MARAD Debt
In 2005, Helix’s subsidiary CDI – Title XI issued its U.S. Government Guaranteed Ship Financing Bonds, Q4000 Series, to refinance the construction financing originally granted in 2002 of the Q4000 vessel (the “MARAD Debt”). The MARAD Debt is guaranteed by the U.S. government pursuant to Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, administered by the Maritime Administration (“MARAD”). The obligation of CDI Title XI to reimburse MARAD in the event CDI Title XI fails to repay the MARAD Debt is collateralized by the Q4000 and is guaranteed 50% by us. In addition, we have agreed to bareboat charter the Q4000 from CDI Title XI for so long as the MARAD Debt remains outstanding. The MARAD Debt is payable in equal semi-annual installments through February 2027 and bears interest at a rate of 4.93%. We believe the agreements relating to the bonds and the terms and conditions of our obligations to MARAD in respect of the MARAD Debt were typical for U.S. government-guaranteed ship financing transactions when they were entered into, including customary restrictions on incurring additional liens on the Q4000 and trading restrictions with respect to the vessel as well as working capital requirements.
Senior Notes Due 2029 (“2029 Notes”)
On December 1, 2023, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2029 Notes were approximately $291.1 million, after deducting the purchasers’ discount and debt issuance costs. We used cash proceeds from the offering to retire the Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”). See details regarding the 2026 Notes below.
The 2029 Notes bear interest at a coupon interest rate of 9.75% per annum payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2024. The 2029 Notes mature on March 1, 2029 unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by us.
Prior to March 1, 2026, we may, at our option, redeem the 2029 Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. On or after March 1, 2026, we may, at our option, redeem the 2029 Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. Prior to March 1, 2026, following certain equity offerings we may, at our option, on any one or more occasions, redeem up to 40% of the 2029 Notes at a price equal to 109.750% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, in an amount not exceeding the proceeds of such equity offerings.
| | |
| | Redemption |
Year | | Price |
2026 | | 104.875% |
2027 | | 102.438% |
2028 and thereafter | | 100.000% |
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, as defined in the indenture governing the 2029 Notes, we may be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the notes then outstanding at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the repurchase date.
The indenture governing the 2029 Notes contains customary terms and covenants, including limitations on additional indebtedness, restricted payments, liens, asset sales, transactions with affiliates, mergers and consolidations, designation of unrestricted subsidiaries, and dividend and other restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries.
The 2029 Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the subsidiaries that guarantee the Amended ABL Facility, as well as certain future subsidiaries that may guarantee certain of our indebtedness, including the Amended ABL Facility. The 2029 Notes are junior in right of payment to all our existing and future secured indebtedness and obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The 2029 Notes rank senior in right of payment to any of our future subordinated indebtedness and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the guarantors described above on a senior basis.