Document
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_________________________________________________________
FORM 20-F
_________________________________________________________
(Mark One)
¨

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
ý
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
OR
¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
¨

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report                     
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number 1-33867
_________________________________________________________
TEEKAY TANKERS LTD.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
_________________________________________________________
Republic of The Marshall Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
Telephone: (441) 298-2530
(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)
Edith Robinson
4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
Telephone: (441) 298-2530
Fax: (441) 292-3931
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered, or to be registered, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A common stock, par value of $0.01 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange

1

Securities registered, or to be registered, pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
_________________________________________________________
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
231,193,657 shares of Class A common stock, par value of $0.01 per share.
37,007,981 shares of Class B common stock, par value of $0.01 per share.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes  ¨            No   ý
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes  ¨            No  ý
Indicate by check mark if the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  ý            No   ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant (1) has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  ý            No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer  ¨            Accelerated Filer  ý            Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨ Emerging growth company  ¨
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP  ý
 
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board  ¨
 
Other  ¨
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:
Item 17  ¨             Item 18  ¨
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   ¨            No  ý


 

2


TEEKAY TANKERS LTD.
INDEX TO REPORT ON FORM 20-F
INDEX
 
 
PAGE
 
 
Item 1.

Item 2.

Item 3.

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4A.

Item 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 


3


 

 

 

 

 

Item 7.

 

 

Item 8.

 

 

 

 

Item 9.

Item 10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 11.

 

 

 

 

Item 12.

 
 
Item 13.

Item 14.

Item 15.

 

Item 16A.

Item 16B.

Item 16C.

Item 16D.

Item 16E.

Item 16F.

Item 16G.

Item 16H.

 
 
81


4




 


5


PART I
This Annual Report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this report.
Unless otherwise indicated, references in this Annual Report to “Teekay Tankers Ltd.", the "Company", "we”, "us" and "our" and similar terms refer to Teekay Tankers Ltd. and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, except that those terms, when used in this Annual Report in connection with the common stock described herein, shall mean specifically Teekay Tankers Ltd. References in this Annual Report to "Teekay" or “Teekay Corporation” refer to Teekay Corporation and/or any one or more of its subsidiaries.

In addition to historical information, this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events and our operations, objectives, expectations, performance, financial condition and intentions. When used in this Annual Report, the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report include, in particular, statements regarding:

•
our future financial condition, results of operations and future revenues, expenses and capital expenditures, and our expected financial flexibility and ability to fund capital expenditures and pursue acquisitions and other expansion opportunities;
•
our dividend policy and ability to pay dividends on shares of our common stock;
•
the crude oil and refined product tanker market fundamentals, including the balance of supply and demand in the tanker market, changes in the world tanker fleet, changes in global oil demand and crude oil tanker demand, the rate of global oil production, and changes in long-haul crude tanker movements, tanker fleet utilization and spot tanker rates;
•
changes in the production of or demand for oil or refined products;
•
changes in trading patterns significantly affecting overall vessel tonnage requirements; greater or less than anticipated levels of tanker newbuilding orders and deliveries and greater or less than anticipated rates of tanker scrapping or use of tankers for floating storage;
•
our compliance with, and the effect on our business and operating results of, covenants under our term loans and credit facilities;
•
future oil prices, production and refinery capacity;
•
the effect of lower global oil prices, including the potential impact on oil stockpiling, refinery throughput, bunker fuel prices, and oil futures markets;
•
our expectations about the availability of vessels to purchase, the expected costs and time it may take to acquire vessels or construct and deliver newbuildings, or the useful lives of our vessels;
•
planned capital expenditures and the ability to fund capital expenditures;
•
the ability to leverage Teekay Corporation’s relationships and reputation in the shipping industry;
•
the expected benefits of participation in vessel pooling arrangements, RSAs (as defined below) and purchasing alliances;
•
the effectiveness of our chartering strategy in capturing upside opportunities and reducing downside risks, including our ability to take advantage of any tanker market recovery;
•
the expected benefits of our acquisition in 2015 of the ship-to-ship transfer business, including the ability of the acquired business to provide stable cash flow to help us partially manage the cyclicality of the tanker market, and our ability to leverage this acquisition to grow our presence in, and take advantage of the expected increased volumes moving in and out of, the U.S. Gulf, and to increase our market share in the ship-to-ship global supports business;
•
the expected benefits of our acquisitions of vessels or businesses, including the 2017 acquisitions of Teekay Tanker Operations Ltd. (or TTOL) and Tanker Investments Ltd. (or TIL);
•
our expectation regarding the U.S. Gulf lightering trade and the impact on this trade from the lifted ban on U.S. crude oil exports;
•
our expectation that our U.S. Gulf lightering business will complement our spot trading strategy in the Caribbean to the U.S. Gulf market, allowing us to better optimize the deployment of the fleet that we trade in this region through better scheduling flexibility and utilization;
•
our ability to execute our ship-to-ship support services strategy by accessing opportunities created by oil market arbitrages and oil traders optimizing their USD ton/mile on cargoes;
•
our ability to execute our lightering strategy by leveraging our existing fleet and acumen to provide a full service lightering business model to customers;
•
the impact of alternative methods of delivering crude oil on our lightering business;
•
the ability to maximize the use of vessels, including the redeployment of vessels no longer under time charters;
•
our expectation regarding our vessels’ ability to perform to specifications and maintain their hire rates;
•
operating expenses, availability of crew, number of off-hire days, dry-docking requirements and insurance costs;
•
the expected cost of, and our ability to comply with, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards applicable to our business and to obtain any necessary permits, certificates, licenses or qualifications necessary to operate our business;

6


•
the anticipated timing and impact on us and the shipping industry of regulatory changes or environmental liabilities;
•
expenses under service agreements with other affiliates of Teekay Corporation;
•
the anticipated taxation of our company and of dividends to our shareholders;
•
our expectations as to the lifespan and any impairment of our vessels;
•
construction and delivery delays in the tanker industry generally;
•
customers’ increasing emphasis on environmental and safety concerns;
•
meeting our going concern requirements and our liquidity needs, including anticipated funds and sources of financing for liquidity and capital expenditure needs and the sufficiency of cash flows, and our estimation that we will have sufficient liquidity for at least a one-year period;
•
our ability to refinance existing debt obligations, to raise additional debt and capital to fund capital expenditures and negotiate extensions or redeployments of existing assets;
•
the future valuation or impairment of goodwill;
•
our use of interest rate swaps to reduce interest rate exposure;
•
our expectations and hedging activities relating to foreign exchange, interest rate and spot market risks;
•
the ability of counterparties to our derivative contracts to fulfill their contractual obligations;
•
the delivery timing of new charter-in vessels;
•
our expectations regarding payments made on behalf of our co-obligors in connection with the loan arrangements in which certain other subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation are also borrowers;
•
our position that we are not a passive foreign investment company;
•
our business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations; and
•
continued material variations in the period-to-period fair value of our derivative instruments.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, those factors discussed below in Item 3 – Key Information: Risk Factors and other factors detailed from time to time in other reports we file with or furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or the SEC).

We do not intend to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any change in our expectations or events or circumstances that may subsequently arise. You should carefully review and consider the various disclosures included in this Annual Report and in our other filings made with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations.
Item 1.
Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
Not applicable.
Item 2.
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
Item 3.
Key Information
Selected Financial Data
Set forth below is selected consolidated financial and other data of Teekay Tankers Ltd. and its subsidiaries for fiscal years 2013 through 2017, which have been derived from our consolidated financial statements. The following table should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects included herein, and the historical financial statements and accompanying notes and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon (which is included herein), with respect to the fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015.

In December 2015, we purchased two vessels from Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (or TOO), an entity which was controlled by Teekay at the time. This acquisition was deemed to be a business acquisition between entities under common control. Accordingly, we have accounted for this transaction in a manner similar to the pooling of interest method whereby our consolidated financial statements prior to the date these vessels were acquired by us are retroactively adjusted to include the results of these acquired vessels. The periods retroactively adjusted include all periods that we and the acquired vessels were both under the common control of Teekay and had begun operations.

7



In May 2017, we also acquired from Teekay Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay, the remaining 50% interest in Teekay Tanker Operations Ltd. (or TTOL), a company which owns conventional tanker commercial management and technical management operations. This was deemed to be a business acquisition between entities under common control. As a result, our consolidated financial statements prior to the date we acquired the controlling interest in TTOL have been retroactively adjusted to eliminate the equity method of accounting previously used for the original 50% interest owned and to include 100% of the assets and liabilities and results of TTOL on a consolidated basis during the periods we and TTOL were under common control of Teekay and had begun operations. All intercorporate transactions between us and TTOL that occurred prior to the acquisition have been eliminated upon consolidation.

As a result, our consolidated statements of (loss) income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013 reflect the results of operations of TTOL and the vessels acquired from TOO, referred to herein as the "Entities under Common Control," as if we had acquired them when TTOL and each respective vessel began operations under the ownership of Teekay. Please refer to Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects: Items You Should Consider When Evaluating Our Results of Operations and Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 3 – Acquisition of Entities under Common Control.

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP).

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands, except share, per share, and fleet data)
Income Statement Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues

$431,178

 

$550,543

 

$534,681

 

$276,193

 

$217,809

Voyage expenses (1)
(77,368
)
 
(53,604
)
 
(18,727
)
 
(9,968
)
 
(7,735
)
Vessel operating expenses (2)
(175,389
)
 
(182,598
)
 
(137,164
)
 
(98,403
)
 
(91,667
)
Time-charter hire expense (3)
(30,661
)
 
(59,647
)
 
(74,898
)
 
(32,706
)
 
(54,457
)
Depreciation and amortization
(100,481
)
 
(104,149
)
 
(73,760
)
 
(53,292
)
 
(50,973
)
General and administrative expenses
(32,879
)
 
(33,199
)
 
(30,403
)
 
(25,130
)
 
(29,560
)
(Loss) gain on sale of vessels
(12,984
)
 
(20,594
)
 
771

 
9,955

 
(71
)
Restructuring charges
—

 
—

 
(6,795
)
 
(812
)
 
—

Income (loss) from operations
1,416

 
96,752

 
193,705

 
65,837

 
(16,654
)
Interest expense
(31,294
)
 
(29,784
)
 
(17,389
)
 
(8,874
)
 
(9,815
)
Interest income
907

 
117

 
122

 
445

 
1,001

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments
1,319

 
(964
)
 
(1,597
)
 
5,229

 
(6,588
)
Equity (loss) income
(25,370
)
 
7,680

 
11,528

 
4,951

 
2,340

Other (expense) income
(5,001
)
 
(5,978
)
 
(2,743
)
 
1,318

 
4,681

Net (loss) income

($58,023
)
 

$67,823

 

$183,626

 

$68,906

 

($25,035
)
(Loss) earnings per share (4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Basic

($0.31
)
 

$0.40

 

$1.26

 

$0.66

 

($0.31
)
- Diluted

($0.31
)
 

$0.40

 

$1.25

 

$0.65

 

($0.31
)
Cash dividends declared

$0.12

 

$0.18

 

$0.24

 

$0.12

 

$0.12

Balance Sheet Data (at end of year):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
71,439

 
94,157

 
156,520

 
187,757

 
48,870

Investment in term loans and interest receivable on term loans
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
136,061

Vessels and equipment (5)
1,737,792

 
1,605,372

 
1,767,925

 
897,237

 
931,374

Vessels related to capital leases (5)
227,722

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total assets
2,197,348

 
1,964,370

 
2,214,803

 
1,288,844

 
1,523,510

Total debt (6)
1,120,927

 
969,315

 
1,204,485

 
732,764

 
870,525

Common stock and additional paid in capital
1,294,998

 
1,103,304

 
1,094,874

 
802,650

 
673,217

Total equity
1,006,601

 
932,740

 
899,479

 
496,684

 
524,725

Cash Flow Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating cash flows
79,640

 
206,666

 
201,966

 
16,437

 
22,500

Financing cash flows
(181,138
)
 
(290,853
)
 
647,678

 
6,150

 
(9,648
)
Investing cash flows
78,780

 
21,824

 
(880,881
)
 
116,300

 
(5,800
)

8


Number of outstanding shares of common stock at the end of the year
268,201,638

 
159,304,136

 
156,030,618

 
112,064,036

 
83,591,030

Other Financial Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues (7)
353,810

 
496,939

 
515,954

 
266,225

 
210,074

EBITDA (8)
72,845

 
201,639

 
274,653

 
130,627

 
34,752

Adjusted EBITDA (8)
120,413

 
234,100

 
283,711

 
119,567

 
41,866

Capital expenditures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenditures for vessels and equipment (9)
(4,732
)
 
(9,226
)
 
(848,229
)
 
(2,084
)
 
(1,904
)
Expenditures for dry docking
(16,239
)
 
(9,340
)
 
(39,617
)
 
(17,072
)
 
(19,245
)
Fleet Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average number of tankers (10)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Suezmax
21.1

 
22.0

 
13.4

 
10.0

 
10.0

Aframax
17.3

 
21.8

 
22.0

 
15.4

 
14.6

Product
7.5

 
9.2

 
12.2

 
7.6

 
6.0

VLCC
0.5

 
0.5

 
0.5

 
0.8

 
0.5


(1)
Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions. Voyage expenses also include certain costs associated with full service lightering activities, which include: short-term in-charter expenses, bunker fuel expenses and other port expenses.
(2)
Vessel operating expenses include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils, and communication expenses among others.
(3)
Time-charter hire expense includes vessel operating lease expense incurred to charter-in vessels.
(4)
(Loss) earnings per share is determined by dividing (a) net (loss) income after (deducting) adding the amount of net income (loss) attributable to the Entities under Common Control which were purchased solely with cash by (b) the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the applicable period and the equivalent shares outstanding that are attributable to the Entities under Common Control. The calculation of weighted-average number of shares includes the total Class A and total Class B shares outstanding during the applicable period. The computation of diluted earnings per share assumes the exercise of all dilutive stock options and restricted stock units using the treasury stock method. The computation of diluted loss per share does not assume such exercises.
(5)
Vessels and equipment and vessels related to capital leases consists of vessels, at cost less accumulated depreciation.
(6)
Total debt includes the current and long-term portion of debt, current and long-term portion of obligations related to capital leases and amounts due to affiliates.
(7)
Net revenues is a non-GAAP financial measure. Consistent with general practice in the shipping industry, we use “net revenues” (defined as revenues less voyage expenses) as a measure of equating revenues generated from voyage charters to revenues generated from time charters, which assists us in making operating decisions about the deployment of our vessels and their performance. Under time charters, the charterer pays the voyage expenses, whereas under voyage charters, the ship-owner pays these expenses. Some voyage expenses are fixed, and the remainder can be estimated. If we, as the ship owner, pay the voyage expenses, we typically pass the approximate amount of these expenses on to our customers by charging higher rates under the contract to them. As a result, although revenues from different types of contracts may vary, the net revenues are comparable across the different types of contracts. We principally use net revenues because it provides more meaningful information to us than revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Net revenues are also widely used by investors and analysts in the shipping industry for comparing financial performance between companies and to industry averages. The following table reconciles net revenues with revenues:

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues
$
431,178

 
$
550,543

 
$
534,681

 
$
267,075

 
$
210,132

Interest income from investment in term loans
—

 
—

 
—

 
9,118

 
7,677

Voyage expenses
(77,368
)
 
(53,604
)
 
(18,727
)
 
(9,968
)
 
(7,735
)
Net revenues
$
353,810

 
$
496,939

 
$
515,954

 
$
266,225

 
$
210,074


9


(8)
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA before (loss) gain on sale of vessels, realized losses on interest rate swaps, unrealized gains on derivative instruments, dilution gain on share issuance by the equity accounted investment, fair value adjustment of the equity accounted investment and share of the above items in non-consolidated equity accounted investments. Both measures are used as supplemental financial measures by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, as discussed below:

•
Financial and operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA assist our management and investors by increasing the comparability of our fundamental performance from period to period and against the fundamental performance of other companies in our industry that provide EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA-based information. This increased comparability is achieved by excluding the potentially disparate effects between periods or companies of interest expense, taxes, depreciation or amortization (or other items in determining Adjusted EBITDA), which items are affected by various and possibly changing financing methods, capital structure and historical cost basis and which items may significantly affect net income between periods. We believe that including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as financial and operating measures benefits investors in (a) selecting between investing in us and other investment alternatives and (b) monitoring our ongoing financial and operational strength and health in assessing whether to continue to hold shares of our Class A common stock.
•
Liquidity. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA allow us to assess the ability of assets to generate cash sufficient to service debt, pay dividends and undertake capital expenditures. By eliminating the cash flow effect resulting from our existing capitalization and other items such as dry-docking expenditures, working capital changes and foreign currency exchange gains and losses, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide consistent measures of our ability to generate cash over the long term. Management uses this information as a significant factor in determining (a) our proper capitalization (including assessing how much debt to incur and whether changes to the capitalization should be made) and (b) whether to undertake material capital expenditures and how to finance them, all in light of our dividend policy. Use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as liquidity measures also permits investors to assess the fundamental ability of our business to generate cash sufficient to meet cash needs, including dividends on shares of our Class A and Class B common stock.

Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA should be considered an alternative to net (loss) income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and operating income, and these measures may vary among other companies. Therefore, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as presented in this Annual Report may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table reconciles our historical consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and our historical consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to net operating cash flow, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Reconciliation of “Adjusted EBITDA” to “Net (loss) income”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(58,023
)
 
$
67,823

 
$
183,626

 
$
68,906

 
$
(25,035
)
Depreciation and amortization
100,481

 
104,149

 
73,760

 
53,292

 
50,973

Interest expense, net of interest income
30,387

 
29,667

 
17,267

 
8,429

 
8,814

EBITDA
$
72,845

 
$
201,639

 
$
274,653

 
$
130,627

 
$
34,752

Loss (gain) on sale of vessels
12,984

 
20,594

 
(771
)
 
(9,955
)
 
71

Realized loss on interest rate swaps
994

 
12,797

 
9,790

 
9,993

 
9,887

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
(937
)
 
(9,679
)
 
(8,193
)
 
(11,676
)
 
(4,774
)
Fair value on initial recognition of stock purchase warrant
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,420
)
 
—

Dilution gain on equity accounted investment
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,054
)
 
—

Fair value adjustment of TIL
26,733

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Adjustments related to equity accounted investments (i)
7,794

 
8,749

 
8,232

 
6,052

 
1,930

Adjusted EBITDA
$
120,413

 
$
234,100

 
$
283,711

 
$
119,567

 
$
41,866



10


 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Reconciliation of “Adjusted EBITDA” to “Net operating cash flow”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net operating cash flow
$
79,640

 
$
206,666

 
$
201,966

 
$
16,437

 
$
22,500

Interest expense, net of interest income
30,387

 
29,667

 
17,267

 
8,429

 
8,814

Expenditures for dry docking
14,069

 
8,608

 
39,617

 
17,072

 
19,245

Realized loss on interest rate swaps
994

 
12,797

 
9,790

 
9,993

 
9,887

Change in working capital
(5,741
)
 
(30,004
)
 
(1,655
)
 
60,847

 
(26,635
)
Equity (loss) income
(25,370
)
 
7,680

 
11,528

 
4,951

 
2,340

Other cash flows, net
(8,093
)
 
(10,063
)
 
(3,034
)
 
1,260

 
3,785

Fair value on initial recognition of stock purchase warrant
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,420
)
 
—

Dilution gain on equity accounted investment
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,054
)
 
—

Fair value adjustment in TIL
26,733

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Adjustments related to equity accounted investments (i)
7,794

 
8,749

 
8,232

 
6,052

 
1,930

Adjusted EBITDA
$
120,413

 
$
234,100

 
$
283,711

 
$
119,567

 
$
41,866


(i)
The following table reflects certain non-GAAP adjustments to the results of our equity accounted investments. The adjusted results should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjustments to equity investments include some, but not all, items that affect equity income and these measures and adjustments may vary among other companies, and may not be comparable to adjustments to similarly titled measures of other companies. When using Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of liquidity it should be noted that this measure includes the Adjusted EBITDA from our equity accounted for investments. We do not have control over the operations, nor do we have any legal claim to the revenue and expenses of our equity accounted for investments. Consequently, the cash flow generated by our equity accounted for investments may not be available for use by us in the period generated.

Adjustments relating to equity income from our equity accounted investments are as follows:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
5,250

 
5,866

 
4,517

 
2,979

 
1,166

Interest expense, net of interest income
2,562

 
2,868

 
2,763

 
1,446

 
448

Income tax (recovery) expense
(1
)
 
(107
)
 
602

 
1,359

 
12

Realized and unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments
(14
)
 
115

 
344

 
416

 
341

Foreign exchange (gain) loss
(3
)
 
7

 
6

 
3

 
—

Other
—

 
—

 
—

 
(151
)
 
(37
)
Adjustments related to equity accounted investments
$
7,794

 
$
8,749

 
$
8,232

 
$
6,052

 
$
1,930


(9)
Excludes vessels purchased in connection with our acquisition of Tanker Investments Ltd. (or TIL). Please read Item 18. Financial Statements: Note 22 - Acquisition of Tanker Investments Ltd.
(10)
Average number of tankers consists of the average number of vessels that were in our possession during a period, including time-chartered in vessels, the vessel owned by our High-Q Investment Ltd. (or High-Q) joint venture with Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings Ltd. and vessels of the Entities under Common Control.
Risk Factors
Some of the following risks relate principally to the industries in which we operate and to our business in general. Other risks relate principally to the securities market and to ownership of our common stock. The occurrence of any of the events described in this section could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to pay dividends on, and the trading price of our common stock.
Our ability to repay or refinance debt obligations and to fund our capital expenditures will depend on certain financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. To the extent we are able to finance these obligations and expenditures with cash from operations or by issuing debt or common shares, our ability to pay cash dividends may be diminished or our financial leverage may increase or our shareholders may be diluted. Our business may be adversely affected if we need to access other sources of funding.

11


To fund our existing and future debt obligations and capital expenditures, we may be required to use our existing liquidity or cash from operations, incur borrowings, raise capital through the sale of assets or ownership interests in certain assets or joint venture entity, debt or additional equity securities and/or seek to access other financing sources. Our access to potential funding sources and our future financial and operating performance will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
If we are unable to access additional financing arrangements and generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt, capital expenditure and other business requirements, we may be forced to take actions such as:
•
restructuring our debt;
•
seeking additional debt or equity capital;
•
selling additional assets or equity interest in certain assets or joint venture;
•
further reducing cash dividends;
•
reducing, delaying or cancelling business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures; or
•
seeking bankruptcy protection.
Such measures might not be successful, and additional debt or equity capital may not be available on acceptable terms or enable us to meet our debt, capital expenditure and other obligations. Some of such measures may adversely affect our business and reputation. In addition, credit agreements may restrict our ability to implement some of these measures.
Use of cash from operations for capital purposes will reduce cash available for dividends to shareholders. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering as well as by adverse market conditions in general. Even if we are successful in obtaining necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to pay cash dividends to shareholders or operate our business as currently conducted. In addition, incurring additional debt may significantly increase interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional equity securities may result in significant shareholder dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required to maintain quarterly dividends. The sale of certain assets would reduce cash from operations and the cash available for shareholders.
Our primary liquidity needs in the next few years are to refinance loans as they mature and to make scheduled repayments of debt, in addition to paying debt service costs, quarterly dividends on equity, operating expenses and dry-docking expenditures and funding general working capital requirements. We anticipate that our primary sources of funds in the next few years will be existing liquidity, cash flows from operations, equity issuances and bank debt or other sources of financing.
The cyclical nature of the tanker industry may lead to volatile changes in charter rates, and significant fluctuations in the utilization of our vessels, which may adversely affect our earnings.
Historically, the tanker industry has been cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability due to changes in the supply of and demand for tanker capacity and changes in the supply of and demand for oil and oil products. The cyclical nature of the tanker industry may cause significant increases or decreases in the revenues we earn from our vessels and may also cause significant increases or decreases in the value of our vessels. If the tanker market is depressed, our earnings may decrease. Our exposure to industry business cycles is more acute because of our exposure to the spot tanker market, which is more volatile than the tanker industry generally. Our ability to operate profitably in the spot market and to recharter our other vessels upon the expiration or termination of their charters will depend upon, among other factors, economic conditions in the tanker market.

The factors affecting the supply of and demand for tankers are outside of our control, and the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions are unpredictable.

Key factors that influence the supply of tanker capacity include:

•
environmental concerns and regulations;
•
the number of newbuilding deliveries;
•
the scrapping rate of older vessels;
•
conversion of tankers to other uses; and
•
the number of vessels that are out of service.

Key factors that influence demand for tanker capacity include:

•
supply of oil and oil products;
•
demand for oil and oil products;
•
regional availability of refining capacity;

12


•
global and regional economic and political conditions;
•
the distance oil and oil products are to be moved by sea; and
•
changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns.

Historically, the tanker markets have been volatile as a result of the many conditions and factors that can affect the price and the supply of, and demand for, tanker capacity. Changes in demand for transportation of oil over longer distances and in the supply of tankers to carry that oil may materially affect our revenues, profitability and cash flows.
A significant decline in oil prices may adversely affect our growth prospects and results of operations.
Global crude oil prices have declined since mid-2014. A continuation of lower oil prices or a further decline in oil prices may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends, as a result of, among other things:

•
a reduction in exploration for or development of new oil fields or energy projects, or the delay or cancellation of existing projects as energy companies lower their capital expenditures budgets, which may reduce our growth opportunities;
•
potential lower demand for tankers, which may reduce available charter rates and revenue to us upon chartering or rechartering of our vessels;
•
customers failing to extend or renew contracts upon expiration;
•
the inability or refusal of customers to make charter payments to us due to financial constraints or otherwise; or
•
declines in vessel values, which may result in losses to us upon vessel sales or impairment charges against our earnings.
A significant increase in crude oil prices could negatively impact tanker freight rates.
Crude oil prices have declined since mid-2014, which has generally benefited the tanker market as it has led to higher oil demand, stronger refining margins, additional import demand for stockpiling purposes and lower bunker costs. A significant increase in crude oil prices compared to current levels could reverse many of these positive drivers and negatively impact tanker freight rates.
Changes in the oil markets could result in decreased demand for our vessels and services.
Demand for our vessels and services in transporting oil depends upon world and regional oil markets. Any decrease in shipments of crude oil in those markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Historically, those markets have been volatile as a result of the many conditions and events that affect the price, production and transport of oil, including competition from alternative energy sources. Past slowdowns of the U.S. and world economies have resulted in reduced consumption of oil products and decreased demand for our vessels and services, which reduced vessel earnings. Additional slowdowns could have similar effects on our operating results and may limit our ability to expand our fleet.
Changes in the spot tanker market may result in significant fluctuations in the utilization of our vessels and our profitability.
During 2017 and 2016, we derived approximately 51.0% and 71.9%, respectively, of our net revenues from vessels operating in the spot tanker market, either directly or by means of participation in pooling agreements (which includes vessels operating under full service lightering contracts and charters with an initial term of less than one year). Due to our involvement in the spot-charter market, declining spot rates in a given period generally will result in corresponding declines in our operating results for that period.

The spot-charter market is highly volatile and fluctuates based upon tanker and oil supply and demand. The successful operation of our vessels in the spot-charter market depends upon, among other things, obtaining profitable spot charters and minimizing, to the extent possible, time spent waiting for charters and time spent traveling unladen to load cargo. Future spot rates may not be sufficient to enable our vessels trading in the spot tanker market to operate profitably or to provide sufficient cash flow to service our debt obligations.
The operation of a significant number of our tankers in revenue sharing arrangements could limit our earnings.
As of December 31, 2017, 20 of our owned and four of our leased Suezmax tankers, seven of our owned Aframax tankers, and six of our owned Long Range 2 (or LR2) product tankers operated in, and generated revenues to us through participation in, a Suezmax tanker revenue sharing arrangement (the Teekay Suezmax RSA), an Aframax tanker revenue sharing arrangement (the Teekay Aframax RSA), and an LR2 product tanker revenue sharing arrangement (the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA), respectively. The Teekay Suezmax RSA, Teekay Aframax RSA and Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA are each managed by Teekay Tanker Operations Ltd. (or TTOL), our wholly-owned subsidiary, in which we acquired the remaining 50% interest from Teekay Corporation in May 2017. The initial 50% interest was acquired from Teekay Corporation in August 2014. Revenue sharing arrangements (or RSA) are designed to spread the costs and risks associated with commercial management of vessels and to share the net revenues earned by all of the vessels in the RSA. Although the net revenues are apportioned based on the actual earning days each vessel is available and the relative performance capabilities of each vessel, an RSA may include vessels that do not perform as well in actual operation as our vessels. As a result, our share of the net pool revenues may be less than what we could earn operating our vessels independently.

13


The removal of vessels from the revenue sharing arrangements in which we participate may adversely affect our operating results.
Participants in the Teekay Suezmax RSA, including third parties, have each agreed to include in the RSA certain qualifying Suezmax-class crude tankers of the RSA participants and their respective affiliates, including us, that operate in the spot market or pursuant to time charters of less than one year. We have committed to include in the Teekay Aframax RSA certain qualifying Aframax-class crude tankers that are employed in the spot market or operate pursuant to time charters of less than 90 days. Participants in the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA, including third parties, have each agreed to include in the RSA certain qualifying LR2 product tankers of the participants and their respective affiliates, including us, that operate in the spot market or pursuant to time charters of less than one year. If we or any participant remove vessels from any pooling arrangement in which we participate to operate under longer-term time charters, the benefits to us of the pooling arrangements could diminish.
Our failure to renew or replace fixed-rate charters could cause us to trade the related vessels in the spot market, which could adversely affect our operating results and make them more volatile.
As of December 31, 2017, a total of 16 of our tankers and one jointly-owned vessel operated under fixed-rate time-charter contracts, 16 of which are scheduled to expire in 2018 (including the jointly-owned vessel time-charter contract) and one in 2019. If upon their scheduled expiration or any early termination we are unable to renew or replace fixed-rate charters on favorable terms, if at all, or if we choose not to renew or replace these fixed-rate charters, we may employ the vessels in the volatile spot market. Increasing our exposure to the spot market, particularly during periods of unfavorable market conditions, could harm our results of operations and make them more volatile.
Our vessels operate in the highly competitive international tanker market.
The operation of oil tankers and transportation of crude oil and refined petroleum products are extremely competitive businesses. Competition arises primarily from other tanker owners, including major oil companies and independent tanker companies, some of which have substantially greater financial strength and capital than do we or Teekay Corporation. Competition for the transportation of oil and oil products can be intense and depends on price and the location, size, age, condition of the tanker and the acceptability of the tanker and its operators to the charterers. Our competitive position may erode over time.
Our operating results are subject to seasonal fluctuations.
Our tankers operate in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in tanker demand and, therefore, in spot-charter rates. This seasonality may result in quarter-to-quarter volatility in our results of operations. Tanker markets are typically stronger in the winter months as a result of increased oil consumption in the northern hemisphere but weaker in the summer months as a result of lower oil consumption in the northern hemisphere and refinery maintenance. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns during the winter months tend to disrupt vessel scheduling, which historically has increased oil price volatility and oil trading activities in the winter months. As a result, revenues generated by the tankers in our fleet have historically been weaker during our fiscal quarters ended June 30 and September 30, and stronger in our fiscal quarters ended December 31 and March 31.
Future economic downturns, including disruptions in the global credit markets, could adversely affect our ability to grow.
Economic downturns and financial crises in the global markets could produce illiquidity in the capital markets, market volatility, heightened exposure to interest rate and credit risks, and reduced access to capital markets. If global financial markets and economic conditions significantly deteriorate in the future, we may face restricted access to the capital markets or bank lending, which may make it more difficult and costly to fund future growth. Decreased access to such resources could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Economic downturns may affect our customers’ ability to charter our vessels and pay for our services and may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Economic downturns in the global financial markets may lead to a decline in our customers’ operations or ability to pay for our services, which could result in decreased demand for our vessels and services. Our customers’ inability to pay could also result in their default on our current contracts and charters. A decline in the amount of services requested by our customers or their default on our contracts with them could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations could result in fluctuations in our operating results.
Our primary economic environment is the international shipping market, which utilizes the U.S. Dollar as its functional currency. Consequently, virtually all of our revenues and the majority of our expenses are in U.S. Dollars. However, we incur certain voyage expenses, vessel operating expenses, and general and administrative expenses in foreign currencies, the most significant of which are the Euro, Singapore Dollar, Canadian Dollar and British Pound. This partial mismatch in revenues and expenses could lead to fluctuations in our net income due to changes in the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to other currencies.


14


We may not be able to grow or to manage our growth effectively.
One of our principal strategies is to continue to grow by expanding our operations and adding vessels to our fleet. Our future growth will depend upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include our ability to:

•
identify suitable tankers or shipping companies for acquisitions or joint ventures;
•
integrate successfully any acquired tankers or businesses with our existing operations; and
•
obtain required financing for our existing and any new operations.

In addition, competition from other companies, many of which have significantly greater financial resources than do we or Teekay Corporation, may reduce our acquisition opportunities or cause us to pay higher prices. Our failure to effectively identify, purchase, develop and integrate any tankers or businesses could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not realize expected benefits from acquisitions, and implementing our growth strategy through acquisitions may harm our financial condition and performance.
Any acquisition of a vessel or business may not be profitable at or after the time of acquisition and may not generate cash flows sufficient to justify the investment. In addition, our acquisition growth strategy exposes us to risks that may harm our business, financial condition and operating results, including risks that we may:

•
fail to realize anticipated benefits, such as new customer relationships, cost-savings or cash flow enhancements;
•
be unable to hire, train or retain qualified shore and seafaring personnel to manage and operate our growing business and fleet;
•
decrease our liquidity by using a significant portion of available cash or borrowing capacity to finance acquisitions;
•
significantly increase our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance acquisitions;
•
incur or assume unanticipated liabilities, losses or costs associated with any vessels or businesses acquired; or
•
incur other significant charges, such as impairment of intangible assets, asset devaluation or restructuring charges.

To the extent we acquire existing vessels, they typically do not carry warranties as to their condition, unlike newbuilding vessels. While we generally inspect existing vessels prior to purchase, such an inspection would normally not provide us with as much knowledge of a vessel’s condition as we would possess if it had been built for us and operated by us during its life. Repairs and maintenance costs for existing vessels are difficult to predict and may be substantially higher than for vessels we have operated since they were built. These costs could decrease our cash flows and liquidity, and harm our financial condition and performance.

For example, in November 2017, we acquired Tanker Investments Ltd. (or TIL) by way of a share-for-share exchange of 3.3 shares of our Class A common stock for each share of TIL common stock, and as a result, TIL became a wholly-owned subsidiary. We completed the merger with the expectation that it would result in various benefits, including, among other things, the creation of the world’s largest publicly-listed mid-sized conventional tanker company that would be more attractive to investors, an increased total liquidity position, and a larger and younger fleet with which to service customers globally. The success of the merger will depend, in part, on our ability to realize such anticipated benefits from combining our business with TIL’s. The anticipated benefits and cost savings of the merger may not be realized fully, or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected. Failure to achieve anticipated benefits could result in increased costs and decreases in the amounts of expected revenues or our results of operations.

Although our Manager (defined below) already provided the commercial and technical management to the majority of TIL’s vessels and substantially all of the corporate and administrative services for TIL prior to the merger, it is possible that the integration process could result in the disruption of each company’s ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures or policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger. Integration efforts between us and TIL may also divert management attention and resources. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on both us and TIL during the transition period. The integration may take longer than anticipated and may have unanticipated adverse results relating to our or TIL’s existing business.

Our entry into the business of providing ship-to-ship lightering services and LNG terminal management and consultancy services may be unsuccessful.

In July 2015, we acquired a ship-to-ship transfer business from a company jointly owned by Teekay Corporation and a Norway-based marine transportation company, I.M. Skaugen SE. The acquired business provides ship-to-ship transfer services in the oil, gas and dry bulk industries, as well as liquified natural gas (or LNG) terminal management and consultancy services. We have no or limited prior experience in these businesses and competitors may have greater experience and resources than do we or Teekay Corporation. The markets for ship-to-ship transfer business and these consultancy services may have different competitive dynamics than our existing business, and customers may not engage us to provide these new services. As a result, our entry into these new markets may not be successful.


15


Over time, the value of our vessels may decline, which could adversely affect our ability to obtain financing or our operating results.
Vessel values for oil tankers can fluctuate substantially over time due to a number of different factors. Vessel values may decline from existing levels. If the operation of a tanker is not profitable, or if we cannot re-deploy a chartered tanker at attractive rates upon charter termination, rather than continue to incur costs to maintain and finance the vessel, we may seek to dispose of it. Our inability to dispose of the vessel at a fair market value or the disposition of the vessel at a fair market value that is lower than its book value could result in a loss on its sale and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. As of December 31, 2017, three of our credit facilities and four of our obligations related to capital leases contain loan-to-value financial covenants tied to the value of the vessels that collateralize these credit facilities and the vessels related to the capital leases. A significant decline in the market value of these tankers may require us to pledge additional collateral to avoid a default under these credit facilities and obligations related to capital leases. We are required to maintain vessel value to outstanding loan principal balance ratios ranging from 90%-125%. At December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with these requirements.

In addition, if we determine at any time that a vessel’s future useful life and earnings require us to impair its value on our consolidated financial statements, we may need to recognize a significant charge against our earnings.
We will be required to make substantial capital expenditures to expand the size of our fleet. We generally will be required to make significant installment payments for any acquisitions of newbuilding vessels prior to their delivery and generation of revenue. Depending on whether we finance our expenditures through cash from operations or by issuing debt or equity securities, our financial leverage could increase or our shareholders’ ownership interest in us could be diluted.
We will be required to make substantial capital expenditures to increase the size of our fleet. We intend to expand our fleet by acquiring tankers primarily from third parties. Our acquisitions may also include newbuildings. We generally will be required to make installment payments on any newbuildings prior to their delivery. We typically pay 10% to 20% of the purchase price of a tanker upon signing the purchase contract, even though delivery of the completed vessel does not occur until much later (approximately two to three years from the order). To fund expansion capital expenditures, we may be required to use cash balances or cash from operations, incur borrowings or raise capital through the incurrence of debt or issuance of additional equity securities. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering, as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our failure to obtain funds for capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Even if we are successful in obtaining the necessary funds, incurring additional debt may significantly increase our interest expense and financial leverage, which could limit our financial flexibility and ability to pursue other business opportunities. In addition, issuing additional equity securities may result in significant shareholder ownership dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required to pay quarterly dividends.
An increase in operating costs could adversely affect our cash flows and financial condition.
We have entered into a long-term management agreement (or the Management Agreement) with Teekay Tankers Management Services Ltd. (our Manager), a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation. Under the Management Agreement, we must reimburse our Manager for vessel operating expenses (including crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses). These expenses depend upon a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our or our Manager’s control. Some of these costs, primarily relating to insurance, commodities, crew compensation and enhanced security measures, have been increasing and may increase in the future. Increases in any of these costs would decrease our earnings and adversely affect our cash flows and financial condition.
Financing agreements containing operating and financial restrictions may restrict our business and financing activities.
The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our revolving credit facilities, term loans and in any of our future financing agreements could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to pursue and expand our business activities. For example, these financing arrangements may restrict our ability to:

•
incur or guarantee indebtedness;
•
change ownership or structure, including mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions;
•
pay dividends;
•
grant liens on our assets;
•
sell, transfer, assign or convey assets;
•
make certain investments; and
•
enter into a new line of business.

Our ability to comply with covenants and restrictions contained in debt instruments may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, we may fail to comply with these covenants. If we breach any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in the financing agreements, our obligations may become immediately

16


due and payable, and the lenders’ commitment, if any, to make further loans may terminate. A default under one financing agreement could also result in foreclosure on any of our vessels and other assets securing related loans, or trigger a default under other financing agreements.
Our substantial debt levels may limit our flexibility in obtaining additional financing, pursuing other business opportunities and paying dividends.
As of December 31, 2017, our long-term debt was approximately $963.2 million and an additional $88.6 million was available to us under our revolving credit facilities. We will continue to have the ability to incur additional debt, subject to limitations in our revolving credit facilities. Our level of debt could have important consequences to us, including the following:

•
our ability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes may be impaired or such financing may not be available on favorable terms;
•
we will need a substantial portion of our cash flow to make principal and interest payments on our debt, reducing the funds that would otherwise be available for operations, business opportunities and dividends to our shareholders;
•
our debt level will make us more vulnerable than our competitors with less debt to competitive pressures or a downturn in our industry or the economy generally; and
•
our debt level may limit our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions.

Our ability to service our debt depends upon, among other things, our financial and operating performance, which is affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If our operating results are not sufficient to service our current or future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our debt, or seeking additional equity capital or bankruptcy protection. We may not be able to effect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms, or at all.
Our insurance may be insufficient to cover losses that may occur to our vessels or result from our operations.
The operation of oil tankers and lightering vessels is inherently risky. Although we carry hull and machinery (marine and war risks) and protection and indemnity insurance, all risks may not be adequately insured against, and any particular claim may not be paid. In addition, we do not carry insurance on our vessels covering the loss of revenues resulting from vessel off-hire time, based on its cost compared to our off-hire experience. Any significant off-hire time of our vessels could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Any claims covered by insurance would be subject to deductibles, and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material. Certain of our insurance coverage is maintained through mutual protection and indemnity associations, and as a member of such associations we may be required to make additional payments over and above budgeted premiums if member claims exceed association reserves.

We may be unable to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future. For example, more stringent environmental regulations have led to increased costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution. A catastrophic oil spill, marine disasters or natural disasters could exceed the insurance coverage, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Any uninsured or underinsured loss could harm our business and financial condition. In addition, the insurance may be voidable by the insurers as a result of certain actions, such as vessels failing to maintain certification with applicable maritime regulatory organizations.

Changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks may also make certain types of insurance more difficult to obtain. In addition, the insurance that may be available may be significantly more expensive than existing coverage.
Terrorist attacks, piracy, increased hostilities, political change or war could lead to further economic instability, increased costs and disruption of business.
Terrorist attacks, piracy and the current or future conflicts in the Middle East West Africa (Nigeria), Libya and elsewhere, and other current and future conflicts and political change, may adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and ability to raise capital and fund future growth. Continuing hostilities in the Middle East especially among Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and elsewhere may lead to additional armed conflicts or to further acts of terrorism and civil disturbance in the United States or elsewhere, which may contribute further to economic instability and disruption of oil production and distribution, which could result in reduced demand for our services and have an adverse impact on our operations and our ability to conduct business.

In addition, oil facilities, shipyards, vessels, pipelines, oil fields or other infrastructure could be targets of future terrorist attacks or warlike operations and our vessels could be targets of pirates, hijackers, terrorists or warlike operations. Any such attacks could lead to, among other things, bodily injury or loss of life, vessel or other property damage, increased vessel operational costs, including insurance costs, and the inability to transport oil to or from certain locations. Terrorist attacks, war, piracy, hijacking or other events beyond our control that adversely affect the distribution, production or transportation of oil to be shipped by us could entitle customers to terminate charters which would harm our cash flow and business.


17


Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels continue to be a risk, which could adversely affect our business.
Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea, Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia. While there continues to be a significant risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, recently there have been increases in the frequency and severity of piracy incidents off the coast of West Africa and a resurgent piracy risk in the Straits of Malacca and surrounding waters. If these piracy attacks result in regions in which our vessels are deployed being named on the Joint War Committee Listed Areas, war risk insurance premiums payable for such coverage can increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. In addition, crew costs, including costs which are incurred to the extent we employ on-board security guards and escort vessels, could increase in such circumstances. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase in cost or unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our substantial operations outside the United States expose us to political, governmental and economic instability, which could harm our operations.
Because our operations and the operations of our customers are primarily conducted outside of the United States, they may be affected by economic, political and governmental conditions in the countries where we engage in business or where our vessels are registered. Any disruption caused by these factors could harm our business, including by reducing the levels of oil exploration, development and production activities in these areas. We derive some of our revenues from shipping oil from politically unstable regions. Conflicts in these regions have included attacks on ships and other efforts to disrupt shipping. Hostilities or other political instability in regions where we operate or where we may operate could have a material adverse effect on the growth of our business, results of operations and financial condition and ability to make cash distributions. In addition, tariffs, trade embargoes and other economic sanctions by the United States or other countries to which we trade may limit trading activities with those countries, which could also harm our business and ability to make cash distributions. Finally, a government could requisition one or more of our vessels, which is most likely during war or national emergency. Any such requisition would cause a loss of the vessel and could harm our cash flows and financial results.
A cyber attack could materially disrupt our business.
We rely on information technology systems and networks in our operations and the administration of our business. Cyber-attacks have increased in number and sophistication in recent years. Our operations could be targeted by individuals or groups seeking to sabotage or disrupt our information technology systems and networks, or to steal data. A successful cyber-attack could materially disrupt our operations, including the safety of our operations, or lead to unauthorized release of information or alteration of information on our systems. Any such attack or other breach of our information technology systems could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Past port calls by our vessels, or third-party vessels from which we derived pooling revenues, to countries that are subject to sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union may impact investors’ decisions to invest in our securities.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Syria and Sudan. The United States and the European Union (or EU) also had imposed sanctions on Iran. The EU lifted these sanctions in January 2016. At that time, the U.S. lifted its secondary sanctions on Iran, which applied to foreign persons, but has retained its primary sanctions, which apply to U.S. entities and their foreign subsidiaries. In the past, conventional oil tankers owned or chartered-in by us, or third-party vessels participating in commercial pooling arrangements from which we derive revenue, made limited port calls to those countries for the loading and discharging of oil products. Those port calls did not violate U.S. or EU sanctions at the time and we intend to maintain our compliance with all U.S. and EU sanctions. In addition, we have no future contracted loadings or discharges in any of those countries and intend not to enter into voyage charter contracts for the transport of oil or gas to or from Iran or Syria. We believe that our compliance with these sanctions and our lack of any future port calls to those countries does not and will not adversely impact our revenues, because port calls to these countries have never accounted for any material amount of our revenues. However, some investors might decide not to invest in us simply because we have previously called on, or through our participation in pooling arrangements have previously received revenue from calls on, ports in these sanctioned countries. Any such investor reaction could adversely affect the market for our common shares.
Marine transportation is inherently risky, and an incident involving loss or damage to a vessel, significant loss of product or environmental contamination by any of our vessels could harm our reputation and business.
Vessels and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as:

•
marine disasters;
•
bad weather or natural disasters;
•
mechanical or electrical failures;
•
grounding, capsizing, fire, explosions and collisions;
•
piracy;
•
cyber attack;

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•
human error; and
•
war and terrorism.

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

•
death or injury to persons, loss of property or damage to the environment and natural resources;
•
delays in the delivery of cargo;
•
loss of revenues from charters;
•
liabilities or costs to recover any spilled oil or other petroleum products and to restore the eco-system affected by the spill;
•
governmental fines, penalties or restrictions on conducting business;
•
higher insurance rates; and
•
damage to our reputation and customer relationships generally.

Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, any damage to, or environmental contamination involving, oil production facilities serviced by our vessels could result in the suspension or curtailment of operations by our customer, which would in turn result in loss of revenues.
The shipping industry is subject to substantial environmental and other regulations, which may significantly limit operations and increase expenses.
Our operations are affected by extensive and changing international, national and local environmental protection laws, regulations, treaties and conventions in force in international waters, the jurisdictional waters of the countries in which our vessels operate, as well as the countries of our vessels’ registration, including those governing oil spills, discharges to air and water, and the handling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. Many of these requirements are designed to reduce the risk of oil spills and other pollution. In addition, we believe that the heightened environmental, quality and security concerns of insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers will lead to additional regulatory requirements, including enhanced risk assessment and security requirements and greater inspection and safety requirements on vessels. We expect to incur substantial expenses in complying with these laws and regulations, including expenses for vessel modifications and changes in operating procedures.

