kl05014.htm



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
 
OR
 
[  ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _________________________ to _________________________
 
Commission file number 000-51442
 
GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Republic of the Marshall Islands
(State or other jurisdiction
incorporation or organization)
 
98-043-9758
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
299 Park Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10171
(Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)
 
(646) 443-8550
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
                           
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 and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes     X          No          
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer ý        Accelerated filer  r      Non-accelerated filer  r

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes               No       X   
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
 
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of May 12, 2008:
Common stock, $0.01 per share 29,078,309 shares.


 
 

 
 

 
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
 
                                                                   Page
 
PART I         FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
a)
Consolidated Balance Sheets -
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007                                3
 
 
b)
Consolidated Statements of Operations -
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007                       4
 
 
c)
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income -
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007                    5
 
 
d)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007                       6
 
 
e)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007                       7
 
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Position and Results of Operations                            31
 
 
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
49
 
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
51
 
 
PART II         OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
52

 
Item 2.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
52

 
Item 5.
Other Information
52

 
Item 6.
Exhibits
53



 

2

 

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2008
and December 31, 2007
 (U.S. Dollars in thousands, except for share data)
 
   
March 31, 2008
   
December 31,2007
 
Assets
 
(unaudited)
       
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 48,295     $ 71,496  
Short-term investments
    159,023       167,524  
Vessel held for sale
    -       16,857  
Due from charterers, net
    2,696       2,343  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    11,560       9,374  
Fair value of derivative instrument
    229       -  
Total current assets
    221,803       267,594  
                 
Noncurrent assets:
               
Vessels, net of accumulated depreciation of $86,816 and $71,341, respectively
    1,392,583       1,224,040  
Deposits on vessels
    119,358       149,017  
Deferred drydock, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,226 and $941, respectively
    4,773       4,552  
Other assets, net  of accumulated amortization of $478 and $288, respectively
    6,382       6,130  
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $824 and $722, respectively
    1,874       1,939  
Total noncurrent assets
    1,524,970       1,385,678  
                 
Total assets
  $ 1,746,773     $ 1,653,272  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 16,376     $ 17,514  
Current portion of long term debt
    -       43,000  
Deferred revenue
    8,412       8,402  
Fair value of derivative instruments
    -       1,448  
Total current liabilities
    24,788       70,364  
                 
Noncurrent liabilities:
               
Deferred revenue
    1,510       968  
Deferred rent credit
    720       725  
Fair market value of time charters acquired
    37,973       44,991  
Fair value of derivative instruments
    44,936       21,039  
Long term debt
    1,014,500       893,000  
Total noncurrent liabilities
    1,099,639       960,723  
                 
Total liabilities
    1,124,427       1,031,087  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, par value $0.01; 100,000,000 shares authorized; issued and
               
outstanding 29,078,309 and 28,965,809 shares at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively
    291       290  
Paid in capital
    524,589       523,002  
Accumulated other comprehensive (deficit) income
    (31,680 )     19,017  
Retained earnings
    129,146       79,876  
Total shareholders’ equity
    622,346       622,185  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,746,773     $ 1,653,272  
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 



3


Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Three Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(U.S. Dollars in Thousands, Except for Earnings per Share and Share Data)
(Unaudited)

   
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Revenues
  $ 91,669     $ 37,220  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
Voyage expenses
    744       1,413  
Vessel operating expenses
    10,919       6,389  
General and administrative expenses
    4,411       3,195  
Management fees
    672       351  
Depreciation and amortization
    15,864       7,186  
Gain on sale of vessel
    (26,227 )     (3,575 )
                 
Total operating expenses
    6,383       14,959  
                 
Operating income
    85,286       22,261  
                 
Other (expense) income:
               
(Loss) income from derivative instruments
    (64 )     -  
Interest income
    552       1,066  
Interest expense
    (11,787 )     (3,490 )
                 
Other (expense) income
    (11,299 )     (2,424 )
                 
Net income
  $ 73,987     $ 19,837  
                 
Earnings per share-basic
  $ 2.57     $ 0.78  
Earnings per share-diluted
  $ 2.56     $ 0.78  
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
    28,733,928       25,308,953  
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted
    28,914,350       25,421,480  
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 



 
4

 

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
(U.S. Dollars in Thousands Except for Per Share and Share Data)

   
Common
Stock
   
Paid in
Capital
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
   
Comprehensive Income
   
Total
 
Balance – January 1, 2008
  $ 290     $ 523,002     $ 79,876     $ 19,017           $ 622,185  
                                               
Net income
                    73,987             $ 73,987       73,987  
                                                 
Unrealized loss on short-term investments
                            (26,102 )     (26,102 )     (26,102 )
                                                 
Unrealized loss on currency translation on short-term investments, net
                            (654 )     (654 )     (654 )
                                                 
Unrealized derivative loss on cash flow hedges
                            (23,941 )     (23,941 )     (23,941 )
                                                 
Comprehensive income
                                  $ 23,290          
                                                 
Cash dividends paid ($0.85 per share)
                    (24,717 )                     (24,717 )
                                                 
Issuance of 112,500 shares of nonvested stock
    1       (1 )                             -  
                                                 
Nonvested stock amortization
            1,588                               1,588  
                                                 
Balance – March 31, 2008
  $ 291     $ 524,589     $ 129,146     $ (31,680 )           $ 622,346  
                                                 



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




 
5

 

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(U.S. Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 73,987     $ 19,837  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    15,864       7,186  
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    191       96  
Amortization of fair market value of time charter acquired
    (6,849 )     456  
Realized losses on forward currency contracts
    11,473       -  
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
    (45 )     -  
Unrealized gain on hedged short-term investment
    (9,668 )     -  
Unrealized gain on forward currency contract
    (1,678 )     -  
Amortization of nonvested stock compensation expense
    1,588       586  
Gain on sale of vessels
    (26,227 )     (3,575 )
Change in assets and liabilities:
               
Increase in due from charterers
    (353 )     (513 )
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (1,808 )     (1,512 )
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (804 )     715  
Increase in deferred revenue
    551       919  
Decrease in deferred rent credit
    (5 )     (5 )
Deferred drydock costs incurred
    (506 )     (861 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    55,711       23,329  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of vessels
    (153,276 )     (43 )
Deposits on vessels
    (463 )     -  
Purchase of short-term investments
    (10,250 )     -  
Payments on forward currency contracts, net
    (11,428 )     -  
Proceeds from sale of vessels
    43,080       13,004  
Purchase of other fixed assets
    (14 )     (144 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (132,351 )     12,817  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from the 2007 Credit Facility
    151,500       -  
Repayments on the 2007 Credit Facility
    (73,000 )     -  
Repayments on the 2005 Credit Facility, Short-term Line and Original Credit Facility
    -       (5,700 )
Cash dividends paid
    (24,717 )     (16,842 )
Payment of deferred financing costs
    (344 )     -  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    53,439       (22,542 )
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (23,201 )     13,604  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    71,496       73,554  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 48,295     $ 87,158  
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 

 

 
6

 

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
 (U.S. Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share and Share Data)
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)
 
1 - GENERAL INFORMATION
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (“GS&T”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” “we” or “us”). The Company is engaged in the ocean transportation of drybulk cargoes worldwide through the ownership and operation of drybulk carrier vessels. GS&T was incorporated on September 27, 2004 under the laws of the Marshall Islands and is the sole owner of all of the outstanding shares of the following subsidiaries: Genco Ship Management LLC; Genco Investments LLC; and the ship-owning subsidiaries as set forth below.
 
The Company began operations on December 6, 2004 with the delivery of its first vessel.  The Company agreed to acquire a fleet of 16 drybulk carriers from an unaffiliated third party on November 19, 2004 for approximately $421,900; these vessels were delivered during 2004 and 2005.
 
 On October 14, 2005, the Company acquired the Genco Muse, a 2001 Handymax vessel, and time charter contract for a total of $34,450, which was funded entirely by the Company’s credit facility entered into on July 29, 2005 (the “2005 Credit Facility”).  On July 10, 2006, the Company acquired the Genco Acheron, the Genco Commander, and the Genco Surprise for a total purchase price of $81,250, all of which were delivered in the fourth quarter of 2006.  During February 2007, the Company completed the sale of the Genco Glory to Cloud Maritime S.A. for $13,004, net of commission.  On July 18, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire nine Capesize vessels from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group for a net purchase price of $1,111,000, consisting of the value of the vessels and the liability for the below market time charter contracts acquired.  On August 10 and August 13, 2007, the Company also agreed to acquire six drybulk vessels (three Supramax and three Handysize) from affiliates of Evalend Shipping Co. S.A. for a net purchase price of $336,000, consisting of the value of the vessels and the liability for the below market time charter contract acquired.
 
On August 15, 2007, the Company decided to sell the two oldest vessels in its fleet, the Genco Commander and the Genco Trader.  On September 3, 2007, the Company reached an agreement to sell the Genco Commander, a 1994-built Handymax vessel, to Dan Sung Shipping Co. Ltd. for $44,450 less a 2% brokerage commission payable to a third party.  On December 3, 2007, the Company realized a net gain of $23,472 and received net proceeds of $43,532.  Lastly, on October 2, 2007, the Company reached an agreement to sell the Genco Trader, a 1990-built Panamax vessel, to SW Shipping Co., Ltd for $44,000 less a 2% brokerage commission payable to a third party. On February 26, 2008, the Company realized a net gain of $26,227 from the sale of the vessel and received net proceeds of $43,080.  The Genco Trader was classified as held for sale at December 31, 2007.
 
On May 9, 2008, as discussed in Note 20 – Subsequent Events, the Company agreed to acquire three 2007 built vessels, consisting of two Panamax vessels and one Supramax vessel, from Bocimar International N.V. and Delphis N.V. for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $257,000. The Company expects to fund, on or about May 13, 2008, the required deposit of fifteen percent of the purchase price by utilizing its 2007 Credit Facility. The acquisition is subject to completion of customary additional documentation, including a novation of the existing charter for the Supramax vessel, and closing conditions.  Upon completion of this acquisition and the acquisition of the remaining four Capesize vessels from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group, Genco's fleet will consist of 35 vessels, comprised of nine Capesize, eight Panamax, four Supramax, six Handymax, and eight Handysize drybulk carriers, with a total carrying capacity of approximately 2,910,000 dwt and an average age of 6.6 years.
 
Below is the list of the Company’s wholly owned ship-owning subsidiaries as of March 31, 2008:
 
Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries
Vessels
Acquired
dwt
Date
Delivered
Year
Built
Date Sold
           
Genco Reliance Limited............................
Genco Reliance
29,952
12/6/04
1999
Genco Glory Limited.................................
Genco Glory
41,061
12/8/04
1984
2/21/07
Genco Vigour Limited..............................
Genco Vigour
73,941
12/15/04
1999
Genco Explorer Limited............................
Genco Explorer
29,952
12/17/04
1999
Genco Carrier Limited..............................
Genco Carrier
47,180
12/28/04
1998
 
 
 
7

 
 
Genco Sugar Limited...............................
Genco Sugar
29,952
12/30/04
1998
Genco Pioneer Limited............................
Genco Pioneer
29,952
1/4/05
1999
Genco Progress Limited..........................
Genco Progress
29,952
1/12/05
1999
Genco Wisdom Limited..........................
Genco Wisdom
47,180
1/13/05
1997
Genco Success Limited.........................
Genco Success
47,186
1/31/05
1997
Genco Beauty Limited............................
Genco Beauty
73,941
2/7/05
1999
Genco Knight Limited............................
Genco Knight
73,941
2/16/05
1999
Genco Leader Limited............................
Genco Leader
73,941
2/16/05
1999
Genco Marine Limited...........................
Genco Marine
45,222
3/29/05
1996
Genco Prosperity Limited.....................
Genco Prosperity
47,180
4/4/05
1997
Genco Trader Limited...........................
Genco Trader
69,338
6/7/05
1990
2/26/08
Genco Muse Limited …………………
Genco Muse
48,913
10/14/05
2001
Genco Commander Limited …………
Genco Commander
45,518
11/2/06
1994
12/3/07
Genco Acheron Limited ……………..
Genco Acheron
72,495
11/7/06
1999
Genco Surprise Limited ……………..
Genco Surprise
72,495
11/17/06
1998
Genco Augustus Limited …………….
Genco Augustus
180,151
8/17/07
2007
Genco Tiberius Limited ……………..
Genco Tiberius
175,874
8/28/07
2007
Genco London Limited ………………
Genco London
177,833
9/28/07
2007
Genco Titus Limited …………….......
Genco Titus
177,729
11/15/07
2007
Genco Challenger Limited ………….
Genco Challenger
28,428
12/14/07
2003
Genco Charger Limited ……………..
Genco Charger
28,398
12/14/07
2005
Genco Warrior Limited …………….
Genco Warrior
55,435
12/17/07
2005
Genco Predator Limited …………….
Genco Predator
55,407
12/20/07
2005
Genco Hunter Limited ………………
Genco Hunter
58,729
12/20/07
2007
Genco Champion Limited …………..
Genco Champion
28,445
1/2/08
2006
Genco Constantine Limited …………
Genco Constantine
180,183
2/21/08
2008
Genco Hadrian Limited ……………..
Genco Hadrian
170,500
Q4 2008 (1)
2008 (2)
Genco Commodus Limited …………
Genco Commodus
170,500
Q2 2009 (1)
2009 (2)
Genco Maximus Limited ……………
Genco Maximus
170,500
Q2 2009 (1)
2009 (2)
Genco Claudius Limited …………….
Genco Claudius
170,500
Q3 2009 (1)
2009 (2)
           
(1) Dates for vessels being delivered in the future are estimates based on guidance received from the sellers and/or the respective shipyards.
(2) Built dates for vessels delivering in the future are estimates based on guidance received from the sellers and respective shipyards.

On July 18, 2005, prior to the closing of the public offering of GS&T’s common stock, GS&T’s board of directors and stockholder approved a split (in the form of a stock dividend, giving effect to a 27,000:1 common stock split) of the Company’s common stock. All share and per share amounts relating to common stock, included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes, have been restated to reflect the stock split for all periods presented.

Prior to its initial public offering, GS&T was 100% owned by Fleet Acquisition LLC, a limited liability company organized on November 3, 2004 under the laws of the Marshall Islands.  Fleet Acquisition LLC was owned approximately 65.65% by OCM Principal Opportunities III Fund, L.P. and OCM Principal Opportunities Fund IIIA, L.P., collectively, (“Oaktree”) of which Oaktree Management LLC is the General Partner, approximately 26.57% by Peter Georgiopoulos, and 7.78% by others.  On April 14, 2006, Fleet Acquisition LLC distributed 1,050,210 shares to certain of its members, and on December 15, 2006, Fleet Acquisition LLC distributed 3,587,361 shares to Peter Georgiopoulos, our Chairman.  As a result, at December 31, 2006, Oaktree beneficially owned approximately 34.75% of the Company through Fleet Acquisition, LLC and Peter Georgiopoulos beneficially owned approximately 14.08%.

              In January 2007, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to register possible future offerings, including possible resales by Fleet Acquisition LLC. That registration statement, as amended, was declared effective by the SEC on February 7, 2007.  Fleet Acquisition
 
 
8

 
 
LLC utilized that registration statement to conduct an underwritten offering of 4,830,000 shares it owned, including an over-allotment option granted to underwriters for 630,000 shares which the underwriters exercised in full.  Following completion of that offering, Fleet Acquisition LLC owned 15.80% of our common stock.   During October 2007, the Company closed on an equity offering of 3,358,209 shares of Genco common stock (with the exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option) at an offering price of $67 per share.  The Company received net proceeds of $213,871 after deducting underwriters' fees and expenses.  On October 5, 2007, the Company utilized $214,000 including these proceeds to repay outstanding borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility.  Additionally, in the same offering, Fleet Acquisition LLC sold 1,076,291 shares (with the exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option) at the same offering price of $67 per share.  The Company did not receive any proceeds from the common stock sold by Fleet Acquisition LLC.

On January 10, 2008, the Board of Directors approved a grant of 100,000 nonvested common stock to Peter Georgiopoulos, Chairman of the Board. This grant vests ratably on each of the ten anniversaries of the determined vesting date beginning with November 15, 2008.  On March 10, 2008, Fleet Acquisition LLC distributed 2,512,532 shares of the Company's common stock to OCM Fleet Acquisition LLC, as a member thereof, pursuant to an agreement among Fleet Acquisition LLC's members. In connection with this distribution, Mr. Georgiopoulos became the sole member of the Management Committee of Fleet Acquisition LLC, which currently retains 443,606 shares of the Company's common stock of which Mr. Georgiopoulos may be deemed to be the beneficial owner.  As a result of the foregoing transactions, Mr. Georgiopoulos may be deemed to beneficially own 14.22% of our common stock (including shares held through Fleet Acquisition LLC), and OCM Fleet Acquisition LLC may be deemed to beneficially own 8.64% of our common stock.

2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Principles of consolidation
 
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which include the accounts of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. However, in the opinion of the management of the Company, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and operating results have been included in the statements. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Reference is made to the December 31, 2007 consolidated financial statements of Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd. contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Business geographics
 
The Company’s vessels regularly move between countries in international waters, over hundreds of trade routes and, as a result, the disclosure of geographic information is impracticable.
 
