one neo-Panamax container vessel that we have agreed to acquire and that we expect will be delivered during the second quarter of 2023, we may in the future enter into additional markets. If that happens, we will be exposed to additional risks.

Furthermore, we are organized as a limited partnership under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Although many of the risks relating to our business and operations are comparable to those a corporation engaged in a similar business would face, limited partner interests are inherently different from the capital stock of a corporation and involve additional risks.

If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow could be materially adversely affected. If that happens, we might not be able to pay distributions on our common units, the trading price of our common units could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

The risks described below include forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. For more information, please read “Forward Looking Statements” above.

SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS

The following is a summary of some of the principal risks we face. The list below is not exhaustive, and you should read this “Risk factors” section in full.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY

We are exposed to various risks in the ocean-going LNG, container and drybulk shipping industries, which are cyclical and volatile.

We operate in the ocean-going LNG, container and drybulk shipping industries and our performance and future growth depend on continued demand in these industries. Accordingly, we are exposed to various risks in these industries. Currently, we own seven LNG carriers, 14 container vessels and one drybulk vessel. As a result, we are most exposed to risks in the ocean-going LNG and container shipping industries.

The LNG shipping industry is cyclical with attendant volatility in charter hire rates and profitability. Recently, the LNG charter market has recovered after experiencing a prolonged period of historically low rates. The degree of charter hire rate volatility among different types of LNG vessels has varied widely, and time charter and spot market rates for LNG vessels have in the past declined below operating costs of vessels.

The ocean-going container shipping industry is both cyclical and volatile in terms of charter rates and profitability and demand for our container vessels depends on a range of factors, including changes in the supply and demand for ship capacity and changes in the supply and demand for shipment of cargoes in containers. From the second half of 2020 onwards, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in worldwide consumer behavior, reduced ports capacity due to social distancing and quarantine measures imposed in various counties worldwide and dislocation of container boxes and containerized trade resulted in a rapid increase in charter rates, which ultimately reached record levels in 2021 and the first half of 2022. Charter and freight rates in the container market in the first half of 2022 increased even further, reaching an all-time high in the first quarter of 2022. However, rates softened during the second half of 2022 and have declined, amid demand headwinds, increased supply of vessels, easing in congestion and weaker economic sentiment. During 2022, demand in global container trade decreased by 5.3% compared to the previous year in terms of Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (“TEU”)/miles. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict combined with inflationary pressures across most major economies may lead to a global economic slowdown, which might in turn adversely affect demand for container vessels and containerized goods and could negatively affect our results from operations. If the recent drop in freight rates continues, this could result in diminished profitability or losses, and could adversely impact certain of our charterers, which could negatively affect our results from operations. For example, in a number of instances in the past, charterers have not performed under, or have requested modifications of, existing time charters. See “—Risks Related to Our Business and Operations—Certain of our vessels may be under time charters at rates that are at a substantial premium to the spot and period markets, and our charterers’ failure to perform under these time charters could result in a significant loss of expected future revenues and cash flows.” and “—Risks Related to Our Business and Operations—If our charterers do not fulfill their obligations to us, or if they are unable to honor their obligations, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be adversely affected.”

The drybulk shipping industry is cyclical with attendant volatility in charter rates, vessel values and profitability, with wide disparities across different classes of drybulk carriers. Our sole drybulk carrier, the M/V Cape Agamemnon is currently deployed in the spot market, which is highly volatile and which may affect our earnings and the value of that vessel. If we cannot enter into a period time charter for the M/V Cape Agamemnon on acceptable terms, we may have to continue to secure charters in the spot market, where charter rates are more volatile and revenues are, therefore, less predictable, or we may not be able to charter the vessel at all. See “—Risks Related to Our Business and Operations—The international drybulk shipping industry is highly competitive, and with only one drybulk vessel in our fleet, we may not be able to compete successfully for charters with established companies with greater resources. As a result, we may not be able to successfully operate the vessel.”

The factors affecting the supply of LNG, products shipped in containers and drybulk cargoes and the demand for LNG carriers, containerships and/or drybulk vessels are outside our control and the nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in industry conditions are difficult to predict.

Some of the factors that influence demand for LNG carriers, containerships and/or drybulk vessels include:

Some of the factors that influence the supply of LNG carriers, containerships and/or vessel capacity for drybulk carriers include the following:

An oversupply of vessel capacity may prolong or depress current charter rates and adversely affect our ability to re-charter our vessels at profitable rates or at all.

Since 2014, the LNG market has been at times characterized by an oversupply of LNG tonnage, mainly caused by delays in new LNG capacity coming on stream. In addition, following a decline in ordering of newbuildings during 2016 and 2017, ordering increased in 2018 through 2022, driven by the strengthening of charter rates and increasing expectations for long-term LNG supply and demand. As a result, the LNG orderbook as of December 31, 2022 represented approximately 50% of the total on-the-water fleet capacity which is expected to be delivered between 2023 and 2028. A potential overhang of new vessels may cause LNG charter rates to be depressed.

In the containership market, the container order book as of December 31, 2022 represented approximately 29.1% of the total on-the-water fleet capacity. Deliveries of vessels ordered will significantly increase the size of the on-the-water container fleet over the next two to three years, which might in turn create an overhang of container vessels and cause container charter rates to be depressed.

The number of drybulk vessels on order as of December 31, 2022 was estimated by market sources to be approximately 7.6% of the then-existing global drybulk fleet in dead weight ton (“DWT”) terms, with deliveries expected mainly during the next 24 months, although available data with regard to cancellations of existing newbuild orders or delays in newbuild deliveries are not always accurate or may not be readily available.

An oversupply of newbuild vessels or re-chartered or idle vessel capacity entering the market, combined with any decline in the demand for LNG, containerships or drybulk vessels, may depress charter rates and may decrease our ability to re-charter our vessels other than for reduced rates or unprofitable rates or to re-charter our vessels at all, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

A decrease in the level of export and import of goods, in particular from and to Asia, as a result of trade protectionism, economic sanctions or other factors affecting global markets, could affect demand for shipping, resulting in a material adverse impact on our charterers’ business and, in turn, a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Our operations expose us to the risk that increased trade protectionism, trade embargoes or other economic sanctions or other factors affecting global markets adversely affect our business. Governments may turn to trade barriers to protect or revive their domestic industries in the face of foreign imports, thereby depressing the demand for shipping. Restrictions on imports, including in the form of tariffs, could have a major impact on global trade and demand for shipping.

Our containerships are deployed on routes involving containerized trade in and out of emerging markets, and our charterers’ container shipping and business revenue may be derived from the shipment of goods from Asia to various overseas export markets, including the United States and Europe. In the United States, there is significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and other exporting countries, including with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. Any future trade barriers or restrictions on trade in the United States may trigger retaliatory actions by others, potentially resulting in a “trade war.”

Increasing trade protectionism may cause an increase in (i) the cost of goods exported from regions globally, particularly the Asia-Pacific region, (ii) the length of time required to transport goods and (iii) the risks associated with exporting goods. Such increases may reduce the quantity of goods to be shipped, shipping time schedules, voyage costs and other associated costs which may adversely affect the business of our charterers. Any reduction in or hindrance to the output of Asia-based exporters could have a material adverse effect on the growth rate of Asia’s exports and on our charterers’ business, which may in turn affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase the number of their time charters with us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt.

Furthermore, the government of China has implemented economic policies aimed at increasing domestic consumption of Chinese-made goods and containing capital outflows. These policies may have the effect of reducing the supply of goods available for exports and the level of international trading and may, in turn, result in a decrease in demand for container shipping.

Our business could be harmed by trade tariffs, as well as any trade embargoes or other economic sanctions by the United States or other countries against Russia and countries in the Middle East, Asia or elsewhere as a result of terrorist attacks, hostilities or diplomatic or political pressures that limit trading activities with those countries. In particular, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and attendant sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union (“EU”) and other countries may also adversely impact our business, especially given Russia’s role as a major global exporter of crude oil and natural gas and the imposition of a price cap on Russian-origin oil announced by the U.S., EU and several other countries in December 2022. So far the reduced flow of Russian natural gas into Europe and the associated trade distortions has increased demand for LNG shipping, but a long term change in trade patterns of LNG, as a result of the conflict, might adversely affect the demand for LNG shipping and as a consequence might impair our capacity to re-charter the vessels after the expiration of their current charters.

Any new or increased trade barriers, trade embargoes or restrictions on trade would have an adverse impact on our charterers’ business, operating results and financial condition and could thereby affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase the number of their time charters with us. Such adverse developments could in turn have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Worldwide inflationary pressures could negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows.

Worldwide economies have recently experienced inflationary pressures, with price increases seen across many sectors globally. For example, the U.S. consumer price index, an inflation gauge that measures costs across dozens of items, rose 6.5% in December 2022 compared to the prior year, driven in large part by increases in energy costs. It remains to be seen whether inflationary pressures will continue, and to what degree, as central banks respond to price increases.  As a result of the heightened inflation experienced in 2022, we have incurred increased operating, voyage and administrative costs including higher costs for dry-docking. If inflationary pressures persist, we may experience further increases in our voyage, administrative and operating expenses, which we may not able to pass on to our charterers. Furthermore, the effects of inflation on the supply and demand of the products we transport could alter demand for our services. Interventions in the economy by central banks in response to inflationary pressures may slow down economic activity, including by altering consumer purchasing habits and reducing demand for the commodities and products we carry, and cause a reduction in trade. As a result, the volumes of LNG and/or goods we deliver and/or charter rates for our vessels may be affected. Any of these factors could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, cash flows and ability to pay cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

LNG, container and drybulk vessel values have historically been volatile. Vessel values may decrease and over time may fluctuate substantially, which may cause us to recognize losses if we sell our LNG carriers, container vessels or the M/V Cape Agamemnon, or record impairments and affect our ability to comply with our loan covenants or refinance our debt.

The market values of LNG, drybulk and container vessels have generally experienced high volatility. LNG, container and drybulk vessel values can fluctuate substantially over time due to a number of different factors, including:

If the market values of our vessels deteriorate, we may be required to record an impairment charge in our financial statements. Furthermore, if a charter expires or is terminated, we may be unable to re-charter the vessel at an acceptable rate and, rather than continue to incur costs to maintain the vessel, we may seek to dispose of it. Our inability to dispose of one or more of our vessels at a reasonable price could result in a loss. A decline in the market value of our vessels could also lead to a default under our financing arrangements and limit our ability to obtain additional financing and service or refinance our debt. If any of these circumstances were to happen, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions may be materially and adversely affected.

Our growth and our ability to re-charter our LNG vessels and containerships depend on, among other things, our ability to expand relationships with existing charterers and develop relationships with new charterers, for which we will face substantial competition.

The process of obtaining new long-term time charters on containerships and LNG vessels is highly competitive, generally involves an intensive screening process and competitive bids, and often extends for several months.

LNG and containership charters are awarded based upon a variety of factors related to the vessel owner, including, among other things:

Competition for providing containerships for chartering purposes comes from a number of experienced shipping companies, including direct competition from other independent vessel owners and indirect competition from state-sponsored and other major entities with their own fleets. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we do and can operate larger fleets and may be able to offer better charter rates. An increasing number of marine transportation companies have entered the LNG and containership sector, including many with strong reputations and extensive resources and experience in the marine transportation industry. Furthermore, both markets are highly fragmented. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, competitors with greater resources could enter the LNG and container shipping industry and operate larger fleets through consolidations or acquisitions and may be able to offer lower charter rates than we are able to offer. Although we believe that no single competitor has a dominant position in the markets in which we compete, we are aware that certain competitors may be able to devote greater financial and other resources to their activities than we can, resulting in a significant competitive threat to us. This increased competition in both the LNG and containership shipping markets may cause greater price competition for time charters. As a result of these factors, we may be unable to expand our relationships with existing charterers or to develop relationships with new charterers on a profitable basis, if at all, which could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt.

If a more active short-term or spot market develops, we may have more difficulty entering into medium- to long-term, fixed-rate time charters and our existing charterers may begin to pressure us to reduce our charter rates.

One of our principal strategies is to enter into medium- to long-term, fixed-rate time charters. As of March 31, 2023, five of our container vessels are chartered for less than two years and our sole drybulk vessel, the M/V Cape Agamemnon, is deployed in the spot market. Our LNG carriers are under long-term time charters expiring at the earliest in 2025 (three carriers), 2028 (one carrier), 2029 (one carrier), and 2031 (two carriers). On redelivery from their present charters, our vessels may operate in the short-term or spot market unless we are unable to secure long-term charters. As more vessels become available for the short-term or spot market, we may have difficulty entering into additional medium- to long-term, fixed-rate time charters for our vessels due to the increased supply of vessels and possibly lower rates in the spot market. See “—Risks Related to Our Business and Operations—An oversupply of vessel capacity may prolong or depress current charter rates and adversely affect our ability to re-charter our vessels at profitable rates or at all.”