These requirements may affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels, require a reduction in cargo capacity, ship modifications or operational changes or restrictions, lead to decreased availability of insurance coverage for environmental matters or result in the denial of access to certain jurisdictional waters or ports, or detention in, certain ports. Under local, national and foreign laws, as well as international treaties and conventions, we could incur material liabilities, including cleanup obligations, in the event that there is a release of petroleum or other hazardous substances from our vessels or otherwise in connection with our operations. We could also become subject to personal injury or property damage claims relating to the release of or exposure to hazardous materials associated with our operations. In addition, failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in administrative and civil penalties, criminal sanctions or the suspension or termination of our operations, including, in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels. For further information about regulations affecting our business and related requirements on us, please read Item 4 – Information on the Company: B. Business Overview – Regulations.
Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may adversely impact our operations and markets.
Due to concern over the risk of climate change, a number of countries have adopted, or are considering the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These regulatory measures include, among others, adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, increased efficiency standards, and incentives or mandates for renewable energy. Compliance with changes in laws, regulations and obligations relating to climate change could increase our costs related to operating and maintaining our vessels and require us to install new emission controls, acquire allowances or pay taxes related to our greenhouse gas emissions, or administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program. Our revenue generation and strategic growth opportunities may also be adversely affected.

Adverse effects upon the oil industry relating to climate change may also adversely affect demand for our services. Although we do not expect that demand for oil will lessen dramatically over the short-term, in the long-term, climate change may reduce the demand for oil or increased regulation of greenhouse gases may create greater incentives for use of alternative energy sources. Any long-term material adverse effect on the oil industry could have a significant financial and operational adverse impact on our business that we cannot predict with certainty at this time.
Maritime claimants could arrest, or port authorities could detain, our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flow from these vessels.
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against that vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lienholder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay large sums of funds to have the arrest or attachment lifted. In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the “sister ship” theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel that is subject to the claimant’s maritime lien and any “associated” vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert “sister ship” liability against one vessel in our fleet or the

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pooling arrangements in which we operate for claims relating to another of our ships. In addition, port authorities may seek to detain our vessels in port, which could adversely affect our operating results or relationships with customers.
We depend on Teekay Corporation to assist us in operating our business and competing in our markets, and our business will be harmed if Teekay Corporation fails to assist us.
Pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement, our Manager provides to us commercial, technical, administrative and strategic services, including vessel maintenance, crewing, purchasing, shipyard supervision, insurance and financial services. Our Manager then subcontracts the commercial management and technical management services to TTOL, our wholly-owned subsidiary. Our operational success and ability to execute our growth strategy depend significantly upon the satisfactory performance of these services by our Manager. Our business will be harmed if our Manager fails to perform these services satisfactorily, if it stops providing these services to us or if it terminates the Management Agreement, as it is entitled to do under certain circumstances. The circumstances under which we are able to terminate the Management Agreement are limited and do not include mere dissatisfaction with our Manager’s performance. In addition, upon any termination of the Management Agreement, we may lose our ability to benefit from economies of scale in purchasing supplies and other advantages that we believe our relationship with Teekay Corporation provides. Furthermore, the profitable operation of our tankers that participate in tanker pooling arrangements depends largely on the efforts of the pool managers and Teekay Corporation’s reputation and relationships in the shipping industry. Under the pooling arrangements, the earnings and voyage expenses of all of the vessels in pools are aggregated, or pooled, and divided according to an agreed formula. If Teekay Corporation suffers material damage to its reputation or relationships, it may harm our ability to:

•
maximize revenues of our tankers included in the pooling arrangements;
•
acquire new tankers or obtain new time charters;
•
renew existing time charters upon their expiration;
•
successfully interact with shipyards during periods of shipyard construction constraints;
•
obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms; or
•
maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers and other third parties.

If our ability to do any of the things described above is impaired, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Teekay Corporation may be unable to attract and retain qualified, skilled employees or crew necessary to operate our business, and the cost of attracting and retaining such personnel may increase.
Our success depends in large part on Teekay Corporation’s ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified personnel. In crewing our vessels, we require technically skilled employees with specialized training who can perform physically demanding work. Competition to attract and retain qualified crew members is intense. The shipping industry continues to forecast a shortfall in qualified personnel, and crew or other compensation may increase in the future. If crew costs increase and we are not able to increase our rates to compensate for any such increases, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. Any inability we experience in the future to hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees could impair our ability to manage, maintain and grow our business.
The superior voting rights of our Class B common stock held by Teekay Corporation limit our Class A common shareholders’ ability to control or influence corporate matters.
Our Class B common stock has five votes per share, and our Class A common stock has one vote per share. However, the voting power of the Class B common stock is limited such that the aggregate voting power of all shares of outstanding Class B common stock can at no time exceed 49% of the voting power of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single class. As of the date of this Annual Report, Teekay Corporation indirectly owns shares of Class A and Class B common stock representing a majority of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock. Through its ownership of all of our Class B common stock and of our Manager and other entities that provide services to us, Teekay Corporation has substantial control and influence over our management and affairs and over all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions. In addition, because of this dual-class common stock structure, Teekay Corporation will continue to be able to control matters submitted to our shareholders for approval even though it owns significantly less than 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. This voting control limits our remaining Class A common shareholders’ ability to influence corporate matters and, as a result, we may take actions that our Class A common shareholders do not view as beneficial.
Our Manager has rights to terminate the Management Agreement and, under certain circumstances, could receive substantial sums in connection with such termination; however, even if our Board of Directors or our shareholders are dissatisfied with our Manager, there are limited circumstances under which we can terminate the Management Agreement.
Our Management Agreement has an initial term through December 31, 2022 and will automatically renew for subsequent five-year terms provided that certain conditions are met. Our Manager has the right to terminate the Management Agreement with 12 months’ notice. Our Manager also has the right to terminate the Management Agreement after a dispute resolution process if we have materially breached the Management Agreement. The Management Agreement will terminate upon the sale of all or substantially all of our assets to a third party, our

20


liquidation or after any change of control of our company occurs. If the Management Agreement is terminated as a result of an asset sale, our liquidation or change of control, then our Manager may be paid a termination fee. Any such payment could be substantial.

In addition, our rights to terminate the Management Agreement are limited. Even if we are not satisfied with the Manager’s efforts in managing our business, unless our Manager materially breaches the agreement or experiences certain bankruptcy or change of control events, we have only a limited right to terminate the agreement after 10 years, effective December 31, 2017, and may not be able to terminate the agreement until December 31, 2022, the end of the initial 15-year term. If we elect to terminate the Management Agreement at either of these points or at the end of any subsequent renewal term, our Manager will receive a termination fee, which may be substantial.
Our Manager could receive a performance fee which is contingent on our results of operations and financial condition.
If Gross Cash Available for Distribution (as defined in the Management Agreement) for a given fiscal year exceeds $3.20 per share of our common stock (subject to adjustment for stock dividends, splits, combinations and similar events, and based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the year) (or the Incentive Threshold), our Manager generally will be entitled to payment of a performance fee equal to 20% of all Gross Cash Available for Distribution for such year in excess of the Incentive Threshold. Although the performance fee is payable on an annual basis, we accrue any amounts expected to be payable in respect of the performance fee on a quarterly basis. Gross Cash Available for Distribution generally represents the distributable cash flows that we generate from operations.
Many seafaring employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and the failure to renew those agreements or any future labor agreements may disrupt operations and adversely affect our cash flows.
A significant portion of Teekay Corporation’s seafarers that crew our vessels are employed under collective bargaining agreements. Teekay Corporation may become subject to additional labor agreements in the future. Teekay Corporation may suffer labor disruptions if relationships deteriorate with the seafarers or the unions that represent them. The collective bargaining agreements may not prevent labor disruptions, particularly when the agreements are being renegotiated. Salaries are typically renegotiated annually or biannually for seafarers. Although these negotiations have not caused labor disruptions in the past, any labor disruptions could harm our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our executive officers and directors and the executive officers and directors of our Manager have conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary and contractual duties, which may permit them to favor interests of other Teekay Corporation affiliates above our interests and those of our Class A common shareholders.
Conflicts of interest may arise between Teekay Corporation, our Manager and their affiliates, on the one hand, and us and our shareholders, on the other hand. As a result of these conflicts, Teekay Corporation or our Manager may favor their own interests and the interests of their affiliates over our interests and those of our shareholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:

•
our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and three of our directors also serve as executive officers or directors of Teekay Corporation and/or our Manager, and we have limited their fiduciary duties regarding corporate opportunities that may be attractive to both Teekay Corporation and us;
•
our Manager advises our Board of Directors about the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales, capital expenditures, borrowings, issuances of additional common stock and cash reserves, each of which can affect our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders and the amount of the performance fee payable to our Manager under the Management Agreement;
•
our executive officers and those of our Manager do not spend all of their time on matters related to our business; and
•
our Manager will advise us of costs incurred by it and its affiliates that it believes are reimbursable by us.
The fiduciary duties of certain of our officers and directors may conflict with their duties as officers or directors of Teekay Corporation and its affiliates.
Our officers and directors have fiduciary duties to manage our business in a manner beneficial to us and our shareholders. However, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer and three of our directors also serve as executive officers or directors of Teekay Corporation and/or executive officers of our Manager, and as a result, have fiduciary duties to manage the business of Teekay Corporation and its affiliates in a manner beneficial to such entities and their shareholders or partners, as the case may be. Consequently, these officers and director may encounter situations in which their fiduciary obligations to Teekay Corporation or our Manager or their affiliates, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, are in conflict. The resolution of these conflicts may not always be in our best interest or that of our shareholders.
Our U.S. Gulf lightering business competes with alternative methods of delivering crude oil to ports, which may limit our earnings in this market.
Our U.S. Gulf lightering business faces competition from alternative methods of delivering crude oil shipments to port, including offshore offloading facilities. While we believe that lightering offers advantages over alternative methods of delivering crude oil to U.S. Gulf ports, our lightering revenues may be limited due to the availability of alternative methods.


21


Our full service lightering operations are subject to specific risks that could lead to accidents, oil spills or property damage.
Lightering is subject to specific risks arising from the process of safely bringing two large moving tankers next to each other and mooring them for lightering operations, in which oil, refined petroleum products or other cargoes are transferred from one ship to the other. These operations require a high degree of expertise and present a higher risk of collision or spill compared to when docking a vessel or transferring cargo at port. Lightering operations, similar to marine transportation in general, are also subject to risks due to events such as mechanical failures, human error, and weather conditions.
Tax Risks
In addition to the following risk factors, you should read Item 4E – Information on the Company – Taxation of the Company, Item 10 - Additional Information – Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations and Item 10 - Additional Information – Non-United States Tax Considerations for a more complete discussion of the expected material U.S. federal and non-U.S. income tax considerations relating to us and the ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock.
U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders.
A non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (or PFIC) for such purposes in any taxable year for which either (a) at least 75% of its gross income consists of “passive income,” or (b) at least 50% of the average value of the entity’s assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of “passive income.” For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties (other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business). By contrast, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.”

There are legal uncertainties involved in determining whether the income derived from our time-chartering activities constitutes rental income or income derived from the performance of services, including the decision in Tidewater Inc. v. United States, 565 F.3d 299 (5th Cir. 2009), which held that income derived from certain time-chartering activities should be treated as rental income rather than services income for purposes of a foreign sales corporation provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or the Code). However, the Internal Revenue Service (or IRS) stated in an Action on Decision (AOD 2010-01) that it disagrees with, and will not acquiesce to, the way that the rental versus services framework was applied to the facts in the Tidewater decision, and in its discussion stated that the time charters at issue in Tidewater would be treated as producing services income for PFIC purposes. The IRS’s statement with respect to Tidewater cannot be relied upon or otherwise cited as precedent by taxpayers. Consequently, in the absence of any binding legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing PFICs, there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court would not follow the Tidewater decision in interpreting the PFIC provisions of the Code. Nevertheless, based on the current composition of our assets and operations (and those of our subsidiaries), we intend to take the position that we are not now and have never been a PFIC. No assurance can be given, however, that this position would be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS, or that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in our assets, income or operations.

If the IRS were to determine that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder (as defined below under “Item 10 – Additional Information – Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”) held our stock, such U.S. Holder would face adverse tax consequences. For a more comprehensive discussion regarding the tax consequences to U.S. Holders if we are treated as a PFIC, please read Item 10 - Additional Information-Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders-Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification.
We may be subject to taxes, which could affect our operating results.
We or our subsidiaries are subject to tax in certain jurisdictions in which we or our subsidiaries are organized own assets or have operations, which reduces our operating results. In computing our tax obligations in these jurisdictions, we are required to take various tax accounting and reporting positions on matters that are not entirely free from doubt and for which we have not received rulings from the governing authorities. We cannot assure you that upon review of these positions the applicable authorities will agree with our positions. A successful challenge by a tax authority could result in additional tax imposed on us or our subsidiaries, further reducing our operating results. In addition, changes in our operations or ownership could result in additional tax being imposed on us or on our subsidiaries in jurisdictions in which operations are conducted. For example, if Teekay Tankers Ltd. was not able to satisfy the requirements of the exemption from U.S. taxation under Section 883 of the Code, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on shipping income attributable to our transportation of cargoes to or from the United Sates, the amount of which is not within our complete control. Also, jurisdictions in which we or our subsidiaries are organized, own assets or have operations may change their tax laws, or we may enter into new business transactions relating to such jurisdictions, which could result in increased tax liability and reduce our operating results. Please read Item 4 - Information on the Company—Taxation of the Company.

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Item 4.
Information on the Company
A.
History and Development of the Company
Teekay Tankers Ltd. (“we,” “us,” or “the Company”) is an international provider of marine transportation to global oil industries. We were formed as a Marshall Islands corporation in October 2007 by Teekay Corporation (NYSE: TK), a leading provider of marine services to the global oil and natural gas industries. We completed our initial public offering on December 18, 2007 with an initial fleet of nine Aframax oil tankers which were transferred to us by Teekay Corporation.

Our conventional fleet size has increased from nine owned Aframax tankers in 2007 to 52 owned conventional tankers, four conventional tankers related to capital leases, one in-chartered vessel and one jointly-owned Very Large Crude Carrier (or VLCC) as of December 31, 2017. The capacity of our conventional tanker fleet has risen from approximately 980,000 deadweight tonnes (or dwt) in 2007 to approximately 7,703,900 dwt as of December 31, 2017. Over the last five years, we have acquired 18 conventional tankers through the merger with Tanker Investments Ltd (or TIL), 17 conventional tankers from external parties and two conventional tankers from TOO. In March 2014, we also assumed ownership of two VLCCs that previously served as collateral under term loans we made to a third party. We subsequently sold those two VLCCs in May 2014. We sold three Aframax tankers and two Suezmax tankers in 2017, two Medium Range (or MR) tankers in 2016 and one MR tanker in 2015. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 19 - Vessel Sales and Vessel Acquisitions. We also completed a sale-leaseback financing transaction in 2017 relating to four of our Suezmax tankers. Please read Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 9 - Leases and Restricted Cash.

In November 2017 we completed a merger with TIL by acquiring all of the remaining 27.0 million issued and outstanding common shares of TIL, by way of a share-for-share exchange resulting in TIL becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary. At the time of the merger, TIL owned a modern fleet of 10 Suezmax tankers, six Aframax tankers and two LR2 product tankers. Please read Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 22 - Acquisition of Tanker Investments Ltd.

In May 2017, we completed the acquisition from Teekay Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay Corporation, the remaining 50% interest in Teekay Tanker Operations Ltd. (or TTOL), which owns conventional tanker commercial management and technical management operations and directly administers four commercially managed tanker revenue sharing arrangements (or RSAs). Please read Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 6 - Investments in and advances to Equity Accounted Investments.

In July 2015 we acquired the ship-to-ship transfer business (previously referred to as SPT) from a company jointly owned by Teekay Corporation and a Norway-based marine transportation company, I.M. Skaugen SE. SPT provides a full suite of ship-to-ship transfer services in the oil, gas and dry bulk industries. In addition to full service lightering and lightering support, SPT also provides consultancy and LNG terminal management services. This acquisition established us as a global company in the ship-to-ship transfer business. As of December 31, 2017, SPT operated a fleet of six ship-to-ship support vessels, including three owned and three chartered-in vessels. Please read Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 21 - Acquisition of SPT.

From time to time, we also charter-in vessels, typically from third parties as part of our chartering strategy. Please read “Business Strategies” below in this Item. Most of our acquisitions were financed by a combination of utilizing the net proceeds from public equity offerings or private placements, as well as raising new debt, the assumption of existing debt, drawing on our revolving credit facility, and using our available working capital.

We incorporated on October 17, 2007 under the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands as Teekay Tankers Ltd. and maintain our principal executive offices at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda. Our telephone number at such address is (441) 298-2530.
B.
Business Overview
Our primary business is to own oil and product tankers and we employ a chartering strategy that seeks to capture upside opportunities in the tanker spot market while using fixed-rate time charters to reduce downside risks. During 2015, we expanded our service offerings to our customers through the purchase of a ship-to-ship transfer business that provides full service lightering as well as lightering support services and consultancy and LNG terminal management services. This acquisition, which is adjacent to our core competencies, along with our existing conventional tanker commercial management and technical management operations, is expected to improve our ability to manage the cyclicality of the tanker market through the less volatile cash flows generated by these business areas. Historically, the tanker industry has experienced volatility in profitability due to changes in the supply of, and demand for, tanker capacity. Tanker supply and demand are each influenced by several factors beyond our control.

Teekay Corporation, which formed us in 2007, is a leading provider of marine services to the global oil and natural gas industries, and together with its subsidiaries, is one of the world’s largest operator of medium-sized oil tankers. We believe we benefit from Teekay Corporation’s expertise, relationships and reputation as we operate our fleet and pursue growth opportunities. We have acquired a portion of our current operating fleet from Teekay Corporation at various times since our inception and we anticipate additional opportunities to expand our fleet through acquisitions of tankers from third parties. In addition, Teekay Corporation’s day-to-day focus on cost control is applied to our operations. Teekay Corporation and two other shipping companies participate in a purchasing alliance, Teekay Bergesen Worldwide, which leverages the purchasing power of the combined fleets, mainly in such commodity areas as lube oils, paints and other chemicals. Through our Manager, we benefit from this purchasing alliance.


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Commencing with the dividend paid in the first quarter of 2016, we adopted a dividend policy under which quarterly dividends are expected to range from 30% to 50% of our quarterly adjusted net income, subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors, with a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share under our current policy. Adjusted net (loss) income is a non-GAAP measure which excludes specific items affecting net (loss) income that are typically excluded by securities analysts in their published estimates of our financial results. Prior to this change, our dividend policy was to distribute to our shareholders a fixed quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share ($0.12 per share annually). Our dividend policy is reviewed by our Board of Directors from time to time and is subject to change. For additional information about our dividend policy, please read Item 8 – Financial Information: Dividend Policy.

Under the supervision of our executive officers and Board of Directors, our operations are managed by our Manager, which provides to us commercial, technical, administrative and strategic services. We have entered into a long-term agreement with our Manager (the Management Agreement) pursuant to which our Manager and its affiliates provide to us technical, administrative and strategic services. Our Manager has also subcontracted TTOL and its affiliates to provide certain commercial and technical services to us. We pay our Manager a market-based fee for its services. In order to provide our Manager with an incentive to improve our operation and financial conditions, we have agreed to pay a performance fee to our Manager under certain circumstances, in addition to the basic fee provided in the Management Agreement. Please read Item 7 – Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions: Related Party Transactions—Management Agreement for additional information about the Management Agreement.

We employ our chartering strategy based on the outlook of our Manager for freight rates, oil tanker market conditions and global economic conditions. Please refer to the “Our Fleet” table below. We employ our vessels on fixed rate time-charter out contracts and in various RSAs, the majority of which are managed by TTOL, which employ vessels on the spot market. By employing some of our vessels in these RSAs, we believe we benefit from TTOL’s expertise in commercial management of oil tankers and economies of scale of a larger fleet, including higher vessel utilization and daily revenues.
Our Fleet
The following table summarizes our fleet as at December 31, 2017:
 
 
Owned and Capital Lease Vessels
 
Chartered-in
Vessels
 
Total
Fixed-rate:
 
 
 
 
 
Suezmax Tankers
6

 
—

 
6

Aframax Tankers
8

 
—

 
8

Long Range 2 Product Tankers
2

 
—

 
2

VLCC Tankers (1)
1

 
—

 
1

Total Fixed-Rate Fleet (2)
17

 
—

 
17

Spot-rate:
 
 
 
 
 
Suezmax Tankers
24

 
—

 
24

Aframax Tankers
9

 
1

 
10

Long Range 2 Product Tankers
7

 
—

 
7

Total Spot Fleet (3)
40

 
1

 
41

Total Conventional Fleet
57

 
1

 
58

Ship-to-Ship Support Vessels
3

 
3

 
6

Total Teekay Tankers Fleet
60


4


64

(1)
We own one VLCC through a 50/50 joint venture with Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings Limited (please refer to Note 6 - Investments in and advances to Equity Accounted Investments, included in Item 18 – Financial Statements in this Annual Report).
(2)
The number of time-charter out contracts scheduled to expire include 16 in 2018 (including one jointly owned VLCC time-charter out contract) and one in 2019.
(3)
A total of 40 of our owned and capital lease vessels operated in the spot market in RSAs, which are managed by subsidiaries of TTOL (collectively, the Pool Managers). As at December 31, 2017, the three vessel class RSAs in which we participate were comprised of a total of 27 Suezmax tankers, 31 Aframax tankers, and nine LR2 product tankers (of which eight LR2 tankers are cross-trading in the Aframax RSA), including vessels owned by other members of the RSA.


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The following table provides additional information about our Suezmax-class oil tankers, including tankers that are owned and related to capital leases, as of December 31, 2017, of which 28 are Bahamian flagged and two are Malta flagged.

Vessel
Capacity
(dwt)
 
Built
 
Employment
 
Daily Rate
 
Expiration of
Charter
Ashkini Spirit
165,200

 
2003
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Aspen Spirit
156,800

 
2009
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Athens Spirit
158,500

 
2012
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Atlanta Spirit
158,700

 
2011
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Baker Spirit
156,900

 
2009
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Barcelona Spirit
158,500

 
2011
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Beijing Spirit
156,500

 
2010
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Cascade Spirit
156,900

 
2009
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Copper Spirit
156,800

 
2010
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Dilong Spirit
159,000

 
2009
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Godavari Spirit
159,100

 
2004
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Iskmati Spirit
165,300

 
2003
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Jiaolong Spirit
159,000

 
2009
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Kaveri Spirit
159,100

 
2004
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
London Spirit (1)
158,500

 
2011
 
Time charter
 
$21,000
 
Jan-18
Los Angeles Spirit (1)
159,200

 
2007
 
Time charter
 
$22,500
 
Jan-18
Montreal Spirit (2)
150,000

 
2006
 
Time charter
 
$22,000
 
Feb-18
Moscow Spirit
156,500

 
2010
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Narmada Spirit
159,200

 
2003
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Pinnacle Spirit
160,400

 
2008
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Rio Spirit (3)
158,400

 
2013
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Seoul Spirit
160,000

 
2005
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Shenlong Spirit (2)
159,000

 
2009
 
Time charter
 
$19,750
 
Feb-18
Summit Spirit
160,500

 
2008
 
Time Charter
 
$26,200
 
Aug-18
Sydney Spirit 
158,500

 
2012
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Tahoe Spirit (2)
156,900

 
2010
 
Time charter
 
$19,750
 
Feb-18
Tianlong Spirit
159,000

 
2009
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Tokyo Spirit 
150,000

 
2006
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Vail Spirit
157,000

 
2009
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Zenith Spirit
160,500

 
2009
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Total Capacity
4,749,900

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
The Suezmax tankers London Spirit and Los Angeles Spirit completed their respective time-charter out contracts and joined the Teekay Suezmax RSA in January 2018.
(2)
The Suezmax tankers Montreal Spirit, Shenlong Spirit and Tahoe Spirit completed their respective time-charter out contracts and joined the Teekay Suezmax RSA in February 2018.
(3)
The Suezmax tanker Rio Spirit entered into a time-charter out contract, which commenced in January 2018.


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The following table provides additional information about our owned Aframax-class oil tankers as of December 31, 2017, all of which are Bahamian flagged.

Vessel
Capacity
(dwt)
 
Built
 
Employment
 
Daily Rate
 
Expiration of
Charter
Americas Spirit
111,900

 
2003
 
Time charter
 
$15,000
 
Oct-18
Australian Spirit 
111,900

 
2004
 
Time charter
 
$16,000
 
Nov-18
Axel Spirit (1)
115,400

 
2004
 
Time charter
 
$18,000
 
Jan-18
Blackcomb Spirit
109,000

 
2010
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Emerald Spirit
109,100

 
2009
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Erik Spirit
115,500

 
2005
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Esther Spirit
115,400

 
2004
 
Time charter
 
$25,000
 
Dec-18
Everest Spirit 
115,000

 
2004
 
Time charter
 
$25,000
 
Apr-19
Explorer Spirit
105,800

 
2008
 
Spot
 
—
 
—
Garibaldi Spirit
109,000

 
2009
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Helga Spirit
115,500

 
2005
 
Time charter
 
$24,900
 
Sep-18
Matterhorn Spirit
114,800

 
2005
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Navigator Spirit
105,800

 
2008
 
Spot
 
—
 
—
Peak Spirit
104,600

 
2011
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Tarbet Spirit (1)
107,500

 
2009
 
Time charter
 
$17,000
 
Feb-18
Whistler Spirit
109,100

 
2010
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Yamato Spirit
107,600

 
2008
 
Time charter
 
$23,000
 
Jun-18
Total Capacity
1,882,900

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
The Aframax tankers Axel Spirit and Tarbet Spirit completed their respective time-charter out contracts and joined the Teekay Aframax RSA in January 2018 and February 2018, respectively.

The following table provides additional information about our owned LR2 product-class oil tankers as of December 31, 2017, of which seven are Bahamian flagged and two are Marshall Islands flagged.

Vessel
Capacity
(dwt)
 
Built
 
Employment
 
Daily Rate
 
Expiration of
Charter
Donegal Spirit
105,600

 
2006
 
Time charter
 
$17,750
 
Oct-18
Galway Spirit (1)
105,600

 
2007
 
Time charter
 
$17,000
 
Mar-18
Hovden Spirit
105,300

 
2012
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Leyte Spirit
109,700

 
2011
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Limerick Spirit
105,600

 
2007
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Luzon Spirit
109,600

 
2011
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Sebarok Spirit
109,600

 
2011
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Seletar Spirit
109,000

 
2010
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Trysil Spirit
105,300

 
2012
 
RSA
 
—
 
—
Total Capacity
965,300

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)The LR2 product tanker Galway Spirit completed a time-charter out contract and joined the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA in March 2018.

The following table provides additional information about our VLCC-class oil tanker as of December 31, 2017, which is Hong Kong flagged.

Vessel
Capacity
(dwt)
 
Built
 
Employment
 
Daily Rate
 
Expiration of
Charter
Hong Kong Spirit (1)
319,000

 
2013
 
Time charter
 
$37,500
 
Jul-18
(1)
The VLCC vessel, Hong Kong Spirit, is owned through a 50/50 joint venture. The charter rate on this vessel is subject to a profit sharing amount that is calculated every six months.


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Please read Note 8 - Long-Term Debt included in Item 18 – Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for information with respect to major encumbrances against our vessels.
Business Strategies
Our primary business strategies include the following:

•
Expand our fleet through accretive acquisitions. Since our initial public offering, we have purchased 21 conventional tankers from Teekay Corporation, 18 conventional tankers resulting from the merger with TIL, 17 conventional tankers from third parties and two conventional tankers from TOO. In the future, we anticipate growing our fleet primarily through acquisitions of tankers from third parties, by securing additional in-chartered vessels and by ordering newbuildings.
•
Tactically manage our mix of spot, charter, lightering, and LNG terminal management and consultancy contracts. We employ a chartering strategy that seeks to capture upside opportunities in the spot market while using fixed-rate contracts to reduce downside risks. We believe that our Manager’s experience operating through cycles in the tanker spot market will assist us in employing this strategy and seeking to maximize operating results. In addition, we expect that the July 2015 acquisition of SPT will provide stable cash flow, to partially offset volatility in the tanker market, through global ship-to-ship support services, full service lightering, and LNG terminal management and consultancy services.
•
Increase cash flow by participating in revenue sharing arrangements. We believe that the cash flow we derive over time from operating a significant number of our vessels in the Teekay Suezmax RSA, the Teekay Aframax RSA and the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA exceeds the amount we would otherwise derive by operating these vessels outside of the RSAs due to higher vessel utilization and daily revenues. We also derive RSA and vessel management income through the operations of TTOL, which owns conventional tanker commercial and technical management operations and directly administers four commercially managed RSAs. We seek to increase this fee income by increasing the number of vessels participating in the applicable RSAs.
•
Provide superior customer service by maintaining high reliability, safety, environmental and quality standards. We believe that energy companies seek transportation partners that have a reputation for high reliability, safety, environmental and quality standards. We leverage our reputation and operational expertise to further expand these relationships with consistent delivery of superior customer service through our Manager.
Our Chartering Strategy and Participation in the Vessel Revenue Sharing Arrangements
Chartering Strategy. We operate our vessels in both the spot market and under time charters of varying lengths in an effort to maximize cash flow from our vessels based on our Manager’s outlook for freight rates, oil tanker market conditions and global economic conditions. As of December 31, 2017, a total of 36 of our owned vessels, four of our capital lease vessels and one time-chartered in vessel operated in the spot market through participation in RSAs or on spot voyage charters. 24 of our owned and capital lease vessels operated in the Teekay Suezmax RSA, seven of our owned vessels operated in the Teekay Aframax RSA, and six of our owned vessels operated in the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA. In addition, three of our owned vessels and one time-chartered in vessel operated in the spot market on voyage charters. As of December 31, 2017, 16 of our owned vessels and one jointly-owned vessel operated under fixed-rate time-charter contracts. Our mix of vessels trading in the spot market, providing lightering services in the U.S. Gulf (or USG), or subject to fixed-rate time charters will change from time to time. Our Manager also may seek to hedge our spot exposure through the use of freight forward agreements or other financial instruments. Likewise, the managers of the RSAs in which we participate may, with our approval, enter into fixed-rate time charters for vessels we include in those RSAs, thereby decreasing spot-rate exposure without withdrawing the vessels from the RSAs.
Vessel Revenue Sharing Arrangements. Under the RSAs, the aggregate revenues generated by the applicable RSAs are distributed to RSA members, including us, pursuant to a pre-arranged weighting system based on actual earnings days each vessel is available during the applicable period and on each vessel’s earnings capability based on its characteristics, speed and bunker consumption. The allocation for each vessel participating in the RSA is established based on observations and historical consumption and performance measures of the individual vessel. Payments based on net cash flow applicable to each tanker are made on a monthly basis to RSA participants and adjusted at standard intervals determined by each RSA based on the weighting system. We have agreed with the respective RSA managers and RSA participants to include certain of our vessels trading on voyage charters into the RSAs assuming the vessel meets the respective RSA criteria. For example, our Suezmax tankers that are operating on voyage charters with terms of less than one year are included in the Teekay Suezmax RSA. Likewise, Aframax tankers and LR2 tankers on voyage charters with terms of 90 days or less participate in the Teekay Aframax RSA and the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA, respectively. Please read Item 7 – Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions: Related Party Transactions – Revenue Sharing Pooling Agreements, for additional information about the Teekay Suezmax RSA, the Teekay Aframax RSA, and the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA.
Voyage Charters. Tankers operating in the spot market typically are chartered for a single voyage, which may last up to several weeks. Spot market revenues may generate increased profit margins during times when tanker rates are increasing, while tankers operating under fixed-rate time charters generally provide more predictable cash flows without exposure to the variable expenses such as port charges and bunkers. Under a typical voyage charter in the spot market, the shipowner is paid on the basis of moving cargo from a loading port to a discharge port. The shipowner is responsible for paying both vessel operating costs and voyage expenses, and the charterer is responsible for any delay at the loading or discharging ports. Voyage expenses are all expenses attributable to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions. Vessel operating expenses are incurred regardless of particular voyage details and include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses. When the vessel is “off hire,” or not available for service, the vessel is unavailable to complete new voyage charters until the off hire is finalized and

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the vessel becomes available again for service. In addition, if the vessel is “off hire” while trading in a commercial RSA, the vessel will have those off hire days deducted from its monthly calculation of available days for the purpose of RSA distributions. Under a voyage charter, the shipowner is generally required, among other things, to keep the vessel seaworthy, to crew and maintain the vessel and to comply with applicable regulations.
Time Charters. A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate. A customer generally selects a time charter if it wants a dedicated vessel for a period of time, and the customer is commercially responsible for the use of the vessel. Under a typical time charter, the shipowner provides crewing and other services related to the vessel’s operation, the cost of which is included in the daily rate, while the customer is responsible for substantially all of the voyage expenses. When the vessel is off hire, the customer generally is not required to pay the hire rate and the owner is responsible for all costs. “Hire rate” refers to the basic payment from the charterer for the use of the vessel. Under our time charters, hire is payable monthly in advance in U.S. Dollars. Hire payments may be reduced, or under some time charters the shipowner must pay liquidated damages, if the vessel does not perform to certain of its specifications, such as if the amount of fuel consumed to power the vessel under normal circumstances exceeds a guaranteed amount. When the vessel is “off hire,” or not available for service, the charterer generally is not required to pay the hire rate, and the shipowner is responsible for all costs, including the cost of fuel bunkers, unless the charterer is responsible for the circumstances giving rise to the lack of availability. A vessel generally will be deemed to be off hire if there is an occurrence preventing the full working of the vessel.
Time-Charters-in. A time-charter in vessel is one that is contracted from another party for use by us for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate. We may choose to place the time-chartered in vessel in a RSA if it meets the standards to participate in a RSA or to employ it on a fixed-rate time-charter out for the same period of time the vessel is chartered-in to us or for shorter depending on the market conditions and the Manager’s outlook for the market. Under a typical time-charter in, the shipowner provides crewing and other services related to the vessel’s operation, the cost of which is included in the daily hire rate. The customer is responsible for substantially all of the voyage-related expenses. When the vessel is off hire the customer generally is not required to pay the hire rate, and the shipowner is responsible for all costs, including the cost of fuel bunkers, unless the charterer is responsible for the circumstances giving rise to the lack of availability. A vessel generally will be deemed to be off hire if there is an occurrence preventing the full working of the vessel.
Our Full Service Lightering, Ship-to-ship Support Services, and LNG Terminal Management and Consultancy Strategy
Full Service Lightering. Full service lightering is the process of transferring cargo between vessels of different sizes. Our lightering capability leverages access to our Aframax fleet operating in the USG and our offshore lightering support acumen to provide full service lightering. Our customers include oil companies and trading companies that are importing or exporting crude oil in the USG to or from larger Suezmax and VLCC vessels which are port restricted due to their size. We believe that our full service lightering in the USG will provide additional base cargo volume complementary to our spot trading strategy in the Caribbean to the USG market, and allow our Manager to better optimize the deployment of the fleet that we trade in this region through better scheduling flexibility and utilization.
Ship-to-Ship Support Services and LNG Terminal Management and Consultancy Services. Ship-to-ship (or STS) support service is the process of transferring cargo between seagoing ships positioned alongside each other, either stationary or underway. Demand for global ship-to-ship support services is often driven by oil market arbitrages and oil traders optimizing their USD ton/mile on cargoes. We intend to access various opportunities related to the provision of global ship-to-ship services, including blending, breaking of bulk cargo shipments, and the optimization of markets in contango which may use floating storage as a more cost-effective solution to shore tankage. LNG terminal management and consultancy services revolve around tailored service provisions focusing on areas such as LNG terminal operations and maintenance, LNG terminal development, LNG bunkering solutions, and commissioning and compatibility services. We seek to obtain more sustainable revenue through long-term, fixed-rate contracts for these LNG services.
Industry and Competition
We compete in the Suezmax (125,000 to 199,999 dwt) and Aframax (80,000 to 124,999 dwt) crude oil tanker markets. Our competition in the Aframax and Suezmax markets is also affected by the availability of other size vessels that compete in these markets. Suezmax size vessels and Panamax (55,000 to 79,999 dwt) size vessels can compete for many of the same charters for which our Aframax tankers compete; Aframax size vessels and VLCCs (200,000 to 319,999 dwt) can compete for many of the same charters for which our Suezmax tankers may compete. Because of their large size, VLCCs and Ultra Large Crude Carriers (or ULCCs) (320,000+ dwt) rarely compete directly with Aframax tankers, and ULCCs rarely compete with Suezmax tankers for specific charters. However, because VLCCs and ULCCs comprise a substantial portion of the total capacity of the market, movements by such vessels into Suezmax trades and of Suezmax vessels into Aframax trades would heighten the already intense competition.

We also compete in the LR2 (80,000 to 119,999 dwt) product tanker market. Our competition in the LR2 product tanker market is affected by the availability of other size vessels that compete in the market. Long Range 1 (or LR1) (60,000-79,999 dwt) size vessels can compete for many of the same charters for which our LR2 tankers compete.

Seaborne transportation of crude oil and refined petroleum products are provided both by major energy companies (private as well as state-owned) and by independent ship owners. The desire of many major energy companies to outsource all or a portion of their shipping requirements has caused the number of conventional oil tankers owned by energy companies to decrease in the last 20 years. As a result of this trend, independent tanker companies now own or control a large majority of the international tanker fleet.

As of December 31, 2017, other large operators of Aframax tonnage (including newbuildings on order) included Sovcomflot (approximately 48 vessels), Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (or MISC) (approximately 43 Aframax vessels), the Sigma Pool (approximately 36

28


vessels) and the Navig8 Pool (approximately 17 vessels). Other large operators of Suezmax tonnage (including newbuildings on order) as of such date included Nordic American Tankers (approximately 33 vessels), the Blue Fin Pool (approximately 23 vessels), Euronav (approximately 22 vessels), the Stena Sonangol Pool (approximately 18 vessels), Navig8 (approximately 16 vessels), and Sovcomflot (approximately 15 vessels).

As of December 31, 2017, we remain effectively one of three active full service lightering businesses in the USG, the largest being AET Tankers (or AET) (a subsidiary company of MISC) and the smallest being OSG Lightering (a subsidiary of International Seaways Inc.). AET and we remain as the only two providers consistently offering the compliment of full service STS offering, which includes the availability of Aframax tonnage to provide shipment between shore and offshore. USG lightering trade has a steady foundation of demand due to traditional imports into the United States to serve U.S. Gulf Coast refinery demand. Although imports of crude oil into the U.S. have declined as a result of OPEC cuts that are ongoing since 2016, we believe that the demand for import lightering has stabilized to a base level that is consistent to the dependency which U.S. refiners still have on foreign oil that is only economically transported on larger VLCC and Suezmax class vessels into the U.S. Gulf Coast. At the end of 2017, export lightering comprised approximately 30% of total volume lightered in the U.S. Gulf. As the United States continues to project growth in crude production, we believe that the percentage of export lightering as compared to import lightering will increase as shippers look to leverage U.S. crude oil exports on larger size vessels, including VLCC and Suezmax vessels targeted for Asia.

As of December 31, 2017, the largest operators of LR2 tonnage (including newbuildings on order) included Scorpio Tankers (approximately 23 vessels), the Navig8 LR2 pool (approximately 16 vessels), the Sigma Pool (approximately 15 vessels), Torm Tankers (approximately 14 vessels), and Ocean Tankers (approximately 12 vessels).

Competition in both the crude and product tanker markets is primarily based on price, location (for single-voyage or short-term charters), size, age, condition and acceptability of the vessel, oil tanker shipping experience and quality of ship operations, and the size of an operating fleet, with larger fleets allowing for greater vessel substitution, availability and customer service. Aframax and Suezmax tankers are particularly well-suited for short and medium-haul crude oil routes, while LR2 tankers are well-suited for long and medium-haul refined product routes.

Historically, the tanker industry has been cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability due to changes in oil tanker demand and oil tanker supply. The cyclical nature of the tanker industry causes significant increases or decreases in charter rates earned by operators of oil tankers. Because voyage charters occur in short intervals and are priced on a current, or “spot,” market rate, the spot market is more volatile than time charters and the tanker industry generally. In the past, there have been periods when spot rates declined below the operating cost of the vessels.

Our largest competitor in the ship-to-ship global support business and the LNG terminal management and consultancy business is Fendercare Marine. Fendercare Marine is well-established and was relatively unchallenged in what was a niche market until 2006, when SPT developed from being primarily a U.S. based supplier. Through the growth of SPT we have gained market share, and now under TNK, we look to increase our presence further through our intended business development.

Oil Tanker Demand. Demand for oil tankers is a function of several factors, including world oil demand and supply (which affect the amount of crude oil and refined products transported in tankers), and the relative locations of oil production, refining and consumption (which affects the distance over which the oil or refined products are transported).

Oil has been one of the world’s primary energy sources for a number of decades. As of December 2017, the International Energy Agency (or IEA) estimated that oil consumption will increase from 97.8 million barrels per day (or mb/d) in 2017, to 99.1 mb/d in 2018 driven by increasing consumption in non-OECD countries. A majority of known oil reserves are located in regions far from major consuming regions, which contributes positively toward demand for oil tankers.

The distance over which crude oil or refined petroleum products is transported is determined by seaborne trading and distribution patterns, which are principally influenced by the relative advantages of the various sources of production and locations of consumption. Seaborne trading patterns are also periodically influenced by geopolitical events, such as wars, hostilities and trade embargoes that divert tankers from normal trading patterns, as well as by inter-regional oil trading activity created by oil supply and demand imbalances. Historically, the level of oil exports from the Middle East has had a strong effect on the crude tanker market due to the relatively long distance between this supply source and typical discharge points. Over the past few years, the growing economies of China and India have increased and diversified their oil imports, resulting in an overall increase in transportation distance for crude tankers. Major consumers in Asia have increased their crude import volumes from longer-haul producers, such as those in the Atlantic Basin.

The limited growth in refinery capacity in developed nations, the largest consumers of oil in recent years, and increasing refinery capacity in the Middle East and parts of Asia where capacity surplus supports exports, have also altered traditional trading patterns and contributed to the overall increase in transportation distance for both crude tankers and products tankers.

Oil Tanker Supply. New Aframax, Suezmax and LR2 tankers are generally expected to have a lifespan of approximately 25 to 30 years, based on estimated hull fatigue life. However, U.S. and international regulations require the earlier phase-out of existing vessels that are not double-hulled, regardless of their expected lifespan. As of December 31, 2017, the world Aframax crude tanker fleet consisted of 622 vessels, with an additional 56 Aframax crude oil tanker newbuildings on order for delivery through 2018; the world Suezmax crude tanker fleet consisted of 499 vessels, with an additional 36 Suezmax crude oil tanker newbuildings on order for delivery through 2018; the world LR2 product tanker fleet consisted of 342 vessels, and with an additional 17 LR2 product tanker newbuildings on order through 2018. Currently, delivery of a vessel typically occurs within two to three years after ordering.


29


The supply of oil tankers is primarily a function of new vessel deliveries, vessel scrapping and the conversion or loss of tonnage. The level of newbuilding orders is primarily a function of newbuilding prices in relation to current and prospective charter market conditions. Other factors that affect tanker supply are the availability of financing and shipyard capacity. The level of vessel scrapping activity is primarily a function of scrapping prices in relation to current and prospective charter market conditions and operating, repair and survey costs. Industry regulations also affect scrapping levels. Please read “—Regulations” below. Demand for drybulk vessel and floating storage off-take units, to which tankers can be converted, strongly affects the number of tanker conversions.

For more than a decade, there has been a significant and ongoing shift toward quality in vessels and operations, as charterers and regulators increasingly focus on safety and protection of the environment. Since 1990, there has been an increasing emphasis on environmental protection through legislation and regulations such as OPA 90, International Maritime Organization (or IMO) regulations and protocols, and classification society procedures that demand higher quality tanker construction, maintenance, repair and operations. We believe that operators with proven ability to integrate these required safety regulations into their operations have a competitive advantage.
Safety, Management of Ship Operations and Administration
Safety and environmental compliance are our top operational priorities. Our vessels are operated by our Manager in a manner intended to protect the safety and health of our employees, the general public and the environment. We actively seek to manage the risks inherent in our business and are committed to eliminating incidents that threaten the safety and integrity of our vessels, such as groundings, fires, collisions and petroleum spills. In 2007, we introduced a behavior-based safety program called “Safety in Action” to further enhance the safety culture in our fleet. We are also committed to reducing our emissions and waste generation. In 2008, we introduced the Quality Assurance and Training Officers (or QATO) Program to conduct rigorous internal audits of our processes and provide our seafarers with onboard training.

Teekay Corporation, through certain of its subsidiaries, provides technical management services for the majority of our vessels. Teekay Corporation has obtained through Det Norske Veritas Germanischer Lloyd (or DNV-GL), the Norwegian classification society, approval of its safety management system as in compliance with the International Safety Management Code (or ISM Code), and this system has been implemented for all of our vessels. As part of Teekay Corporation’s ISM Code compliance, all of the vessels’ safety management certificates are maintained through ongoing internal audits performed by Teekay Corporation’s certified internal auditors and intermediate audits performed by DNV-GL.

In addition to the mandatory internal audits conducted by the QATOs, an internal audit is conducted by the Teekay Tanker’s Health Safety, Environment and Quality (or HSEQ) team every quarter to ensure that all ship management functions are strictly adhered to.

Teekay Tankers conducts quarterly Safety Management courses for senior officers, Onboard Safety Officer courses for safety officers and Rating safety courses. These are delivered by senior managers from Teekay Tankers.

Depending on existing HSEQ trends, various campaigns are run to address the shortcomings that are identified.

Additionally, a number of other projects have been implemented, including the Navigation Safety Handbook, Significant Incident Potential (SIP), Behavioral Safety (E-colors) as well as Risk Tools handbook.

Teekay Corporation provides, through certain of its subsidiaries, expertise in various functions critical to our operations and access to human resources, financial and other administrative functions. Critical ship management functions that our Manager provides to us through its affiliates include:

•
vessel maintenance (including repairs and dry docking) and certification;
•
crewing by competent seafarers;
•
purchasing of stores, bunkers and spare parts;
•
shipyard supervision;
•
insurance; and
•
financial management services.

These functions are supported by onboard and onshore systems for maintenance, inventory, purchasing and budget management.

All vessels are operated by us under a comprehensive and integrated Safety Management System that complies with the ISM Code, the International Standards Organization’s (or ISO) 9001 for Quality Assurance, ISO 14001 for Environment Management Systems, and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (or OHSAS) 18001 and the new Maritime Labour Convention 2006 that became enforceable on August 20, 2013. The management system is certified by DNV-GL. Although certification is valid for five years, compliance with the above-mentioned standards is confirmed on a yearly basis by a rigorous auditing procedure that includes both internal audits as well as external verification audits by DNV-GL and certain flag states.

30


Risk of Loss, Insurance and Risk Management
The operation of any ocean-going vessel carries an inherent risk of catastrophic marine disasters, death or injury of persons and property losses caused by adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures, human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events. In addition, the transportation of crude oil and petroleum products is subject to the risk of spills and to business interruptions due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities, labor strikes, sanctions and boycotts. The occurrence of any of these events may result in loss of revenues or increased costs.

We carry hull and machinery (marine and war risks) and protection and indemnity insurance coverage to protect against most of the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business. Hull and machinery insurance covers loss of or damage to a vessel due to marine perils such as collision, grounding and weather. Protection and indemnity insurance indemnifies us against other liabilities incurred while operating vessels, including injury to the crew, third parties, cargo loss and pollution. The current maximum amount of our coverage for pollution is $1 billion per vessel per incident. We also carry insurance policies covering war risks (including piracy and terrorism). None of our vessels are insured against loss of revenues resulting from vessel off-hire time, based on the cost of this insurance compared to our off-hire experience. We believe that current insurance coverage is adequate to protect against most of the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business and that we maintain appropriate levels of environmental damage and pollution coverage. However, we cannot guarantee that all covered risks are adequately insured against, that any particular claim will be paid or that we will be able to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future. More stringent environmental regulations have resulted in increased costs for, and may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against the risks of environmental damage or pollution.