Vessel acquisitions
 
When the Company enters into an acquisition transaction, it determines whether the acquisition transaction was the purchase of an asset or a business based on the facts and circumstances of the transaction.  As is customary in the shipping industry, the purchase of a vessel is normally treated as a purchase of an asset as the historical operating data for the vessel is not reviewed nor is material to our decision to make such acquisition.
 
When a vessel is acquired with an existing time charter, the Company allocates the purchase price of the vessel and the time charter based on, among other things, vessel market valuations and the present value (using an
 
 
 
9

 
 
interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the acquired charters) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the charter terms and (ii) management's estimate of the fair market charter rate, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the charter.  The capitalized above-market (assets) and below-market (liabilities) charters are amortized as a reduction or increase, respectively, to voyage revenues over the remaining term of the charter.

Segment reporting
 
The Company reports financial information and evaluates its operations by charter revenues and not by the length of ship employment for its customers, i.e., spot or time charters. The Company does not use discrete financial information to evaluate the operating results for different types of charters. Although revenue can be identified for these types of charters, management cannot and does not separately identify expenses, profitability or other financial information for these charters. As a result, management, including the chief operating decision maker, reviews operating results solely by revenue per day and operating results of the fleet and thus, the Company has determined that it operates under one reportable segment. Furthermore, when the Company charters a vessel to a charterer, the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide and, as a result, the disclosure of geographic information is impracticable.
 
Revenue and voyage expense recognition
 
Since the Company’s inception, revenues have been generated from time charter agreements. A time charter involves placing a vessel at the charterer’s disposal for a set period of time during which the charterer may use the vessel in return for the payment by the charterer of a specified daily hire rate. In time charters, operating costs including crews, maintenance and insurance are typically paid by the owner of the vessel and specified voyage costs such as fuel and port charges are paid by the charterer. There are certain other non-specified voyage expenses such as commissions which are borne by the Company.
 
The Company records time charter revenues over the term of the charter as service is provided. Revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis as the average revenue over the term of the respective time charter agreement.  The Company recognizes vessel operating expenses when incurred.
 
Due from charterers, net
 
Due from charterers, net includes accounts receivable from charters net of the provision for doubtful accounts. At each balance sheet date, the Company provides for the provision based on a review of all outstanding charter receivables. Included in the standard time charter contracts with our customers are certain performance parameters, which if not met can result in customer claims.  As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had no reserve against due from charterers balance and a reserve of $580 and $734, respectively in deferred revenue, each of which is associated with estimated customer claims against the Company including time charter performance issues.

Revenue is based on contracted charterparties and, although the Company's business is with customers whom the Company believes to be of the highest standard, there is always the possibility of dispute over terms and payment of hires and freights. In particular, disagreements may arise as to the responsibility for lost time and revenue due to the Company as a result. Accordingly, the Company periodically assesses the recoverability of amounts outstanding and estimates a provision if there is a possibility of non-recoverability. Although the Company believes its provisions to be reasonable at the time they are made, it is possible that an amount under dispute is not ultimately recovered and the estimated provision for doubtful accounts is inadequate.

Vessel operating expenses
 
Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the cost of spares and consumable stores, and other miscellaneous expenses. Vessel operating expenses are recognized when incurred.
 
 
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Vessels, net
 
Vessels, net are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Included in vessel costs are acquisition costs directly attributable to the acquisition of a vessel and expenditures made to prepare the vessel for its initial voyage.  The Company also considers interest costs for a vessel under construction as a cost which is directly attributable to the acquisition of a vessel.  Vessels are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, determined to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard.  Depreciation expense for vessels for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $15,476, and $6,912, respectively.
 
Depreciation expense is calculated based on cost less the estimated residual scrap value. The costs of significant replacements, renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over the shorter of the vessel’s remaining estimated useful life or the estimated life of the renewal or betterment. Undepreciated cost of any asset component being replaced that was acquired after the initial vessel purchase is written off as a component of vessel operating expense. Expenditures for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Scrap value is estimated by the Company by taking the cost of steel times the weight of the ship noted in lightweight ton (lwt). At March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company estimated the residual value of vessels to be $175/lwt
 
Fixed assets, net
 
Fixed assets, net are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization are based on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the specific asset placed in service.  The following table is used in determining the estimated useful lives:
 
Description                                            Useful lives
 
Leasehold improvements                                                 15 years
Furniture, fixtures & other equipment                              5 years
Vessel equipment                                                             2-5 years
Computer equipment                                                           3 years

Depreciation expense for fixed assets for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $57, and $55, respectively.

Deferred drydocking costs
 
The Company’s vessels are required to be drydocked approximately every 30 to 60 months for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels are operating. The Company capitalizes the costs associated with the drydockings as they occur and depreciates these costs on a straight-line basis over the period between drydockings. Costs capitalized as part of a vessel’s drydocking include actual costs incurred at the drydocking yard; cost of parts that are reasonably made in anticipation of reducing the duration or cost of the drydocking; cost of travel, lodging and subsistence of personnel sent to the drydocking site to supervise; and the cost of hiring a third party to oversee the drydocking.  Depreciation expense for drydocking for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $285, and $183, respectively.
 
Inventory
 
               Inventory consists of lubricants and bunkers (fuel) which are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method
 
Impairment of long-lived assets
 
The Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, which requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts. In the evaluation of the fair value and future benefits of long-lived assets, the Company performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the related long-lived assets. If the carrying value of
 
 
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the related asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value. Various factors including anticipated future charter rates, estimated scrap values, future drydocking costs and estimated vessel operating costs, are included in this analysis.
 
For three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, no impairment charges were recorded, based on the analysis described above.
 
Deferred financing costs
 
Deferred financing costs, included in other assets, consist of fees, commissions and legal expenses associated with obtaining loan facilities. These costs are amortized over the life of the related debt, and are included in interest expense.
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
The Company considers highly liquid investments such as time deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
Short-term investments
 
The Company holds an investment in the capital stock of Jinhui Shipping and Transportation Limited (“Jinhui”).  Jinhui is a drybulk shipping owner and operator focused on the Supramax segment of drybulk shipping.  This investment is designated as Available For Sale (“AFS”) and is reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in shareholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”).  Effective August 16, 2007, the Company has elected hedge accounting for forward currency contracts in place associated with the cost basis of the Jinhui shares.  However, the hedge is limited to the lower of the cost basis or the market value at time of designation.  Therefore, the unrealized currency gain or loss associated with the hedged portion or the cost basis in the Jinhui shares is now reflected in the income statement as income or (loss) from derivative instruments to offset the gain or loss associated with these forward currency contracts.  The cost of securities when sold is based on the specific identification method.  Realized gains and losses on the sale of these securities will be reflected in the consolidated statement of operations in other (expense) income.  Additionally, the realized gain or loss on the forward currency contracts is reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as an investing activity and is reflected in the caption Payments on forward currency contracts, net.

Short-term investments are reviewed periodically to identify possible other-than-temporary impairment.  When evaluating the investments, the Company reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below the cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer, the underlying net asset value of the issuers assets and liabilities, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time which may be sufficient for anticipated recovery in market value.  Should the decline in the value of any investment be deemed to be other-than-temporary, the investment basis would be written down to fair market value, and the write-down would be recorded to earnings as a loss.
 
Income taxes
 
Pursuant to Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the “Code”), qualified income derived from the international operations of ships is excluded from gross income and exempt from U.S. federal income tax if a company engaged in the international operation of ships meets certain requirements. Among other things, in order to qualify, the company must be incorporated in a country which grants an equivalent exemption to U.S. corporations and must satisfy certain qualified ownership requirements.

The Company is incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Pursuant to the income tax laws of the Marshall Islands, the Company is not subject to Marshall Islands income tax. The Marshall Islands has been officially recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a qualified foreign country that currently grants the requisite equivalent exemption from tax.
 
 
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Based on the publicly traded requirement of the Section 883 regulations as described in the next paragraph, we believe that the Company qualified for exemption from income tax for 2007.

In order to meet the publicly traded requirement, our stock must be treated as being primarily and regularly traded for more than half the days of any such year. Under the Section 883 regulations, our qualification for the publicly traded requirement may be jeopardized if shareholders of our common stock that own five percent or more of our stock (“5% shareholders”) own, in the aggregate, 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the days of the year.   We believe that during 2007, the combined ownership of our 5% shareholders did not equal 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the days of 2007. However if our 5% shareholders were to increase their ownership to 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the days of 2008 or any future taxable year, we would not be eligible to claim exemption from tax under Section 883 for that taxable year. We can therefore give no assurance that changes and shifts in the ownership of our stock by 5% shareholders will not preclude us from qualifying for exemption from tax in 2008 or in future years.

If the Company does not qualify for the exemption from tax under Section 883, it would be subject to a 4% tax on the gross “shipping income” (without the allowance for any deductions) that is treated as derived from sources within the United States or “United States source shipping income.” For these purposes, “shipping income” means any income that is derived from the use of vessels, from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use, or from the performance of services directly related to those uses; and “United States source shipping income” includes 50% of shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States.
 
Deferred revenue
 
Deferred revenue primarily relates to cash received from charterers prior to it being earned. These amounts are recognized as income when earned.  Additionally, deferred revenue includes estimated customer claims mainly due to time charter performance issues.

Comprehensive income
 
The Company follows SFAS No. 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” which establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its components in financial statements.  Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and amounts related to the adoption of SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” as well as unrealized gains or losses associated with the Company’s short-term investments.
 
Nonvested stock awards
 
The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, for nonvested stock issued under its equity incentive plan.  Adoption of this new accounting policy did not change the method of accounting for nonvested stock awards.  However, deferred compensation costs from nonvested stock have been classified as a component of paid-in capital as required by SFAS No. 123R.

Accounting estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include vessel and drydock valuations and the valuation of amounts due from charterers. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Concentration of credit risk
 
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are amounts due from charterers. With respect to amounts due from charterers, the Company attempts to limit its credit risk by
 
 
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performing ongoing credit evaluations and, when deemed necessary, requiring letters of credit, guarantees or collateral.  Although the Company earned 100% of revenues from fourteen customers, for both the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, management does not believe significant risk exists in connection with the Company’s concentrations of credit at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2008, there were two customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of revenue, which represented 27.57% and 17.04% of revenue, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2007, there were two customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of revenue, which represented 15.78% and 13.85% of revenue, respectively.
 
  Fair value of financial instruments
 
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments such as amounts due to / due from charterers, and accounts payable approximate their individual carrying amounts as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 due to their short-term maturity or the variable-rate nature of the respective borrowings under the credit facility.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps and forward currency contracts (used for purposes other than trading) is the estimated amount the Company would receive to terminate these agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the creditworthiness of the counterparty for assets and creditworthiness of the Company for liabilities.  See Note 10 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments for additional disclosure on the fair values of long term debt, derivative instruments, and available-for-sale securities.

The Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”) in the first quarter of 2007, which did not have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company.
 
Derivative financial instruments
 
Interest rate risk management
 
The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes.  The Company’s objective is to manage the impact of interest rate changes on its earnings and cash flow in relation to borrowings primarily for the purpose of acquiring drybulk vessels.  These borrowings are subject to a variable borrowing rate. The Company uses pay-fixed receive-variable interest rate swaps to manage future interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rate obligations.  These swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of future variable rate interest payments and are tested for effectiveness on a quarterly basis.
 
 The differential to be paid or received for the effectively hedged portion of any swap agreement is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense as incurred.  Additionally, the changes in value for the portion of the swaps that are effectively hedging future interest payments are reflected as a component of OCI.

For the portion of the forward interest rate swaps that are not effectively hedged, the change in the value and the rate differential to be paid or received is recognized as income or (expense) from derivative instruments and is listed as a component of other (expense) income until such time the Company has obligations against which the swap is designated and is an effective hedge.

Currency risk management

The Company currently holds an investment in Jinhui shares that are traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange located in Norway, and as such, the Company is exposed to the impact of exchange rate changes on this available-for-sale security denominated in Norwegian Kroner.  The Company’s objective is to manage the impact of exchange rate changes on its earnings and cash flows in relation to its cost basis associated with its short-term investments. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to protect its original investment from changing exchange rates.
 
 
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The change in the value of the forward currency contracts is recognized as income or (expense) from derivative instruments and is listed as a component of other (expense) income.  Effective August 16, 2007, the Company elected to utilize fair value hedge accounting for these instruments whereby the change in the value in the forward contracts continues to be recognized as income or (expense) from derivative instruments and is listed as a component of other (expense) income.  Fair value hedge accounting then accelerates the recognition of the effective portion of the currency translation gain or (loss) on the Available for Sale Security from August 16, 2007 from OCI into income or (expense) from derivative instruments and is listed as a component of other (expense) income.  Time value of the forward contracts are excluded from effectiveness testing and recognized currently in income.

New accounting pronouncements

In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No.157, “Fair Value Measurements” which enhances existing guidance for measuring assets and liabilities using fair value. Previously, guidance for applying fair value was incorporated in several accounting pronouncements.  The new statement provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.  While the statement does not add any new fair value measurements, it does change current practice. One such change is a requirement to adjust the value of nonvested stock for the effect of the restriction even if the restriction lapses within one year.

Additionally, in February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 157-2, which delays the effective date of SFAS Statement No. 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods with those fiscal years for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) until January 1, 2009 for calendar year end entities. The Company has already adopted this Statement except as it applies to nonfinancial assets and liabilities as noted in FSP 157-2. The partial adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a significant impact on its consolidated results of operations or financial position. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of SFAS No. 157, as it relates to nonfinancial assets and liabilities, will have on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 159”).  Under this statement, the Company may elect to report financial instruments and certain other items at fair value on a contract-by-contract basis with changes in value reported in earnings.  This election is irrevocable.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for the Company commencing in 2008.  Early adoption within 120 days of the beginning of the year was permissible, provided the Company had adopted SFAS No. 157.  The Company adopted SFAS 159 on January 1, 2008 and elected not to report financial instruments and certain other items at fair value on a contract-by-contract basis with changes in value reported in earnings.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141R). SFAS No. 141R will significantly change the accounting for business combinations. Under SFAS No. 141R, an acquiring entity will be required to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition-date fair value, with limited exceptions. SFAS No. 141R also includes a substantial number of new disclosure requirements and applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. As the provisions of SFAS No. 141R are applied prospectively, the impact to the Company cannot be determined until any such transactions occur.

In March 2008, The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB statement 133” (SFAS 161). The new standard is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The new standard also improves transparency about how and why a company uses derivative instruments and how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The Company’s management is currently assessing the new disclosure requirements required by SFAS 161.
 
 
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3 - CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
The Company currently has nine interest rate swaps, and these swaps are described and discussed in Note 8. The fair value of the swaps is in a liability position of $44,936 and $21,039 as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

The Company had non-cash investing activities not included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for items included in accounts payable and accrued expenses consisting of $1,258 for the purchase of vessels, $596 associated with deposits on vessels, $51 for the purchase of short-term investments, $98 associated with deferred financing costs, and $23 for the purchase of fixed assets for the three months ended March 31, 2008.  Lastly, at March 31, 2008, the Company had items in prepaid expenses and other current assets consisting of $789 which had reduced the deposits on vessels. The Company had non-cash investing activities not included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for items included in accounts payable and accrued expenses for the purchase of fixed assets of approximately $57 for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company made a non-cash reclassed of $30,335 from deposits on vessels to vessels net of accumulated depreciation due to the completion of the purchase of the Genco Champion and Genco Constantine.

During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized, was $14,000 and $2,675, respectively.

 On January 10, 2008 the Board of Directors approved a grant of 100,000 nonvested common stock to Peter Georgiopoulos, Chairman of the Board.  The fair value of such nonvested stock was $4,191 on the grant date and was recorded in equity.  Additionally, on February 13, 2008, the Company made grants of nonvested common stock under the Plan in the amount of 12,500 shares to directors of the Company. The fair value of such nonvested stock was $689 on the grant date and was recorded in equity.

On February 8, 2007 the Company granted nonvested stock to certain directors and employees. The fair value of such nonvested stock was $494 on the grant date and was recorded in equity.  Additionally, during January 2007, nonvested stock forfeited amounted to $54 for shares granted in 2005 and is recorded in equity.

4 - VESSEL ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
 
On May 9, 2008, as discussed in Note 20 – Subsequent Events, the Company agreed to acquire three additional 2007 built vessels, consisting of two Panamax vessels and one Supramax vessel, from Bocimar International N.V. and Delphis N.V. for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $257,000. The Company expects to fund, on or about May 13, 2008, the required deposit of fifteen percent of the purchase price by utilizing its 2007 Credit Facility. The acquisition is subject to the completion of customary additional documentation, including a novation of the existing charter for the Supramax vessel, and closing conditions.  Upon completion of this acquisition and the acquisition of the remaining four Capesize vessels from the companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group, Genco's fleet will consist of 35 vessels comprised of nine Capesize, eight Panamax, four Supramax, six Handymax, and eight Handysize drybulk carriers, with a total carrying capacity of approximately 2,910,000 dwt and an average age of 6.6 years.

On February 26, 2008, the Company completed the sale of the Genco Trader.  The Company realized a net gain of approximately $26,227 and had net proceeds of $43,080 from the sale of the vessel in the first quarter of 2008. On August 15, 2007, the Company decided to sell the Genco Trader, and on October 2, 2007, the Company reached an agreement to sell the Genco Trader, a 1990-built Panamax vessel, to SW Shipping Co., Ltd for $44,000 less a 2% brokerage commission payable to a third party.  The Genco Trader was classified as held for sale at December 31, 2007 in the amount of $16,857.