In recent years, global natural gas and crude oil prices have been volatile. Any decline in oil prices can depress natural gas prices and lead to a narrowing of the difference in pricing between geographic regions, which can adversely affect the length of voyages in the spot LNG shipping market and the spot rates and medium-term charter rates for charters which commence in the near future. In addition, advances in LNG carrier technology may negatively impact our ability to re-charter our LNG carriers on attractive rates and may result in lower levels of utilization.

Operating vessels in the spot market or being unable to re-charter vessels on long-term charters with similar or better rates may mean that our revenues and cash flows from these vessels will decline following the expiration of our current charter arrangements. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business results or operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. In particular, a sustained decline in our charter rates and employment opportunities could adversely affect the market value of our vessels, on which certain ratios and financial covenants with which we are required to comply are based. A significant decline in the market value of our vessels could impact our compliance with covenants in our financing arrangements and, if the values are lower at a time when we are attempting to dispose of vessels, could cause us to incur a loss. See “—LNG, container and drybulk vessel values have historically been volatile. Vessel values may decrease and over time may fluctuate substantially, which may cause us to recognize losses if we sell our LNG carriers, container vessels or the M/V Cape Agamemnon, or record impairments and affect our ability to comply with our loan covenants or refinance our debt.”

A negative change in the economic conditions in Asia, especially in China, Japan or India, could reduce drybulk trade and demand, which would affect charter rates and have a material adverse effect on the profitability of our drybulk vessel.

A significant number of the port calls made by Capesize bulk carriers involve the loading or discharging of raw materials in ports in Asia, particularly China, Japan and India. We currently anticipate that the future demand for the M/V Cape Agamemnon will be dependent, among other things, upon the rate of economic growth in the global economy and particularly in Asia, including the world’s developing economies, such as China, India, Brazil and Russia. The ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, in addition to sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus and certain entities and individuals in these countries may also adversely impact our business due to their impact on the global economy and particularly Asia. See “—Regulatory Risks— Our vessels may be chartered or sub-chartered to parties, or call on ports, located in countries that are subject to restrictions and sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions.” If economic growth declines in China, Japan, India and other countries in Asia, drybulk trade and demand and, as a result, charter rates for drybulk vessels, may decrease and adversely affect our ability to re-charter the M/V Cape Agamemnon at a profitable rate or at all, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or repay our debt.

The international drybulk shipping industry is highly competitive, and with only one drybulk vessel in our fleet, we may not be able to compete successfully for charters with established companies with greater resources. As a result, we may not be able to successfully operate the vessel.

We employ the M/V Cape Agamemnon in the highly competitive drybulk market, which is capital intensive and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of which have substantially larger fleets of drybulk vessels or greater resources than we currently have or will have in the future. Competition for the transportation of drybulk cargo by sea is intense and depends on price, charterer relationships, operating expertise, professional reputation and size, age, location and condition of the vessel. In this highly fragmented market, companies operating larger fleets, as well as competitors with greater resources, may be able to offer lower charter rates than ours, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to charter out the M/V Cape Agamemnon and, accordingly, its profitability.

The operation of drybulk vessels involves certain unique operational risks, and failure to adequately maintain the M/V Cape Agamemnon could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions and service or refinance our debt.

With a drybulk vessel, the cargo itself and its interaction with the vessel may create operational risks. By their nature, drybulk cargoes are often heavy, dense and easily shifted, and they may react badly to water exposure. In addition, drybulk vessels are often subjected to battering treatment during unloading operations with grabs, jackhammers (to pry encrusted cargoes out of the hold) and small bulldozers. This treatment may cause damage to the vessel. Vessels damaged due to treatment during unloading procedures may be more susceptible to breach while at sea. Breaches of a drybulk vessel’s hull may lead to the flooding of the vessel’s holds. If a drybulk vessel suffers flooding in its forward holds, the bulk cargo may become so dense and waterlogged that its pressure may buckle the vessel’s bulkheads, leading to the loss of a vessel. If we or Capital-Executive do not adequately maintain the M/V Cape Agamemnon, we may be unable to prevent these events. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions and service or refinance our debt.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

We may not be able to grow, or to effectively manage our growth, which could negatively affect our competitiveness and financial condition.

Our success depends on our ability to grow our business. The growth of our business depends upon a variety of factors, some of which we cannot control. These factors include, among other things, our ability to:

We may not be able to acquire newly built or secondhand vessels on favorable terms, which could impede our growth and negatively impact our financial condition and ability to pay cash distributions. We may not be able to contract for newbuilds or locate suitable vessels or negotiate acceptable construction or purchase contracts with shipyards and owners, or obtain financing for such acquisitions on economically acceptable terms, or at all.

Failure to effectively identify, purchase, develop, employ and integrate any vessels or businesses could negatively affect our competitiveness, business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Certain of our vessels may be under time charters at rates that are at a substantial premium to the spot and period markets, and our charterers’ failure to perform under these time charters could result in a significant loss of expected future revenues and cash flows.

Our LNG and container vessels that are chartered to BP Gas Marketing Limited (“BP”), Cheniere Marketing International LLP (“Cheniere”), Engie Energy Marketing Singapore Pte Ltd (“Engie”), Hyundai Merchant Marine Co Ltd. (“HMM”), Hartree Partners Power & Gas Company (UK) Limited (“Hartree"), CMA CGM S.A. (“CMA CGM”) and Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft (“Hapag-Lloyd”) are each currently employed under medium-to-long-term time charters.

Given that the rates we charge to these charterers may at times be significantly higher than the underlying charter market, failure to perform by any of them could result in a significant loss of revenues, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and our ability to maintain cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. We could lose these charterers or the benefits of the charters if, among other things:

In the event we lose the benefit of the charters with BP, Cheniere, Engie, Hartree, HMM or Hapag-Lloyd prior to their respective expiration date, we would have to re-charter the vessels at the then prevailing charter rates. If the charter market is depressed at such time, or when time charters for our vessels otherwise expire, we may be forced to re-charter our vessels at reduced or even unprofitable rates, or we may not be able to re-charter them at all, and our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and ability to make distribution and service or refinance our debt may be materially and adversely affected.

If our charterers do not fulfill their obligations to us, or if they are unable to honor their obligations, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be adversely affected.

Many charterers are highly leveraged. A combination of factors, including, among other things, unavailability of credit, volatility in financial markets, overcapacity, competitive pressure, declines in world trade and depressed freight rates, have severely affected the financial condition of charterers in the recent past, including liner companies, and their ability to make charter payments, which resulted in a material increase in the credit and counterparty risks to which we were exposed and our ability to re-charter our vessels at competitive rates.

For example, HMM, the charterer of five of our container vessels, completed a financial restructuring in July 2016. In connection with this restructuring, we agreed a reduction of the charter rate payable to us of 20% to $23,480 per day (from a gross daily rate of $29,350) for a three and a half year period ended in December 2019 and as compensation for the charter rate reduction, we received approximately 4.4 million HMM common shares, which we sold on the Stock Market Division of the Korean Exchange in August 2016 for aggregate cash consideration of $29.7 million.

If one of our charterers defaults on our time charters for any reason, we may be unable to redeploy the vessel previously employed by such charterer on similarly favorable or competitive terms or at all. Also, we will incur expenses to maintain and insure the vessel, but will not receive any revenue if a vessel remains idle before being re-chartered.

A number of our charterers are private companies and we may have limited access to their financial information, which may result in us having limited information on their financial strength and ability to meet their financial obligations.

The loss of our charterers or a decline in payments under our time charters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

We currently derive all of our revenues from a limited number of charterers and the loss of any charterer or charter or vessel could result in a significant loss of revenues and cash flows.

We have derived, and expect that we will continue to derive, all of our revenues and cash flows from a limited number of charterers. For the year ended December 31, 2022 our charterers who individually accounted for more than 10% of total revenues were BP, HMM, Cheniere and Hapag-Lloyd, who accounted for 28%, 18%, 17% and 16% of our revenues, respectively.

We could lose a charterer, including charterers who individually account for more than 10% of our total revenues or the benefits of some or all of our charters, including in circumstances described above in “—Certain of our vessels may be under time charters at rates that are at a substantial premium to the spot and period markets, and our charterers’ failure to perform under these time charters could result in a significant loss of expected future revenues and cash flows.”

Pandemics such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have, in the short to medium term, had an adverse effect on our operations and financial condition and may have unpredictable long-term effects, including on the demand and supply for LNG, container and drybulk vessels.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the spread of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic and the government responses thereto negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, created significant volatility and disruption in financial markets and increased unemployment levels. In addition, the pandemic has resulted in the imposition of various travel restrictions, health protocols and changing quarantine regimes in the countries in which we operate. These have translated into, among other things, increased costs and off-hire related to crewing, crew rotation and crew related expenses, higher forwarding expenses and longer lead times to delivery, as well as increased dry-docking duration and costs. While most economies have reopened, it is impossible to predict the course the virus will take, how governments would respond to additional waves of the virus and the long-term effectiveness of vaccines against the virus. In the long run, the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy, consumer behavior, globalization and international trade remains uncertain.

We expect that pandemics generally could affect our business in the following ways, among others:

Any of these public health threats and related consequences could adversely affect our financial results.

These and other impacts of pandemics in general, including the COVID-19 pandemic, could have the effect of heightening many of the other risk factors disclosed in this Annual Report. The actual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the longer run may take some time to materialize and may not be fully reflected in the results for the year ending December 31, 2022.

We mostly depend on our Managers, which are privately held companies for the commercial and technical management of our fleet. If, for any reason, any of our Managers is unable to provide us with the necessary level of services to support and expand our business or qualify for long-term charters, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be materially affected.

Our Managers are privately held companies and not part of the group of companies controlled by Capital Maritime. Accordingly, they do not benefit from the financial and operational support of Capital Maritime as parent company.

Under the arrangements we have with our Managers, they provide us with significant commercial and technical management services, including the commercial and technical management for all our vessels, class certifications, vessel maintenance, crewing, procurement, insurance and shipyard supervision, as well as administrative, financial and other support services. Please read “Item 4. Information on the Partnership—B. Business Overview—Our Management Agreements.” Accordingly, our operational success and ability to execute our growth strategy depend significantly upon our Managers’ satisfactory performance of these services.

Furthermore, our success in securing new charters and expanding our relationships with charterers depend largely on our Managers’ reputation, relationships in the shipping industry and ability to qualify for long-term business with major charterers.

If our Managers’ reputation or industry relationships are harmed, justifiably or not, or if any of our Managers does not perform satisfactorily under our management agreements, our ability to renew existing charters upon their expiration, obtain new charters, successfully interact with shipyards during periods of shipyard construction constraints, obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms, access capital markets, or maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers and other third parties may be materially affected.

If any of the above risks were to materialize, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be materially affected.

The fees and expenses we pay to our Managers for services provided to us are substantial, fluctuate, cannot be easily predicted and may reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

In the light of the floating fee structure of our management agreements, any increase in the costs and expenses associated with the provision of our Managers’ services, by reason, for example, of the condition and age of our vessels, costs of crews for our time chartered vessels and insurance, will be borne by us.

Expenses incurred to manage our fleet depend upon a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our or our Managers’ control. Some of these costs, primarily relating to crewing, insurance and enhanced security measures, have increased in the past and may continue to increase in the future. Rises in any of these costs, to the extent charged to us, will reduce our earnings, cash flows and the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

Fees charged by our Managers and compensation for expenses and liabilities incurred on our behalf, as well as the costs associated with future dry-dockings or intermediate surveys on our vessels, can be significant. Accordingly, these fees and expenses may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

We depend on our General Partner, a private company under the ownership of Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, for the day-to-day management of our affairs.

Our General Partner, Capital GP L.L.C., is a privately held company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime. In April 2019, Capital Maritime transferred all membership interests in our General Partner to Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis. Please read “—Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us—The control of our General Partner may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent.” Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, born in 1999, is the son of Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis. Although not engaged in day-to-day management, Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis holds and oversees certain shipping interests on behalf of the Marinakis family.

To date, our board of directors has not exercised its power to appoint officers of the Partnership. As a result, we rely, and expect to continue to rely, solely on the officers of our General Partner. Please read “—Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us—We currently do not have any officers and rely, and expect to continue to rely, solely on officers of our General Partner, who face conflicts in the allocation of their time to our business.” Accordingly, the proper management of our business depends significantly upon our General Partner.

If the reputation, industry relationships or standing in the market of the General Partner and, in turn, the Partnership, are harmed, justifiably or not, or if our General Partner fails to properly manage our affairs, our ability to secure new charters, interact with counterparties, obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms, access capital markets, or maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers and other third parties may be materially affected. If any of these risks were to materialize, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be materially affected.

Our vessels’ present and future employment could be adversely affected by an inability to clear charterers’ risk assessment process.