In our operations, we use Teekay Corporation’s thorough risk management program which includes, among other things, risk analysis tools, maintenance and assessment programs, a seafarers competence training program, seafarers workshops and membership in emergency response organizations. We believe we benefit from Teekay Corporation’s commitment to safety and environmental protection as certain of its subsidiaries assist us in managing our vessel operations.

Teekay Corporation has achieved certification under the standards reflected in ISO 9001 for quality assurance, ISO 14001 for environment management systems, OHSAS 18001, and the IMO’s International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention on a fully integrated basis.
Flag, Classification, Audits and Inspections
Our vessels are registered with reputable flag states, and the hull and machinery of all of our vessels have been “classed” by one of the major classification societies and members of the International Association of Classification Societies ltd (or IACS): DNV-GL, Lloyd’s Register of Shipping or the American Bureau of Shipping.

The applicable classification society certifies that the vessel’s design and build conforms to the applicable class rules and meets the requirements of the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the international conventions to which that country is a signatory. The classification society also verifies throughout the vessel’s life that it continues to be maintained in accordance with those rules. In order to validate this, the vessels are surveyed by the classification society in accordance to the classification society rules, which in the case of our vessels follows a comprehensive five-year special survey cycle, renewed every fifth year. During each five-year period the vessel undergoes annual and intermediate surveys, the scrutiny and intensity of which is primarily dictated by the age of the vessel. As our vessels are modern and we have enhanced the resiliency of the underwater coatings of each vessel hull and marked the hull to facilitate underwater inspections by divers, their underwater areas are inspected in a dry dock at two and a half to five-year intervals. In-water inspection is carried out during the second or third annual inspection (i.e. during an intermediate survey).

In addition to class surveys, the vessel’s flag state also verifies the condition of the vessel during annual flag state inspections, either independently or by additional authorization to class. Also, port state authorities of a vessel’s port of call are authorized under international conventions to undertake regular and spot checks of vessels visiting their jurisdiction.

Processes followed onboard are audited by either the flag state or the classification society acting on behalf of the flag state to ensure that they meet the requirements of the ISM Code. DNV-GL typically carries out this task. We also follow an internal process of internal audits undertaken annually at each office and vessel.

We follow a comprehensive inspections scheme supported by our sea staff, shore-based operational and technical specialists and members of our QATO program. We carry out regular inspections, which help us to ensure that:

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our vessels and operations adhere to our operating standards;
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the structural integrity of the vessel is being maintained;
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machinery and equipment is being maintained to give reliable service;
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we are optimizing performance in terms of speed and fuel consumption; and
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our vessels' appearance supports our brand and meets customer expectations.


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Our customers also often carry out vetting inspections under the Ship Inspection Report Program, which is a significant safety initiative introduced by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum to specifically address concerns about sub-standard vessels. The inspection results permit charterers to screen a vessel to ensure that it meets their general and specific risk-based shipping requirements.

We believe that the heightened environmental and quality concerns of insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers will generally lead to greater scrutiny, inspection and safety requirements on all vessels in the oil tanker markets and will accelerate the scrapping or phasing out of older vessels throughout these markets.

Overall, we believe that our relatively new, well-maintained and high-quality vessels provide us with a competitive advantage in the current environment of increasing regulation and customer emphasis on quality of service.
Regulations
General
Our business and the operation of our vessels are significantly affected by international conventions and national, state and local laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate, as well as in the country or countries of their registration. Because these conventions, laws and regulations change frequently, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of compliance or their impact on the resale price or useful life of our vessels. Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and that may materially affect our operations. We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain permits, licenses and certificates with respect to our operations. Subject to the discussion below and to the fact that the kinds of permits, licenses and certificates required for the operations of the vessels we own will depend on a number of factors, we believe that we will be able to continue to obtain all permits, licenses and certificates material to the conduct of our operations.
International Maritime Organization (or IMO)
The IMO is the United Nations’ agency for maritime safety and prevention of pollution. IMO regulations relating to pollution prevention for oil tankers have been adopted by many of the jurisdictions in which our tanker fleet operates. Under IMO regulations, and subject to limited exceptions, a tanker must be of double-hull construction in accordance with the requirements set out in these regulations, or be of another approved design ensuring the same level of protection against oil pollution. All of our tankers are double-hulled.

Many countries, but not the United States, have ratified and follow the liability regime adopted by the IMO and set out in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, as amended (or CLC). Under this convention, a vessel’s registered owner is strictly liable for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil (e.g. crude oil, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil or lubricating oil), subject to certain defenses. The right to limit liability to specified amounts that are periodically revised is forfeited under the CLC when the spill is caused by the owner’s actual fault or when the spill is caused by the owner’s intentional or reckless conduct. Vessels trading to contracting states must provide evidence of insurance covering the limited liability of the owner. In jurisdictions where the CLC has not been adopted, various legislative regimes or common law governs, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to the CLC.

IMO regulations also include the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (or SOLAS), including amendments to SOLAS implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (or ISPS), the ISM Code, the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966. SOLAS provides rules for the construction of and the equipment required for commercial vessels and includes regulations for their safe operation. Flag states, which have ratified the convention and the treaty generally employ the classification societies, which have incorporated SOLAS requirements into their class rules, to undertake surveys to confirm compliance.

SOLAS and other IMO regulations concerning safety, including those relating to treaties on training of shipboard personnel, lifesaving appliances, radio equipment and the global maritime distress and safety system, are applicable to our operations. Non-compliance with IMO regulations, including SOLAS, the ISM Code, ISPS and other regulations, may subject us to increased liability or penalties, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to or detention in some ports. For example, the United States Coast Guard (or USCG) and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports. The ISM Code requires vessel operators to obtain a safety management certification for each vessel they manage, evidencing the shipowner’s development and maintenance of an extensive safety management system. Each of the existing vessels in our fleet is currently ISM Code-certified, and we expect to obtain safety management certificates for each newbuilding vessel upon delivery.

The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (or MSC) has adopted the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (the IGF Code), which is mandatory for ships fueled by gases or other low-flashpoint fuels, setting out mandatory provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using low-flashpoint fuel.

Annex VI to the IMO's International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) (or Annex VI) sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide (or NOx) emissions from ship exhausts and prohibits emissions of ozone depleting substances, emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks and the incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also includes a world-wide cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special “emission control areas” (or ECAs) to be established with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions.


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Annex VI provides for a three-tier reduction in NOx emissions from marine diesel engines, with the final tier (or Tier III) to apply to engines installed on vessels constructed on or after January 1, 2016 and which operate in the North American ECA or the U.S. Caribbean Sea ECA as well as ECAs designated in the future by the IMO. In October 2016 the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (or MEPC) approved the designation of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea as ECAs for NOx emissions; these ECAs and the related amendments to Annex VI of MARPOL (with some exceptions) shall enter into effect on January 1, 2019.

As of March 1, 2018, amendments to Annex VI impose new requirements on ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above to collect consumption data for each type of fuel oil they use, as well as certain other data including proxies for transport work.

The IMO has issued guidance regarding protecting against acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia. We comply with these guidelines.

The IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention entered into force on September 8, 2017. As of December 31, 2017, there were 67 contracting states to the convention. The convention stipulates two standards for discharged ballast water. The D-1 standard covers ballast water exchange while the D-2 standard covers ballast water treatment. The convention requires the implementation of either the D-1 or D-2 standard. There will be a transitional period from the entry into force to the International Oil Pollution Prevention (or IOPP) renewal survey in which ballast water exchange (reg. D-1) can be employed. The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (or MEPC) agreed to a compromise on the implementation dates for the D-2 discharge standard: ships constructed on or after September 8, 2017 must comply with the D-2 standard upon delivery. Existing ships should be D-2 compliant on the first IOPP renewal following entry into force if the survey is completed on or after September 8, 2019, or a renewal IOPP survey is completed on or after September 8, 2014 but prior to September 8, 2017. Ships should be D-2 compliant on the second IOPP renewal survey after September 8, 2017 if the first renewal survey after that date is completed prior to September 8, 2019 and if the previous two conditions are not met. Vessels will be required to meet the discharge standard D-2 by installing an approved Ballast Water Management System (or BWMS). Besides the IMO convention, ships sailing in U.S. waters are required to employ a type-approved BWMS which is compliant with USCG regulations. The USCG has approved a number of BWMS. We estimate that the installation of approved BWMS may cost between $2 million and $3 million per vessel.

The IMO has also adopted an International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (or Polar Code) which deals with matters regarding design, construction, equipment, operation, search and rescue and environmental protection in relation to ships operating in waters surrounding the two poles. The Polar Code includes both safety and environmental provisions. The Polar Code and related amendments entered into force in January 2017. The Polar Code is mandatory for new vessels built after January 1, 2017. For existing ships, this code will be applicable from the first intermediate or renewal survey, whichever occurs first, beginning on or after January 1, 2018.

In addition to the requirements of major IMO shipping conventions, the exploration for and production of oil and gas within the Newfoundland & Labrador (or NL) offshore area is conducted pursuant to the Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act (or the Accord Act) in accordance with the conditions of a license and authorization issued by the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (or CNLOPB). Various regulations dealing with environmental, occupational health and safety, and other aspects of offshore oil and gas activities have been enacted under the Accord Act. The CNLOPB has also issued interpretive guidelines concerning compliance with the regulations, and compliance with CNLOPB guidelines may be a condition of the issuance or renewal of the license and authorizations. These regulations and guidelines require that the shuttle tankers in the NL offshore area meet stringent standards for equipment, reporting and redundancy systems, and for the training and equipping of seagoing staff. Further, licensees are required by the Accord Act to provide a benefits plan satisfactory to CNLOPB. Such plans generally require the licensee to: establish an office in NL; give NL residents first consideration for training and employment; make expenditures for research and development and education and training to be carried out in NL; and give first consideration to services provided from within NL and to goods manufactured in NL. These regulatory requirements may change as regulations and CNLOPB guidelines are amended or replaced from time to time.

MARPOL Annex I also states that oil residue may be discharged directly from the sludge tank to the shore reception facility through standard discharge connections. They may also be discharged to the incinerator or to an auxiliary boiler suitable for burning the oil by means of a dedicated discharge pump. Amendments to Annex I expand on the requirements for discharge connections and piping to ensure residues are properly disposed of. Annex I is applicable for existing vessels with a first renewal survey beginning on or after January 1, 2017.

MSC 91 adopted amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-2/10 to clarify that a minimum of two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus for each fire party for firefighters' communication shall be carried on board. These radio devices shall be of explosion proof type or intrinsically safe type. All existing ships built before July 1, 2014 should comply with this requirement by the first safety equipment survey after July 1, 2018. All new vessels constructed (keel laid) on or after July 1, 2014 must comply with this requirement at the time of delivery.

As per MSC. 338(91), requirements have been highlighted for audio and visual indicators for breathing apparatus which will alert the user before the volume of the air in the cylinder has been reduced to no less than 200 liters. This applies to ships constructed on or after July 1, 2014. Ships constructed before July 1, 2014 must comply no later than July 1, 2019.

The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations; as such, it is impossible to predict what additional requirements, if any, may be adopted by the IMO and what effect, if any, such regulations might have on our operations.
European Union (or EU)
The EU has adopted legislation that: bans from European waters manifestly sub-standard vessels (defined as vessels that have been detained twice by EU port authorities, in the preceding two years); creates obligations on the part of EU member port states to inspect minimum percentages of vessels using these ports annually; provides for increased surveillance of vessels posing a high risk to maritime safety or the

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marine environment; and provides the EU with greater authority and control over classification societies, including the ability to seek to suspend or revoke the authority of negligent societies.
Two regulations were introduced by the European Commission in September 2010, as part of the implementation of the Port State Control Directive. These came into force on January 1, 2011 and introduced a ranking system (published on a public website and updated daily) displaying shipping companies operating in the EU with the worst safety records. The ranking is judged upon the results of the technical inspections carried out on the vessels owned by a particular shipping company. Those shipping companies that have the most positive safety records are rewarded by subjecting them to fewer inspections, while those with the most safety shortcomings or technical failings recorded upon inspection will in turn be subject to a greater frequency of official inspections to their vessels.
The EU has, by way of Directive 2005/35/EC, which has been amended by Directive 2009/123/EC created a legal framework for imposing criminal penalties in the event of discharges of oil and other noxious substances from ships sailing in its waters, irrespective of their flag. This relates to discharges of oil or other noxious substances from vessels. Minor discharges shall not automatically be considered as offenses, except where repetition leads to deterioration in the quality of the water. The persons responsible may be subject to criminal penalties if they have acted with intent, recklessly or with serious negligence and the act of inciting, aiding and abetting a person to discharge a polluting substance may also lead to criminal penalties.
The EU has adopted a Directive requiring the use of low sulfur fuel. Since January 1, 2015, vessels have been required to burn fuel with sulfur content not exceeding 0.1% while within EU member states’ territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones that are included in SOX Emission Control Areas. Other jurisdictions have also adopted similar regulations. Since January 1, 2014, the California Air Resources Board has required vessels to burn fuel with 0.1% sulfur content or less within 24 nautical miles of California. China also established emission control areas and continues to establish such areas, restricting the maximum sulfur content of the fuel to be used by vessels within those areas, which limits become progressively stricter over time.
IMO regulations require that as of January 1, 2015, all vessels operating within ECAs worldwide recognized under MARPOL Annex VI must comply with 0.1% sulfur requirements. Currently, the only grade of fuel meeting 0.1% sulfur content requirement is low sulfur marine gas oil (or LSMGO). Certain modifications were necessary in order to optimize operation on LSMGO of equipment originally designed to operate on Heavy Fuel Oil (or HFO). In addition, LSMGO is more expensive than HFO and this could impact the costs of operations. Our exposure to increased cost is in our spot trading vessels, although our competitors bear a similar cost increase as this is a regulatory item applicable to all vessels. All required vessels in our fleet trading to and within regulated low sulfur areas are able to comply with fuel requirements. The global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil is currently 3.5%, to be reduced to 0.5% by January 1, 2020.
The EU Ship Recycling Regulation aims to prevent, reduce and minimize accidents, injuries and other negative effects on human health and the environment when ships are recycled and the hazardous waste they contain is removed. The legislation applies to all ships flying the flag of an EU country and to vessels with non-EU flags that call at an EU port or anchorage. It sets out responsibilities for ship owners and for recycling facilities both in the EU and in other countries. Each new ship has to have on board an inventory of the hazardous materials (such as asbestos, lead or mercury) it contains in either its structure or equipment. The use of certain hazardous materials is forbidden. Before a ship is recycled, its owner must provide the company carrying out the work with specific information about the vessel and prepare a ship recycling plan. Recycling may only take place at facilities listed on the EU ‘List of facilities’. In 2014, the Council Decision 2014/241/EU authorized EU countries having ships flying their flag or registered under their flag to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. The Regulation is to apply generally not later than December 31, 2018, with certain provisions applicable from December 31, 2020. The EU Commission adopted a European List of approved ship recycling facilities, as well as four further implementing decisions dealing with certification and other administrative requirements set out in the Regulation.
United States
The United States has enacted an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills, including discharges of oil cargoes, bunker fuels or lubricants, primarily through the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (or OPA 90) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (or CERCLA). OPA 90 affects all owners, operators, and bareboat charterers, whose vessels trade to the United States or its territories or possessions or whose vessels operate in United States waters, which include the U.S. territorial sea and 200-mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. CERCLA applies to the discharge of “hazardous substances” rather than “oil” and imposes strict joint and several liabilities upon the owners, operators or bareboat charterers of vessels for cleanup costs and damages arising from discharges of hazardous substances. We believe that petroleum products should not be considered hazardous substances under CERCLA, but additives to oil or lubricants used on vessels might fall within its scope.

Under OPA 90, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the oil spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war and the responsible party reports the incident and reasonably cooperates with the appropriate authorities) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels. These other damages are defined broadly to include:

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natural resources damages and the related assessment costs;
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real and personal property damages;
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net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees and other lost revenues;
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lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to property or natural resources damage;

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net cost of public services necessitated by a spill response, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards; and
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loss of subsistence use of natural resources.
OPA 90 limits the liability of responsible parties in an amount it periodically updates. The liability limits do not apply if the incident was proximately caused by violation of applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulations, including IMO conventions to which the United States is a signatory, or by the responsible party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, or if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and assist in connection with the oil removal activities. Liability under CERCLA is also subject to limits unless the incident is caused by gross negligence, willful misconduct, or a violation of certain regulations. We currently maintain for each of our vessel’s pollution liability coverage in the maximum coverage amount of $1 billion per incident. A catastrophic spill could exceed the coverage available, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Under OPA 90, with limited exceptions, all newly built or converted tankers delivered after January 1, 1994 and operating in U.S. waters must be double-hulled. All of our tankers are double-hulled.

OPA 90 also requires owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the United States Coast Guard (or the Coast Guard) evidence of financial responsibility in an amount at least equal to the relevant limitation amount for such vessels under the statute. The Coast Guard has implemented regulations requiring that an owner or operator of a fleet of vessels must demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility in an amount sufficient to cover the vessel in the fleet having the greatest maximum limited liability under OPA 90 and CERCLA. Evidence of financial responsibility may be demonstrated by insurance, surety bond, self-insurance, guaranty or an alternative method subject to approval by the Coast Guard. Under the self-insurance provisions, the ship owners or operator must have a net worth and working capital, measured in assets located in the United States against liabilities located anywhere in the world, that exceeds the applicable amount of financial responsibility. We have complied with the Coast Guard regulations by obtaining financial guaranties from one of its subsidiaries covering our vessels. If other vessels in our fleet trade into the United States in the future, we expect to obtain guaranties from third-party insurers.

OPA 90 and CERCLA permit individual U.S. states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil or hazardous substance pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited strict liability for spills. Several coastal states require state-specific evidence of financial responsibility and vessel response plans. We intend to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.

Owners or operators of vessels, including tankers, operating in U.S. waters are required to file vessel response plans with the Coast Guard, and their tankers are required to operate in compliance with their Coast Guard approved plans. Such response plans must, among other things:

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address a “worst case” scenario and identify and ensure, through contract or other approved means, the availability of necessary private response resources to respond to a “worst case discharge”;
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describe crew training and drills; and
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identify a qualified individual with full authority to implement removal actions.
We have filed vessel response plans with the Coast Guard and have received its approval of such plans. In addition, we conduct regular oil spill response drills in accordance with the guidelines set out in OPA 90. The Coast Guard has announced it intends to propose similar regulations requiring certain vessels to prepare response plans for the release of hazardous substances.

OPA 90 and CERCLA do not preclude claimants from seeking damages resulting from the discharge of oil and hazardous substances under other applicable law, including maritime tort law. The application of this doctrine varies by jurisdiction.

The U.S. Clean Water Act (or the Clean Water Act) also prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in U.S. navigable waters and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for unauthorized discharges. The Clean Water Act imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA 90 and CERCLA discussed above.

Our vessels that discharge certain effluents, including ballast water, in U.S. waters must obtain a Clean Water Act permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA) titled the “Vessel General Permit” and comply with a range of effluent limitations, best management practices, reporting, inspections and other requirements. The current Vessel General Permit incorporates Coast Guard requirements for ballast water exchange and includes specific technology-based requirements for vessels, and includes an implementation schedule to require vessels to meet the ballast water effluent limitations by the first dry docking after January 1, 2016, depending on the vessel size. This permit is effective to December 18, 2018. Vessels that are constructed after December 1, 2013 are subject to the ballast water numeric effluent limitations. Several U.S. states have added specific requirements to the Vessel General Permit and, in some cases, may require vessels to install ballast water treatment technology to meet biological performance standards.
Greenhouse Gas Regulation
In February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (or the Kyoto Protocol) entered into force. Pursuant to the Kyoto Protocol, adopting countries are required to implement national programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. In December 2009, more than 27 nations, including the United States, entered into the Copenhagen Accord. The Copenhagen Accord is non-binding, but is intended to pave the way for a comprehensive, international treaty on climate change. In December 2015 the Paris

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Agreement (or the Paris Agreement) was adopted by a large number of countries at the 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (commonly known as COP 21, a conference of the countries which are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; the COP is the highest decision-making authority of this organization). The Paris Agreement, which entered into force on November 4, 2016, deals with greenhouse gas emission reduction measures and targets from 2020 in order to limit the global temperature increases to well below 2˚ Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Although shipping was ultimately not included in the Paris Agreement, it is expected that the adoption of the Paris Agreement may lead to regulatory changes in relation to curbing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.
In July 2011, the IMO adopted regulations imposing technical and operational measures for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These new regulations formed a new chapter in Annex VI and became effective on January 1, 2013. The new technical and operational measures include the “Energy Efficiency Design Index” (or the EEDI), which is mandatory for newbuilding vessels, and the “Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan,” which is mandatory for all vessels. In October 2016, the IMO’s MEPC adopted updated guidelines for the calculation of the EEDI. In addition, the IMO is evaluating various mandatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, which may include market-based instruments or a carbon tax. In October 2014, the IMO’s MEPC agreed in principle to develop a system of data collection regarding fuel consumption of ships. In October 2016, the IMO adopted a mandatory data collection system under which vessels of 5,000 gross tonnages and above are to collect fuel consumption and other data and to report the aggregated data so collected to their flag state at the end of each calendar year. The new requirements entered into force on March 1, 2018. The IMO also approved a roadmap for the development of a comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships with an initial strategy to be adopted in 2018 (July 7, 2017 saw the MEPC agree on a draft outline of the IMO’s strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping sector) and a revised strategy to be adopted in 2023.
The EU also has indicated that it intends to propose an expansion of an existing EU emissions trading regime to include emissions of greenhouse gases from vessels, and individual countries in the EU may impose additional requirements. The EU has adopted Regulation (EU) 2015/757 on the monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of CO2 emissions from vessels (or the MRV Regulation), which entered into force on July 1, 2015. The MRV Regulation aims to quantify and reduce CO2 emissions from shipping. It lists the requirements on MRV of carbon dioxide emissions and requires ship owners and operators to annually monitor, report and verify CO2 emissions for vessels larger than 5,000 gross tonnage calling at any EU and EFTA (Norway and Iceland) port (with a few exceptions, such as fish-catching or fish-processing vessels). Data collection takes place on a per voyage basis and starts January 1, 2018. The reported CO2 emissions, together with additional data, such as cargo and energy efficiency parameters, are to be verified by independent verifiers and sent to a central database, managed by the European Maritime Safety Agency. To comply with the EU MRV regulation, we have prepared an EU MRV monitoring plan and EU MRV monitoring template in line with legislative requirement. While the EU was considering a proposal for the inclusion of shipping in the EU Emissions Trading System as from 2021 (in the absence of a comparable system operating under the IMO) it appears that the decision to include shipping may be deferred until 2023.
In the United States, the EPA issued an “endangerment finding” regarding greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. While this finding in itself does not impose any requirements on our industry, it authorizes the EPA to regulate directly greenhouse gas emissions through a rule-making process. In addition, climate change initiatives are being considered in the United States Congress and by individual states. Any passage of new climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, EU, the United States or other countries or states where we operate that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases could have a significant financial and operational impact on our business that we cannot predict with certainty at this time.
Vessel Security
The ISPS was adopted by the IMO in December 2002 in the wake of heightened concern over worldwide terrorism and became effective on July 1, 2004. The objective of ISPS is to enhance maritime security by detecting security threats to ships and ports and by requiring the development of security plans and other measures designed to prevent such threats. Each of the existing vessels in our fleet currently complies with the requirements of ISPS and Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (U.S. specific requirements). Procedures are in place to inform the Maritime Security Council Horn of Africa (or MSCHOA) whenever our vessels are calling in the Indian Ocean Region or West Coast of Africa (or WAC) high risk area. In order to mitigate the security risk, security arrangements are required for vessels which travel through the Gulf of Aden and WAC region.
C.
Organizational Structure
As of December 31, 2017, Teekay Corporation (NYSE: TK), through its 100%-owned subsidiary Teekay Holdings Ltd., had a 28.8% economic interest in us through its ownership of 40.3 million of our shares of Class A common stock and 37.0 million shares of our Class B common stock.

Our shares of Class A common stock entitle the holders thereof to one vote per share and our shares of Class B common stock entitle the holders thereof to five votes per share, subject to a 49% aggregate Class B common stock voting power maximum. As such, we are controlled by Teekay Corporation. Teekay Corporation also controls its public subsidiary Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (NYSE: TGP) and has significant influence over its publicly traded equity-accounted investment, Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (NYSE: TOO).

Please read Exhibit 8.1 to this Annual Report for a list of our subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017.
D.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Other than our vessels and related equipment, we do not have any material property.

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Please see “Item 4. Information on the Company: Our Fleet” for a description of our vessels and “Item 18. Financial Statements: Note 8 –Long-Term Debt” for information about major encumbrances against our vessels.
E.
Taxation of the Company
1.
United States Taxation
The following is a discussion of the expected material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us. This discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or the Code), legislative history, applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations (or Treasury Regulations), judicial authority and administrative interpretations, all as in effect on the date of this Annual Report, and which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or are subject to different interpretations. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below.

Taxation as a Corporation. We are taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, we are subject to U.S. federal income tax on our income to the extent it is from U.S. sources or otherwise is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States as discussed below.

Taxation of Operating Income. A significant portion of our gross income will be attributable to the transportation of crude oil and related products. For this purpose, gross income attributable to transportation (or Transportation Income) includes income derived from, or in connection with, the use (or hiring or leasing for use) of a vessel to transport cargo, or the performance of services directly related to the use of any vessel to transport cargo, and thus includes income from time-charters and bareboat-charters.

Fifty percent (50%) of Transportation Income that either begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States (or U.S. Source International Transportation Income) is considered to be derived from sources within the United States. Transportation Income that both begins and ends in the United States (or U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income) is considered to be 100% derived from sources within the United States. Transportation Income exclusively between non-U.S. destinations is considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Transportation Income derived from sources outside the United States generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Based on our current operations, a substantial portion of our Transportation Income is from sources outside the United States and not subject to U.S. federal income tax. In addition, we believe that we have not earned any U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income, and we expect that we will not earn a material amount of such income in future years. However, certain of our subsidiaries which have made special U.S. tax elections to be treated as partnerships or disregarded as entities separate from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes are potentially engaged in activities which could give rise to U.S. Source International Transportation Income. Unless the exemption from U.S. taxation under Section 883 of the Code (or the Section 883 Exemption) applies, our U.S. Source International Transportation Income generally will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under either the net basis and branch profits taxes or the 4% gross basis tax, each of which is discussed below.

The Section 883 Exemption. In general, the Section 883 Exemption provides that if a non-U.S. corporation satisfies the requirements of Section 883 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (or the Section 883 Regulations), it will not be subject to the net basis and branch profits taxes or the 4% gross basis tax described below on its U.S. Source International Transportation Income. As discussed below, we believe that under our current ownership structure, the Section 883 Exemption will apply and we will not be taxed on our U.S. Source International Transportation Income. The Section 883 Exemption does not apply to U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income.

A non-U.S. corporation will qualify for the Section 883 Exemption if, among other things, it (i) is organized in a jurisdiction outside the United States that grants an exemption from tax to U.S. corporations on international Transportation Income (or an Equivalent Exemption), (ii) meets one of three ownership tests (or Ownership Tests) described in the Section 883 Regulations, and (iii) meets certain substantiation, reporting and other requirements (or the Substantiation Requirements).

We are organized under the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands. The U.S. Treasury Department has recognized the Republic of The Marshall Islands as a jurisdiction that grants an Equivalent Exemption. We also believe that we will be able to satisfy the Substantiation Requirements necessary to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption. Consequently, our U.S. Source International Transportation Income (including for this purpose, our share of any such income earned by our subsidiaries that have properly elected to be treated as partnerships or disregarded as entities separate from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation provided we satisfy one of the Ownership Tests. We believe that we should satisfy one of the Ownership Tests because our stock is primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States within the meaning of Section 883 of the Code and the Section 883 Regulations. We can give no assurance, however, that changes in the ownership of our stock subsequent to the date of this report will permit us to continue to qualify for the Section 883 exemption.

The Net Basis and Branch Profits Taxes. If the Section 883 Exemption does not apply, our U.S. Source International Transportation Income may be treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or Effectively Connected Income) if we have a fixed place of business in the United States and substantially all of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or, in the case of income derived from bareboat charters, is attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States. Based on our current operations, none of our potential U.S. Source International Transportation Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or is derived from bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States. As a

37


result, we do not anticipate that any of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income will be treated as Effectively Connected Income. However, there is no assurance that we will not earn income pursuant to regularly scheduled transportation or bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States in the future, which would result in such income being treated as Effectively Connected Income.

U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income generally will be treated as Effectively Connected Income. However, we do not anticipate that a material amount of our income has been or will be U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income.

Any income we earn that is treated as Effectively Connected Income would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax (the highest statutory rate for 2018 onwards is 21%), and a 30% branch profits tax imposed under Section 884 of the Code. In addition, a branch interest tax could be imposed on certain interest paid or deemed paid by us.

On the sale of a vessel that has produced Effectively Connected Income, we generally would be subject to the net basis and branch profits taxes with respect to our gain recognized up to the amount of certain prior deductions for depreciation that reduced Effectively Connected Income. Otherwise, we would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain realized on the sale of a vessel, provided the sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under U.S. federal income tax principles.

The 4% Gross Basis Tax. If the Section 883 Exemption does not apply and we are not subject to the net basis and branch profits taxes described above, we will be subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax on our gross U.S. Source International Transportation Income, without benefit of deductions. For 2017, we estimate that if the Section 883 Exemption and the net basis tax did not apply, the U.S. federal income tax on such U.S. Source International Transportation Income would have been approximately $5.3 million. The amount of such tax for which we may be liable in any year would depend upon the amount of income we earn from voyages into or out of the United States in such year, however, which is not within our complete control.
2.
Marshall Islands Taxation
Because we and our controlled affiliates do not, and we do not expect that we or they will, conduct business, operations, or transactions in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, neither we nor our controlled affiliates are subject to income, capital gains, profits or other taxation under current Marshall Island law, other than taxes, fines, or fees due to (i) the incorporation, dissolution, continued existence, merger, domestication (or similar concepts) of legal entities registered in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, (ii) filing certificates (such as certificates of incumbency, merger, or re-domiciliation) with the Marshall Islands registrar, (iii) obtaining certificates of good standing from, or certified copies of documents filed with, the Marshall Islands registrar, or (iv) compliance with Marshall Islands law concerning vessel ownership, such as tonnage tax, or (v) non-compliance with requests made by the Marshall Islands registrar of corporations relating to our books and records and the books and records of our subsidiaries. As a result, distributions by our controlled affiliates to us are not subject to any taxes under the laws of Marshall Islands.
3.
Other Taxation
We and our subsidiaries are subject to taxation in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions because we or our subsidiaries are either organized, or conduct business or operations, in such jurisdictions, but, we do not expect any such tax to be material. However, we cannot assure this result as tax laws in these or other jurisdictions may change or we may enter into new business transactions relating to such jurisdictions, which could affect our tax liability.
Item 4A.
Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
Our business is to own oil and product tankers and we employ a chartering strategy that seeks to capture upside opportunities in the tanker spot market while using fixed-rate time charters to reduce downside risks. We further developed our service offerings to our customers through the 2015 purchase of a ship-to-ship (or STS) transfer business that provides full service lightering as well as lightering support services and consultancy and LNG terminal management services. This acquisition, which is adjacent to our core competencies, along with our existing conventional tanker commercial management and technical management operations, improved our ability to manage the cyclicality of the tanker market through the less volatile cash flows generated by these business areas. Historically, the tanker industry has experienced volatility in profitability due to changes in the supply of, and demand for, tanker capacity. Tanker supply and demand are each influenced by several factors beyond our control. We were formed in October 2007 by Teekay Corporation (NYSE: TK), a leading provider of marine services to the

38


global oil and gas industries and the world’s largest operator of medium-sized oil tankers, and we completed our initial public offering in December 2007.

Our mix of vessels trading in the spot market or subject to fixed-rate time charters will change from time to time. Teekay currently holds a majority of the voting power of our common stock, which includes Class A common stock and Class B common stock.

Commencing with the dividend paid in the first quarter of 2016, we adopted a dividend policy under which quarterly dividends are expected to range from 30% to 50% of our quarterly adjusted net income, subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors, with a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share, under our current dividend policy. Adjusted net (loss) income is a non-GAAP measure which excludes specific items affecting net (loss) income that are typically excluded by securities analysts in their published estimates of our financial results. Prior to this change, our dividend policy was to distribute to our shareholders a fixed quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share ($0.12 per share annually). Our dividend policy is reviewed by our Board of Directors from time to time and is subject to change.
Significant Developments in 2017 and 2018
New Loan Facility

In December 2017, we entered into a $270 million long-term debt facility which is scheduled to mature in December 2022. The funds were used to refinance two of our revolving credit facilities which we assumed in the merger with Tanker Investments Ltd. (or TIL).

Merger Agreement with TIL

On November 27, 2017, we completed a merger with TIL by acquiring all of the remaining 27.0 million issued and outstanding common shares of TIL, by way of a share-for-share exchange of 3.3 shares of our Class A common stock for each share of TIL common stock, and as a result, TIL became a wholly-owned subsidiary. As consideration for the merger, we issued 88,977,544 Class A common shares to the TIL shareholders, including 8,250,000 shares to Teekay. At the time of the merger, TIL owned a modern fleet of 10 Suezmax tankers, six Aframax tankers and two LR2 product tankers, with an average age of 7.3 years.

Prior to the completion of the merger, our shareholders voted in favor of increasing the authorized number of our Class A common shares to permit the issuance of Class A common shares as consideration for the merger with TIL. Concurrently, the merger was approved by the shareholders of TIL. We amended our amended and restated articles of incorporation on November 27, 2017, increasing the authorized Class A common shares from 200,000,000 to 285,000,000 and the total authorized capital stock from 400,000,000 to 485,000,000.

Commencing on November 27, 2017, we consolidate the results of TIL. Prior to the completion of the merger, we equity accounted for our 11.3% interest in TIL.

Acquisition of Remaining 50% Interest of Teekay Tanker Operations Ltd (or TTOL)

On May 31, 2017, we completed the acquisition from Teekay Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay, of the remaining 50% interest in TTOL for $39.0 million, which included $13.1 million for assumed working capital and our issuance to Teekay of approximately 13.8 million shares of our Class B common stock. Prior to May 31, 2017, we owned 50% of TTOL and accounted for this investment using the equity method of accounting. Since we acquired the remaining 50% of TTOL on May 31, 2017, we own 100% of TTOL and now consolidate it. All information in this Item 5 - Operating and Financial Review and Prospects has been retroactively adjusted to include TTOL on a consolidated basis for the applicable periods.

Sale-Leaseback Financing Transaction

In July 2017, we completed a $153.0 million sale-leaseback financing transaction relating to four of our Suezmax tankers. The transaction is structured as 12-year bareboat charters with an average rate of approximately $11,100 per day, with purchase options for each of the four vessels at any point between July 2020 and July 2029.

Vessel Sales

In June, September and November 2017, we completed the sales of three of our older Aframax tankers, the Kyeema Spirit, Kanata Spirit and Kareela Spirit, resulting in an aggregate loss on the sales of the vessels of $11.2 million.

In January and March 2017, we also completed the sales of two Suezmax tankers, the Ganges Spirit and Yamuna Spirit, resulting in an aggregate loss on the sales of the vessels of $1.8 million.

Time Chartered-Out Vessels

In May and October 2017, we extended a time charter-out contract for one Aframax tanker and entered into a time charter-out contract for another Aframax tanker. These contracts have an average daily rate of $15,500 with firm periods ranging from 12 to 18 months.

In February and April 2017, we entered into time charter-out contracts for two Suezmax tankers, with an average daily rate of $21,500 and a firm period of 12 months. Subsequent to year-end, both tankers were redelivered to us in the first quarter of 2018 and were then trading in the spot market.

39



Time Chartered-in Vessels

During 2017, we redelivered a total of five in-chartered Aframax tankers and one in-chartered LR2 tanker back to their respective owners.

Continuous Offering Program and Private Placement

In January 2017, we re-opened our continuous offering program (or COP), under which we may issue shares of our Class A common stock at market prices, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $80.0 million. As at March 31, 2017, we had sold approximately 3.8 million shares under this COP for net proceeds of $8.5 million, net of issuance costs. No shares were sold under this COP during the remaining months of 2017. We also issued 2.2 million new shares of Class A common stock to Teekay in a private placement for gross proceeds of $5.0 million, and the price per share was set to equal the weighted average price of the Company's Class A common stock for the ten trading days ending on the date of issuance.

Share Repurchase Program

In September 2017, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a share repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $45.0 million of our shares of Class A common stock in the open market. No share repurchase activity has been conducted since inception of this program.
Important Financial and Operational Terms and Concepts
We use a variety of financial and operational terms and concepts when analyzing our performance. These include the following:

Revenues. Revenues primarily include revenues from time charters, voyage charters, revenue sharing arrangements and full service lightering and lightering support services. Revenues are affected by hire rates and the number of days a vessel operates. Revenues are also affected by the mix of our business between time charters, voyage charters and vessels operating in revenue sharing arrangements. Hire rates for voyage charters are more volatile, as they are typically tied to prevailing market rates at the time of a voyage. Our charters are explained further below.

Voyage Expenses. Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions. Voyage expenses are typically paid by the ship owner under voyage charters and the customer under time charters.

Net Revenues. Net revenues represent revenues less voyage expenses. Because the amount of voyage expenses we incur for a particular charter depends upon the type of the charter, we use net revenues to improve the comparability between periods of reported revenues that are generated by the different types of charters and contracts. We principally use net revenues, a non-GAAP financial measure, because we believe it provides more meaningful information to us about the deployment of our vessels and their performance than does revenues, the most directly comparable financial measure under GAAP.

Vessel Operating Expenses. We are responsible for vessel operating expenses, which include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses. The two largest components of our vessel operating expenses are crew costs and repairs and maintenance. We expect these expenses to increase as our fleet matures and to the extent that it expands.

Income from Vessel Operations. To assist us in evaluating our operations, we analyze the income we receive after deducting operating expenses, but prior to interest expense and interest income, realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments, equity income and other expenses.

Dry docking. We must periodically dry dock each of our vessels for inspection, repairs and maintenance and any modifications to comply with industry certification or governmental requirements. Generally, we dry dock each of our vessels every two and a half to five years, depending upon the age of the vessel. We capitalize a substantial portion of the costs incurred during dry docking and amortize those costs on a straight-line basis from the completion of a dry docking over the estimated useful life of the dry dock. We expense, as incurred, costs for routine repairs and maintenance performed during dry dockings that do not improve or extend the useful lives of the assets. The number of dry dockings undertaken in a given period and the nature of the work performed determine the level of dry-docking expenditures.

Depreciation and Amortization. Our depreciation and amortization expense typically consists of charges related to the depreciation of the historical cost of our fleet (less an estimated residual value) over the estimated useful lives of our vessels, charges related to the amortization of dry-docking expenditures over the estimated number of years to the next scheduled dry docking, and charges related to the amortization of our intangible assets over the estimated useful life of 10 years.

Time-Charter Equivalent (TCE) Rates. Bulk shipping industry freight rates are commonly measured in the shipping industry at the net revenues level in terms of “time-charter equivalent” (or TCE) rates, which represent net revenues divided by revenue days. We calculate TCE rates as net revenue per revenue day before related-party pool management fees and pool commissions, and off-hire bunker expenses.

Revenue Days. Revenue days are the total number of calendar days our vessels were in our possession during a period, less the total number of off-hire days during the period associated with major repairs, dry dockings or special or intermediate surveys. Consequently, revenue days represents the total number of days available for the vessel to earn revenue. Idle days, which are days when the vessel is available for the

40


vessel to earn revenue yet is not employed, are included in revenue days. We use revenue days to explain changes in our net revenues between periods.

Average Number of Ships. Historical average number of ships consists of the average number of vessels that were in our possession during a period. We use average number of ships primarily to highlight changes in vessel operating expenses and depreciation and amortization.
Our Charters
We generate revenues by charging customers for the transportation of their crude oil using our vessels. Historically, these services generally have been provided under the following basic types of contractual relationships:

•
Voyage charters are charters for shorter intervals that are priced on a current or “spot” market rate then adjusted for pool participation based on predetermined criteria; and
•
Time charters, whereby vessels are chartered to customers for a fixed period of time at rates that are generally fixed, but may contain a variable component based on inflation, interest rates or current market rates.

The table below illustrates the primary distinctions among these types of charters and contracts:
 
Voyage Charter
Time Charter
Typical contract length
Single voyage
One year or more
Hire rate basis (1)
Varies
Daily
Voyage expenses (2)
We pay
Customer pays
Vessel operating expenses (3)
We pay
We pay
Off hire (4)
Customer does not pay
Customer does not pay
(1)
“Hire” rate refers to the basic payment from the charterer for the use of the vessel.
(2)
Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions.
(3)
Vessel operating expenses include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses.
(4)
“Off-hire” refers to the time a vessel is not available for service.
Items You Should Consider When Evaluating Our Results
You should consider the following factors when evaluating our historical financial performance and assessing our future prospects:

•
Our financial results reflect the results of TTOL and interests in vessels acquired from Teekay for all periods TTOL and the vessels were under common control. Each of the two conventional oil tankers (the Explorer Spirit, formerly known as the SPT Explorer, and the Navigator Spirit) acquired from TOO and the May 2017 acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in TTOL were deemed to be business acquisitions between entities under common control. Accordingly, we have accounted for these transactions in a manner similar to the pooling of interests method. Under this method of accounting our consolidated financial statements, for periods prior to the respective dates the interests in these vessels or the controlling interest in TTOL were actually acquired by us, are retroactively adjusted to include the results of these acquired vessels and TTOL. The periods retroactively adjusted include all periods that we and the acquired vessels or TTOL, as applicable, were both under common control of Teekay and had begun operations. All financial or operational information contained herein for the periods prior to the respective dates the interests in these vessels and TTOL were actually acquired by us, and during which we and the applicable vessels or TTOL were under common control of Teekay, are retroactively adjusted to include the results of these acquired vessels and TTOL and are also collectively referred to as the “Entities under Common Control”.
•
Our voyage revenues are affected by cyclicality in the tanker markets. The cyclical nature of the tanker industry causes significant increases or decreases in the revenue we earn from our vessels, particularly those we trade in the spot market.
•
Tanker rates also fluctuate based on seasonal variations in demand. Tanker markets are typically stronger in the winter months as a result of increased oil consumption in the northern hemisphere but weaker in the summer months as a result of lower oil consumption in the northern hemisphere and increased refinery maintenance. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns during the winter months tend to disrupt vessel scheduling, which historically has increased oil price volatility and oil trading activities in the winter months. As a result, revenues generated by our vessels have historically been weaker during the quarters ended June 30 and September 30, and stronger in the quarters ended December 31 and March 31.
•
Our U.S. Gulf lightering business competes with alternative methods of delivering crude oil to ports, which may limit our earnings in this area of our operations. Our U.S. Gulf lightering business faces competition from alternative methods of delivering crude oil shipments to port, including offshore offloading facilities. While we believe that lightering offers advantages over alternative methods of delivering crude oil to U.S. Gulf ports, our lightering revenues may be limited due to the availability of alternative methods.
•
Vessel operating and other costs are facing industry-wide cost pressures. The shipping industry continues to forecast a shortfall in qualified personnel, although weak tanker markets may ease officer shortages. We will continue to focus on our manning and training

41


strategies to meet future needs. In addition, factors such as client demands for enhanced training and physical equipment, pressure on commodity and raw material prices, as well as changes in regulatory requirements could also contribute to operating expenditure increases. We continue to take action aimed at improving operational efficiencies, and to temper the effect of inflationary and other price escalations; however, increases to operational costs may well occur in the future.
•
The amount and timing of dry dockings of our vessels can significantly affect our revenues between periods. Our vessels are normally off hire when they are being dry docked. We had seven vessels drydock in 2017, compared to two vessels which dry docked in 2016 and 18 vessels which dry docked in 2015. The total number of off-hire days relating to dry dockings during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were 221, 82, and 603, respectively. For our current fleet, there are nine vessels scheduled to dry dock in 2018.
Results of Operations
In accordance with GAAP, we report gross revenues in our consolidated statements of (loss) income and include voyage expenses among our operating expenses. However, ship-owners base economic decisions regarding the deployment of their vessels upon anticipated TCE rates, and industry analysts typically measure bulk shipping freight rates in terms of TCE rates. This is because under time-charter contracts the customer usually pays the voyage expenses, while under voyage charters the ship-owner usually pays the voyage expenses, which typically are added to the hire rate at an approximate cost (as is also described in "Our Charters" above). Accordingly, the discussion of revenue below focuses on net revenues and TCE rates where applicable.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, operating results of our conventional tanker segment and ship-to-ship (or STS) segment are presented separately. Our STS transfer business was acquired in July 2015. Our conventional tanker segment includes the operations of all our tankers, including those employed on full service lightering contracts. Our STS transfer segment includes the operating results from lightering support services provided to our conventional tanker segment as part of full service lightering operations and other services provided to our customers associated with our lightering support operations.

Summary

chart-aa5a70c6c0a1dae00d6a09.jpg
Our consolidated income from vessel operations decreased to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $96.8 million in the prior year. The primary reasons for this decrease are as follows:

•
a net decrease of $66.5 million primarily due to lower average realized spot TCE rates earned by our Suezmax, Aframax and LR2 product tankers;

•
a net decrease of $27.9 million primarily due to the expiry of time-charter out contracts for various vessels which subsequently traded on spot voyages at lower average realized rates; and

•
a net decrease of $9.5 million primarily due to the sale of two Suezmax tankers and three Aframax tankers in 2017, compared to the losses on sale of two MR tankers in 2016, and the redeliveries of our in-chartered vessels to their respective owners;

partially offset by

•
a net increase of $3.0 million primarily due to the scope of repairs and planned maintenance activities in 2017 as compared to 2016; and

•
a net increase of $1.7 million primarily resulting from the income from vessel operations of TIL subsequent to our merger with TIL on November 27, 2017.

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We manage our business and analyze and report our results of operations on the basis of two reportable segments: the conventional tanker segment and the STS transfer segment. Please refer to Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 5 - Segment Reporting. Details of the changes to our results of operations for each of our segments for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are provided below.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 versus Year Ended December 31, 2016
Conventional Tanker Segment
Our conventional tanker segment consists of conventional crude oil and product tankers that (i) are subject to long-term, fixed-rate time-charter contracts (which have an original term of one year or more), (ii) operate in the spot tanker market, or (iii) are subject to time-charters that are priced on a spot market basis or are short-term, fixed-rate contracts (which have an original term of less than one year). Our conventional tanker commercial management and technical management operations results are also included in our conventional tanker segment.

The following table presents our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and compares net revenues, a non-GAAP financial measure, for those periods to revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
% Change
Revenues 
391,267

 
512,608

 
(24
)%
Less: voyage expenses (1)
(87,879
)
 
(56,805
)
 
55
 %
Net revenues
303,388

 
455,803

 
(33
)%
Vessel operating expenses
(135,740
)
 
(150,100
)
 
(10
)%
Time-charter hire expense
(25,666
)
 
(57,368
)
 
(55
)%
Depreciation and amortization
(95,433
)
 
(99,024
)
 
(4
)%
General and administrative expenses
(29,539
)
 
(29,432
)
 
—
 %
Loss on sale of vessels
(13,034
)
 
(20,926
)
 
(38
)%
Income from vessel operations
3,976

 
98,953

 
(96
)%
Equity (loss) income
(25,370
)
 
7,680

 
(430
)%
(1)
Includes $10.5 million and $3.2 million of voyage expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, relating to lightering support services which the ship-to-ship transfer segment provided to the conventional tanker segment for full service lightering operations.
Tanker Market
For 2017, tanker rates fell to cyclical lows due to the combined impact of high fleet growth and OPEC supply cuts. The global tanker fleet grew by 26.6 million deadweight tonnes (mdwt), or 4.8% in 2017, following 31.4 mdwt, or 6.0% growth in 2016. In addition, numerous vessels that were being used as floating storage returned to the trading fleet in 2017 as the crude oil forward curve flipped into backwardation, further adding to fleet supply. On the demand side, OPEC implemented 1.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) of supply cuts in January 2017 and maintained a high rate of compliance with these cuts throughout the year. This led to a reduction in cargoes from the Middle East, which in turn forced more VLCC tankers to compete with Suezmax tankers for Atlantic cargoes, thus putting pressure on mid-size tanker rates. An increase in U.S. crude exports to a record high of 2.0 mb/d by October 2017 gave some support to crude tanker demand; however, it was not enough to fully offset the negative impact of OPEC supply cuts.