On February 21, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of the Genco Constantine, a 2008 built Capesize vessel from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group.  The remaining four Capesize vessels are expected to be built, and subsequently delivered to Genco, between the fourth quarter of 2008 and the third quarter of 2009.  In July 2007, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire nine Capesize
 
 
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vessels from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group for a net purchase price of $1,111,000, consisting of the value of the vessels and the liability for the below market time charter contracts acquired.  As of December 31, 2007, four of the nine Capesize vessels, the Genco Augustus, Genco Tiberius, Genco London, and Genco Titus, all 2007 built vessels, had been delivered to Genco.  Capitalized interest associated with the new building contracts acquired from the Metrostar Management Corporation group for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were $758 and $0, respectively.

On January 2, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of the Genco Champion, the last vessel acquired from affiliates of Evalend Shipping Co. S.A..  On August 10 and August 13, 2007, the Company had agreed to acquire six drybulk vessels (three Supramax and three Handysize) from affiliates of Evalend Shipping Co. S.A. for a net purchase price of $336,000, consisting of the value of the vessels and the liability for the below market time charter contract acquired.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company had completed the acquisition of five of the vessels, the Genco Predator, Genco Warrior, Genco Hunter, Genco Charger, and Genco Challenger.

On February 21, 2007, the Genco Glory was sold to Cloud Maritime S.A. for $13,004 net of a brokerage commission paid to WeberCompass (Hellas) S.A.  Based on the selling price and the net book value of the vessel, the Company recorded a gain of $3,575 during the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

On October 14, 2005, the Company took delivery of the Genco Muse, a 48,913 dwt Handymax drybulk carrier and the results of its operations is included in the consolidated results of the Company after that date. The vessel is a 2001 Japanese-built vessel. The total purchase price of the vessel was $34,450. The purchase price included the assumption of an existing time charter with Qatar Navigation QSC at a rate of $26.5 per day. Due to the above market rate of the existing time charter at the time of the acquisition, the Company capitalized $3,492 of the purchase price as an asset which was amortized as a reduction of voyage revenues through September 2007 (the remaining term of the charter). For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, $0 and $456, respectively was amortized.

See Note 1 for discussion on the initial acquisition of our initial 16 drybulk carriers.

The purchase and sale of the aforementioned vessels is consistent with the Company's strategy of selectively expanding the number and maintaining the high-quality vessels in the fleet.

5 – SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company holds an investment of 16,335,100 and 15,439,800 shares of Jinhui capital stock, respectively, which is recorded at the fair value of $159,023 and $167,524, respectively based on the closing price on March 31, 2008 and December 28, 2007 (the last trading date on the Oslo exchange in 2007) of 49.60 NOK and 59.00 NOK, respectively.  The unrealized gain due to the appreciation of stock and currency translation gain at March 31, 2008 is $12,438 and $20,719; respectively.  The unrealized gain due to the appreciation of stock and currency translation gain December 31, 2007 was $38,540 and $11,705, respectively.   The unrealized currency translation gain for any unhedged portion at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 is $892 and $1,545, respectively and is recorded as a component of OCI since this investment is designated as an AFS security.  Effective on August 16, 2007, the Company elected to utilize hedge accounting for forward contracts hedging the currency risk associated with the Norwegian Kroner cost basis in the Jinhui stock.  The hedge is limited to the lower of the cost basis or the market value at time of the designation.  For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, fair value hedge accounting resulted in recognizing both an unrealized currency translation gain of $19,827 and $0, respectively, on the stock basis and an offsetting loss on the forward contracts.  The unrealized appreciation in the stock and the currency translation gain above the cost basis are recorded as a component of OCI.  Realized gains and losses on the sale of these securities will be reflected in the consolidated statement of operations in other (expense) or income once sold.  Time value of the forward contracts are excluded from effectiveness testing and recognized currently in income.  At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, an immaterial amount was recognized in income or (expense) from derivative instruments associated with excluded time value and ineffectiveness.
 
At March 31, 2008, the Company had one short-term forward currency contract to hedge the Company’s exposure to the Norwegian Kroner related to the cost basis of Jinhui stock as described above.  The forward
 
 
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currency contract for a notional amount of 739.2 million NOK (Norwegian Kroner) or $145,517, matured on April 18, 2008. At December 31, 2007, the Company had one short-term forward currency contract to hedge the Company’s exposure to the Norwegian Kroner related to the cost basis of Jinhui stock as described above.  The forward currency contract for a notional amount of 685.1 million NOK (Norwegian Kroner) or $124,557, matured on January 17, 2008. As forward contracts expire, the Company continues to enter into new forward currency contracts for the cost basis of the Short-term investment, excluding commissions.  However, the hedge is limited to the lower of the cost basis or the market value at time of designation.  As April 18, 2008, the Company has a forward currency contract for the notional amount of 739.2 million NOK for $148,738.  For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, the net losses (realized and unrealized) of $64 and $0, respectively,  related to the forward currency contracts and to the hedged translations gain on the cost basis of the Jinhui stock are reflected as (loss) income from derivative instruments and are included as a component of other expense.  The current asset associated with the forward currency contract at March 31, 2008 is $229, and the short-term liability associated with the forward currency contract at December 31, 2007 is $1,448, and is presented as the fair value of derivatives on the balance sheet.  The gain (loss) associated with this respective asset and liability is included as a component of (loss) income from derivative instruments.

6 - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
The computation of basic earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share assumes the vesting of nonvested stock awards (see Note 18), for which the assumed proceeds upon grant are deemed to be the amount of compensation cost attributable to future services and not yet recognized using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the restricted stock grants are dilutive. 
 
The components of the denominator for the calculation of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Common shares outstanding, basic:
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
    28,733,928       25,308,953  
                 
Common shares outstanding, diluted:
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
    28,733,928       25,308,953  
                 
Weighted average restricted stock awards
    180,422       112,527  
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted
    28,914,350       25,421,480  
 
On February 13, 2008, our board of directors approved a share repurchase program for up to a total of $50,000 of the Company's common stock.  The board will review the program after 12 months.  Share repurchases will be made from time to time for cash in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of purchases under the program will be determined by management based upon market conditions and other factors.  Purchases may be made pursuant to a program adopted under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act. The program does not require the Company to purchase any specific number or amount of shares and may be suspended or reinstated at any time in the Company's discretion and without notice. Repurchases will be subject to restrictions under the 2007 Credit Facility.  The 2007 Credit Facility was amended as of February 13, 2008 to permit the share repurchase program and provide that the dollar amount of shares repurchased is counted toward the maximum dollar amount of dividends that may be paid in any fiscal quarter.  No such purchases have been made through March 31, 2008.
 
7 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
The following are related party transactions not disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements:
 
 
18

 
 
In June 2006, the Company made an employee performing internal audit services available to General Maritime Corporation (“GMC”), where the Company’s Chairman, Peter C. Georgiopoulos, also serves as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President.   For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company invoiced $37 and $35, respectively, to GMC for the time associated with such internal audit services.  Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred travel related expenditures totaling $94 and $0, respectively, reimbursable to GMC or its service provider.   At March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, the amount due GMC from the Company is $73 and $5, respectively.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred legal services aggregating $19 and $29 from Constantine Georgiopoulos, father of Peter C. Georgiopoulos, Chairman of the Board. At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, $0 and $86, respectively, was outstanding to Constantine Georgiopoulos.
 
In December 2006, the Company engaged the services of WeberCompass (Hellas) S.A. (“WC”), a shipbroker, to facilitate the sale of the Genco Glory.  One of our directors, Basil G. Mavroleon, is a Managing Director of WC and a Managing Director and shareholder of Charles R. Weber Company, Inc., which is 50% shareholder of WC.  WC was paid a commission of $132, or 1% of the gross selling price of the Genco Glory. No amounts were due to WC at March 31, 2008 or at December 31, 2007.
 
During March 2007, the Company utilized the services of North Star Maritime, Inc. (“NSM”) which is owned and operated by one of our directors, Rear Admiral Robert C. North, USCG (ret.).  NSM, a marine industry consulting firm, specializes in international and domestic maritime safety, security and environmental protection issues.  NSM was paid $7 for services rendered in March 2007.  No amounts were due to NSM at March 31, 2008 or at December 31, 2007.
 
8 - LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
   
March 31,
2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
             
Revolver, 2007 Credit Facility
  $ 1,014,500     $ 936,000  
Less: Current portion of revolver
    -       43,000  
                 
Long-term debt
  $ 1,014,500     $ 893,000  

The above table reflects $43,000 as current debt as of December 31, 2007, which was repaid in February 2008 using proceeds from the sale of  the Genco Trader described in Note 4.  Upon the sale of a mortgaged vessel, the 2007 Credit Facility requires the Company to repay a pro-rata portion of the long-term debt upon the sale of a mortgaged vessel.  The repayment amount is calculated by dividing the value of the mortgaged vessels being sold by the value of the entire mortgaged fleet at time of sale and multiplying such percentage by the total expected debt outstanding at time of sale.  However, the Company elected to utilize the majority of the proceeds from the sale of the Genco Trader to repay debt, and as such, classified the entire balance repaid as current at December 31, 2007.

2007 Credit Facility

On July 20, 2007, the Company entered into a new credit facility with DnB Nor Bank ASA (the “2007 Credit Facility”) for the purpose of acquiring the nine new Capesize vessels and refinancing the Company’s existing 2005 Credit Facility and Short-Term Line.  DnB Nor Bank ASA is also Mandated Lead Arranger, Bookrunner, and Administrative Agent. The Company has used borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility to repay amounts outstanding under the 2005 Credit Facility and the Short-Term Line, and these two facilities have accordingly been terminated.  The maximum amount that may be borrowed under the 2007 Credit Facility is $1,377,000.  Subsequent to the equity offering completed in October 2007, the Company is no longer required pay up to $6,250 or such lesser amount as is available from Net Cash Flow (as defined in the credit agreement for the 2007 Credit Facility) each fiscal quarter to reduce borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility.  As of March 31, 2008, $362,500 remains available to fund future vessel acquisitions.  The Company may borrow up to $50,000 of the $362,500 for working capital purposes.
 
 
19

 
 
Under the 2007 Credit Facility, subject to the conditions set forth in the credit agreement, the Company may borrow an amount up to $1,377,000.  Amounts borrowed and repaid under the 2007 Credit Facility may be reborrowed.  The 2007 Credit Facility has a maturity date of July 20, 2017, or ten years from the signing date of the 2007 Credit Facility.
 
Loans made under the 2007 Credit Facility may be used for the following:

·  
up to 100% of the en bloc purchase price of $1,111,000 for nine modern drybulk Capesize vessels, which the Company has agreed to purchase from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group;

·  
repayment of amounts previously outstanding under the Company’s 2005 Credit Facility, or $206,233;

·  
the repayment of amounts previously outstanding under the Company’s Short-Term Line, or $77,000;

·  
possible acquisitions of additional dry bulk carriers between 25,000 and 180,000 dwt that are up to ten years of age at the time of delivery and not more than 18 years of age at the time of maturity of the 2007 Credit Facility;

·  
up to $50,000 of working capital; and

·  
the issuance of up to $50,000 of standby letters of credit.  At March 31, 2008, there were no letters of credit issued under the 2007 Credit Facility.

 
All amounts owing under the 2007 Credit Facility are secured by the following:

·  
cross-collateralized first priority mortgages of each of the Company’s existing vessels and any new vessels financed with the 2007 Credit Facility;

·  
an assignment of any and all earnings of the mortgaged vessels;

·  
an assignment of all insurances of the mortgaged vessels;

·  
a first priority perfected security interest in all of the shares of Jinhui owned by the Company;

·  
an assignment of the shipbuilding contracts and an assignment of the shipbuilder’s refund guarantees meeting the Administrative Agent’s criteria for any additional newbuildings financed under the 2007 Credit Facility; and

·  
a first priority pledge of the Company’s ownership interests in each subsidiary guarantor.

The Company has completed a pledge of its ownership interests in the subsidiary guarantors that own the nine Capesize vessels acquired or to be acquired.  The other collateral described above was pledged, as required, within thirty days of the effective date of the 2007 Credit Facility.
 
The Company’s borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) for an interest period elected by the Company of one, three, or six months, or longer if available, plus the Applicable Margin (which is 0.90% per annum for the first five years of the 2007 Credit Facility and 0.95% thereafter).  If the Company’s ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization (each as defined in the credit agreement for the 2007 Credit Facility) is less than 70%, the Applicable Margin decreases to 0.85% and 0.90%, respectively.  In addition to other fees payable by the Company in connection with the 2007 Credit Facility, the Company paid a commitment fee at a rate of 0.20% per annum of the daily average unutilized commitment of each lender under the facility until September 30, 2007, and 0.25% thereafter.
 
 
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The 2007 Credit Facility will be subject to ten consecutive semi-annual reductions of 7.0% of the total amount of credit granted under the new facility, with the first reduction occurring on the fifth anniversary of the signing date and a balloon payment reduction of 30% on the maturity date.  The Company may prepay the 2007 Credit Facility, without penalty, with two days notice for LIBOR rate advances, in minimum amounts of $10,000 together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid.
 
The 2007 Credit Facility includes the following financial covenants which will apply to the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and will be measured at the end of each fiscal quarter beginning with June 30, 2007:

·  
The leverage covenant requires the maximum average net debt to EBITDA to be ratio of at least 5.5:1.0.

·
Cash and cash equivalents must not be less than $500 per mortgaged vessel.

·  
The ratio of EBITDA to interest expense, on a rolling last four-quarter basis, must be no less than 2.0:1.0.

·  
After July 20, 2007, consolidated net worth must be no less than $263,300 plus 80% of the value of the any new equity issuances of the Company from June 30, 2007.  Based on the equity offering completed in October 2007, requires the consolidated net worth to be no less than $434,397.

·  
The aggregate fair market value of the mortgaged vessels must at all times be at least 130% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount under the 2007 Credit Facility plus all letters of credit outstanding; the Company has a 30 day remedy period to post additional collateral or reduce the amount of the revolving loans and/or letters of credit outstanding.

Other covenants in the 2007 Credit Facility are substantially similar to the covenants in the Company’s previous credit facilities.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company has been in compliance with these covenants since the inception of the facility.

The Company can continue to pay cash dividends in accordance with its dividend policy and certain terms of the credit agreement so long as no event of default has occurred and is continuing and that no event of default will occur as a result of the payment of such dividend.  The 2007 Credit Facility also establishes a basket to accrue for dividends permitted but not actually distributed under the permitted dividend calculation since July 29, 2005.  In addition to Genco’s regular quarterly dividend, Genco can pay up to $150,000 in dividends from this basket.  In addition, the 2007 Credit Facility was amended as of February 13, 2008 to permit the Company to implement its share repurchase program, which was recently approved by its board of directors.  Under this amendment, the dollar amount of shares repurchased is counted toward the maximum dollar amount of dividends that may be paid in any fiscal quarter.  For further details of our share repurchase program, see Note 6 to our financial statements.

Due to refinancing of the Company’s previous facilities, the Company incurred a non-cash write-off of the unamortized deferred financing cost in the amount of $3,568 associated with the Company’s previous facilities and this charge was reflected in interest expense in the third quarter of 2007.

The following table sets forth the repayment of the outstanding debt of $1,014,500 at March 31, 2008 under the 2007 Credit Facility:
 

 
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Period Ending March 31,
 
Total
 
       
2008 (April 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008)
  $ -  
2009
    -  
2010
    -  
2011
    -  
2012
    -  
Thereafter
    1,014,500  
         
Total long-term debt
  $ 1,014,500  
         
Interest rates

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the effective interest rate associated with the interest expense for the 2007 Credit Facility, including the rate differential between the pay fixed receive variable rate on the swaps that were in effect, combined, and the cost associated with unused commitment fees with this facility was 5.24%.  For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the effective interest rate associated with the interest expense for the 2005 Credit Facility, including the rate differential between the pay fixed receive variable rate on the swaps that were in effect, combined, and the cost associated with unused commitment fees with this facility was 6.57%.

The interest rate on the debt, excluding the unused commitment fees, ranged from 3.41% to 6.10% and from 6.26% to 6.39%, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Short-Term Line - Refinanced by the 2007 Credit facility
 
On May 3, 2007, the Company entered into a short-term line of credit facility under which DnB NOR Bank ASA, Grand Cayman Branch and Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Grand Cayman Branch are serving as lenders (the “Short-Term Line”).   The Short-Term Line was used to fund a portion of acquisitions we made of in the shares of capital stock of Jinhui.  Under the terms of the Short-Term Line, we were allowed to borrow up to $155,000 for such acquisitions, and we had borrowed a total of $77,000 under the Short-Term Line prior to its refinancing.  The term of the Short-Term Line was for 364 days, and the interest on amounts drawn was payable at the rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 0.85% per annum for the first six month period and LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% for the remaining term.  We were obligated to pay certain commitment and administrative fees in connection with the Short-Term Line.  The Company, as required, pledged all of the Jinhui shares it has purchased as collateral against the Short-Term Line.  The Short-Term Line incorporated by reference certain covenants from our 2005 Credit Facility.

The Short-Term Line was refinanced in July 2007 with the 2007 Credit Facility.
 