Shipping has been, and will remain, heavily regulated. Concerns for the environment have led charterers to develop and implement a strict ongoing due diligence process when selecting their commercial partners. This vetting process has evolved into a sophisticated and comprehensive risk assessment of both the vessel operator and the vessel, including physical ship inspections, completion of vessel inspection questionnaires performed by accredited inspectors and the production of comprehensive risk assessment reports. In the case of term charter relationships, in addition to factors discussed under “—Our growth and our ability to re-charter our LNG vessels and containerships depend on, among other things, our ability to expand relationships with existing charterers and develop relationships with new charterers, for which we will face substantial competition.” the following factors may be considered when awarding such contracts, including:

Should our Managers not continue to successfully clear major charterers’ risk assessment processes on an ongoing basis, our vessels’ present and future employment, as well as our relationship with our existing charterers and our ability to obtain new charterers, whether medium- or long-term, could be adversely affected. Such a situation may lead to major charterers’ terminating existing charters and refusing to use our vessels in the future, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

If we decide to install scrubbers on additional vessels, the number of off-hire days of our fleet will increase and we will incur expenses related to the dry-dockings and, as a result, our cash available for distribution to our unitholders may decrease.

As of the date of this Annual Report, five of our vessels have been retrofitted with scrubbers while two were delivered from the building yard with scrubbers attached. We expect that the three 10,000 TEU container carrier vessels we acquired in January 2020 will be retrofitted with scrubbers in 2023. We may decide to retrofit the rest of our fleet with scrubbers in the future, subject to market developments and shipyard availability. The installation of scrubber equipment requires the vessel to be dry-docked and incur off-hire days. We estimate that the installation of a scrubber (without any unforeseen delays) requires 40 to 75 off-hire days per vessel.

In addition to the installation of scrubbers or other equipment we may decide to put a vessel into dry-dock before the scheduled dry-docking date in anticipation of regulatory changes, opportunities in the charter market or if we deem that, due to the location of the vessel, it will be less costly to put the vessel into dry-dock at the time.

Once one of our vessels is dry-docked, it is automatically considered to be off-hire for the duration of the special or intermediate survey or dry-docking, which means that for such period of time that vessel will not be earning any revenues. During that period, we however may incur, or may be required to reimburse our applicable Managers for, on-going operating expenses or other expenses related to the dry-dock. Accordingly, dry-docking may materially affect our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

If our vessels suffer damage due to the inherent operational risks of the shipping industry, we may experience unexpected dry-docking costs and delays or total loss of our vessels, which may adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Our vessels and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as marine disasters, bad weather (including severe weather events resulting from climate change), business interruptions caused by mechanical failures, grounding, fire, explosions and collisions, human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events. For the LNG carriers, there is a risk of damage in the membrane of the cargo tanks due to sloshing in extreme weather.

If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a dry-docking facility. The costs of dry-dock repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We may have to pay dry-docking costs that our insurance does not cover in full. The loss of earnings while these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, may adversely affect our business and financial condition. In addition, space at dry-docking facilities is sometimes limited and not all dry-docking facilities are conveniently located. We may be unable to find space at a suitable dry-docking facility or our vessels may be forced to travel to a dry-docking facility that is not conveniently located to our vessels’ positions. The loss of earnings while these vessels are forced to wait for space or to travel to more distant dry-docking facilities may adversely affect our business and financial condition. In cases, where the unexpected off-hire period exceeds the maximum allowed under the respective charter party, the charterer may elect to terminate the charter party. Furthermore, the total loss of any of our vessels could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator. If we are unable to adequately maintain or safeguard our vessels, we may be unable to prevent any such damage, costs or loss, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

As our fleet ages, the risks associated with older vessels could adversely affect our ability to obtain profitable charters, comply with debt covenants or raise financing. In addition, if we purchase and operate secondhand vessels, we may be exposed to increased operating costs and capital expenditure associated with new regulations, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our fleet of 23 vessels, including the 13,312 TEU container vessel that we expect to take delivery of in June 2023, had a DWT weighted average age of approximately 6.7 years as of March 31, 2023 compared to the industry average of 13.2 years (adjusted for the composition of our fleet). See “Item 4. Information on the Partnership—B. Business Overview —Our Fleet”. 

In general, the costs of maintaining a vessel in good operating condition increase with the age of the vessel. Older vessels are typically less fuel efficient than more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine technology. In addition, cargo insurance rates increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Older vessels might also require higher capital expenditure to comply with regulations that came into force after their construction and their values might depreciate faster than more modern vessels. As a result, an aging fleet might affect our ability to remain in compliance with debt covenants and/or raise financing.

In particular, seven of our vessels are not “eco-type” designs. Recent orders of container and drybulk vessels are based on new designs purporting to offer material bunker savings compared to older designs and greater carrying capacity. Such savings could result in a substantial reduction of bunker cost for charterers on a per unit basis. As the supply of “eco-type” vessels increases, if charterers prefer such vessels over our vessels that are not classified as such, this may reduce demand for our non-”eco-type” vessels, impair our ability to re-charter such vessels at competitive rates or at all. This could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service our debt.

If we purchase secondhand vessels, we will not have the same knowledge about their condition as the knowledge we have about the condition of the vessels that were built for and operated solely by us. Generally, we will not receive the benefit of warranties from the builder for any secondhand vessel that we may acquire.

Marine transportation is inherently risky, and an incident involving significant loss of, or environmental contamination by, any of our vessels could harm our reputation and business.

Our vessels and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as:

An accident involving any of our vessels could result in any of the following:

Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt.

Our insurance may be insufficient to cover losses that may occur to our property or result from our commercial operations.

The operation of ocean-going vessels in international trade is inherently risky. Not all risks can be adequately insured against, and any particular claim upon our insurance may not be paid for any number of reasons. We do not currently maintain off-hire insurance covering loss of revenue during extended vessel off-hire periods such as may occur while a vessel is under repair. Accordingly, any extended vessel off-hire due to an accident or otherwise could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt. Claims covered by insurance are subject to deductibles and since it is possible that a large number of claims may arise, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material.

We may be unable to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future. For example, more stringent environmental regulations have led in the past to increased costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution. A catastrophic marine disaster could exceed our insurance coverage. Any uninsured or underinsured loss could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. In addition, our insurance may be voidable by the insurers as a result of certain of our actions, such as our ships failing to maintain certification with applicable maritime self-regulatory organizations.

Changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks may also make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain.

In addition, the insurance that may be available to us may be significantly more expensive than our existing coverage.

We may be subject to funding calls by our protection and indemnity associations, and our associations may not have enough resources to cover claims made against them, resulting in potential unbudgeted supplementary liability to fund claims made upon them and unbudgeted cash-calls made upon us by the associations.

Cover for third party liability incurred in consequence of commercial operations is provided through membership in Protection & Indemnity (“P&I”) Associations. P&I Associations are mutual insurance associations whose members must contribute proportionately to cover losses sustained by all the association’s members who remain subject to calls for additional funds if the aggregate premiums are insufficient to cover claims submitted to the association. Claims submitted to the associations include those incurred by its members but also claims submitted by other P&I Associations under claims pooling agreements. The P&I Associations to which we belong may not remain viable, and we may become subject to additional funding calls which could adversely affect us.

The crew employment agreements that manning agents enter into on behalf of our Managers, may not prevent labor interruptions, and the failure to renegotiate these agreements or to successfully attract and retain qualified personnel in the future may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our cash flows.

The collective bargaining agreement between our Manager, Capital-Executive, and the Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation, effective August 1, 2022, expires on July 31, 2023. This collective bargaining agreement may not prevent labor interruptions and it is subject to renegotiation in the future. Although we believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory, no assurance can be given that we will be able to successfully extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreement when it expires. If we fail to extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreement, if disputes with our union arise, or if our unionized workers engage in a strike or other work stoppage or interruption, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Also, our success depends in part on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. In crewing our vessels, we employ certain employees with specialized training who can perform physically demanding work. Competition to attract and retain qualified crew members is intense. If we are not able to attract and retain qualified personnel, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Arrests of our vessels by maritime claimants could cause a significant loss of earnings for the related off-hire period.

Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In certain cases, maritime claimants may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages of its manager. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lienholder may enforce its lien by “arresting” or “attaching” a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. In addition, in jurisdictions where the “sister ship” theory of liability applies, a claimant may arrest the vessel that is subject to the claimant’s maritime lien and any “associated” vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. In countries with “sister ship” liability laws, claims might be asserted against us or any of our vessels for liabilities of other vessels that we own. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could result in significant costs of discharging the maritime lien, loss of earnings for the related off-hire period and other expenses and negatively affect our reputation, which could negatively affect the market for our common units and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, resulting in loss of earnings.

The government of a vessel’s registry could requisition for title or seize our vessels. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. A government could also requisition our vessels for hire. Requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes the charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during a period of war or emergency. Government requisition of one or more of our vessels could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels have continued and could adversely affect our business.

Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia and the Red Sea. Although the frequency of sea piracy worldwide has decreased in recent years, sea piracy incidents continue to occur, particularly in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Guinea.

If these piracy attacks result in regions in which our vessels are deployed being characterized by insurers as “war risk” zones or “listed areas”, premiums payable for insurance coverage for our vessels could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. In addition, crew costs, including costs which may be incurred due to the deployment of onboard security guards, could increase in such circumstances. While the use of security guards is intended to deter and prevent the hijacking of our vessels, it could also increase our risk of liability for death or injury to persons or damage to personal property. Although we believe we are adequately insured to cover loss attributable to such incidents, there is still a risk that such incidents may result in significant unrecoverable loss which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Political and government instability can affect the industries in which we operate, which may adversely affect our business.

We conduct most of our operations outside of the United States, and our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be adversely affected by the effects of political instability, terrorist or other attacks, war or international hostilities. Terrorist attacks and the continuing response of countries to these attacks, as well as other current and future conflicts, contribute to world economic instability and uncertainty in global financial markets. Terrorist attacks and political instability could result in increased volatility of the financial markets in the United States and globally, and could negatively impact the U.S. and world economy, potentially leading to an economic recession. These uncertainties could also adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all.

In the past, political instability has also resulted in attacks on vessels, such as the attack on the M/T Limburg in October 2002, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Any such attacks could lead to, among other things, bodily injury or loss of life, vessel or other property damage and increased vessel operational costs, including insurance costs.

Furthermore, our operations may be adversely affected by changing or adverse political and governmental conditions in the countries where our vessels are flagged or registered and in the regions where we otherwise engage in business. Our operations may also be adversely affected by expropriation of vessels, taxes, regulation, tariffs, trade embargoes, economic sanctions or a disruption of, or limit to trading activities, or other adverse events or circumstances in or affecting the countries and regions where we operate or where we may operate in the future.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine may lead to further regional and international conflicts or armed action. The invasion of Ukraine has disrupted supply chains, caused instability in the global economy and added pressure to already rising inflation; these effects are likely to continue and possibly compound as the conflict remains ongoing. Economic sanctions levied on Russia, its leaders and on Russian oil and oil products may cause further global economic downturns, including additional increases in bunker costs, and the ongoing conflict could result in the imposition of further economic sanctions by the United States and the European Union against Russia. While much uncertainty remains regarding the global impact of the conflict in Ukraine, it is possible that such tensions could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. In 2022, Russian gas accounted for 14% of total gas produced and Russian LNG exports for 8% of the global trade. It is noteworthy that Russian gas accounted for 24% of all natural gas consumed in Europe during 2022. Furthermore, it is possible that third parties with whom we have charter contracts may be impacted by events in Russia and Ukraine, which could adversely affect our operations.

Increases in fuel prices could adversely affect our profits.

When our vessels are trading on period charters, our charterers are responsible for the cost of fuel in the form of bunkers. However if we trade our vessels in the spot market or they are off-hire or during the vessels’ dry-docking, we are responsible for the cost of fuel consumed, which can be a significant vessel expense. Spot charter arrangements generally provide that the vessel owner, or pool operator where relevant, bear the cost of fuel. Because we do not, and do not intend to, hedge our fuel costs, an increase in the price of fuel beyond our expectations may adversely affect our profitability, cash flows and ability to pay cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates as a result of events outside our control, including geo-political developments (such as the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine), supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (also known as OPEC) and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and environmental concerns and regulations. Changes in the actual price of fuel at the time the charter is to be performed could result in the charter being performed at a significantly greater cost than originally anticipated and may result in losses or diminished profits. 

In addition, a global 0.5% sulphur cap on marine fuels imposed by the International Maritime Organization came into force on January 1, 2020, as stipulated in 2008 amendments to Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships (“MARPOL”). See “— Regulatory Risks—The maritime transportation industry is subject to substantial environmental and other regulations and international standards, which have become stricter over time and which may significantly limit our operations, result in substantial penalties or increase our expenditures.” A potential shortage of low sulphur marine fuels could drive prices upwards, which could adversely affect our profit margins if our container and drybulk vessels are being chartered on the spot market or are off-hire or the profit margins of our charterers.

Increased competition in technology and innovation could reduce our charter hire income and the value of our vessels.

The charter rates and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors, including the vessel’s efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Determining a vessel’s efficiency includes considering its speed and fuel economy, while flexibility considerations include the ability to enter harbors, utilize related docking facilities and pass through canals and straits. Specifically for LNG, technological developments in containment systems and reliquification technology could affect the value of the vessels as well as their commercial life, as is now demonstrated in the market with older generation vessels trading at a significant discount as compared to modern vessels. A vessel’s physical life is related to the original design and construction, maintenance and the impact of the stress of its operations. If new ship designs currently promoted by shipyards as being more fuel efficient perform as promoted, or if new vessels are built in the future that are more efficient, or flexible, have increased capacity, or have longer physical lives than our current vessels, competition from these more technologically advanced vessels could adversely affect our ability to re-charter our vessels, the amount of charter-hire payments that we receive for our vessels once their current charters expire and the resale value of our vessels. This could adversely affect our ability to service our debt or make cash distributions.