Looking ahead to 2018, there are signs of improving fundamentals on both the supply and demand fronts. First, tanker fleet growth is expected to moderate due to a combination of lower deliveries and higher scrapping. Tanker scrapping for the global fleet totaled 11.5 mdwt in 2017, the highest level of tanker scrapping since 2012, and has remained firm with 1.6 mdwt scrapped in January 2018. The level of newbuild tanker deliveries is expected to reduce during 2018, particularly during the second half of the year, and is set to fall further in 2019 as the orderbook rolls off. As such, we estimate that world tanker fleet growth will fall to approximately 3% in 2018 and 2% in 2019.

Global oil demand is estimated to grow by 1.5 mb/d in 2018 (average of IEA, EIA and OPEC forecasts), which is above long-term average growth levels. This strong level of demand, combined with OPEC supply cuts, is leading to a rapid decline in global oil inventories back towards five-year average levels. Inventory drawdowns are negative for tanker demand in the short-term; however, a rebalancing in oil markets could lead OPEC to exit its supply agreement sooner than expected, which would be positive for the mid-size tanker market as it would draw VLCC tankers away from the Atlantic and back to the Middle East, thus reducing competition between the asset classes. Finally, a continued increase in U.S. crude oil production, which recently hit 10 mb/d for the first time since 1970, will likely lead to higher U.S. crude oil exports, which is positive for mid-size tanker demand as well as U.S. Gulf lightering demand.

Overall, the Company expects the tanker market to remain challenging over the near-term as ongoing OPEC supply cuts and the need to absorb recent fleet growth will likely keep the market subdued through the first few quarters of 2018. However, we expect that lower fleet growth, an expected increase in U.S. crude exports, and the potential for an increase in OPEC supply later in the year should lead to a tanker market recovery during the latter part of 2018 and into 2019.

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Fleet and TCE Rates
As at December 31, 2017, we owned 52 double-hulled conventional oil tankers, entered into capital leases for four Suezmax vessels from third parties, time-chartered in one Aframax tanker and owned a 50% interest in one VLCC, the results of which are included in equity (loss) income. The number of vessels we own, as well as our financial and operational results, include the Entities under Common Control in all relevant periods presented. Please read Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 3 - Acquisition of Entities under Common Control included in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

As defined and discussed above, we calculate TCE rates as net revenue per revenue day before related-party pool management fees and pool commissions, and off-hire bunker expenses. The following table outlines the average TCE rates earned by vessels for 2017 and 2016:
 
Conventional Tanker Segment
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Revenues (1)
Voyage Expenses (2)
Adjustments (3)
Net Revenues
Revenue Days
Average TCE per Revenue Day (3)
 
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Voyage-charter contracts - Suezmax

$98,550


($5,618
)

$525


$93,457

5,621


$16,627

Voyage-charter contracts - Aframax (4)

$141,763


($80,220
)

$727


$62,270

3,956


$15,739

Voyage-charter contracts - LR2

$25,353


($141
)

$306


$25,518

1,771


$14,407

Voyage-charter contracts - MR

$11

—


($10
)

$1

—

—

Time-charter out contracts - Suezmax

$45,745


($932
)

$18


$44,831

1,853


$24,198

Time-charter out contracts - Aframax

$50,964


($686
)

$151


$50,429

2,283


$22,085

Time-charter out contracts - LR2

$15,391


($265
)

($13
)

$15,113

837


$18,063

Total

$377,777


($87,862
)

$1,704


$291,619

16,321


$17,867


(1)
Excludes $10.4 million of commissions and management fees earned by TTOL from the management of external vessels trading in the RSAs, $2.6 million of bunker rebates and $0.6 million of revenue earned from a profit-sharing agreement.
(2)
Includes $10.5 million of inter-segment voyage expenses relating to lightering support services provided by the ship-to-ship transfer segment to the full service lightering business.
(3)
Average TCE per Revenue Day excludes off-hire bunker and other expenses included as part of the adjustments.
(4)
Includes $92.8 million of revenues and $72.4 million of voyage expenses related to the full service lightering business, which include $10.5 million of inter-segment voyage expenses referenced in note 2, above.

 
Conventional Tanker Segment
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Revenues (1)
Voyage Expenses (2)
Adjustments (3)
Net Revenues
Revenue Days
Average TCE per Revenue Day (3)
 
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Voyage-charter contracts - Suezmax

$184,965


($5,068
)

($59
)

$179,838

6,705


$26,820

Voyage-charter contracts - Aframax (4)

$158,272


($50,185
)

$392


$108,479

5,145


$21,086

Voyage-charter contracts - LR2

$48,599


$53


($36
)

$48,616

2,572


$18,903

Voyage-charter contracts - MR

$8,305


($30
)

$302


$8,577

535


$16,035

Time-charter out contracts - Suezmax

$30,597


($731
)

$99


$29,965

1,029


$29,124

Time-charter out contracts - Aframax

$54,593


($338
)

$40


$54,295

2,327


$23,332

Time-charter out contracts - LR2

$12,201


($273
)

($30
)

$11,898

526


$22,629

Total

$497,532


($56,572
)

$708


$441,668

18,839


$23,445

(1)
Excludes $11.2 million of commissions and management fees earned by TTOL from the management of external vessels trading in the RSAs, $2.6 million of bunker rebates and $1.2 million of in-process revenue contract revenue.

44


(2)
Includes $3.2 million of inter-segment voyage expenses relating to lightering support services provided by the ship-to-ship transfer segment to the full service lightering business and excludes $0.3 million of voyage expenses incurred by TTOL.
(3)
Average TCE per Revenue Day excludes $0.7 million in pool management fees and commissions payable for commercial management for our vessels, off-hire bunker and other expenses, all of which are included as part of the adjustments.
(4)
Includes $48.2 million of revenues and $34.8 million of voyage expenses related to the full service lightering business, which includes $3.2 million inter-segment voyage expenses referenced in note 2, above.

Net Revenues. Net revenues decreased to $303.4 million for 2017 from $455.8 million for 2016 primarily due to:

•
a decrease of $66.5 million due to lower average realized spot tanker rates earned by our Suezmax, Aframax and LR2 tankers in 2017 compared to 2016;
•
net decreases of $59.3 million primarily due to the redeliveries of various in-charters to their owners at various times during 2016 and 2017 and the sale of two Suezmax product tankers, three Aframax tankers and two MR product tankers in 2016 and 2017, partially offset by the addition of 18 vessels that we acquired as part of the TIL merger on November 27, 2017 and three Aframax in-charters that were delivered to us during 2016 and 2017;
•
a net decrease of $29.3 million due to the expiry of time-charter out contracts for various vessels which subsequently traded on spot voyages at lower average realized rates and more vessels that transitioned from voyage charter to full service lightering employment in 2017 compared to 2016;
•
a decrease of $1.2 million due to in-process revenue contract amortization that we recognized in revenue in the first quarter of 2016;
•
a net decrease of $1.4 million due to more off-hire days, higher off-hire bunker and other expenses in 2017 compared to 2016;
•
a decrease of $0.9 million for 2017 due to one additional calendar day in 2016 as it was a leap year; and
•
a decrease of $0.9 million due to lower commissions and management fees earned from TTOL from the management of external vessels trading in the RSAs and bunker rebates received in 2017 compared to 2016;
partially offset by

•
an increase of $7.0 million due to an increase in the number of voyages related to our full service lightering operations in 2017 compared to 2016.
Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses decreased to $135.7 million for 2017 from $150.1 million for 2016 primarily due to:

•
a net decrease of $13.5 million primarily resulting from the sales of two MR tankers in the second half of 2016, of two Suezmax tankers in the first quarter of 2017, of one Aframax tanker in second quarter of 2017 and of two Aframax tankers in the second half of 2017;
•
a decrease of $3.0 million due to the scope of repairs and planned maintenance activities in 2017 as compared to 2016;
•
a decrease of $2.9 million due to higher transition costs incurred in 2016 compared to 2017 directly relating to 12 Suezmax tankers, which were acquired in the latter part of 2015; and
•
a decrease of $0.8 million primarily due to costs related to the change from external to in-house ship management and lower insurance premiums paid during the year;

partially offset by

•
an increase of $5.4 million primarily resulting from the acquisition of 10 Suezmax tankers, six Aframax tankers and two LR2 product tankers which were acquired as a result of the merger with TIL in November 2017; and
•
an increase of $0.3 million due to higher fleet overhead costs, primarily resulting from the timing of seafarer training, crew agency fees and other initiatives.
Time-charter Hire Expense. Time-charter hire expense decreased to $25.7 million for 2017 from $57.4 million for 2016 primarily due to the changes in the average size of the in-charter fleet.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased to $95.4 million for 2017 from $99.0 million for 2016. The decrease primarily relates to the sales of two MR tankers in the second half of 2016, of two Suezmax tankers in the first quarter of 2017, of one Aframax tanker in the second quarter of 2017 and of two Aframax tankers in the second half of 2017, partially offset by the addition of 18 vessels in November 2017 due to the merger with TIL.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses remained consistent at $29.5 million for 2017 and $29.4 million for 2016, primarily due to:


45


•
an increase of $2.3 million due to higher administrative, strategic management, and other fees incurred due primarily to differences in annual bonuses and financial system changes;
partially offset by

•
a decrease of $1.3 million due to higher corporate expenses incurred during 2016 primarily as a result of legal expenses related to our vessel construction and option agreements with STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd (or STX) of South Korea; and
•
a decrease of $0.6 million primarily due to decreased stock-based compensation granted to our Board of Directors, one of our officers and certain employees of Teekay subsidiaries that provided services to us.

Loss on Sale of Vessels. Loss on sale of vessels decreased to $13.0 million for 2017 compared to $20.9 million for 2016. The loss on sale of vessels for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily relates to the sales of three Aframax tankers which were delivered to their new owners in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2017, respectively, and two Suezmax tankers which completed their respective sales in the first quarter of 2017.

The loss on sale of vessels for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily relates to the sale of the two MR tankers and the two held for sale Suezmax tankers which were written down to their respective agreed sales prices in the fourth quarter of 2016 and which sales were completed in the first quarter of 2017. Please refer to Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 19 – Vessel Sales and Vessel Acquisitions.
Equity (Loss) Income.
The following table reflects our equity (loss) income for 2017 and 2016,
 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2017
 
2016
High-Q Joint Venture
3,071

 
4,359

Tanker Investments Ltd.
(28,443
)
 
3,515

Gemini Tankers L.L.C.
2

 
(194
)
Total equity (loss) income
(25,370
)
 
7,680


Equity (loss) income decreased to $(25.4) million in 2017 from $7.7 million for 2016 primarily due to:

•
a decrease of $31.9 million primarily due to a $26.7 million net write-down of our investment in TIL to its fair market value in June 2017 and prior to the TIL merger completion and lower equity earnings from TIL resulting from overall lower realized average spot rates earned in 2017 compared to 2016; and
•
a decrease of $1.3 million due to lower equity earnings from our High-Q Investment Ltd (or High-Q) joint venture primarily resulting from profit share recognized in the second quarter of 2016 as VLCC rates averaged above certain thresholds, triggering a profit sharing with the customer.

Please refer to Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 6 – Investments in and advances to Equity Accounted Investments.
Ship-to-ship Transfer Segment
Our STS transfer segment consists of our lightering support services, including those services provided to our conventional tanker segment, which includes full service lightering operations, and other lightering support services.

The following table presents our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and compares net revenues, a non-GAAP financial measure, for those periods to revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.


46


 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
% Change
Revenues (1)
50,422

 
41,136

 
23
 %
Less: voyage expenses
—

 
—

 
—
 %
Net revenues
50,422

 
41,136

 
23
 %
Vessel operating expenses
(39,649
)
 
(32,498
)
 
22
 %
Time-charter hire expense
(4,995
)
 
(2,279
)
 
119
 %
Depreciation and amortization
(5,048
)
 
(5,125
)
 
(2
)%
General and administrative expenses
(3,340
)
 
(3,767
)
 
(11
)%
Gain on sale of vessels
50

 
332

 
(85
)%
Loss from vessel operations
(2,560
)
 
(2,201
)
 
16
 %
(1)
Includes $10.5 million of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 (2016 - $3.2 million) relating to lightering support services which the ship-to-ship transfer segment provided to the conventional tanker segment for full service lightering operations.

Net Revenues. Net revenues increased to $50.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $41.1 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a higher number of operations related to our lightering support service operations in Asia, Middle East and Africa, partially offset by decreases in the number of operations in other regions.

Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses increased to $39.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $32.5 million for the same period in the prior year. The changes in vessel operating expenses were primarily due to increases in equipment mobilization, port costs and personnel expenses in relation to the increase in operational volumes.

Time-charter Hire Expense. Time-charter hire expense increased to $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $2.3 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase was due to the addition of STS support vessels which we in-chartered to support our lightering operations during the year.
Other Operating Results
The following table compares our other operating results for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2017
 
2016
Interest expense
(31,294
)
 
(29,784
)
Interest income
907

 
117

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments
1,319

 
(964
)
Other expense
(5,001
)
 
(5,978
)

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $31.3 million for 2017 from $29.8 million for 2016, primarily due to additional interest incurred related to the sale and leaseback of four Suezmax tankers and the completion of the TIL merger in November 2017, partially offset by higher interest expense incurred in 2016 due to the refinancing of our debt facilities in the first quarter of 2016.

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments. Realized and unrealized gain on derivative instruments increased to $1.3 million for 2017 compared to a realized and unrealized loss of $1.0 million for 2016. In February 2016, we entered into a total of nine new interest rate swap agreements relating to our new credit facility. Four of the interest rate swaps have notional amounts of $50.0 million each, with fixed rates of 1.462%, and commenced in October 2016. The remaining five interest rate swaps commenced in the first quarter of 2016, of which one swap has a notional amount of $75.0 million, one swap has a notional amount of $50.0 million, and three swaps have notional amounts of $25.0 million each, with fixed-rates of 1.549%, 1.155% and 1.549%, respectively. Some of the interest rate swaps have notional amounts which reduce quarterly.

As at December 31, 2017, we had interest rate swap agreements with aggregate outstanding notional amounts of $338.8 million with a weighted-average fixed rate of 1.46%. Realized losses on the interest rate swaps decreased to $1.0 million in 2017 compared to $12.8 million in 2016 primarily due to the termination of an interest rate swap in the first quarter of 2016 and the expiration of the another interest rate swap in October 2016. This was partially offset by the nine new interest rate swap agreements which were entered into in February 2016.

The changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps resulted in unrealized gains of $2.1 million and $13.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and were primarily due to the nine interest rate swaps we entered into in the first quarter of 2016, partially offset by increases in our long-term benchmark interest rates and the termination of an interest rate swap in the first quarter of 2016.

Effective June 1, 2016, we also entered into a time-charter swap for 55% of two Aframax equivalent vessels. Under such agreement, we received $27,776 per day, less a 1.25% brokerage commission, and paid 55% of the net revenue distribution of two Aframax equivalent

47


vessels employed in our Aframax revenue sharing pooling arrangement, less $500 per day, for a period of 11 months plus an additional two months at the counterparty's option. As at December 31, 2017, the counter party option was not exercised resulting in the expiration of the time-charter swap. We have recognized an unrealized loss of $0.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to an unrealized gain of $0.9 million for the same period in the prior year.

In addition, we had a stock purchase warrant which had entitled us to purchase up to 750,000 shares of common stock of TIL. The stock purchase warrant was not exercised and was canceled upon completion of the TIL merger in November 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized an unrealized loss in respect of the stock purchase warrant of $0.3 million compared to an unrealized loss of $4.9 million in 2016.

Please see "Item 5 - Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Commitments and Contingencies - Valuation of Derivative Instruments", which explains how our derivative instruments are valued, including the significant factors and uncertainties in determining the estimated fair value and why changes in these factors result in material changes in realized and unrealized loss or gain on derivative instruments from period to period.

Other Expense. Other expense was $5.0 million in 2017, compared to $6.0 million in 2016. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in our estimate of freight tax expense as a result of the trading patterns of our fleet and changes in our freight tax estimates, partially offset by changes in foreign exchange rates.

Net (Loss) Income. As a result of the foregoing factors, we recorded a net loss of $58.0 million for 2017, compared to net income of $67.8 million for 2016.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 versus Year Ended December 31, 2015
Conventional Tanker Segment
Our conventional tanker segment consists of conventional crude oil and product tankers that (i) are subject to long-term, fixed-rate time-charter contracts (which have an original term of one year or more), (ii) operate in the spot tanker market, or (iii) are subject to time-charters that are priced on a spot market basis or are short-term, fixed-rate contracts (which have an original term of less than one year).

The following table presents our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and compares net revenues, a non-GAAP financial measure, for those periods to revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2016
 
2015
 
% Change
Revenues 
512,608

 
516,943

 
(1
)%
Less: voyage expenses (1)
(56,805
)
 
(18,379
)
 
209
 %
Net revenues
455,803

 
498,564

 
(9
)%
Vessel operating expenses (2)
(150,100
)
 
(123,572
)
 
21
 %
Time-charter hire expense
(57,368
)
 
(74,860
)
 
(23
)%
Depreciation and amortization
(99,024
)
 
(72,118
)
 
37
 %
General and administrative expenses
(29,432
)
 
(28,418
)
 
4
 %
(Loss) gain on sale of vessels
(20,926
)
 
771

 
(2,814
)%
Restructuring charges
—

 
(6,468
)
 
(100
)%
Income from vessel operations
98,953

 
193,899

 
(49
)%
Equity income
7,680

 
11,528

 
(33
)%
(1)
Includes $3.2 million of voyage expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 relating to lightering support services which the ship-to-ship transfer segment provided to the conventional tanker segment for full service lightering operations.
(2)
Includes $0.8 million of vessel operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 relating to lightering support services which the ship-to-ship transfer segment provided to the conventional tanker segment for full service lightering operations.
Fleet and TCE Rates
As at December 31, 2016, we owned 43 double-hulled conventional oil tankers, time-chartered in six Aframax tankers and one LR2 product tanker from third parties and owned a 50% interest in one VLCC, the results of which are included in equity income. The number of vessels we own, as well as our financial and operational results, include the Entities under Common Control in all relevant periods presented. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 3 – Acquisition of Entities under Common Control in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

As defined and discussed above, we calculate TCE rates as net revenue per revenue day before related-party pool management fees and pool commissions, and off-hire bunker expenses. The following table outlines the average TCE rates earned by vessels for 2016 and 2015:

48


 
Conventional Tanker Segment
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Revenues (1)
Voyage Expenses (2)
Adjustments (3)
Net Revenues
Revenue Days
Average TCE per Revenue Day (3)
 
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Voyage-charter contracts - Suezmax

$184,965


($5,068
)

($59
)

$179,838

6,705


$26,820

Voyage-charter contracts - Aframax (4)

$158,272


($50,185
)

$392


$108,479

5,145


$21,086

Voyage-charter contracts - LR2

$48,599


$53


($36
)

$48,616

2,572


$18,903

Voyage-charter contracts - MR

$8,305


($30
)

$302


$8,577

535


$16,035

Time-charter out contracts - Suezmax

$30,597


($731
)

$99


$29,965

1,029


$29,124

Time-charter out contracts - Aframax

$54,593


($338
)

$40


$54,295

2,327


$23,332

Time-charter out contracts - LR2

$12,201


($273
)

($30
)

$11,898

526


$22,629

Total 

$497,532


($56,572
)

$708


$441,668

18,839


$23,445


(1)
Excludes $11.2 million of commissions and management fees earned from TTOL from the management of external vessels trading in the RSAs, $2.6 million of bunker rebates and $1.2 million of in-process revenue contract revenue.
(2)
Includes $3.2 million of inter-segment voyage expenses relating to lightering support services provided by the ship-to-ship transfer segment and excludes $0.3 million of voyage expenses incurred by TTOL.
(3)
Average TCE per Revenue Day excludes $0.7 million in pool management fees and commissions payable for commercial management for our vessels, off-hire bunker and other expenses, all of which are included as part of the adjustments.
(4)
Includes $48.2 million of revenues and $34.8 million of voyage expenses related to the full service lightering business, which includes $3.2 million inter-segment voyage expenses referenced in note 2 relating to lightering support services provided to the full service lightering business by the ship-to-ship transfer segment.

 
Conventional Tanker Segment
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Revenues (1)
Voyage Expenses
Adjustments (2)
Net Revenues
Revenue Days
Average TCE per Revenue Day (2)
 
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Voyage-charter contracts - Suezmax

$158,639


($2,568
)

$1,642


$157,713

4,021


$39,217

Voyage-charter contracts - Aframax (3)

$162,654


($13,683
)

$343


$149,314

4,800


$31,109

Voyage-charter contracts - LR2

$81,672


($342
)

$528


$81,858

2,845


$28,777

Voyage-charter contracts - MR

$19,346


($61
)

$1,088


$20,373

960


$21,205

Time-charter out contracts - Suezmax

$14,235


($109
)

$148


$14,274

483


$29,577

Time-charter out contracts - Aframax

$54,550


($1,398
)

$857


$54,009

2,864


$18,835

Time-charter out contracts - LR2

$4,607


($132
)

$5


$4,480

175


$25,623

Time-charter out contracts - MR

$6,427


($39
)

($4,418
)

$1,970

50


$39,036

Total

$502,130


($18,332
)

$193


$483,991

16,198


$29,875


(1)
Excludes $8.1 million of commissions and management fees earned from TTOL from the management of external vessels trading in the RSAs, $4.8 million of in-process revenue contract revenue, $1.3 million of bunker rebates and $0.6 million of results incurred by TTOL.
(2)
Average TCE per Revenue Day excludes $4.4 million of crew redundancy costs recovered from one of our customers and $4.6 million in pool management fees and commissions payable for commercial management for our vessels, off-hire bunker and other expenses, all of which are included as part of the adjustments.
(3)
Includes $15.0 million of revenues and $5.8 million of voyage expenses related to the full service lightering business.

Net Revenues. Net revenues decreased to $455.8 million for 2016 from $498.6 million for 2015 primarily due to:

49



•
a decrease of $99.8 million due to lower average realized spot tanker rates earned by our Suezmax, Aframax, LR2 and MR tankers in 2016 compared to 2015;
•
a net decrease of $16.2 million due to various vessels changing employment between fixed-rate charters and spot voyage charters;
•
a decrease of $4.4 million due to redundancy cost for the Australian seafarers that we recovered from the customer upon expiration of a time-charter out contract of a MR product tanker in the first quarter of 2015;
•
a decrease of $3.5 million of in-process revenue contract amortization we recognized in revenue in 2016 compared to 2015; and
•
a net decrease of $0.8 million of lower revenue generated by TTOL in 2016 compared to 2015;
partially offset by

•
a net increase of $43.9 million, primarily due to the addition of 12 Suezmax tankers, two LR2 product tankers and one Aframax tanker that we acquired during 2015 and the change in the average size of the in-charter fleet, partially offset by the sale of two MR product tankers in 2015 and 2016;
•
a net increase of $13.9 million due to fewer off-hire days in 2016 compared to 2015;
•
an increase of $10.5 million due to higher average rates earned on our out-chartered Aframax tankers in 2016 compared to 2015;
•
an increase of $4.4 million due to higher commissions and management fees earned by TTOL from the management of external vessels trading in the RSAs and bunker rebates;
•
an increase of $4.2 million due to the acquisition of the full service lightering business that was part of the STS transfer business (or SPT) acquisition during the third quarter of 2015;
•
a net increase of $3.9 million due to lower pool management fees and commissions paid to external pool managers, off-hire bunker and other expenses in 2016 compared to 2015; and
•
an increase of $1.1 million for 2016 due to one additional calendar day as 2016 was a leap year.
Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses increased to $150.1 million for 2016 from $123.6 million for 2015 primarily due to:

•
an increase of $27.0 million primarily resulting from the addition of 12 modern Suezmax tankers, one Aframax tanker and four LR2 product tankers, acquired in 2015, including two LR2 product tankers that were previously in-chartered. This was partially offset by the sales of two MR tankers in the second half of 2016 and one MR tanker sold in the fourth quarter of 2015;
•
an increase of $1.7 million due to higher ship management fees resulting from the 17 vessels acquired in 2015; and
•
an increase of $0.6 million due to inflationary increases and higher crew and manning expenses related to performance-based compensation paid to seafarers which were recognized in 2016;

partially offset by

•
a decrease of $0.9 million due to lower fleet overhead costs primarily resulting from the timing of seafarer training, crew agency fees and other initiatives; and
•
a decrease of $0.9 million due to lower insurance premiums paid and insurance credits received during the year.

Time-charter Hire Expense. Time-charter hire expense decreased to $57.4 million for 2016 from $74.9 million for 2015 due to the changes in the average size of the in-charter fleet, decreases in the average in-charter rate in 2016 compared to 2015, the acquisition of two LR2 product tankers in February 2015 which were previously in-chartered, two in-chartered Aframax tankers which were offhire during the year and lower time-charter rates due to profit sharing components of one Aframax tanker and one LR2 product tanker.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased to $99.0 million for 2016 from $72.1 million for 2015. The increase primarily relates to the addition of 12 Suezmax tankers, one Aframax tanker and four LR2 product tankers acquired in 2015, the amortization of customer relationships in relation to the acquisition of the ship-to-ship transfer business in July 2015 and higher amortization of dry-docking expenditures in 2016 as compared to the prior year. This was partially offset by the sale of two MR tankers in the second half of 2016 and the sale of one MR tanker in the fourth quarter of 2015.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased to $29.4 million for 2016 compared to $28.4 million for 2015, primarily due to:

•
an increase of $1.5 million due to higher administrative, strategic management, and other fees incurred under our management agreement with Teekay primarily resulting from higher allocations due to supporting activities provided to bring commercial management of Suezmax vessels in-house;

50


partially offset by

•
a decrease of $0.5 million due to higher corporate expenses incurred during 2015 primarily as a result of lower legal expenses related to our vessel construction and option agreements with STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. (or STX) of South Korea and legal expenses incurred related to the acquisitions of vessels and the ship-to-ship business in 2015.

(Loss) Gain on Sale of Vessels. Loss on sale of vessels of $20.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily relates to the sale of the two MR tankers and the two held for sale Suezmax tankers which were written down to their respective agreed sales prices. Gain on sale of vessels of $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 related to the sale of one MR tanker. Please refer to Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 19 – Vessel Sales and Vessel Acquisitions.

Restructuring Charges. Restructuring charges for 2015 relate to crew redundancy costs incurred due to the change in nationality of crew on one of our vessels, which we recovered from one of our customers.
Equity Income.
The following table reflects our equity income (loss) for 2016 and 2015:
 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2016
 
2015
High-Q Joint Venture
4,359

 
3,218

Tanker Investments Ltd.
3,515

 
7,280

Gemini Tankers L.L.C.
(194
)
 
1,030

Total equity income
7,680

 
11,528


Equity income decreased to $7.7 million in 2016 from $11.5 million for 2015 primarily due to:

•
a decrease of $3.8 million due to lower equity earnings from TIL resulting from overall lower realized average spot rates earned in 2016 compared to 2015, partially offset by an increase resulting from our increased ownership interest in TIL to 11.3% in 2016 as compared to 10.2% in 2015; and
•
a decrease of $1.2 million due to the winding down of operations of the Gemini Tankers L.L.C. joint venture in 2015;
partially offset by

•
an increase of $1.1 million due to higher equity earnings from our High-Q Investment Ltd (or High-Q) joint venture primarily resulting from profit share recognized in the second quarter of 2016 as VLCC rates averaged above certain thresholds, triggering a profit sharing with the customer.

Please refer to Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 6 – Investments in and advances to Equity Accounted Investments.

The High-Q joint venture has an interest rate swap agreement which exchanges a receipt of floating interest for a payment of fixed interest to reduce the joint venture’s exposure to interest rate variability on its outstanding floating rate debt. Our proportionate share of realized and unrealized gains or losses relating to this instrument has been included in the equity income from the High-Q joint venture. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, our proportionate share of realized losses was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and unrealized gains were $0.1 million and $nil, respectively.

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Ship-to-ship Transfer Segment
Our ship-to-ship transfer segment consists of our lightering support services, including those services provided to our conventional tanker segment, which includes full service lightering operations, and other lightering support services. Our results for the year ended December 31, 2015, include five months of operations of this segment, from the date of our acquisition of SPT on July 31, 2015.

The following table presents our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and compares net revenues, a non-GAAP financial measure, for those periods to revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2016
 
2015
 
% Change
Revenues (1)
41,136

 
18,587

 
121
 %
Less: voyage expenses
—

 
(348
)
 
(100
)%
Net revenues
41,136

 
18,239

 
126
 %
Vessel operating expenses
(32,498
)
 
(14,441
)
 
125
 %
Time-charter hire expense
(2,279
)
 
(38
)
 
5,897
 %
Depreciation and amortization
(5,125
)
 
(1,642
)
 
212
 %
General and administrative expenses
(3,767
)
 
(1,985
)
 
90
 %
Gain on sale of vessels
332

 
—

 
100
 %
Restructuring charge
—

 
(327
)
 
(100
)%
Loss from vessel operations
(2,201
)
 
(194
)
 
1,035
 %
(1)
Includes $3.2 million of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016 (2015 - $0.8 million) relating to lightering support services which the ship-to-ship transfer segment provided to the conventional tanker segment for full service lightering operations.

Loss from vessel operations. Loss from vessel operations increased for 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to a full operating year of SPT, which was acquired in the latter half of 2015. The increase in the number of lightering support operations in 2016 resulted in higher revenues and expenses; however, a majority of this additional volume was in support of the conventional tanker segment’s full service lightering operations or other areas which generated lower margins.

Other Operating Results
The following table compares our other operating results for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2016
 
2015
Interest expense
(29,784
)
 
(17,389
)
Interest income
117

 
122

Realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments
(964
)
 
(1,597
)
Other (expenses) income
(5,978
)
 
(2,743
)

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $29.8 million for 2016 from $17.4 million for 2015, primarily due to additional interest incurred to finance the acquisition of the 12 modern Suezmax tankers which were acquired in the latter part of 2015.

Realized and Unrealized Loss on Derivative Instruments. Realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments decreased to $1.0 million for 2016 from $1.6 million for 2015. In February 2016, we entered into a total of nine new interest rate swap agreements relating to our new credit facility. Four of the interest rate swaps have notional amounts of $50.0 million each, with fixed rates of 1.462%, and commenced in October 2016. The remaining five interest rate swaps commenced in the first quarter of 2016, of which one swap has a notional amount of $75.0 million, one swap has a notional amount of $50.0 million, and three swaps have notional amounts of $25.0 million each, with fixed-rates of 1.549%, 1.155% and 1.549%, respectively.

As at December 31, 2016, we had interest rate swap agreements with aggregate outstanding notional amounts of $400.0 million with a weighted-average fixed rate of 1.46%. Realized losses on the interest rate swaps increased from $12.8 million in 2016 compared to $9.8 million in 2015 primarily due to the termination of an interest rate swap in the first quarter of 2016 and the expiration of the another interest rate swap in October 2016. This was partially offset by the nine new interest rate swap agreements which were entered into in February 2016.

The changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps resulted in unrealized gains of $13.7 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and were primarily due to an increase in our long-term benchmark interest rates, partially offset by the termination of an existing interest rate swap in early 2016.

52



Effective June 1, 2016, we also entered into a time-charter swap for 55% of two Aframax equivalent vessels. Under such agreement, we will receive $27,776 per day, less a 1.25% brokerage commission, and pay 55% of the net revenue distribution of two Aframax equivalent vessels employed in our Aframax revenue sharing pooling arrangement, less $500 per day, for a period of 11 months plus an additional two months at the counterparty's option. As at December 31, 2016, the time-charter swap had a fair value of $0.9 million which resulted in an unrealized gain of $0.9 million. We also recognized realized gains of $2.2 million on the time-charter swap in the year ended December 31, 2016.

In addition, we had a stock purchase warrant entitling us to purchase up to 750,000 shares of common stock of TIL. The stock purchase warrant had a fair value of $0.3 million as at December 31, 2016 and we recognized unrealized losses of $4.9 million in 2016 compared to an unrealized gain of $0.5 million in 2015.

Please see "Item 5 - Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Commitments and Contingencies - Valuation of Derivative Instruments", which explains how our derivative instruments are valued, including the significant factors and uncertainties in determining the estimated fair value and why changes in these factors result in material changes in realized and unrealized loss or gain on derivative instruments from period to period.

Other Expense. Other expense was $6.0 million in 2016, compared to $2.7 million in 2015. The increase is primarily due to an increase in our estimate of freight tax expense as a result of the trading patterns of our fleet, partially offset by changes in foreign exchange rates.

Net Income. As a result of the foregoing factors, we recorded net income of $67.8 million for 2016, compared to $183.6 million for 2015.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity and Cash Needs
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, cash flows provided by our operations, our undrawn credit facilities, proceeds from sales of vessels, and capital raised through financing transactions. As at December 31, 2017, our total cash and cash equivalents were $71.4 million, compared to $94.2 million at December 31, 2016. Our cash balance at December 31, 2017 had decreased primarily as a result of repayments of our long-term debt (described below) and dividends paid on our shares of common stock, which were partially offset by cash flow from our operations, proceeds received from the sale of two Suezmax tankers and three Aframax tankers, net proceeds received from the sale and leaseback of four Suezmax tankers, cash acquired in the TIL merger and proceeds we received from the sale of our common stock through the continuous offering program and a private placement to Teekay.

Our total liquidity, including cash, cash equivalents and undrawn credit facilities, was $160.0 million as at December 31, 2017, compared to $102.4 million as at December 31, 2016. Our 2017 liquidity increased, in part, as a result of the TIL merger (described below). We anticipate that our primary sources of funds for our short-term liquidity needs will be cash flows from operations, existing cash and cash equivalents and undrawn long-term borrowings, refinancing existing loans and proceeds of new financings or equity issuances, which we believe will be sufficient to meet our existing liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months; however, such financing may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Please read Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 17 - Liquidity for information about required funding over the next 12 months.

Our short-term liquidity requirements include the payment of operating expenses, dry-docking expenditures, debt servicing costs, dividends on our shares of common stock, scheduled repayments of long-term debt and obligations related to capital leases, as well as funding our other working capital requirements. Our short-term charters and spot market tanker operations contribute to the volatility of our net operating cash flow, and thus our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short-term liquidity needs. Historically, the tanker industry has been cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability and asset values resulting from changes in the supply of, and demand for, vessel capacity. In addition, tanker spot markets historically have exhibited seasonal variations in charter rates. Tanker spot markets are typically stronger in the winter months as a result of increased oil consumption in the northern hemisphere and unpredictable weather patterns that tend to disrupt vessel scheduling.

Commencing with the dividend paid in the first quarter of 2016, we have adopted a dividend policy under which quarterly dividends are expected to range from 30% to 50% of our quarterly adjusted net income, subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors, with a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share under our current dividend policy, which is subject to change. Adjusted net (loss) income is a non-GAAP measure which excludes specific items affecting net (loss) income that are typically excluded by securities analysts in their published estimates of our financial results. Specific items affecting net income include foreign exchange gain or losses, unrealized gains or losses on derivative instruments, gain or losses on sales of vessels and debt issuance costs which were written off in connection with the refinancing of our debt facilities.

Our long-term capital needs are primarily for capital expenditures and debt repayment. Generally, we expect that our long-term sources of funds will be cash balances, cash flow from operations, long-term bank borrowings and other debt or equity financings, which includes equity issuances from our COP. We expect that we will rely upon external financing sources, including bank borrowings and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund acquisitions and expansion capital expenditures, including opportunities we may pursue to purchase additional vessels.

In December 2017, we entered into a new $270 million long-term debt revolving credit facility which is scheduled to mature in December 2022, of which $215.8 million was used to refinance two of our revolving credit facilities which we assumed in the merger with TIL. As at

53


December 31, 2017, the $270 million long-term debt revolving credit facility had an outstanding balance of $220.0 million and an undrawn balance of $50.0 million.

In November 2017, we completed a merger with TIL by acquiring all of the remaining 27.0 million issued and outstanding common shares of TIL, by way of a share-for-share exchange of 3.3 shares of our Class A common stock for each share of TIL common stock, and as a result, TIL became a wholly-owned subsidiary. As consideration for the merger, we issued 88,977,544 Class A common shares to the TIL shareholders, including 8,250,000 shares to Teekay. The transaction increased our liquidity by $93.8 million based on TIL's cash balances and amounts available to be drawn on the TIL revolving credit facilities at the time of the merger.

In July 2017, we completed a $153 million sale-leaseback financing transaction relating to four of our Suezmax tankers. The transaction was structured as 12-year bareboat charters with an average rate of approximately $11,100 per day, with purchase options for all four vessels throughout the lease term beginning in July 2020. We used the proceeds from this transaction to repay a portion of one of our corporate revolving credit facilities.

In June, September and November 2017, we completed the sales of three Aframax tankers for an aggregate sales price of $20.2 million. We used the proceeds from these sales to repay a portion of one of our corporate revolving credit facilities. In January and March 2017, we completed the sales of two Suezmax tankers for an aggregate sales price of $32.6 million. We used the proceeds from these sales to repay a portion of one of our corporate revolving credit facilities.

Our obligations related to capital leases are described in Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 9 - Leases and Restricted Cash and our revolving credit facilities and term loans are described in Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 8 - Long-Term Debt in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. Our obligations related to capital leases require us to maintain minimum levels of cash and aggregate liquidity. Our revolving credit facilities and term loans contain covenants and other restrictions we believe are typical of debt financing collateralized by vessels, including those that restrict the relevant subsidiaries from: incurring or guaranteeing additional indebtedness; making certain negative pledges or granting certain liens; and selling, transferring, assigning or conveying assets. In the future, some of the covenants and restrictions in our financing agreements could restrict the use of cash generated by ship-owning subsidiaries in a manner that could adversely affect our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. However, we do not currently expect that these covenants will have such an effect. Our revolving credit facilities and term loans require us to maintain financial covenants, which are described in further detail in Item 18 - Financial Statements: Note 8 - Long-Term Debt included in this Annual Report. Should we not meet these financial covenants, the lender may declare our obligations under the agreements immediately due and payable and terminate any further loan commitments, which would significantly affect our ability to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. As at December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with all covenants relating to our revolving credit facilities, term loans and obligations related to capital leases. Teekay has also advised us that as at December 31, 2017, it was in compliance with all covenants relating to the credit facilities and term loans to which we are party.

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign currency fluctuations and spot market rates. We use interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. We do not use this financial instrument for trading or speculative purposes.

Passage of any climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases could have a significant financial and operational impact on our business, which we cannot predict with certainty at this time. Such regulatory measures could increase our costs related to operating and maintaining our vessels and require us to install new emission controls, acquire allowances or pay taxes related to our greenhouse gas emissions, or administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program. In addition, increased regulation of greenhouse gases may, in the long-term, lead to reduced demand for oil and reduced demand for our services.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash for the periods presented:

 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net cash flow from operating activities
79,640

 
206,666

 
201,966

Net cash flow (used for) provided by financing activities
(181,138
)
 
(290,853
)
 
647,678

Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities
78,780

 
21,824

 
(880,881
)
Operating Cash Flows
Changes in net cash flow from operating activities primarily reflect fluctuations in spot tanker rates, change in interest rates, fluctuations in working capital balances, the timing and the amount of dry-docking expenditures, repairs and maintenance activities, and vessel additions and dispositions. Our exposure to the spot tanker market has contributed significantly to historical fluctuations in operating cash flows as a result of highly cyclical spot tanker rates.

Net cash flow provided by operating activities decreased to $79.6 million in 2017, compared to $206.7 million in 2016, primarily as a result of the following:


54


•
a net decrease of $97.3 million in operating earnings in 2017 primarily as a result of lower average realized TCE rates, the expiry of time-charter out contracts for various vessels which subsequently traded on spot voyages at lower average realized rates and more vessels which transitioned from voyage charter to full service lightering employment in 2017 compared to 2016;
•
a net decrease of $24.3 million in operating cash flows in 2017 due to the timing of the settlement of operating assets and liabilities, primarily resulting from lower settlements of our pool receivables due to changes in the average realized TCE rates in 2017 compared to the prior year and higher settlements of our due to affiliates accounts, partially offset by the timing of our 2016 first quarter dividends which were declared at the end of 2015; and

•
a decrease of $5.5 million in operating cash flows in 2017 relating to higher expenditures for dry-docking activities. In 2017, we dry docked three Suezmax tankers and four Aframax tankers, whereas in 2016 we dry docked two Suezmax tankers.

Net cash flow provided by operating activities increased to $206.7 million in 2016, compared to $202.0 million in 2015, primarily as a result of the following:

•
an increase of $31.0 million in operating cash flows in 2016 relating to lower expenditures on dry-docking activities. In 2016, we dry docked two Suezmax tankers, whereas in 2015, we dry docked seven Suezmax tankers, seven LR2 product tankers, two Aframax tankers and two MR tankers; and
•
a net increase of $28.3 million in operating cash flows in 2016 due to the timing of the settlement of operating assets and liabilities primarily as a result of the decrease in pool receivables due to lower TCE rates in 2016 compared to the prior year;
partially offset by

•
a net decrease of $54.7 million in operating earnings primarily as a result of lower average realized TCE rates, partially offset by the increase in fleet size in 2016 as compared to the prior year.
Financing Cash Flows
Net cash used for financing activities was $181.1 million in 2017, compared to $290.9 million in 2016, primarily as a result of the following:

•
a net decrease of $68.8 million in cash outflows due to a decrease in repayments and prepayments on our term loans and revolving credit facilities, partially offset by the 2016 refinancing of our long-term debt facilities and the 2017 sale-leaseback financing transaction;
•
a decrease of $26.2 million in cash outflows related to lower cash dividends paid during 2017, resulting from lower earnings as our dividend policy is based on adjusted net (loss) income, partially offset by the increase in the number of our shares of outstanding Class A and B common stock from issuances of our shares in 2016 and 2017;

•
a decrease of $15.0 million in cash outflows, related to the return of capital in 2016 by the Entities under Common Control to Teekay; and
•
an increase of $6.0 million in cash inflows from proceeds received from equity offerings, including our COP which we relaunched in November 2016 and proceeds from an issuance of 2.2 million shares of Class A common stock to Teekay;
partially offset by

•
an increase of $4.1 million in cash outflows due to the scheduled payments on our capital lease obligations which we entered into in July 2017; and

•
an increase of $2.7 million in cash outflows due to an increase in restricted cash held for the purposes of the margin requirements of our obligations related to capital leases.

Net cash used for financing activities increased to $290.9 million in 2016, compared to net cash provided by finance activities of $647.7 million in 2015, primarily as a result of the following:

•
an increase of $692.9 million in cash outflows primarily due to an increase in repayments and prepayments on our term loans and revolving credit facilities in 2016 compared to 2015;
•
a net decrease of $202.8 million in cash inflows due to lower proceeds from equity offerings in 2016 compared with 2015, including the effect of the 2015 issuances of shares under private placements to partially fund the acquisition of the 12 vessels from Principal Maritime Tankers (or Principal Maritime) and the ship-to-ship transfer business in 2015, substantially lower sales of Class A common stock during 2016 under our COP, and proceeds from the underwriters' exercise of their over-allotment option in January 2015 for an additional 3.0 million shares of Class A common stock;
•
an increase of $31.7 million in cash outflows related to additional cash dividends paid during 2016 due to the change in our dividend policy and the increase in the number of shares of Class A and B common stock from our 2015 issuances; and
•
an increase of $15.0 million in cash outflows primarily related to the return of capital issued from Entities under Common Control to Teekay in 2016;

55



partially offset by

•
a decrease of $3.5 million in cash used for financing activities from the Entities under Common Control.
Investing Cash Flows
Net cash provided by investing activities was $78.8 million in 2017, compared to $21.8 million in the prior year, primarily as a result of the following:

•
a net increase of $30.8 million in cash acquired, net of transaction costs, in the TIL merger;
•
an increase of $24.6 million in cash inflows related to the sales of two Suezmax tankers, three Aframax tankers and one lightering support vessel during the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the sale of two MR tankers and two lightering support vessels for the same period in the prior year; and
•
an decrease of $4.5 million in cash outflows due to fewer capital expenditures for the fleet for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the prior year;

partially offset by
•
an decrease of $3.0 million in cash inflows related to loan repayments to us from our High-Q joint venture.

Net cash provided by investing activities increased to $21.8 million in 2016, compared to net cash used for investing activities of $880.9 million in the prior year, primarily as a result of the following:

•
a decrease of cash outflows of $612.0 million related to the cash consideration paid in 2015 to acquire the 12 modern Suezmax vessels from Principal Maritime Tankers;
•
a decrease of cash outflows of $227.0 million related to the 2015 acquisition of four LR2 product tankers and one Aframax tanker as well as other capital expenditures made during the year;
•
a decrease of cash outflows of $45.6 million, net of working capital adjustments, related to the 2015 acquisition of SPT;
•
an increase of cash inflows of $16.5 million related to gross proceeds received in the second half of 2016 from the sales of two MR tankers and two lightering support vessels; and
•
an increase of cash inflows of $2.5 million related to the 2016 repayment of a loan to us from our High-Q joint venture;

partially offset by
•
a decrease of cash inflows of $1.1 million related to the 2015 return of capital received from our equity accounted investments.

Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 6 – Investments in and advances to Equity Accounted Investments for specific details on our equity accounted investment activities included in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Commitments and Contingencies
The following table summarizes our long-term contractual obligations as at December 31, 2017:

 
Total
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
Beyond
2022
(in millions of U.S. dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Dollar-Denominated Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled repayments of revolving facilities, term loans and other debt (1)
435.7

 
103.4

 
105.7

 
131.9

 
72.1

 
22.6

 
—

Repayments at maturity of revolving facilities, term loans and other debt (1)
527.5

 
63.8

 
—

 
—

 
330.8

 
132.9

 
—

Scheduled repayments of obligations related to capital leases (2)
148.9

 
7.2

 
7.7

 
8.2

 
8.7

 
9.3

 
107.8

Chartered-in vessels (operating leases)
29.7

 
11.7

 
8.3

 
8.3

 
1.4

 
—

 
—

Total
1,141.8


186.1


121.7


148.4


413.0


164.8


107.8

(1)
Excludes all expected interest payments of $31.7 million (2018), $27.5 million (2019), $23.3 million (2020), $13.9 million (2021) and $3.4 million (2022). Expected interest payments are based on the existing interest rates for fixed-rate loans of 5.4% and existing interest rates for variable-rate loans at LIBOR

56


plus margins that range from 0.30% to 2.75% at December 31, 2017. The expected interest payments do not reflect the effect of related interest rate swaps that we have used to hedge certain of our floating-rate debt.
(2)
Excludes imputed interest payments of $9.0 million (2018), $8.5 million (2019), $8.1 million (2020), $7.5 million (2021), $7.0 million (2022) and $29.1 million (thereafter).
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates in the application of our accounting policies based on our best assumptions, judgments and opinions. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material. Accounting estimates and assumptions discussed in this section are those that we consider to be the most critical to an understanding of our financial statements because they inherently involve significant judgments and uncertainties. For a further description of our material accounting policies, please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Revenue Recognition
Description. We recognize voyage revenue on either a load-to-discharge or discharge-to-discharge basis. Voyage revenues are recognized ratably from the beginning of when product is loaded to when it is discharged if using a load-to-discharge basis, or from when product is discharged (unloaded) at the end of the prior voyage to when it is discharged after the current voyage, if using a discharge-to-discharge basis. However, we do not begin recognizing revenue for any of our vessels until a charter has been agreed to by the customer and us, even if the vessel has discharged its cargo and is sailing to the anticipated load port on its next voyage. A portion of our revenues is also generated from the offshore ship-to-ship transfer of commodities, primarily crude oil and refined oil products, but also liquid gases and various other products. We also generate revenues from other technical activities such as terminal management, consultancy, procurement and equipment rental. Short-term contracts for these services are recognized as services are completed based on a percentage of completion method. Long-term contracts are recognized over the duration of the contract period.