2005 Credit Facility - Refinanced by the 2007 Credit facility
 
The Company entered into the 2005 Credit Facility as of July 29, 2005.  The 2005 Credit Facility was with a syndicate of commercial lenders including Nordea Bank Finland plc, New York Branch, DnB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch and Citibank, N.A.  The 2005 Credit Facility has been used to refinance our indebtedness under our original credit facility entered into on December 3, 2004 (the “Original Credit Facility”). Under the terms of our 2005 Credit Facility, borrowings in the amount of $106,233 were used to repay indebtedness under our Original Credit Facility and additional net borrowings of $24,450 were obtained to fund the acquisition of the Genco Muse.  In July 2006, the Company increased the line of credit by $100,000 and during the second and third quarters of 2006 borrowed $81,250 for the acquisition of three vessels.
 
The 2005 Credit Facility had a term of ten years and would have matured on July 29, 2015. The facility permitted borrowings up to 65% of the value of the vessels that secure our obligations under the 2005 Credit Facility up to the facility limit, provided that conditions to drawdown are satisfied. Certain of these conditions required the Company, among other things, to provide to the lenders acceptable valuations of the vessels in our fleet confirming
 
 
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that the aggregate amount outstanding under the facility (determined on a pro forma basis giving effect to the amount proposed to be drawn down) will not exceed 65% of the value of the vessels pledged as collateral.  The facility limit is reduced by an amount equal to 8.125% of the total $550,000, commitment, semi-annually over a period of four years and is reduced to $0 on the tenth anniversary.

On February 7, 2007, the Company reached an agreement with its syndicate of commercial lenders to allow the Company to increase the amount of the 2005 Credit Facility by $100,000, for a total maximum availability of $650,000.  The Company had the option to increase the facility amount by $25,000 increments up to the additional $100,000, so long as at least one bank within the syndicate agrees to fund such increase.  Any increase associated with this agreement was generally governed by the existing terms of the 2005 Credit Facility, although we and any banks providing the increase could have agreed to vary the upfront fees, unutilized commitment fees, or other fees payable by us in connection with the increase.

The obligations under the 2005 Credit Facility were secured by a first-priority mortgage on each of the vessels in our fleet as well as any future vessel acquisitions pledged as collateral and funded by the 2005 Credit Facility. The 2005 Credit Facility was also secured by a first-priority security interest in our earnings and insurance proceeds related to the collateral vessels.

All of our vessel-owning subsidiaries were full and unconditional joint and several guarantors of our 2005 Credit Facility. Each of these subsidiaries is wholly owned by Genco Shipping & Trading Limited.  Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has no independent assets or operations.
 
Interest on the amounts drawn was payable at the rate of 0.95% per annum over LIBOR until the fifth anniversary of the closing of the 2005 Credit Facility and 1.00% per annum over LIBOR thereafter. We were also obligated to pay a commitment fee equal to 0.375% per annum on any undrawn amounts available under the facility. On July 29, 2005, the Company paid an arrangement fee to the lenders of $2.7 million on the original commitment of $450,000 and an additional $600 for the $100,000 commitment increase which equates to 0.6% of the total commitment of $550,000 as of July 12, 2006. These arrangement fees along with other costs were capitalized as deferred financing costs.
 
Under the terms of our 2005 Credit Facility, we were permitted to pay or declare dividends in accordance with our dividend policy so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such declaration or payment.
 
The 2005 Credit Facility had certain financial covenants that require the Company, among other things, to:  ensure that the fair market value of the collateral vessels maintains a certain multiple as compared to the outstanding indebtedness; maintain a specified ratio of total indebtedness to total capitalization; maintain a specified ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to interest expense; maintain a net worth of approximately $263,000; and maintain working capital liquidity in an amount of not less than $500 per vessel securing the borrowings.  Additionally, there were certain non-financial covenants that required the Company, among other things, to provide the lenders with certain legal documentation, such as the mortgage on a newly acquired vessel using funds from the 2005 Credit Facility, and other periodic communications with the lenders that include certain compliance certificates at the time of borrowing and on a quarterly basis.  For the period since facility inception through retirement of the facility, the Company was in compliance with these covenants, except for an age covenant in conjunction with the acquisition of the Genco Commander, a 1994 vessel, for which the Company obtained a waiver for the term of the agreement.

The 2005 Credit Facility permitted the issuance of letters of credit up to a maximum amount of $50,000. The conditions under which letters of credit can be issued were substantially the same as the conditions for borrowing funds under the facility. Each letter of credit must terminate within twelve months, but can be extended for successive periods also not exceeding twelve months. The Company would pay a fee of 1/8 of 1% per annum on the amount of letters of credit outstanding.

The 2005 Credit Facility has been refinanced with the 2007 Credit Facility.



23


Letter of credit
 
In conjunction with the Company entering into a new long-term office space lease (See Note 16 - Lease Payments), the Company was required to provide a letter of credit to the landlord in lieu of a security deposit. As of September 21, 2005, the Company obtained an annually renewable unsecured letter of credit with DnB NOR Bank.  The letter of credit amount as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was in the amount of $520, at a fee of 1% per annum. The letter of credit is reduced to $416 on August 1, 2008 and is cancelable on each renewal date provided the landlord is given 150 days minimum notice. 

Interest rate swap agreements
 
The Company has entered into nine interest rate swap agreements with DnB NOR Bank to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates. The total notional principal amount of the swaps is $681,233 and the swaps have specified rates and durations.  The following table summarizes the interest rate swaps in place as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007:

Interest Rate Swap Detail
 
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
Trade Date
 
Fixed Rate
 
Start Date
of  Swap
End date
of  Swap
 
Notional Amount Outstanding
   
Notional Amount Outstanding
 
9/6/05
    4.485 %
9/14/05
7/29/15
  $ 106,233     $ 106,233  
3/29/06
    5.25 %
1/2/07
1/1/14
    50,000       50,000  
3/24/06
    5.075 %
1/2/08
1/2/13
    50,000       50,000  
9/7/07
    4.56 %
10/1/07
12/31/09
    75,000       75,000  
7/31/07
    5.115 %
11/30/07
11/30/11
    100,000       100,000  
8/9/07
    5.07 %
1/2/08
1/3/12
    100,000       100,000  
8/16/07
    4.985 %
3/31/08
3/31/12
    50,000       50,000  
8/16/07
    5.04 %
3/31/08
3/31/12
    100,000       100,000  
1/22/08
    2.89 %
2/1/08
2/1/11
    50,000          
                             
                $ 681,233     $ 631,233  

The differential to be paid or received for these swap agreements are recognized as an adjustment to interest expense as incurred.  The Company is currently utilizing cash flow hedge accounting for the swaps whereby the effective portion of the change in value of the swaps is reflected as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”).  The ineffective portion is recognized as income or (loss) from derivative instruments, which is a component of other (expense) income.  For any period of time that the Company did not designate the swaps for hedge accounting, the change in the value of the swap agreements prior to designation was recognized as income or (loss) from derivative instruments and was listed as a component of other (expense) income.

The interest (expense) income pertaining to the interest rate swaps for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was ($489) and $248, respectively.
 
The swap agreements, with effective dates on or prior to March 31, 2008, synthetically convert variable rate debt the fixed interest rate of swap plus the Applicable Margin (which is 0.85% per annum for the first five years of the 2007 Credit Facility and 0.90% thereafter).  If the Company’s ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization (each as defined in the credit agreement for the 2007 Credit Facility) is greater than or equal to 70%, the Applicable Margin increases to 0.90% for the first five years and 0.95% thereafter.
 
The liability associated with the swaps at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are $44,936 and $21,039, respectively, and are presented as the fair value of derivatives on the balance sheet.  As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company has accumulated OCI of ($45,010) and ($21,068), respectively, related to the
 
 
24

 
 
effectively hedged portion of the swaps.  Hedge ineffectiveness associated with the interest rate swaps resulted in income or (loss) from derivative instruments of $63 and $0, respectively for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.  At March 31, 2008, ($7,132) of OCI is expected to be reclassified into income over the next 12 months associated with interest rate derivatives.

9 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist of net unrealized gain (loss) from short-term investments, net gain (loss) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash-flow hedging instruments, and cumulative translation adjustments on the short-term investment in Jinhui stock as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

   
Accumulated OCI
   
Unrealized Gain (loss) on Cash Flow Hedges
   
Unrealized Gain on Short-term Investments
   
Currency Translation Gain (loss) on Short-term Investments
 
OCI – January 1, 2007
  $ 19,017     $ (21,068 )   $ 38,540     $ 1,545  
Unrealized loss on short-term investments
    (26,102 )             (26,102 )        
Translation gain on short-term investments
    9,014                       9,014  
Translation gain reclassed to (loss) income from derivative instruments
    (9,667 )                     (9,667 )
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges
    (23,453 )     (23,453 )                
Interest income reclassed to (loss) income from derivative instruments
    (489 )     (489 )                
OCI – March 31, 2008
  $ (31,680 )   $ (45,010 )   $ 12,438     $ 892  


10 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:
 
   
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
   
Carrying Value
   
Fair Value
   
Carrying Value
   
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 48,295     $ 48,295     $ 71,496     $ 71,496  
Short-term investments
    159,023       159,023       167,524       167,524  
Floating rate debt
    1,014,500       1,014,500       936,000       936,000  
Derivative instruments – asset position
    229       229       -       -  
Derivative instruments – liability position
    44,936       44,936       22,487       22,487  
                                 

The fair value of the short-term investments is based on quoted market rates.  The fair value of the revolving credit facility is estimated based on current rates offered to the Company for similar debt of the same remaining maturities and additionally, the Company considers its creditworthiness in determining the fair value of the revolving credit facility.  The carrying value approximates the fair market value for the floating rate loans.  The fair value of the interest rate and currency swaps (used for purposes other than trading) is the estimated amount the Company would receive to terminate the swap agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the creditworthiness of both the swap counterparty and the Company.
 
The Company elected to early adopt SFAS No. 157 beginning in its 2007 fiscal year, and there was no material impact to its first quarter financial statements.  SFAS No. 157 applies to all assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. SFAS No. 157 requires new disclosure that establishes a
 
 
25

 
 
framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements.  This statement enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The statement requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
 
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The following table summarizes the valuation of our short-term investments and financial instruments by the above SFAS No. 157 pricing levels as of the valuation dates listed:

   
March 31, 2008
 
   
Total
   
Quoted market prices in active markets (Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Short-term investments
  $ 159,023     $ 159,023        
Derivative instruments – asset position
    229               229  
Derivative instruments – liability  position
    44,936               44,936  
                         
 
The Company holds an investment in the capital stock of Jinhui, which is classified as a short-term investment.  The stock of Jinhui is publicly traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange and is considered a Level 1 item.  The Company’s interest rate derivative instruments are pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps based on LIBOR.  In addition, the Company’s derivative instruments include a forward currency contract based on the Norwegian Kroner.   The Company has elected to use the income approach to value the derivatives, using observable Level 2 market expectations at measurement date and standard valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount assuming that participants are motivated, but not compelled to transact.  Level 2 inputs for the valuations are limited to quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets (specifically futures contracts on LIBOR for the first two years) and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (specifically LIBOR cash and swap rates, NOK spot rates and credit risk at commonly quoted intervals).  Mid-market pricing is used as a practical expedient for fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 states that the fair value measurement of an asset or liability must reflect the nonperformance risk of the entity and the counterparty. Therefore, the impact of the counterparty’s and Company’s creditworthiness has also been factored into the fair value measurement of the derivative instruments in an asset or liability position and did not have a material impact on the fair of these derivative instruments.
 
 
11 - PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
 
   
March  31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
Lubricant inventory and other stores
  $ 3,042     $ 2,720  
Prepaid items
    3,167       1,769  
Insurance Receivable
    722       1,331  
Interest receivable on deposits for vessels to be acquired
    2,867       2,489  
Other
    1,762       1,065  
Total
  $ 11,560     $ 9,374  

 

26

 
 
12 – OTHER ASSETS, NET
 
Other assets consist of the following:
 
(i) Deferred financing costs which include fees, commissions and legal expenses associated with securing loan facilities. These costs are amortized over the life of the related debt, which is included in interest expense. The Company has unamortized deferred financing costs of $6,382 and $6,130, respectively, at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 associated with the 2007 Credit Facility. Accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $478 and $288, respectively.  During July 2007, the Company refinanced its previous facilities (the Short-Term Line and the 2005 Credit Facility) resulting in the non-cash write-off of the unamortized deferred financing cost of $3,568 to interest expense.  The Company has incurred deferred financing costs of $6,860 in total for the 2007 Credit Facility.  Amortization expense for deferred financing costs, including the write-off any unamortized costs upon refinancing credit facilities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $191 and $96, respectively.
 
(ii) Value of time charter acquired, which represents the value assigned to the time charter acquired with the Genco Muse in October 2005.  The value assigned to the time charter was $3,492.  At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, this intangible asset has been completely amortized as a component of revenue over the minimum life of the time charter.  The amount amortized for this intangible asset was $0 and $456 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
13 - FIXED ASSETS
 
 
Fixed assets consist of the following:
 
   
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
Fixed assets:
           
Vessel equipment
  $ 849     $ 826  
Leasehold improvements
    1,146       1,146  
Furniture and fixtures
    347       347  
Computer equipment
    356       342  
Total cost
    2,698       2,661  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    824       722  
Total
  $ 1,874     $ 1,939  
                 
 
14 - ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:
 
   
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
Accounts payable
  $ 2,857     $ 4,164  
Accrued general and administrative expenses
    6,847       9,108  
Accrued vessel operating expenses
    6,672       4,242  
                 
Total
  $ 16,376     $ 17,514  
 
 
 
27

 
 
15 - REVENUE FROM TIME CHARTERS
 
Total revenue earned on time charters for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $91,669 and $37,220, respectively.  Future minimum time charter revenue, based on vessels committed to noncancelable time charter contracts as of April 30, 2008 is expected to be $233,346 for the remaining three quarters of 2008 $229,427 during 2009, $137,758 during 2010, $35,038 during 2011 and $11,830 during 2012, assuming 20 days of off-hire due to any scheduled drydocking and no additional off-hire time is incurred.  Future minimum revenue excludes the future acquisitions of the remaining four Capesize vessels and the other three vessels to be acquired as described in Note 20 – Subsequent Events, which are to be delivered to Genco in the future, since estimated delivery dates are not firm.
 
16 - LEASE PAYMENTS
 
In September 2005, the Company entered into a 15-year lease for office space in New York, New York.  The monthly rental is as follows:  Free rent from September 1, 2005 to July 31, 2006, $40 per month from August 1, 2006 to August 31, 2010, $43 per month from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2015, and $46 per month from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2020.  The Company obtained a tenant work credit of $324.  The monthly straight-line rental expense from September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2020 is $39.  As a result of the straight-line rent calculation generated by the free rent period and the tenant work credit, the Company has a deferred rent credit at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 of $720 and $725, respectively.  The Company has the option to extend the lease for a period of five years from September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2025.  The rent for the renewal period will be based on prevailing market rate for the six months prior to the commencement date of the extension term.  Rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, was $117 for each of the respective periods.

Future minimum rental payments on the above lease for the next five years and thereafter are as follows: $364 for the remainder of 2008, $486 for 2009, $496 for 2010, $518, for 2011 through 2012 and a total of $4,132 for the remaining term of the lease.

17 - SAVINGS PLAN
 
In August 2005, the Company established a 401(k) plan which is available to full-time employees who meet the plan’s eligibility requirements.  This 401(k) plan is a defined contribution plan, which permits employees to make contributions up to maximum percentage and dollar limits allowable by IRS Code Sections 401(k), 402(g), 404 and 415 with the Company matching up to the first six percent of each employee’s salary on a dollar-for-dollar basis.  The matching contribution vests immediately.  For three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s matching contribution to the Plan was $61 and $41, respectively.
 
18- NONVESTED STOCK AWARDS
 
On July 12, 2005, the Company’s board of directors approved the Genco Shipping and Trading Limited 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  Under this plan, the Company’s board of directors, the compensation committee, or another designated committee of the board of directors may grant a variety of stock-based incentive awards to employees, directors and consultants whom the compensation committee (or other committee or the board of directors) believes are key to the Company’s success.  Awards may consist of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, nonvested stock, unrestricted stock and performance shares.  The aggregate number of shares of common stock available for award under the Plan is 2,000,000 shares.
 
On October 31, 2005, the Company made grants of nonvested common stock under the Plan in the amount of 111,412 shares to the executive officers and employees and 7,200 shares to directors of the Company.  The executive and employee grants vest ratably on each of the four anniversaries of the date of the Company’s initial public offering (July 22, 2005).  On July 22, 2007 and 2006, 26,478 and 27,853 shares, respectively, of the employees’ nonvested stock vested, and during the year ended December 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2006, 3,375 and 750 shares, respectively, were forfeited.  Grants to the directors vested in full on May 18, 2006, the date of the Company’s annual shareholders’ meeting.  Upon grant of the nonvested stock, an amount of unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the date of the grant, or $1,949, was recorded as a component of shareholders’ equity.  After forfeitures, the unamortized portion of this award at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $187 and $250, respectively.  Amortization of this charge, which is included in general and administrative
 
 
28

 
expenses, was $63 and $99, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The remaining expense for the years ended 2008, and 2009 will be $127 and $60, respectively
 
On December 21, 2005, the Company made grants of nonvested common stock under the Plan in the amount of 55,600 shares to the executive officers and employees of the Company.  Theses grants vest ratably on each of the four anniversaries of the determined vesting date beginning with November 15, 2006.  During the year ended December 31, 2007and 2006, 13,338 and 13,900 shares, respectively, of the employees’ nonvested stock vested and during the year ended December 31, 2007 1,687 shares were forfeited.  Upon grant of the nonvested stock, an amount of unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the date of the grant, or $991, was recorded as a component of shareholders’ equity.  After forfeitures, the unamortized portion of this award at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $146 and $181, respectively.  Amortization of this charge, which is included in general and administrative expenses, was $35 and $58, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The remaining expense for the years ended 2008 and 2009 will be $94 and $52, respectively.
 
