The Company’s vessel construction agreements with Philly Shipyard subject the Company to risks.
On November 1, 2022, MatNav and Philly Shipyard entered into vessel construction agreements pursuant to which Philly Shipyard will construct three new 3,600-TEU Aloha Class dual-fuel capable containerships, with expected delivery dates during the fourth quarter of 2026 and subsequent deliveries currently expected in the second and fourth quarters of 2027. Failure of any party to the vessel construction agreements to fulfill its obligations under the agreements could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations. Such a failure could happen for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to (i) delivery delays, (ii) delivery of vessels that fail to meet any of the required operating specifications (for example, capacity, fuel efficiency or speed), (iii) events in South Korea that prevent one or more significant subcontractors to Philly Shipyard from performing, (iv) loss of key personnel at either Philly Shipyard or any of its subcontractors, (v) work stoppages or other labor disruptions that may occur as a result of the failure of Philly Shipyard to negotiate collective bargaining agreements with its unions, or (vi) the insolvency of, or the refusal or inability to perform for any reason, by Philly Shipyard or any of its subcontractors. Significant delays in the delivery of the new vessels could limit our ability to replace aging vessels in the Alaska service without substantial modifications and delay the Company’s ability to upsize the CLX service, which could also have an adverse impact on our business plans, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s operations are susceptible to weather, natural disasters, maritime accidents, spill events and other physical and operating risks, including those arising from climate change.
As a maritime transportation company, the Company’s operations are vulnerable to delay, disruptions and loss of life and property as a result of weather, natural disasters and other climate-driven events, such as rising temperatures and heat waves, rising sea levels, bad weather at sea (including increased storm severity), lightning strikes, wildfires, lava flows, hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, droughts, windstorms, floods and earthquakes. Climate change has increased and may continue to increase the frequency, severity and uncertainty of such events. For example, sea level rise could potentially impact coastal and other low-lying areas, cause erosion of shorelines, higher water tables and increased flooding, which could damage the Company’s vessels, terminals or facilities. In addition, the Company’s customers and the island communities it serves throughout the Pacific are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and severe storms, which may drive inhabitants away from these regions and reduce demand for the Company’s services in the affected areas and adversely impact our business.
The Company’s operations are also vulnerable to risks related to the operation of ocean-going vessels, including risks of potential marine accidents, or disasters, including grounding, fires, explosions, collisions, mechanical failures, human error, maintenance issues, latent defects, oil or other spill or environmental accidents, whale strikes, war, terrorism and piracy, lost or damaged cargo, delays, injury and loss of life. These risks could be exacerbated by severe weather or other climate-driven events. Changing macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, including geopolitical conflict, may also result increased attacks on vessels, piracy or terrorism.
Such events could interfere with the Company’s ability to provide on-time scheduled service, require evacuation of personnel or stoppage of services or impact the Company’s customer’s operations, resulting in increased expenses and potential loss of business associated with such events. In addition, severe weather and natural disasters can result in interference with the Company’s terminal operations and may cause serious damage to its vessels and cranes. These impacts could be particularly acute in ports such as Dutch Harbor and Kodiak, Alaska where the Company is dependent on a single crane. The Company’s vessels and their cargoes, terminals and other facilities are also subject to operating risks such as mechanical failure, collisions and human error.
The occurrence of any of these events may result in damage to or loss of terminals, port facilities and infrastructure, vessels, containers, cargo and other equipment, increased maintenance expense, loss of life or physical injury to its employees or people, pollution, or the slow down or suspension of operations. For example, damage to the Company’s vessels could require repair at a dry-docking facility. The costs of repairs may be substantial which may adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition. Further, the Company may be unable to find space at a suitable dry-docking facility, the vessels may be forced to wait for space or be towed to a different facility, all of which could result in additional expenses and delays, and may adversely affect the Company’s business.
These events can also expose the Company to reputational harm and liability for resulting damages, including for loss of life and property, and possible penalties that, pursuant to typical maritime industry policies, it must pay and then seek reimbursement from its insurer. Affected vessels may also be removed from service and thus would be unavailable for