Since 2011, our board of directors has elected not to deduct cash reserves for estimated replacement capital expenditures from our operating surplus. If this practice continues, our asset base and the income generating capacity of our fleet may be significantly affected.

Our partnership agreement provides that our board of directors shall deduct from operating surplus cash reserves that it determines are necessary to fund our future operating expenditures, including estimated maintenance capital expenditures. The amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by our board of directors, provided that any change must be approved by our conflicts committee.

Replacement capital expenditures are made in order to maintain our asset base and the income generating capacity of our fleet. We have in the past incurred substantial replacement capital expenditures. Replacement capital expenditures may vary over time as a result of a range of factors, including changes in:

Since 2011, our board of directors has elected not to deduct any cash reserves for estimated replacement capital expenditures from our operating surplus. We account for maintenance capital expenditures required to maintain the operating capacity of our vessels, including any amortization of dry-docking costs associated with scheduled dry-dockings, as part of our operating costs, which are reflected in our operating income.

As a result of this practice, we have become significantly more reliant on our ability to obtain required financing and access the financial markets to fund our replacement capital expenditures from time to time. If this practice continues and external funding is not available to us for any reason, including as a result of efforts by central banks to address increased inflation, our ability to acquire new vessels or replace a vessel in our fleet to maintain our asset base and our income generating capacity may be significantly impaired, which would negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

If we finance the purchase of any additional vessels or businesses we acquire in the future through cash from operations, by increasing our indebtedness or by issuing debt or equity securities, our ability to make or increase our cash distributions may be diminished, our financial leverage could increase or our unitholders could be diluted. In addition, if we expand the size of our fleet by directly contracting newbuilds in the future, we will generally be required to make significant installment payments for such acquisitions prior to their delivery and generation of any revenue.

The actual cost of a new vessel varies significantly depending on the market price charged by shipyards, the size and specifications of the vessel, whether a charter is attached to the vessel and the terms of such charter, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards. The total cost of a vessel is further increased by financing, construction supervision, vessel start-up and other costs.

If we enter into contracts for newbuilds directly with shipyards, we generally will be required to make installment payments prior to their delivery. We typically must pay between 5% and 10% of the purchase price of a vessel upon signing the purchase contract, even though delivery of the completed vessel will not occur until much later (approximately 18–36 months later for current orders), which could reduce cash available for distributions to unitholders.

To fund the acquisition of a vessel or a business or other related capital expenditures, we will be required to use cash from operations or incur borrowings or raise capital through the sale of debt or additional equity securities. Even if we are successful in obtaining necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders. Incurring additional debt may significantly increase our interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional equity securities may result in significant unitholder dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required to fund our quarterly distributions to unitholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to increase or make cash distributions.

Failure of the scrubber or ballast water treatment equipment to operate effectively could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

As of the date of this Annual Report, five of our vessels have been retrofitted with scrubbers while two were delivered from the building yard with scrubbers attached. As of the date of this Annual Report, all of our vessels are equipped with ballast water treatment system (“BWTS”). Failure of the scrubber and/or BWTS equipment to operate effectively after installation might affect our ability to comply with regulatory requirements and/or our charter party agreements, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

RISKS RELATED TO FINANCING ACTIVITIES

We are reliant on our ability to obtain required financing and access the financial markets. Therefore, we may be harmed by any limitation in the availability of external funding, as a result of a contraction or volatility in bank debt or financial markets or for any other reason. If we are unable to obtain required financing or access the capital markets, we may be unable to grow or maintain our asset base, pursue other potential growth opportunities or refinance our existing indebtedness.

We are reliant on our ability to obtain required financing and access the financial markets to operate and grow our business.

However, asset impairments, financial stress, enforcement actions and credit rating pressures experienced in the past by financial institutions, in particular in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, combined with a general decline in the willingness of financial institutions to extend credit to the shipping industry due to depressed shipping rates and the deterioration of asset values that have led to losses in many banks’ shipping portfolios, as well as changes in overall banking regulations (including, for example, Basel III) have severely constrained the availability of credit supply for shipping companies such as us. For example, following heavy losses in its shipping portfolio and at the EU Commission’s behest, one of our lenders, state-backed Hamburg Commercial Bank AG (“HCOB”), was mandatorily privatized.

In addition, our ability to obtain financing or access capital markets to issue debt or equity securities may be limited by (i) our financial condition at the time of any such financing or issuance, (ii) adverse market conditions affecting the shipping industry, including weaker demand for, or increased supply of, LNG, drybulk and container vessels, whether as a result of general economic conditions or the financial condition of charterers and operators of vessels, (iii) weaknesses in the financial markets, (iv) restrictions imposed by our credit facilities, such as collateral maintenance requirements, which could limit our ability to incur additional secured financing and (v) other contingencies and uncertainties, which may be beyond our control. Continued access to external financing and the capital markets is not assured.

In 2019, a number of leading lenders to the shipping industry and other industry participants announced a global framework, referred to as the “Poseidon Principles”, by which financial institutions can assess the climate alignment of their ship finance portfolios, and additional lenders have subsequently announced their intention to adhere to such principles. In addition, the EU has introduced a set of criteria for economic activities which should be framed as “green”, called the EU Taxonomy. Based on the current version of the EU Taxonomy, companies that own assets shipping fossil fuels, including LNG carriers, are considered as not aligned with the EU Taxonomy. If our operations are considered as not aligned with the EU Taxonomy, it could result in an increase in the cost of capital and/or gradually reduced access to financing as a result of financial institutions’ compliance with EU Taxonomy. Accordingly, if the vessels in our fleet are deemed not to satisfy the emissions and other sustainability standards contemplated by the Poseidon Principles, the EU Taxonomy or other Environmental Social Governance (ESG) standards required by lenders or investors, the availability and cost of bank or other financing for such vessels, or our business as a whole, may be adversely affected.

As a result, our ability to obtain financing to fund capital expenditures, acquire new vessels or refinance our existing indebtedness is and may continue to be limited. If we are unable to obtain additional financing or issue further equity or debt securities, our ability to fund current and future obligations may be impaired. In addition, restrictions in the availability of credit supply, as well as higher interest rates resulting from efforts by central banks to address increased inflation, may result in higher interest costs, which would reduce our available cash for distributions. Any failure to obtain funds for necessary future capital expenditures, to grow our asset base or, in time, to refinance our existing indebtedness on terms that are commercially acceptable could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt, and could cause the market price of our common units to decline.

We have incurred significant indebtedness, which could adversely affect our ability to finance our operations, refinance our existing indebtedness, pursue desirable business opportunities, successfully run our business or make cash distributions.

As of December 31, 2022, our total debt was $1,299.2 million in total. Please also refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings (Financing Arrangements).”

Our leverage and amounts required to service our debt and leasing obligations could have a significant impact on our operations, including the following:

While our leverage is significant, if future cash flows are insufficient to fund capital expenditures and other expenses or investments, we may need to incur further indebtedness. See “—Risks Related to Our Business and Operations—Since 2011, our board of directors has elected not to deduct cash reserves for estimated replacement capital expenditures from our operating surplus. If this practice continues, our asset base and the income generating capacity of our fleet may be significantly affected.”

Our financing arrangements contain, and we expect that any new or amended credit facilities or other financing arrangements we may enter into in the future will contain, restrictive covenants, which may limit our business and financing activities, including our ability to make cash distributions.

Operating and financial restrictions and covenants under our existing financing arrangements and any new financing arrangements we may enter into in the future could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage, expand or pursue our business activities. For example, our current financing arrangements require the consent of our lenders to, or limit our ability to, among other things:

Our existing financing arrangements also require us to comply with the International Safety Management Code and to maintain valid safety management certificates and documents of compliance at all times. Our financing arrangements require us to comply with certain financial covenants:

Our financing arrangements prohibit the payment of distributions that are not in compliance with certain of these financial covenants or security coverage ratios or upon the occurrence of any other event of default.

Furthermore, the Bonds we issued in July 2022 and October 2021 require us to (a) maintain a pledged Debt Service Reserve Account (the “DSRA”) with a minimum balance €100,000, (b) deposit to the DSRA an amount equal to 50% of any cash disbursements to our unitholders (e.g., dividends) exceeding $20.0 million per annum, capped at 1/3 of the par value of the Bonds outstanding at the time and (c) if our market value adjusted net worth (“MVAN”) falls below $300.0 million, to deposit to the DSRA the difference between the MVAN and $300.0 million (capped at 1/3 of the par value of the Bonds outstanding).

Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in our financing arrangements may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions, interest rate developments, changes in the funding costs of our financing institutions and changes in vessel earnings and asset valuations. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we are in breach of any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our financing arrangements, or if we trigger a cross-default currently contained in our financing arrangements, we may be forced to suspend our distributions, a significant portion of our obligations may become immediately due and payable, and our lenders’ commitment (if any) to make further loans to us may terminate. We may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, obligations under certain of our financing arrangements are secured by our vessels or through the ownership of the vessels, and if we are unable to repay, or otherwise default on, our obligations under our financing arrangements, the lenders could seek to take control of these assets.

Furthermore, any contemplated vessel acquisitions will have to be at levels that do not impair the required ratios described above. Depressed shipping markets, lack of capital in the industry and prolonged overcapacity have an adverse effect on vessel values. If the estimated asset values of our vessels decrease, we may be obligated to prepay part of our outstanding debt in order to remain in compliance with the relevant covenants in our financing arrangements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

If we are in breach of any of the terms of our financing arrangements, a significant portion of our obligations may become immediately due and payable. This could affect our ability to execute our business strategy or make cash distributions.

A default under our financing arrangements could result in foreclosure on any of our vessels and other assets secured or a loss of our rights as lessee under such arrangements.

To the extent that cash flows are insufficient to make required service payments under our financing arrangements or asset cover is inadequate due to a deterioration in vessel values, we will need to refinance some or all of the principal outstanding under our financing arrangements, replace it with alternate credit arrangements or provide additional security. We may not be able to refinance or replace our financing arrangements or provide additional security at the time they become due.

In the event we default under our financing arrangements or we are not able to refinance our existing indebtedness with new financing arrangements on commercially acceptable terms, or if our operating results are not sufficient to service current or future indebtedness, or to make relevant interest, principal or lease repayments if necessary, we may be forced to take actions such as reducing or eliminating distributions, reducing or delaying business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing debt and leasing obligations, or seeking additional equity capital or bankruptcy protection. In addition, the terms of any refinancing or alternate financing arrangement may restrict our financial and operating flexibility and our ability to make cash distributions.

We may not be able to reach agreement with our financiers to amend the terms of the then existing financing arrangements or waive any breaches and we may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make any accelerated payments, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

Events of default under our financing arrangements include:

In addition, certain dealings in connection with sanctioned countries could trigger a mandatory prepayment event. See “—Regulatory Risks—Our vessels may be chartered or sub-chartered to parties, or call on ports, located in countries that are subject to restrictions and sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions.”

We anticipate that any subsequent refinancing of our debt could have similar or more onerous restrictions. Please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings (Financing Arrangements)” for further information on our existing facilities.

A significant rise in interests rates could result in increased interest expense.

We are reliant on our ability to obtain required financing to operate and grow our business, including debt financing. As of December 31, 2022, $889.8 million out of our total debt of $1,299.2 million is floating rate debt, which means we pay interest on such debt at a margin on top of LIBOR or its replacement (see “—The phase-out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the replacement of LIBOR with a different benchmark rate, may adversely affect interest rates and our cost of capital.” below). Worldwide economies have recently experienced inflationary pressures, with price increases seen across many sectors globally. In response to inflationary pressures, central banks have begun to increase interest rates, which translates into increases in base interest rates that result in an increase to our interest expense on our existing floating rate debt. Efforts by central banks to address rising inflation also result in increases to the interests rates available to us on new debt financing for our operations. If central banks continue to increase interest rates, or interest rates otherwise increase significantly, the increase in base rates and the resulting increase in our existing floating rate interest expense, as well as increases to the interest rates available to us on new debt financing we may pursue, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and ability to make cash distributions. See “—We have incurred significant indebtedness, which could adversely affect our ability to finance our operations, refinance our existing indebtedness, pursue desirable business opportunities, successfully run our business or make cash distributions.” and “—Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us— We cannot assure you that we will pay any distributions on our units.”

The phase-out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the replacement of LIBOR with a different benchmark rate, may adversely affect interest rates and our cost of capital.