On December 20, 2006 and December 22, 2006, the Company made grants of nonvested common stock under the Plan in the amount of 37,000 shares to employees other than executive officers and 35,000 shares to the executive officers, respectively.  These grants vest ratably on each of the four anniversaries of the determined vesting date beginning with November 15, 2007.  During the year ended December 31, 2007, 17,500 shares of the executives’ and other employees’ nonvested stock vested and during the year ended December 31, 2007, 2,000 shares were forfeited.  Upon grant of the nonvested stock, an amount of unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the respective date of the grants, or $2,018, was recorded as a component of shareholders’ equity.  After forfeitures, the unamortized portion of this award at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $742 and $873, respectively.  Amortization of this charge, which is included in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, was $131 and $290, respectively. The remaining expense for the years ended 2008, 2009 and 2010 will be $370, $265 and $107, respectively.
 
On February 8, 2007, the Company made grants of nonvested common stock under the Plan in the amount of 9,000 shares to employees and 7,200 shares to directors of the Company.  The employee grants vest ratably on each of the four anniversaries of the determined vesting date beginning with November 15, 2007.  During the year ended December 31, 2007, 2,250 shares of the employees’ nonvested stock vested   Grants to the directors vested in full on May 16, 2007, the date of the Company’s annual shareholders’ meeting.  Upon grant of the nonvested stock, an amount of unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the date of the grants, or $494, was recorded as a component of shareholders’ equity.  The unamortized portion of this award at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $113 and $133, respectively.  Amortization of this charge, which is included in general and administrative expenses, was $20 and $139, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The remaining expense for the years ending 2008, 2009, and 2010 will be $57, $40 and $16, respectively.
 
 On December 21, 2007, the Company made grants of nonvested common stock under the Plan in the amount of 93,000 shares to the executive officers and the employees of the Company.  These grants vest ratably on each of the four anniversaries of the determined vesting date beginning with November 15, 2008.  Upon grant of the nonvested stock, an amount of unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the date of the grants, or $4,935, was recorded as a component of shareholders’ equity.  The unamortized portion of this award at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $4,165 and $4,852, respectively.  Amortization of this charge, which is included in general and administrative expenses, was $687 and $0, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The remaining expense for the years ending 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 will be $1,898, $1,305, $686 and $276, respectively.
 
On January 10, 2008, the Board of Directors approved a grant of 100,000 nonvested common stock to Peter Georgiopoulos, Chairman of the Board, this grant vests ratably on each of the ten anniversaries of the determined vesting date beginning with November 15, 2008.  Upon grant of the nonvested stock, an amount of unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the date of the grant, or $4,191 was recorded as a component of shareholders' equity. The unamortized portion of this award at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $3,890 and $0, respectively.  Amortization of this charge, which is included in general and administrative expenses, was $301 and $0, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The remaining expense for the years ending 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 will be $945, $816, $599, $457, $352, $267, $197, $136, $84 and $37, respectively.
 
 
29

 
 
On February 13, 2008, the Company made grants of nonvested common stock under the Plan in the amount of 12,500 shares to directors of the Company.  The grants to directors vest in full on the earlier of the first anniversary of the grant date or the date of the next annual shareholders meeting of the Company which is scheduled for May 14, 2008. Upon grant of the nonvested stock, an amount of unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the date of the grant, or $689 was recorded as a component of shareholders' equity.  The unamortized portion of this award at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $337 and $0, respectively.  Amortization of this charge, which is included in general and administrative expenses, was $352 and $0, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The remaining expense for the year ending 2008 will be $337.

The table below summarizes the Company’s nonvested stock awards as March 31, 2008:
 
   
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Average Grant Date Price
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2008
    231,881     $ 34.32  
Granted
    112,500       43.37  
Vested
    -       -  
Forfeited
    -       -  
                 
Outstanding at March 31, 2008
    344,381     $ 37.28  
 
The fair value of nonvested stock at the grant date is equal to the closing stock price on that date.  The Company is amortizing these grants over the applicable vesting periods.  As of March 31, 2008, unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock will be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.56 years.
 
19 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
From time to time, the Company may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of its business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. Such claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. The Company is not aware of any legal proceedings or claims that it believes will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company, its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
20 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On May 9, 2008, the Company entered into agreements with Bocimar International N.V. and Delphis N.V., under which the Company is to purchase three drybulk vessels for an aggregate price of approximately $257,000. The Company expects to fund, on or about May 13, 2008, the required deposit of fifteen percent of the purchase price by utilizing its 2007 Credit Facility. The vessels, consisting of two Panamax vessels, to be renamed the Genco Raptor and Genco Thunder, and one Supramax vessel, to be renamed the Genco Cavalier, are expected to be delivered in the third quarter through the fourth quarter of 2008. The aggregate purchase price of $257,000 is allocated as follows:  $92,000 for the Genco Raptor, $91,000 for the Genco Thunder, and $74,000 for the Genco Cavalier. The Genco Cavalier includes a 24 to 26.5 month at-market time charter at a gross daily rate of $50.5 per day and is expected to commence upon delivery of this vessel to us which is estimated to occur in the third quarter of 2008.  The acquisition is subject to the completion of customary additional documentation, including a novation of the existing charter for the Supramax vessel, and closing conditions.  Upon completion of this acquisition and the acquisition of the remaining four Capesize vessels from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group, our fleet will consist of 35 vessels, comprised of nine Capesize, eight Panamax, four Supramax, six Handymax, and eight Handysize drybulk carriers, with a total carrying capacity of approximately 2,910,000 dwt and an average age of 6.6 years.

On April 30, 2008, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $1.00 per share to be paid on or about May 30, 2008 to shareholders of record as of May 16, 2008.  The aggregate amount of the dividend is expected to be $29,708, which the Company anticipates will be funded from cash on hand at the time payment is to be made.

On April 22, 2008, Jinhui declared a dividend payable on May 20, 2008 to holders of record on April 25, 2008.  The Company expects to receive a dividend of approximately 13.3 million Norwegian Kroner or $2,600.
 

30

 
 
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
This report contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance.  These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and observations. Included among the factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this report are the following (i) changes in demand or rates in the drybulk shipping industry; (ii) changes in the supply of or demand for drybulk products, generally or in particular regions; (iii) changes in the supply of drybulk carriers including newbuilding of vessels or lower than anticipated scrapping of older vessels; (iv) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the cargo industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international organizations or by individual countries and actions taken by regulatory authorities; (v) increases in costs and expenses including but not limited to: crew wages, insurance, provisions, repairs, maintenance and general and administrative expenses; (vi) the adequacy of our insurance arrangements; (vii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (viii) changes in the condition of the Company’s vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs) and unanticipated drydock expenditures; (ix) the amount of offhire time needed to complete repairs on vessels and the timing and amount of any reimbursement by our insurance carriers for insurance claims including offhire days; (x) our acquisition or disposition of vessels; (xi) the fulfillment of the closing conditions under the Company's agreement to acquire the remaining four Metrostar drybulk vessels; (xii) the execution of customary additional documentation for the Company's agreements to acquire the three Bocimar International N.V. and Delphis N.V. drybulk vessels, including a novation of the existing charter for the customary Supramax vessel; (xiii) the fulfillment of the closing conditions under the Company’s agreement to acquire the three Bocimar International N.V. and Delphis N.V. drybulk vessels; and (xiv) other factors listed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and subsequent reports on Form 8-K.  Our ability to pay dividends in any period will depend upon factors including the limitations under our loan agreements, applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law and the final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial performance.  The timing and amount of dividends, if any, could also be affected by factors affecting cash flows, results of operations, required capital expenditures, or reserves.  As a result, the amount of dividends actually paid may vary.
 
The following management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this 10-Q.
 
General
 
We are a Marshall Islands company incorporated in September 2004 to transport iron ore, coal, grain, steel products and other drybulk cargoes along worldwide shipping routes through the ownership and operation of drybulk carrier vessels. As of February 26, 2008, our fleet consisted of five Capesize, six Panamax, three Supramax, six Handymax and eight Handysize drybulk carriers, with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 2,020,000 dwt, and the average age of our fleet was approximately 6.5 years, as compared to the average age for the world fleet of approximately 16 years for the drybulk shipping segments in which we compete. All of the vessels in our fleet are on time charters to reputable charterers, including Lauritzen Bulkers AS, Cargill International S.A., Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd., SK Shipping Ltd., STX Panocean (UK) Co., Ltd., Pacific Basin Chartering Ltd., A/S Klaveness, and NYK Bulkship Europe S.A. All of the vessels in our fleet are presently engaged under time charter contracts that expire (assuming the option periods in the time charters are not exercised) between May 2008 and August 2012.
 
See page 36 for a table of all vessels currently in our fleet or expected to be delivered to us.

 We intend to grow our fleet through timely and selective acquisitions of vessels in a manner that is accretive to our cash flow. In connection with this growth strategy, we negotiated the 2007 Credit Facility, for the purpose of acquiring the nine new Capesize vessels, refinancing the outstanding indebtedness under our previous
 
 
 
31

 
credit facilities, and acquiring additional vessels, including the six drybulk vessels acquired in August 2007 from affiliates of Evalend Shipping Co. S.A.
 
Our management team and our other employees are responsible for the commercial and strategic management of our fleet. Commercial management includes the negotiation of charters for vessels, managing the mix of various types of charters, such as time charters and voyage charters, and monitoring the performance of our vessels under their charters. Strategic management includes locating, purchasing, financing and selling vessels. We currently contract with three independent technical managers, to provide technical management of our fleet at a lower cost than we believe would be possible in-house. Technical management involves the day-to-day management of vessels, including performing routine maintenance, attending to vessel operations and arranging for crews and supplies. Members of our New York City-based management team oversee the activities of our independent technical managers.

 
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

We believe that the following table reflects important measures for analyzing trends in our results of operations.  The table reflects our ownership days, available days, operating days, fleet utilization, TCE rates and daily vessel operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
 
 
For the three months ended March 31,
Increase
 
 
 2008
2007
(Decrease)
% Change
Fleet Data:
       
Ownership days (1)
       
Capesize
404.0
-
404.0
N/A
Panamax
602.6
630.0
(27.4)
(4.3%)
Supramax
273.0
-
273.0
N/A
Handymax
546.0
681.6
(135.6)
(19.9%)
Handysize
726.4
450.0
276.4
61.4%
         
Total
2552.0
1,761.6
790.4
44.9%
         
Available days (2)
       
Capesize
403.9
-
403.9
N/A
Panamax
599.4
630.0
(30.6)
(4.9%)
Supramax
273.0
-
273.0
N/A
Handymax
546.0
660.9
(114.9)
(17.4%)
Handysize
711.1
440.4
270.7
61.5%
         
Total
2533.4
1,731.3
802.1
46.3%
         
Operating days (3)
       
Capesize
403.9
-
403.9
N/A
Panamax
595.5
615.0
(19.5)
(3.2%)
Supramax
272.9
-
272.9
N/A
Handymax
546.0
648.7
(102.7)
(15.8%)
Handysize
709.4
438.8
270.6
61.7%
         
Total
2527.7
1,702.6
825.1
48.5%
         
Fleet utilization (4)
       
Capesize
100.0%
-
100.0%
N/A
Panamax
99.3%
97.6%
1.7%
1.7%
Supramax
99.9%
-
99.9%
N/A
Handymax
100.0%
98.2%
1.8%
1.8%
Handysize
99.8%
99.6%
0.2%
0.2%
Fleet average
99.8%
98.3%
1.5%
1.5%
 
 
32


 

   
For the three months ended March 31,
   
Increase
       
   
2008
   
2007
   
(Decrease)
   
% Change
 
   
(U.S. dollars)
             
Average Daily Results:
                       
Time Charter Equivalent (5)
                       
Capesize
  $ 69,806     $ -     $ 69,806       N/A  
Panamax
    30,921       25,871       5,050       19.5 %
Supramax
    51,863       -       51,863       N/A  
Handymax
    29,027       20,656       8,371       40.5 %
Handysize
    19,956       13,301       6,655       50.0 %
                                 
Fleet average
    35,891       20,683       15,208       73.5 %
                                 
Daily vessel operating expenses (6)
                               
Capesize
  $ 4,914     $ -     $ 4,914       N/A  
Panamax
    4,562       4,362       200       4.6 %
Supramax
    4,176       -       4,176       N/A  
Handymax
    4,147       3,328       819       24.6 %
Handysize
    3,827       3,050       777       25.5 %
                                 
Fleet average
    4,278       3,627       651       17.9 %

Definitions
 
In order to understand our discussion of our results of operations, it is important to understand the meaning of the following terms used in our analysis and the factors that influence our results of operations.
 
(1) Ownership days.  We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.
 
(2) Available days.  We define available days as the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels. Companies in the shipping industry generally use available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.
 
(3) Operating days.  We define operating days as the number of our available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.
 
(4) Fleet utilization.  We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company’s efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the number of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades, special surveys or vessel positioning.
 
(5) TCE rates.  We define TCE rates as net voyage revenue (voyage revenues less voyage expenses) divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. TCE rate is a common shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charterhire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per-day amounts while charterhire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts.
 
 
 
33

 
 
   
For the three months ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
 
Voyage revenues
  $ 91,669     $ 37,220  
Voyage expenses
    744       1,413  
Net voyage revenue
  $ 90,925     $ 35,807  
                 
 
(6) Daily vessel operating expenses.  We define daily vessel operating expenses to include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance (excluding drydocking), the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.
 
 
Operating Data
 
                         
   
For the three months ended March 31,
   
Increase
       
   
2008
   
2007
   
(Decrease)
   
% Change
 
   
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)
       
                         
Revenues
  $ 91,669     $ 37,220     $ 54,449       146.3 %
                                 
Operating Expenses:
                               
Voyage expenses
    744       1,413       (669 )     (47.3 %)
Vessel operating expenses
    10,919       6,389       4,530       70.9 %
General and administrative expenses
    4,411       3,195       1,216       38.1 %
Management fees
    672       351       321       91.5 %
Depreciation and amortization
    15,864       7,186       8,678       120.8 %
Gain on sale of vessel
    (26,227 )     (3,575 )     22,652       633.6 %
                                 
Total operating expenses
    6,383       14,959       (8,576 )     (57.3 %)
                                 
Operating income
    85,286       22,261       63,025       283.1 %
Other (expense) income
    (11,299 )     (2,424 )     (8,875 )     (366.1 %)
                                 
Net income
  $ 73,987     $ 19,837       54,150       273.0 %
                                 
Earnings per share - Basic
  $ 2.57     $ 0.78     $ 1.79       229.5 %
Earnings per share - Diluted
  $ 2.56     $ 0.78     $ 1.78       228.2 %
Dividends declared and paid per share 
  $ 0.85     $ 0.66     $ 0.19       28.8 %
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic
 
    28,733,928       25,308,953       3,424,975       13.5 %
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted
 
    28,914,350       25,421,480       3,492,870       13.7 %
                                 
EBITDA (1)
  $ 95,825     $ 30,489     $ 65,336       214.3 %
                                 

(1)  
EBITDA represents net income plus net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, plus amortization of nonvested stock compensation, and amortization of the value of time charters acquired which is included as a component of other long-term assets or fair market value of time charters acquired.  EBITDA is included because it is used by management and certain investors as a measure of operating performance.  EBITDA is used by analysts in the shipping industry as a common performance measure to compare results across peers. Our management uses EBITDA as a performance measure in consolidating internal financial statements and it is presented for review at our board meetings. EBITDA is also used by our lenders in certain loan covenants. For

 
 
34

 
 
these reasons, we believe that EBITDA is a useful measure to present to our investors. EBITDA is not an item recognized by U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other indicator of a company’s operating performance required by U.S. GAAP.  EBITDA is not a source of liquidity or cash flows as shown in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies.  The following table demonstrates our calculation of EBITDA and provides a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income for each of the periods presented above:
 
   
For the three months ended March 31,
 
     
2008
   
2007
 
     
(U.S. dollars in thousands except
for share and per share data)
 
               
Net income
  $ 73,987     $ 19,837  
Net interest expense
    11,235       2,424  
Amortization of value of time charter acquired (1)
    (6,849 )     456  
Amortization of nonvested stock compensation
    1,588       586  
Depreciation and amortization
    15,864       7,186
 
                   
EBITDA
  $ 95,825     $ 30,489
 
                   
 
(1) Amortization of liability or asset of time charter acquired is an (increase) reduction of revenue.
 
Results of Operations
 
REVENUES-
 
Revenues increased 146.3% to $91.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 versus $37.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007.  Revenues in both periods consisted of charter hire revenue earned by our vessels.  The increase in revenues was due to the operation of a larger fleet as well as the renewal of time charters at higher charter rates than those previously contracted.
 