Judgments and Uncertainties. Whether to use the load-to-discharge basis or the discharge-to-discharge basis depends on whether the customer directs the use of the vessel throughout the period of use, pursuant to the terms of the voyage charter. This is a matter of judgement. However, we believe that if the customer has the right to direct the vessel to different load and discharge ports, among other things, a voyage charter contract contains a lease, and the lease term begins on the later of the vessel’s last discharge or inception of the voyage charter contract. As such, in this case revenue is recognized on a discharge-to-discharge basis. Otherwise, it is recognized on a load-to-discharge basis.

Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. If our assessment of whether the customer directs the use of the vessel through-out the period of use is not consistent with actual results, then the period over which voyage revenue is recognized would be different and as such our revenues could be overstated or understated for any given period by the amount of such difference.
Vessel Lives and Impairment
Description. Acquisitions of vessels from Teekay were deemed to be business acquisitions between entities under common control. Accordingly, the carrying value of each such vessel represents Teekay’s carrying value at the date we acquired the vessel, less subsequent depreciation and impairment charges. Vessels acquired from third parties are initially recorded at their acquisition value. We depreciate the original cost, less an estimated residual value, of these vessels on a straight-line basis over each vessel’s estimated useful life. The carrying values of our vessels may not represent their market value at any point in time because the market prices of second-hand vessels tend to fluctuate with changes in charter rates and the cost of newbuildings. Both charter rates and newbuilding costs tend to be cyclical in nature.

We review vessels and equipment for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset, including the carrying value of the charter contract, if any, under which the vessel is employed, may not be recoverable. This occurs when the asset’s carrying value is greater than the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate over its remaining useful life. If the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of an asset exceed the asset’s carrying value, no impairment is recognized even though the fair value of the asset may be lower than its carrying value. If the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of an asset are less than the asset’s carrying value and the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying value, the asset is written down to its fair value. Fair value is calculated as the net present value of estimated future cash flows, which, in certain circumstances, will approximate the estimated market value of the vessel. For a vessel under charter, the discounted cash flows from that vessel may exceed its market value, as market values may assume the vessel is not employed on an existing charter.

The table below presents the aggregate market values and carrying values of our vessels that we have determined have a market value that is less than their carrying value as of January 1, 2018. While the market values of these vessels are below their carrying values, no impairment

57


has been recognized on any of these vessels in 2017 as the estimated future undiscounted cash flows relating to such vessels are greater than their carrying values.

We consider the vessels reflected in the following table to be at a higher risk of future impairment. This table is disaggregated for vessels which have estimated future undiscounted cash flows that are marginally or significantly greater than their respective carrying values. Vessels with estimated future cash flows significantly greater than their respective carrying values do not necessarily represent vessels that would likely be impaired in the next twelve months. The recognition of an impairment in the future for those vessels may primarily depend upon our deciding to dispose of the vessel instead of continuing to operate it. In deciding whether to dispose of a vessel, we determine whether it is economically preferable to sell the vessel or continue to operate it. This assessment includes an estimation of the net proceeds expected to be received if the vessel is sold in its existing condition compared to the present value of the vessel’s estimated future revenue, net of operating costs. Such estimates are based on the charter market outlook and estimated operating costs, given a vessel’s type, condition and age. In addition, we typically do not dispose of a vessel that is servicing an existing customer contract. The recognition of an impairment in the future may be more likely for vessels that have estimated future undiscounted cash only marginally greater than their respective carrying values.
 
Aframax, Suezmax and Product Tankers
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except number of vessels)
# Vessels
 
Market
Values (1)
 
Carrying
Values
Conventional Tankers (2)
11

 
153,500

 
293,088

Conventional Tankers (3)
27

 
706,300

 
1,195,837

Total
38


859,800


1,488,925

(1)
Market values are determined using reference to second-hand market comparables. Since vessel values can be volatile, our estimates of market value may not be indicative of either the current or future prices we could obtain if we sold any of the vessels.
(2)
Undiscounted cash flows are marginally greater than the carrying values.
(3)
Undiscounted cash flows are significantly greater than the carrying values.

Judgments and Uncertainties. Depreciation is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 years for conventional crude oil and product tankers, commencing at the date the vessel was originally delivered from the shipyard. However, the actual life of a vessel may be different than the estimated useful life, with a shorter actual useful life resulting in an increase in quarterly depreciation and potentially resulting in an impairment loss. The estimated useful life of our vessels takes into account design life, commercial considerations and regulatory restrictions. Our estimates of future cash flows involve assumptions about future charter rates, vessel utilization, operating expenses, dry-docking expenditures, vessel residual values and the remaining estimated life of our vessels. Our estimated charter rates are based on rates under existing vessel contracts and market rates at which we expect we can re-charter our vessels. Our estimates of vessel utilization, including estimated off-hire time, are based on historical experience and our projections of the number of future conventional tanker voyages. Our estimates of operating expenses and dry-docking expenditures are based on historical operating and dry-docking costs and our expectations of future inflation and operating requirements. Vessel residual values are a product of a vessel’s lightweight tonnage and an estimated scrap rate. The remaining estimated lives of our vessels used in our estimates of future cash flows are consistent with those used in the calculations of depreciation.

In our experience, certain assumptions relating to our estimates of future cash flows are more predictable by their nature, including estimated revenue under existing contract terms, on-going operating costs and remaining vessel life. Certain assumptions relating to our estimates of future cash flows require more discretion and are inherently less predictable, such as future charter rates beyond the firm period of existing contracts and vessel residual values, due to factors such as the volatility in vessel charter rates and vessel values. We believe that the assumptions used to estimate future cash flows of our vessels are reasonable at the time they are made. We can make no assurances, however, as to whether our estimates of future cash flows, particularly future vessel charter rates or vessel values, will be accurate.

Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. If we conclude that a vessel or equipment is impaired, we recognize a loss in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value at the date of impairment. The written-down amount becomes the new lower cost basis and will result in a lower annual depreciation expense than for periods before the vessel impairment.
Dry docking
Description. We capitalize a substantial portion of the costs we incur during dry docking and amortize those costs on a straight-line basis from the completion of a dry docking to the estimated date of completion of the next dry docking. We immediately expense costs for routine repairs and maintenance performed during dry docking that do not improve or extend the useful lives of the assets.

Judgments and Uncertainties. Amortization of capitalized dry-docking expenditure requires us to estimate the period of the next dry docking. While we typically dry dock each vessel every two and a half to five years, we may dry dock the vessels at an earlier date. The actual life of a vessel may be different, with a shorter life resulting in an increase in the quarterly depreciation and potentially resulting in an impairment loss. The estimates and assumptions regarding expected cash flows require considerable judgment and are based upon existing contracts, historical experience, financial forecasts and industry trends and conditions. We are not aware of any indicators of impairments nor any regulatory changes or environmental liabilities that we anticipate will have a material impact on our current or future operations.

Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. If we change our estimate of the next dry-dock date, we will adjust our annual amortization of dry-docking expenditures.

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Valuation of Derivative Instruments
Description. Our risk management policies permit the use of derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. Changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes are recognized in earnings in the consolidated statements of income.

Judgments and Uncertainties. The fair value of our derivative instruments and the change in fair value of our derivative instruments from period to period result from our use of interest rate swap agreements.

The fair value of our interest rate swap agreements is the estimated amount that we would receive or pay to terminate the agreements in an arm’s length transaction under normal business conditions at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the current credit worthiness of ourselves and the interest rate swap counterparties. The estimated amount for interest rate swap agreements is the present value of estimated future cash flows, being equal to the difference between the benchmark interest rate and the fixed rate in the interest rate swap agreement, multiplied by the notional principal amount of the interest rate swap agreement at each interest reset date.

The fair value of our interest rate swap agreements at the end of each period is most significantly impacted by the interest rate implied by the benchmark interest rate yield curve, including its relative steepness. Interest rates have experienced significant volatility in recent years in both the short and long term. While the fair value of our interest rate swap agreements is typically more sensitive to changes in short-term rates, significant changes in the long-term benchmark interest rate also materially impact our interest rate swap agreements.

The fair value of our interest rate swap agreements is also impacted by changes in our specific credit risk included in the discount factor. We discount our interest rate swap agreements with reference to the credit default swap spreads of global industrial companies with a similar credit rating and by considering any underlying collateral. The process of determining credit worthiness requires significant judgment in determining which source of credit risk information most closely matches our risk profile.

The benchmark interest rate yield curve and our specific credit risk are expected to vary over the life of the interest rate swap agreements. The larger the notional amount of the interest rate swap agreements outstanding and the longer the remaining duration of the interest rate swap agreements, the larger the impact of any variability in these factors will be on the fair value of our interest rate swaps. We economically hedge the interest rate exposure on a significant amount of our long-term debt and for long durations. As such, we have historically experienced, and we expect to continue to experience, material variations in the period-to-period fair value of our derivative instruments.

Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. Although we measure the fair value of our derivative instruments utilizing the inputs and assumptions described above, if we were to terminate the interest rate swap agreements at the reporting date, the amount we would pay or receive to terminate the interest rate swap agreements may differ from our estimate of fair value. If the estimated fair value differs from the actual termination amount, an adjustment to the carrying amount of the applicable derivative asset or liability would be recognized in earnings for the current period. Such adjustments could be material. See Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 10 – Derivative Instruments for the effects on the change in fair value of our derivative instruments on our consolidated statements of (loss) income.

Item 6.
Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Our Board of Directors and executive officers oversee and supervise our operations. Subject to this oversight and supervision, our operations are managed generally by our Manager.

Our President and Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Mackay and our Chief Financial Officer, Stewart Andrade, allocate their time between managing our business and affairs directly as such officers and indirectly as officers of our Manager, and the business and affairs of Teekay Corporation, for which they also serve as executive team member and as Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, respectively. The amount of time Messrs. Mackay and Andrade allocate among our business and the businesses of Teekay Corporation, our Manager and other subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation varies from time to time depending on the various circumstances and needs of the businesses, such as the relative levels of strategic activities of the businesses.

Our officers and individuals providing services to us or our subsidiaries may face a conflict regarding the allocation of their time between our business and the other business interests of Teekay Corporation or its affiliates. We intend to seek to cause our officers to devote as much time to the management of our business and affairs as is necessary for the proper conduct thereof.

Please also read Item 7 – Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions - Related Party Transactions.
Directors and Executive Officers of Teekay Tankers Ltd.
The following table provides information about the directors and executive officers of Teekay Tankers Ltd. The business address of each of our directors and officers listed below is c/o 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08 Bermuda. Ages of the directors and executive officers are as of December 31, 2017.


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Name
 
Age
 
Position
Stewart Andrade
 
45
 
Chief Financial Officer (1)
Arthur Bensler
 
60
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Richard J.F. Bronks
 
52
 
Director (2)
Richard T. du Moulin
 
71
 
Director (2)
Kenneth Hvid
 
49
 
Director (3)
William Lawes
 
74
 
Director (2)
Kevin Mackay
 
49
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
Bjorn Moller
 
60
 
Director
Richard Paterson
 
66
 
Director (2)(4)
(1)
Appointed December 7, 2017.
(2)
Member of Audit Committee, Conflicts Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee.
(3)
Appointed February 22, 2017.
(4)
Appointed August 1, 2017.

Certain biographical information about each of these individuals is set forth below.

Stewart Andrade was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Teekay Tankers on December 7, 2017. He joined Teekay in 2002 and has worked in a variety of roles at Teekay and has been responsible for executing a number of strategic transactions, including acquisitions and the establishment of joint ventures, to grow Teekay Tankers into one of the world’s leading tanker companies. Mr. Andrade is Vice President of Strategy and Business Development responsible for Teekay’s tanker business, a role he has held since 2015. Prior to joining Teekay, Mr. Andrade worked in Ernst and Young’s consulting practice providing advisory services to a variety of Canadian and international organizations. Mr. Andrade is a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant.

Arthur Bensler was appointed Chairman and Director of Teekay Tankers Ltd. in 2013. He also is Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Teekay Corporation and President of Teekay Shipping (Canada) Ltd. He has 20 years of experience in the shipping industry, joining Teekay Corporation in 1998 as General Counsel. He was promoted to the position of Vice President and General Counsel in 2002, became the Corporate Secretary of Teekay Corporation in 2003 and was further promoted to Executive Vice President and General Counsel in 2006. Mr. Bensler was appointed Corporate Secretary of Teekay Tankers in 2007 and has served as General Counsel to the Company since its inception. In addition to his role as General Counsel, he serves as Assistant Corporate Secretary of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C., the general partner of Teekay Offshore Partner L.P. and Teekay GP L.L.C, the general partner of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. Mr. Bensler served as Committee Director of the Britannia Steamship Insurance Association Limited from 2005 to 2010 and has served as a Committee Director of The Standard Club Ltd., a mutual insurance association, since 2010, where he is also a member of the Nominating & Governance Committee and the Strategy Committee.

Richard J.F. Bronks joined the Board of Directors of Teekay Tankers in 2008. Mr. Bronks retired from Goldman Sachs in 2007, where he held a number of positions during his career. From 2004 until 2007, Mr. Bronks was responsible for building Goldman Sachs’ equity, bond and loan financing business in emerging markets, including Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Turkey and Africa. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Bronks served as a co-head of Goldman’s global commodity business, engaged in the trading of commodities and commodity derivatives, and the shipping and storage of physical commodities. From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Bronks served as a member of Goldman’s oil derivatives business in London and New York. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. Bronks was employed by BP Oil International, in both its oil derivatives business and its crude oil trading business.

Richard T. du Moulin joined the Board of Directors of Teekay Tankers in December 2007. Mr. du Moulin is currently the President of Intrepid Shipping L.L.C., a position he has held since he founded Intrepid Shipping in 2002. From 1998 to 2002, Mr. du Moulin served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marine Transport Corporation. Mr. du Moulin is a member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Seamen’s Church Institute of New York and New Jersey. Mr. du Moulin currently serves as an advisor to Hudson Structured Capital Management, a private equity firm and is on the board of Pangaea Logistics Solutions, Ltd., a dry bulk shipping company. Mr. du Moulin served as Chairman of Intertanko, the leading trade organization for the tanker industry, from 1996 to 1999 and served as a director of Globe Wireless L.L.C. and Tidewater, Inc.

Kenneth Hvid joined the board of Teekay Tankers in February 2017. He was appointed President and CEO of Teekay Corporation in February 2017 and has served as a director of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C., the general partner of Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. since 2011. He joined Teekay Corporation in 2000 and was responsible for leading its global procurement activities until he was promoted in 2004 to Senior Vice President, Teekay Gas Services. During this time, Mr. Hvid was involved in leading Teekay through its entry and growth in the LNG business. He held this position until the beginning of 2006, when he was appointed President of its Teekay Navion Shuttle Tankers and Offshore division. In that role he was responsible for Teekay’s global shuttle tanker business as well as initiatives in the floating storage and offtake business and related offshore activities. Mr. Hvid served as Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President from 2011 to 2015, as director of Teekay GP L.L.C. from 2011 to 2015 and as President and CEO of Teekay Offshore Group Ltd., from 2015 until January 2017. Mr. Hvid has 28 years of global shipping experience, 12 of which were spent with A.P. Moller in Copenhagen, San Francisco and Hong Kong. In 2007, Mr. Hvid joined the board of Gard P.& I. (Bermuda) Ltd.

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William Lawes joined the Board of Directors of Teekay Tankers in 2008. In 2014, Mr. Lawes also joined the board of Tanker Investments Ltd., an Oslo Stock Exchange listed company established by Teekay Corporation and Teekay Tankers and has served as Chairman of its Audit Committee from 2014 until its merger with Teekay Tankers Ltd. in November 2017. Mr. Lawes served as a Managing Director and a member of the Europe, Africa and Middle East Regional Senior Management Board of JPMorgan Chase and its predecessor banks based in London from 1987 until 2002. His functional responsibility was Chief Credit and Counterparty Risk Officer for the region. Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase, he was Global Head of Shipping Finance at Grindlays Bank. Mr. Lawes is qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Since 2005, Mr. Lawes has served as a director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Diana Shipping Inc., a global provider of shipping transportation services. He was appointed as Trustee and Member of the Finance and Investment Committee of Seafarers UK in 2016.
Kevin Mackay was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Teekay Tankers in 2014 and leads a global network of commercial offices in Asia, Europe and North America, with the responsibility of marketing Teekay's fleet of conventional tankers. Mr. Mackay joined Teekay from Phillips 66, where he headed the global marine business unit, responsible for all aspects of marine transportation, including chartering, operations, demurrage, strategy and freight trading, business improvement and marine risk management. He held a similar role as the General Manager, Commercial Marine at ConocoPhillips from 2009 to 2012 before the formation of Phillips 66. Mr. Mackay started his career working for Neptune Orient Lines in Singapore from 1991 to 1995. He then joined AET Inc. Limited (AET) (formerly American Eagle Tankers Inc.) in Houston, where he ultimately was the Regional Director - Americas, Senior Vice President, responsible for AET's business in the Americas. Mr. Mackay holds a B.Sc. (Econ) Honours from the London School of Economics & Political Science.

Bjorn Moller served as Teekay Tankers’ Chief Executive Officer from 2007 until 2011. Mr. Moller also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Teekay Corporation from 1998 until 2011. He also served as Vice Chairman and Director of Teekay GP L.L.C., the general partner of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., from when it was formed in 2004, and Vice Chairman and Director of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C., the general partner of Teekay Offshore Partners L.P., from when it was formed in 2006, in each case until 2011. Mr. Moller continues to serve as a Director of Teekay Tankers and Teekay Corporation. Mr. Moller has over 35 years of experience in the shipping industry and served as Chairman of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation from 2006 to 2013. He served in senior management positions with Teekay Corporation for more than 20 years, and led Teekay’s overall operations from 1997, following his promotion to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Prior to that, Mr. Moller headed Teekay Corporation’s global chartering operations and business development activities. Mr. Moller is also a director of Kattegat Limited, the parent company of Resolute Investments, Ltd., the largest shareholder of Teekay Corporation.

Richard Paterson joined the board of Teekay Tankers on August 1, 2017.  He is a Certified Public Accountant who retired from PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) in 2011 after 37 years of service.  At the time of his retirement, Mr. Paterson served as the global leader of PwC’s Consumer, Industrial Products and Services Practices comprising the automotive, consumer and retail, energy utilities and mining, industrial products, pharmaceutical and health industry sectors.  Mr. Paterson also served as Managing Partner of PwC’s Houston Office and U.S. Energy Practice and supervised audits of ExxonMobil Corporation from 2002 to 2006.  Previous to this position, Mr. Paterson lived in Moscow, Russia where he led PwC’s Energy Practice for Europe, Middle East and Asia and also supervised the audits of OAO Gazprom.  Mr. Paterson is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and serves on the boards of Parker Drilling Company and Eclipse Resources Corporation.  He is a past board member of Zaff GP LLC, the U.S./Russia Business Council and the U.S. Energy Association and stepped down on July 31, 2017, from the Board and Chairmanship of the Audit Committee of Tidewater, the leading offshore vessel service provider to the oil and gas industry. He also resigned as a member of the Board of Saipem Canada, Inc., a private company, on September 30, 2017.
Compensation of Directors and Senior Management
Executive Compensation
The compensation of our executive officers that are employees of Teekay Corporation or other subsidiaries thereof (other than any awards under our long-term incentive plan described below) is set and paid by Teekay Corporation or its subsidiaries, and we reimburse Teekay Corporation for time spent by our executive officers on our management matters. This reimbursement is a component of the management fee we pay our Manager, pursuant to the Management Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the aggregate amount of such reimbursement excluding any long-term incentive plan awards issued directly by us was $1.3 million (2016: $0.9 million; and 2015: $1.4 million). Teekay Corporation’s annual bonus plan, in which each of our executive officers participates, considers both company performance and team performance.
Compensation of Directors
Officers of Teekay Corporation who serve as our directors do not receive additional compensation for their service as directors. Each of our non-employee directors receives compensation for attending meetings of the Board of Directors, as well as committee meetings. Non-employee directors receive an annual cash fee of $50,000 and an annual award of $70,000 paid by way of a grant of restricted stock units or stock options, at the director's choice. In addition, members of the Audit Committee each receive a committee cash fee of $7,500 per year, and the chair of the Audit Committee receives a fee of $12,500 for serving in that role. Members of the Conflicts Committee each receive a committee fee of $7,500 per year, and the chair of the Conflicts Committee receives a fee of $12,500 for serving in that role. The chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives a fee of $5,000 for serving in that role. In addition, each director is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending meetings of the Board of Directors and committees. Each director is fully indemnified by us for actions associated with being a director to the extent permitted under Marshall Islands law.


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During 2017, our five non-employee directors (one of whom joined in August) and one board observer, David A. Hollander (who joined in that capacity in November upon completion of the TIL merger), received an aggregate of $303,125 in cash fees for their services as directors (2016: $260,000; 2015: $260,000). In addition, each non-employee director received a $70,000 annual award for 2017 to be paid by way of a grant of, at the director’s choice, restricted stock units or stock options, granted under our 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan pursuant to this annual retainer. During 2017, we granted 396,412 options (2016: 284,693; 2015: nil) and nil restricted stock units (2016: 9,358; 2015: 51,948) to non-employee directors. The stock options and restricted stock units vest immediately.
Long-Term Incentive Program
In the year ended December 31, 2017, we granted under our 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan options to acquire up to 486,329 shares of Class A common stock (2016: 216,043; 2015: 58,434) and 382,437 restricted stock units (2016: 279,980; 2015:192,387) to officers of the Company and certain employees of Teekay Corporation’s subsidiaries that provide services to us. Each option under the plans has a 10-year term and vests equally over three years from the grant date. Each restricted stock unit is equal in value to one share of our Class A common stock plus reinvested dividends from the grant date to the vesting date. Upon vesting, the value of the restricted stock unit awards is paid to each recipient in the form of shares of Class A common stock. We intend to satisfy these grants by issuing shares from authorized capital. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 13 – Capital Stock and Note 23 – Subsequent Events.
Board Practices
Our Board of Directors (or the Board) currently consists of seven members. Directors are appointed to serve for a one-year term and until their successors are appointed or until they resign or are removed.

There are no service contracts between us and any of our directors providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service.

The Board has determined that each of our directors, other than Bjorn Moller, a director of Teekay Corporation, Arthur Bensler, the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Teekay Corporation, and Kenneth Hvid, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Teekay Corporation, has no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company) and is independent within the meaning of the Company’s director independence standards, which reflect the NYSE director independence standards, as currently in effect and as they may be changed from time to time.

The Board has adopted our Corporate Governance Guidelines that address, among other things, director qualification standards, director functions and responsibilities, director access to management, director compensation and management succession. This document is available under “Corporate Governance” in the Investor Centre section of our website (www.teekay.com).

NYSE does not require a company like ours, which is a “foreign private issuer” and of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by another company, to have a majority of independent directors on the Board of Directors or to establish compensation or nominating/corporate governance committees composed of independent directors.

Nevertheless, the Board has the following three committees: Audit Committee, Conflicts Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee. The membership of these committees as of December 31, 2017 and the function of each of the committees are described below. Each of the committees is currently comprised of independent members and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. All of the committee charters are available under “Corporate Governance” in the Investor Centre of our web-site at www.teekay.com. During 2017, the Board held nine meetings. Directors attended all board meetings.

Our Audit Committee is composed entirely of directors who satisfy applicable NYSE and SEC audit committee independence standards. Our Audit Committee is comprised of Richard Paterson (newly appointed Chair effective March 15, 2018), William Lawes (previous Chair), Richard J.F. Bronks and Richard du Moulin. All members of the committee are financially literate and the Board has determined that both Mr. Lawes and Mr. Paterson qualify as audit committee financial experts.

The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for general oversight of:

•
the integrity of our consolidated financial statements;
•
our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
•
the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence; and
•
the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors.

Our Conflicts Committee is composed entirely of directors who satisfy the heightened NYSE and SEC independence standards applicable to Audit Committee membership. The Conflicts Committee is comprised of Richard du Moulin (Chair), Richard J.F. Bronks, William Lawes and Richard Paterson. The Conflicts Committee reviews matters that the Board refers to the committee for consideration and which constitute (a) matters the Board believes may involve conflicts of interest between (i) us and (ii) our controlling shareholder Teekay Corporation or its affiliates (other than us) or (b) material related-party transactions, including transactions between us and our or Teekay Corporation’s officers or directors or their affiliates. The Board is not obligated to seek approval of the Conflicts Committee on any matter, and may determine the resolution of any conflict of interest itself.


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Our Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised entirely of directors who satisfy the general NYSE independence standards. Our Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised of Richard J.F. Bronks (Chair), William Lawes, Richard du Moulin and Richard Paterson.

The Nominating and Governance Committee:

•
identifies individuals qualified to become Board members;
•
selects and recommends director and committee member candidates to the Board;
•
maintain oversight of the operation and effectiveness of the Board of Directors and the corporate governance of the Company;
•
develops, updates and recommends to the Board corporate governance principles and policies applicable to us, monitors compliance with these principles and policies and recommends to the Board appropriate changes;
•
monitors compliance with such principles and policies;
•
discharges responsibilities of the Board relating to the Board’s compensation; and
•
oversees the evaluation of the Board and its committees.

Crewing and Staff
Our Manager provides us with all of our staff other than our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Our executive officers have the authority to hire additional staff as they deem necessary.

As of December 31, 2017, approximately 2,200 seagoing staff served on our vessels. The majority of our subsidiaries employ seagoing staff directly and certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation employ the crews for one of our vessels. These crews serve on the vessels pursuant to service agreements between our Manager, acting on our behalf, and those subsidiaries.

Teekay Corporation and its affiliates regard attracting and retaining motivated seagoing personnel as a top priority. Teekay Corporation has entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Philippine Seafarers’ Union, an affiliate of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (or ITF), and a Special Agreement with ITF London, which covers substantially all of the officers and seamen that operate our vessels. We believe that Teekay Corporation’s relationships with these labor unions are good.

We believe that Teekay Corporation’s commitment to training is fundamental to the development of the highest caliber of seafarers for marine operations. Teekay Corporation’s cadet training approach is designed to balance academic learning with hands-on training at sea. Teekay Corporation has relationships with training institutions in Australia, Canada, Croatia, India, Latvia, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa and the United Kingdom. After receiving formal instruction at one of these institutions, a cadet’s training continues onboard vessels. Teekay Corporation also has a career development plan that was devised to ensure a continuous flow of qualified officers who are trained on its vessels and familiarized with its operational standards, systems and policies. We believe that high-quality crewing and training policies will play an increasingly important role in distinguishing larger independent shipping companies that have in-house or affiliate capabilities from smaller companies that must rely on outside ship managers and crewing agents on the basis of customer service and safety.
Share Ownership
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership, as of December 31, 2017, of our Class A common stock by our directors and executive officers as a group. None of these persons beneficially owns any of our Class B common stock. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under SEC rules a person or entity beneficially owns any shares that the person or entity (a) has or shares voting or investment power or (b) has the right to acquire as of March 1, 2018 (60 days after December 31, 2017) through the exercise of any stock option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and investment power (or shares such powers with his or her spouse) with respect to the shares set forth in the following table. Information for all persons listed below is based on information delivered to us.

Identity of Person or Group
Class A
Common
Stock
 
Percent of Class A
Common Stock
Owned
 
Percent of Total
Class A and Class B
Common Stock
Owned
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons) (1)
1,792,970

 
0.8
%
 
0.7
%
_______________________________
(1)
Excludes shares of Class A and Class B common stock beneficially owned by Teekay Corporation. Please read Item 7 - Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions for more detail. Also excludes shares beneficially owned by our former Chief Financial Officer, Vincent Lok, who retired from the position in December 2017.

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Item 7.
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
A.
Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership, as of March 1, 2018, of our Class A and Class B common stock by each entity or group we know to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock or our Class B common stock. Information for certain holders is based on their latest filings with the SEC or information delivered to us. The number of shares beneficially owned by each entity or group is determined under SEC rules and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under SEC rules a person or entity beneficially owns any shares as to which the person or entity has or shares voting or investment power. In addition, an entity or group beneficially owns any shares that the entity or group has the right to acquire as of April 30, 2018 (60 days after March 1, 2018) through the exercise of any stock option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each entity or group listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth in the following table.

 
Identity of Person or Group

Class A
Common
Stock
 
Percent of Class A
Common Stock
Owned
 
Class B
Common
Stock
 
Percent of Class B
Common Stock
Owned
 
Percent of
Total Class A
and Class B
Common
Stock Owned
Teekay Corporation (1)
40,290,460

 
17.4
%
 
37,007,981

 
100.0
%
 
28.8
%
BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC (2)
17,485,057

 
7.6
%
 
—

 
—

 
6.5
%
Huber Capital Management, LLC (3)
16,259,924

 
7.0
%
 
—

 
—

 
6.1
%
Azvalor Asset Management, SGIIC, SA (4)
12,150,631

 
5.3
%
 
—

 
—

 
4.5
%
_______________________________
(1)
The voting power represented by shares beneficially owned by Teekay Corporation is 9.7% for its Class A common stock, 44.5% for its Class B common stock and 54.1% for its total Class A and Class B common stock.
(2)
According to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2018, BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC has shared voting power and shared dispositive power as to 17,485,057 shares. The voting power represented by shares beneficially owned by BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC is 4.2% for its Class A common stock.
(3)
According to the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2018, Huber Capital Management, LLC has sole voting power and sole dispositive power as to 9,446,248 and 16,259,924 of the shares, respectively. The voting power represented by shares beneficially owned by Huber Capital Management, LLC is 3.9% for its Class A common stock.
(4)
According to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 22, 2018, Azvalor Asset Management, SGIIC, SA has sole and shared voting power as to 12,150,631 shares. The voting power represented by shares beneficially owned by Azvalor Asset Management, SGIIC, SA is 2.9% for its Class A common stock.

As of March 22, 2018, we had 16 shareholders of record located in the United States, one of which is Cede & Co., a nominee of The Depository Trust Company, which held an aggregate of 216,618,998 shares of our Class A common stock, representing approximately 94% of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock. We believe that the Class A common stock held by Cede & Co. includes shares beneficially owned by both holders in the United States and non-U.S. beneficial owners.

Our Class B common stock entitles the holder thereof to five votes per share, subject to a 49% aggregate Class B common stock voting power maximum, while our Class A common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote per share. Except as otherwise provided by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, holders of shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors. Teekay Corporation currently controls all of our outstanding Class B common stock and 40,290,460 shares of our Class A common stock. Because of our dual-class structure, Teekay Corporation may continue to control all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval even if it and its affiliates come to own significantly less than 50% of our outstanding shares of capital stock. Shares of our Class B common stock will convert into shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis upon certain transfers thereof or if the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock beneficially owned by Teekay Corporation and its affiliates falls below 15% of the aggregate number of outstanding shares of our common stock.

We are controlled by Teekay Corporation. We are not aware of any arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of us.
B.
Related Party Transactions
Please read Item 18 – Financial statements: Note 14 – Related Party Transactions for a description of our various related-party transactions.



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Relationship with Teekay Corporation
Control
Through its ownership of our capital stock, Teekay Corporation controls us. Please read “—Major Shareholders” above.
Business Opportunities
Under a contribution, conveyance and assumption agreement entered into in connection with our initial public offering in December 2007, Teekay Corporation and we agreed that Teekay Corporation and its other affiliates may pursue any Business Opportunity (as defined below) of which it, they or we become aware. Business Opportunities may include, among other things, opportunities to charter-out, charter-in or acquire oil tankers or to acquire tanker businesses.

Pursuant to the contribution, conveyance and assumption agreement, we agreed that:

•
Teekay Corporation and its other affiliates may engage (and will have no duty to refrain from engaging) in the same or similar activities or lines of business as us, and that we will not be deemed to have an interest or expectancy in any business opportunity, transaction or other matter (each a Business Opportunity) in which Teekay Corporation or any of its other affiliates engages or seeks to engage merely because we engage in the same or similar activities or lines of business as that related to such Business Opportunity;
•
if Teekay Corporation or any of its other affiliates (whether through our Manager, any of Teekay Corporation’s or any of its other affiliates' officers or directors who are also officers or directors of us, or otherwise) acquires knowledge of a potential Business Opportunity that may be deemed to constitute a corporate opportunity of both Teekay Corporation and us, then (i) neither Teekay Corporation, our Manager nor any of such officers or directors will have any duty to communicate or offer such Business Opportunity to us and (ii) Teekay Corporation may pursue or acquire such Business Opportunity for itself or direct such Business Opportunity to another person or entity; and
•
any Business Opportunity of which our Manager or any person who is an officer or director of Teekay Corporation (or any of its other affiliates) and of us becomes aware shall be a Business Opportunity of Teekay Corporation.

If Teekay Corporation or its other affiliates no longer beneficially own shares representing at least 20% of the total voting power of our outstanding capital stock, and no person who is an officer or director of us is also an officer or director of Teekay Corporation or its other affiliates, then the business opportunity provisions of the contribution, conveyance and assumption agreement will terminate.

Our articles of incorporation also renounce in favor of Teekay Corporation business opportunities that may be attractive to both Teekay Corporation and us. This provision likewise effectively limits the fiduciary duties we or our shareholders otherwise may be owed regarding these business opportunities by our directors and officers who also serve as directors or officers of Teekay Corporation or its other affiliates.
Teekay Tankers’ Executive Officers and Certain of its Directors
Kevin Mackay, who has served since June 2014 as our President and Chief Executive Officer, is also an executive officer of our Manager and a member of the executive team of Teekay Corporation.

Stewart Andrade, our Chief Financial Officer, is also an executive officer of our Manager and a Vice President, Strategy and Business Development of Teekay Corporation.

Arthur Bensler, our Chairman of the Board, is also Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Teekay Corporation and Director and President of Teekay Shipping (Canada) Ltd.

Kenneth Hvid, a member of our Board of Directors, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Teekay Corporation and is a Director of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C.

Bjorn Moller, a member of our Board of Directors is a Director of Teekay Corporation and is also a director of Kattegat Limited, the parent company of Resolute Investments, Ltd., the largest shareholder of Teekay Corporation.

Because our executive officers are employees of Teekay Corporation or other of its subsidiaries, their compensation (other than any awards under our long-term incentive plan) is set and paid by Teekay Corporation or such other applicable subsidiaries. Pursuant to an agreement with Teekay Corporation, we have agreed to reimburse Teekay Corporation or its applicable subsidiaries for time spent by our executive officers on our management matters.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with our initial public offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Teekay Corporation pursuant to which we granted Teekay Corporation and its affiliates certain registration rights with respect to shares of our Class A and Class B common stock owned by them. Pursuant to the agreement, Teekay Corporation has the right, subject to certain terms and conditions, to require us, on up to three separate occasions, to register under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shares of Class A common stock, including Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of Class B common stock, held by Teekay Corporation and its affiliates for offer and sale to the public

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(including by way of underwritten public offering) and incidental or “piggyback” rights permitting participation in certain registrations of our common stock.
Management Agreement
In connection with our initial public offering in December 2007, we entered into the long-term Management Agreement with our Manager, Teekay Tankers Management Services Ltd., a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Manager provides the following types of services to us: commercial (primarily vessel chartering), technical (primarily vessel maintenance and crewing), administrative (primarily accounting, legal and financial) and strategic (primarily advising on acquisitions, strategic planning and general management of the business).
Compensation of the Manager
Management Fee. In return for services under the Management Agreement, we pay our Manager a management fee based on the following components:

•
Commercial services fee. We pay a fee to our Manager for commercial services it provides to us currently equal to 1.25% of the gross revenue attributable to the vessels, on time charter and spot-traded vessels, our Manager commercially manages for us (excluding vessels participating in the Teekay Suezmax RSA, Teekay Aframax RSA or the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA). We paid commercial service fees of $1.2 million for 2017, $1.9 million for 2016, and $1.2 million for 2015. Subsequent to our acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in TTOL in May 2017, our share of the Manager's commercial management fees has been eliminated.
•
Technical services fee. We pay a fee, equal to the average rate Teekay Corporation charges third parties to technically manage their Tankers of a similar size, as determined on a quarterly basis, to our Manager for technical services it provides to us. For 2017, the technical services fee we paid was $8.8 million, $9.2 million for 2016 and $7.0 million for 2015. Subsequent to our acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in TTOL, our share of the Manager's technical services fees has been eliminated. TTOL also received reimbursements for technical services from our Manager. These reimbursements are further described in the Commercial and Technical Management Services Agreements described below.
•
Administrative and strategic services fees. We pay fees to our Manager for administrative and strategic services that reimburse our Manager for its related direct and indirect expenses in providing such services and which includes a profit margin. The amount of the profit margin is based on the most recent transfer pricing study performed by an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm with respect to similar administrative and strategic services. The transfer pricing study is updated at least annually. We paid administrative and strategic services fees of $21.2 million for 2017, $10.1 million for 2016 and $8.4 million for 2015 excluding administrative and strategic services fees of $7.0 million for 2017, $15.5 million for 2016 and $14.7 million for 2015 attributable to the Entities under Common Control.

•
For additional information about these services and fee, please see Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 3 – Acquisition of Entities under Common Control and Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 14e – Related Party Transactions – Management fee – Related and Other, in our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Performance Fee. In order to provide our Manager with an incentive to improve the results of our operations and financial condition, the Management Agreement also provides for payment to our Manager of a performance fee in certain circumstances, in addition to the basic fees described above. Our Manager generally is entitled to payment of a performance fee equal to 20% of the Gross Cash Available for Distribution (as defined in the Management Agreement) if in a given fiscal year this figure exceeds $3.20 per share of our common stock (subject to adjustment for stock dividends, splits, combinations and similar events, and based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the year) (or the Incentive Threshold).

Since January 1, 2008, we have maintained an internal account (or the Cumulative Dividend Account) that reflects, on an aggregate basis, the amount by which our dividends for a fiscal year are greater or less than the $2.65 per share annual incentive baseline (subject to adjustments for stock dividends, splits, combinations and similar events, and based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the fiscal year). The Cumulative Dividend Account is intended to ensure that our shareholders receive an equivalent of at least $2.65 per share in annualized dividends before any performance fee is paid. If Gross Cash Available for Distribution per share exceeds the Incentive Threshold in respect of a particular fiscal year, we will only pay our Manager a performance fee if the Cumulative Dividend Account is zero or positive; if there is a deficit in the Cumulative Dividend Account, the performance fee may be reduced. Following the end of each five-year period, commencing January 1, 2013, the Cumulative Dividend Account balance will be reset to zero. We paid no performance fees to our Manager in 2017, 2016 or 2015.

Term and Termination Rights. Subject to certain termination rights, the initial term of the Management Agreement will expire on December 31, 2022. If not terminated, the Management Agreement will automatically renew for a five-year period and thereafter be extended in additional five-year increments if we do not provide notice of termination in the fourth quarter of the year immediately preceding the end of the respective term. We had an option to terminate the Management Agreement in the fourth quarter of 2017, which we did not exercise.


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We may terminate the Management Agreement in certain circumstances, including, among others, if:

•
our Manager materially breaches the Management Agreement (and the matter is unresolved after a 90-day dispute resolution period) or experiences certain bankruptcy events or experiences a change of control to which we do no consent; or
•
we provide notice in the fourth quarter of 2021 after two-thirds of our Board of Directors elects to terminate the Management Agreement, which termination would be effective on December 31, 2022. If the Management Agreement extends pursuant to its terms as described above, we can elect to exercise this optional termination right in the fourth quarter of the year immediately preceding the end of the respective term.

If we elect to terminate the Management Agreement under either of the last two bullet points described above, our Manager will receive a payment (the Termination Payment) in an amount equal to the aggregate performance fees payable for the immediately preceding five fiscal years. Any Termination Payment will be paid to our Manager in four quarterly installments over the course of the fiscal year following termination.

Our Manager may terminate the Management Agreement prior to the end of its term under either of the following two circumstances:

•
after December 18, 2012 with 12 months’ notice. At our option, our Manager will continue to provide technical services to us for up to an additional two-year period from termination, provided that our Manager or its affiliates continue in the business of providing such services to third parties for similar types of vessels; or
•
if we materially breach the agreement and the matter is unresolved after a 90-day dispute resolution period.

If our Manager elects to terminate the Management Agreement under the second circumstance described above, our Manager will receive the Termination Payment, payable in four quarterly installments over the course of the first year following termination.

The Management Agreement will terminate automatically and immediately if we experience any of certain changes of control. Upon any such termination, we will be required to pay our Manager the Termination Payment in a single installment.

TIL Management Agreement

Our Manager has waived the management services fees payable under the long-term management agreement it has with TIL to the extent such fees exceed the fees payable under the existing Management Agreement between us and the Manager, but the Manager did not waive the transaction fee that is payable in the event of any sale of vessels owned by TIL subsidiaries as of the date of the Merger, which fee is equal to 1.0% of the aggregate consideration payable to us, TIL or its subsidiaries pursuant to a sale contract.

Commercial and Technical Management Services Agreements

Our Manager has agreed to use its best efforts to provide services, as defined under the Management Agreement, upon our request in a commercially reasonable manner and may provide these services directly to us or subcontract for certain of these services with other entities. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our Manager has subcontracted Teekay Shipping Ltd. (or TSL), a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation, and TTOL and its affiliates, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, to provide certain commercial and technical services to us. These subcontracts are further described below.

Under the Management Agreement, our Manager remains responsible for any subcontracted services. We will indemnify our Manager for any losses it incurs in connection with providing services to us, excluding losses caused by the recklessness, gross negligence or willful misconduct of our Manager or its employees or agents, for which losses our Manager will indemnify us.

Commercial Management Services Agreement

In connection with the Management Agreement, our Manager entered into a long-term Commercial Management Services Agreement (or Commercial Agreement) with Teekay Chartering Ltd. (or TCL), a subsidiary of TTOL, to provide certain commercial services to us on behalf of our Manager.

Compensation for Commercial Services. In return for the services provided under the Commercial Agreement, our Manager will reimburse TCL a fee currently equal to 1.25% of the gross revenue attributable to the vessels, on time charter and spot-traded vessels, our Manager commercially manages for us (excluding vessels participating in the Teekay Suezmax RSA, Teekay Aframax RSA or the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA).

Termination Rights. Parties to the Commercial Agreement may terminate the agreement upon giving to the other party at least 60 days' prior written notice of the effective date of termination.

The Commercial Agreement will also automatically terminate:

•
if the Management Agreement is terminated;
•
at the option of the party not in breach of the Commercial Agreement (and the matter is unresolved after a 30-day dispute resolution period);

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•
at the option of the other party, if a party experiences certain bankruptcy events (and the matter is unresolved after a 60-day dispute resolution period); or
•
if a final judgment, order or decree which materially and adversely affects the ability of either party to perform its obligations.

Technical Management Services Agreement

In connection with the Management Agreement, our Manager entered into a long-term Technical Management Services Agreement (or Technical Agreement) with TSL to provide certain technical services to us on behalf of our Manager. In addition, TSL has entered into a long-term Master Ship Management Agreement (or Shipman Agreement) with TTOL and its affiliates, to provide certain technical services on behalf of TSL.

Compensation for Technical Services. In return for the technical services provided to us, our Manager pays TSL a technical management fee equal to the average rate Teekay Corporation charges third parties to technically manage their Tankers of a similar size, as determined on a quarterly basis. At the same time, TSL will pay a fee to TTOL and its affiliates for certain vessels it technically manages. TTOL and its affiliates received technical management fees of $7.7 million for 2017 excluding reimbursements for technical services of $4.9 million for 2017, $11.7 million for 2016 and $10.4 million for 2015 attributable to the Entities under Common Control.

Termination Rights. Parties to the Technical Agreement may terminate the agreement upon giving to the other party at least 60 days' prior written notice of the effective date of termination.

The Technical Agreement will also automatically terminate:

•
if the Management Agreement is terminated;
•
at the option of the party not in breach of the Technical Agreement (and the matter is unresolved after a 30-day dispute resolution period);
•
at the option of the other party, if a party experiences certain bankruptcy events (and the matter is unresolved after a 60-day dispute resolution period); or
•
if a final judgment, order or decree which materially and adversely affects the ability of either party to perform its obligations.
Parties to the Shipman Agreement may be terminated by either party in certain circumstances, including, among others, if:

•
any license or permit required to enable any party to perform any of its obligations is wholly or partially revoked, withdrawn, sustained or terminated or expires and is not renewed or otherwise fails to remain in full force; or
•
either party ceases to carry on business, or a substantial part of the business properties or assets of either party are seized or appropriated.
Revenue Sharing Pooling Agreements
Teekay Suezmax RSA
In November 2015, we and certain third-party vessel owners entered into a new revenue sharing arrangement (or RSA) agreement (the Suezmax RSA Agreement) with Teekay Chartering Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TTOL. Pursuant to this agreement, we have agreed to include in the RSA certain qualifying Suezmax-class crude tankers that are employed and operate in the spot market or pursuant to time charters of less than one year. As of December 31, 2017, the Teekay Suezmax RSA consisted of 27 Suezmax tankers (including 24 of our owned and leased tankers).

A participating Suezmax tanker will no longer participate in the Teekay Suezmax RSA if it becomes subject to a time charter with a term exceeding one year, unless otherwise agreed by all RSA participants. In addition, vessels no longer participate in the RSA if they suffer an actual or constructive total loss or if they are sold to or become controlled by a person who is not an affiliate of a party to the Suezmax RSA Agreement.

Vessel owners remain responsible for the technical management of their vessels in the Teekay Suezmax RSA, and our Manager provides these technical services with respect our vessels pursuant to the Management Agreement.

Allocation of Suezmax RSA Earnings. The Teekay Suezmax RSA provides a revenue sharing mechanism whereby aggregate revenues and related expenses of the RSA are distributed to RSA participants based on an allocation formula. Revenues generated by vessels operating in the Suezmax RSA less voyage expenses (such as fuel and port charges) incurred by these vessels and other applicable expenses are pooled and allocated according to a specified weighting system that recognizes each vessel’s earnings capability based on its characteristics, speed and bunker consumption, as well as actual on-hire performance. The allocation for each vessel participating in the RSA is established based on observations and historical consumption and performance measures of the individual vessel. Payments based on net cash flow applicable to each tanker are made on a monthly basis to RSA participants and adjusted every six months based on the weighting system.

Commercial Management Fee and Working Capital Payments. Teekay Chartering Limited provides commercial services to us, via our Manager, and otherwise administers the RSA in exchange for a fee currently equal to $350 per vessel per day plus 1.25% of the gross revenues attributable to the participant’s vessels.

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Upon delivery of each of our vessels to the Teekay Suezmax RSA, we are required to advance working capital in an aggregate amount of $1.5 million, subject to adjustments made at the discretion of the RSA manager. We may be required to advance additional working capital funds from time to time. Working capital advances are returned when a vessel no longer participates in the RSA, less any set-offs for outstanding liabilities or contingencies. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 14f – Related Party Transactions.

Term and Termination. There is no specific expiration date for the Suezmax RSA Agreement. However, the Teekay Suezmax RSA may be wound up if there are no participants. A RSA participant may withdraw from the Teekay Suezmax RSA upon at least 90 days’ notice and shall cease to participate in the Suezmax RSA if, among other things, it materially breaches the Suezmax RSA Agreement and fails to resolve the breach within a specified cure period or experiences certain bankruptcy events.
Teekay Aframax RSA
We entered into RSA agreements (the Teekay RSA Agreements) with Teekay Corporation and Teekay Chartering Limited, a subsidiary of TTOL. Pursuant to the Teekay RSA Agreements, we and Teekay Corporation have agreed to include in the Teekay Aframax RSA all of our and its respective Aframax-class oil tankers that are employed in the spot market or operate pursuant to time charters of less than 90 days.