On July 27, 2017, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced that it would phase-out LIBOR by the end of 2021. Pursuant to international, federal, and other regulatory guidance and reform proposals regarding LIBOR, certain LIBOR tenors were discontinued or otherwise became unavailable as benchmark rates at the end of 2021 and LIBOR is expected to be fully discontinued or become unavailable as a benchmark rate by June 2023. In accordance with recommendations from the committee appointed by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board to manage the transition away from LIBOR, U.S. dollar LIBOR is expected to be replaced with Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). Given that SOFR is a secured rate backed by government securities (and therefore does not take into account bank credit risk), it may be lower than other reference rates, including LIBOR. However, SOFR may rise following interest rate increases effected by the United States Federal Reserve (the “U.S. Federal Reserve”) and the U.S. Federal Reserve has recently raised U.S. interest rates in response to rising inflation. Further, as a secured rate backed by government securities, SOFR may be less likely to correlate with the funding costs of financial institutions. As a result, parties may seek to adjust spreads relative to SOFR in underlying contractual arrangements. Therefore, the use of SOFR-based rates may result in interest rates and/or payments that are higher or lower than the rates and payments that we experienced under our credit facilities when interest was based on LIBOR. Alternative reference rates may behave in a similar manner or have other disadvantages or advantages in relation to our indebtedness.

We cannot predict the effect of the potential changes to LIBOR or the establishment and use of alternative rates or benchmarks, which may impact the level of interest payments on the portion of our debt that bears interest at variable rates. As of December 31, 2022, $784.8 million and $105.0 million out of our total debt of $1,299.2 million was based on loan agreements using LIBOR and SOFR as the benchmark rate respectively. Replacement rates could be higher or more volatile than LIBOR prior to its discontinuation. The full impact of the expected transition away from LIBOR is unclear, but these changes could adversely affect our cash flow, financial condition and results of operations.

REGULATORY RISKS

Our vessels may be chartered or sub-chartered to parties, or call on ports, located in countries that are subject to restrictions and sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions.

Certain countries (including certain regions of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria), entities and persons are targeted by economic sanctions and embargoes imposed by the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions, and a number of those countries, currently North Korea, Iran and Syria, have been identified as state sponsors of terrorism by the U.S. Department of State. Such economic sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in their application with regard to countries, entities or persons and the scope of activities they subject to sanctions. These sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be strengthened, relaxed or otherwise modified over time. In particular, sanctions recently imposed in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine have created significant disruptions in the global economy and in the shipping industry.

While it is difficult to estimate the impact of the conflict and current or future sanctions on our business and financial position, these events and related sanctions could adversely impact our operations. During 2022, economic sanctions were imposed by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and a number of other countries on Russian financial institutions, businesses and individuals, as well as certain regions within the Donbas region of Ukraine. Certain of these sanctions have targeted Russia’s usage of and participation in maritime shipping. For example, the United Kingdom and the EU have introduced export restrictions, which capture the provision of maritime vessels and supplies to or for use in Russia. They have also imposed restrictions on providing financing, financial assistance, technical assistance and brokering or other services that would further the provision of vessels to or for use in Russia, including the provision of maritime navigation goods. Import bans of Russian energy products, such as coal, crude oil and refined petroleum products, and commodities, such as coal, iron, steel, plastics, cement and agricultural products including potash and fertilizer, have also been introduced by a number of jurisdictions. In addition, certain jurisdictions, such as Greece and the United States, have temporarily detained vessels suspected of violating sanctions. Countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom and the EU, have also broadly prohibited Russian-affiliated vessels from entering their waters and/or ports. In light of the current regulatory and economic environment in the region, certain vessel operators have temporarily suspended shipping routes to and from Russia or have declined to engage in business with Russian-affiliated entities.

These bans and related trade sanctions have started to change trade patterns across the shipping industry and existing or future restrictions may affect our current or future charters. In the near term, we have seen, and expect to continue to see, increased volatility in the region due to these geopolitical events. In addition, the volatility of market prices for fuel and energy products have increased as a result of related supply disruptions from the war in Ukraine. While uncertainty remains with respect to the ultimate impact of the conflict, we have seen, and anticipate continuing to see, significant changes in trade flows. A reduction or stoppage of grain out of the Black Sea or cargoes from Russia has, and will continue to, negatively impact the markets in those areas. In addition, increased volatility in the price of fuel or energy commodities may increase or decrease the price of fuel used by our vessels and/or demand for LNG or other commodities we transport, each of which could affect our operations and liquidity. Due to their effect on the global market for LNG or other goods that we transport, current or additional sanctions could have a material adverse impact on our cash flows, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions.

We are mindful of the restrictions contained in the various economic sanctions programs and embargo laws administered by the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions that limit the ability of companies and persons from doing business or trading with targeted countries and persons and entities. Any violation of sanctions or embargoes could result in the our incurring monetary fines, penalties or other sanctions. In addition, certain institutional investors may have investment policies or restrictions that prevent them from holding securities of companies that have contacts with countries or entities or persons within these countries that are identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. We are required to comply with such policies in order to maintain access to charterers and capital. We believe that we are currently in compliance with all applicable economic sanctions laws and regulations. We generally do not do business in sanctions-targeted jurisdictions unless an activity is authorized by the appropriate governmental or other sanctions authority. We and our general partner and its affiliates have not entered into agreements or other arrangements with the governments or any governmental entities of sanctioned countries, and we and our general partner and its affiliates do not have any direct business dealings with officials or representatives of any sanctioned governments or entities. In addition, our charter agreements include provisions that restrict trades of our vessels to countries or to sub-charterers targeted by economic sanctions unless such trades involving sanctioned countries or persons are permitted under applicable economic sanctions and embargo regimes. Although we have various policies and controls designed to help ensure our compliance with these economic sanctions and embargo laws, it is nevertheless possible that third-party charterers of our vessels, or their sub-charterers, may arrange for vessels in our fleet to call on ports located in one or more sanctioned countries without our consent and in violation of their charter agreements. In order to help maintain our compliance with applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, we monitor and review the movement of our vessels, as well as the cargo being transported by our vessels, on a continuing basis. In 2022, none of the vessels in our fleet made any port calls in the Crimea region and the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts of Ukraine, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Russia, Belarus or Syria.

Notwithstanding the above, it is possible that new, or changes to existing, sanctions-related legislation or agreements may impact our business. In addition, it is possible that the charterers of our vessels may violate applicable sanctions, laws and regulations, using our vessels or otherwise, and the applicable authorities may seek to review our activities as the vessel owner. Moreover, although we believe that we are in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, and intend to maintain such compliance, the scope of certain laws may be unclear, may be subject to changing interpretations or may be strengthened or otherwise amended. Any violation of sanctions or engagement in sanctionable conduct could result in fines, sanctions or other penalties, and could negatively affect our reputation and result in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, or not to invest, in our common units. As noted above, any such violation or conduct would trigger a mandatory payment event under our financing arrangements. Finally, future expansion of sanctions or the imposition of sanctions on other jurisdictions could prevent our vessels from making any calls at certain ports, which potentially could have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.

The maritime transportation industry is subject to substantial environmental and other regulations and international standards, which have become stricter over time and which may significantly limit our operations, result in substantial penalties or increase our expenditures.

Our operations are affected by extensive and increasingly stringent international, national and local environmental protection laws, regulations, treaties, conventions and standards in force in international waters, the jurisdictional waters of the countries in which our vessels operate, as well as the countries of our vessels’ registration. Many of these requirements are designed to reduce the risk of oil spills, limit air emissions and other pollution, and to reduce potential negative environmental effects associated with the maritime industry in general. Further legislation, or amendments to existing legislation, applicable to international and national maritime trade is expected over the coming years relating to environmental matters. In particular, due to concerns over the risks associated with climate change, a number of countries and the IMO have adopted, or are considering the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emission from ships. These regulatory measures may include the adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, increased efficiency standards, operational limitations and incentives or mandates for renewable energy. See “Item 4. Information on the Partnership—B. Business Overview—Regulation” for more information on regulation applicable to our business.

Emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping currently are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or any amendments or successor agreements and the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 2015 did not include any restrictions or other measures specific to shipping emissions. However, maritime shipping will be included in the Emission Trading System (ETS) as of 2024 with a phase-in period. It is expected that either shipowners or operators (i.e., charterers) will need to purchase and surrender emission allowances that represent their carbon emission exposure for a specific reporting period as recorded pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/757 concerning the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from vessels (the “EU MRV Regulation”). As part of the phased approach shipping companies will be required to surrender 40% of their 2024 emissions in 2025; 70% of their 2025 emissions in 2026; and 100% of their 2026 emissions in 2027. The person or organization responsible for the compliance with the EU ETS will be the shipping company, defined as the shipowner or any other organization or person, such as the manager or the bareboat charterer, that has assumed the responsibility for the operation of the ship from the shipowner. An ETS costs clause is also being mandated which enables the shipping company to contractually pass on costs of ETS allowances to commercial operators. Compliance with the Maritime EU ETS will result in additional compliance and administration costs to properly incorporate the provisions of the Directive into our business routines. Additional EU regulations which are part of the EU’s Fit-for-55, such as the Fuel EU Maritime proposal, could also affect our financial position in terms of compliance and administration costs when they take effect.

The ETS rules and the other regulatory requirements applicable to our operations can affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels, increase operational costs, require a reduction in cargo capacity, ship modifications or operational changes or restrictions, decrease profitability, lead to decreased availability of insurance coverage for environmental risks or result in the denial of access to certain jurisdictional waters or ports, or detention in certain ports. Significant expenditures for the installation of additional equipment or new systems on board our vessels may be required in order to comply with existing or future environmental regulations. In addition we may incur significant additional costs in meeting new maintenance, training and inspection requirements, in developing contingency arrangements for potential spills and in obtaining insurance coverage. Government regulation of vessels, particularly in the areas of safety and environmental requirements, can be expected to become stricter in the future and require us to incur significant capital expenditure on our vessels to keep them in compliance, or even to scrap or sell certain vessels altogether. Among other things, any climate control legislation, or other regulatory initiatives that aim to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, may include increases in the pricing of greenhouse gas emissions, new reporting regulations (such as, for example, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, which will apply from 2024), changes in legislation impacting existing products and services, costs of transitioning to lower-emission fuels and technologies, potential substitution or replacement of existing products and services, and stakeholder concerns and/or shifts in customer preferences which may have financial implications for our business and could lead us to retire existing vessels prior to the end of the their currently-anticipated useful lives.

Under local, national and foreign laws, as well as international treaties and conventions, we could incur material liabilities, including clean up obligations and natural resource damages, in the event that there is a release of petroleum or other hazardous substances from our vessels or otherwise in connection with our operations. We could also become subject to personal injury and property damage claims and natural resource damages relating to the release of, or exposure to, hazardous materials associated with our current or historic operations. Violations of or liabilities under environmental requirements also can result in substantial penalties, fines and other sanctions including, in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels.

Furthermore, as a result of marine accidents, we believe that regulation of the shipping industry will continue to become more stringent and more expensive for us and our competitors. Future incidents may result in the adoption of even stricter laws and regulations. In addition, in response to increased freight rates for containerships that occurred earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, legislation has been proposed in the United States that could limit or eliminate antitrust exemptions for certain ocean-going containerships, which could negatively affect existing vessel-sharing alliances in which our charterers participate. If stricter laws or regulations governing the shipping industry are enacted, including those governing environmental harm, marine accidents or competition rules, it could limit our operations or our ability to do business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt.

Compliance with safety and other vessel requirements imposed by classification societies may be costly and could reduce our net cash flows and net income.

The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be certified as being “in class” by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention.

A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be placed on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. We expect our vessels to be on special survey cycles for hull inspection and continuous survey cycles for machinery inspection. Every vessel is also required to have its underwater parts inspected by class every two to three years, but for vessels subject to enhanced survey requirements and above 15 years of age, its underwater parts must be inspected in dry-dock. 

If any vessel does not maintain its class or fails any annual, intermediate or special survey, the vessel will be unable to maintain insurance arrangements and trade between ports and will be unemployable, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt.

Increased inspection procedures and tighter import and export controls could increase costs and disrupt our business.

International shipping is subject to various security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin and destination and trans-shipment points. Inspection procedures may result in the seizure of contents of our vessels, delays in the loading, offloading, trans-shipment or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against us.

It is possible that changes to inspection procedures could impose additional financial and legal obligations on us. Changes to inspection procedures could also impose additional costs and obligations on our charterers and may, in certain cases, render the shipment of certain types of cargo uneconomical or impractical. Any such changes or developments may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental claims against us.

Our vessels call in ports throughout the world, and smugglers may attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on our vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. To the extent our vessels are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessels, and whether with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental or other regulatory claims or penalties, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions and service or refinance our debt.

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

We rely on information systems to conduct our business, and failure to protect these systems against security breaches could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

The efficient operation of our business is dependent on information technology systems and networks, which are provided by our Managers. Our operations could be targeted by individuals or groups seeking to sabotage or disrupt our information technology systems and networks, or to steal data. A successful cyber-attack could materially disrupt our operations, including the safety or operation of our vessels, or lead to unauthorized release of information or alteration of information on our systems. Any such attack or other breach of our information technology systems could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Most recently, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been accompanied by cyber-attacks against the Ukrainian government and other countries in the region. It is possible that these attacks could have collateral effects on additional critical infrastructure and financial institutions globally, which could adversely affect our operations. It is difficult to assess the likelihood of such threat and any potential impact at this time.