The average TCE rate of our fleet increased 73.5% to $35,891 a day for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $20,683 a day for the three months ended March 31, 2007.  The increase in TCE rates was due to higher charter rates achieved in the first quarter of 2008 versus the first quarter of 2007 for five of the Panamax vessels, five of the Handymax vessels, and five of the Handysize vessels in our current fleet. Furthermore, higher TCE rates were achieved in the first quarter of 2008 versus the same period last year due to the operation of five Capesize vessels acquired as part of the Metrostar acquisition.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, we had ownership days of 2,552.0 days and 1,761.6 days, respectively.  Fleet utilization for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was 99.8% and 98.3%, respectively.
 
The following table sets forth information about the vessels in our fleet and their charters as of April 30, 2008 plus vessels to be acquired, consisting of four Capesize vessels from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group, and three additional vessels to be acquired from Bocimar International N.V. and Delphis N.V., as described in Note 20 – Subsequent Events to our financial statements:
 

 
35


 
Vessel
Year
Built
Charterer
Charter Expiration (1)
Cash Daily
Rate (2)
Revenue Daily Rate (3)
Expected Delivery (4)
             
Capesize Vessels
           
Genco Augustus
2007
Cargill International S.A.
December 2009
    45,263
62,750
-
Genco Tiberius
2007
Cargill International S.A.
January 2010
    45,263
62,750
-
Genco London
2007
SK Shipping Co., Ltd
August 2010
    57,500
64,250
 
Genco Titus
2007
Cargill International S.A.
September 2011
    45,000(5)
46,250
-
Genco Constantine
2008
Cargill International S.A.
August 2012
    52,750(5)
 
-
Genco Hadrian
2008(6)
To be determined (“TBD”)
TBD
    TBD  
Q4 2008
Genco Commodus
2009(6)
TBD
TBD
    TBD
 
Q2 2009
Genco Maximus
2009(6)
TBD
TBD
    TBD
 
Q2 2009
Genco Claudius
2009(6)
TBD
TBD
    TBD
 
Q3 2009
             
Panamax Vessels
           
Genco Beauty
       1999
Cargill International S.A.
May 2009
    31,500
 
-
Genco Knight
       1999
SK Shipping Ltd.
May 2009
    37,700
 
-
Genco Leader
   1999
A/S Klaveness
December 2008
25,650(7)
 
-
Genco Vigour
   1999
STX Panocean (UK) Co. Ltd.
March 2009
29,000(8)
 
-
Genco Acheron
   1999
Armada Shipping S.A.
June 2008
74,500(9)
 
-
Genco Surprise
   1998
Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd.
December 2010
42,100
 
-
Genco Raptor
   2007(6)
TBD
TBD
TBD
 
 Q3 2008
Genco Thunder
   2007(6)
TBD
TBD
TBD
 
 Q4 2008
             
Supramax Vessels
           
Genco Predator
   2005
Oldendorff GmbH & Co. KG.
May 2008
55,000
 
-
Genco Warrior
   2005
Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd.
November 2010
38,750
 
-
Genco Hunter
   2007
Pacific Basin Chartering Ltd.
June 2008
60,000(10)
 
-
Genco Cavalier
   2007(6)
Samsun Logix Corporation
24 to 26.5 months
From date of delivery
50,500(11)
 
Q3 2008
             
Handymax Vessels
           
Genco Success
  1997
Korea Line Corporation
February 2011
33,000(12)
 
-
Genco Carrier
  1998
Pacific Basin Chartering Ltd.
May 2008
24,000
 
-
   
Louis Dreyfus Corporation
March 2011
37,000(13)
   
Genco Prosperity
  1997
Pacific Basin Chartering Ltd.
May 2008
26,000
 
-
Genco Wisdom
  1997
Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd.
February 2011
 34,500(14)
 
-
Genco Marine
  1996
NYK Bulkship Europe S.A.
March 2009
47,000
 
-
Genco Muse
  2001
Norden A/S
July 2008
47,650
 
-
             
Handysize Vessels
           
Genco Explorer
     1999
 Lauritzen Bulkers A/S
August 2009
19,500
 
-
Genco Pioneer
     1999
Lauritzen Bulkers A/S
August 2009
    19,500
 
-
Genco Progress
     1999
Lauritzen Bulkers A/S
August 2009
    19,500
 
-
Genco Reliance
     1999
Lauritzen Bulkers A/S
August 2009
    19,500
 
-
Genco Sugar
     1998
Lauritzen Bulkers A/S
August 2009
    19,500
 
-
Genco Charger
     2005
Pacific Basin Chartering Ltd.
November 2010
    24,000
 
-
Genco Challenger
     2003
Pacific Basin Chartering Ltd.
November 2010
    24,000
 
-
Genco Champion
     2006
Pacific Basin Chartering Ltd.
December 2010
    24,000
 
-
 
(1) The charter expiration dates presented represent the earliest dates that our charters may be terminated in the ordinary course.  Except for the Genco Titus, under the terms of each contract, the charterer is entitled to extend time charters from two to four months in order to complete the vessel's final voyage plus any time the vessel has been off-hire. The charterer of the Genco Titus has the option to extend the charter for a period of one year.
 
 
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(2) Time charter rates presented are the gross daily charterhire rates before third party commissions ranging from 1.25% to 6.25%, except as indicated for the Genco Leader in note 7 below. In a time charter, the charterer is responsible for voyage expenses such as bunkers, port expenses, agents’ fees and canal dues.
 
(3) For the vessels acquired with a below-market time charter rate, the approximate amount of revenue on a daily basis to be recognized as revenues is displayed in the column named “Revenue Daily Rate” and is net of any third-party commissions. Since these vessels were acquired with existing time charters with below-market rates, we allocated the purchase price between the respective vessel and an intangible liability for the value assigned to the below-market charterhire.  This intangible liability is amortized as an increase to voyage revenues over the minimum remaining term of the charter.  For cash flow purposes, we will continue to receive the rate presented in the “Cash Daily Rate” column until the charter expires.
 
(4) Dates for vessels being delivered in the future are estimates based on guidance received from the sellers and/or the respective shipyards.
 
(5) These charters include a 50 percent index-based profit sharing component above the respective base rates listed in the table.
 
(6) Year built for vessels being delivered in the future are estimates based on guidance received from the sellers and/or the respective shipyards.
 
(7) For the Genco Leader, the time charter rate presented is the net daily charterhire rate. There are no payments of commissions associated with these time charters.
 
(8) We have entered into a time charter for 23 to 25 months at a rate of $33,000 per day for the first 11 months, $25,000 per day for the following 11 months and $29,000 per day thereafter, less a 5% third-party commission. For purposes of revenue recognition, the time charter contract is reflected on a straight-line basis at approximately $29,000 per day for 23 to 25 months in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. The time charter, commenced following the expiration of the vessel's previous time charter on May 5, 2007.
 
(9) We have entered into a short-term time charter for one trip at a rate of $74,500 per day less a 5% third-party commission. The new charter has commenced following the expiration of the previous charter on April 18, 2008 and is expected to be completed in the middle of June 2008. Upon the completion of its time charter with Armada Shipping S.A., the vessel is expected to complete its drydocking before commencing subsequent time charters.
 
(10) We have reached an agreement to extend the time charter for an additional 3 to 5.5 months at a rate of $60,000 per day less a 5% third party commission.  The new charter commenced following the expiration of the previous charter on March 6, 2008.
 
(11) The Company acquired this vessel with an at market time charter for 24 to 26.5 months at a rate of $50,500 per day less a 5% third party commission.  The time charter is expected to commence upon delivery to the Company. The acquisition from Bocimar International N.V. and Delphis N.V. is subject to the completion of customary additional documentation, including a novation of the existing charter for this vessel, and closing conditions.
 
(12) We recently extended the time charter for an additional 35 to 37.5 months at a rate of $40,000 per day for the first 12 months, $33,000 per day for the following 12 months and $26,000 per day for the next 12 months and $33,000 thereafter less a 5% third-party commission. In all cases the rate for the duration of the time charter will average $33,000.  For purposes of revenue recognition, the time charter contract is reflected on a straight-line basis at approximately $33,000 per day for 35 to 37.5 months in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP.  The new charter commenced following the expiration of the previous charter on March 1, 2008.
 
(13) We have reached an agreement to commence a time charter for 34 to 37.5 months at a rate of $37,000 per day less a 5% third party commission.  The new charter is expected to commence following the expiration of the previous charter on or about May 14, 2008.
 
(14) We recently extended the time charter for an additional 35 to 37.5 months at a rate of $34,500 per day less a 5% third party commission.  The new charter commenced following the expiration of the previous charter on March 1, 2008.
 
 
 
 
VOYAGE EXPENSES-

For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, we did not incur port and canal charges or any significant expenses related to the consumption of bunkers (fuel) as part of our vessels’ overall expenses because all of our vessels were employed under time charters that require the charterer to bear all of those expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, voyage expenses were $0.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and consisted primarily of brokerage commissions paid to third parties.


37

 
 
VESSEL OPERATING EXPENSES-
 
Vessel operating expenses increased to $10.9 million from $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  This was due mostly to the expansion of our fleet, as well as higher crewing and lube expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007.
 
Daily vessel operating expenses grew to $4,278 per vessel per day for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $3,627 for the same quarter last year.  This was a result of higher crewing and lube expenses as well as the operation of five Capesize vessels.  We believe daily vessel operating expenses are best measured for comparative purposes over a 12-month period in order to take into account all of the expenses that each vessel in our fleet will incur over a full year of operation.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2008, daily vessel operating expenses per vessel were $422 below the $4,700 weighted average daily budget for 2008.
 
Based on management’s estimates and budgets provided by our technical manager, we expect our vessels to have daily vessel operating expenses during 2008 of:
 
Vessel Type
Average Daily
Budgeted Amount
 
Capesize
$ 5,200  
Panamax
  5,150  
Supramax
  4,250  
Handymax
  4,700  
Handysize
  4,200  
Fleet Weighted Average
  4,700  

Our vessel operating expenses, which generally represent fixed costs, will increase as a result of the expansion of our fleet. Other factors beyond our control, some of which may affect the shipping industry in general, including, for instance, developments relating to market prices for crewing, lubes, and insurance, may also cause these expenses to increase.
 
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES-
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, general and administrative expenses were $4.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively.  The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to higher legal expenses, costs associated with higher employee non-cash compensation and other employee related costs.
 
MANAGEMENT FEES-
 
We incur management fees to third-party technical management companies for the day-to-day management of our vessels, including performing routine maintenance, attending to vessel operations and arranging for crews and supplies.  For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, management fees were $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION-
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 depreciation and amortization charges increased to $15.9 million from $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007.  The increase primarily was due to the growth in our fleet.
 
GAIN ON SALE OF VESSELS-
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the gain on the sale of vessels was $26.2 and $3.6 million, attributable to the sale of the Genco Trader in 2008 and the Genco Glory in 2007.

 
 
38

 

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME-

(LOSS) INCOME FROM DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS-

Effective August 16, 2007, the Company has elected hedge accounting for forward currency contracts in place associated with the cost basis of shares of Jinhui stock it has purchased.   However, the hedge is limited to the lower of the cost basis or the market value of the Jinhui stock.  For further details of the application of hedge accounting, please refer to the discussion under the subheading “Interest Rate Swap Agreements, Forward Freight Agreements and Currency Swap Agreements” on page 43.  For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, (loss) income from derivative instruments was ($0.1) and $0 million, respectively.

NET INTEREST EXPENSE-

For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, net interest expense was $11.2 million and $2.4 million, respectively.  Net interest expense consisted mostly of interest payments made under our 2007 Credit facility in 2008 and the 2005 Credit Facility in 2007.  Additionally, interest income as well as amortization of deferred financing costs related to each respective credit facility are included in both periods.  The increase in net interest expense for 2008 versus 2007 was mostly a result of higher outstanding debt due to the acquisition of additional vessels in the fourth quarter of 2007 and first quarter of 2008.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
To date, we have financed our capital requirements with cash flow from operations, equity offerings and bank debt. We have used our funds primarily to fund vessel acquisitions, regulatory compliance expenditures, the repayment of bank debt and the associated interest expense and the payment of dividends. We will require capital to fund ongoing operations, acquisitions and debt service.  We expect to rely on operating cash flows as well as long-term borrowings to implement our growth plan and continue our dividend policy.  We also may consider debt and additional equity financing alternatives from time to time.
 
In connection with the agreement to acquire nine Capesize vessels announced on July 18, 2007 and the additional acquisition of three Supramax and three Handysize vessels announced in August 2007, the Company, entered into the 2007 Credit Facility on July 20, 2007 to fund acquisitions and the repayment of all other existing debt under the 2005 Credit Facility and Short-Term Line.  Additionally, as described in Note 20 – Subsequent Events, the Company agreed to acquire three vessels, two Panamax vessels and one Supramax vessels, from Bocimar International N.V. and Delphis N.V. The Company expects to fund, on or about May 13, 2008, the required deposit of fifteen percent of the purchase price by utilizing its 2007 Credit Facility. We anticipate that internally generated cash flow and borrowings under our 2007 Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund the operations of our fleet, including our working capital requirements for the foreseeable future.  The Company anticipates primarily utilizing its 2007 Credit Facility as well as internally generated cash flow to fund the acquisition of the remaining four Capesize vessels, the two Panamax vessels and the one Supramax vessel, but may also consider debt (including convertible securities) and equity financing alternatives.

Dividend Policy
 
Our dividend policy is to declare quarterly distributions to shareholders by each February, May, August and November, which commenced in November 2005, substantially equal to our available cash from operations during the previous quarter, less cash expenses for that quarter (principally vessel operating expenses and debt service) and any reserves our board of directors determines we should maintain. These reserves may cover, among other things, drydocking, repairs, claims, liabilities and other obligations, interest expense and debt amortization, acquisitions of additional assets and working capital. In the future, we may incur other expenses or liabilities that would reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution as dividends.

On April 30, 2008, our board of directors declared a dividend of $1.00 per share, to be paid on or about May 30, 2008 to shareholders of record as of May 16, 2008.

The declaration and payment of any dividend is subject to the discretion of our board of directors. The timing and amount of dividend payments will depend on our earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and
 
 
 
39

 
availability, fleet renewal and expansion, restrictions in our loan agreements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of distributions to shareholders and other factors. Our board of directors may review and amend our dividend policy from time to time in light of our plans for future growth and other factors.
 
We believe that, under current law, our dividend payments from earnings and profits will constitute “qualified dividend income” and, as such, will generally be subject to a 15% U.S. federal income tax rate with respect to non-corporate U.S. shareholders that meet certain holding period and other requirements (through 2010). Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of a U.S. shareholder's tax basis in its common stock on a dollar-for-dollar basis and, thereafter, as capital gain. 

Share Repurchase Program

On February 13, 2008, our board of directors approved a share repurchase program for up to a total of $50,000 of the Company's common stock.  The board will review the program after 12 months.  Share repurchases will be made from time to time for cash in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of purchases under the program will be determined by management based upon market conditions and other factors.  Purchases may be made pursuant to a program adopted under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act. The program does not require the Company to purchase any specific number or amount of shares and may be suspended or reinstated at any time in the Company's discretion and without notice. Repurchases will be subject to restrictions under the 2007 Credit Facility.  The 2007 Credit Facility was amended as of February 13, 2008 to permit the share repurchase program and provide that the dollar amount of shares repurchased is counted toward the maximum dollar amount of dividends that may be paid in any fiscal quarter.  No such purchases have been made through March 31, 2008.  The Company anticipates that any shares repurchased would be primarily funded through cash generated from operations.

Cash Flow
 
Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, was $55.7 million and $23.3 million, respectively.  The increase was primarily due to the operation of a larger fleet, which contributed to increases in net income, depreciation, and deferred revenues. Adjustments to operating cash flows include Jinhui investment activities of $11.5 million of realized losses on forward currency contracts offset by $9.7 million of unrealized gains on hedged short-term investments and $1.7 million of unrealized gains on forward currency contracts. The increases were offset by a $26.2 million gain related to the sale of the Genco Trader, and $6.8 million of amortization of value of the time charters acquired as part of the Metrostar and Evalend acquisitions. Net cash from operating activities for three months ended March 31, 2008 was mostly a result of recorded net income of $74.0 million, less the gain of $26.2 million due the sale of the Genco Trader and $6.8 amortization of time charters acquired, plus depreciation and amortization charges of $15.9 million.  Net cash from operating activities for three months ended March 31, 2007 was mostly a result of recorded net income of $19.8 million, less the gain of $3.6 million due the sale of the Genco Glory, plus depreciation and amortization charges of $7.2 million.
 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities increased to ($132.4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $12.8 for the three months ended March 31, 2007.  For the three months ended March 31 2008, the cash used in investing activities related primarily to the purchase price of vessels of $153.3 million the purchase of $10.3 million of Jinhui stock, and payments on forward currency contracts of $11.4 million which were off-set by proceeds of $43.1 million from the sale of the Genco Trader.  For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the cash provided by investing activities related primarily to the proceeds of $13.0 million from the sale of the Genco Glory.
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $53.4 million and ($22.5) million, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31 2008, net cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily of the drawdown of $151.5 million on our 2007 Credit Facility related to the completion of the acquisition of two additional vessels, off-set by the payment of cash dividends of $24.7 million and repayment of $73.0 million of debt on our 2007 Credit Facility.  For the three months ended March 31 2007, net cash used in financing activities consisted primarily of payment of cash dividends of $16.8 million and repayment of $5.7 million of debt on our 2005 Credit Facility.