As of December 31, 2017, one of the Teekay Aframax RSAs consisted of 31 Aframax tankers, which included seven of our owned tankers and six of our owned LR2 product tankers which are commercially managed by and cross trading from the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA. Vessels trading in the other Teekay Aframax RSA completed their respective voyages in 2017, and upon completion, were sold to third parties. Any Aframax tanker that becomes subject to a time charter with a term of at least 90 days or becomes subject to enforcement action under a ship-mortgage foreclosure or similar proceeding will no longer participate in the Teekay Aframax RSA, unless otherwise agreed by Teekay Corporation and us. In addition, vessels will no longer participate in the RSAs if they suffer an actual or constructive total loss or if they are sold to or become controlled by a third party who is not a party to the Teekay RSA Agreements.

Under the Teekay RSA Agreements, Teekay Chartering Limited commercially manages the Teekay Aframax RSA by providing chartering and marketing services for all participating tankers. We remain responsible for the technical management of our vessels in the Teekay Aframax RSAs, and our Manager provides these technical services to us pursuant to the Management Agreement.

Allocation of Teekay Aframax RSA's Earnings. The Teekay Aframax RSAs provide a revenue sharing mechanism whereby aggregate revenues and related expenses of the RSAs are distributed to RSA participants based on an allocation formula. Revenues generated by vessels operating in the Teekay Aframax RSAs less voyage expenses (such as fuel and port charges) incurred by these vessels and other applicable expenses are pooled and allocated according to a specified weighting system that recognizes each vessel’s earnings capability based on its characteristics, speed and bunker consumption, as well as actual on-hire performance. The allocation for each vessel participating in the RSAs is established based on observations and historical consumption and performance measures of the individual vessel. Payments based on net cash flow applicable to each tanker are made on a monthly basis to RSA participants and adjusted every six months based on the weighting system.

Commercial Management Fee and Working Capital Payments. Teekay Chartering Limited provides commercial services to us, via our Manager, and otherwise administers the RSAs in exchange for a fee currently equal to $350 per vessel per day plus 1.25% of the gross revenues attributable to the participant’s vessels.

Upon delivery of each of our vessels to the Teekay Aframax RSAs, we are required to advance to Teekay Chartering Limited $250,000 for working capital purposes. We may be required to advance additional working capital funds from time to time. Working capital advances will be returned to us when a vessel no longer participates in the RSAs, less any set-offs for outstanding liabilities or contingencies. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 14f – Related Party Transactions.

Term and Termination Rights. Subject to certain termination rights, the initial term of the Teekay RSA Agreements expires on December 31, 2022. If not terminated, the Teekay RSA Agreements will automatically renew for a five-year period and thereafter be extended in additional five-year increments unless we provide a notice of termination in the fourth quarter of the year immediately preceding the end of the respective term.

We may also terminate the Teekay RSA Agreements in certain other circumstances, including, among others, if:

•
Teekay Chartering Limited or Teekay Corporation materially breaches the Teekay RSA Agreements (and the matter is unresolved after a 90-day dispute resolution period) or experiences certain bankruptcy events or if Teekay Chartering Limited experiences a change of control to which we do no consent; or
•
the Management Agreement terminates for any reason.

Either Teekay Chartering Limited or Teekay Corporation may terminate the Teekay RSA Agreements prior to the end of its term under any of the following circumstances:

•
after December 18, 2012 with 12 months’ notice;
•
if we materially breach the Teekay RSA Agreements and the matter is unresolved after a 90-day dispute resolution period; or
•
if the Management Agreement terminates for any reason.

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Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA
We along with certain third party vessel owners and operators are parties to a RSA agreement (the Taurus RSA Agreement) pursuant to which these RSA participants have each agreed to include in the RSA certain qualifying LR2-class product tankers of the RSA participants and their respective affiliates, including us, that operate in the spot market or pursuant to time charters of less than one year.

As of December 31, 2017, the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA consisted of nine LR2 product tankers, including six of our owned LR2 product tankers, of which all have been deployed into the Aframax RSA. A participating LR2 product tanker will no longer participate in the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA if it becomes subject to a time charter with a term exceeding one year, unless otherwise agreed by all RSA participants. In addition, vessels will no longer participate in the RSA if they suffer an actual or constructive total loss or if they are sold to or become controlled by a person who is not an affiliate of a party to the Taurus RSA Agreement.

Vessel owners remain responsible for the technical management of their vessels in the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA, and our Manager provides these technical services with respect our vessels pursuant to the Management Agreement.

Allocation of Taurus RSA Earnings. The Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA provides a revenue sharing mechanism whereby aggregate revenues and related expenses of the RSA are distributed to RSA participants based on an allocation formula. Revenues generated by vessels operating in the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA less voyage expenses (such as fuel and port charges) incurred by these vessels and other applicable expenses are pooled and allocated according to a specified weighting system that recognizes each vessel’s earnings capability based on its characteristics, speed and bunker consumption, and actual on-hire performance. The allocation for each vessel participating in the RSA is established based on observations and historical consumption and performance measures of the individual vessel. Payments based on net cash flow applicable to each tanker are made on a monthly basis to RSA participants and adjusted every six months based on the weighting system.

Commercial Management Fee and Working Capital Payments. Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA provides commercial services to us, via our Manager, and otherwise administers the RSA in exchange for a fee currently equal to $275 per vessel per day plus 1.25% of the gross revenues attributable to the participant’s vessels.

Upon delivery of each of our vessels to the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA, we are required to advance working capital in an aggregate amount of $1.0 million, subject to adjustments made at the discretion of the RSA manager. We may be required to advance additional working capital funds from time to time. Working capital advances will be returned to us when a vessel no longer participates in the RSA, less any set-offs for outstanding liabilities or contingencies. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 14f – Related Party Transactions.

Term and Termination. There is no specific expiration date for the Taurus RSA Agreement. However, the RSA may be wound up if there are no participants. A RSA participant may withdraw from the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA upon at least 90 days’ notice and shall cease to participate in the Taurus Tankers LR2 RSA if, among other things, it materially breaches the Taurus RSA Agreement and fails to resolve the breach within a specified cure period or experiences certain bankruptcy events.
Teekay’s Commercial and Technical Operations (TTOL)
On May 31, 2017, we acquired from Teekay Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay, the remaining 50% interest in TTOL for $39.0 million, which included $13.1 million for assumed working capital. We issued approximately 13.8 million shares of our Class B common stock to Teekay as consideration in addition to the working capital consideration of $13.1 million. Prior to May 31, 2017, we owned 50% of TTOL and accounted for this investment using the equity method of accounting. Since we acquired the remaining 50% of TTOL on May 31, 2017, we own 100% of TTOL and now consolidate it.
Investment in Tanker Investments Ltd. (TIL)
As of December 31, 2014, TIL had completed the acquisition of two 2010-built VLCC vessels from us for an aggregate purchase price of $154 million plus related working capital on closing of $1.7 million, four 2009-built Suezmax tankers from Teekay Corporation and six 2009, 2010 and 2011-built Aframax tankers and two 2012-built coated Aframax vessels from third parties. TIL had also signed an agreement to acquire four 2009-built and two 2010-built Suezmax tankers from a third party, which delivered in the first half of 2015. In the first quarter of 2016, TIL completed the sales of the two 2010-built VLCC vessels, which brought the total number of vessels owned by TIL to 18.

In January 2014, TIL entered into a long-term management agreement with our Manager, pursuant to which the Manager provides to TIL commercial, technical, administrative and corporate services and personnel, including TIL’s executive officers, in exchange for management services fees and reimbursement of expenses.

During 2015, TIL repurchased 3.3 million of its own shares on the open market. The common shares were repurchased at a weighted average price of NOK 105.2 per share, or a gross purchase price of $40.6 million. During 2016, TIL repurchased 3.3 million of its own shares in the open market. The common shares were repurchased at a weighted average price of NOK 80.2 per share, or a gross purchase of $31.8 million.

On November 27, 2017, we completed a merger with TIL by acquiring all of the remaining 27.0 million issued and outstanding common shares of TIL, by way of a share-for-share exchange of 3.3 shares of our Class A common stock for each share of TIL common stock, and as a result, TIL became a wholly-owned subsidiary. As consideration for the merger, we issued 88,977,544 Class A common shares to the TIL shareholders, including 8,250,000 shares to Teekay.

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Our Manager has waived the management services fees payable under the long-term management agreement it has with TIL to the extent such fees exceed the fees payable under the existing Management Agreement between us and the Manager, but the Manager did not waive the transaction fee that is payable in the event of any sale of vessels owned by TIL subsidiaries as of the date of the Merger, which fee is equal to 1.0% of the aggregate consideration payable to us, TIL or its subsidiaries pursuant to a sale contract.

Commencing on November 27, 2017, we consolidate the results of TIL. Prior to the completion of the merger, we equity-accounted for our 11.3% interest in TIL (December 31, 2016 - 11.3%, December 31, 2015 - 10.2%).
Item 8.
Financial Information
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
Please see Item 18 – Financial Statements for additional information required to be disclosed under this Item.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time we have been, and we expect to continue to be, subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of our 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. We are not aware of any legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Dividend Policy
Commencing with the dividend paid in the first quarter of 2016, we adopted a dividend policy under which quarterly dividends are expected to range from 30% to 50% of our quarterly adjusted net income, subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors, with a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share under the current policy. Adjusted net (loss) income is a non-GAAP measure which excludes specific items affecting net (loss) income that are typically excluded by securities analysts in their published estimates of our financial results. Prior to this change, our dividend policy was to distribute to our shareholder a fixed quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share ($0.12 per share annually). Our dividend policy is reviewed by our Board of Directors from time to time and subject to change.

The timing and amount of dividends, if any, will depend, among other things, on our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, the requirements of Marshall Islands law, restrictions in financing agreements and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
Significant Changes
Please read Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Significant Developments in 2017 and 2018.
Item 9.
The Offer and Listing
Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (or NYSE) under the symbol “TNK”. The following table sets forth the high and low prices for our Class A common stock on the NYSE for each of the periods indicated.

Years Ended
Dec 31,
2017
 
Dec 31, 2016
 
Dec 31, 2015
 
Dec 31, 2014
 
Dec 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
$
2.70

 
$
6.89

 
$
8.53

 
$
5.95

 
$
4.02

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Low
$
1.30

 
$
1.90

 
$
4.82

 
$
3.18

 
$
2.38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
Mar 31,
2018
 
Dec 31,
2017
 
Sept 30,
2017
 
Jun 30,
2017
 
Mar 31,
2017
 
Dec 31, 2016
 
Sept 30,
2016
 
Jun 30, 2016
 
Mar 31, 2016
High
$
1.43

 
$
1.95

 
$
1.91

 
$
2.20

 
$
2.70

 
$
2.85

 
$
3.28

 
$
4.16

 
$
6.89

Low
$
1.08

 
$
1.30

 
$
1.37

 
$
1.65

 
$
1.96

 
$
1.90

 
$
2.42

 
$
2.87

 
$
3.26

 
Months Ended
Mar 31, 2018
 
Feb 28,
2018
 
Jan 31,
2018
 
Dec 31,
2017
 
Nov 30,
2017
 
Oct 31,
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
$
1.27

 
$
1.29

 
$
1.43

 
$
1.63

 
$
1.95

 
$
1.72

 
 
 
 
 
 
Low
$
1.11

 
$
1.08

 
$
1.24

 
$
1.30

 
$
1.40

 
$
1.47

 
 
 
 
 
 

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Item 10.
Additional Information
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws have been filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-147798), filed with the SEC on December 11, 2007, and are hereby incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.

The rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to each class of our capital stock are described in the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock” of our prospectus (File No. 333-196915), filed with the SEC on June 19, 2014, and hereby incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.

There are no limitations on the rights to own securities, including the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on the securities imposed by the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands or by our Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.
Material Contracts
The following is a summary of each material contract, other than material contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party, for the two years immediately preceding the date of this Annual Report, each of which is included in the list of exhibits in Item 19:

a)
Management Agreement dated December 18, 2007 between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Teekay Tankers Management Services Ltd., as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 7, 2009, Amendment No. 2 dated as of September 21, 2010 and Amendment No. 3 dated as of January 1, 2011. Please read Item 4. – Information on the Company – B. Business Overview for a description of this Management Agreement.
b)
Addendum to Management Agreement dated March 23, 2016 between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Teekay Tankers Management Services Ltd. This Addendum allows Teekay Tankers Management Services Ltd. to sub-contract commercial management of vessels to certain parties, subject to certain terms.
c)
Technical Services Agreement dated December 18, 2007 between Teekay Tankers Management Services Ltd. and Teekay Shipping Limited. Please read Item 4. – Information on the Company – B. Business Overview for a description of this Technical Services Agreement.
d)
Commercial Management Services Agreement dated February 29, 2008 between Teekay Tankers Management Services Ltd. and Teekay Chartering Limited. Please read Item 4. – Information on the Company – B. Business Overview for a description of this Commercial Management Agreement.
e)
Teekay Tankers Ltd. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
f)
Registration Rights Agreement between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Teekay Corporation.
g)
Shareholders Agreement dated September 30, 2010 for a U.S. $98,000,000 shipbuilding contract among Teekay Tankers Holding Ltd., Kriss Investment Company and High-Q Investment Ltd.
h)
Master Ship Management Agreement dated August 31, 2012 between Teekay Shipping Limited and Teekay Marine Ltd. Please read Item 4. – Information on the Company – B. Business Overview for a description of this Master Ship Management Agreement.
i)
Secured Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated January 8, 2016 between Teekay Tankers Ltd., Nordea Bank Finland PLC and various other banks, for a $894.4 million long-term debt facility, consisting of both a term loan and a revolving credit facility, which is scheduled to mature in January 2021.
j)
Secured Term Loan Facility Agreement dated August 28, 2015 between Teekay Tankers Ltd., ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC and various other banks for the principal amount of $397.2 million, which matured on January 29, 2016. The loan facility is secured by the 12 modern Suezmax tankers we acquired from Principal Maritime and has a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25%. Repayments are to be made in two equal quarterly installments of $10.0 million with a balloon repayment due at maturity. This loan facility was refinanced through the new loan agreement in January 2016, referred to above.
k)
Secured Term Loan Facility Agreement dated January 30, 2015 between Teekay Tankers Ltd., ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, DNB Capital LLC and DNB Markets, Inc., for the principal amount of approximately $126.6 million, which matured on January 29, 2016. The loan facility is secured by the four LR2 product tankers and one Aframax tanker we acquired during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, and has a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50% to 2.80%. Repayments are to be made in four equal quarterly installments of $3.0 million with a balloon repayment due at maturity. This loan facility was refinanced through the new loan agreement in January 2016, referred to above.
l)
Equity Distribution Agreement, dated November 18, 2015, between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Evercore Group L.L.C. Under this Agreement, we implemented a continuous offering program through which we may, from time to time, issue Class A common stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $80.0 million, through Evercore, as sale agent.
m)
Equity Distribution Agreement, dated June 4, 2015, between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Evercore Group L.L.C. Under this Agreement, we implemented a continuous offering program through which we may, from time to time, issue Class A common stock with an aggregate

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offering price of up to $80.0 million, through Evercore, as sale agent. In September 2015, we concluded this COP after selling approximately 11.3 million shares for net proceeds of $78.2 million.
n)
Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 4, 2015, by and among Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Veritable Maritime Holdings, LLC. Under this Agreement, we agreed to prepare and file a shelf registration statement to register offers and sales of certain shares of our Class A Common Stock that we issued to Veritable Maritime Holdings, LLC and certain of its affiliates as partial consideration for our purchase of certain vessels from certain wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of Veritable Maritime Holdings, LLC.
o)
Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated August 4, 2015, by and among Teekay Tankers Ltd. and the purchasers named therein. Under this Agreement, we issued 9,118,797 shares of our Class A Common Stock to a group of institutional investors for $6.65 per share.
p)
Secured Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated December 18, 2017 between Teekay Tankers Ltd., Nordea Bank AB and various other banks, for a $270.0 million long-term debt facility which is scheduled to mature in December 2022.
q)
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 31, 2017, by and among Teekay Tankers Ltd., Royal 2017 Ltd. and Tanker Investments Ltd. (or TIL) under which we completed a merger with TIL by acquiring all of the remaining 27.0 million issued and outstanding common shares of TIL, by way of a share-for-share exchange of 3.3 shares of our Class A common stock for each share of TIL common stock, and as a result, TIL became a wholly-owned subsidiary.
r)
Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2017, between Teekay Corporation, Teekay Holdings Limited, Teekay Finance Limited, Tanker Investments Ltd. and Teekay Tankers Ltd., providing, among other things, that Teekay Corporation will support the Merger with TIL.
s)
Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2017, between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Teekay Holdings Limited (or THL), under which we purchased the remaining 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of Teekay Tanker Operations Ltd. from THL.
t)
Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2017, by and among Teekay Tankers Ltd., Huber Capital Management, LLC and Joseph R. Huber, providing, among other things, that Huber Capital Management, LLC and Joseph R. Huber would vote certain shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock in favor of a charter amendment in connection with our merger with TIL.
u)
Share Subscription Agreement, dated January 13, 2017, between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and THL, under which we agreed to issue a total of 2,155,172 shares of our Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000,000.

Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders
We are not aware of any governmental laws, decrees or regulations, including foreign exchange controls, in the Republic of The Marshall Islands that restrict the export or import of capital or that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to holders of our securities that are non-resident and not citizens.

We are not aware of any limitations on the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote our securities imposed by the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands or our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to shareholders. This discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or the Code), legislative history, applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations (or Treasury Regulations), judicial authority and administrative interpretations, all as in effect on the date of this Annual Report, and which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or are subject to different interpretations. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “we,” “our” or “us” are references to Teekay Tankers Ltd.

This discussion is limited to shareholders who hold their common stock as a capital asset for tax purposes. This discussion does not address all tax considerations that may be important to a particular shareholder in light of the shareholder’s circumstances, or to certain categories of shareholders that may be subject to special tax rules, such as:

•
dealers in securities or currencies,
•
traders in securities that have elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities,
•
persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar,
•
persons holding our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion or other “synthetic security” or integrated transaction,
•
certain U.S. expatriates,
•
financial institutions,
•
insurance companies,
•
persons subject to the alternative minimum tax,

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•
persons that actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules own 10% or more of our stock (by vote or value), and
•
entities that are tax-exempt for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships holding our common stock should consult their tax advisors to determine the appropriate tax treatment of the partnership’s ownership of our common stock.

This discussion does not address any U.S. estate tax considerations or tax considerations arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction. Each shareholder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S. and other tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of our common stock.
United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
As used herein, the term U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of our common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien (or a U.S. Individual Holder), (ii) a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation, that was created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust that either is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States and has one or more U.S. persons with authority to control all of its substantial decisions or has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
Distributions
We are taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies (or PFICs) below, any distributions made by us to a U.S. Holder generally will constitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or “qualified dividend income” as described in more detail below, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in our common stock and thereafter as capital gain, which will be either long term or short-term capital gain depending upon whether the U.S. Holder has held the common stock for more than one year. U.S. Holders that are corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally will not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us. For purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. federal income tax purposes, dividends received with respect to our common stock will be treated as foreign source income.

Subject to holding period requirements and certain other limitations, dividends received with respect to our common stock by a U.S. Holder who is an individual, trust or estate (or a Non-Corporate U.S. Holder) will be treated as “qualified dividend income” that is taxable to such Non-Corporate U.S. Holder at preferential capital gain tax rates provided that we are not classified as a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (we intend to take the position that we are not now and have never been classified as a PFIC, as discussed below). Any dividends received with respect to our common stock not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a Non-Corporate U.S. Holder.

Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend” paid by us. Generally, an extraordinary dividend is a dividend with respect to a share of common stock if the amount of the dividend is equal to or in excess of 10% of a common stockholder’s adjusted tax basis (or fair market value in certain circumstances) in such common stock. In addition, extraordinary dividends include dividends received within a one year period that, in the aggregate, equal or exceed 20% of a stockholder’s adjusted tax basis (or fair market value in certain circumstances). If we pay an “extraordinary dividend” on our common stock that is treated as “qualified dividend income,” then any loss recognized by a Non-Corporate U.S. Holder from the sale or exchange of such common stock will be treated as long–term capital loss to the extent of the amount of such dividend.

Certain Non-Corporate U.S. Holders are subject to a 3.8% tax on certain investment income, including dividends. Non-Corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership of our common stock.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Stock
Subject to the discussion of PFICs below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such stock. Subject to the discussion of extraordinary dividends above, such gain or loss generally will be treated as (a) long–term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition, or short term capital gain or loss otherwise and (b) U.S. source gain or loss, as applicable, for foreign tax credit purposes. Non-Corporate U.S. Holders may be eligible for preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax in respect of long-term capital gains. A U.S. Holder’s ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Certain Non-Corporate U.S. Holders are subject to a 3.8% tax on certain investment income, including capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock. Non-Corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their disposition of our common stock.

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Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification
A non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as a PFIC in any taxable year in which, after taking into account the income and assets of the corporation and certain subsidiaries pursuant to a “look through” rule, either: (i) at least 75% of its gross income is “passive” income; or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. By contrast, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.”

There are legal uncertainties involved in determining whether the income derived from our time-chartering activities constitutes rental income or income derived from the performance of services, including legal uncertainties arising from the decision in Tidewater Inc. v. United States , 565 F.3d 299 (5th Cir. 2009), which held that income derived from certain time-chartering activities should be treated as rental income rather than services income for purposes of a foreign sales corporation provision of the Code. However, the Internal Revenue Service (or IRS) stated in an Action on Decision (AOD 2010-01) that it disagrees with, and will not acquiesce to, the way that the rental versus services framework was applied to the facts in the Tidewater decision, and in its discussion stated that the time charters at issue in Tidewater would be treated as producing services income for PFIC purposes. The IRS’s statement with respect to Tidewater cannot be relied upon or otherwise cited as precedent by taxpayers. Consequently, in the absence of any binding legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing PFICs, there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court would not follow the Tidewater decision in interpreting the PFIC provisions of the Code. Moreover, the market value of our stock may be treated as reflecting the value of our assets at any given time. Therefore, a decline in the market value of our stock (which is not within our control) may impact the determination of whether we are a PFIC. Nevertheless, based on our and our subsidiaries’ current assets and operations, we intend to take the position that we are not now and have never been a PFIC. No assurance can be given, however, that the IRS, or a court of law, will accept our position or that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in our or our subsidiaries’ assets, income or operations.

As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder generally would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes a timely and effective election to treat us as a “Qualified Electing Fund” (a QEF election). As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a “mark–to–market” election with respect to our common stock, as discussed below.

Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election. A U.S. Holder who makes a timely QEF election (an Electing Holder) must report the Electing Holder’s pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if any, for each taxable year for which we are a PFIC that ends with or within the Electing Holder’s taxable year, regardless of whether or not the Electing Holder received distributions from us in that year. Such income inclusions would not be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. The Electing Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that were previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the Electing Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. A U.S. Holder makes a QEF election with respect to any year that we are a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with the U.S. Holder’s timely filed U.S. federal income tax return (including extensions).

If a U.S. Holder has not made a timely QEF election with respect to the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period of our common stock during which we qualified as a PFIC, the U.S. Holder may be treated as having made a timely QEF election by filing a QEF election with the U.S. Holder’s timely filed U.S. federal income tax return (including extensions) and, under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code, a “deemed sale election” to include in income as an “excess distribution” (described below) the amount of any gain that the U.S. Holder would otherwise recognize if the U.S. Holder sold the U.S. Holder’s common stock on the “qualification date.” The qualification date is the first day of our taxable year in which we qualified as a “qualified electing fund” with respect to such U.S. Holder. In addition to the above rules, under very limited circumstances, a U.S. Holder may make a retroactive QEF election if the U.S. Holder failed to file the QEF election documents in a timely manner. If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election for one of our taxable years, but did not make such election with respect to the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period of our common stock during which we qualified as a PFIC and the U.S. Holder did not make the deemed sale election described above, the U.S. Holder also will be subject to the more adverse rules described below.

A U.S. Holder’s QEF election will not be effective unless we annually provide the U.S. Holder with certain information concerning our income and gain, calculated in accordance with the Code, to be included with the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax return. We have not provided our U.S. Holders with such information in prior taxable years and do not intend to provide such information in the current taxable year. Accordingly, U.S. Holders will not be able to make an effective QEF election at this time. If, contrary to our expectations, we determine that we are or will be a PFIC for any taxable year, we will provide U.S. Holders with the information necessary to make an effective QEF election with respect to our common stock.

Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a “Mark–to–Market” Election. If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we anticipate, our Class A common stock were treated as “marketable stock,” then, as an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to our Class A common stock, provided the U.S. Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and related Treasury Regulations. If that election is made for the first year a U.S. Holder holds or is deemed to hold our Class A common stock and for which we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year that we are a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the U.S. Holder’s Class A common stock at the end of the taxable year over the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Class A common stock. The U.S. Holder also would be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Class A common stock over the fair market value thereof at the end of the taxable year that we are a PFIC, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result

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of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in our Class A common stock would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss recognized. Gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our Class A common stock in taxable years that we are a PFIC would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our Class A common stock in taxable years that we are a PFIC would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included in income by the U.S. Holder. Because the mark-to-market election only applies to marketable stock, however, it would not apply to a U.S. Holder’s indirect interest in any of our subsidiaries that were also determined to be PFICs.

If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election for one of our taxable years and we were a PFIC for a prior taxable year during which such U.S. Holder held our Class A common stock and for which (i) we were not a QEF with respect to such U.S. Holder and (ii) such U.S. Holder did not make a timely mark-to-market election, such U.S. Holder would also be subject to the more adverse rules described below in the first taxable year for which the mark-to-market election is in effect and also to the extent the fair market value of the U.S. Holder’s Class A common stock exceeds the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Class A common stock at the end of the first taxable year for which the mark-to-market election is in effect.

Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark–to–Market Election. If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder who does not make either a QEF election or a “mark–to–market” election for that year (a Non-Electing Holder) would be subject to special rules resulting in increased tax liability with respect to (i) any “excess distribution” (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non–Electing Holder on our common stock in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by the Non–Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non–Electing Holder’s holding period for our common stock), and (ii) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. Under these special rules:

•
the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holder’s aggregate holding period for our common stock;
•
the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year prior to the taxable year we were first treated as a PFIC with respect to the Non-Electing Holder would be taxed as ordinary income in the current taxable year;
•
the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year; and
•
an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.

Additionally, for each year during which a U.S. Holder owns our common stock, we are a PFIC, and the total value of all PFIC stock that such U.S. Holder directly or indirectly owns exceeds certain thresholds, such U.S. Holder will be required to file IRS Form 8621 with its annual U.S. federal income tax return to report its ownership of our common stock. In addition, if a Non–Electing Holder who is an individual dies while owning our common stock, such Non-Electing Holder’s successor generally would not receive a step–up in tax basis with respect to such common stock.
U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the PFIC rules, including the PFIC annual reporting requirements, as well as the applicability, availability and advisability of, and procedure for, making QEF, Mark-to-Market and other available elections with respect to us, and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of making such elections.
U.S. Return Disclosure Requirements for U.S. Individual Holders
U.S. Individual Holders who hold certain specified foreign financial assets, including stock in a foreign corporation that is not held in an account maintained by a financial institution with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000 on the last day of a taxable year, or $75,000 at any time during that taxable year, may be required to report such assets on IRS Form 8938 with their U.S. federal income tax return for that taxable year. This reporting requirement does not apply to U.S. Individual Holders who report their ownership of our common stock under the PFIC annual reporting rules described above. Penalties apply for failure to properly complete and file IRS Form 8938. U.S. Individual Holders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible application of this disclosure requirement.
United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
A beneficial owner of our common stock (other than a partnership, including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not a U.S. Holder is a Non-U.S. Holder.
Distributions
In general, a Non–U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on distributions received from us with respect to our common stock unless the distributions are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment that the Non-U.S. Holder maintains in the United States). If a Non–U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States and the distributions are deemed to be effectively connected to that trade or business, the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on those distributions in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder.


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Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Stock
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain resulting from the disposition of our common stock unless (a) such gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment that the Non-U.S. Holder maintains in the United States) or (b) the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which such disposition occurs and meets certain other requirements. If a Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States and the disposition of our common stock is deemed to be effectively connected to that trade or business, the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the resulting gain in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, payments of distributions with respect to, or the proceeds of a disposition of, our common stock to a Non–Corporate U.S. Holder will be subject to information reporting requirements. These payments to a Non–Corporate U.S. Holder also may be subject to backup withholding if the Non–Corporate U.S. Holder:

•
fails to timely provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
•
is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report all interest or distributions required to be shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns; or
•
in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.

Non–U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding on payments made to them within the United States, or through a U.S. payor, by certifying their status on IRS Form W–8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W–8ECI, W-8EXP, or W–8IMY, as applicable.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, a shareholder generally may obtain a credit for any amount withheld against its liability for U.S. federal income tax (and obtain a refund of any amounts withheld in excess of such liability) by accurately completing and timely filing a U.S. federal income tax return with the IRS.
Non-United States Tax Considerations
Marshall Islands Tax Considerations
Because we and our subsidiaries do not, and we do not expect that we or they will, conduct business, operations, or transactions in the Republic of The Marshall Islands, and because all documentation related to our initial public offering was executed outside of the Republic of The Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law, no taxes or withholdings will be imposed by the Republic of the Marshall Islands on distributions, including upon a return of capital, made to shareholders, so long as such persons are not citizens of and do not reside in, maintain offices in, nor engage in business, operations, or transactions in the Republic of The Marshall Islands. Furthermore, no stamp, capital gains or other taxes will be imposed by the Republic of The Marshall Islands on the purchase, ownership or disposition by such persons of our common stock.
Documents on Display
Documents concerning us that are referred to herein may be inspected at our principal executive offices at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08 Bermuda. Those documents electronically filed via the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (or EDGAR) system may also be obtained from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, free of charge, or from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Further information on the operation of the SEC public reference rooms may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
Item 11.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk from foreign currency fluctuations, changes in interest rates and changes in spot tanker market rates. We have not used foreign currency forward contracts to manage foreign currency fluctuation, but we may do so in the future. We use interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risks. We do not use these financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Foreign Currency Fluctuation Risk
Our primary economic environment is the international shipping market. Transactions in this market generally utilize the U.S. Dollars. Consequently, virtually all our revenues and the majority of our operating costs are in U.S. Dollars. We incur certain voyage expenses, vessel operating expenses, dry-docking expenditures and general and administrative expenses in foreign currencies, the most significant of which are Euro, Singaporean Dollar and British Pound. There is a risk that currency fluctuations will have a negative effect on the value of cash flows. We did not enter into forward contracts as a hedge against changes in certain foreign exchange rates during 2017, 2016 or 2015.

77


Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes primarily through our floating-rate borrowings that require us to make interest payments based on LIBOR. Significant increases in interest rates could adversely affect operating margins, results of operations and our ability to service our debt. From time to time, we use interest rate swaps to reduce our exposure to market risk from changes in interest rates. The principal objective of these contracts is to minimize the risks and costs associated with our floating-rate debt.

We are exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreements. In order to minimize counterparty risk, we only enter into derivative transactions with counterparties that are rated A- or better by Standard & Poor’s or A3 or better by Moody’s at the time of the transactions. In addition, to the extent possible and practical, interest rate swaps are entered into with different counterparties to reduce concentration risk.

The table below provides information about financial instruments as at December 31, 2017, that are sensitive to changes in interest rates, including our debt, obligations related to capital leases and interest rate swaps. For long-term debt and obligations related to capital leases, the table presents principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates. For interest rate swaps, the table presents notional amounts and weighted-average interest rates by expected contractual maturity dates.

 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair Value
Asset /
(Liability)
 
Rate (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except percentages)
Long-term debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable rate
(157.2
)
 
(95.7
)
 
(121.9
)
 
(365.7
)
 
(155.5
)
 
—

 
(896.0
)
 
(879.9
)
 
3.40
%
Fixed-rate
(10.0
)
 
(10.0
)
 
(10.0
)
 
(37.2
)
 
—

 
—

 
(67.2
)
 
(66.2
)
 
5.37
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligation related to capital leases
(7.2
)
 
(7.7
)
 
(8.2
)
 
(8.7
)
 
(9.3
)
 
(107.8
)
 
(148.9)
 
(147.4)
 
6.20%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swap(2)
46.3

 
46.3

 
46.2

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
138.8

 
1.3

 
1.46
%
U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swap(2)
—

 
—

 
—

 
150.0

 
 
 
—

 
150.0

 
2.5

 
1.55
%
U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swap(2)
—

 
—

 
—

 
50.0

 
 
 
—

 
50.0

 
1.4

 
1.16
%
(1)
Rate refers to the weighted-average interest rate for our long-term debt as at December 31, 2017, including the margin we pay on our variable-rate and fixed-rate debt.
(2)
Interest payments on U.S. Dollar-denominated debt and interest rate swaps are based on LIBOR. The average variable rate paid to us under our interest rate swaps is set quarterly at the three-month LIBOR.
Equity Price Risk
Prior to our acquisition of TIL, we were exposed to the changes in the stock price of TIL. We had a stock purchase warrant entitling us to purchase up to 750,000 shares of common stock of TIL at a fixed price of $10 per share. Alternatively, if the shares of TIL’s common stock trade on a National Stock Exchange or over-the-counter market denominated in Norwegian Kroner, the Company also had the option to exercise the stock purchase warrant at 61.67 Norwegian Kroner (or NOK) per share. The stock purchase warrant vested in four equally sized tranches. Each tranche would vest and become exercisable when and if the fair market value of a share of the TIL common stock equals or exceeds 77.08 NOK, 92.50 NOK, 107.91 NOK and 123.33 NOK, respectively, for such tranche for any ten consecutive trading days. The stock purchase warrant was scheduled to expire on January 23, 2019; however, upon completing the merger with TIL on November 27, 2017, the stock purchase warrant was canceled. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 10 – Derivative Instruments.

Spot Tanker Market Rate Risk
The cyclical nature of the tanker industry causes significant increases or decreases in the revenue that we earn from our vessels, particularly those that trade in the spot tanker market. From time to time we may use forward freight agreements as a tool to protect against changes in spot tanker market rates. Forward freight agreements are contracts used to buy or sell a fixed volume of freight on specified trade routes. Forward freight agreements settle in cash based on the difference between the contracted charter rate and the average rate of an identified index.


78


To reduce our exposure, in the second quarter of 2016 we entered into a time-charter swap agreement for 55% of two Aframax-equivalent vessels for a period of 11 months plus an additional two months at the counterparty’s option. The fair value of this derivative agreement was the estimated amount that we would receive or pay to terminate the agreement at the reporting date, based on the present value of our projection of future Aframax spot market tanker rates, which was derived from current Aframax spot market tanker rates and estimated future rates. As of May 1, 2017, the time-charter swap counter party did not exercise the two-month option and as such, the agreement was completed as of June 30, 2017.
Item 12.
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
Not applicable.
Part II
Item 13.
Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
None.
Item 14.
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 15.
Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or the Exchange Act)) that are designed to ensure that (i) information required to be disclosed in our reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based on the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2017.

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer do not expect that our disclosure controls or internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. Although our disclosure controls and procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within us have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based partly on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining for us adequate internal control over financial reporting.

Our internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our internal control over financial reporting include those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements even when determined to be effective and can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections

79


of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate. Based on the evaluation, management determined that internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2017.

Our independent auditors, KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting. Their attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting can be found on page F-2 of this Annual Report.

There were no changes in our internal controls that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a – 15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Item 16A.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Board of Directors has determined that director and former Chair of the Audit Committee during 2017, William Lawes, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert and is independent under applicable NYSE and SEC standards. The Board of Directors has determined that director and current Chair of the Audit Committee (effective March 15, 2018), Richard Paterson, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert and is independent under applicable NYSE and SEC standards.
Item 16B.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Standards of Business Conduct Policy for all our employees and directors. This document is available under “Investors – Teekay Tankers Ltd. - Governance” from the home page of our web site (www.teekay.com). We also intend to disclose, under the “Investors – Teekay Tankers Ltd. - Governance” section of our web site (www.teekay.com), any waivers to or amendments of our Standards of Business Conduct Policy that benefit our directors and executive officers.
Item 16C.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Our principal accountant for 2017 and 2016 was KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants. The following table shows the fees we paid or accrued for audit services provided by KPMG LLP.

Fees (in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2017
 
2016
Audit Fees (1)
545

 
408

Tax Fees (2)
34

 
24

 
579

 
432

(1)
Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements, review of our quarterly consolidated financial statements, as well as other professional services in connection with the review of our regulatory filings.
(2)
For 2017 and 2016, tax fees principally included corporate tax compliance fees.

No tax services were provided to us by the auditors during the term of their appointment in 2017. No other services were provided to us by the auditors during 2017 or 2016.

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has the authority to pre-approve permissible audit-related and non-audit services not prohibited by law to be performed by our independent auditors and any associated fees. Engagements for proposed services either may be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee or entered into pursuant to detailed pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee, as long as the Audit Committee is informed on a timely basis of any engagement entered into on that basis. The Audit Committee separately pre-approved all engagements and fees paid to our principal accountants in 2017 and 2016.

80


Item 16D.
Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not applicable.
Item 16E.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Not applicable.
Item 16F.
Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
Not applicable.
Item 16G.
Corporate Governance
The following are the significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies:

•
Our Board of Directors is not comprised of a majority of independent directors, as required for domestic companies under the New York Stock Exchange listing requirements.
•
As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to obtain shareholder approval prior to the adoption of equity compensation plans or certain equity issuances, including, among others, issuing 20% or more of our outstanding common shares or voting power in a transaction.

There are no other significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those followed by controlled domestic companies under the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange. See Item 6 – Directors, Senior Management and Employees: Board Practices.
Item 16H.
Mine Safety Disclosure
Not applicable
Part III
Item 17.
Financial Statements
Not applicable.
Item 18.
Financial Statements
The following financial statements, together with the related reports of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, thereon are filed as part of this Annual Report:

 
  
Page
  
 F-1 – F-2
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
F-7 – F-31

All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required, are inapplicable or have been disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and therefore have been omitted.

81


Item 19.
Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report:

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Teekay Tankers Ltd. (1)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Teekay Tankers Ltd. (1)
Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement (1)
Management Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 7, 2009, Amendment No. 2 dated as of September 21, 2010 and Amendment No. 3 dated as of January 1, 2011, Addendum to Management Agreement dated March 23, 2016. (8)
Gross Revenue Sharing Pool Agreement (1)

Teekay Tankers Ltd. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (10)
Technical Services Agreement dated as of December 18, 2007, between Teekay Tankers Management Services Ltd. and Teekay Shipping Limited.

Registration Rights Agreement between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Teekay Corporation. (1)
Commercial Management Services Agreement dated as of February 29, 2008, between Teekay Tankers Management Services Ltd. and Teekay Chartering Limited.
Purchase Agreement dated April 7, 2008, for the purchase of Ganges Spirit L.L.C (formerly Delaware Shipping L.L.C) between Teekay Tankers Ltd., and Teekay Corporation. (2)
Purchase Agreement dated April 7, 2008, for the purchase of Narmada Spirit L.L.C (formerly Adair Shipping L.L.C) between Teekay Tankers Ltd., and Teekay Corporation. (2)
Purchase Agreement dated June 12, 2009 for the purchase of Ashkini Spirit L.L.C (formerly Ingeborg Shipping L.L.C) between Teekay Tankers Ltd., and Teekay Corporation. (3)
Purchase Agreement dated April 6, 2010 between Teekay Corporation and Teekay Tankers Ltd. for the sale and purchase of the entire membership interests in Yamuna Spirit L.L.C., Kaveri Spirit L.L.C., and Helga Spirit L.L.C. (4)
Facility Agreement dated July 5, 2010 for a U.S. $57,500,000 loan facility among Alpha Elephant Inc, Solar VLCC Corporation, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch. (5)
Facility Agreement dated July 5, 2010 for a U.S. $57,500,000 loan facility among Beta Elephant Inc, Solar VLCC Corporation, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch. (5)
Transfer Certificate dated July 15, 2010 among Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and VLCC A Investment L.L.C. (5)
Transfer Certificate dated July 15, 2010 among Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and VLCC B Investment L.L.C. (5)
Shareholders Agreement dated September 30, 2010 for a U.S. $98,000,000 shipbuilding contract among Teekay Tankers Holding Ltd., Kriss Investment Company and High-Q Investment Ltd. (6)
Purchase Agreement dated November 1, 2010 between Teekay Corporation and Teekay Tankers Ltd. For the sale and purchase of the entire membership interests in Esther Spirit L.L.C., and Iskmati Spirit L.L.C. (7)
Purchase Agreement dated June 15, 2012 between Teekay Corporation and Teekay Tankers Ltd. For the sale and purchase of the entire membership interests in Godavari Spirit L.L.C., Axel Spirit L.L.C., Mahanadi Spirit L.L.C., Teesta Spirit L.L.C., Hugli Spirit L.L.C., Americas Spirit L.L.C., Australia Spirit L.L.C., Pinnacle Spirit L.L.C., Donegal Spirit L.L.C., Galway Spirit L.L.C., Limerick Spirit L.L.C., Summit Spirit L.L.C., and Zenith Spirit L.L.C. (9)
Master Ship Management Agreement dated August 31, 2012, between Teekay Shipping Limited and Teekay Marine Ltd.
Secured Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated January 8, 2016 between Teekay Tankers Ltd., Nordea Bank Finland PLC and various other banks, for a $894.4 million long-term debt facility. (8)
Secured Term Loan Facility Agreement dated August 28, 2015 between Teekay Tankers Ltd., ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC and various other banks for the principal amount of $397.2 million. (8)
Secured Term Loan Facility Agreement dated January 30, 2015 between Teekay Tankers Ltd., ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, DNB Capital LLC and DNB Markets, Inc., for the principal amount of approximately $126.6 million. (8)
Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 4, 2015, by and among Teekay Tankers Ltd. and the persons set forth on Schedule I thereto. (11)
Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated August 4, 2015, by and among Teekay Tankers Ltd. and the purchasers named therein. (12)
Share Subscription Agreement, dated January 13, 2017, between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Teekay Holdings Limited.
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 31, 2017, by and among Teekay Tankers Ltd., Royal 2017 Ltd. and Tanker Investments Ltd. (13)

82


Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2017, between Teekay Corporation, Teekay Holdings Limited, Teekay Finance Limited, Tanker Investments Ltd. and Teekay Tankers Ltd. (13)
Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2017, between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Teekay Holdings Limited (13)
Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2017, by and among Teekay Tankers Ltd., Huber Capital Management LLC and Joseph R. Huber (16)
Secured Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated December 18, 2017 between Teekay Tankers Ltd., Nordea Bank AB and various other banks, for the principal amount of $270.0 million.
List of Subsidiaries of Teekay Tankers Ltd.
Equity Distribution Agreement, dated November 18, 2015, between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Evercore Group L.L.C. (14)
Memorandum of Agreement, dated August 4, 2015, by and between Courage Holdings, LLC and Rio Spirit L.L.C. and related Schedule of Agreements Substantially Identical to that Memorandum of Agreement. (14)
Equity Distribution Agreement, dated June 4, 2015, between Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Evercore Group L.L.C. (15)
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Teekay Tankers Ltd.’s Chief Executive Officer.
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Teekay Tankers Ltd.’s Chief Financial Officer.
Teekay Tankers Ltd. Certification of Kevin Mackay, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Teekay Tankers Ltd. Certification of Stewart Andrade, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Consent of KPMG LLP, as independent registered public accounting firm.
101
The following materials for the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 formatted in XBRL:
 
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
 
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
___________________________
(1)
Previously filed as Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 10.1, 10.3, 10.5 and 4.1 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 33-147798), filed with the SEC on December 11, 2007, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement.
(2)
Previously filed as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on May 28, 2008, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(3)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on September 30, 2009, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(4)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on June 1, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(5)
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on September 10, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(6)
Previously filed as Exhibit 4.11 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on November 30, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(7)
Previously filed as Exhibit 4.12 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on November 30, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(8)
Previously filed as Exhibit 4.19, 4.20, 4.21 and 10.4 to the Company’s Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 27, 2016 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(9)
Previously filed as Exhibit 4.17 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on September 17, 2012 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(10)
Previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form, S-8 filed with the SEC on March 7, 2014 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Registration Statement.
(11)
Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on November 18, 2015 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(12)
Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on August 7, 2015 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.

83


(13)
Previously filed as Exhibits 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on June 1, 2017 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(14)
Previously filed as Exhibits 1.1, 10.3 and 10.4 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on November 18, 2015 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(15)
Previously filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2015 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(16)
Previously filed as Exhibits 99.1 to the Company's Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on October 25, 2017 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.

84


SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 
 
 
 
TEEKAY TANKERS LTD.
 
 
 
 
Date: April 24, 2018
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Stewart Andrade
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stewart Andrade
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


85



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Teekay Tankers Ltd.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Teekay Tankers Ltd. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of (loss) income, cash flows, and changes in equity for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated April 24, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for Business Combinations as of October 1, 2017, due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2017-01 Clarifying the Definition of a Business.

Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB and in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the consolidated financial statements in Canada.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2011.



/s/ KPMG LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants

Vancouver, Canada
April 24, 2018



F-1


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Teekay Tankers Ltd.:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Teekay Tankers Ltd. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of (loss) income, cash flows, and changes in equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated April 24, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB and in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the consolidated financial statements in Canada.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.