We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and anti-corruption laws in other applicable jurisdictions.

As an international shipping company, we have operated and may operate in countries known to have a reputation for corruption. The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”) and other anti-corruption laws and regulations in applicable jurisdictions generally prohibit companies registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Under the FCPA, companies registered with the SEC may be held liable for some actions taken by strategic or local partners or representatives. Legislation in other countries includes the U.K. Bribery Act, which became effective on July 1, 2011.

The U.K. Bribery Act is broader in scope than the FCPA because it does not contain an exception for facilitating payments (i.e., payments to secure or expedite the performance of a “routine governmental action”) and covers bribes and payments to private businesses as well as foreign public officials. We and our charterers may be subject to these and similar anti-corruption laws in other applicable jurisdictions. Failure to comply with such legal requirements could expose us to civil and/or criminal penalties, including fines, prosecution and significant reputational damage, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, including our relationships with our charterers, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. Compliance with the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act and other applicable anti-corruption laws and related regulations and policies imposes potentially significant costs and operational burdens. Moreover, the compliance and monitoring mechanisms that we have in place, including our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which incorporates our anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy, may not adequately prevent or detect possible violations under applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption legislation.

We have incurred, and may continue to incur significant costs in complying with the requirements of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. If management is unable to continue to provide reports as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to continue to provide us with unqualified attestation reports as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our common units. We anticipate that we will continue to incur incremental general and administrative expenses as a publicly traded limited partnership taxed as a corporation.

As a publicly traded limited partnership, we are required to comply with the SEC’s reporting requirements and with corporate governance and related requirements of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC and the Nasdaq Global Select Market, on which our common units are listed. Section 404 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX 404”) requires that we evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis and include in our reports filed with the SEC our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and a related attestation of our independent registered public accounting firm. Capital Ship Management provides substantially all of our financial reporting and we depend on the procedures they have in place. If, in such future annual reports on Form 20-F, our management cannot provide a report as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide us with an unqualified attestation report as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as required by SOX 404, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our common units.

We have and expect we will continue to have to dedicate a significant amount of time and resources to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements of SOX 404. We will continue to work with our legal, accounting and financial advisors to identify any areas in which changes should be made to our financial and management control systems to manage our growth and our obligations as a public company. However, these and other measures we may take may not be sufficient to allow us to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely and reliable basis. If we have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, we may not detect errors on a timely basis and our financial statements may be materially misstated. We have incurred and will continue to incur legal, accounting and other expenses in complying with these and other applicable regulations.

We anticipate that our incremental general and administrative expenses as a publicly traded limited partnership taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will include costs associated with annual reports to unitholders, tax returns, investor relations, registrar and transfer agent’s fees, incremental director and officer liability insurance costs and director compensation.

RISKS INHERENT IN AN INVESTMENT IN US

We cannot assure you that we will pay any distributions on our units.

Our board of directors determines our cash distribution policy and the level of our cash distributions. Generally, our board of directors seeks to maintain a balance between the level of reserves it makes to protect our financial position and liquidity against the desirability of maintaining distributions on our limited partnership interests. We intend to review our distributions from time to time in the light of a range of factors, including our ability to obtain required financing and access financial markets, the repayment or refinancing of our debt, the level of our capital expenditures, our ability to pursue accretive transactions, our financial condition, results of operations, prospects and applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law.

We may not have sufficient cash available each quarter to pay a minimum quarterly distribution on our common units following the payment of fees and expenses and the establishment by our board of directors of cash reserves. In April 2016, in the face of severely depressed trading prices for master limited partnerships, including us, a significant increase in our cost of capital and potential loss of revenue, our board of directors took the decision to protect our liquidity position by creating a capital reserve and setting distributions on our common units at a level that our board of directors believed to be sustainable and consistent with the proper conduct of our business. We have paid significantly less than the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units since the first quarter of 2016. The minimum quarterly distribution is a target set in our limited partnership agreement. There is no requirement that we make a distribution in this amount.

Our distribution policy from time to time will depend on, among other things, shipping market developments and the charter rates we are able to negotiate when we re-charter our vessels, our cash earnings, financial condition and cash requirements, and could be affected by a variety of factors, including increased or unanticipated expenses, the loss of a vessel, required capital expenditures, reserves established by our board of directors, refinancing or repayment of debt, additional borrowings, compliance with the covenants in our financing arrangements, our anticipated future cost of capital, access to financing and equity and debt capital markets, including for the purposes of refinancing or repaying existing debt, and asset valuations. Our distribution policy may be changed at any time, and from time to time, by our board of directors.

Our ability to make cash distributions is also limited under Marshall Islands law. A Marshall Islands limited partnership cannot make a cash distribution to a partner to the extent that at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership (other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specified property of the limited partnership) exceed the fair value of its assets. For purposes of this test, the fair value of property that is subject to a liability for which the recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds such liability.

The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our profit or loss for the period, which will be affected by non-cash items. As a result, we may not make cash distributions in certain periods even if we were to record a positive net income in those periods. Conversely, we may make cash distributions during periods when we record losses.

In light of the factors described above and elsewhere in this Annual Report, there can be no assurance that we will pay any distributions on our units.

Negative media coverage and public and judicial scrutiny relating to Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis may adversely affect our reputation and operations, investor confidence and the trading price of our common units.

Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis is the chairman of Capital Maritime, our sponsor. In addition, as of April 17, 2023, the Marinakis family, including Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis, may be deemed to beneficially own a 30.2% interest in us, excluding treasury units of 721,347, through its beneficial ownership of, among other entities, Capital Maritime. Furthermore, Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis’s son, is the owner of Capital GP L.L.C., our General Partner and Capital Gas Corp.

Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis holds significant other interests in Greece and abroad. Among other things, Mr. Marinakis is the principal owner of Olympiacos, a Greek professional football team, and the Nottingham Forest Football Club in England. Mr. Marinakis also owns the Greek media company Alter Ego Media S.A. Furthermore, Mr. Marinakis is a member of the Piraeus city council.

Mr. Marinakis has been the subject of intense and at times negative media scrutiny in Greece. Given the relationships of Mr. Marinakis and certain members of his family with Capital Maritime and us described above, any past or future negative media coverage, public and judicial scrutiny or criminal proceedings in relation to Mr. Marinakis, regardless of the factual basis for the assertions being made or the final outcome of any investigation or proceeding, may affect the reputation and operations of Capital Maritime, as well as our reputation and operations. Such coverage, scrutiny and proceedings may also adversely impact investor confidence and the trading price of our common units.

The control of our General Partner may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent.

Our General Partner is a limited liability company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime as sole member. In April 2019, Capital Maritime transferred all membership interests in our General Partner to Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis.

Our partnership agreement does not restrict the ability of the member or members from time to time of our General Partner from transferring control of our General Partner or its assets to a third party, whether in a merger, sale of all membership interests or sale of all or substantially all of its assets, without the consent of our unitholders.

Any such change in control of our General Partner may affect the way we and our operations are managed, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Please read “—Risks Related to our Business and Operations—We depend on our General Partner, a private company under the ownership of Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, for the day-to-day management of our affairs.”

Our General Partner, which may have conflicts of interest, has limited fiduciary and contractual duties, which may permit it to favor its own interests or the interest of its affiliates or related persons to the detriment of other unitholders.

Our General Partner is in charge of our day-to-day affairs consistent with policies and procedures adopted by, and subject to the direction of, our board of directors.

Our General Partner and our directors have a fiduciary duty to manage us in a manner beneficial to us and our unitholders. However, this duty is limited under our partnership agreement. Please see “—Our partnership agreement limits our General Partner’s and our directors’ fiduciary duties to our unitholders and restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our General Partner or our directors.” In addition, Mr. Kalogiratos who is an officer of our General Partner and a director of the Partnership, serves also as officer and director of Capital Maritime, and as such has fiduciary duties to Capital Maritime that may cause him to pursue business strategies that disproportionately benefit Capital Maritime or which otherwise are not in the best interests of us or our unitholders. Conflicts of interest may arise between Capital Maritime, our General Partner and their affiliates, on the one hand, and us and our unitholders, on the other hand. As a result of these conflicts, the officers of our General Partner and Capital Maritime may favor their own interests over the interests of our unitholders.

These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:

Although a majority of our directors are elected by common unitholders, our General Partner has a substantial influence on decisions made by our board of directors. Please read “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees.”

Affiliates of our General Partner may favor their own interests in any vote by our unitholders.

Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the affirmative vote of a majority of common units is required in order to reach certain decisions or actions, including:

In addition, an affirmative vote of the holders of at least two thirds of the outstanding units, including any units owned by our General Partner and its affiliates, is required to remove the General Partner.

Capital Maritime and its affiliates are not subject to the limitations on voting rights imposed on our other limited partners and would be attributed their pro rata share of any voting rights reallocated as a result of such limitations.

Accordingly, Capital Maritime and its affiliates may favor their own interests or the interests of our General Partner in any vote by our unitholders. These considerations may significantly impact any vote under the terms of our partnership agreement and may significantly affect your rights under our partnership agreement.

Please also read “—Unitholders have limited voting rights and our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 5% or more of our units ” for information on additional restrictions imposed by our partnership agreement.

Capital Maritime and its affiliates may compete with us.

The omnibus agreement that we and Capital Maritime have entered into imposes certain mutual restrictions on the acquisition, ownership and operations, and provides for certain rights of first refusal in respect, of product and crude oil tankers, but it does not apply to LNG, container and drybulk vessels and other shipping markets. The omnibus agreement however contains significant exceptions. Accordingly, Capital Maritime and its controlled affiliates have significant ability to compete with us, which could harm our business. Please read “Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related-Party Transactions” for further information.

We currently do not have any officers and rely, and expect to continue to rely, solely on officers of our General Partner and/or our Managers, who face conflicts in the allocation of their time to our business.

Our board of directors has not exercised its power to appoint officers of the Partnership to date, and, as a result, we rely, and expect to continue to rely, solely on the officers of our General Partner, who are not required to work full-time on our affairs and who also work for Capital Maritime and/or its affiliates.

For example, our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Commercial Officer are also executive officers or employees of Capital Maritime, Capital Ship Management and/or their respective affiliates. Capital Maritime and our Managers each conduct substantial businesses and activities of their own in which we have no economic interest.

As a result, there could be material competition for the time and effort of the officers of our General Partner who also provide services to Capital Maritime, our Managers and/or their respective affiliates, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Our partnership agreement limits our General Partner’s and our directors’ fiduciary duties to our unitholders and restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our General Partner or our directors.

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that restrict the standards and fiduciary duties to which our General Partner and directors may otherwise be held by or owed to you pursuant to Marshall Islands law. For example, our partnership agreement:

In order to become a limited partner of our partnership, a unitholder is required to agree to be bound by the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. Please read “Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related-Party Transactions—B. Related-Party Transactions.”

Unitholders have limited voting rights and our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 5% or more of our units.

Holders of units have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business.

We hold a meeting of the limited partners every year to elect one or more members of our board of directors and to vote on any other matters that are properly brought before the meeting. Common unitholders (excluding Capital Maritime and its affiliates) elect five of the eight members of our board of directors. Currently our board has seven members, of which five were elected by common unitholders. The elected directors are elected on a staggered basis and serve for three-year terms. Our General Partner in its sole discretion has the right to appoint the remaining three directors, who also serve for three-year terms. Any and all elected directors may be removed with cause only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the other elected directors or at a properly called meeting of the common unitholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units.

The partnership agreement contains provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders’ ability to influence the manner or direction of management. Unitholders have no right to elect our General Partner, and our General Partner may not be removed except by a vote of the holders of at least two thirds of the outstanding units, including any units owned by our General Partner and its affiliates, and a majority vote of our board of directors. As of April 17, 2023, 14,266,542 common units are owned by public unitholders, representing 69.8% of our common units excluding treasury units of 721,347.

Our partnership agreement further restricts unitholders’ voting rights by providing that if any person or group, other than our General Partner, its affiliates, their transferees and persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of our board of directors, beneficially owns 5% or more of any class of units then outstanding, any such units owned by that person or group in excess of 4.9% may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, except for purposes of nominating a person for election to our board, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes, unless required by law. The voting rights of any such unitholders in excess of 4.9% will be redistributed pro rata among the other unitholders of the same class holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of that class. As an affiliate of our General Partner, Capital Maritime is not subject to such limitation and will be attributed its pro rata share of any units reallocated as a result of such limitation. Further, this limitation does not apply to unitholders who acquire more than 5% of any class of units then outstanding with the prior approval of our board of directors.

As of April 17, 2023, based on 20,449,169 units issued and outstanding (excluding treasury units of 721,347 and including 348,570 general partner units), the Marinakis family, including Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, who beneficially owns 100% of our General Partner and Capital Gas Corp., and Evangelos M. Marinakis, the chairman of Capital Maritime, may be deemed to beneficially own a 30.2% interest in us, through:

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a person or group from attempting to remove our current management or our General Partner.