 
 
40

 
2007 Credit Facility

On July 20, 2007, the Company entered into the 2007 Credit Facility for the purpose of acquiring the nine new Capesize vessels and refinancing the Company’s existing 2005 Credit Facility and Short-Term Line.  DnB Nor Bank ASA is Mandated Lead Arranger, Bookrunner, and Administrative Agent. The Company has used borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility to repay amounts outstanding under the 2005 Credit Facility and the Short-Term Line, which have been terminated.  The maximum amount that may be borrowed under the 2007 Credit Facility is $1,377 million.  Lastly, the Company, as required, pledged all of the Jinhui shares it has purchased as collateral against the 2007 Credit Facility.  As of March 31, 2008, $362.5 million remains available to fund future vessel acquisitions.  The Company may borrow up to $50 million of the $362.5 million for working capital purposes.
 
Under the 2007 Credit Facility, subject to the conditions set forth in the credit agreement, the Company may borrow an amount up to $1,377 million.  Amounts borrowed and repaid under the 2007 Credit Facility may be reborrowed.  The 2007 Credit Facility has a maturity date of July 20, 2017, or ten years from the signing date of the 2007 Credit Facility.
 
Loans made under the 2007 Credit Facility may be used for the following:

·  
up to 100% of the en bloc purchase price of $1,111 million for nine modern drybulk Capesize vessels, which the Company has agreed to purchase from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group;

·  
repayment of amounts previously outstanding under the Company’s 2005 Credit Facility, or $206.2 million;

·  
the repayment of amounts previously outstanding under the Company’s Short-Term Line, or $77 million;

·  
possible acquisitions of additional dry bulk carriers between 25,000 and 180,000 dwt that are up to ten years of age at the time of delivery and not more than 18 years of age at the time of maturity of this credit facility;

·  
up to $50 million of working capital; and

·  
the issuance of up to $50 million of standby letters of credit.  At March 31, 2008, there were no letters of credit issued under the 2007 Credit Facility.

 
All amounts owing under the 2007 Credit Facility are secured by the following:

·  
cross-collateralized first priority mortgages of each of the Company’s existing vessels and any new vessels financed with the 2007 Credit Facility;

·  
an assignment of any and all earnings of the mortgaged vessels;

·  
an assignment of all insurances of the mortgaged vessels;

·  
a first priority perfected security interest in all of the shares of Jinhui owned by the Company;

·  
an assignment of the shipbuilding contracts and an assignment of the shipbuilder’s refund guarantees meeting the Administrative Agent’s criteria for any additional newbuildings financed under the 2007 Credit Facility; and

·  
a first priority pledge of the Company’s ownership interests in each subsidiary guarantor.
 
 
 
41


 
The Company has completed a pledge of its ownership interests in the subsidiary guarantors that own the nine Capesize vessels to be acquired.  The other collateral described above was pledged, as required, within thirty days of the effective date of the 2007 Credit Facility.
 
The Company’s borrowings under the 2007 Credit Facility bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) for an interest period elected by the Company of one, three, or six months, or longer if available, plus the Applicable Margin (which is 0.90% per annum for the first five years of the 2007 Credit Facility and 0.95% thereafter).  If the Company’s ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization (each as defined in the credit agreement for the 2007 Credit Facility) is less than 70%, the Applicable Margin decreases to 0.85% and 0.90%, respectively.  In addition to other fees payable by the Company in connection with the 2007 Credit Facility, the Company paid a commitment fee at a rate of 0.20% per annum of the daily average unutilized commitment of each lender under the facility until September 30, 2007, and 0.25% thereafter.
 
The 2007 Credit Facility will be subject to ten consecutive semi-annual reductions of 7.0% of the total amount of credit granted under the new facility, with the first reduction occurring on the fifth anniversary of the signing date and a balloon payment reduction of 30% on the maturity date.  The Company may prepay the 2007 Credit Facility, without penalty, with two days notice for LIBOR rate advances, in minimum amounts of $10 million together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid.
 
The 2007 Credit Facility includes the following financial covenants which will apply to the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and will be measured at the end of each fiscal quarter beginning with June 30, 2007:

·  
The leverage covenant requires the maximum average net debt to EBITDA to be a ratio of at least 5.5:1.0.

·
Cash and cash equivalents must not be less than $0.5 million per mortgaged vessel.

·  
The ratio of EBITDA to interest expense, on a rolling last four-quarter basis, must be no less than 2.0:1.0.

·  
After July 20, 2007, consolidated net worth must be no less than $263,300 plus 80% of the value of the any new equity issuances of the Company from June 30, 2007.  Based on the equity offering completed in October 2007, this would require the consolidated net worth to be no less than approximately $434.4 million.

·  
The aggregate fair market value of the mortgaged vessels must at all times be at least 130% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount under the 2007 Credit Facility plus all letters of credit outstanding; the Company has a 30 day remedy period to post additional collateral or reduce the amount of the revolving loans and/or letters of credit outstanding.

Other covenants in the 2007 Credit Facility are substantially similar to the covenants in the Company’s previous credit facilities.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company has been in compliance with these covenants since the inception of the facility.

The Company can continue to pay cash dividends in accordance with its dividend policy and certain terms of the credit agreement so long as no event of default has occurred and is continuing and no event of default will occur as a result of the payment of such dividend.  In addition, the 2007 Credit Facility was amended as of February 13, 2008 to permit the Company to implement its share repurchase program, which was recently approved by its board of directors.  Under this amendment, the dollar amount of shares repurchased is counted toward the maximum dollar amount of dividends that may be paid in any fiscal quarter.  For further details of our share repurchase program, see Note 6 to our financial statements.

Due to refinancing of the Company’s previous facilities, the Company incurred a non-cash write-off of the unamortized deferred financing cost in the amount of $3.6 associated with the Company’s previous facilities.
 
 
42

 
 
Interest Rate Swap Agreements, Forward Freight Agreements and Currency Swap Agreements
 
The Company has entered into nine interest rate swap agreements with DnB NOR Bank to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates. The total notional principal amount of the swaps is $681.2 million and the swaps have specified rates and durations.  The following table summarizes the interest rate swaps in place as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007:

Interest Rate Swap Detail
 
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
Trade
Date
 
Fixed
Rate
 
Start Date
of  Swap
End date
of  Swap
 
Notional Amount Outstanding
   
Notional Amount Outstanding
 
             
(in thousands)
 
9/6/05
    4.485 %
9/14/05
7/29/15
  $ 106,233     $ 106,233  
3/29/06
    5.25 %
1/2/07
1/1/14
    50,000       50,000  
3/24/06
    5.075 %
1/2/08
1/2/13
    50,000       50,000  
9/7/07
    4.56 %
10/1/07
12/31/09
    75,000       75,000  
7/31/07
    5.115 %
11/30/07
11/30/11
    100,000       100,000  
8/9/07
    5.07 %
1/2/08
1/3/12
    100,000       100,000  
8/16/07
    4.985 %
3/31/08
3/31/12
    50,000       50,000  
8/16/07
    5.04 %
3/31/08
3/31/12
    100,000       100,000  
1/22/08
    2.89 %
2/1/08
2/1/11
    50,000          
                             
                $ 681,233     $ 631,233  

The differential to be paid or received for these swap agreements are recognized as an adjustment to interest expense as incurred.  The Company is currently utilizing cash flow hedge accounting for the swaps whereby the effective portion of the change in value of the swaps is reflected as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”).  The ineffective portion is recognized as income or (loss) from derivative instruments, which is a component of other (expense) income.  For any period of time that the Company did not designate the swaps for hedge accounting, the change in the value of the swap agreements prior to designation was recognized as income or (loss) from derivative instruments and was listed as a component of other (expense) income.

The interest (expense) income pertaining to the interest rate swaps for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was ($0.5) million and $0.2 million, respectively.
 
The swap agreements, with effective dates on or prior to March 31, 2008 synthetically convert variable rate debt the fixed interest rate of swap plus the Applicable Margin (which is 0.85% per annum for the first five years of the 2007 Credit Facility and 0.90% thereafter).  If the Company’s ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization (each as defined in the credit agreement for the 2007 Credit Facility) is greater than or equal to 70%, the Applicable Margin increases to 0.90% for the first five years and 0.95% thereafter.
 
The liability associated with the swaps at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 is $44.9 million and $21.0 million, respectively, and are presented as the fair value of derivatives on the balance sheet.  The Company considered the creditworthiness of both the Company and the counterparty in determining the fair value of the interest rate derivatives, and such consideration resulted in an immaterial adjustment to the fair value of derivatives on the balance sheet.  Valuations prior to any adjustments for credit risk are validated by comparison with counterparty valuations.  Amounts are not and should not be identical due to the different modeling assumptions, however amounts are expected to be (and are) close.  Any material differences are investigated.  As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company has accumulated OCI of ($45.0) million and ($21.1) million, respectively, related to the effectively hedged portion of the swaps.  Hedge ineffectiveness associated with the interest rate swaps resulted in income or (loss) from derivative instruments of $0.1 and $0, respectively for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.  At March 31, 2008, ($7.1) million of OCI is expected to be reclassified into income over the next 12 months associated with interest rate derivatives.
 
 
 
43


 
The Company has entered into a number of short-term forward currency contracts to protect the Company from the risk associated with the fluctuation in the exchange rate associated with the cost basis of the Jinhui shares as described above under the heading “Short-term investments” in Note 2 of our financial statements.  At March 31, 2008, the Company had one short-term forward currency contract to hedge the Company’s exposure to the Norwegian Kroner related to the cost basis of Jinhui stock as described above.  The forward currency contract for a notional amount of 739.2 million NOK (Norwegian Kroner) or $145.5 million, matured on April 18, 2008.  At December 31, 2007, the Company had one short-term forward currency contract to hedge the Company’s exposure to the Norwegian Kroner related to the cost basis of Jinhui stock as described above.  The forward currency contract for a notional amount of 685.1 million NOK (Norwegian Kroner) or $124.6 million, matured on January 17, 2008. As forward contracts expire, the Company continues to enter into new forward currency contracts for the cost basis of the Short-term investment, excluding commissions.  However, the hedge is limited to the lower of the cost basis or the market value at time of designation.  As of April 18, 2008, the Company has a forward currency contract for the notional amount of 739.2 million NOK for $148.7 million.  For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, the net losses (realized and unrealized) of $0.1 million and $0, respectively, related to the forward currency contracts and to the hedged translations gain on the cost basis of the Jinhui stock are reflected as (loss) income from derivative instruments and are included as a component of other expense.  The current asset associated with the forward currency contract at March 31, 2008 is $0.2 million and is presented as the fair value of derivatives on the balance sheet.  The short-term liability associated with the forward currency contract at December 31, 2007 is $1.4 million and is presented as the fair value of derivatives on the balance sheet.  The Company considered the creditworthiness of both the Company and the counterparty in determining the fair value of the forward currency contracts and such consideration resulted in an immaterial adjustment to the fair value of derivatives on the balance sheet.  The gain or loss associated with either the asset or liability associated with the forward currency contracts is included in the net (loss) income from derivative instruments.
 
As part of our business strategy, we may enter into arrangements commonly known as forward freight agreements, or FFAs, to hedge and manage market risks relating to the deployment of our existing fleet of vessels.  These arrangements may include future contracts, or commitments to perform in the future a shipping service between ship owners, charters and traders.  Generally, these arrangements would bind us and each counterparty in the arrangement to buy or sell a specified tonnage freighting commitment “forward” at an agreed time and price and for a particular route.  Although FFAs can be entered into for a variety of purposes, including for hedging, as an option, for trading or for arbitrage, if we decided to enter into FFAs, our objective would be to hedge and manage market risks as part of our commercial management. It is not currently our intention to enter into FFAs to generate a stream of income independent of the revenues we derive from the operation of our fleet of vessels.  If we determine to enter into FFAs, we may reduce our exposure to any declines in our results from operations due to weak market conditions or downturns, but may also limit our ability to benefit economically during periods of strong demand in the market.  We have not entered into any FFAs as of March 31, 2008.
 
Interest Rates
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the effective interest rate associated with the interest expense for the 2007 Credit Facility, including the rate differential between the pay fixed receive variable rate on the swaps that were in effect, combined, and the cost associated with unused commitment fees with this facility was 5.24%.  For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the effective interest rate associated with the interest expense for the 2005 Credit Facility, including the rate differential between the pay fixed receive variable rate on the swaps that were in effect, combined, and the cost associated with unused commitment fees with this facility was 6.57%.

The interest rate on the debt, excluding the unused commitment fees, ranged from 3.41% to 6.1% and from 6.26% to 6.39%, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and their maturity dates as of March 31, 2008.    The table incorporates the agreement to acquire the remaining four Capesize vessels for $385.6 million, the agreement to acquire two Panamax vessels and one Supramax vessel for approximately $257.0 million, inclusive of commissions for these acquisitions, and the employment agreement entered into in September 2007 with the Chief Financial Officer, John Wobensmith.  The Company plans to fund the remaining acquisitions with the remaining
 
 
 
44


availability under the credit facility and cash generated from operations.  The interest and fees are also reflective of the 2007 Credit Facility and the interest rate swap agreements as discussed above under “Interest Rate Swap Agreements and Forward Freight Agreements and Currency Swap Agreements.”
 
   
Total
   
Within One
Year (1)
   
One to Three
Years
   
Three to Five
Years
   
More than
Five Years
 
   
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
 
2007 Credit Facility
  $ 1,014,500     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 1,014,500  
Remainder of purchase price of acquisitions (2)
  $ 642,600     $ 353,800     $ 288,800     $ -     $ -  
Interest and borrowing fees
  $ 382,759     $ 39,621     $ 103,937     $ 96,053     $ 143,148  
Executive employment agreement
  $ 544     $ 278     $ 266     $ -     $ -  
Office lease
  $ 6,514     $ 364     $ 982     $ 1,036     $ 4,132  

(1)  
Represents the nine month period ending December 31, 2008.
(2)  
The timing of these obligations are based on estimated delivery dates for the remaining four Capesize vessels which are currently being constructed, as well as the two Panamax vessels and the one Supramax vessel, and the obligation is inclusive of the commission due to brokers upon purchase of the vessels.

Interest expense has been estimated using the fixed hedge rate for the effective period and notional amount of the debt which is effectively hedged and 2.9375% for the portion of the debt that has no designated swap against it, plus the applicable bank margin of 0.85% in the first five years of the 2007 Credit Facility and 0.90% in the last five years, as long as the ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization as defined in the 2007 Credit Facility remains below 70%. If the ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization is equal to or greater than 70% then the applicable margin is increased to 0.90% in the first five years of the 2007 Credit Facility and 0.95% in the last five years.   The Company is obligated to pay certain commitment fees in connection with the 2007 Credit Facility.

Capital Expenditures
 
We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with our vessel acquisitions. Our fleet currently consists of five Capesize drybulk carriers, six Panamax drybulk carriers, three Supramax drybulk carriers, six Handymax drybulk carriers and eight Handysize drybulk carriers.

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, we will incur additional capital expenditures due to special surveys and drydockings. We estimate our drydocking costs and scheduled off-hire days for our fleet through 2009 to be:

             
Year
 
Estimated Drydocking Cost
(U.S. dollars in millions)
   
Estimated Off-hire Days
 
             
2008 (April 1- December 31, 2008)
  $ 4.2       120  
2009
    3.7       100  
 
The costs reflected are estimates based on drydocking our vessels in China.  We estimate that each drydock will result in 20 days of off-hire.  Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed.  We expect to fund these costs with cash from operations.
 
During the first quarter of 2008, the Genco Challenger completed drydocking at a cost of $0.5 million.
 
 
45

 
 
We estimate that six of our vessels will be drydocked in the remainder of 2008, of which one will be drydocked during the second quarter of 2008 and five vessels in the second half of 2008.  An additional five of our vessels will be drydocked in 2009.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Inflation
 
Inflation has only a moderate effect on our expenses given current economic conditions. In the event that significant global inflationary pressures appear, these pressures would increase our operating, voyage, general and administrative, and financing costs.  However, the Company expects its costs to increase based on the anticipated increased cost for crewing and lubes.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of those financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.
 
Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments of uncertainties and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have described below what we believe are our most critical accounting policies, because they generally involve a comparatively higher degree of judgment in their application. For an additional description of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in this 10-Q.
 
REVENUE AND VOYAGE EXPENSE RECOGNITION-
 
Revenues are generated from time charters. A time charter involves placing a vessel at the charterer’s disposal for a set period of time during which the charterer may use the vessel in return for the payment by the charterer of a specified daily or monthly hire rate.  In time charters, operating costs such as for crews, maintenance and insurance are typically paid by the owner of the vessel and specified voyage costs such as fuel, and port charges are paid by the charterer. There are certain other non-specified voyage expenses such as commissions which are borne by us.
 
We record time charter revenues over the term of each charter as service is provided. Revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis as the average revenue over the term of each time charter. We recognize vessel operating expenses when incurred.
 
DUE FROM CHARTERERS, NET
 
Due from charterers, net includes accounts receivable from charters net of the provision for doubtful accounts. At each balance sheet date, the Company provides for the provision based on a review of all outstanding charter receivables. Included in the standard time charter contracts with our customers are certain performance parameters, which if not met can result in customer claims.  As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had no reserve against due from charterers balance and a reserve of $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively in deferred revenue, each of which is associated with estimated customer claims against the Company, including time charter performance issues.

