Athens, Greece, Jan. 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FreeSeas Inc. (Nasdaq: FREE) ("FreeSeas" or the "Company"), a transporter of dry-bulk cargoes through the ownership and operation of a fleet of Handysize and Handymax vessels announced that it has sold to Himmil Investments Ltd., a non-U.S. investor, a $500,000 convertible promissory note, which matures a year from issuance and accrues interest at the rate of 8% per annum. The investor is entitled at any time to convert into common stock any portion of the outstanding and unpaid principal and accrued interest, provided that such conversion does not cause it to own more than 4.99% of the common stock of the Company, into shares of Common Stock. The conversion price is the lower of (i) $0.452 and (ii) 60% of the lowest daily VWAP on any trading day during the twenty-one consecutive trading days prior to conversion. Upon prior notice, the Company may prepay the Investor in cash, for 127.5% of any outstanding principal and interest remaining on the note.
Mr. Ion G. Varouxakis, Chairman, President and CEO said: "This investment strengthens the cash liquidity of the Company at a time when freight rates are depressed and opportunities flourish for vessel acquisitions at depressed values. We look forward to successfully leveraging our existing unencumbered assets in order to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the sector. The announced transaction is part of our strategy of bringing together the catalysts required for fleet growth, which will lead to improved earnings and eventually restoring shareholder value."
This press release is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to US persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration. Furthermore, this press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful absent registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction or an applicable exemption from registration.
About FreeSeas Inc.
FreeSeas Inc. is a Marshall Islands corporation with principal offices in Athens, Greece. FreeSeas is engaged in the transportation of drybulk cargoes through the ownership and operation of drybulk carriers. Currently, it has a fleet of Handysize and Handymax vessels. FreeSeas' common stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol FREE. Risks and uncertainties are described in reports filed by FreeSeas Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be obtained free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. For more information about FreeSeas Inc., please visit the corporate website, www.freeseas.gr .
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and the Company's growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy. Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "hopes," "estimates" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in the demand for dry bulk vessels; competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates; risks associated with operations outside the United States; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
Contact Information:
At the Company
FreeSeas Inc.
Dimitris Papadopoulos, Chief Financial Officer
011-30-210-45-28-770
Fax: 011-30-210-429-10-10
dp@freeseas.gr