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a person or group from attempting to remove our current management or our General Partner:

One effect of these provisions may be to diminish the price at which our units will trade.

Our General Partner has a limited call right that may require unitholders to sell your units at an undesirable time or price.

If at any time our General Partner and its affiliates own more than 90% of the units of a class, our General Partner will have the right, which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, but not the obligation, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the units of such class held by unaffiliated persons at a price not less than their then-current market price (as defined in our partnership agreement). As a result, unitholders may be required to sell their units at an undesirable time or price and may not receive any return on their investment. Unitholders may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of their units.

Our common units are equity securities and are subordinated to our existing and future indebtedness and will be subject to prior distribution and liquidation rights of any preferred units we may issue in the future.

Our common units are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. Our common units rank junior to all indebtedness and other non-equity claims on us with respect to the assets available to satisfy claims, including in a liquidation of the Partnership. Additionally, holders of our common units are subject to the prior distribution and liquidation rights of any preferred units we may issue in the future. Our board of directors is authorized to issue additional classes or series of preferred units without the approval or consent of the holders of our common units. Any actual or possible reduction in the amount of distributions made on our common units could materially and adversely affect the market price of the common units.

Future sales of our common units, or the issuance of preferred units, debt securities or warrants, could cause the market price of our common units to decline.

The market price of our common units could decline due to sales of a large number of units, or the issuance of debt securities or warrants, in the market, or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales could also make it more difficult or impossible for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate to raise funds through future offerings of such equity securities.

Since our initial public offering, we conducted a number of issuances of common and preferred units, and we may engage in additional such issuances in the future.

The issuance by us of additional units or other equity securities of equal or senior rank may have the following effects:

You may not have limited liability if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes control of our business.

As a limited partner in a partnership organized under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, you could be held liable for our obligations to the same extent as a General Partner if a court determines that you “participated in the control” of our business (and the person who transacts business with us reasonably believes, based on the limited partner’s conduct, that the limited partner is a general partner). Our General Partner generally has unlimited liability for the obligations of the Partnership, such as its debts and environmental liabilities. In addition, the limitations on the liability of holders of limited partner interests for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in some jurisdictions in which we do business. Please read “The Partnership Agreement—Limited Liability” in Exhibit 2.1 to this Annual Report for a more detailed discussion of the implications of the limitations on liability to a unitholder.

We can borrow money to pay distributions or buy back our units, which would reduce the amount of credit available to operate our business.

Our partnership agreement allows us to make working capital borrowings to pay distributions. Accordingly, we can make distributions on all our units even though cash generated by our operations may not be sufficient to pay such distributions. Any working capital borrowings by us to make distributions will reduce the amount of working capital borrowings we can make for operating our business. For more information, please read “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings (Financing Arrangements)”.

Increases in interest rates may cause the market price of our units to decline.

An increase in interest rates may cause a corresponding decline in demand for equity investments in general, and in particular, for yield-based equity investments such as our units. Any such increase in interest rates or reduction in demand for our units resulting from other relatively more attractive investment opportunities may cause the trading price or the market value of our units to decline.

Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions.

Under some circumstances, unitholders may have to repay amounts wrongfully returned or distributed to them. Under the Marshall Islands Limited Partnership Act (the “MILPA”), we may not make a distribution if the distribution would cause our liabilities (other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interest and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specified property of ours) to exceed the fair value of our assets, except that the fair value of property that is subject to a liability for which the recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in our assets only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds that liability. The MILPA provides that for a period of three years from the date of the impermissible distribution, limited partners who received the distribution and who knew at the time of the distribution that it violated the MILPA will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount. Assignees who become substituted limited partners are liable for the obligations of the assignor to make contributions to the partnership that are known to the assignee at the time it became a limited partner and for unknown obligations if the liabilities could be determined from the partnership agreement.

Our organization as a limited partnership under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands may limit the ability of our unitholders to protect their interests.

Our affairs are governed by our partnership agreement and the MILPA. The provisions of the MILPA resemble provisions of the limited partnership laws of a number of states in the United States, most notably Delaware. The MILPA also provides that, as it relates to nonresident limited partnerships, such as us, it is to be applied and construed to make the laws of the Marshall Islands, with respect to the subject matter of the MILPA, uniform with the laws of the State of Delaware and, so long as it does not conflict with the MILPA or decisions of the High and Supreme Courts of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the non-statutory law (or case law) of the State of Delaware is adopted as the law of the Marshall Islands. However, there have been few, if any, judicial cases in the Republic of the Marshall Islands interpreting the MILPA. For example, the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in certain U.S. jurisdictions. Although the MILPA does specifically incorporate the non-statutory law, or judicial case law, of the State of Delaware, our public unitholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by management, directors or controlling unitholders than would shareholders of a limited partnership organized in a U.S. jurisdiction.

As a Marshall Islands limited partnership with principal executive offices in Greece and having subsidiaries in the Marshall Islands and other offshore jurisdictions such as Liberia, our operations may be subject to economic substance requirements, which could harm our business.

We are a Marshall Islands limited partnership with principal executive offices in Greece. Our subsidiaries are organized in the Marshall Islands, Liberia and Cyprus. The Marshall Islands has enacted economic substance regulations with which we may be obligated to comply. Regulations adopted in the Marshall Islands require certain entities that carry out particular activities to comply with an economic substance test whereby the entity must show that it (i) is directed and managed in the Marshall Islands in relation to that relevant activity, (ii) carries out core income-generating activity in relation to that relevant activity in the Marshall Islands (although it is being understood and acknowledged by the regulators that income-generated activities for shipping companies will generally occur in international waters) and (iii) having regard to the level of relevant activity carried out in the Marshall Islands has (a) an adequate amount of expenditures in the Marshall Islands, (b) adequate physical presence in the Marshall Islands and (c) an adequate number of qualified employees in the Marshall Islands.

The Council of the European Union (the “Council”), routinely publishes a list of “non-cooperative jurisdictions” for tax purposes, which includes countries that the Council believes need to improve their legal framework and to work towards compliance with international standards in taxation. On February 14, 2023, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, among others, was placed by the EU on the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for lacking in the enforcement of economic substance requirements. The Marshall Islands has stated that it is of the opinion that it has met its commitments to the Council’s code of conduct group thus far, and the Marshall Islands has confirmed it will continue to work closely with the EU and the Council’s code of conduct group to address any technical concerns of the EU member states. EU member states have agreed upon a set of measures, which they can choose to apply against the listed countries, including increased monitoring and audits, withholding taxes, and non-deductibility of costs, and although we are not currently aware of any such measures being adopted they can be adopted by one or more EU members states in the future. The European Commission has stated it will continue to support member states’ efforts to develop a more coordinated approach to sanctions for the listed countries. EU legislation prohibits certain EU funds from being channeled or transited through entities in non-cooperative jurisdictions.

We do not know how long the Marshall Islands will remain on the non-cooperative list; what actions the Marshall Islands may take, if any, to remove itself from the list; how quickly the EU would react to any changes in legislation of the Marshall Islands; or how EU banks or other counterparties will react while we or our subsidiaries remain as entities organized and existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands. The effect of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, and any noncompliance by us with legislation adopted by the Marshall Islands to achieve removal from the list, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

In addition, certain jurisdictions have enacted or may enact economic substance laws and regulations with which we may be obligated to comply. If we fail to comply with our obligations under any such laws and regulations, including the Marshall Islands regulations, we could be subject to financial penalties and disclosure of information to foreign tax officials, or could be struck from the register of companies, in related jurisdictions. Any of the foregoing could be disruptive to our business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

It may not be possible for investors to enforce U.S. judgments against us.

We are organized under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as is our General Partner and most of our subsidiaries. Most of our directors and the directors and officers of our General Partner and those of our subsidiaries are residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. investors to serve process within the United States upon us or to enforce judgment upon us for civil liabilities in U.S. courts. In addition, you should not assume that courts in the countries in which we or our subsidiaries are incorporated or organized or where our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries are located (1) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or our subsidiaries based upon the civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws or (2) would impose, in original actions, liabilities against us or our subsidiaries based upon these laws.

As a “foreign private issuer” and a limited partnership, we are exempt from certain otherwise applicable SEC and NASDAQ requirements, which may result in less protection than is accorded to investors under rules applicable to domestic U.S. issuers.

We are a Marshall Islands limited partnership. The Nasdaq Global Select Market requires limited partnerships with listed units to comply with its corporate governance standards, subject to certain exceptions as set forth in Nasdaq Rule 5615(a)(4). As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to comply with all of the rules that apply to listed U.S. limited partnerships. In particular, our status as a foreign private issuer limited partnership exempts us from compliance with certain SEC laws and regulations and certain of the Nasdaq Global Select Market’s regulations, including the proxy rules, the short-swing profits recapture rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, certain rules relating to disclosure regarding executive compensation, and certain governance requirements such as independent director oversight of the nomination of directors and executive compensation. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file current reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. domestic companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act and we are generally exempt from filing quarterly reports with the SEC. However, we have generally chosen to comply with most of the Nasdaq Global Select Market’s corporate governance rules as though we were a U.S. limited partnership. Although we are not required to have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating/corporate governance committee, our board of directors has established an audit committee, a conflicts committee and a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors. Accordingly, we do not believe there are any significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those that would typically apply to a U.S. domestic issuer that is a limited partnership under the corporate governance standards of the Nasdaq Global Select Market. However, these exemptions and leniencies reduce the frequency and scope of information and protections to which you are otherwise entitled as an investor and perceptions about the actual or possible reduction in the frequency and scope of information and protections to which our investors are entitled could materially and adversely affect the market price of the common units.

TAX RISKS

In addition to the following risk factors, you should read “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation” below for a more complete discussion of the expected material U.S. federal and non-U.S. income tax considerations relating to us and the ownership and disposition of our units.

U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. unitholders.

A foreign entity taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes if (x) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income,” or (y) at least 50% of the average value of the entity’s assets produce or are held for the production of those types of “passive income.” For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property, and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.” U.S. persons who own shares of a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC, and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC.

Based on our current and projected method of operation, we believe that we are not currently a PFIC and we do not expect to become a PFIC in the future. We intend to treat our income from spot and time chartering activities as non-passive income, and the vessels engaged in those activities as non-passive assets, for PFIC purposes. However, no assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or a United States court will accept this position, and there is accordingly a risk that the IRS or a United States court could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in our assets, income or operations. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation —Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders —PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences.”

We may have to pay tax on United States source income, which would reduce our earnings.

Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), 50% of the gross shipping income of a vessel-owning or chartering corporation that is attributable to transportation that either begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States is characterized as U.S. source shipping income and such income generally is subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax without allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code. We believe that we and each of our subsidiaries will qualify for this statutory tax exemption, and we will take this position for U.S. federal income tax return reporting purposes. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—The Section 883 Exemption”. However, there are factual circumstances, including some that may be beyond our control, which could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption. In addition, our conclusion that we currently qualify for this exemption is based upon legal authorities that do not expressly contemplate an organizational structure such as ours. Although we have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for corporate law purposes we are organized as a limited partnership under Marshall Islands law. Our General Partner will be responsible for managing our business and affairs and has been granted certain veto rights over decisions of our board of directors. Therefore, we can give no assurances that the IRS will not take a different position regarding our qualification, or the qualification of any of our subsidiaries, for this tax exemption.

If we or our subsidiaries are not entitled to this exemption under Section 883 of the Code for any taxable year, we or our subsidiaries generally would be subject for those years to a 4% U.S. federal gross income tax on our U.S. source shipping income. The imposition of this taxation could have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our unitholders.

You may be subject to income tax in one or more non-U.S. countries, including Greece, as a result of owning our units if, under the laws of any such country, we are considered to be carrying on business there. Such laws may require you to file a tax return with and pay taxes to those countries.

We intend that our affairs and the business of each of our subsidiaries will be conducted and operated in a manner that minimizes income taxes imposed upon us and these subsidiaries or which may be imposed upon you as a result of owning our units. However, because we are organized as a partnership, there is a risk in some jurisdictions that our activities and the activities of our subsidiaries may be attributed to our unitholders for tax purposes and, thus, that you will be subject to tax in one or more non-U.S. countries, including Greece, as a result of owning our units if, under the laws of any such country, we are considered to be carrying on business there. If you are subject to tax in any such country, you may be required to file a tax return with and pay tax in that country based on your allocable share of our income. We may be required to reduce distributions to you on account of any withholding obligations imposed upon us by that country in respect of such allocation to you. The United States may not allow a tax credit for any foreign income taxes that you directly or indirectly incur.

We believe we can conduct our activities in a manner so that our unitholders should not be considered to be carrying on business in Greece solely as a consequence of acquiring, holding, disposing of or participating in the redemption of our units. However, the question of whether either we or any of our subsidiaries will be treated as carrying on business in any country, including Greece, will largely be a question of fact determined through an analysis of contractual arrangements, including the management and the administrative services agreements we have entered into with our Managers, and the way we carry on business or conduct operations, all of which may change over time. The laws of Greece or any other foreign country may also change, which could cause the country’s taxing authorities to determine that we are carrying on business in such country and are subject to its taxation laws. Any foreign taxes imposed on us or any subsidiaries or the increase of any tonnage tax will reduce our cash available for distribution.