Revenue is based on contracted charterparties and, although the Company's business is with customers whom the Company believes to be of the highest standard, there is always the possibility of dispute over terms and payment of hires and freights. In particular, disagreements may arise as to the responsibility of lost time and revenue due to the Company as a result. As such, the Company periodically assesses the recoverability of amounts
 
 
46

 
 
outstanding and estimates a provision if there is a possibility of non-recoverability. Although the Company believes its provisions to be reasonable at the time they are made, it is possible that an amount under dispute is not ultimately recovered and the estimated provision for doubtful accounts is inadequate.
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS-
 
The Company holds an investment in the capital stock of Jinhui Shipping and Transportation Limited (“Jinhui”).  Jinhui is a drybulk shipping owner and operator focused on the Supramax segment of drybulk shipping.  This investment is designated as Available For Sale (“AFS”) and is reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in shareholders’ equity as a component of OCI.  Effective August 16, 2007, the Company has elected hedge accounting for forward currency contracts in place associated with the cost basis of the Jinhui shares, however the hedge is limited to the lower of the cost basis or the market value at time of designation.  Therefore the unrealized currency gain or loss associated with the hedged portion or the cost basis in the Jinhui shares will now be reflected in the income statement as income or (loss) from derivative instruments to offset the gain or loss associated with these forward currency contracts.  The cost of securities when sold is based on the specific identification method.  Realized gains and losses on the sale of these securities will be reflected in the consolidated statement of operations in other (expense) income.  Additionally, the realized gain or loss on the forward currency contracts is reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as an investing activity and is reflected in the caption Payments on forward currency contracts, net.

Short-term investments are reviewed periodically to identify possible other-than-temporary impairment.  When evaluating the investments, the Company reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below the cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer, the underlying net asset value of the issuers assets and liabilities, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time which may be sufficient for anticipated recovery in market value.  Should the decline in the value of any investment be deemed to be other-than-temporary, the investment basis would be written down to fair market value, and the write-down would be recorded to earnings as a loss.
 
VESSEL ACQUISITIONS -
 
When we enter into an acquisition transaction, we determine whether the acquisition transaction was the purchase of an asset or a business based on the facts and circumstances of the transaction.  In the shipping industry, the purchase of a vessel is normally treated as a purchase of an asset as the historical operating data for the vessel is not reviewed nor is material to our decision to make such acquisition.
 
When a vessel is acquired with an existing time charter, we allocate the purchase price of the vessel and the time charter based on, among other things, vessel market valuations and the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the acquired charters) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the charter terms and (ii) management's estimate of the fair market charter rate, measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the charter. The capitalized above-market (assets) and below-market (liabilities) charters are amortized as a reduction or increase, respectively, to voyage revenues over the remaining term of the charter.
 
DEPRECIATION-
 
We record the value of our vessels at their cost (which includes acquisition costs directly attributable to the vessel and expenditures made to prepare the vessel for its initial voyage) less accumulated depreciation. We depreciate our drybulk vessels on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, estimated to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Depreciation is based on cost less the estimated residual scrap value. We estimate the residual values of our vessels to be based upon $175 per lightweight ton. An increase in the useful life of a drybulk vessel or in its residual value would have the effect of decreasing the annual depreciation charge and extending it into later periods. A decrease in the useful life of a drybulk vessel or in its residual value would have the effect of increasing the annual depreciation charge. However, when regulations place limitations over the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, we will adjust the vessel’s useful life to end at the date such regulations preclude such vessel’s further commercial use.
 
 
47

 
 
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS-
 
We follow Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, which requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the asset’s carrying amount. In the evaluation of the fair value and future benefits of long-lived assets, we perform an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the related long-lived assets. If the carrying value of the related asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value. Various factors including future charter rates, scrap values, future drydock costs and vessel operating costs are included in this analysis.
 
DEFERRED DRYDOCKING COSTS-
 
Our vessels are required to be drydocked approximately every 30 to 60 months for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels are operating. We capitalize the costs associated with drydockings as they occur and depreciate these costs on a straight-line basis over the period between drydockings. Capitalized drydocking costs include actual costs incurred at the drydock yard; cost of parts that are believed to be reasonably likely to reduce the duration or cost of the drydocking; cost of travel, lodging and subsistence of our personnel sent to the drydocking site to supervise; and the cost of hiring a third party to oversee the drydocking. We believe that these criteria are consistent with U.S. GAAP guidelines and industry practice and that our policy of capitalization reflects the economics and market values of the vessels.
 
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS-
 
Interest rate risk management
 
The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes.  The Company’s objective is to manage the impact of interest rate changes on its earnings and cash flow in relation to borrowings for the purpose of acquiring drybulk vessels.  These borrowings are subject to a variable borrowing rate.  The Company uses pay-fixed receive-variable interest rate swaps to manage future interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rate obligations.  These swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of future variable rate interest payments and are tested for effectiveness on a quarterly basis.
 
 The differential to be paid or received for the effectively hedged portion of any swap agreement is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense as incurred.  Additionally, the changes in value for the portion of the swaps that are effectively hedging future interest payments are reflected as a component of OCI.

For the portion of the forward interest rate swaps that are not effectively hedged, the change in the value and the rate differential to be paid or received is recognized as income or (expense) from derivative instruments and is listed as a component of other expense until such time the Company has obligations against which the swap is designated and is an effective hedge.
 
Currency risk management
 
The Company currently holds an investment in Jinhui shares that are traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange located in Norway, and as such, the Company is exposed to the impact of exchange rate changes on this available-for-sale security denominated in Norwegian Kroner.  The Company’s objective is to manage the impact of exchange rate changes on its earnings and cash flow in relation to its cost basis associated with its short-term investments. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to protect its original investment from changing exchange rates.
 
The change in the value in the forward currency contracts is recognized as income or (expense) from derivative instruments and is listed as a component of other expense.  Effective August 16, 2007, the Company  elected to utilize fair value hedge accounting for these instruments whereby the change in the value in the forward contracts continues to be recognized as income or (expense) from derivative instruments and is listed as a component of other expense.  Fair value hedge accounting then accelerates the recognition of the effective portion of the currency translation gain or (loss) on the Available for Sale Security from August 16, 2007 into income or
 
 
48

 
 
(expense) from derivative instruments and is listed as a component of other expense.  Time value of the forward contracts are excluded from effectiveness testing and recognized currently in income.
 
  INCOME TAXES
 
Pursuant to Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the “Code”), qualified income derived from the international operations of ships is excluded from gross income and exempt from U.S. federal income tax if a company engaged in the international operation of ships meets certain requirements. Among other things, in order to qualify, the company must be incorporated in a country which grants an equivalent exemption to U.S. corporations and must satisfy certain qualified ownership requirements.

The Company is incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Pursuant to the income tax laws of the Marshall Islands, the Company is not subject to Marshall Islands income tax. The Marshall Islands has been officially recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a qualified foreign country that currently grants the requisite equivalent exemption from tax.

Based on the ownership of our common stock prior to our initial public offering on July 22, 2005 as discussed in Note 1 of our financial statements, we qualified for exemption from income tax for 2005 under Section 883, since we were a Controlled Foreign Corporation (“CFC”) and satisfied certain other criteria in the Section 883 regulations. We were a CFC, as defined in the Code, since until the initial public offering on July 22, 2005, over 50% of our stock was owned by United States holders each of whom owned ten percent or more of our voting stock, or US 10% Owners. During that time, approximately 93% of our common stock was held by US 10% Owners.

Based on the publicly traded requirement of the Section 883 regulations, we believe that the Company qualified for exemption from income tax for 2007.  In order to meet the publicly traded requirement, our stock must be treated as being primarily and regularly traded for more than half the days of any such year. Under the Section 883 regulations, our qualification for the publicly traded requirement may be jeopardized if shareholders of our common stock that own five percent or more of our stock (“5% shareholders”) own, in the aggregate, 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the days of the year.   We believe that during 2007, the combined ownership of our 5% shareholders did not equal 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the days of 2007. However if our 5% shareholders were to increase their ownership to 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the days of 2008 or any future taxable year, we may not be eligible to claim exemption from tax under Section 883 for that taxable year. We can therefore give no assurance that changes and shifts in the ownership of our stock by 5% shareholders will not preclude us from qualifying for exemption from tax in 2008 or in future years.

If the Company does not qualify for the exemption from tax under Section 883, it would be subject to a 4% tax on the gross “shipping income” (without the allowance for any deductions) that is treated as derived from sources within the United States or “United States source shipping income.” For these purposes, “shipping income” means any income that is derived from the use of vessels, from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use, or from the performance of services directly related to those uses; and “United States source shipping income” includes 50% of shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States.
 
ITEM 3.                      QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE MARKET RISK
 
Interest rate risk
 
We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes.  Our objective is to manage the impact of interest rate changes on our earnings and cash flow in relation to our borrowings.  At March 31, 2008, we held nine interest rate risk management instruments and at December 31, 2007 we held eight such instruments, in order to manage future interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates.
 
The Company has entered into nine interest rate swap agreements with DnB NOR Bank to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates. The total notional principal amount of the swaps is $681.2
 
 
 
49

 
million and the swaps have specified rates and durations.  The following table summarizes the interest rate swaps in place as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007:

Interest Rate Swap Detail
 
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
Trade
Date
 
Fixed
Rate
 
Start Date of  Swap
End date
of  Swap
 
Notional Amount Outstanding
   
Notional Amount Outstanding
 
             
(in thousands)
 
9/6/05
    4.485 %
9/14/05
7/29/15
  $ 106,233     $ 106,233  
3/29/06
    5.25 %
1/2/07
1/1/14
    50,000       50,000  
3/24/06
    5.075 %
1/2/08
1/2/13
    50,000       50,000  
9/7/07
    4.56 %
10/1/07
12/31/09
    75,000       75,000  
7/31/07
    5.115 %
11/30/07
11/30/11
    100,000       100,000  
8/9/07
    5.07 %
1/2/08
1/3/12
    100,000       100,000  
8/16/07
    4.985 %
3/31/08
3/31/12
    50,000       50,000  
8/16/07
    5.04 %
3/31/08
3/31/12
    100,000       100,000  
1/22/08
    2.89 %
2/1/08
2/1/11
    50,000          
                             
                $ 681,233     $ 631,233  

The swap agreements, with effective dates on or prior to March 31, 2008 synthetically convert variable rate debt the fixed interest rate of swap plus the Applicable Margin (which is 0.85% per annum for the first five years of the 2007 Credit Facility and 0.90% thereafter).  If the Company’s ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization (each as defined in the credit agreement for the 2007 Credit Facility) is greater than or equal to 70%, the Applicable Margin increases to 0.90% for the first five years and 0.95% thereafter.
 
The liability associated with the swaps at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 is $44.9 million and $21.0 million, respectively, and are presented as the fair value of derivatives on the balance sheet.  As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company has accumulated OCI of ($45.0) million and ($21.1) million, respectively, related to the effectively hedged portion of the swaps.  Hedge ineffectiveness associated with the interest rate swaps resulted in income or (loss) from derivative instruments of $0.1 million and $0, respectively for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.  At March 31, 2008, ($7.1) million of OCI is expected to be reclassified into income over the next 12 months associated with interest rate derivatives.

Derivative financial instruments

The Company entered into nine interest rate swap agreements with DnB NOR Bank to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates. The total notional principal amount of the swaps is $681.2 million, and the swaps have specified rates and durations.  See “Interest Rate Risk” above under this Item 3for a table summarizing the interest rate swaps in place as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
 
The differential to be paid or received for these swap agreements are recognized as an adjustment to interest expense as incurred.  The Company is currently utilizing cash flow hedge accounting for the swaps whereby the effective portion of the change in value of the swaps is reflected as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”).  The ineffective portion is recognized as income or (loss) from derivative instruments, which is a component of other (expense) income.  For any period of time that the Company did not designate the swaps for hedge accounting, the change in the value of the swap agreements prior to designation was recognized as income or (loss) from derivative instruments and was listed as a component of other (expense) income.

Amounts receivable or payable arising at the settlement of hedged interest rate swaps are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the period of interest rate exposure provided the designated liability continues to exist.  Amounts receivable or payable arising at the settlement of unhedged interest rate swaps are reflected as income or expense from derivative instruments and is listed as a component of other (expense) income.
 
 
 
50

 
The interest (expense) income pertaining to the interest rate swaps for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007was ($0.5) million and $0.2 million, respectively.

The swap agreements, with effective dates on or prior to March 31, 2008 synthetically convert variable rate debt the fixed interest rate of swap plus the Applicable Margin (which is 0.85% per annum for the first five years of the 2007 Credit Facility and 0.90% thereafter).  If the Company’s ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization (each as defined in the credit agreement for the 2007 Credit Facility) is greater than or equal to 70%, the Applicable Margin increases to 0.90% for the first five years and 0.95% thereafter.
 
The liability associated with the swaps at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 is $44.9 million and $21.0 million, respectively, and are presented as the fair value of derivatives on the balance sheet.  As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company has accumulated OCI of ($45.0) million and ($21.1) million, respectively, related to the effectively hedged portion of the swaps.  Hedge ineffectiveness associated with the interest rate swaps resulted in income or (loss) from derivative instruments of $0.1 and $0, respectively for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.  At March 31, 2008, ($7.1) million of OCI is expected to be reclassified into income over the next 12 months associated with interest rate derivatives.

We are subject to market risks relating to changes in interest rates because we have significant amounts of floating rate debt outstanding.  For the three months ended March 31, 2008, we paid LIBOR plus 0.85% on the 2007 Credit Facility for the debt in excess of any designated swap’s notional amount for the respective swap’s effective period.  For the three months ended March 31, 2007, LIBOR plus 0.95% on the 2005 Credit Facility for the debt in excess of any designated swap’s notional amount for the respective swap’s effective period.  For each effective swap, the interest rate is fixed at the fixed interest rate of swap plus the applicable margin on the respective debt in place.  A 1% increase in LIBOR would result in an increase of $0.9 million in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008, considering the increase would be only on the unhedged portion of the debt for which the rate differential on the respective swap is not in effect.

Currency and exchange rates risk

The international shipping industry’s functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. Virtually all of our revenues and most of our operating costs are in U.S. Dollars. We incur certain operating expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and the foreign exchange risk associated with these operating expenses is immaterial.
 
The Company has entered into a number of short-term forward currency contracts to protect the Company from the risk associated with the fluctuation in the exchange rate associated with the cost basis of the Jinhui shares as described above under the heading “Short-term investments” in Note 2 of our financial statements.  For further information on these forward currency contracts, please see page 43 under the heading “Interest Rate Swap Agreements and Forward Freight Agreements and Currency Swap Agreements.”

Upon maturation of the forward currency contract in place for 739.2 million NOK at March 31, 2008, a 1% change in the value of the Norwegian Kroner could result in a currency gain or loss of approximately $1.45 million.  However, since the Company is utilizing hedge accounting on the cost basis of the Jinhui stock, the effective portion of the currency translation gain or (loss) on the Available for Sale Security is netted against the fluctuation in the currency gain or loss on the forward currency contract itself to the extent of the hedged notional amount.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
 
 
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There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II:
OTHER INFORMATION
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
From time to time the Company may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of its business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. Such claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. The Company is not aware of any legal proceedings or claims that it believes will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company, its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
ITEM 2.     PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock pursuant to our share repurchase program.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
On May 9, 2008, the Company agreed to acquire three 2007 built vessels, consisting of two Panamax vessels and one Supramax vessel from, Bocimar International N.V. and Delphis N.V. for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $257 million.  For further details, please refer to Note 20 – Subsequent Events to our financial statements filed with this report and Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the headings “Results of Operations—Revenues” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” on pages 30, 35, and 39.

In compliance with Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we have provided certifications of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The certifications provided pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 accompanying this report have not been filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 

 
 
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Item 6.  Exhibits
 
Exhibit
Document
   
10.1
Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated January 10, 2008 between Genco Shipping & Trading Limited and Peter C. Georgiopoulos (1)
   
10.2
Form of Director Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated as of February 13, 2008 (1)
   
10.3
Amendment and Supplement No. 2 to Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2008, among Genco Shipping & Trading Limited, the lenders party thereto, and DNB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent (1)
   
31.1
Certification of President pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
   
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
32.1
Certification of President pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

(*)           Filed with this Report.
 
(1)    Incorporated by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2008.


(Remainder of page left intentionally blank)

 

 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

 
            GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED

 
     
 
DATE: May 12, 2008
 
By: /s/ Robert Gerald Buchanan        
Robert Gerald Buchanan
President
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
DATE: May 12, 2008
 
 
 
 
By: /s/ John C. Wobensmith            
John C. Wobensmith
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 

 
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Exhibit Index


Exhibit
Document
   
10.1
Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated January 10, 2008 between Genco Shipping & Trading Limited and Peter C. Georgiopoulos (1)
   
10.2
Form of Director Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated as of February 13, 2008 (1)
   
10.3
Amendment and Supplement No. 2 to Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2008, among Genco Shipping & Trading Limited, the lenders party thereto, and DNB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent (1)
   
31.1
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
   
31.2
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
32.1
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
32.2
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

(*)           Filed with this Report.
 
(1)    Incorporated by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2008.


(Remainder of page left intentionally blank)
 
 
 
 
 
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