/s/ KPMG LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants

Vancouver, Canada
April 24, 2018

F-2



TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME (notes 1 and 3)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
$
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
$
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
$
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
Net pool revenues (notes 14e and 14h)
139,936

 
310,108

 
381,028

Time-charter revenues (note 14e)
112,100

 
97,374

 
75,375

Voyage charter revenues
125,774

 
90,032

 
41,874

Other revenues (note 20)
53,368

 
53,029

 
36,404

Total revenues
431,178


550,543


534,681

 
 
 
 
 
 
Voyage expenses  (note 14e)
(77,368
)
 
(53,604
)
 
(18,727
)
Vessel operating expenses (notes 14e and 14f)
(175,389
)
 
(182,598
)
 
(137,164
)
Time-charter hire expense (note 9)
(30,661
)
 
(59,647
)
 
(74,898
)
Depreciation and amortization
(100,481
)
 
(104,149
)
 
(73,760
)
General and administrative expenses (note 14e)
(32,879
)
 
(33,199
)
 
(30,403
)
(Loss) gain on sale of vessels (note 19)
(12,984
)
 
(20,594
)
 
771

Restructuring charges (note 20)
—

 
—

 
(6,795
)
Income from operations
1,416


96,752


193,705

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(31,294
)
 
(29,784
)
 
(17,389
)
Interest income
907

 
117

 
122

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments (note 10)
1,319

 
(964
)
 
(1,597
)
Equity (loss) income (note 6)
(25,370
)
 
7,680

 
11,528

Other expense (note 15)
(5,001
)
 
(5,978
)
 
(2,743
)
Net (loss) income
(58,023
)

67,823


183,626

 
 
 
 
 
 
Per common share amounts (note 18)
 
 
 
 
 
   • Basic (loss) earnings per share

($0.31
)
 

$0.40

 

$1.26

   • Diluted (loss) earnings per share

($0.31
)
 

$0.40

 

$1.25

   • Cash dividends declared

$0.12

 

$0.18

 

$0.24

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average number of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding (note 18)
 
 
 
 
 
• Basic
187,235,377

 
170,098,572

 
143,911,452

• Diluted
187,235,377

 
170,340,639

 
144,492,933

Related party transactions (note 14)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

F-3


TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (notes 1 and 3)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
As at
December 31, 2017
$
 
As at
December 31, 2016
$
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
71,439

 
94,157

Restricted cash
1,599

 
750

Pool receivables from affiliates, net (note 14h)
15,550

 
24,598

Accounts receivable, including affiliate balances of $0.8 million (2016 - $0.8 million)
19,288

 
33,789

Vessels held for sale (note 19)
—

 
33,802

Due from affiliates (note 14f)
49,103

 
48,714

Current portion of derivative assets (note 10)
1,016

 
875

Prepaid expenses
18,690

 
21,300

Total current assets
176,685


257,985

Restricted cash - long-term
2,672

 
—

Vessels and equipment
At cost, less accumulated depreciation of $512.0 million (2016 - $459.3 million)
1,737,792

 
1,605,372

Vessels related to capital leases
At cost, less accumulated depreciation of $25.4 million (2016 - $nil) (note 9)
227,722

 
—

Investment in and advances to equity accounted investments (note 6)
25,460

 
70,651

Derivative assets (note 10)
4,226

 
4,538

Intangible assets - net (note 21 and 22)
14,605

 
17,658

Other non-current assets
127

 
107

Goodwill (note 21)
8,059

 
8,059

Total assets
2,197,348


1,964,370

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current
 
 
 
Accounts payable, including affiliate balances of $nil (2016 - $1.1 million)
7,860

 
14,406

Accrued liabilities (notes 7, 10 and 14f)
34,608

 
28,663

Current portion of long-term debt (note 8)
166,745

 
171,019

Current portion of derivative liabilities (note 10)
—

 
1,108

Current obligation related to capital leases (note 9)
7,227

 
—

Deferred revenue
557

 
4,455

Due to affiliates (note 14f)
19,717

 
36,299

Total current liabilities
236,714


255,950

Long-term debt (note 8)
785,557

 
761,997

Long-term obligation related to capital leases (note 9)
141,681

 
—

Other long-term liabilities (note 11)
26,795

 
13,683

Total liabilities
1,190,747


1,031,630

Commitments and contingencies (notes 6, 9 and 10)

 

Equity
 
 
 
Common stock and additional paid-in capital (385 million shares authorized, 231.2 million Class A and 37.0 million class B shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017) (2016 - 300 million shares authorized, 136.1 million Class A and 23.2 million Class B shares issued and outstanding) (notes 4 and 13)
1,294,998

 
1,103,304

Accumulated deficit
(288,397
)
 
(182,680
)
Entities under Common Control equity
—

 
12,116

Total equity
1,006,601


932,740

Total liabilities and equity
2,197,348


1,964,370

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

F-4


TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (notes 1 and 3)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
$
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
$
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
$
Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used for)
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
(58,023
)
 
67,823

 
183,626

Non-cash items:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
100,481

 
104,149

 
73,760

        Loss (gain) on sale of vessels (note 19)
12,984

 
20,594

 
(771
)
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments (note 10)
(937
)
 
(9,679
)
 
(8,193
)
Equity loss (income) (note 6)
25,370

 
(7,680
)
 
(11,528
)
Other
8,093

 
10,063

 
3,034

Change in operating assets and liabilities (note 16)
5,741

 
30,004

 
1,655

Expenditures for dry docking
(14,069
)
 
(8,608
)
 
(39,617
)
Net operating cash flow
79,640


206,666


201,966

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs
232,825

 
906,149

 
688,695

Repayments of long-term debt
(109,006
)
 
(162,092
)
 
(40,029
)
Prepayment of long-term debt
(443,796
)
 
(979,877
)
 
(191,592
)
Repayment from long-term debt of Entities under Common Control (note 3)
—

 
—

 
(4,632
)
Proceeds from financing related to sale and leaseback (note 9)
153,000

 
—

 
—

Scheduled repayments of obligations related to capital leases (note 9)
(4,090
)
 
—

 
—

Net advances from affiliates (note 3)
—

 
—

 
(825
)
Equity contribution from Teekay Corporation to Entities under Common Control (note 3)
—

 
—

 
1,928

Increase in restricted cash - long-term
(2,672
)
 
—

 
—

Return of capital to Teekay Corporation (note 3)
—

 
(15,000
)
 
—

Acquisition of the Explorer Spirit and Navigator Spirit from Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (note 3)
—

 
—

 
(31,870
)
Cash dividends paid
(20,679
)
 
(46,847
)
 
(15,139
)
Proceeds from equity offerings, net of offering costs (note 4)
8,521

 
7,558

 
242,264

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of share issuance costs (note 4)
5,000

 
—

 
—

Other
(241
)
 
(744
)
 
(1,122
)
Net financing cash flow
(181,138
)

(290,853
)

647,678

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from the sales of vessels and equipment (note 19)
52,131

 
27,550

 
11,080

Expenditures for Principal Maritime Vessel acquisitions (note 19)
—

 
—

 
(612,000
)
Expenditures for vessels and equipment
(4,732
)
 
(9,226
)
 
(236,229
)
Loan repayments from High-Q joint venture (note 6)
550

 
3,500

 
1,000

Adjustment to investment in TTOL prior to 100% acquisition
—

 
—

 
(239
)
Return of capital from equity accounted investments
—

 
—

 
1,088

Acquisition of SPT (note 21)
—

 
—

 
(45,581
)
Cash acquired in TIL acquisition, net of transaction fees (note 22)
30,831

 
—

 
—

Net investing cash flow
78,780


21,824


(880,881
)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(22,718
)
 
(62,363
)
 
(31,237
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year
94,157

 
156,520

 
187,757

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year
71,439

 
94,157

 
156,520

Supplemental cash flow information (note 16)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

F-5


TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (notes 1 and 3)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts)
 
EQUITY
 
Equity of Entities under Common Control
$
 
Common Stock and Paid-in Capital
 
 
 
 
 
Thousands of Common Stock
#
 
Class A
$
 
Class B
$
 
Accumulated Deficit
$
 
Total
$
Balance as at December 31, 2014
40,961


112,064


785,515


17,135


(346,927
)

496,684

Net income
6,699

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
176,927

 
183,626

Proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock, net of offering costs (note 4)
—

 
37,201

 
246,032

 
—

 
—

 
246,032

Proceeds from issuance of Class B common stock, net of offering costs (note 4)
—

 
6,512

 
—

 
45,500

 
—

 
45,500

Value adjustment to share issuance to Teekay Corporation for purchase of the initial 50% of TTOL (note 6)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(239
)
 
(239
)
Net change in parent's equity from Entities under Common Control (note 3)
1,549

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,549

Acquisition of SPT Explorer and Navigator Spirit from Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (note 3)
(27,191
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(13,311
)
 
(40,502
)
Dividends declared
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(33,863
)
 
(33,863
)
Equity-based compensation (note 13)
—

 
254

 
692

 
—

 


 
692

Balance as at December 31, 2015
22,018


156,031


1,032,239


62,635


(217,413
)

899,479

Net income
4,968

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
62,855

 
67,823

Proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock, net of offering costs (note 4)
—

 
3,020

 
7,558

 
—

 
—

 
7,558

Net change in parent's equity from Entities under Common Control (note 3)
130

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
130

Return of capital from Entities under Common Control (note 3)
(15,000
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(15,000
)
Dividends declared
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(28,122
)
 
(28,122
)
Equity-based compensation (note 13)
—

 
253

 
872

 
—

 
—

 
872

Balance as at December 31, 2016
12,116

 
159,304

 
1,040,669

 
62,635

 
(182,680
)
 
932,740

Net income (loss)
1,304

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(59,327
)
 
(58,023
)
Proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock, net of offering costs (note 4)
—

 
5,955

 
13,521

 
—

 
—

 
13,521

Acquisition of the remaining 50% of TTOL (note 4)
(13,420
)
 
13,775

 
—

 
25,897

 
(25,711
)
 
(13,234
)
Acquisition of TIL (note 4)
—

 
88,978

 
151,262

 
—

 
—

 
151,262

Dividends declared
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(20,679
)
 
(20,679
)
Equity-based compensation (note 13)
—

 
190

 
1,014

 
—

 
—

 
1,014

Balance as at December 31, 2017
—

 
268,202

 
1,206,466

 
88,532

 
(288,397
)
 
1,006,601

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

F-6

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)



1.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of operations
The Company (as defined below) is engaged in the international marine transportation of crude oil and refined petroleum products through the operation of its oil and product tankers as well as providing ship-to-ship transfer services. The Company’s revenues are earned in international markets.
Basis of presentation and consolidation principles
During October 2007, Teekay Corporation (Teekay) formed Teekay Tankers Ltd., a Marshall Islands corporation (together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the Entities under Common Control, as described in note 3, collectively, the Company), to acquire from Teekay a fleet of nine double-hull Aframax-class oil tankers in connection with the Company’s initial public offering (or IPO). As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s fleet included a total of 58 vessels, of which four were party to long-term bareboat leases, one was chartered-in and one was 50%-owned through the High-Q Investment Ltd. joint venture (or High-Q).

The consolidated financial statements reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Teekay Tankers Ltd., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, equity accounted investments, the Entities under Common Control and any variable interest entities (or VIEs) of which it is the primary beneficiary. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and all significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The Company accounts for the acquisition of interests in businesses from Teekay as a transfer of a business between entities under common control. The method of accounting for such transfers is similar to the pooling of interests method of accounting. Under this method, the carrying amount of net assets recognized in the balance sheets of each combining entity are carried forward to the balance sheet of the combined entity. The amount by which the proceeds paid by the Company differs from Teekay's historical carrying value of the acquired business is accounted for as a return of capital to, or contribution of capital from, Teekay. In addition, transfers of net assets between entities under common control are accounted for as if the transfer occurred from the date that the Company and the acquired business were both under the common control of Teekay and had begun operations.

On May 31, 2017, the Company acquired from Teekay Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay, the remaining 50% interest in Teekay Tanker Operations Ltd. (or TTOL). As a result of the acquisition, the Company's consolidated financial statements prior to the date the Company acquired a controlling interest in TTOL have been retroactively adjusted to eliminate the use of the equity method of accounting for the original 50% interest in TTOL and to include 100% of the assets and liabilities and results of TTOL during the periods they were under common control of Teekay and had begun operations. All intercorporate transactions between the Company and TTOL that occurred prior to the acquisition of a controlling interest in TTOL by the Company have been eliminated upon consolidation (note 3).
In July 2017, the Company completed sales-lease back financing arrangements with four lessor entities established by a financial institution. The Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the lessor entities under the arrangements and has since consolidated these VIEs (note 9).
On November 27, 2017, the Company completed its merger with Tanker Investments Ltd. (TIL), as a result of which TIL became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Prior to the merger, the Company accounted for its 11.3% interest in TIL using the equity method (notes 6 and 22).
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In addition, estimates have been made when allocating expenses from Teekay to the Entities under Common Control and such estimates may not be reflective of what actual results would have been if the Entities under Common Control had operated independently.
Currency translation
The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Transactions involving other currencies during the year are converted into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated to reflect the year-end exchange rates. Resulting gains or losses are reflected in other (expenses) income in the accompanying consolidated statements of (loss) income.
Operating revenues and expenses
Revenues and voyage expenses of the vessels operating in revenue sharing arrangements are pooled and the resulting net pool revenues, calculated on a time charter equivalent basis, are allocated to the pool participants according to an agreed formula. The agreed formula used

F-7

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


to allocate net pool revenues varies between pools; however, the formula generally allocates revenues to pool participants on the basis of the number of days a vessel operates in the pool with weighting adjustments made to reflect vessels’ differing capacities and performance capabilities. The same revenue and expense recognition principles stated below are applied in determining the net pool revenues of the pool. The pools are responsible for paying voyage expenses and distribute net pool revenues to the participants. The Company accounts for the net allocation from the pool as revenues and amounts due from the pool are included in pool receivables from affiliates, net.

The Company recognizes revenues from time charters daily over the term of the charter as the applicable vessel operates under the charter. The Company does not recognize revenues during days that the vessel is off hire. When the time charter contains a profit-sharing agreement, the Company recognizes the profit-sharing or contingent revenues when the contingency is resolved. All revenues from voyage charters are recognized on a proportionate performance method. The Company uses a discharge-to-discharge basis in determining proportionate performance for all spot voyages. The Company does not begin recognizing revenue until a charter has been agreed to by the customer and the Company, even if the vessel has discharged its cargo and is sailing to the anticipated load port on its next voyage. The consolidated balance sheets reflect the deferred portion of revenues and expenses, which will be earned in subsequent periods.

Other revenues are earned from the offshore ship-to-ship transfer of commodities, primarily crude oil and refined oil products, but also liquid gases and various other products which are referred to as support operations. In addition, other revenues are also earned from other activities such as the commercial and technical management of vessels, terminal management, consultancy, procurement and equipment rental. Other revenues from short-term contracts are recognized as services are completed based on percentage of completion or in the case of long-term contracts, are recognized over the duration of the contract period.

Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions. The Company, as shipowner, pays voyage expenses under voyage charters; its customers pay voyage expenses under time charters. Vessel operating expenses include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses. The Company pays vessel operating expenses under both voyage and time charters and for vessels which earn net pool revenue, as described above. Voyage expenses and vessel operating expenses are recognized when incurred.
Share-based compensation
The Company grants stock options and restricted stock units as incentive-based compensation to certain employees of Teekay who support the operations of the Company. The Company measures the cost of such awards using the grant date fair value of the award and recognizes that cost, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period, which generally equals the vesting period. For stock-based compensation awards subject to graded vesting, the Company calculates the value for the award as if it is a single award with one expected life and amortizes the calculated expense for the entire award on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. The Company also grants common stock and fully vested stock options as incentive-based compensation to non-management directors, which are expensed immediately (note 13).
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company classifies all highly liquid investments with an original maturity date of three months or less as cash and cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

The Company maintains restricted cash deposits relating to certain contracts which were assumed as part of the acquisition of the ship-to-ship transfer business in 2015 (note 21) and for certain freight forward agreements (note 10). Attached to these contracts are certain performance guarantees required by the Company.

Restricted Cash - Long-term

The Company maintains restricted cash deposits for the purposes of the margin requirements of the Company's capital lease obligations (note 9).
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, and other loan receivables
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience and customer economic data. The Company reviews the allowance for doubtful accounts regularly and past due balances are reviewed for collectability. Account balances are written off against the allowance when the Company believes that the receivable will not be recovered. There are no significant amounts recorded as allowance for doubtful accounts as at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The Company’s advances to equity accounted investments are recorded at cost. The Company analyzes its loans for collectability during each reporting period. A loan provision is recorded, based on current information and events, if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors the Company considers in determining that a loan provision is required include, among other things, an assessment of the financial condition of the debtor, payment history of the debtor, general economic conditions, the credit rating of the debtor (when available), any information provided by the debtor regarding their ability to repay the loan, and the fair value of the underlying collateral. When a loan provision is recorded, the Company measures the amount of the

F-8

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


provision based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate and recognizes the resulting provision in the consolidated statements of (loss) income. The carrying value of the loans is adjusted each subsequent period to reflect any changes in the present value of the expected future cash flows, which may result in increases or decreases to the loan provision.

The following table contains a summary of the Company’s financing receivables by type and the method by which the Company monitors the credit quality of its financing receivables on a quarterly basis.
Class of Financing Receivable
 
Credit Quality Indicator
 
Grade
 
December 31, 2017
$
 
December 31, 2016
$
Advances to equity accounted investment
 
Other internal metrics
 
Performing
 
9,930
 
10,480

 
 
 
 
 
 
9,930
 
10,480

Equity accounted investments
The Company’s investments in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, investments are stated at initial cost and are adjusted for subsequent additional investments and the Company’s proportionate share of earnings or losses and distributions. The Company evaluates its equity accounted investments for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such investment may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value below its carrying value. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, the carrying value is written down to its estimated fair value and the resulting impairment is recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of (loss) income. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss is the amount it has invested in its equity accounted investments.
Vessels and equipment
All pre-delivery costs incurred during the construction of newbuildings, including interest, supervision and technical costs, are capitalized. The acquisition cost and all costs incurred to restore used vessels purchased by the Company to the standard required to properly service the Company’s customers are capitalized.

Vessel capital modifications include the addition of new equipment or can encompass various modifications to the vessel which are aimed at improving or increasing the operational efficiency and functionality of the asset. This type of expenditure is capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the modification. Expenditures covering recurring routine repairs or maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over a vessel’s estimated useful life, less an estimated residual value. Depreciation is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 years, or a shorter period if regulations prevent the Company from operating the vessels for 25 years. Depreciation of vessels and equipment (including depreciation attributable to the Entities under Common Control and excluding amortization of dry-docking costs and intangible assets) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaled $80.1 million, $81.5 million, and $59.5 million, respectively.

Generally, the Company dry docks each vessel every two and a half to five years. The Company capitalizes a substantial portion of the costs incurred during dry docking and amortizes those costs on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, which typically is from the completion of a dry docking or intermediate survey to the estimated completion of the next dry docking. The Company includes in capitalized dry docking those costs incurred as part of the dry dock to meet classification and regulatory requirements. The Company expenses costs related to routine repairs and maintenance performed during dry docking that do not improve or extend the useful lives of the assets. When significant dry-docking expenditures occur prior to the expiration of the original amortization period, the remaining unamortized balance of the original dry-docking cost is expensed in the month of the subsequent dry docking.

The following table summarizes the change in the Company’s capitalized dry-docking costs, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017:

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
 
2015
$
Balance at the beginning of the year
49,298

 
62,146

 
35,509

Cost incurred for dry docking
16,239

 
9,340

 
39,617

Dry-dock amortization
(17,077
)
 
(18,736
)
 
(12,866
)
Vessel sales (note 19)
—

 
(3,452
)
 
(114
)
Balance at the end of the year
48,460


49,298


62,146


Vessels and equipment that are “held for use” are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If the asset’s net carrying value exceeds the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated over its remaining useful life, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. Estimated fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values. In cases where an active second hand sale and purchase market does not exist, the Company uses a discounted cash flow approach to estimate the fair value of an impaired vessel. In cases where an active second hand sale and

F-9

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


purchase market exists, an appraised value is generally used to estimate the amount the Company would expect to receive if it were to sell the vessel. Such appraisal is normally completed by the Company.

Vessels and equipment that are “held for sale” are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell and are not depreciated while classified as held for sale. Interest and other expenses attributable to vessels and equipment classified as held for sale, or to their related liabilities, continue to be recognized as incurred.

Vessels related to capital leases that are treated as VIEs, whereby the Company is the primary beneficiary, are accounted for on a consolidated basis.
Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. When goodwill is reviewed for impairment, the Company may elect to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. Alternatively, the Company may bypass this step and use a fair value approach to identify potential goodwill impairment and, when necessary, measure the amount of impairment. The Company uses a discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of reporting units, unless there is a readily determinable fair market value.

Customer related intangible assets are amortized over the expected life of a customer contract or the expected duration that the customer relationships are estimated to contribute to the cash flows of the Company. The amount amortized each year is weighted based on the projected revenue to be earned under the contracts or projected revenue to be earned as a result of the customer relationships. Intangible assets are assessed for impairment when and if impairment indicators exist. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Debt issuance costs
Debt issuance costs related to loan facilities, including fees, commissions and legal expenses, are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability with the exception of debt issuance costs which are not attributable to a specific debt liability or where the debt issuance costs exceed the carrying value of the related debt liability, and in those cases the debt issuance costs are deferred and presented as other non-current assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the relevant loan. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of (loss) income.

Fees paid to amend revolving credit facilities are deferred and amortized over the term of the modified credit facility. If the borrowing capacity is increased as a result of the amendment, unamortized debt issuance costs of the original facility are deferred and amortized over the term of the modified debt facility. If the borrowing capacity is decreased as a result of the amendment, a proportionate amount (based on the reduction in borrowing capacity) of the unamortized issuance costs of the original facility is written off and the remaining amount is deferred and amortized over the term of the modified credit facility.

Fees paid to substantially amend a non-revolving credit facility are included in determining the debt extinguishment gain or loss and any unamortized debt issuance costs are written off. If the amendment is considered not be a substantial amendment (in accordance with the criteria contained in ASC 470-50-40), then any fees paid are amortized as an adjustment of interest expense over the remaining term of the replacement or modified debt using the effective interest method, or straight-line method, as appropriate. Other related costs incurred with third parties directly related to the modification (other than the loan amendment fee) such as legal fees are expensed as incurred.
Income taxes
The Company recognizes the tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from such positions are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

The Company believes that it and its subsidiaries are not subject to income taxation under the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands or Bermuda, or that distributions by its subsidiaries to the Company will be subject to any income taxes under the laws of such countries, and that it qualifies for the Section 883 exemption under U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Derivative instruments
All derivative instruments are initially recorded at fair value as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and subsequently remeasured to fair value each quarter, regardless of the purpose or intent of holding the derivative. The method of recognizing the resulting gains or losses are dependent on whether the derivative contracts are designed to hedge a specific risk and whether the contracts qualify for hedge accounting. The Company does not apply hedge accounting to its derivative instruments, however it could for certain types of interest rate swaps that it may enter into in the future.

F-10

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)



When a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the Company formally documents the relationship between the derivative and the hedged item. This documentation includes the strategy and risk management objective for undertaking the hedge and the method that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hedge. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in earnings, as are any gains and losses on the derivative that are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The Company does not apply hedge accounting if it is determined that the hedge was not effective or will no longer be effective, the derivative was sold or exercised, or the hedged item was sold, repaid or no longer possible of occurring.

For derivative financial instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of the effective portion of the derivative financial instruments are initially recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in total equity. In the periods when the hedged items affect earnings, the associated fair value changes on the hedging derivatives are transferred from total equity to the corresponding earnings line item in the consolidated statements of (loss) income. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative financial instruments is immediately recognized in earnings in the consolidated statements of (loss) income. If a cash flow hedge is terminated and the originally hedged item is still considered possible of occurring, the gains and losses initially recognized in total equity remain there until the hedged item impacts earnings, at which point they are transferred to the corresponding earnings line item in the consolidated statements of (loss) income. If the hedged items are no longer possible of occurring, amounts recognized in total equity are immediately transferred to the earnings item in the consolidated statements of (loss) income.

For derivative financial instruments that are not designated or that do not qualify as hedges under Financial Accounting Standards Board (or FASB) ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, the changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments are recognized in earnings. Gains and losses from the Company’s non-designated derivatives are recorded in realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments in the Company’s consolidated statements of (loss) income.
Earnings (loss) per share
Earnings (loss) per share is determined by dividing (a) net income (loss) of the Company after deducting the amount of net income (loss) attributable to the Entities under Common Control which were purchased solely with cash by (b) the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the applicable period and the equivalent shares outstanding that are attributable to the Entities under Common Control. The calculation of weighted-average number of shares includes the total Class A and total Class B shares outstanding during the applicable period. The computation of diluted earnings per share assumes the exercise of all dilutive stock options and restricted stock units using the treasury stock method. The computation of diluted loss per share does not assume such exercises.
2.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (or ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 will require an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update creates a five-step model that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) which include (i) identifying the contract(s) with the customer, (ii) identifying the separate performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determining the transaction price, (iv) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (v) recognizing revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company January 1, 2018 and shall be applied, at the Company’s option, retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of this date. The Company has elected to apply ASU 2014-09 only to those contracts that are not completed as of January 1, 2018. The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company has identified the following differences based on the work performed to date:

•
The Company currently presents the net allocation for its vessels participating in revenue sharing arrangements as revenues. The Company has determined that it is the principal in voyages its vessels perform that are included in the revenue sharing arrangements. As such, the revenue from those voyages will be presented in voyage revenues and the difference between this amount and the Company's net allocation from the revenue sharing arrangement will be presented as voyage expenses. There will be no cumulative impact to opening equity as at January 1, 2018.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (or ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 establishes a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. For lessees, leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. ASU 2016-02 requires lessors to classify leases as a sales-type, direct financing, or operating lease. A lease is a sales-type lease if any one of five criteria are met, each of which indicate that the lease, in effect, transfers control of the underlying asset to the lessee. If none of those five criteria are met, but two additional criteria are both met, indicating that the lessor has transferred substantially all of the risks and benefits of the underlying asset to the lessee and a third party, the lease is a direct financing lease. All leases that are not sales-type leases or direct financing leases are operating leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company currently intends to adopt ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2018 using a transition approach whereby a cumulative effect adjustment is made as of the effective date of January 1, 2018, with no retrospective effect. To determine the cumulative effect adjustment, the Company has not reassessed whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, has not reassessed lease classification, and has not reassessed initial direct costs for any existing leases. The quarter in which the Company adopts ASU 2016-02 and the estimated impact from adoption contained below are based upon the expectation that FASB will issue an additional ASU prior to the filing of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of 2018. The Company is currently considering the potential impact of a delay in the finalization of this additional ASU on its adoption date. The adoption of ASU-02 will result in a change in accounting method for the lease porti

F-11

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


on of the daily charter hire for the Company’s chartered-in vessels accounted for as operating leases with firm periods of greater than one year. Under ASU 2016-02, the Company will recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for these charters based on the present value of future minimum lease payments, whereas currently no right-of-use asset or lease liability is recognized. This will have the result of increasing the Company’s assets and liabilities. The pattern of expense recognition of chartered-in vessel is expected to remain substantially unchanged, unless the right-of-use asset becomes impaired. The Company expects that the cumulative right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability to be recognized on January 1, 2018 will be approximately $16.0 million, based on the work performed to date.

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (or ASU 2016-09). ASU 2016-09 simplifies aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 became effective for the Company January 1, 2017. The impact of adopting this new accounting guidance resulted in a change in presentation of cash payments for tax withholdings on share settled equity awards from an operating cash outflow to financing cash outflow on the Company's statements of cash flows, and this change was applied retrospectively.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This update replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This update is effective for the Company January 1, 2020, with a modified-retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this new guidance.

In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which, among other things, provides guidance on two acceptable approaches of classifying distributions received from equity method investees in the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for the Company January 1, 2018, with a retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this new guidance.

In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash, (or ASU 2016-18). ASU 2016-18 requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Entities will also be required to reconcile such total to amounts on the balance sheet and disclose the nature of the restrictions. ASU 2016-18 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018.  Adoption of ASU 2016-18 will result in the Company’s cash flow statement to be modified to include changes in restricted cash in addition to changes in cash and cash equivalents.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business, (or ASU 2017-01). ASU 2017-01 changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. ASU 2017-01 requires an entity to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set of transferred assets and activities is not a business. ASU 2017-01 also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs by more closely aligning it with how outputs are described in ASC 606. Unlike a business combination, no goodwill or bargain purchase gain is recognized as part of an asset acquisition. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods within those years. The Company adopted this standard effective October 1, 2017, and this standard was applied to the acquisition of TIL (note 22).
3.
Acquisition of Entities under Common Control
From time to time the Company has acquired from Teekay, or other entities controlled by Teekay, vessels or interests in businesses. These acquisitions (including, among others, the 2015 Acquired Business (as defined below) and the remaining 50% interest in TTOL in May 2017) were deemed to be vessel or business acquisitions between entities under common control. Accordingly, the Company has accounted for these transactions in a manner similar to the pooling of interests method. Under this method of accounting, the Company’s consolidated financial statements, for periods prior to the respective dates the interests in the vessels or applicable businesses were actually acquired by the Company, are retroactively adjusted to include the results of the acquired vessels and businesses. The periods retroactively adjusted include all periods that the Company and the acquired vessels or businesses were both under common control of Teekay and had begun operations. All financial or operational information contained in these financial statements for the periods prior to the respective dates the interests in the vessels and businesses were actually acquired by the Company, and during which the Company and the applicable vessels or businesses were under common control of Teekay, are retroactively adjusted to include the results of these acquired vessels and businesses and are collectively referred to as the “Entities under Common Control”.

2015 Acquired Business

On December 18, 2015, the Company acquired from Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (or TOO), which is an entity that was controlled by Teekay at that date, two conventional oil tankers (the Explorer Spirit, formerly known as the SPT Explorer, and the Navigator Spirit) and associated working capital and debt facilities, for an aggregate price of $39.0 million, including working capital of approximately $8.6 million and net of outstanding debt of approximately $49.6 million (or the 2015 Acquired Business). Of this net amount, $30.4 million was paid on closing of the transaction in December 2015 and the remaining $8.6 million was settled in the first quarter of 2016. As part of this acquisition, Teekay paid the Company $2.9 million to terminate the existing time-charters for the Explorer Spirit and Navigator Spirit. Subsequent to the acquisition, Teekay entered into a contract with the Company to guarantee commitments under the existing credit facilities related to the two vessels for a payment of $1.5 million. As a result of the 2015 Acquired Business, the Company's consolidated financial statements prior to the date of the Company acquired interests in the vessels have been retroactively adjusted to include the results of these vessels during the periods they

F-12

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


were under common control of Teekay and had begun operations. The effect of adjusting such information to account for the 2015 Acquired Business in periods prior to the Company's acquisition thereof is included in the Entities under Common Control.

Assets and liabilities of the vessels the Company acquired from TOO as part of the 2015 Acquired Business were reflected on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at TOO’s historical carrying values. The amount of the net purchase price of $39.0 million that was in excess of TOO’s historical carrying value of the net assets acquired of $25.0 million was accounted for as a $14.0 million return of capital to Teekay.

All periods prior to the acquisition of these vessels from TOO have been retroactively adjusted to include the results and related assets and liabilities of these vessels, as is required for a reorganization of entities under common control. All intercorporate transactions relating to these vessels between the Company and Teekay that occurred prior to the vessels’ acquisition by the Company have been eliminated upon consolidation. The effect of adjusting the Company’s consolidated financial statements to account for these common control transactions increased the Company’s revenues and net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 by $9.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively. In the preparation of the comparative amounts in these consolidated financial statements, shore-based costs for commercial management services (voyage expenses), ship management services (vessel operating expenses) and corporate/administrative services (general and administrative) were not identifiable as relating solely to each specific vessel. Costs for commercial management services were allocated based on the rates charged by Teekay to third parties to provide such services. Costs for ship management services were allocated based on internal estimates of the cost to provide this function. Costs for corporate/administrative services were allocated based on the actual per day costs incurred for the Company’s other conventional tankers. Management believes these allocations reasonably present the general and administrative expenses of the Entities under Common Control related to the 2015 Acquired Business.

TTOL Transactions

On May 31, 2017, the Company acquired from Teekay Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay, the remaining 50% interest in TTOL for $39.0 million, which included $13.1 million for working capital. TTOL owns conventional tanker commercial management and technical management operations. The Company issued approximately 13.8 million shares of the Company's Class B common stock to Teekay as consideration in addition to the working capital consideration of $13.1 million. In August 2014, the Company purchased from Teekay its initial 50% interest in TTOL for an aggregate price of approximately $23.7 million, including net working capital. As consideration for the 2014 acquisition, the Company issued to Teekay 4.2 million Class B common shares. The 4.2 million Class B common shares had an approximate value of $15.6 million, or $3.70 per share, when the purchase price was agreed to between the parties and a value of $17.0 million, or $4.03 per share, on the acquisition closing date. The purchase price, for accounting purposes, was based upon the value of the Class B common shares on the acquisition closing date. In addition, the Company reimbursed Teekay for $6.7 million of working capital it assumed from Teekay in connection with the 2014 purchase.
As a result of the Company's acquisition of a controlling interest in TTOL in May 2017, the Company's consolidated financial statements prior to the date the Company acquired the controlling interest have been retroactively adjusted to eliminate the equity method of accounting previously used for the original 50% interest owned and to include 100% of the assets and liabilities and results of TTOL on a consolidated basis during the periods TTOL and the Company were under common control of Teekay and had begun operations. The effect of adjusting such information to accounts in periods prior to the Company's acquisition of the remaining 50% thereof is included in the Entities under Common Control. All intercorporate transactions between the Company and TTOL that occurred prior to the acquisition by the Company have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Assets and liabilities of TTOL are reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at TTOL’s historical carrying values. The amount of the net consideration of $39.0 million that was in excess of TTOL’s historical carrying value of the net assets acquired of $13.3 million has been accounted for as a $25.7 million return of capital to Teekay.
The effect of adjusting the Company’s consolidated financial statements to account for the TTOL common control transaction decreased the Company’s net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 by $1.3 million and increased the Company's net income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 by $5.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively. The adjustments for the Entities under Common Control related to the TTOL transaction increased the Company’s revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 by $8.6 million, $23.6 million and $20.5 million, respectively.

In addition, prior to the acquisition TTOL had paid dividends to the Company and Teekay, which have now been accounted for as a return of capital on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The effect of adjusting for the TTOL common control transaction decreased the Company's inflow of cash from investing activities by $15.0 million and increased the Company's outflow of cash from financing activities by $15.0 million, for the year ended December 31, 2016.
4.
Public Offerings and Private Placements
The following table summarizes the issuances of common shares over the three years ending December 31, 2017:

F-13

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


Date
Number of Common Stock Issued
 
Offering Price
(Per Share)
 
Gross Proceeds
 
Net Proceeds
 
Teekay's Ownership After the Offering
 
Use of Proceeds
January 2015
3,000,000

(1) 

$4.57

 
13,716

 
13,685

 
25.5
%
 
 Acquisition of conventional tankers
July 2015
6,511,812

(2) 

$6.99

 
45,500

 
45,500

 
28.3
%
 
 Acquisition of the ship-to-ship transfer business
August 2015
13,630,075

(3) 

$6.65

 
90,640

 
90,640

 
28.8
%
 
 Acquisition of conventional tankers
August - October 2015
7,180,083

(3) 
$6.12 - $7.92

 
49,268

 
49,268

 
26.2
%
 
 Acquisition of conventional tankers
Continuous offering program during 2015
13,391,100

(4) 
$6.04 - $7.70

 
94,594

 
92,439

 
(4 
) 
 
 General purposes including acquisitions of conventional tankers
Continuous offering program during 2016
3,020,000

(5) 
$2.38 - $2.75

 
7,747

 
7,558

 
(5 
) 
 
General corporate purposes
January 2017
2,155,172

(6) 

$2.32

 
5,000

 
5,000

 
25.7
%
 
General corporate purposes
May 2017
13,775,224

(7) 

$1.88

 
25,897

 
25,897

 
31.4
%
 
Acquisition of controlling interest in TTOL
November 2017
88,977,544

(8) 

$1.70

 
151,262

 
151,262

 
24.1
%
 
TIL Merger
Continuous offering program during 2017
3,800,000

(9) 
$2.26 - $2.41

 
8,826

 
8,521

 
(9 
) 
 
General corporate purposes
(1)
In December 2014, the Company granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 3.0 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock from a December 2014 offering. The underwriters exercised this option and on January 2, 2015, the Company issued 3.0 million shares of Class A common stock for net proceeds of $13.7 million.
(2)
Represents Class B common shares issued to Teekay as consideration for the Company’s acquisition of the ship-to-ship transfer business. The shares had an approximate value of $45.5 million, or $6.99 per share, when the purchase price was agreed between the parties.
(3)
Represents 9.1 million shares of Class A common stock issued to the public and 4.5 million shares of Class A common stock issued to Teekay in a concurrent private placement. The proceeds from the issuances were used to acquire 12 modern Suezmax tankers from Principal Maritime Tankers (or Principal Maritime) (note 19). The Company also issued approximately 7.2 million shares of Class A common stock to Principal Maritime as partial consideration for the vessels acquired. The shares had an approximate value of $49.3 million and were based on market prices of the shares at the time each vessel was delivered.
(4)
In June 2015, the Company implemented a continuous offering program (or COP) under which the Company may issue shares of its Class A common stock at market prices up to a maximum aggregate amount of $80.0 million. The initial $80.0 million program was concluded in September 2015. The Company re-launched another $80.0 million COP in November 2015. The portion of the Company’s voting power and ownership held by Teekay at December 31, 2015 was 53.6% and 25.9%, respectively.
(5)
In December 2016, the Company re-opened its $80.0 million COP. The portion of the Company's voting power and ownership held by Teekay at December 31, 2016 was 52.9% and 25.4%, respectively.
(6)
Represents Class A common shares issued in a private placement to Teekay. The gross proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including to strengthen the Company's liquidity position and to delever its balance sheet.
(7)
Represents Class B common shares issued to Teekay as consideration for the Company's acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in TTOL, which shares had an approximate value of $25.9 million, or $1.88 per share, on the closing date of the transaction (note 6).
(8)
Represents Class A common shares issued to the shareholders of Tanker Investment Ltd. (TIL) as consideration for the Company's acquisition of the remaining 88.7% interest in TIL. The shares had an approximate value of $151.3 million, or $1.70 per share, on the closing date of the transaction (notes 6 and 22).
(9)
In January 2017, the Company re-opened its $80.0 million COP. The portion of the Company's voting power and ownership held by Teekay at December 31, 2017 was 54.1% and 28.8% respectively.
5.
Segment Reporting
On July 31, 2015, the Company acquired a ship-to-ship transfer business (or SPT) from a company jointly-owned by Teekay and a Norway-based marine transportation company, I.M. Skaugen SE (note 21). Following the acquisition, the Company has two reportable segments, its conventional tanker segment and its ship-to-ship transfer segment. The Company’s conventional tanker segment consists of the operation of all of its tankers, including the operations from TTOL and TIL, which were acquired during the year (notes 6 and 22) and those employed on full service lightering contracts. The Company’s ship-to-ship transfer segment consists of the Company’s lightering support services, including those provided to the Company’s conventional tanker segment as part of full service lightering operations and other related services. Segment results are evaluated based on income from operations. The accounting policies applied to the reportable segments are the same as those used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


F-14

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


The following table includes results for the Company’s revenue and income from operations by segment for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Conventional
Tanker
Segment
$
 
Ship-to-Ship
Transfer
Segment
$
 
Inter-segment
Adjustment (1)
$
 
Total
$
Revenues (2)
391,267

 
50,422

 
(10,511
)
 
431,178

Voyage expenses
(87,879
)
 
—

 
10,511

 
(77,368
)
Vessel operating expenses
(135,740
)
 
(39,649
)
 
—

 
(175,389
)
Time-charter hire expense
(25,666
)
 
(4,995
)
 
—

 
(30,661
)
Depreciation and amortization
(95,433
)
 
(5,048
)
 
—

 
(100,481
)
General and administrative expenses (3)
(29,539
)
 
(3,340
)
 
—

 
(32,879
)
(Loss) gain on sale of vessels
(13,034
)
 
50

 
—

 
(12,984
)
Income (loss) from operations
3,976


(2,560
)
 
—

 
1,416

Equity loss
(25,370
)
 
—

 
—

 
(25,370
)

Year Ended December 31, 2016
Conventional
Tanker
Segment
$
 
Ship-to-Ship
Transfer
Segment
$
 
Inter-segment
Adjustment (1)
$
 
Total
$
Revenues (2)
512,608

 
41,136

 
(3,201
)
 
550,543

Voyage expenses
(56,805
)
 
—

 
3,201

 
(53,604
)
Vessel operating expenses
(150,100
)
 
(32,498
)
 
—

 
(182,598
)
Time-charter hire expense
(57,368
)
 
(2,279
)
 
—

 
(59,647
)
Depreciation and amortization
(99,024
)
 
(5,125
)
 
—

 
(104,149
)
General and administrative expenses (3)
(29,432
)
 
(3,767
)
 
—

 
(33,199
)
(Loss) gain on sale of vessel
(20,926
)
 
332

 
—

 
(20,594
)
Income (loss) from operations
98,953

 
(2,201
)
 
—

 
96,752

Equity income
7,680

 
—

 
—

 
7,680

Year Ended December 31, 2015
Conventional
Tanker
Segment
$
 
Ship-to-Ship
Transfer
Segment
$
 
Inter-segment
Adjustment (1)
$
 
Total
$
Revenues (2)
516,943

 
18,587

 
(849
)
 
534,681

Voyage expenses
(18,379
)
 
(348
)
 
—

 
(18,727
)
Vessel operating expenses
(123,572
)
 
(14,441
)
 
849

 
(137,164
)
Time-charter hire expense
(74,860
)
 
(38
)
 
—

 
(74,898
)
Depreciation and amortization
(72,118
)
 
(1,642
)
 
—

 
(73,760
)
General and administrative expenses (3)
(28,418
)
 
(1,985
)
 
—

 
(30,403
)
Gain on sale of vessel
771

 
—

 
—

 
771

Restructuring charge
(6,468
)
 
(327
)
 
—

 
(6,795
)
Income (loss) from operations
193,899

 
(194
)
 
—

 
193,705

Equity income
11,528

 
—

 
—

 
11,528

(1)
The ship-to-ship transfer segment provides lightering support services to the conventional tanker segment for full service lightering operations and the pricing for such services is based on actual costs incurred per voyage commencing January 1, 2017 (2016 - based on estimated costs of approximately $25,000 per voyage).
(2)
Revenues, net of the inter-segment adjustment, earned from the ship-to-ship transfer segment are reflected in Other Revenues in the Company's consolidated statements of (loss) income.
(3)
Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of corporate resources). 


F-15

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


A reconciliation of total segment assets to total assets presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets is as follows:
 
As at
December 31, 2017
$
 
As at
December 31, 2016
$
Conventional Tanker
2,089,099

 
1,828,550

Ship-to-Ship Transfer
36,810

 
41,663

Cash and cash equivalents
71,439

 
94,157

Total assets
2,197,348

 
1,964,370

6.
Investments in and advances to Equity Accounted Investments
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
High-Q Joint Venture
24,546

 
22,025

Tanker Investments Ltd.
—

 
47,710

Gemini Tankers L.L.C.
914

 
916

Total
25,460

 
70,651


a.
The Company has a joint venture arrangement with Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings Limited (or Wah Kwong), whereby the Company has a 50% economic interest in the High-Q joint venture, which is jointly controlled by the Company and Wah Kwong. The High-Q joint venture owns one VLCC, which is trading on a fixed time charter-out contract expiring in the second quarter of 2018. Under the contract, the vessel earns a fixed daily rate and an additional amount if the daily rate of any sub-charter earned exceeds a certain threshold.
As at December 31, 2017, the High-Q joint venture has a loan outstanding with a financial institution with a balance of $42.7 million (December 31, 2016 - $48.5 million). The loan is secured by a first-priority mortgage on the VLCC owned by the High-Q joint venture and 50% of the outstanding loan balance is guaranteed by the Company. The High-Q joint venture has an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $42.7 million that expires in June 2018, 50% of which is guaranteed by the Company. The interest rate swap exchanges a receipt of floating interest based on 3-months LIBOR for a payment of a fixed rate of 1.47% every three months.
b.
In January 2014, the Company and Teekay formed TIL, a company whose shares were publicly traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange. TIL's primary business was to own and operate modern second-hand tankers. The Company purchased 2.5 million shares of common stock for $25.0 million and received a stock purchase warrant entitling it to purchase up to 750,000 additional shares of common stock of TIL (note 10 and 12c). The Company also received one preferred share, which entitled the Company to elect one Board member of TIL. The preferred share did not give the Company a right to any dividends or distributions of TIL.
In October 2014, the Company purchased an additional 0.9 million common shares of TIL on the open market. The common shares were acquired at a price of NOK 69 per share, or a purchase price of $10.0 million.
On May 31, 2017, the Company entered into a Merger Agreement to acquire the remaining 27.0 million issued and outstanding common shares of TIL, by way of a share-for-share exchange of 3.3 shares of Class A common stock of the Company for each of TIL common stock. Prior to the completion of the merger, the Company accounted for its 11.3% investment in TIL using the equity method. As the Company then accounted for its investment in TIL under the equity method, the Company was required to remeasure its previously held equity investment to fair value at the acquisition date. Based on the then pending transaction, the Company recognized an other than temporary impairment and remeasured its investment in TIL to fair value during the second quarter of 2017 based on the TIL share price at June 30, 2017, resulting in a write-down of $28.1 million presented in equity (loss) income on the consolidated statements of (loss) income. On November 27, 2017, the Company completed the merger with TIL and the Company remeasured its equity investment in TIL to fair value based on the relative share exchange value at the date of the acquisition, which resulted in the recognition of a gain of $1.4 million presented in equity (loss) income on the consolidated statements of (loss) income.
The stock purchase warrant was cancelled on completion of the merger. The stock purchase warrant was a derivative asset which had an estimated fair value of $nil as at December 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $0.3 million).
c.
In August 2014, the Company purchased from Teekay a 50% interest in TTOL, which owns conventional tanker commercial management and technical management operations and directly administers four commercially managed tanker revenue sharing arrangements. Teekay retained the remaining 50% interest in TTOL.
On May 31, 2017, the Company acquired from Teekay Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay, the remaining 50% interest in TTOL for $39.0 million, which included $13.1 million for assumed working capital (note 3). The Company issued approximately 13.8 million shares of the Company's Class B common stock to Teekay as consideration in addition to the working capital consideration of $13.1 million. As a result, the Company now consolidates TTOL and thus, all comparative periods have been retroactively adjusted to include TTOL on a consolidated basis (note 3) and TTOL's results are not included in the summary of equity accounted investment results below.

F-16

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


A condensed summary of the Company’s financial information for equity accounted investments (11.3% to 50.0% owned) shown on a 100% basis are as follows:
 
As at December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
Cash and cash equivalents
2,231

 
38,987

Other current assets
4,774

 
18,760

Vessels and equipment
83,417

 
815,961

Other non-current assets
—

 
20,558

 
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
5,616

 
43,677

Other current liabilities
572

 
10,442

Long-term debt
36,645

 
367,201

Other non-current liabilities
19,207

 
25,540


 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
 
2015
$
Revenues
107,691

 
169,631

 
234,398

Income from operations
11,640

 
62,998

 
112,542

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments
26

 
(244
)
 
(689
)
Net (loss) income
(8,967
)
 
39,536

 
85,647


For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded equity (loss) income of $(25.4) million (2016 - $7.7 million and 2015 – $11.5 million). Equity loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 is comprised of the Company’s share of net (loss) income from the High-Q joint venture, Gemini Tankers L.L.C. and from TIL for the period from January 1, 2017 until November 27, 2017, which includes an other than temporary impairment write-down of the investment in TIL (note 22). Equity income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is comprised of the Company's share of net income from the High-Q joint venture, TIL and Gemini Tankers L.L.C.
7.
Accrued Liabilities
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
Voyage and vessel
19,404

 
16,341

Corporate accruals
1,244

 
1,233

Interest and dividends
3,984

 
2,527

Payroll and benefits (note 14h)
9,976

 
8,562

Total
34,608

 
28,663

8.
Long-Term Debt
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
Revolving credit facilities due through 2022
539,735

 
466,195

Term loans due through 2021
423,512

 
475,466

Total principal
963,247


941,661

Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs
(10,945
)
 
(8,645
)
Total debt
952,302


933,016

Less: current portion
(166,745
)
 
(171,019
)
Non-current portion of long-term debt
785,557


761,997



F-17

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


As at December 31, 2017, the Company had three revolving credit facilities (or the Revolvers), which, as at such date, provided for available aggregate borrowings of up to $628.3 million, of which $88.6 million was undrawn (December 31, 2016 - $500.5 million, of which $34.3 million was undrawn). Interest payments are based on LIBOR plus margins, which at December 31, 2017 ranged between 0.45% and 2.75% (December 31, 2016 - 0.45% and 2.00%). The total amount available under the Revolvers reduces by $89.5 million (2018), $30.2 million (2019), $30.2 million (2020), $322.9 million (2021) and $155.5 million (2022). As at December 31, 2017 the Company also had three term loans outstanding, which totaled $423.5 million (December 31, 2016 - $475.5 million). Interest payments on the term loans are based on a combination of a fixed rate of 5.4% and variable rates based on LIBOR plus margins. As at December 31, 2017, the margin ranged from 0.30% to 2.00% (December 31, 2016 - 0.30% to 2.00%). The term loan repayments are made in quarterly or semi-annual payments. Two of the term loans also have a balloon or bullet repayment due at maturity in 2021. These revolving credit facilities and term loans are further described below.

In December 2017, the Company entered into a $270.0 million long-term debt facility (or the 2017 Revolver), which is scheduled to mature in December 2022. In December 2017, $215.8 million of the 2017 Revolver was used to refinance two of the Company's debt facilities that were assumed in the merger with TIL (note 22). These debt facilities were scheduled to mature in April 2019 and June 2020. The 2017 Revolver is collateralized by 14 of the Company's vessels, together with other related security. The 2017 Revolver also requires that the Company maintain a minimum hull coverage ratio of 125% of the total outstanding drawn balance for the facility period. Such requirement is assessed on a semi-annual basis with reference to vessel valuations compiled by two or more agreed upon third parties. Should the ratio drop below the required amount, the lender may request the Company either prepay a portion of the loan in the amount of the shortfall or provided additional collateral in the amount of the shortfall, at the Company's option. As of December 31, 2017, this ratio was 191%. The vessel values used in this ratio are appraised values prepared by the Company based on second-hand sale and purchase market data. A decline in the tanker market could negatively affect the ratio. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a minimum liquidity (cash, cash equivalents and undrawn committed revolving credit lines with at least six months to maturity) of $35.0 million and at least 5% of the Company's total consolidated debt.

In January 2016, the Company entered into a $894.4 million long-term debt facility (or the 2016 Debt Facility), consisting of both a term loan and a revolving credit component, which are both scheduled to mature in January 2021. In January 2016, $845.8 million of the 2016 Debt Facility was used to repay the Company’s two bridge loan facilities, which matured in late January 2016, and a portion of the Company’s corporate revolving credit facility, which was scheduled to mature in 2017. As at December 31, 2017 the corporate revolving credit facility had no outstanding balance (December 31, 2016 - $55.1 million). The 2016 Debt Facility is collateralized by 29 of the Company's vessels, together with other related security. The 2016 Debt Facility also requires that the Company maintain a minimum hull coverage ratio of 125% of the total outstanding drawn balance for the facility period. Such requirement is assessed on a semi-annual basis with reference to vessel valuations compiled by two or more agreed upon third parties. Should the ratio drop below the required amount, the lender may request the Company either prepay a portion of the loan in the amount of the shortfall or provide additional collateral in the amount of the shortfall, at the Company's option. As at December 31, 2017, this ratio was 145%. The vessel values used in this ratio are appraised values prepared by the Company based on second-hand sale and purchase market data. A decline in the tanker market could negatively affect the ratio. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a minimum liquidity (cash, cash equivalents and undrawn committed revolving credit lines with at least six months to maturity) of $35.0 million and at least 5% of the Company's total consolidated debt.

The Company's remaining Revolver is collateralized by three of the Company’s vessels, together with other related security, and requires that the Company’s applicable subsidiary maintain a minimum hull coverage ratio of 105% of the total outstanding drawn balance for the facility period. Such requirement is assessed on an annual basis, with reference to vessel valuations compiled by one or more agreed upon third parties. Should the ratio drop below the required amount, the lender may request the Company to either prepay a portion of the loan in the amount of the shortfall or provide additional collateral in the amount of the shortfall, at the Company's option. As at December 31, 2017, such revolver, with a minimum hull coverage ratio requirement, had an outstanding balance of $65.6 million (December 31, 2016 - $72.0 million) and a hull coverage ratio of 118% (December 31, 2016 - 117%). The vessel values used in this ratio are appraised values prepared by the Company based on second-hand sale and purchase market data. A decline in the tanker market could negatively affect the ratio. The revolver is guaranteed by Teekay and contains covenants that require Teekay to maintain the greater of free cash (cash and cash equivalents and undrawn committed revolving credit lines with at least six months to maturity) of $50.0 million and at least 5.0% of Teekay’s total consolidated debt which has recourse to Teekay.

The Company's remaining two term loans are guaranteed by Teekay and are collateralized by six of the Company’s vessels, together with certain other related security. One of the term loans contain covenants that require Teekay to maintain the greater of (a) free cash (cash and cash equivalents) of at least $50.0 million and (b) an aggregate of free cash and undrawn committed revolving credit lines with at least six months to maturity of at least 5.0% of Teekay’s total consolidated debt which has recourse to Teekay. The other term loan requires Teekay to maintain the greater of (a) free cash (cash and cash equivalents) of at least $100.0 million and (b) an aggregate of free cash and undrawn committed revolving credit lines with at least six months to maturity of at least 7.5% of Teekay's total consolidated debt which has recourse to Teekay.

As at December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all covenants in respect to the Revolvers and term loans. Teekay has also advised the Company that Teekay is in compliance with all covenants relating to the revolving credit facilities and term loans to which the Company is a party.

The weighted-average interest rate on the Company’s long-term debt as at December 31, 2017 was 3.5% (December 31, 2016 – 2.4%). This rate does not reflect the effect of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements (note 10).

The aggregate annual long-term principal repayments required to be made by the Company under the Revolvers and term loans subsequent to December 31, 2017 are $167.2 million (2018), $105.7 million (2019), $131.9 million (2020), $402.9 million (2021), and $155.5 million (2022).

F-18

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)



9.
Leases and Restricted Cash
Operating Leases
Charters-in
As at December 31, 2017, minimum commitments to be incurred by the Company under vessel operating leases by which the Company charters-in four vessels, including three workboats for the lightering support services, were approximately $11.7 million (2018), $8.3 million (2019), $8.3 million (2020) and $1.4 million (2021). The Company recognizes the expense from these charters, which is included in time-charter hire expense, on a straight-line basis over the firm period of the charters.
Charters-out
As at December 31, 2017, 16 of the Company’s vessels operated under fixed-rate time charter contracts with the Company’s customers, of which 15 contracts are scheduled to expire in 2018, and one contract is scheduled to expire in 2019. As at December 31, 2017, minimum scheduled future revenues to be received by the Company under time charters then in place were approximately $54.5 million, comprised of $51.9 million (2018) and $2.6 million (2019). The carrying amount of the Company's owned vessels which are employed on these time charters as at December 31, 2017, was $517.9 million (2016 - $471.7 million). The cost and accumulated depreciation of the vessels employed on these time charters as at December 31, 2017 were $754.2 million (2016 - $683.2 million) and $236.3 million (2016 - $211.5 million), respectively.

The minimum scheduled future revenues should not be construed to reflect total charter hire revenues for any of the years. Minimum scheduled future revenues do not include revenue generated from new contracts entered into after December 31, 2017, revenue from unexercised option periods of contracts that existed on December 31, 2017, or variable or contingent revenues. In addition, minimum scheduled future revenues presented above have been reduced by estimated off-hire time for period maintenance. Actual amounts may vary given unscheduled future events such as vessel maintenance.

Capital Lease Obligations
 
As at
 
December 31, 2017
 
$
Total obligations related to capital leases
148,908

Less: current portion
(7,227
)
Long-term obligations related to capital leases
141,681

In July 2017, the Company completed a $153.0 million sale-leaseback financing transaction with a financial institution relating to four of the Company's Suezmax tankers, the Athens Spirit, Beijing Spirit, Moscow Spirit and Sydney Spirit. Under this arrangement, the Company transferred the vessels to subsidiaries of the financial institution (or collectively, the Lessors) and leased the vessels back from the Lessors on bareboat charters for 12-year terms. The Company has the option to purchase each of the four vessels at any point between July 2020 and July 2029.
The Company understands that these vessels and lease operations are the only assets and operations of the Lessors. The Company operates the vessels during the lease term and as a result is considered to be, under US GAAP, the Lessors' primary beneficiary and therefore the Company consolidates the Lessors for financial reporting purposes.
The liabilities of the Lessors are loans and are non-recourse to the Company. The amounts funded to the Lessors in order to purchase the vessels materially match the funding to be paid by the Company's subsidiaries under the lease-back transaction. As a result, the amounts due by the Company's subsidiaries to the Lessors have been included in obligations related to capital leases as representing the Lessor's loans.
The bareboat charters also require that the Company maintain a minimum liquidity (cash, cash equivalents and undrawn committed revolving credit lines with at least 6 months to maturity) of $35.0 million and at least 5.0% of the Company's consolidated debt and obligations related to capital leases (excluding applicable security deposits reflected in restricted cash - long-term on the Company's consolidated balance sheets). In addition, the Company is required for each vessel to maintain a hull coverage ratio of 90% of the total outstanding principal balance during the first three years of the lease period and 100% of the total outstanding principal balance thereafter. Such requirement is assessed annually with reference to vessel valuations compiled by one or more agreed upon third parties. As at December 31, 2017, this ratio was approximately 105%. As at December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all covenants in respect of the obligations related to capital leases.
As at December 31, 2017, the remaining commitments under the four capital leases for Suezmax tankers was approximately $218.1 million, including imputed interest of $69.2 million, repayable from 2018 through 2029, as indicated below:

F-19

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


Year
 
Commitment
2018
 
$
16,237

2019
 
$
16,236

2020
 
$
16,279

2021
 
$
16,233

2022
 
$
16,232

Thereafter
 
$
136,846


Restricted Cash

The Company maintains restricted cash deposits relating to certain freight forward agreements (note 10) and leasing arrangements, which cash totaled $4.3 million and $0.8 million as at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
10.
Derivative Instruments
Interest rate swaps

The Company uses interest rate swaps in accordance with its overall risk management policies. The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements which exchange a receipt of floating interest for a payment of fixed interest to reduce the Company’s exposure to interest rate variability on its outstanding floating-rate debt. The Company has not designated, for accounting purposes, its interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of its U.S. Dollar denominated LIBOR borrowings.

In February 2016, in connection with the Company’s long-term debt facility entered into at that time, the Company entered into nine interest rate swaps. Four of the interest rate swaps commenced in October 2016, are scheduled to terminate in December 2020 and have notional amounts of $50.0 million each with fixed rates of 1.462%. The remaining five interest rate swaps commenced in the first quarter of 2016 and are scheduled to terminate in January 2021, of which one swap has a notional amount of $75.0 million, one swap has a notional amount of $50.0 million, and three swaps have notional amounts of $25.0 million each with fixed rates of 1.549%, 1.155% and 1.549%, respectively.

As at December 31, 2017, the Company was committed to the following interest rate swap agreements:
 
Interest Rate Index
 
Notional Amount
$
 
Fair Value /
Carrying Amount of
Asset
$
 
Remaining
Term
(years)
 
Fixed Interest
Rate (1)
LIBOR-Based Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps (2)
LIBOR
 
138,844

 
1,258

 
3.0
 
1.46%
U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps
LIBOR
 
150,000

 
2,548

 
3.0
 
1.55%
U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps
LIBOR
 
50,000

 
1,436

 
3.0
 
1.16%
(1)
Excludes the margin the Company pays on its variable-rate debt, which, as of December 31, 2017 ranged from 0.30% to 2.75%.
(2)
Notional amount reduces quarterly.

The Company is potentially exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparty to the interest rate swap agreements in the event that the fair value results in an asset being recorded. In order to minimize counterparty risk, the Company only enters into interest rate swap agreements with counterparties that are rated A- or better by Standard & Poor’s or A3 or better by Moody’s at the time transactions are entered into.

Stock purchase warrant

The Company had one stock purchase warrant which had entitled it to purchase up to 750,000 shares of common stock of TIL under certain conditions at pre-determined prices. The stock purchase warrant was not exercised and was canceled upon completion of the TIL merger in November 2017 (notes 6 and 22) and as a result, no value was recorded for this warrant on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017 (note 12).

Time-charter swap

Effective June 1, 2016, the Company entered into a time-charter swap agreement for 55% of two Aframax equivalent vessels. Under such agreement, the Company received $27,776 per day, less a 1.25% brokerage commission, and paid 55% of the net revenue distribution of

F-20

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


two Aframax equivalent vessels employed in the Company’s Aframax revenue sharing arrangement (or RSA), less $500 per day, for a period of 11 months plus an additional two months at the counterparty’s option. The purpose of the agreement was to reduce the Company’s exposure to spot tanker market rate variability for certain of its vessels that are employed in the Aframax RSA. The Company did not designate, for accounting purposes, the time-charter swap as a cash flow hedge. As of May 1, 2017, the time-charter swap counter-party did not exercise the two-month option and as such, the agreement was completed as of June 30, 2017.

Forward freight agreements

The Company uses forward freight agreements (or FFAs) in non-hedge-related transactions to increase or decrease its exposure to spot market rates, within defined limits. Net gains and losses from FFAs are recorded within realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments in the Company's consolidated statements of (loss) income. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had settled all outstanding FFAs.

The following table presents the location and fair value amounts of derivative instruments, segregated by type of contract, on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
 
Current portion of derivative assets
$
 
Derivative assets
$
 
Accrued liabilities
$
 
Current portion of derivative liabilities
$
As at December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Interest rate swap agreements
1,016

 
4,226

 
(39
)
 
—

 
1,016

 
4,226

 
(39
)
 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As at December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Interest rate swap agreements
—

 
4,251

 
(254
)
 
(1,108
)
     Stock purchase warrant
—

 
287

 
—

 
—

     Time-charter swap agreement
875

 
—

 
(667
)
 
—

 
875

 
4,538

 
(921
)
 
(1,108
)

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) relating to interest rate swaps, stock purchase warrant, the time-charter swap and FFAs are recognized in earnings and reported in realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments in the Company’s consolidated statements of (loss) income as follows:
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
$
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
$
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
$
Realized gains (losses) relating to:
 
 
 
 
 
     Interest rate swaps agreements
(994
)
 
(12,797
)
 
(9,790
)
     Stock purchase warrant
—

 
—

 
—

     Time-charter swap agreement
1,106

 
2,154

 
—

     Forward freight agreements
270

 
—

 
—

 
382

 
(10,643
)
 
(9,790
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to:
 
 
 
 
 
     Interest rate swaps agreements
2,099

 
13,681

 
7,686

     Stock purchase warrant
(287
)
 
(4,877
)
 
507

     Time-charter swap agreement
(875
)
 
875

 
—

 
937

 
9,679

 
8,193

Total realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
1,319

 
(964
)
 
(1,597
)
11.
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Other long-term liabilities primarily consists of freight tax liabilities and long-term deferred gains attributable to the Entities under Common Control.


F-21

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s freight tax liabilities which are recorded in its consolidated balance sheets in other long-term liabilities, from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017:

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits as at January 1
12,882

 
7,597

     Increases related to the TIL merger (note 22)
8,528

 
—

     Increases for positions related to the current year
1,910

 
6,777

     Changes for positions taken in prior years
3,641

 
(800
)
     Decreases related to statute of limitations
(907
)
 
(692
)
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits as at December 31
26,054

 
12,882


The Company does not presently anticipate its uncertain tax positions will significantly increase or decrease in the next 12 months; however, actual developments could differ from those currently expected. The tax years 2011 through 2017 remain open to examination by some of the major jurisdictions in which the Company is subject to tax.

The Company recognizes freight tax expenses in other expenses in its consolidated statements of (loss) income. Interest and penalties on freight tax expenses are included in the roll-forward schedule above and are approximately $4.2 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
12.
Fair Value Measurements
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash – The fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximates its carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets.

Long-term debt – The fair values of the Company’s fixed-rate and variable-rate long-term debt is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities and the current credit worthiness of the Company.

Long-term obligation related to capital leases - The fair values of the Company's long-term obligation related to capital leases is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities and the current credit worthiness of the Company.

Derivative instruments

a.
The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements are the estimated amounts that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates, and if the swap is not collateralized, the current credit worthiness of either the Company or the swap counterparties. The estimated amount is the present value of future cash flows. The inputs used to determine the future cash flows include the fixed interest rate of the swaps and market interest rates. Given the current volatility in the credit markets, it is reasonably possible that the amounts recorded as derivative assets and liabilities could vary by material amounts in the near term.

b.
The Company entered into a time-charter swap agreement for 55% of two Aframax equivalent vessels (note 10). The fair value of this derivative agreement was the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreement at the reporting date, based on the present value of the Company's projection of future Aframax spot market tanker rates, which were derived from current Aframax spot market tanker rates and estimated future rates, as well as an estimated discount rate.

Changes in fair value during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 for the Company's time-charter swap agreement, which is described below and was measured at fair value on the recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), are as follows:
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
$
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
$
Fair value asset - beginning of the year
875

 
—

Settlements
(1,106
)
 
(2,154
)
Realized and unrealized gain
231

 
3,029

Fair value asset - at the end of the year
—

 
875



F-22

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


The estimated fair value of the time-charter swap agreement as of December 31, 2016 was based upon an estimated average daily tanker rate of approximately $18,000 over the remaining duration of the contract. In developing and evaluating this estimate, the Company considered the tanker market fundamentals at the time, as well as the short and long-term outlook. A higher or lower average daily tanker rate would result in a higher or lower fair value liability. The time-charter agreement was completed as of December 31, 2017.

c.
During January 2014, the Company received a stock purchase warrant which entitled it to purchase up to 750,000 shares of the common stock of TIL (note 10). The estimated fair value of the stock purchase warrant was determined using a Monte-Carlo simulation and was based, in part, on the historical price of common shares of TIL, the risk-free interest rate, vesting conditions and the historical volatility of comparable companies. The estimated fair value of the stock purchase warrant as of December 31, 2016 was based on the historical volatility of comparable companies of 47.83%. On November 27, 2017, the merger of TIL was completed, resulting in TIL becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, warrants to purchase or acquire shares of common stock of TIL that had not been exercised as of the effective time of the merger, were canceled. As a result, no value was recorded for this warrant in the Company's consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2017 (notes 6b and 10).

Changes in fair value during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 for the TIL stock purchase warrant are as follows:
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
$
 
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
$
Fair value at the beginning of the year
287

 
5,164

Unrealized loss included in earnings
(287
)
 
(4,877
)
Fair value at the end of the year
—

 
287


The Company categorizes its fair value estimates using a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value as follows:

Level 1.
Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
Level 2.
Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3.
Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

The following table includes the estimated fair value, carrying value and categorization using the fair value hierarchy of those assets and liabilities that are measured at their estimated fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis, as well as certain financial instruments that are not measured at fair value.
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Carrying Amount Asset/ (Liability)
$
 
Fair Value Asset/ (Liability)
$
 
Carrying Amount Asset/ (Liability)
$
 
Fair Value Asset/ (Liability)
$
Recurring:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
Level 1
 
75,710

 
75,710

 
94,907

 
94,907

Derivative instruments (note 10)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements (1)
Level 2
 
5,242

 
5,242

 
3,143

 
3,143

Time-charter swap agreement (1)
Level 3
 
—

 
—

 
875

 
875

Stock purchase warrant
Level 3
 
—

 
—

 
287

 
287

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-recurring:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vessels held for sale (note 19)
Level 2
 
—

 
—

 
33,802

 
33,802

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances to equity accounted investments
Note (2)
 
9,930

 
Note (2)

 
10,480

 
Note (2)

Long-term debt, including current portion
Level 2
 
(952,302
)
 
(946,105
)
 
(933,016
)
 
(923,306
)
Obligations related to capital leases, including current portion
Level 2
 
(148,908
)
 
(147,401
)
 


 


(1)
The fair value of the Company's interest rate swap agreements and time-charter swap agreement at December 31, 2017 and 2016 exclude accrued interest expense which is recorded in accrued liabilities in these consolidated financial statements.

F-23

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


(2)
The advances to equity accounted investments together with the Company’s investments in the equity accounted investments form the net aggregate carrying value of the Company’s interests in the equity accounted investments in these consolidated financial statements. The fair values of the individual components of such aggregate interests are not determinable.
13.
Capital Stock
The authorized capital stock of Teekay Tankers Ltd. at December 31, 2017 was 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (2016 - 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock), with a par value of $0.01 per share (2016 - $0.01 per share), 285,000,000 shares of Class A common stock (2016 - 200,000,000 shares of Class A common stock), with a par value of $0.01 per share (2016 - $0.01 per share), and 100,000,000 shares of Class B common stock (2016 - 100,000,000 shares of Class B common stock), with a par value of $0.01 per share (2016 - $0.01 per share). The shares of Class A common stock entitle the holder to one vote per share while the shares of Class B common stock entitle the holder to five votes per share, subject to a 49% aggregate Class B common stock voting power maximum. As at December 31, 2017, the Company had 231.2 million shares of Class A common stock (2016 – 136.1 million), 37.0 million shares of Class B common stock (2016 – 23.2 million) and no shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding (2016 – nil).

Commencing in December 2015, the Company adopted a dividend policy under which quarterly dividends were set to range from 30% to 50% of its quarterly adjusted net income, subject to the discretion of its Board of Directors, with a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share under the Company's current policy, which is subject to change. Adjusted net (loss) income is a non-GAAP measure which excludes specific items affecting net (loss) income that are typically excluded by securities analysts in their published estimates of the Company's financial results. Prior to December 2015, the Company had a fixed dividend policy whereby annual dividends were set at an amount of $0.12 per share, payable quarterly. Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to share equally in any dividends that the Board of Directors declares from time to time out of funds legally available for dividends.

Upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock shall be entitled to share equally in all assets remaining after the payment of any liabilities and the liquidation preferences on any outstanding preferred stock. Shares of the Company’s Class A common stock are not convertible into any other shares of the Company’s capital stock. Each share of Class B common stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder thereof into one share of Class A common stock. Upon any transfer of shares of Class B common stock to a holder other than Teekay (or any of its affiliates or any successor to Teekay’s business or to all or substantially all of its assets), such shares of Class B common stock shall automatically convert into Class A common stock upon such transfer. In addition, all shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock if the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock beneficially owned by Teekay and its affiliates falls below 15% of the aggregate number of outstanding shares of common stock. All such conversions will be effected on a one-for-one basis.
Stock-based compensation
As at December 31, 2017, the Company had reserved under its 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan a total of 4,000,000 shares of Class A common stock for issuance pursuant to awards to be granted (2016 – 4,000,000 Class A common stock). For the year ended December 31, 2017, a total of nil shares (2016 – 9,358 shares, 2015 – 51,948 shares) of Class A common stock were granted and issued to the Company’s non-management directors as part of their annual compensation. The compensation relating to the granting of such stock has been included in general and administrative expenses in the amounts of nil, $35.0 thousand, and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

The Company also grants options and restricted stock units as incentive-based compensation under the Teekay Tankers Ltd. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan to certain non-management directors of the Company and to certain employees of Teekay subsidiaries that provide services to the Company. The Company measures the cost of such awards using the grant date fair value of the award and recognizes that cost, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period. The requisite service period consists of the period from the grant date of the award to the earlier of the date of vesting or the date the recipient becomes eligible for retirement. For stock-based compensation awards subject to graded vesting, the Company calculates the value for the award as if it was one single award with one expected life and amortizes the calculated expense for the entire award on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The compensation cost of the Company‘s stock-based compensation awards is reflected in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of (loss) income.

During 2017, the Company granted 0.4 million (2016 - 0.3 million; 2015 - nil) stock options with an exercise price of $2.23 per share (2016 - $3.74) to the Company’s non-management directors. These stock options have a ten-year term and vest immediately. The Company also granted 0.5 million (2016 - 0.2 million; 2015 - 58 thousand) stock options with an exercise price of $2.23 per share (2016 - $3.74; 2015 - $5.39) to an officer of the Company and to certain employees of Teekay subsidiary that provide services to the Company. Each stock option granted has a ten-year term and vests equally over three years from the grant date.

The weighted-average fair value of the stock options granted during 2017 was $0.67 per option (2016 - $0.87 per option; 2015 - $1.97 per option), estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following assumptions were used in computing the fair value of the stock options granted: expected volatility of 50.2% (2016 - 51.3%; 2015 - 49%); expected life of five years (2016 - five years; 2015 - five years); dividend yield of 5.0% (2016 - 7.8%; 2015 - 2.1%); and risk-free interest rate of 2.1% (2016 - 1.2%; 2015 - 1.4%). The expected life of the stock options granted was estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees of Teekay that receive stock options from Teekay. The expected volatility was based on historical volatility as calculated using historical data during the five years prior to the grant date.

F-24

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)



A summary of the Company’s stock option information for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 is as follows:

 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Options (#)
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price ($)
 
Options (#)
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price ($)
 
Options (#)
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price ($)
Outstanding - beginning of year
822,345

 
3.99

 
321,609

 
4.39

 
263,175

 
4.16

Granted
882,741

 
2.23

 
500,736

 
3.74

 
58,434

 
5.39

Forfeited / expired
(34,781
)
 
2.23

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Outstanding - end of year
1,670,305

 
3.10

 
822,345

 
3.99

 
321,609

 
4.39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercisable - end of year
1,055,250

 
3.34

 
530,034

 
3.97

 
188,920

 
4.13


A summary of the Company’s non-vested stock option activity and related information for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Options (#)
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value ($)
 
Options (#)
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value ($)
 
Options (#)
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value ($)
Outstanding non-vested stock options - beginning of year
292,311

 
4.02

 
132,689

 
4.75

 
110,829

 
4.25

Granted
486,329

 
2.23

 
216,043

 
3.74

 
58,434

 
5.39

Vested
(128,804
)
 
4.14

 
(56,421
)
 
4.64

 
(36,574
)
 
4.25

Forfeited / expired
(34,781
)
 
2.23

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Outstanding non-vested stock options - end of year
615,055

 
2.68

 
292,311

 
4.02

 
132,689

 
4.75


As of December 31, 2017, there was $0.3 million (2016 - $0.2 million, 2015 - $0.2 million) of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized $0.2 million (2016 - $0.1 million, 2015 - $0.1 million) of expenses related to the stock options granted to an officer of the Company and to certain employees of Teekay subsidiaries that provide services to the Company.

As at December 31, 2017, the intrinsic value of the outstanding in-the-money stock options was $nil (2016 - $nil; 2015 - $0.8 million) and the intrinsic value of the exercisable stock options was $nil (2016 - $nil; 2015 - $0.5 million). As at December 31, 2017, the weighted-average remaining life of options vested and expected to vest was 8.3 years (2016 - 8.5 years; 2015 - 8.6 years) and the weighted-average remaining life of the exercisable stock options was 8.0 years (2016 - 8.3 years; 2015 - 8.2 years).

During 2017, the Company granted 0.4 million (2016 - 0.3 million; 2015 - 0.2 million) restricted stock units to the officers of the Company and to certain employees of Teekay subsidiaries that provide services to the Company, with an aggregate fair value of $0.8 million (2016 - $1.0 million; 2015 - $1.0 million). Each restricted stock unit is equal in value to one share of the Company’s common shares plus reinvested dividends from the grant date to the vesting date. The restricted stock units vest equally over three years from the grant date. Any portion of a restricted stock unit award that is not vested on the date of a recipient’s termination of service is cancelled, unless their termination arises as a result of the recipient’s retirement and, in that case, the restricted stock unit award will continue to vest in accordance with the vesting schedule. Upon vesting, the value of the restricted stock unit awards, net of withholding taxes, is paid to each recipient in the form of common shares.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded an expense of $0.8 million (2016 - $1.4 million, 2015 - $1.4 million) related to the restricted stock units in general and administrative expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2017, 0.3 million restricted stock units (2016 - 0.4 million; 2015 - 0.4 million) with a market value of $0.6 million (2016 - $1.5 million; 2015 - $2.3 million) vested and that amount, net of withholding taxes, was paid to the grantees by issuing 0.2 million shares (2016 - 0.2 million shares; 2015 - 0.2 million shares) of Class A common stock.

F-25

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


14.
Related Party Transactions
a.
On November 27, 2017, the Company completed its merger with TIL. As consideration for the merger, the Company issued 88,977,544 Class A common shares to the TIL shareholders (other than the Company and its subsidiaries), including 8,250,000 shares to Teekay, for $151.3 million, or $1.70 per share (notes 4 and 22).
b.
On May 31, 2017, the Company acquired from Teekay Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay, the remaining 50% of TTOL which owns conventional tanker commercial management and technical management operations and directly administers four commercially-managed tanker revenue sharing arrangements (notes 3 and 6c). In August 2014, the Company purchased from Teekay its initial 50% ownership in TTOL.
c.
In January 2017, the Company issued 2,155,172 shares of Class A common stock in a private placement to Teekay at a price of $2.32 per share for gross proceeds of $5.0 million (note 4). In August 2015, the Company also issued 4.5 million shares of Class A common stock to Teekay in a private placement at a price of $6.65 per share for gross proceeds of $30.0 million (note 4).
d.
On July 31, 2015, the Company acquired SPT from a company jointly-owned by Teekay and a Norway-based marine transportation company, I.M. Skaugen SE (note 21) and on December 18, 2015 the Company acquired the Explorer Spirit and Navigator Spirit from TOO (note 3).
Management Fee – Related and Other
e.
Teekay and its wholly-owned subsidiary and the Company’s manager, Teekay Tankers Management Services Ltd. (or the Manager), provide commercial, technical, strategic and administrative services to the Company pursuant to a long-term management agreement (the Management Agreement). In addition, the Manager has subcontracted with TTOL and its affiliates to provide certain commercial and technical services to the Company, except for certain vessels acquired in the merger with TIL as they are technically managed by a third-party. Certain of the Company’s vessels participate in revenue sharing arrangements that, with the exception of a Medium Range revenue sharing arrangement, are managed by TTOL (or the Pool Manager). Amounts received and paid by the Company for such related party transactions for the periods indicated were as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
 
2015
$
Time-charter revenues (i)
—

 
5,404

 
392

RSA pool management fees and commissions (ii)
(2,799
)
 
(9,813
)
 
(10,445
)
Commercial management fees (iii)
(1,187
)
 
(1,870
)
 
(1,236
)
Vessel operating expenses - technical management fee (iv)
(8,775
)
 
(9,155
)
 
(7,039
)
Strategic and administrative service fees (v)
(21,185
)
 
(10,122
)
 
(8,356
)
Secondment fees (vi)
(382
)
 
—

 
—

Lay-up services revenues (vii)
33

 
302

 
—

LNG terminal services revenues (viii)
388

 
70

 
—

Technical management fee revenue (ix)
7,666

 
—

 
—

Service revenues (x)
1,939

 
—

 
—

Entities under Common Control (note 3)
 
 
 
 
 
    Time-charter revenues (xi)
—

 
—

 
4,558

     RSA pool management fees and commissions (ii)
2,799

 
9,813

 
10,445

     Commercial management fees (iii)
1,187

 
1,870

 
1,236

     Vessel operating expenses - technical management fee (iv)
—

 
—

 
(430
)
     Strategic and administrative service fees (v)
(7,026
)
 
(15,508
)
 
(14,701
)
     Secondment fees (vi)
(248
)
 
(644
)
 
(675
)
     Technical management fee revenues (ix)
4,890

 
11,742

 
10,413

     Service revenues (x)
1,772

 
5,482

 
4,023

i
In December 2015, immediately after the completion of the 2015 Acquired Business, the Company chartered-out the Navigator Spirit to Teekay under a fixed-rate time-charter contract, which was due to expire in July 2016. On May 18, 2016, the contract was transferred to the Americas Spirit, which subsequently expired on July 15, 2016.
ii.
The Company’s share of TTOL’s fees for revenue sharing arrangements are reflected as a reduction to net pool revenues from affiliates on the Company’s consolidated statements of (loss) income. The Company acquired the remaining 50% interest in TTOL on May 31, 2017 (notes 3 and note 6c). Subsequent to the acquisition, the Company's share of TTOL's fees has been eliminated.
iii.
The Manager’s commercial management fees for vessels on time-charter out contracts and spot-traded vessels are not included in the revenue sharing arrangement, which are reflected in voyage expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of (loss) income. Subsequent to the Company's acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in TTOL, the Company's share of the Manager's commercial management fees has been eliminated.

F-26

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


iv.
The cost of ship management services provided by the Manager has been presented as vessel operating expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of (loss) income.
v.
The Manager’s strategic and administrative service fees have been presented in general and administrative fees on the Company’s consolidated statements of (loss) income. The Company’s executive officers are employees of Teekay or subsidiaries thereof, and their compensation (other than any awards under the Company’s long-term incentive plan described in note 13) is set and paid by Teekay or such other subsidiaries. The Company reimburses Teekay for time spent by its executive officers on the Company’s management matters through the strategic portion of the management fee.
vi.
The Company pays secondment fees for services provided by some employees of Teekay. Secondment fees have been presented in general and administrative expenses on the Company's consolidated statements of (loss) income.
vii.
The Company recorded revenue of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to provide lay-up services to Teekay for two of its in-chartered vessels.
viii.
In November 2016, the Company's ship-to-ship transfer business signed an operational and maintenance subcontract with Teekay LNG Bahrain Operations L.L.C., an entity wholly owned by Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (or TGP), for the Bahrain LNG Import Terminal. The terminal is owned by Bahrain LNG W.I.L., a joint venture for which Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C., an entity wholly owned by TGP, has a 30% interest.
ix.
The Company receives reimbursements from Teekay who subcontracts technical management services from the Manager. These reimbursements have been presented in general and administrative expenses on the Company's consolidated statements of (loss) income.
x.
The Company recorded revenue of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 relating to TTOL's administration of certain revenue sharing arrangements and provision of certain commercial services to participants in the arrangements. The Company also recorded revenue of $1.8 million, $5.5 million and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, associated with the Entities under Common Control.
xi.
The Company recorded $4.6 million related to a time-charter out contract for the Explorer Spirit for the years ended December 31, 2015, associated with the Entities under Common Control. The vessel was under a fixed-rate time-charter contract with SPT which expired in September 2015.

f.
The Manager and other subsidiaries of Teekay collect revenues and remit payments for expenses incurred by the Company’s vessels. Such amounts, which are presented in the consolidated balance sheets in due from affiliates or due to affiliates, are without interest or stated terms of repayment. In addition, $8.7 million and $8.6 million were payable to the Manager as at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, for reimbursement of the Manager’s crewing and manning costs to operate the Company’s vessels and such amounts are included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The amounts owing from the revenue sharing arrangements (or RSAs), which are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as pool receivables from affiliates, are without interest and are repayable upon the terms contained within the applicable revenue sharing agreement. In addition, the Company had advanced $45.1 million and $35.7 million as at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, to the RSAs for working capital purposes. The Company may be required to advance additional working capital funds from time to time. Working capital advances will be returned to the Company when a vessel no longer participates in the applicable RSA, less any set-offs for outstanding liabilities or contingencies. These activities, which are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as due from affiliates, are without interest or stated terms of repayment.
g.
The Management Agreement provides for payment to the Manager of a performance fee in certain circumstances. If Gross Cash Available for Distribution for a given fiscal year exceeds $3.20 per share of the Company’s weighted average outstanding common stock (or the Incentive Threshold), the Company is generally required to pay a performance fee equal to 20% of all Gross Cash Available for Distribution for such year in excess of the Incentive Threshold. The Company did not incur any performance fees for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Cash Available for Distribution represents net income plus depreciation and amortization, unrealized losses from derivatives, non-cash items and any write-offs or other non-recurring items, less unrealized gains from derivatives and net income attributable to the historical results of vessels acquired by the Company from Teekay, prior to their acquisition by us, for the period when these vessels were owned and operated by Teekay. Gross Cash Available for Distribution represents Cash Available for Distribution without giving effect to any deductions for performance fees and reduced by the amount of any reserves the Company’s Board of Directors may establish during the applicable fiscal period that have not already reduced the Cash Available for Distribution.
h.
Pursuant to certain RSAs, TTOL provides certain commercial services to the RSA participants and administers the RSAs in exchange for a fee currently equal to 1.25% of the gross revenues attributable to each RSA participant’s vessels and a fixed amount per vessel per day which ranges from $275 to $350. Voyage revenues and voyage expenses of the Company’s vessels operating in these RSAs are pooled with the voyage revenues and voyage expenses of other RSA participants. The resulting net pool revenues, calculated on a time-charter equivalent basis, are allocated to the RSA participants according to an agreed formula. The Company accounts for the net allocation from the pools as “net pool revenue” on the consolidated statements of (loss) income. The pool receivable from affiliates as at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $15.6 million and $24.6 million, respectively.

i.
During 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred expenses of $14.1 million, $13.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively, to hire vessels from the Teekay Aframax RSA to perform full service lightering operations.

F-27

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


15.
Other Expense
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
 
2015
$
Income tax expense
(5,330
)
 
(7,511
)
 
(3,406
)
Foreign exchange gain
79

 
1,413

 
613

Other income
250

 
120

 
50

Total
(5,001
)

(5,978
)

(2,743
)
16.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
a.
The changes in non-cash working capital items related to operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 are as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
 
2015
$
Accounts receivable
14,353

 
(108
)
 
(5,765
)
Pool receivables from affiliates
16,193

 
38,137

 
(27,448
)
Due from affiliates
17,562

 
18,371

 
32,801

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
8,767

 
2,313

 
(6,267
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(13,996
)
 
(26,821
)
 
27,473

Due to affiliates
(32,641
)
 
(3,606
)
 
(12,735
)
Deferred revenue
(3,898
)
 
1,718

 
2,039

Other
(599
)
 
—

 
(8,443
)
Change in operating assets and liabilities
5,741


30,004


1,655


b.
Cash interest paid (including interest paid by the Entities under Common Control) during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 totaled $26.4 million, $38.5 million, and $22.8 million, respectively.
c.
In November 2017, the Company acquired the outstanding shares of TIL through issuing 89.0 million Class A common shares, which was treated as a non-cash transaction in the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows. As a result of this transaction, the Company acquired $37.6 million in cash and paid $6.8 million in transaction costs (note 22).
17.
Liquidity
Accounting standard ASC-205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern, requires management to assess if the Company will have sufficient liquidity to continue as a going concern for the one-year period following the issuance of its financial statements. The Company has a loan facility that is maturing in the third quarter of 2018 and expects that spot tanker rates in 2018 will be lower than those of 2017, resulting in lower cash flow from vessel operations.

Based on these factors, over the one-year period following the issuance of its financial statements, the Company expects it will need to obtain additional sources of financing, in addition to amounts generated from operations, to meet its minimum liquidity requirements under its financial covenants. These anticipated sources of financing include the refinancing of the loan facility maturing in the third quarter of 2018.

The Company is actively pursuing the alternatives described above, which it considers probable of completion based on the Company’s history of being able to refinance loan facilities for similar types of vessels and Teekay’s history of being able to obtain additional debt financing for existing vessels.

Based on the Company’s liquidity at the date these consolidated financial statements were issued, the liquidity it expects to generate from operations over the following year, and by incorporating the Company’s plans to raise additional liquidity that it considers probable of completion, the Company estimates that it will have sufficient liquidity to continue as a going concern for at least the one-year period following the issuance of these consolidated financial statements.

F-28

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


18.
(Loss) Earnings Per Share
The net (loss) income available for common shareholders and (loss) earnings per common share presented in the table below excludes the results of operations of the Entities under Common Control which were purchased solely with cash (note 3).
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
$
 
2016
$
 
2015
$
Net (loss) income
(58,023
)
 
67,823

 
183,626

Less: Net income attributable to the Entities under Common Control (1)
—

 
—

 
(2,708
)
Net (loss) income available for common shareholders
(58,023
)

67,823


180,918

Weighted-average number of common shares - basic (2)
187,235,377

 
170,098,572

 
143,911,452

Dilutive effect of stock-based awards
—

 
242,067

 
581,481

Weighted average number of common shares - diluted (2)
187,235,377


170,340,639


144,492,933

(Loss) earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
- Basic
(0.31
)
 
0.40

 
1.26

- Diluted
(0.31
)
 
0.40

 
1.25

(1)
Includes net income of the 2015 Acquired Business of $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
(2)
The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for periods prior to May 2017 has been retroactively adjusted to include the approximately 13.8 million shares of the Company's Class B common stock issued to Teekay as consideration for the acquisition of 50% of TTOL in May 2017.

Stock-based awards, which have an anti-dilutive effect on the calculation of diluted earnings per common share, are excluded from this calculation. In the years where a loss attributable to shareholders has been incurred, all stock-based awards are anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, 14 thousand and nil restricted stock units, respectively, had an anti-dilutive effect on the calculation of diluted earnings per common share. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, options to acquire 0.7 million shares, and 44 thousand shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, respectively, had an anti-dilutive effect on the calculation of diluted earnings per common share.
19.
Vessel Sales and Vessel Acquisitions
Vessel Sales
During 2017, the Company completed the sales of three Aframax tankers which were delivered to their respective buyers in June 2017, September 2017 and November 2017. The Company recognized an aggregate loss on sale of the vessels of $11.2 million.

In July 2017, the Company completed a $153.0 million sale-leaseback financing transaction relating to four of the Company's Suezmax tankers (note 9).

The Company's consolidated statement of (loss) income for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes an aggregate loss on sale of vessels of $20.6 million of two Medium Range (or MR) tankers and two Suezmax tankers. One MR tanker was sold in November 2016 for a sales price of $13.2 million, and the Company recognized a loss on sale of the vessel of $8.1 million. The other MR tanker was sold in August 2016 for a sales price of $14.0 million, and the Company recognized a loss on sale of the vessel of $6.6 million.

In November 2016, the Company sold two lightering support vessels related to the ship-to-ship transfer business for an aggregate sales price of $0.4 million, and recognized a gain on sale of the vessels of $0.3 million.

In October 2016, the Company entered into agreements to sell two Suezmax tankers, for an aggregate sales price of $33.8 million. The two vessels had been classified as vessels held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and were written down to their agreed sales price. The Company recognized a loss on sale of vessels of $6.2 million in 2016. One Suezmax tanker was delivered to its respective buyer in January 2017. The Company recognized a loss on the sale of the vessel of $0.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. In February 2017, the date of delivery of the other Suezmax tanker to its owner was extended, and as a result, the sales price was reduced by $1.3 million. The vessel sale was completed in March 2017, and the Company recognized a loss on sale of the vessel of $1.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017.

In November 2015, the Company sold one conventional tanker for a sales price of $11.2 million. The Company recognized a gain on sale of the vessel of $0.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2015.
Vessel Acquisitions
In August 2015, the Company agreed to acquire 12 modern Suezmax tankers from Principal Maritime. As of December 31, 2015, all 12 of the vessels had been delivered for a total purchase price of $661.3 million, consisting of $612.0 million in cash and approximately 7.2 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock which were directly issued to Principal Maritime and which are treated as a non-cash

F-29

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


transaction in the consolidated statements of cash flow. The value of these shares was approximately $49.3 million. To finance the cash portion of the acquisition price, the Company secured a $397.2 million loan facility with a maturity date of January 29, 2016. The loan was fully drawn as of December 31, 2015. In addition, the Company issued approximately 13.6 million shares of its Class A common stock for net proceeds of $90.6 million, including approximately 4.5 million shares which were issued to Teekay (note 4). The Company financed the remainder of the cash purchase price with existing liquidity. The loan facility was refinanced in January 2016 (note 8).
20.
Other Revenues and Restructuring Charges
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized $39.9 million (2016 - $37.9 million; 2015 - $17.7 million) of revenue from its lightering support operations (note 5), $12.9 million (2016 - $13.8 million; 2015 - $9.5 million) of revenue related to its commercial ship management services and $0.6 million related to a profit-sharing arrangement with a in-chartered vessel. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company amortized $1.2 million (2015 - $4.8 million) of its in-process revenue contracts which is included in other revenues on the consolidated statements of (loss) income.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized $6.8 million of restructuring charges, of which $4.4 million related to the termination of the employment of certain seafarers upon the expiration of a time-charter out contract and $2.0 million related to cancellation fees paid to Anglo-Eastern during the first quarter of 2015 in connection with the acquisition of its 49% share in Teekay Marine Ltd. The $4.4 million termination charge was recovered from the customer and the recovery is reflected in other revenues on the consolidated statements of (loss) income. In addition, $0.3 million of restructuring charges related to severance payments made by the Company in relation to the acquisition of the ship-to-ship business (see note 21).
21.
Acquisition of SPT
On July 31, 2015, the Company acquired SPT from a company jointly-owned by Teekay and a Norway-based marine transportation company, I.M. Skaugen SE, for a cash purchase price of $47.3 million (including $1.8 million for working capital). To finance this acquisition, Teekay subscribed for approximately 6.5 million shares of the Company’s Class B common stock at a subscription price of approximately $6.99 per share. SPT provides a full suite of ship-to-ship transfer services in the oil, gas and dry bulk industries. In addition to full service lightering and lightering support, it also provides consultancy and LNG terminal management services. This acquisition established the Company as a global company in the ship-to-ship transfer business, which increases the Company’s fee-based revenue and its overall fleet utilization. As at July 31, 2015, SPT owned and operated a fleet of six ship-to-ship support vessels and had one chartered-in Aframax tanker. See note (3) to the table below.

The following table summarizes the final estimates of fair values of the SPT assets acquired and liabilities assumed by the Company on the acquisition date. The acquisition of SPT was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, based upon estimates of fair value at the acquisition date as finalized in the final purchase price allocation in the first quarter of 2016. Such estimates of fair value resulted in an increase in goodwill of $8.1 million and a decrease in intangible assets by $8.4 million from preliminary estimates. Such changes did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated statements of (loss) income for 2016.
 
As at
July 31, 2015
$
ASSETS
 
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term restricted cash
1,292

Accounts receivable
10,332

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
3,763

Vessels and equipment
6,475

Other assets
143

Intangible assets subject to amortization
 
     Customer relationships (1)
17,901

     Customer contracts (1)
4,599

Goodwill (2)
8,059

Total assets acquired
52,564

LIABILITIES
 
Accounts payable
(3,650
)
Accrued liabilities
(3,276
)
Total liabilities assumed
(6,926
)
Net assets acquired (3)
45,638

(1)
The customer relationships and customer contracts are being amortized over a weighted average amortization period of 10 years and 7.6 years, respectively. As at December 31, 2017, the gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization and net carrying amount were $22.5 million, $8.0 million and $14.5 million (2016 - $22.5 million, $4.8 million and $17.7 million; 2015 - $30.9 million, $1.3 million and $29.6 million), respectively. Amortization of intangible assets for the five fiscal years subsequent to 2017 is expected to be $2.9 million (2018), $2.2 million (2019), $2.0 million (2020), $1.8 million (2021), $1.6 million (2022) and $4.0 million (thereafter).

F-30

TEEKAY TANKERS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. dollars, other than share or per share data)


(2)
Goodwill recognized from this acquisition attributed $1.9 million to the Company's conventional tanker segment and $6.2 million to the Company's ship-to-ship transfer segment.
(3)
Prior to the SPT acquisition date, SPT had in-chartered the Explorer Spirit (formerly known as the SPT Explorer) from Teekay, which was acquired by the Company in December 2015. Retroactively adjusting the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the acquisition of the Explorer Spirit has resulted in $1.4 million of the SPT acquisition purchase price being characterized as the settlement of a pre-existing relationship. Such amount was accounted for as a reduction to revenue on the SPT acquisition date.

Operating results of SPT are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements commencing July 31, 2015, the effective date of acquisition. The following table provides comparative summarized consolidated pro forma financial information for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015, giving effect to the Company’s acquisition of SPT as if it had taken place on January 1, 2015:

 
Unaudited
Pro Forma
Year ended
December 31,
2015
$
Revenues
570,381

Net income
178,266

Earnings per common share:
 
Basic
1.33

Diluted
1.33

22.
Acquisition of Tanker Investments Ltd.
On May 31, 2017, the Company entered into a Merger Agreement to acquire the remaining 27.0 million issued and outstanding common shares of TIL, by way of a share-for-share exchange of 3.3 shares of Class A common stock of the Company for each TIL common stock. On November 17, 2017, the Company's shareholders voted in favor of increasing the authorized number of its Class A common shares to permit the issuance of Class A common shares as consideration for the merger with TIL. Concurrently, the merger was approved by the shareholders of TIL. The Company amended its amended and restated articles of incorporation and completed the merger on November 27, 2017, as a result of which TIL became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. As consideration for the merger, the Company issued 88,977,544 Class A common shares to the TIL shareholders (other than the Company and its subsidiaries) for $151.3 million, or $1.70 per share.

Pursuant to this acquisition, the Company acquired a modern fleet of 10 Suezmax tankers, six Aframax tankers and two Long Range 2 (or LR2) product tankers with an average age of 7.3 years, assumed $47.1 million of net working capital and other long-term liabilities and assumed long-term debt with a principal balance outstanding of $338.9 million. The merger with TIL was accounted for as an acquisition of assets. The purchase price of the acquisition consisted of the fair value of the Company's shares issued on the merger date ($151.3 million), the transaction costs associated with the merger ($6.8 million) and the fair value of the Company's 11.3% pre-existing ownership in TIL at the close of the merger ($19.2 million), for a total acquisition cost of $177.3 million. Net working capital and other long-term liabilities of $47.1 million and $337.1 million of long-term debt assumed were recognized at their fair values on November 27, 2017. The remaining amount of the purchase price was allocated to vessels ($467.1 million) and existing time-charter contracts ($0.2 million), on a relative fair value basis.
23.
Subsequent Events
On March 21, 2018, the Company increased the authorized number of Class A common stock issuable under its 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan by 6.0 million shares.

F-31