Item 4. Information on the Partnership.

 We are a master limited partnership organized as Capital Product Partners L.P. under the laws of the Marshall Islands on January 16, 2007. We completed our initial public offering in April 2007. We maintain our principal executive headquarters at 3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus, 18537 Greece and our telephone number is +30 210 4584 950. Our registered address in the Marshall Islands is Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960. The name of our registered agent at such address is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc. Our website address is www.capitalpplp.com. The SEC maintains an internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through these websites is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this Annual Report.

Developments in 2022 and up to the filing of this Annual Report

Unit Repurchase Program

During 2022, we completed the repurchase, under the unit repurchase program approved in 2021, of 389,962 units, for an average price per unit of $15.13 plus repurchase expenses. These units are held as treasury units by the Partnership and the amount of $5.9 million is recorded as a reduction in the Partnership’s Partners’ Capital. On January 26, 2023, our board approved a new unit repurchase program, providing the Partnership with authorization to repurchase up to $30.0 million of the Partnership’s common units, effective for a period of two years through January 2025.

Acquisition of one LNG carrier (“LNG/C”) and three 13,312 TEU Container Vessels

On June 6, 2022, CPLP agreed to exercise its right of first offer and acquire, upon their respective delivery from the shipyard, one 174,000 cubic meter (“CBM”) latest generation X-DF LNG/C vessel and three 13,312 TEU hybrid scrubber-fitted Tier III and Phase III, dual fuel ready eco container sister vessels from Capital Maritime, for total consideration of $596.6 million.

The LNG/C Asterix I that was under construction by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (“Hyundai”), was delivered to CPLP on February 17, 2023 and started her seven-year employment with Hartree, which will expire in December 2029. Hartree has an option to extend the charter by an additional two years. The total consideration for the Asterix I of $230.0 million was financed through a combination of a $12.0 million cash deposit advanced to Capital Maritime in June 2022, $184.0 million of debt and $34.0 million of cash at hand.

Two of the three 13,312 TEU Container vessels that CPLP agreed to acquire from Capital Maritime, the M/V Manzanillo Express and the M/V Itajai Express that were under construction by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., South Korea, (“Hyundai Samho”), were delivered to CPLP on October 12, 2022 and on January 10, 2023, respectively and started their ten-year employment with Hapag-Lloyd, which, together with the optional periods, will expire between October 2038 and January 2039. The total consideration for these vessels of $245.0 million was comprised of a $12.0 million cash deposit advanced to Capital Maritime in June 2022, $213.0 million of debt, $7.5 million in common units of CPLP (valued at the volume weighted average price of the common units of CPLP for the 30 trading days ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the Vessel acquisition, being 505,204 common units in total), and $12.5 million of cash at hand.

The M/V Buenaventura Express, the third 13,312 TEU Container vessel that CPLP agreed to acquire from Capital Maritime currently is under construction at Hyundai Samho and is scheduled for delivery in June 2023, upon its delivery from the shipyard. The vessel has also secured a long-term time charter with Hapag-Lloyd for a firm period of 10 years which, together with the optional periods, will expire in June 2039.

Financing Arrangements

On February 7, 2023, we entered into a sale and leaseback agreement with CMB Financial Leasing Co., Ltd, (“CMBFL”) of $184.0 million with the purpose of partially financing the acquisition of LNG/C Asterix I.

On December 23, 2022, we entered into a Japanese Sale and Lease Back with Call Option arrangement of $108.0 million with the purpose of partially financing the acquisition of M/V Itajai Express.

On October 6, 2022, we entered into a credit facility with HCOB of $105.0 million with the purpose of partially financing the acquisition of M/V Manzanillo Express.

On July 22, 2022, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership, CPLP PLC, issued €100.0 million of Bonds listed on the Athens Stock Exchange with a fixed coupon of 4.40% for a term of seven years.

On August 4, 2022, in connection with the issuance of the Bonds, we entered into a cross-currency swap agreement with Piraeus Bank SA exchanging €100.0 million with $101.8 million paying a fixed annual rate of 6.55%.

Sale of the M/V Archimidis and the M/V Agamemnon

On May 30, 2022, the Partnership entered into two separate memorandums of agreement for the sale of the M/V Archimidis and the M/V Agamemnon to an unaffiliated party for total consideration of $130.0 million. The M/V Archimidis was delivered to its new owner on July 6, 2022, and the M/V Agamemnon was delivered on July 28, 2022.

See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings (Financing Arrangements)” below for information regarding our financing arrangements.

Developments in 2021

Acquisition of six LNG/C vessels

On August 31, 2021, CPLP agreed to acquire three 174,000 CBM latest generation X-DF LNG carriers, namely, the LNG/C Aristos I, the LNG/C Aristarchos and the LNG/C Aristidis I, constructed at Hyundai, from CGC Operating Corp., for total consideration of $599.8 million comprised of (i) $147.1 million of cash on hand, (ii) the assumption of the $427.4 million of secured debt, (iii) the issuance of 1,153,846 (or $15.3 million in value) of new common units of CPLP at a premium to the unit trading price at the time of the agreement and (iv) $10.0 million of unsecured, interest free seller’s credit. The LNG/C Aristos I and the LNG/C Aristarchos were delivered to the Partnership on September 3, 2021, while the LNG/C Aristidis I was delivered on December 16, 2021. The LNG/C Aristos I and the LNG/C Aristidis I are under long-term time charters with BP with earliest expiration in October 2023 and December 2023, respectively. The LNG/C Aristarchos is under a long-term time charter with Cheniere, which expires the earliest in February 2025.

Furthermore, on August 31, 2021, the Partnership secured an option, which was exercised on November 4, 2021, to acquire an additional three X-DF LNG/C sister vessels, namely, the LNG/C Attalos, the LNG/C Asklipios and the LNG/C Adamastos, constructed at Hyundai, for total consideration of $623.0 million comprised of (i) $184.0 million of cash on hand and (ii) the assumption of the $439.0 million of secured debt. The LNG/C Attalos and the LNG/C Asklipios were delivered to the Partnership on November 18, 2021, while the LNG/C Adamastos was delivered on November 29, 2021. The LNG/C Attalos is under long-term time charter with BP with earliest expiration in October 2025, the LNG/C Asklipios is under long-term time charter with Cheniere expected to expire at the earliest in January 2025 and the LNG/C Adamastos is under a long-term time charter with Engie which expires at the earliest in September 2026.

Sale of the M/V CMA CGM Magdalena and the M/V Adonis

On April 7, 2021 the Partnership entered into memorandums of agreement for the sale of the M/V CMA CGM Magdalena and the M/V Adonis to an unaffiliated third party for total consideration of $195.0 million. The M/V CMA CGM Magdalena and the M/V Adonis were delivered to their new owners on May 17, 2021, and December 13, 2021, respectively.

Acquisition of three Panamax container carrier vessels

In February 2021, the Partnership completed the acquisition of the three 5,100 TEU sister container vessels, namely the M/V Long Beach Express, M/V Seattle Express and the M/V Fos Express built in 2008 at Hanjin Heavy Industries, South Korea, for total consideration of $40.5 million. The vessels are employed under long-term time charters with Hapag-Lloyd with the earliest expiration in June 2025 (for the M/V Long Beach Express) or September 2025 (for the M/V Seattle Express and the M/V Fos Express).

Financing Arrangements entered into and/or assumed

On October 20, 2021, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership, CPLP PLC, issued €150.0 million of Bonds listed on the Athens Stock Exchange with a fixed coupon of 2.65% for a term of five years.

In connection with the issuance of the Bonds, we entered into certain cross-currency swap agreements, including on December 2, 2021 a cross currency agreement with Piraeus Bank SA, exchanging €120.0 million with $139.7 million paying fixed annual rate of 3.655% and on December 14, 2021 a cross currency agreement with Alpha Bank SA, exchanging €30.0 million with $34.9 million paying fixed annual rate of 3.690%.

On December 16, 2021, upon the delivery of the LNG/C Aristidis I, we assumed a syndicated secured credit facility with ING Bank N.V., London Branch acting as agent of $123.0 million.

On November 29, 2021, upon the delivery of the LNG/C Adamastos, we assumed debt in the form of a sale and leaseback agreement with Shin Doun Kisen Co., Ltd. (“Shin Doun”) of $143.1 million.

On November 18, 2021, upon the delivery of the LNG/C Attalos and the LNG/C Asklipios we assumed debt in the form of sale and leaseback agreement with CMBFL of $146.3 million and $149.6 million respectively.

On September 3, 2021, upon the delivery of the LNG/C Aristos I and the LNG/C Aristarchos we assumed debt in the form of sale and leaseback agreement with Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd, (“Bocomm”) of $148.9 million and $155.4 million respectively. Furthermore, we entered into the CGC Seller’s Credit in order to defer $10.0 million of the total purchase price of the LNG/C Aristos I and the LNG/C Aristarchos for up to twelve months from the Vessels’ delivery date.

On January 22, 2021, we entered into an agreement for the sale and lease back of the vessels M/V Long Beach Express, M/V Seattle Express and M/V Fos Express with CMBFL for $10.0 million each. Furthermore, we entered into the Seller’s Credit Agreement with CMTC (“CMTC Seller’s Credit”) in order to defer $6.0 million of the purchase price of the M/V Long Beach Express, M/V Seattle Express and M/V Fos Express for up to five years from the Vessels’ delivery date.

See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings (Financing Arrangements)” below for information regarding our financing arrangements.

Unit Repurchase Program

On January 25, 2021, the Partnership’s Board of Directors approved a unit repurchase plan for an amount of $30.0 million to be used for repurchasing the Partnership’s common units over the period of two years. During 2021, we completed the repurchase of 382,250 units, paying an average price per unit of $11.74 plus repurchasing expenses. These units are held as treasury units by the Partnership and the amount of $4.5 million is recorded as a reduction in the Partnership’s Partners’ Capital.

Developments in 2020

Change of Manager of the M/V Cape Agamemnon

On November 30, 2020, we completed the process of changing the manager of our Capesize bulk carrier vessel, the M/V Cape Agamemnon, from Capital Ship Management to Capital-Executive, a privately held company ultimately controlled by Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, resulting in Capital-Executive becoming the sole manager of our container and drybulk vessels. The agreement with Capital-Executive has the same terms and conditions of the floating fee management agreement we had with Capital Ship Management.

Acquisition of three Neo-Panamax container vessels

In January 2020 the Partnership completed the acquisition of the three 10,000 TEU sister container vessels, namely the M/V Athos, the M/V Aristomenis and the M/V Athenian built in 2011 at Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd South Korea, for total consideration of $162.6 million from Capital Maritime. The vessels are employed under long-term time charters with Hapag-Lloyd which will expire in April 2026.

Financing Arrangements

On January 17, 2020 the Partnership entered into a new term loan facility with HCOB of up to $38.5 million.

On January 20, 2020 we entered into an agreement for the sale and lease back of the vessels M/V Athos and M/V Aristomenis with CMBFL for $38.5 million each.

In December 2019 we entered into a non-binding term sheet and in May 2020 into agreements with ICBC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“ICBCFL”) for the sale and lease back of three vessels then mortgaged under the 2017 credit facility, namely the M/V Akadimos (ex CMA CGM Amazon), the M/V Adonis (ex CMA CGM Uruguay) and the CMA CGM Magdalena, for a total amount of $155.4 million. Following the sale of the M/V CMA CGM Magdalena and the M/V Adonis, in May and December 2021, respectively, we fully repaid the amount of $96.2 million related to the two of the three ICBCFL agreements. See also “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings (Financing Arrangements)” below for information regarding our financing arrangements.

We are an international owner of ocean-going vessels. Our fleet consists of 22 vessels including, 11 Neo-Panamax container carrier vessels (1.1 million DWT and total TEU capacity of 90,889), three Panamax container carrier vessels (0.2 million DWT and total TEU capacity of 15,267), one Capesize bulk carrier vessel (0.2 million DWT) and seven latest generation LNG carrier vessels (0.6 million DWT and total capacity of 1.2 million CBM), with a DWT weighted average fleet age of approximately 7.2 years as at March 31, 2023. This excludes one 13,312 TEU container vessel that CPLP has agreed to acquire and is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2023.

All of our container carrier vessels are currently chartered under medium- to long-term charters (with remaining revenue-weighted charter of approximately 5.9 years as of March 31, 2023 based on earliest expiration) to reputable charterers, such as CMA CGM, HMM and Hapag-Lloyd.

All of our LNG carrier vessels are currently chartered under medium- to long-term charters (with remaining revenue-weighted charter of approximately 6.4 years as of March 31, 2023, based on earliest expiration) to reputable charters, such as BP, Cheniere, Engie and Hartree.

Our fleet is managed by our Managers, which are private companies.

Business Strategies

Our primary business objective is to increase cash available for distributions to our unitholders, while maintaining a strong financial position and growing our business. We aim to realize our business objectives through the following strategies: