SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of September, 2004
CP SHIPS LIMITED
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Translation of Registrant's Name Into English)
62-65 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DY, United Kingdom
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F Form 40-F X
----- ---
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information
to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.
Yes No X
----- -----
(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-____________.
This report furnished on Form 6-K shall be incorporated by reference
into each of the following Registration Statements under the Securities Act of
1933 of the registrant:
Form S-8 No. 333-13954
Page 1 of 57 Pages
Exhibits Index appears on Page 4
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CP SHIPS LIMITED
----------------
(Registrant)
Date: 7 September 2004
By: /s/ John K. Irving
--------------------------
Name: John K. Irving
Title: Vice President, General
Counsel & Secretary
3
Exhibits Index
The following is a list of Exhibits included as part of this Report on
Form 6-K.
Description of Exhibit Page
---------------------- ----
10.2 Revised 2003 Annual Information Form 5
4
Exhibit 10.2
REVISED 2003 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
5
CP SHIPS
REGIONAL FOCUS o GLOBAL SCALE
CP SHIPS LIMITED
REVISED 2003 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
As of 3rd September 2004
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENT
<S> <C>
Forward Looking Statements........................................................................3
Notes to Readers..................................................................................3
Currency Exchange Rates...........................................................................4
Corporate Structure...............................................................................5
General Development of the Business...............................................................6
Significant Acquisitions.................................................................6
Trends...................................................................................7
Narrative Description of the Business.............................................................8
Overview.................................................................................8
Competitive Strengths....................................................................8
Strategy.................................................................................9
Service.................................................................................10
Markets and Trade Lanes.................................................................11
Joint Service Agreements................................................................16
Operations..............................................................................18
Sales and Marketing.....................................................................23
Customers...............................................................................24
Competition.............................................................................24
Employees ..............................................................................25
Insurance...............................................................................25
Security................................................................................26
Regulatory Matters......................................................................26
Environmental Regulations...............................................................29
Selected Consolidated Financial Information......................................................32
Consolidated Statements of Income Data..................................................32
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data.........................................................33
Dividend Policy.........................................................................35
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations............36
Market for Securities............................................................................36
Directors and Management.........................................................................36
Directors...............................................................................36
Management..............................................................................39
Committees of the Board of Directors....................................................40
Description of Indebtedness and Other Obligations and Taxation of CP Ships and subsidiaries......42
Indebtedness Corporate Structure........................................................42
Revolving Credit Facility...............................................................43
10-3/8% Senior Notes due 2012...........................................................44
4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024.......................................45
Pacific Class Vessel Loan...............................................................46
Capital Leases..........................................................................46
Operating Leases........................................................................48
Capital Commitments.....................................................................50
Taxation of CP Ships and Subsidiaries...................................................50
Additional Information...........................................................................52
2
</TABLE>
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Information Form ("AIF") and the documents incorporated by
reference into it contain certain forward-looking information and statements
within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 relating, but not limited, to operations, anticipated or prospective
financial performance, results of operations, business prospects and strategies
of CP Ships Limited ("CP Ships"). These statements can be found in General
Development of the Business (Trends), Narrative Description of the Business
(Strategy, Ship Replacement Program) and elsewhere in this document.
Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as
"consider," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "plan," "intend," "likely" or
similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook on
future changes in volumes, freight rates, costs, achievable cost savings, the
estimated amounts and timing of capital expenditures, anticipated future debt
levels and incentive fees or revenue, or other expectations, beliefs, plans,
objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or
performance. Readers should be aware that these statements are subject to known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking
statements.
Although CP Ships believes it has reasonable basis for making the
forecasts or projections included in this AIF, readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. By its nature, the
forward-looking information of CP Ships involves numerous assumptions, inherent
risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the
possibility that the predictions, forecasts and other forward-looking statements
will not occur. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in
business strategies; general global, political and economic and business
conditions, including the length and severity of any economic slowdown in the
countries and regions where CP Ships operates, including seasonality,
particularly in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australasia, Asia and
Europe; the effects of competition and pricing pressures; industry
over-capacity; changes in demand for container shipping; availability and cost
of chartered ships; changes in laws and regulations, including tax,
environmental, employment, competition, anti-terrorism and trade laws;
difficulties in implementing a cost savings program; currency exposures and
exchange rate fluctuations, fuel price and interest rate fluctuations; changes
in access to capital markets and other sources of financing; various events
which could disrupt operations, including war, acts of terrorism, severe weather
conditions and external labour unrest, all of which may be beyond CP Ships'
insurance coverage; compliance with security measures by governmental and
industry trade practise groups and CP Ships' anticipation of and success in
managing the risks associated with the foregoing.
The above list of important factors affecting forward-looking
information is not exhaustive. CP Ships undertakes no obligation, except as
required by law, to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
or the above list of factors affecting this information.
NOTE TO READERS
On 16th August 2004, CP Ships restated its financial statements for
the years ended 31st December 2003 and 2002 to reflect increases in container
shipping costs and reductions in revenues and net income. This AIF has been
amended to reflect the restatement. The information contained in the AIF is as
of 31st December 2003 (as restated), unless otherwise indicated.
3
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES
Unless otherwise specified, the financial information relating to CP
Ships contained in this AIF is expressed in U.S. dollars (US$). Certain
financial information originates in currencies other than U.S. dollars and has
been converted into U.S. dollars based on prevailing exchange rates, except for
financial information extracted from the consolidated financial statements of CP
Ships.
The following tables set out, for each period indicated, the high,
low, average and period end exchange rate for U.S. dollars expressed in Canadian
dollars (C$) based on the noon buying rate in New York City as certified by the
New York Federal Reserve Bank for customs purposes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12 months ended 31st December
-----------------------------
2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar
High in the period 1.5750 1.6128 1.6023
Low in the period 1.2923 1.5108 1.4933
Rate at end of period 1.2923 1.5800 1.5925
Average rate for the period(1) 1.4013 1.5704 1.5487
2004
----
March February January
----- -------- -------
Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar
High in the period 1.3480 1.3442 1.3340
Low in the period 1.3080 1.3108 1.2690
Rate at end of period 1.3100 1.3405 1.3265
</TABLE>
----------
(1) The average of the exchange rate on the last day of each month during
the period.
On 31st March 2004, the noon buying rate in New York City as certified
by the New York Federal Reserve Bank for customs purposes was C$1.31 per $1.00.
4
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
CP Ships subsists under the New Brunswick Business Corporations Act
(Corporation number 515878). The registered office of CP Ships is located at
Brunswick House, 44 Chipman Hill, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2L 4Z6. The
head office of CP Ships is located at 2 City Place, Beehive Ring Road, Gatwick
Airport, West Sussex, RH6 0PA, United Kingdom and its telephone number is
+44-1293 866200.
The diagram below illustrates the corporate structure of CP Ships
including CP Ships' principal subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned,
directly or indirectly, and their jurisdiction of incorporation. Certain
subsidiaries of CP Ships which are not material to its business have not been
included in this chart.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
-----------------------
| |
| CP Ships Limited (1) |
| (New Brunswick) |
| |
-----------------------
|
|
----------//---------------|----------//----------------
| | |
| | |
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
| Cast Terminal | | CP Ships (Bermuda) | | Racine Terminal |
| Company | | Limited (2) | | (Montreal) Company |
| (Nova Scotia) | | (Bermuda) | | (Nova Scotia) |
| | | | | |
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
|
|
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------
| | | |
/ / / /
/ / / /
| | | |
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
|Container Equipment| | CP Ships (UK) | | Lykes Lines | | TMM Lines Limited,|
|Leasing Limited (3)| | Limited (4) | | Limited, LLC (6) | | LLC (7) (Delaware)|
| (Bermuda) | |(England and Wales)| | (Delaware) | | |
| | | | | | | |
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
|
|
|
|
--------------------
| Italia di |
| Navigazione LLC (5)|
| (Delaware) |
| |
--------------------
</TABLE>
(1) CP Ships owns a 100% interest in Racine Terminal (Montreal) Company and
Cast Terminal Company indirectly through CP Ships (Canada) Holdings
Company, which is incorporated in Nova Scotia.
(2) CP Ships (Bermuda) Limited holds a 100% interest in (i) CP Ships (UK)
Limited indirectly through three intermediate holding companies, one of
which is incorporated in Bermuda and the other two in England and Wales,
(ii) TMM Lines Limited, LLC and Lykes Lines Limited, LLC indirectly
through two intermediate holding companies incorporated in Bermuda.
(3) Owns and leases CP Ships' containers.
(4) Services are marketed under the following brands: Canada Maritime, Cast,
Contship Containerlines and ANZDL.
(5) Services are marketed under the Italia Line brand.
(6) Services are marketed under the Lykes Lines brand.
(7) Services are marketed under the TMM Lines brand.
5
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
On 1st October 2001, CP Ships' former parent, Canadian Pacific Limited
("CPL"), reorganized and divided into five separate companies. As a result, CP
Ships became an independent publicly listed company on the Toronto Stock
Exchange ("TSX") and New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on 3rd October 2001. CP
Ships' maritime roots date back to 1886 when CPL established a marine service to
Asia to generate volume for the Pacific terminal of its newly completed
trans-Canada railway. CPL began operating a shipping business on the Atlantic in
1903. In 1968, CPL reorganized its North Atlantic shipping operations to
concentrate on container services and in 1984, co-founded Canada Maritime,
purchasing the minority interest in 1993.
Since 1993, CP Ships has grown substantially both through organic
growth and through strategic acquisitions where it has established a record of
successfully improving the operations and the profitability of acquired
businesses. CP Ships focuses on maintaining and improving results of acquired
businesses by increasing volumes, enhancing operating efficiencies, reducing
costs, improving the organization and building brand strength.
Significant Acquisitions
Since 1993, CP Ships has successfully completed the nine acquisitions
listed below. The remarks include the condition of each business at the time of
acquisition. Other than Ivaran Lines and CCAL, which have been merged into Lykes
Lines, each of the other acquired businesses continues as a significant brand in
CP Ships' current operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Acquisition Remarks
---- ----------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
1993 Canada Maritime Purchase of 43% minority
1995 Cast Bankrupt
1997 Lykes Lines Bankrupt
1997 Contship Containerlines Profitable
1998 Ivaran Lines Unprofitable
1998 ANZDL Profitable
1999 TMM Lines Unprofitable; 50/50 joint venture
2000 TMM Lines Acquired the remaining 50%
2000 CCAL Small
2002 Italia Line Breakeven
</TABLE>
In January 1993, CP Ships acquired the 43% minority interest in Canada
Maritime which it did not already own. This acquisition permitted it to plan
more effectively as the sole shareholder.
In April 1995, Cast was acquired out of a bankruptcy proceeding. A new
management team was appointed and Cast's service offering and organization were
revitalized. Both Canada Maritime and Cast operate services on the TransAtlantic
market between Europe and Montreal, serving the U.S./Canada market.
CP Ships acquired Lykes Lines in July 1997, also out of bankruptcy.
This acquisition extended its TransAtlantic coverage to the U.S. East and Gulf
Coasts. The same management team that had turned around Cast restructured Lykes
Lines' services, repositioned its marketing strategy, reorganized the management
structure and implemented cost reduction programs.
The acquisition of Contship Containerlines in October 1997 provided CP
Ships with a platform to enter other markets, principally Australasia. Contship
Containerlines' Gulf-Mediterranean service complemented Lykes Lines' service in
that trade lane. Contship Containerlines also operates Round-the-World Services.
6
Ivaran, which was acquired in May 1998, extended CP Ships' coverage to
the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast-South America trade lanes. This acquisition
permitted it to secure trade lane economies of scale and cost synergies. The
Ivaran brand name was replaced by Lykes Lines in 2000.
In December 1998, CP Ships acquired ANZDL, the market leader in the
U.S. West Coast-Australasia trade lane. ANZDL also offered CP Ships improved
economies of scale and operating and cost synergies in the Australasian market.
In January 1999, CP Ships formed the Americana Ships joint venture
with Transportacion Maritima Mexicana SA de CV ("TMMsa") in order to create a
strong regional competitor in the U.S. Gulf, Mexico, Central and South American
trade lanes. The 50/50 joint venture combined services in this region, Lykes
Lines and Ivaran Lines, with TMM Lines, the container shipping business of
TMMsa. Effective 1st January 2000, CP Ships acquired TMMsa's 50% interest in the
Americana Ships joint venture.
In August 2000, CP Ships purchased Christensen Canadian African Lines
("CCAL"), which provides services between Montreal and the U.S. East Coast and
South Africa, building on Lykes Lines' position in the South Africa trade lane.
CCAL now operates under the Lykes Lines brand name.
In August 2002, CP Ships acquired from d'Amico Societa di Navigazione
S.p.A. and others all of the issued and outstanding shares of Italia di
Navigazione S.p.A., an Italian company headquartered in Genoa, Italy. Italia
Line operated services between the Mediterranean-West Coast North America,
Mediterranean-Central and South America, West Coast North America-West Coast
Central and South America, and Intra-Central and South America. On 31st January
2004, the registered office of Italia was moved to Delaware, USA and the name
changed to Italia di Navigazione LLC.
Trends
Between 1996 and 1998, container shipping capacity grew faster than
demand for container shipping services. This situation, coupled with the Asian
economic crisis in 1998, caused a sharp decline in industry profitability in
1998. In 1999, improved container volumes due to higher demand, combined with
lower deliveries of new ship capacity, led to an improved balance between supply
and demand and to higher freight rates, particularly in the Asian export
markets. In 2000, stable freight rates and a further improved balance between
supply and demand generally resulted in substantially improved profitability
among carriers. Since the Asian economic crisis in 1998, the industry has
demonstrated a greater willingness to rationalize services on all trade lanes,
mainly through joint service agreements and slot charter agreements. Carriers
also successfully adjusted to deregulation of the industry in the United States
that occurred in 1998. In 2001, growth in global container shipping capacity
outpaced the 3.8% growth in international container trade growth which was
adversely affected by the global economic slowdown, particularly in the U.S.
These combined factors had a negative impact on the industry's profitability in
2001. In 2002, global container capacity growth grew at 10.4% and growth in
international container trade grew at 10.2%, narrowing the gap between supply
and demand.
In 2003 global container capacity growth was 9.4% with strong growth
in international container trade at 12.1%, driven by growth in the Asian
markets. This strong demand led to improved trading conditions in 2003 and
improved industry profitability.
CP Ships recorded an improvement in profits(1) during 2003 despite
significant pressure on costs and strong competition in most of our trade lanes.
Both volume and revenue were CP Ships records. Container carryings at 2.2
million teu were 9% higher than 2002, reflecting strong growth in TransAtlantic,
Latin America and Asia, partly offset by lower volume in Australasia. Revenue(1)
at $3.13 billion was 16% higher than $2.69 billion in 2002. The average freight
rate, which excludes inland transport and slot charter revenue, increased 7% in
2003 due to better market conditions in most trade lanes. These improvements
were partially offset by higher operating costs. Cost per teu for 2003 was up by
7% compared to 2002 due mainly to three factors: firstly, the estimated net
effect of the weaker US$ was adverse by $57 million; secondly, fuel costs
---------------------
(1) As restated (see Note 6 under the heading to Selected Consolidated
Financial Information for further information).
7
were up $71 million, of which $38 million was from higher price; thirdly,
charters for 26 ships were renewed in 2003, nearly all at higher rates with an
estimated adverse impact of $17 million. The annualized effect of these charter
renewals is $34 million. Other operating expenses including terminal and inland
transport were also higher due to price inflation. The overall increase was
partly offset by the cost reduction program.
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Overview
CP Ships is one of the world's leading container shipping companies,
offering its customers door-to-door as well as port-to-port containerized
services for the international transportation of a broad range of industrial and
consumer goods, including raw materials, semi-manufactured and finished goods.
It operates a fleet of 80 ships in 22 trade lanes focusing on four principal
markets. In 2003, the Company transported 2.2 million twenty foot equivalent
units ("teu"), the standard measure of volume in the industry, on behalf of
approximately 23,700 customers. Based on standing capacity, CP Ships ranks as
the eleventh largest carrier in the world, giving it the economies of scale
available to global carriers.
In 2003, the Company had revenue(1) of $3.13 billion and EBITDA(1,2)
of $221 million before an exceptional charge of $10 million related to its
organizational restructuring in Europe.
CP Ships is a regional specialist that offers direct services to a
wider range of ports within a particular market than is generally offered by
global carriers. This approach, together with its global scale, allows it to
provide customers with the local expertise and market presence of a regional
specialist combined with many of the operating advantages of a global carrier.
CP Ships provides scheduled services in its four principal markets:
TransAtlantic, Australasia, Latin America and Asia, which it serves through
seven well-recognized brands: Canada Maritime, Cast, Contship Containerlines,
ANZDL, Lykes Lines, TMM Lines and Italia Line.
CP Ships operates in an industry whose annual volume growth has on
average exceeded global gross domestic product growth by two to three times over
the last 20 years. Since its introduction in the 1950's, the container shipping
industry has facilitated world trade because of its simplicity, efficiency and
low cost, becoming an integral part of the global sourcing strategies for many
of the world's major manufacturers and retailers.
Over the last seven years, CP Ships considers it has outperformed, on
the basis of return on capital employed ("ROCE"), in both weak as well as strong
market conditions, the average ROCE of those carriers in the top 20 for which
data is publicly available, due to its business model based on its competitive
strengths and strategy which are discussed below.
Competitive Strengths
CP Ships considers it has the following strengths which allow it to
compete successfully:
Leading market position. CP Ships believes it is the largest carrier
based on market share in a majority of its 14 core trade lanes. This leading
market position has been achieved by focusing on customers and customer service
through its well-recognized and highly-regarded brands.
Regional focus. The Company's regional focus provides more reliable
and frequent service schedules, flexible and timely responses to changes in
local market conditions, the ability to offer customized
--------------------
(1) As restated (see Note 6 under the heading to Selected Consolidated
Financial Information for further information).
(2) EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization,
exceptional items and minority interest and equals operating income
before exceptional items plus depreciation and amortisation. EBITDA,
which is considered to be a meaningful measure of operating performance,
does not have a standardised meaning under Canadian GAAP and may not be
comparable with similar measures used by others.
8
services, greater trade lane economies of scale and premium pricing for its
services. These attributes, along with its strong market position, provide it
with a measure of protection from new competitors on its core trade lanes.
Low cost operator. A combination of global scale economies and trade
lane scale economies based on strong market position has allowed CP Ships to
reduce its costs significantly. Savings in costs associated with ship networks,
terminals and stevedoring, the container fleet, inland transport and
administration have contributed to a 19% reduction in cost per teu from 1996 to
2002. Cost per teu increased in 2003 compared to 2002 by 7%, mainly due to
increased fuel and charter costs and the depreciation of the U.S. dollar, which
increased the reported amount of the substantial portion of CP Ships' costs
incurred in other currencies, such as the euro, Canadian dollar and GB Pound. CP
Ships remains committed to its cost savings programs.
Diversified customer base. CP Ships has approximately 23,700 customers
which are diversified both by geography and by industry. Its largest customer
represented 2.1% of its revenue in 2003, and its top ten customers accounted for
only 8.5%. This diversity protects CP Ships against the adverse effect of
relying on a single customer or industry.
Successful track record of acquisitions. CP Ships has successfully
completed nine acquisitions since 1993 mainly involving the turn-around of under
performing businesses. It has successfully integrated those businesses,
improving both services and profitability. Acquisitions have contributed to a
compound annual growth of revenue of 25% since 1994.
Experienced management team. CP Ships' senior management team average
over 20 years experience in the container shipping industry. The large majority
of the management team has worked for CP Ships or with its acquired businesses
for many years. Incentives are provided to senior management through share-based
compensation and to all staff (including senior management) through cash
incentives based on operating income.
Strategy
Six principal strategies underpin CP Ships' business model.
Concentration on container shipping. CP Ships concentrates on
container shipping services, which allows management to focus and to plan for
and quickly respond to often rapidly changing economic, political and trade
conditions in what is a truly international business.
Focus on regional markets. CP Ships has built strong positions in a
number of regional markets. It is the leading carrier in the majority of its
core trade lanes, which allows it to offer the best schedules and services to
its customers and to maximize trade lane economies of scale.
Pursue selective acquisitions. Since 1993, nine acquisitions have been
executed and integrated successfully, often involving the turnaround of
under-performing businesses. CP Ships' revenue is now seven times larger than in
1994. In a relatively fragmented and cyclical industry, there will likely be
further acquisition opportunities. CP Ships expects to continue to pursue a
disciplined acquisition strategy that enables it either to grow in its existing
markets or to carefully expand into new markets, thereby helping it to achieve
further economies of scale that improve operating performance.
Furthermore, as a way of leveraging strong regional positions and
adding value to our core container services, CP Ships intends to selectively and
modestly develop logistics services. In April 2004, CP Ships completed the
acquisition of Montreal based ROE Logistics, a family owned business
specializing in providing a range of freight forwarding, customs brokerage,
logistics, warehousing and distribution services.
Enhance strong brands. CP Ships offers two or more of its
well-recognized brands in nearly all of its trade lanes. It intends to
strengthen its brands by continuing to respond to the evolving needs of its
customers by selectively expanding its services, improving service frequencies
and transit times, improving the efficiency of its inland transportation
networks and implementing effective training and staff retention programs. CP
Ships considers that its multiple branding approach results in higher levels of
service and customer loyalty and is one of the best ways to build and retain
market share.
9
Provide supply chain solutions. Integrated door-to-door or intermodal
container transportation is the largest component in the logistics supply chains
of international trade. CP Ships continues to emphasize consistently reliable,
tailor-made intermodal supply chain solutions for its customers to strengthen
customer relationships and protect operating margins.
Reduce costs. Delivering low-cost, high-quality service is a key to
success in the highly competitive container shipping industry. CP Ships reduced
its cost per teu by 14% from 1996 to 2003, and remains committed to its cost
savings programs.
Service
CP Ships provides port-to-port and door-to-door ocean container
shipping services with 27 weekly sailings and eight non-weekly sailings covering
more than 145 ports on six continents. It emphasizes the provision of
door-to-door services to its customers. A typical shipment generally involves
the following steps:
o A customer makes a booking at a price and on other terms which
usually have been agreed previously or determined under contract.
o The customer service department checks the existing customer profile
and updates equipment, scheduling and transport requirements.
o CP Ships arranges for an inland transport provider to position an
empty container at the customer's (exporting) plant or warehouse at
an agreed time.
o Once the container is filled, the nominated inland transport
operator picks up and moves the container by truck, rail, barge,
feeder ship, or combination thereof, from the customer's loading
point to a marine terminal in time to meet a particular sailing.
o The container is received by the marine terminal and is loaded
directly into a pre-determined slot in the ship using specialist
cranes or is stored at the terminal until loaded onto its scheduled
ship.
o The ship sails at a fixed time according to a pre-set schedule on
fixed day of the week sailings.
o The container is discharged at the marine terminal in the
destination port, again according to the pre-set schedule.
Just-in-time shipments and containers moving in high-density
corridors move directly from ship to rail or truck, subject to
satisfying the requirements of local customs. Otherwise, containers
are stored at the arrival terminal for customs clearance and
arrangement of inland transport.
o Delivery of a full container to a customer's (importing) premises is
co-ordinated with an inland transport provider.
o After unloading the cargo at the importer's plant or warehouse, the
empty container moves directly to an exporter's warehouse for
reloading or to a depot to await future use.
10
Markets and Trade Lanes
As at 31st December 2003, CP Ships operated in the following trade
lanes of its principal markets under the following brand names:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal Market Services Trade Lanes Brands
---------------- -------- -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
TransAtlantic 12 US/Canada via Montreal-North Europe Canada Maritime, Cast
US/Canada via Montreal-Mediterranean Canada Maritime, Cast
West Coast North America-Mediterranean Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Contship
Containerlines, Italia Line
US East Coast-North Europe Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
Gulf-North Europe Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
Gulf-Mediterranean Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Contship
Containerlines, Italia Line
Australasia 6 Europe and US East Coast-Australasia Contship Containerlines, ANZDL,
Lykes Lines
US West Coast-Australasia ANZDL, Contship Containerlines
TransTasman ANZDL, Contship Containerlines
Latin America 10 North Europe-East Coast South America Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Contship
Containerlines
Mediterranean-East Coast South America Lykes Lines, Contship Containerlines,
Italia Line
US East Coast-East Coast South America Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
Gulf-East Coast South America Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
Gulf-Caribbean Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
Mexico-Central America-West Coast Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Italia Line
South America
Mediterranean-West Coast South America Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
Panama-West Coast South America Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Italia Line
Asia 5 Asia-Americas Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Canada
Maritime
Europe-India/Pakistan Contship Containerlines
US East Coast-India Contship Containerlines, Lykes Lines
</TABLE>
In addition to its four principal markets, CP Ships also operates in
the North America-West/South Africa trade lane and provides a small break-bulk
service between Asia-Latin America-Caribbean, both under the Lykes Lines and TMM
Lines brands.
11
The following tables illustrate volume and revenue for CP Ships'
principal markets for the last three years. Percentages of total are shown for
both volume and revenue(1) for 2003.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Volume By Market
2003 2002 2001
Volume % of Volume Volume
Market (teu 000s) Total (teu 000s) (teu 000s)
--------------------------- -------------- ------------ -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
TransAtlantic 1,163 53 1,039 942
Australasian 304 14 334 348
Latin American 239 11 174 162
Asian 453 21 424 331
Other 36 1 37 59
-- - -- --
Total 2,195 100 2,008 1,842
===== === ===== =====
Revenue By Market
2003 2002 2001
Revenue % of Revenue Revenue
Market ($ millions)(1) Total ($ millions) ($ millions)
--------------------------- --------------- ----------- ---------------- --------------
(as restated)
TransAtlantic 1,573 50 1,328 1,323
Australasian 515 16 531 549
Latin American 297 10 238 244
Asian 635 20 508 435
Other 110 4 82 95
--- - -- --
Total 3,130 100 2,687 2,646
===== === ===== =====
</TABLE>
TransAtlantic Market
In 2003, 53% of CP Ships' volume was in the TransAtlantic market,
where it provided services under the Canada Maritime, Cast, Contship
Containerlines, Italia Line, Lykes Lines and TMM Lines brands. CP Ships offers
12 services on the TransAtlantic, of which 10 are fixed-day weekly sailings,
providing the most comprehensive service network in the market. Through
efficient links to an extensive inland transportation network in North America,
Mexico and Europe, CP Ships provides its customers with the choice of seamless
door-to-door services as well as port-to-port service options.
Within the TransAtlantic market, CP Ships is the leader in the
US/Canada via Montreal-North Europe and the US/Canada via Montreal-Mediterranean
trade lanes with five weekly services, using a fleet of owned ice-strengthened
container ships which are designed to operate throughout the year. Two
ice-strengthened newbuilds were introduced in the second half of 2003 in the
Montreal-North Europe trade lane. The consequent cascading of ships that took
place within the services including the Montreal-Mediterranean trade lanes
served to modernise, upgrade and improve each of the five weekly services. The
Montreal Gateway provides a more direct route to Canada and the U.S. Midwest and
accesses a more cost effective Canadian infrastructure, including CP Ships'
operated terminals in Montreal and Canadian Pacific Railways' rail network than
alternate services via the U.S. East Coast.
CP Ships' Gulf trade lanes serve U.S. and Mexican ports in the Gulf of
Mexico with three weekly services and one nine day service. Its regional focus
on the Gulf within the TransAtlantic market and its market share are
strengthened by the strong brand recognition of Lykes Lines in the U.S. Gulf,
TMM Lines in Mexico and Italia Line in the Mediterranean.
CP Ships also operates two weekly services in the US East Coast-North
Europe trade lane and with the acquisition of Italia Line, CP Ships has
increased its presence on the West Coast North America-Mediterranean trade lane
where it operates a 10 day service.
------------------
(1) As restated (see Note 6 under the heading to Selected Consolidated
Financial Information for further information).
12
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trade Lanes Services Company Ships Frequency Brands
------------ -------- ------------- --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
US/Canada via Montreal-North 3 7 3 x weekly Canada Maritime, Cast
Europe
US/Canada via 2 6 2 x weekly Canada Maritime, Cast
Montreal-Mediterranean
West Coast North 1 6 1 x 10 days Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Contship
America-Mediterranean Containerlines, Italia Line
US East Coast-North Europe 2 1 2 x weekly Lykes Lines, TMM Line
Gulf-North Europe 3 8 3 x weekly Lykes Lines, TMM Line
Gulf-Mediterranean 1 5 1 x 9 days Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Contship
Containerlines, Italia Line
</TABLE>
CP Ships believes that its extensive low cost service network,
regional multi-brand focus, door-to-door capabilities, and significant volume
and trade lane economies of scale strengthen its position as the leading carrier
in the TransAtlantic market.
Australasian Market
CP Ships operates six services in three trade lanes in the
Australasian market through its Contship Containerlines, ANZDL and Lykes Lines
brands. The Australasian market accounted for 14% of CP Ships' volume in 2003.
CP Ships is a leader in its Australasian trade lanes.
In January 2003, following two years of planning, CP Ships in
cooperation with P&O Nedlloyd, CMA-CGM, Hamburg Sud, Hapag Lloyd and Marfret,
substantially restructured the services within the Europe-Australiasia and
Round-the-World trade lanes. CP Ships, with its partners, now operates two
separate fixed-day weekly Round-the-World services, one eastbound and the other
westbound. These services link Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands
with Northern and Mediterranean Europe and the U.S. East Coast. The new services
are supported by 22 vessels, 10 of which are new purpose-built larger vessels
with a high reefer capacity. These changes achieve a more consistent market
coverage, offer better schedule integrity through improved frequency and better
transit times with the deployment of fewer ships at lower cost.
In the US West Coast-Australasia trade lane, two weekly services are
operated. CP Ships also operates two services in the TransTasman trade lane
under the ANZDL and Contship Containerlines brands. One service operates two
ships and the other operates on a slot charter basis. In addition, a number of
CP Ships' other mainline services also serve the TransTasman trade lane.
13
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trade Lanes Services Company Ships Frequency Brands
----------- -------- ------------- --------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Europe and US East Coast- 2 6 2 x weekly Contship Containerlines,
Australasia ANZDL, Lykes Lines
US West Coast-Australasia 2 6 2 x weekly ANZDL, Contship Containerlines
TransTasman 2 2 1 x 14 days ANZDL, Contship Containerlines
1 x weekly
(plus
various
mainline
services)
</TABLE>
Latin American Market
The Latin American market accounted for 11% of volume in 2003 with ten
services in eight trade lanes. The North American services are marketed under
the Lykes Lines and TMM Lines brands and the European services under the Lykes
Lines, TMM Lines, Italia Lines and Contship Containerlines brands. Lykes Lines
and TMM Lines also market services in the Asia-Americas trade lane (which is
discussed in "Asian Market" below) as well as the Gulf-North Europe and
Gulf-Mediterranean services included in the TransAtlantic market, all of which
call at Mexican ports.
During the fourth quarter of 2003, the Gulf-West Coast South America
service, formerly the Italia relay was discontinued and replaced by three slot
charter arrangements (described below) to improve performance.
Mediterranean-West Coast South America service operated by Compania
Sudamericana de Vapores ("CSAV") and Compania Chilena de Navegacion
Interoceanica SA ("CCNI") covering the Mediterranean-West Coast South America
tradelane and the West Coast North America-Mediterranean trade;
Panama-West Coast South America service operated by P&O Nedlloyd,
which connects West Coast South America with the Caribbean via Manzanillo
International Terminal relay;
Mexico-Central America-West Coast South America service operated by
MSC. The Asia to Central America and West Coast South America trades will now be
served on this arrangement via Manzanillo, Mexico relay following the
termination notice on the Asia-West Coast North America-Mexico-West Coast South
America service, which is to be terminated.
14
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trade Lanes Services Company Ships Frequency Brands
----------- -------- ------------- --------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
North Europe-East Coast 2 2 1 x weekly Contship Containerlines, Lykes
South America 1 x 8 days Lines, TMM Lines
Mediterranean-East Coast 1 Slot charter 1 x weekly Contship Containerlines, Lykes
South America Lines, Italia Line
US East Coast-East Coast 2 Slot charter 2 x weekly Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
South America
Gulf-East Coast South 1 4 1 x weekly Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
America
Gulf-Caribbean 1 3 1 x weekly Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
Mediterranean-West Coast 1 Slot Charter 1 x 14 days Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Italia
South America Line
Mexico-Central America- 1 Slot Charter 1 x 8 days Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Italia
West Coast South America Line
Panama-West Coast South 1 Slot Charter 1 x 7 days Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Italia
America Line
</TABLE>
Asian Market
The Asian market accounted for 21% of CP Ships' volume in 2003. Its
presence in Asia was established with the acquisition of Contship Containerlines
in 1997 and expanded with the formation of the Americana Ships joint venture in
January 1999. At present CP Ships operates five services in three trade lanes.
CP Ships operated three services in the Asia-Americas trade lane. One
service between Asia and the West Coast North America and Mexico, one between
Asia and the West Coast North America, Mexico and West Coast South America and,
launched during 2003, a fixed day weekly service between North East Asia
including China and Vancouver, BC deploying five ships. This third Asia-Americas
route strengthened market presence and created further operating efficiencies by
using existing organizations in Asia and North America. CP Ships tendered a
termination notice on the Asia-West Coast North America, Mexico, West Coast
South America service with a phase out from December 2003 to February 2004. In
February 2004, a new service between Asia and Vancouver and Oakland was
announced. Scheduled to start in April, it complements the existing
Asia-Vancouver service, further strengthening market presence in the
Asia-Americas trade lane where trade growth is expected to remain strong.
On the Asia-North Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trade lanes, CP Ships
did not renew its slot charter agreement with CMA-CGM which terminated in March
2003.
On the Europe-Indian Subcontinent trade lane, CP Ships continues to
co-operate with P&O Nedlloyd and CMA-CGM, providing two of the seven vessels
deployed in a fixed-day weekly service. Hapag Lloyd and Hamburg Sud also
participate on the service, through means of slot charter arrangements.
Safmarine withdrew from the service in July 2003, but sustained growth in the
Indian economy has allowed the remaining members of the Agreement to
successfully absorb the capacity vacated by Safmarine. The Service scope covers
Europe, Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, Pakistan and India.
The US East Coast - India Service is fixed-day weekly, operated in
conjunction with CMA-CGM, Shipping Corporation of India and APL. CP Ships
contribute two of the seven vessels operated in the service. The service
connects the U.S. East Coast, Mediterranean, Sri Lanka and India.
15
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trade Lanes Services Company Ships Frequency Brands
----------- -------- ------------- --------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asia-Americas 3 11 3 x weekly Lykes Lines, TMM Lines, Canada
Maritime
Europe-India/Pakistan 1 2 1 x weekly Contship Containerlines, Lykes Lines
US East Coast-India 1 1 1 x weekly Contship Containerlines, Lykes Lines
</TABLE>
The Westabout Europe and US East Coast - Australasia service, which is in
the Australasian market, calls at South East Asian ports en route to North
Europe and the Mediterranean.
Other Markets
Other markets comprised approximately 1% of CP Ships' 2003 volumes.
Lykes Lines operates a roll-on roll-off ("Ro Ro") service between North America
and West/South Africa. Ro Ro ships are designed to handle cargo that is driven
on and off the ship, as well as containers that are lifted by cranes on and off
the ship.
CP Ships also operates an Asia-West Coast Latin America-Caribbean
break-bulk service. Other markets activities also include the two terminals in
Montreal that CP Ships operates for Canada Maritime and Cast and their service
partners, together with sub-chartering out of ships that are temporarily surplus
to needs.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Trade Lanes Services Company Ships Frequency Brands
----------- -------- ------------- --------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
North America- 1 5 1 x 15 days Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
West/South Africa
Break-bulk service 1 1 1 x 30 days Lykes Lines, TMM Lines
</TABLE>
Joint Service Agreements
In nearly all of its trade lanes, CP Ships participates in joint
services with other container shipping companies either by contributing ships to
a joint service agreement or by entering into slot charters. It generally
prefers to contribute owned or chartered ships into a joint service agreement
where the economic benefits justify the capital investment. By operating its own
ships within a joint service, CP Ships believes it is better able to influence
important decisions regarding investment in ship and schedule improvements,
including number, size, and quality of ships deployed, sailing frequency, port
calls and port rotations. It also believes that lower costs can be achieved by
operating its own ships compared to chartering space from other carriers.
The following describes selected joint service agreements to which CP
Ships is a party:
o US/Canada via Montreal-North Europe trade lane: CP Ships operates
two services in partnership with Orient Overseas Container Line
("OOCL") under the St. Lawrence Co-ordinated Service, which was
established in 1981. Canada Maritime provides four ships and OOCL
provides two ships. In December 2002, CP Ships and OOCL agreed to
charter a fixed number of slots to members of the Canex consortium:
Maersk Sealand, Mediterranean Shipping Company and P&O Nedlloyd. The
two year agreement took effect from January 2003. At the same time,
Canex moved its existing service to CP Ships' Montreal Gateway
Terminals.
o US East Coast-North Europe and Gulf-North Europe trade lanes: Since
October 2000, the Lykes Lines and TMM Lines brands have been
operating two joint weekly services in the US East Coast-
16
North Europe trade lane and three joint weekly services in the Gulf-
North Europe trade lane with the Grand Alliance, one of the three
principal Alliances, whose partners in the TransAtlantic trade lane
are P&O Nedlloyd, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, OOCL, and Hapag Lloyd. CP
Ships contributes nine of the 31 ships deployed in this arrangement.
o Europe/US East Coast-Australasia trade lane: At the beginning of
2003, CP Ships in cooperation with P&O Nedlloyd, CMA-CGM, Hamburg
Sud, Hapag Lloyd and Marfret, extensively restructured the services
within its Europe-Australasia and Ocean Star Round-the-World trade
lanes. CP Ships, with its partners now operates two separate
fixed-day weekly Round-the-World services; one eastbound and the
other westbound. These services link Australia, New Zealand and the
Pacific Islands with Northern and Mediterranean Europe and the U.S.
East Coast. The services are supported by 22 vessels, 10 of which
are new purpose-built larger vessels with a high reefer capacity.
o Gulf-East Coast South America: CP Ships operates a fixed-day weekly
service between the U.S., Mexico and East Coast South America, under
the Lykes Lines and TMM Lines brands. It is operated under a
co-operation agreement with Libra using six ships, four of which are
provided by CP Ships.
o Asia-Americas trade lane: CP Ships operates three fixed-day weekly
services under the Lykes Lines, Canada Maritime and TMM Lines
brands. One service is operated between Asia and U.S. West Coast
North America,Mexico under a co-operation agreement with APL using
six ships, four of which are provided by CP Ships.
o The trade lanes between the Indian Subcontinent and Europe and the
Indian Subcontinent and the U.S. East Coast are each governed by
Joint Service Agreements. The service to Europe is operated in
conjunction with CMA-CGM and P&O Nedlloyd, with slot capacity
distributed in agreed proportions. The parties to the Agreement
collectively sell slot capacity to Hapag Lloyd and Hamburg Sud. The
service to the U.S. East Coast is operated in conjunction with
CMA-CGM, Shipping Corporation of India and APL. Under this
Agreement, slot capacity is distributed in accordance with slot
provision. Hapag Lloyd and United Arab Shipping Company participate
in the service via means of Slot Charter Agreements with CP Ships.
CP Ships generally charters space when it enters a new trade lane, if
the anticipated economic benefits of deploying its own ships do not justify the
size or risk of the investment or where CP Ships' volumes in that particular
trade lane are likely to be initially small. CP Ships regularly evaluates the
potential for deploying its own ships in growing or new markets.
CP Ships has restructured and rationalized its operations in many
trade lanes, most frequently by combining with other carriers a larger number of
independent services into jointly-operated services. These rationalized
operations enhance service on the trade lanes by increasing frequency, expanding
port calls, improving reliability and reducing costs.
17
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operations
Ships
The following table lists the 80 ships owned and chartered by CP Ships
as at 31st December 2003:
NOMINAL MAX SERVICE
SHIP YEAR TRADELANES CAPACITY(2) OWNED / SPEED SHIP
BUILT (teu) CHARTERED(1)(3) (knots) TYPES(4)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Canmar Honour 1998 US/Canada via Montreal-North Europe 3000 Owned 22 U
Canmar Pride 1998 US/Canada via Montreal-North Europe 3000 Owned 22 U
Cast Prominence 1996 US/Canada via Montreal-North Europe 2400 Owned 20 U
Cast Premier 1995 US/Canada via Montreal-North Europe 2300 Owned 21 U
Cast Prospect 1995 US/Canada via Montreal-North Europe 2400 Owned 21 U
Canmar Spirit 2003 US/Canada via Montreal-North Europe 4100 Owned (8) 23 U
Canmar Venture 2003 US/Canada via Montreal-North Europe 4100 Owned (8) 23 U
Canmar Endurance 1983 US/Canada via Montreal-Mediterranean 1900 Owned 20 U
Canmar Valour 1979 US/Canada via Montreal-Mediterranean 1000 Owned 19 U
Canmar Glory 1979 US/Canada via Montreal-Mediterranean 1000 Owned 19 U
Canmar Triumph 1978 US/Canada via Montreal-Mediterranean 1000 Owned 19 U
Canmar Victory 1979 US/Canada via Montreal-Mediterranean 1000 Owned 19 U
Canmar Bravery 1978 US/Canada via Montreal-Mediterranean 1700 Owned 19 U
Lykes Hero 1986 US East Coast-North Europe 2900 Owned 21 U
TMM Jalisco 1988 Gulf-North Europe 3300 Owned 21 U
Lykes Discoverer (5) 1987 Gulf-North Europe 3000 Owned 19 U
Lykes Explorer (5) 1987 Gulf-North Europe 3000 Owned 19 U
Lykes Liberator (5) 1987 Gulf-North Europe 3000 Owned 19 U
Lykes Navigator (5) 1987 Gulf-North Europe 3000 Owned 19 U
Lykes Motivator (5) 1990 Gulf-North Europe 3000 Owned 22 U
TMM Campeche 1989 Gulf-North Europe 3000 Owned 21 U
TMM Yucatan 2003 Gulf-North Europe 3200 Owned 22 G
Lykes Ambassador 1987 Gulf-Mediterranean 3300 Owned 21 U
TMM Sinaloa 1987 Gulf-Mediterranean 3300 Owned 21 U
TMM Hermosillo 1986 Gulf-Mediterranean 3300 Owned 21 U
Lykes Achiever 1987 Gulf-Mediterranean 3300 Owned 21 U
Lykes Challenger 1986 Gulf-Mediterranean 3300 Owned 21 U
TMM Sonora 1994 West Coast North America-Mediterranean 2400 MTC 20 U
Lykes Commander 1994 West Coast North America-Mediterranean 2400 MTC 20 U
Cielo di San Francisco 1998 West Coast North America-Mediterranean 2500 MTC 21 G
Cielo del Canada 1998 West Coast North America-Mediterranean 2500 MTC 21 G
Cielo d' America 2002 West Coast North America-Mediterranean 2500 MTC 21 G
Cielo d' Europa 2002 West Coast North America-Mediterranean 2500 MTC 21 G
Contship Rome 1998 Europe and US East Coast-Australasia 2200 MTC 21 G
Contship London 1997 Europe and US East Coast-Australasia 2200 MTC 21 G
Contship Aurora 2002 Europe and US East Coast-Australasia 4100 Owned 25 U
Contship Australis 2002 Europe and US East Coast-Australasia 4100 Owned 25 U
Contship Borealis 2002 Europe and US East Coast-Australasia 4100 Owned 25 U
Contship Auckland 1998 Europe and US East Coast-Australasia 2200 STC 21 G
Direct Kea 1998 US West Coast-Australasia 2200 MTC 21 G
Direct Tui 1998 US West Coast-Australasia 2200 MTC 21 G
Direct Condor 2000 US West Coast-Australasia 1700 STC 20 G
Direct Jabiru 2000 US West Coast-Australasia 1700 STC 20 G
Direct Kestrel 2000 US West Coast-Australasia 1700 STC 21 G
18
NOMINAL MAX SERVICE
SHIP YEAR TRADELANES CAPACITY(2) OWNED / SPEED SHIP
BUILT (teu) CHARTERED(1)(3) (knots) TYPES(4)
Direct Eagle 2000 US West Coast-Australasia 1600 STC 20 G
Rotoiti 1977 Trans Tasman 800 Owned 16 Ro Ro
Rotorua 1993 Trans Tasman 700 STC 16 Ro Ro
Lykes Envoy 2003 North Europe-East Coast South America 2500 MTC 23 G
Altonia 2000 North Europe-East Coast South America 1700 STC 20 G
Lykes Flyer 2002 Gulf-East Coast South America 3200 Owned 22 G
Lykes Ranger 2002 Gulf-East Coast South America 3200 Owned 22 G
TMM Colima 2002 Gulf-East Coast South America 3200 Owned 22 G
TMM Guanajuato 2002 Gulf-East Coast South America 3200 Owned 22 G
TMM Chiapas 2001 Gulf-Caribbean 1600 STC 21 G
Colombia 1996 Gulf-Caribbean 1600 STC 20 G
Puerto Limon 1996 Gulf-Caribbean 1500 STC 20 G
TMM Tabasco 2000 Asia-Americas 2100 Owned 22 G
Lykes Voyager 1995 Asia-Americas 2100 Owned 21 G
Lykes Deliverer 2002 Asia-Americas 4100 Owned (9) 25 U
Lykes Provider 2003 Asia-Americas 4100 Owned (9) 25 U
TMM Monterrey 2003 Asia-Americas 4100 Owned (9) 25 U
Canmar Dynasty 1994 Asia-Americas 2100 Owned 21 G
Dorian 1994 Asia-Americas 1500 STC 20 G
TMM Aguascalientes 2003 Asia-Americas 4100 Owned (9) 25 U
TMM Hidalgo 1997 Asia-Americas 1700 STC 20 G
Canmar Promise 1997 Asia-Americas 2100 STC 20 G
Lykes Eagle 2000 Asia-Americas 2100 Owned 22 G
Indamex Malaber 2001 US East Coast-India 2500 STC 23 U
Indamex Mumbai 1996 US East Coast-India 2800 STC 22 U
Contship Champion 1994 Europe-India/Pakistan 3500 STC 23 U
Contship Innovator 1994 Europe-India/Pakistan 3500 STC 23 U
Lykes Energizer 1992 North America-South Africa 700 MTC 17 Ro Ro
Lykes Raider 1990 North America-South Africa 800 MTC 17 Ro Ro
Lykes Inspirer 1990 North America-South Africa 700 MTC 17 Ro Ro
Lykes Winner 1990 North America-South Africa 700 MTC 17 Ro Ro
Lykes Runner 1992 North America-South Africa 800 MTC 17 Ro Ro
National Pride (6) 1981 Break-bulk 500 STC 16 BB
Montreal Senator (7) 1983 Sub-Charter 1900 Owned 20 U
APL Honduras (7) 2002 Sub-Charter 4100 Owned (9) 25 U
APL Panama (7) 2002 Sub-Charter 4100 Owned (9) 25 U
-------------
CP Ships total standing capacity 197,500
</TABLE>
(1) Owned ships includes four long-term chartered ships owned by certain U.S.
trusts, the beneficial interests in which were purchased by CP Ships in
September 2001, two ships under 25 year capital leases and six long-term
(8 year) time chartered ships which for accounting purposes are treated as
operating leases.
(2) Nominal capacity represents the total number of slots theoretically
available both above and below decks and is therefore different from
operational capacity which takes account of average cargo weight,
destination of cargo, likely weather conditions, draft limitations, ship
stability, and other factors which generally reduce the ship capacity,
often significantly.
(3) Bareboat charters are arrangements where the charterer becomes directly
responsible for providing crew and costs relating to operation and
maintenance. In contrast, under a time charter the owner remains
responsible for providing the crew and for certain repairs and
maintenance costs. A short-term charter ("STC") is a time charter of one
year or less, medium-term charter ("MTC") is a time charter more than
one year but less than three years; and long-term charter ("LTC") is a
time charter three years or more other than those included in footnote
one. For each ship listed, the duration of the term is determined as from
the date of entering into the charter.
(4) Geared ("G") ships have on-board cranes, while ungeared ("U") do not.
Roll-on Roll-off ("Ro Ro") ships are designed to handle cargo that is
driven on and off the ship, as well as containers that are lifted by
cranes on or off the ship. Break-bulk ("BB") ships may also handle
containers.
(5) U.S. flag ships.
(6) One-way voyage charters.
(7) Ships not employed by CP Ships at 31st December 2003.
(8) Ships subject to 25 year capital lease.
(9) Long term (8 year) time chartered.
19
Ship Replacement Program
During 2003, CP Ships completed its $800 million ship replacement
program, commenced in 1999, to replace a number of its chartered ships with
owned ships. The replacement program comprised purchasing 13 used ships,
building ten new ships and entering into long-term charter arrangements on a
further six new ships. It followed the integration of various acquisitions
during the 1990s and a comprehensive review of its ship fleet requirements and
took into account three key factors. First, CP Ships believes that it can reduce
its costs over the medium to long-term by owning ships rather than chartering
them. Second, a higher proportion of owned ships will reduce its exposure to
volatility in operating costs from the charter market and therefore improve the
stability of CP Ships expenses. Third, it can be difficult to charter ships with
optimum characteristics for certain trade lanes at the time they are needed.
The 23 replacement ships are medium-sized from 2100 to 4100 teu, which
CP Ships believes to be the optimal size range for operations in regional
markets. Each of the new ships has been specifically designed for the trade in
which it is intended to operate. Three, which operate in the Australasian
trades, have the capacity to carry a significant number of refrigerated
containers for temperature sensitive cargo, two are ice-strengthened to operate
into Montreal and the remaining five are geared, enabling them to operate in
Latin American and other ports without shore side cranes. The replacement
program has resulted in the percentage of CP Ships owned fleet capacity,
including long-term charters, increasing from 28% as at 30th June 2000 to 68% at
the end of 2003. The average age of the owned fleet has also decreased from 12.6
years at the beginning of 2000 to just under eight years at the end of 2003. The
estimated useful life of a containership is 25 years.
Whilst the replacement program has resulted in CP Ships achieving its
goal of owning or long-term chartering the majority of its ship fleet, the
combined impact of service expansions, the acquisition of Italia Line during
2002 and the prospects for future trade growth means that CP Ships requirements
have evolved from those set out in 1999 and, therefore, to ensure that it
continues to have the appropriate ships to operate its trades and to minimize
its reliance on the volatile, and through the cycle more expensive, short to
medium term charter market, CP Ships reached agreement during August 2003 to
charter from Seaspan Container Lines for a period of up to 12 years, a further
nine 4250 teu containerships to be built and delivered between end 2005 and mid
2007. The charter costs for these nine ships, which will be constructed by
Samsung Heavy Industries of Korea, is close to CP Ships equivalent cost of
ownership including financing. Further details on the charter terms can be found
in the Indebtedness section of this document.
The composition of CP Ships ship fleet by type of commitment is set
out in the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
2007 proforma fleet after delivery
Fleet as at 31st December 2003 of the nine Seaspan ships(3)
Ships % Capacity(1) Ships % Capacity(1)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Owned 40 55% 40 45%
Long-Term Committed 6 13% 15 27%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Owned and Long-Term Committed(2) 46 68% 55 72%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LT Charter - - - -
MT Charter 16 15% 16 13%
ST Charter 18 17% 18 15%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Chartered 34 32% 34 28%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Fleet 80(4) 100% 89 100%
------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The proportion of capacity in each category of ship within the overall
fleet is based on the standing capacity for each class of ships.
(2) Owned and Long-Term Committed ships includes four long-term chartered
ships owned by certain U.S. trusts, the beneficial interests in which
were purchased by CP Ships in September 2001, two ships under 25 year
capital leases and six long-term (8 year) time chartered ships which
for accounting purposes are treated as operating leases. The 2007
proforma fleet also includes the nine Seaspan charters.
(3) Assumes 5% increase in total capacity per year to meet trade growth.
(4) The fleet at 31st December 2003 includes three ships which are sub
chartered out, two of which are long term chartered ships, each 4100
teu standing capacity and one owned ship at 1900 teu.
20
Containers
CP Ships operates the following fleet of containers with a total
capacity of approximately 443,000 teu as at 31st December 2003:
Container Type Owned(1) (teu) Leased (teu) Total (teu)
Standard 148,000 252,000 400,000
Specialized(2) 4,000 39,000 43,000
----------------------------------------------
Total 152,000 291,000 443,000
----------------------------------------------
Percentage 34% 66% 100%
----------------------------------------------
(1) Includes containers subject to capital leases.
(2) Temperature-controlled (reefer) and other specialized units.
As at 31st December 2003, 34% of CP Ships' container fleet was owned
or held under capital leases or sale and leaseback arrangements. CP Ships'
believes that owning containers is generally less expensive than hiring them
under short-term leases. However, short-term leases provide CP Ships with the
ability to reduce or otherwise adjust its container fleet in response to
changing trade conditions or container imbalances in specific trade lanes. CP
Ships' objective is to increase over time the proportion of owned and long term
leased containers in its fleet, although there are currently no commitments to
purchase containers.
During August 2004, CP Ships' ordered 3,000 temperature-controlled
containers. This investment of about $50 million is the first phase of a plan
to expand CP Ships' presence in the growing, higher margin, temperature-
sensitive cargo market and to replace older units.
Montreal Terminals
CP Ships operates two of the three terminal properties at the Port of
Montreal. In 2003, CP Ships completed the refurbishment of two gantry cranes at
a cost of $6 million. This project has resulted in improved productivity for
these cranes.
At the terminals, workers employed by the Maritime Employer's
Association were subject to contracts that expired at the end of December 2003.
Negotiations regarding new contracts are in progress.
The main container handling equipment at the Montreal terminals
comprises nine ship-to-shore gantry cranes, 14 rubber-tired gantry cranes, 20
front-end loaders and 64 yard tractors.
Other Property
CP Ships has offices throughout the world, including its head office
in London, UK and major offices in Gatwick, UK, Tampa, Florida and
Montreal, Quebec. In addition, CP Ships has other assets used in its business,
such as furniture and fixtures, information systems hardware and software,
leasehold improvements and motor vehicles, none of which are individually
material.
Group Shared Services
Over time, CP Ships has achieved significant operating efficiencies
and cost savings by combining the management of various decentralized services,
including container fleet, inland transport, marine operations, marine
terminals, administration, information systems and insurance and risk
management. CP Ships expects that opportunities for further significant savings
are reduced, however, some opportunities exist from transferring further
processing activities from both Europe and the U.S. to India and further
consolidation of facilities in Europe, including the UK.
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Container Fleet - Provision and Management. CP Ships operates with a
single company-wide container fleet acquiring containers either by direct
purchase from manufacturers or through short, medium or long-term leasing
arrangements with leasing companies. Purchasing and leasing activities are fully
centralized in order to achieve cost savings through greater purchasing power.
Empty positioning and other aspects of container management are performed by
regional units, which implement a centrally developed strategy.
Inland Transport. The main regions where CP Ships provides a high
volume of inland transport services are Europe and North America. Inland
transport activities include the planning, execution and management of mainly
outsourced rail, truck, feeder ship and barge services used to transport
containers between ports and customer warehouses or inland depots or plants.
Inland transport movements are planned and executed through a network of local
operational offices located throughout Europe and North America under regional
direction.
CP Ships believes that it can achieve further efficiencies by
continuing to combine its volume of inland transport management at a regional
and local level. As a result, regional inland transport activities in Europe are
managed from operating centres in the UK, Germany, Belgium, France and Italy. In
North America, inland transport activities are managed from operating centres in
Montreal, Quebec and Tampa, Florida.
Marine Operations. Marine operations include ship procurement
(including under time charters) and deployment, marine fuel purchasing, the
contracting and control of ship management services and the negotiation of
marine terminal contracts. CP Ships provides many of these services centrally to
all of its brands in order to achieve economies of scale, with regional and
local resources employed as appropriate. Marine fuel is available from a large
number of suppliers throughout the world.
CP Ships does not employ any sea-going staff. Instead, it contracts
with independent ship managers who provide crew for its owned and bareboat
chartered ships. A bareboat charter is broadly equivalent to ownership but for a
set period of time and involves the leasing of a ship only, with the charterer
providing the crew and paying all operating costs including repairs and
maintenance. A time charter, which typically is for a shorter duration than a
bareboat charter, includes crew provided by the owner. Under the control of CP
Ships, the ship managers also supervise ship maintenance, dry-docking and
technical management according to an agreed budget and agreed ship maintenance
policies and procedures, and co-ordinate compliance with relevant legislation
and regulation. In 2003, CP Ships recruited 20 cadet officers, who are employed
by a third party, as part of the UK tonnage tax cadet training program.
Marine Terminals. CP Ships focuses on marine terminal operations in
several ways. First, it aims to combine volume from its various trade lanes and
services through common ports, where commercial, economic and operational
factors allow. Second, the marine operations group negotiates stevedoring and
marine terminal contracts using total volume to secure competitive pricing.
Third, CP Ships operates two marine terminals in Montreal, Quebec.
CP Ships may actively pursue or participate in initiatives to improve
its existing terminal arrangements with independent port and terminal companies
where volumes, scale of operations and other economic factors justify focus. For
example, in late 1999, CP Ships concluded a long-term agreement with Hesse-Nooed
Natie, an Antwerp-based stevedore company, whereby it has committed all its
volume to secure priority berthing, ample terminal space and reduced cost at a
planned new terminal, due to open late 2005 at Deurganckdok in the port of
Antwerp.
Administration. In 2003 a Global Processing Center in India was
established to handle certain back office activities, primarily data processing
work. The benefits of this operation will include reduced transaction costs,
standardized processes, and improved service levels through extended operating
hours. As of 31st December 2003, 150 positions had been transferred from Europe
and North America.
Information Systems. CP Ships is in the process of developing a single
company-wide system as a replacement for the diverse operational information
systems it inherited with its various acquisitions. This includes
standardization of CP Ships on a single financial system platform, SAP, which
began operation for
22
the majority of the company in January 2004. CP Ships continues to
reduce the number of separate operational and financial information system
functions across its organization in order to achieve better operating
efficiencies. Centrally-managed application development and technical support
will provide effective cost control and support common information technology
("IT") processes across the group. Two major data centres located in the UK
and in the U.S. support IT hardware and software for all corporate systems.
Implementation efforts continue within several of the lines to enhance
capabilities with GT Nexus, an industry e-commerce portal. The portal covers
rate requests, sailing schedule queries, documentation submissions and shipment
tracking functions. These efforts complement internal e-commerce projects. In
2003, a new e-commerce system was deployed to five of the company's brand web
sites.
Insurance and Risk Management. CP Ships provides centrally managed
insurance, risk management and claims support services with centres in Europe,
North America and Australia.
Sales and Marketing
Brands
CP Ships serves its customers through seven distinct brands: ANZDL,
Canada Maritime, Cast, Contship Containerlines, Italia Line, Lykes Lines and TMM
Lines. CP Ships believes that its brands are recognized in the industry for
their distinct service offering, strong operating performances and superior
customer relations. In 2003 Contship Containerlines won IFW's Shipping Line of
the Year and Lykes Lines was a finalist. ANZDL and Cast both won Logistics
Management's Quest for Quality Awards. Cast also won S.C Johnson's Carrier of
the Year Award and was named as a Star Performer in the Lloyd's Loading List
annual North Atlantic trade analysis. Lykes Lines was named Best Carrier to
Africa by the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association ("CIFFA").
Canada Maritime won three CIFFA awards - Best European, Best Mediterranean and
Best Overall Carrier - for the third year in a row. It also won the Ocean
Carrier Award from Canadian Transportation and Logistics magazine and was
re-certified to Q1 Quality Status by the Ford Motor Group.
Sales
Sales and marketing activities are organized around the individual
brands, reinforcing CP Ships' strategy of maintaining and strengthening its
brands within its regional markets. CP Ships' policy is to have its own sales
and marketing organizations based, in the large majority of locations, in its
principal markets. It has over 200 sales and marketing offices.
Third party agents are utilised in smaller low volume locations. Third
party agency arrangements may comprise "full service" agreements (including
sales, marketing, customer service and back-office) or may be functionally
specific, for example covering back-office services only.
A Global Account group manages sales, marketing and customer support
relationships with large global customers with activities in many trade lanes.
This allows CP Ships to offer tailored regional coverage on a global scale
thereby capitalizing on the capabilities of the regional management teams and
market knowledge.
Trademark and Licences
CP Ships does not rely on the licensing of intellectual property
belonging to other companies in marketing its brands other than in respect of
certain "CP" related trademarks which are owned by the successor of CPL,
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc., and licensed to CP Ships on a royalty free
perpetual basis.
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Customers
CP Ships has three types of customers: exporters, importers and
intermediaries. Exporters include a wide range of enterprises, from global
manufacturers (including the major automotive companies that may ship
thousands of teu annually) to small family owned businesses (which may ship
just a few teu each year). Importers are usually the direct purchasers of
goods from exporters but may also comprise sales or distribution agents or may
be the receiver of the containerized goods at the final point of delivery.
Intermediaries act as agents for exporters and importers, performing a range
of duties such as rate negotiation, bookings, documentation, insurance,
customs clearance, billing and payments, inland transport, warehousing and
container tracking services which would otherwise be part of the carrier's
door-to-door service. Intermediaries usually receive a commission from the
carrier as well as from customers for performing these activities. Commissions
paid to intermediaries by carriers generally range from 1.5% to 2.5% of the
shipping contract value, although they may sometimes be paid on a fixed fee
basis, typically in the range of $25 to $35 per teu.
Normally one party involved in a shipment, either the exporter, the
importer or the intermediary, controls the selection of the carrier with such
control usually depending on the terms of sale in the contract between an
exporter and an importer. The extent to which exporters, importers or their
intermediaries control carrier selection varies depending on the trade lane
involved.
CP Ships markets its services to exporters and importers at both ends
of the trade lane. By providing comprehensive sales coverage in this way, CP
Ships builds knowledge about its customers (and other parties involved in the
shipment), enhances its customer relations, builds brand loyalty and preserves
market share. In CP Ships' view, based on industry and company customer surveys,
customers expect to receive from carriers reliable, consistent and
cost-effective ocean and inland transport services, schedule reliability,
container availability and problem solving.
General practice within the container shipping industry is to provide
standard credit terms to the party that is responsible for paying the
transportation charges. The amount of credit and the credit period depends on a
number of factors including the customer's financial status, its credit history
with the carrier, the frequency and size of its shipments and overall size and
type of business. CP Ships' credit terms are consistent with general industry
practice.
CP Ships has a diverse customer base. In 2003, CP Ships' top ten
customers accounted for 9.8% of volume or 8.5% of revenue. The single largest
customer accounted for 2.0% of volume and 2.1% of revenue in 2003.
Competition
The container shipping industry is highly competitive. While the
world's top 20 carriers, by capacity, control 63% of global container capacity,
the industry remains highly fragmented with over 550 carriers operating
world-wide. Within the trade lanes it serves, CP Ships competes against a wide
range of global, regional and niche carriers. However, CP Ships participates in
joint service agreements with other container shipping companies in nearly all
of its trade lanes.
Global carriers generally deploy significant ship capacity and operate
extensive service networks in most trade lanes in the major East-West markets,
as well as in selected regional markets. These carriers generally deploy large
ships and serve major ports with direct calls and other ports through
transhipment over regional hubs. Global carriers that compete with CP Ships
include APL, CMA-CGM, Hapag Lloyd, Maersk Sealand, Mediterranean Shipping, OOCL
and P&O Nedlloyd.
Regional carriers generally focus on a number of smaller trade lanes
within the major East-West markets, or within regional markets such as
Australasia, Africa, Latin America and India. These carriers tend to offer
direct services to a wider range of ports within a particular market than global
carriers.
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Regional carriers that compete with CP Ships include CSAV, Hamburg Sud,
Shipping Company of India and CCNI.
Niche carriers are similar to regional carriers but tend to be smaller
in terms of the amount of ship capacity they operate and the number and size of
the markets they cover. Niche carriers that compete with CP Ships include
Atlantic Container Line, Dole Ocean Cargo Express and Seaboard Marine.
Employees
The number of employees of CP Ships at 31st December 2003 was
approximately 4,720 with 44% of the staff located in North America, 38% in
Europe and the balance mainly in Australasia and South America. CP Ships'
employees are divided by function almost evenly between (i) sales and marketing,
(ii) customer service, (iii) shared services and (iv) administration and
accounting, with the head office of CP Ships being less than 1% of the total.
Employees engaged in shared services include those responsible for container
fleet management, co-ordination of inland transport services, certain IT
functions, insurance and risk management and marine operations such as ship
procurement, marine fuel purchasing, ship management services and the
negotiation of marine terminal contracts.
Less than 3% of CP Ships' employees are employed under collective
bargaining agreements. CP Ships believes that its relations with employees are
good. CP Ships further believes that the material terms of its collective
bargaining agreements and other terms of employment are customary for the
industry, as are the classification of its employees and the geographic
locations covered by such agreements.
Insurance
CP Ships maintains insurance policies to cover risks related to
physical damage to its ships and ship equipment, other equipment (such as
containers, chassis, terminal equipment, trucks) and properties, as well as
third party liabilities arising from the carriage of goods and the operation of
ships and shore-side equipment, and general liabilities which may arise through
the course of its normal business operations.
CP Ships' owned ships are insured with a group of major insurance
companies for physical damage (hull and machinery insurance), including war and
terrorist risks, and total loss up to their full individually declared values on
an annual basis. The declared value of the ship is its assessed market value. A
further 25% of the value is covered under an "increased value" policy, in order
to meet additional expenses that might arise from the total loss of a ship. In
addition, owned ships calling in areas identified by the marine insurance market
as specified war risk zones are temporarily covered for war risks by declaration
and payment of an additional premium. Under its charter agreements, CP Ships is
required to pay additional premiums when its chartered ships call in a war risk
zone.
Protection and Indemnity insurance (P&I) provides cover for: third
party claims arising from the carriage of goods including loss or damage to
cargo; claims arising from the operation of owned and chartered ships including
injury or death to crew, passengers, or other third parties; claims arising from
collisions with other ships; damage to other third-party property; pollution
arising from oil and other substances; and salvage and other related costs. CP
Ships' P&I cover is divided between two P&I Clubs, both of which are members of
the International Group of P&I Clubs. Members of this association, who insure
approximately 90% of the world's ocean-going merchant fleet, arrange a pooling
insurance and a substantial re-insurance program. Members of P&I Clubs are
subject to calls payable to the association based on the member's claim record
as well as the claim records of all other members of the association. The sum
insured by P&I cover is up to approximately $4.25 billion per incident. CP
Ships' terminals in Montreal and its equipment fleet (containers and chassis)
are insured in the London Companies market for physical damage, including war
risks, and liabilities arising thereunder. As a result of the significant
insurance losses incurred in the September 11, 2001 attacks and related concern
regarding terrorist attacks, the world's insurance markets increased premiums
and reduced or restricted cover for terrorist losses generally. Accordingly,
premiums payable by CP Ships have increased substantially and the level of
terrorist cover has been significantly reduced. The impact on Marine insurance
cover and cost of developing U.S. legislation,
25
including the U.S. Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, which aims to restore
terrorism coverage in insurance policies, and security requirements generally,
is regularly assessed.
CP Ships also maintains additional insurance policies to cover a
number of other risks including: strikes and delays; liability arising from
documentary or procedural errors and omissions; workers compensation; motor
fleet; office buildings; directors' and officers' liability; and general
liabilities. A US re-insurance program has been set up to provide additional
cover in respect of liabilities including trucking, terminal and charterers
liabilities. CP Ships believes that the types and amounts of insurance coverage
it currently maintains are in line with customary practice in the international
container shipping industry and are adequate for the conduct of its business.
Security
As a matter of course, CP Ships gives high priority to security and
has traditionally supported industry and government efforts to ensure the safe
carriage of cargo. CP Ships' Security Committee reports directly to the Chief
Executive Officer. Membership is drawn from experts across the group including
marine and land based operations, sales and customer service, cargo
documentation, information systems, communications and regional management. CP
Ships' Vice-President of Supply Chain Security maintains focus on ensuring
company-wide compliance with international security initiatives. Top priorities
in 2003 were to ensure compliance with Customs-Trade Partnership Against
Terrorism (C-TPAT) in the U.S., Partners in Protection in Canada and the U.S.
Customs 24-Hour Advance Notification Rule. As these programs and others develop,
CP Ships will make compliance a top priority.
Regulatory Matters
CP Ships' operations are materially affected by government regulation
in the form of international conventions, national, state and local laws and
regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which the ships operate, as well as
in the country or countries of their registration. Because such conventions,
laws and regulations are subject to revision, it is difficult to predict the
continuing cost of compliance with such conventions, laws and regulations, the
impact thereof on the resale price or useful life of ships or on business
operations. Various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies require holding
certain permits, licenses and certificates with respect to marine operations.
Subject to the discussion below and to the fact that the kinds of permits,
licenses and certificates required for the operations of its owned ships will
depend upon a number of factors, CP Ships believes that it has been and will be
able to retain or obtain all permits, licenses and certificates material to the
conduct of its operations.
Maritime Regulations
United States. In the U.S., carrier operations of CP Ships serving
U.S. ports are subject to the provisions of the Shipping Act of 1984 (the
"Shipping Act"), as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 ("OSRA").
Among other things, the Shipping Act confers immunity from anti-trust laws for
certain co-operative agreements between ocean common carriers operating in the
U.S. The most common types of agreements are slot exchange agreements, whereby
carriers share space on each others' ships, and rate discussion agreements, in
which carriers may co-ordinate, discuss and voluntarily agree on ocean freight
rates and charges and other terms and conditions of service (collectively,
"Carrier Agreements"). Adherence to decisions reached in such discussion
agreements is purely voluntary. To receive an antitrust exemption, Carrier
Agreements must be filed with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission ("FMC").
Under the Shipping Act, as amended, carriers serving U.S. ports may offer
transport services to customers either through semi-confidential service
contracts or through publicly available tariffs. The Shipping Act requires
carriers to publish their tariff rates and certain service contract terms
electronically to allow public internet access. Carrier operations of CP Ships
via U.S. ports are subject to Shipping Act and FMC regulatory requirements
relating to Carrier Agreements, tariffs, and service contracts. Civil penalties
of up to $30,000 per violation can be imposed on carriers that fail to adhere to
these statutory and regulatory requirements.
Under the U.S. Maritime Security Act of 1996, U.S. documented ships
that are operated in a common carrier service are eligible to apply for an
annual subsidy payment ("MSP Program"). As at 31st
26
December 2003, CP Ships had five U.S. flag ships enrolled in the MSP Program,
and these ships receive an annual subsidy payment of approximately $2
million per ship. Although the current MSP Program continues until 30th
September 2005, funding for the MSP Program must be approved by U.S. Congress
on an annual basis. As a pre-condition to receipt of the annual subsidy
payment under the MSP Program, the operator or charterer of the ship must
enter into an emergency preparedness agreement with the U.S. Secretary of
Transportation. Accordingly, Lykes Lines has entered into such an agreement
with the U.S. Secretary of Transportation pursuant to which Lykes Lines agrees
to make its ships, capacity in ships, intermodal systems and equipment,
terminal facilities, management service and related service available to the
U.S. Government in the event of war, national emergency or when the U.S.
Secretary of Defence determines it to be necessary for national security. A
new MSP program will become effective 1st October 2005. CP Ships is presently
considering whether and to what extent it will seek participation in the new
program.
Following the terrorist attacks on 11th September 2001 the U.S.
Government adopted certain measures to improve security at various U.S. ports
and with respect to cargo movements to and from the U.S.. Congress and federal
agencies have adopted or are considering the adoption of additional security
related measures. Such measures include increased security for facilities and
vessels, mandatory filing requirements for certain data, improved container
seals, electronic vessel and equipment tracking, enhanced personnel security
checks and identification procedures, reviews of vendors and subcontractors,
changes to cargo documentation requirements, automated filing procedures for
customs and vessel entries, and other actions. It is possible that some of these
measures could adversely affect the efficiency of operations of CP Ships or
result in additional costs. It is as yet too early to determine with any
precision the nature and extent of the full scope of measures that may be
adopted in the U.S.
Canada. In Canada, the Shipping Conferences Exemption Act, 1987
("SCEA") exempts certain shipping conference practices, such as agreeing to
terms and prices by way of published tariffs or service contracts, pooling
volumes, and exchanging market data with the objective of achieving trade
stability, from the provisions of the Competition Act. This allows for partial
anti-trust immunity provided that, among other things, on request a shipping
conference is required to meet, notify and discuss issues with the Canadian
Shippers Council.
Recent amendments to SCEA include provisions (a) permitting conference
carriers to offer individual confidential service contracts, (b) permitting
carriers to file rates and tariffs electronically, (c) providing for penalties
of C$10,000 per offence, and (d) reducing the notice period for independent
action from fifteen to five days. In general, these amendments brought the
Canadian regulatory environment closer to U.S. and European regulation.
European Union. The European Union ("EU") recognizes traditional
conferences but not discussion agreements. In the EU, CP Ships is affected by
the regulations under the Treaty of Amsterdam (formerly the Treaty of Rome)
("Treaty"). Under the Treaty, CP Ships is subject to European Community ("EC")
Regulation 4056/86 ("Reg. 4056/86") and EC Regulation 823/00 ("Reg. 823/00").
Under Reg. 4056/86, carriers are entitled to give effect to rate
fixing agreements in relation to the ocean carriage of cargo to and from the EU
(and the European Economic Area) member states. This is in derogation of the
fundamental prohibition of cartels imposed by Article 81 of the Treaty. Such
derogation is subject to certain qualifications. These permitted rate fixing
agreements relate to specific trade lanes. They are known as "liner
conferences". Many of CP Ships' liner services are members of the relevant liner
conferences, primarily in the trade lanes between North Europe and Canada, and
between Europe and Australia, New Zealand, South America and India/Pakistan.
Changes to Reg. 4056/86 have now been brought into effect pursuant to the
"modernisation" of EC competition rules brought into effect by Council
Regulation No 1/2003 dated 16 December 2002. These changes came into effect on
1st May 2004. The changes transfer the burden of testing compliance with Reg.
4056/86 and Article 81 of the Treaty, and the application of exemptions to
Article 81, from the Commission (of the EC) to a self-assessment regime open to
verification by interested parties (at the national court level or with or by
the commission) or by the EC itself.
Reg. 823/00, known as the "consortia" regulation, permits carriers
trading to and from the EU to co-ordinate, subject to certain conditions, the
operation of their ships in particular trade lanes, in order to
27
promote greater efficiency in the optimising and scheduling of shipping
capacity. Such permitted co-ordination is subject to certain qualifications
and is distinct from, and must not include, freight rate fixing agreements
(as permitted by Reg. 4056/86). CP Ships participates, world-wide, in a
number of such arrangements, several of which are subject to Reg. 823/00
by reason of trade to and from EU member states. There are currently under
discussion proposals to change the verification procedure under this
Regulation from that conducted by the Commission (of the EC) to a
self-assessment regime, broadly in line with the changes to Reg. 4056/86.
Australia. In Australia, Part X of the Trade Practices Act 1974
("TPA") provides registered liner cargo shipping conference agreements with
exemptions from provisions of the TPA which would otherwise prohibit contracts
or arrangements to lessen competition and corporations engaging in the practice
of exclusive dealing. These exemptions allow conferences to agree upon freight
rates, pool earnings and costs, rationalize capacity and restrict new entrants
to the conference agreement.
Recent amendments to Part X include the extension of exemptions
relating to rate setting to "port to port" type shipping negotiations, the
extension of Part X to cover inward conferences, the increase in the powers of
the Minister of Transport and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
to resolve anti-competitive conduct, a requirement that closed conferences
accept new members in certain circumstances and allowing shipping conferences to
negotiate collectively with stevedores for the provision of stevedoring services
to member lines of those conferences.
Recent developments in anti-trust immunities. The anti-trust
immunities described above have historically been justified on the grounds that
they are necessary to assure shippers of stable freight rates and reliable
scheduled liner shipping services. These immunities have been in place in
various forms for many years in the U.S., Canada, EU and Australia. However,
they have been gradually eroded and narrowed through legislative and regulatory
amendments and court decisions. For example, in 1998 the OSRA introduced
measures designed to increase the level of competition in the U.S. between
carriers. In 2001, amendments to the SCEA in Canada contained changes similar to
those found in the OSRA and which were also designed to increase competition in
Canada between carriers.
Three decisions issued by the European Court of First Instance on 28th
February 2002 held that the immunities contained in EC Reg. 4056/86 apply only
to port to port services, and do not permit fixing of tariffs for the inland leg
of intermodal services. Further, the lengthy decision of the European Court of
First Instance of 30th September 2003 confirmed in all material respects (save
to annul the fines) the substantive Decision of the Commission in the TAA case
dated 18th September 1998. It thereby confirmed general guidelines as to certain
impermissible conduct on the part of conferences subject to this Regulation.
In May 1999, the Secretariat of the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (the "OECD") published a report entitled
"Discussion document on regulatory reform in international maritime transport".
The report recommended, among other things, that agreements among carriers to
set common rates should no longer receive automatic antitrust immunity or
exemption.
In April 2002, the OECD Secretariat published its final report
entitled "Competition Policy in Liner Shipping" (the "OECD Report") which, among
other things, concluded that there is no evidence that the liner shipping
industry needs to be protected from competition by anti-trust immunity for
price-fixing and rate discussions, and that there is no evidence that the
conference system leads to more stable freight rates or more reliable shipping
services than would be the case in a fully competitive market. The OECD Report
concluded that countries should (i) seriously consider removing anti-trust
exemptions for common pricing and rate discussion and (ii) have the discretion
to retain exemptions for other operational arrangements relating to liner
shipping so long as these did not result in excessive market power. The
container shipping industry has disputed many of the factual findings contained
in the OECD Report and is vigorously opposing the implementation of its
recommendations.
In February 2002, the European Commission, noting the Draft OECD
Report (published in November 2001 prior to the OECD Report), announced that it
would study, and re-assess the justifications for, the existing exemptions for
liner conferences provided in EC Reg. 4056/86. This is the first time that EC
Reg. 4056/86 will have been formally reviewed by the European Commission since
enactment of the
28
Regulation in 1986. This review process has now proceeded to detailed comments
from interested parties on a Commission questionnaire, and a recent public
hearing.
Environmental Regulations
United States. In the U.S., ship operators are subject to a number
of federal and state laws and regulations with respect to protection of the
environment in the course of ship operations in U.S. trade lanes. The primary
laws are the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ("OPA 90") with respect to oil spill
liability, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act ("CERCLA") with respect to spills or releases of hazardous
substances, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ("FWPCA"), also called the
Clean Water Act, and the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 ("NISA") with
respect to ballast water management.
Under OPA 90, ship owners, operators, and bareboat charterers are
deemed "Responsible Parties" and are jointly, severally and strictly liable for
all removal costs and other damages caused by oil spills from their ships.
Although OPA 90 is primarily directed at oil tankers (which CP Ships does not
operate), it also applies to non-tanker ships with respect to the fuel carried
on board the ships. OPA 90 limits the liability of non-tanker owners to the
greater of $600 per gross ton or $500,000 per discharge, which may be adjusted
periodically for inflation. The liability limits do not apply if the incident
was caused by the Responsible Party's gross negligence, wilful misconduct, or a
violation of an applicable federal safety, construction, or operating
regulation. In addition, the liability is not limited if the Responsible Party
fails to report the oil spill or fails to cooperate or comply with a removal
order.
OPA 90 requires all Responsible Parties to establish and maintain
evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the maximum liability to
which it could be subject under OPA 90. Financial responsibility may be
established by any combination of the following: evidence of insurance, surety
bond, guarantee, letter of credit, qualification as self-insurer or other
evidence of financial responsibility. CP Ships believes that it has sufficient
insurance with its P&I Clubs to cover damages that might arise under OPA 90.
However, OPA 90 specifically preserves state law liability and remedies, whether
by statute or common law, which liability is not subject to the OPA 90
limitations of liability. Some states have enacted legislation providing for
unlimited liability for oil spills both in terms of removal costs and damages.
As such, overall liability under state law for a spill maybe virtually
unlimited, and could theoretically exceed CP Ships' available insurance coverage
in the case of a catastrophic spill.
CERCLA governs spills or releases of hazardous substances other than
petroleum, natural gas, and related products. CERCLA imposes strict and joint
and several liability on the owner or operator of a ship, vehicle or facility
from which there has been a release, as well as other responsible parties.
Spills or releases could occur during shipping, land transport, terminal or
transport-related operations. Damages may include removal costs, natural
resource damages, and economic losses without regard to physical damage to a
proprietary interest.
The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous
substances and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for damages and
remedial costs. The Clean Water Act now serves largely to provide backup
coverage with respect to remedial costs to the more recent OPA 90 and CERCLA.
NISA was enacted in 1996 in response to growing reports of harmful
organisms being released into U.S. ports through ballast water taken on by ships
in foreign ports. NISA established a ballast water management program for ships
entering U.S. waters calling for voluntary mid-ocean ballast water exchange,
retention of ballast water onboard the ship, or the use of environmentally sound
alternative ballast water management methods approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
If the mid-ocean ballast exchange is made mandatory throughout the U.S., or if
water treatment requirements or options are instituted, the costs of compliance
could increase for ocean carriers, including CP Ships.
Canada. In Canada, shipowners are faced with a number of Canadian
federal and, concurrently, provincial environmental laws which do or may apply
to shipping operations and related activities in Canadian waters. The federal
laws include the Marine Liability Act, Canada Shipping Act, Canadian
29
Environmental Protection Act and Fisheries Act. The Marine Liability Act ("MLA")
gives effect to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil
Pollution Damages, 1992 and the International Convention on the Establishment of
the International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage as amended by
protocols in 1976 and 1992. The MLA imposes liability on the shipowner for oil
pollution damage and for costs and expenses to prevent, repair, remedy or
minimize that pollution. Unless the pollution results from a personal act or
omission of the shipowner committed with intent to cause the pollution, or
recklessly and with knowledge that pollution damage would probably result, the
maximum liability of the shipowner is limited to 4,510,000 International
Monetary Fund Special Drawing Rights for the first 5,000 tons and 631 Special
Drawing Rights per subsequent ton, to a maximum of 89,770,000 Special Drawing
Rights. The law requires that certificates of insurance or other security be
issued in respect of each ship. All of CP Ships' owned ships carry such
certificates.
The Marine Liability Act, Canada Shipping Act, Canadian Environmental
Protection Act and Fisheries Act and comparable provincial laws, prohibit
dumping of deleterious substances in water which would adversely affect the
fishery and other aspects of the environment. These statutes can be publicly or
privately prosecuted and in some cases create a civil cause of action. Common
law causes of action may also be available for those affected by acts of
pollution. Those laws, as well as the common law, create a civil cause of action
against the offender.
The CP Ships terminals in Montreal are subject to various federal and
province of Quebec environmental laws. The Quebec Environmental Quality Act
imposes liability jointly and severally on all persons who have ownership,
custody or control over contaminants and persons responsible for emission,
deposit or discharge of any contaminant.
Australia. Australian law governing marine pollution from ships takes
the form of domestic enactment of international conventions. The Commonwealth,
the States and the Northern Territory of Australia have all legislated to give
effect to some of the conventions listed below, but there is no uniformity
between the various jurisdictions. Different jurisdictions have given effect to
different conventions in different ways. The core of MARPOL 73/78 (referred to
below) has been adopted in Australia by the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of
Pollution from Ships) Act, 1983 ("PSA"). All of the States of Australia and the
Northern Territory have their own legislation implementing Annex I and II of
MARPOL.
Effective as at October 2001, the PSA was amended to include
provisions: (a) requiring ships of 400 tons or more, or certified to carry 15 or
more persons, to have a shipboard waste management plan and to carry and
maintain a garbage record book; (b) expanding incident reporting requirements so
that ships of 15 metres or more must report any incident that affects the safety
of the ship having the potential to result in pollution (previously reporting
was required in respect of an incident only when there was a probability of
pollution) and (c) empowering surveyors to require a ship to discharge waste in
port, where it becomes clear that the ship would have to discharge some waste at
sea before reaching its next port of call.
The Commonwealth and State Acts implementing Annex I and II of MARPOL
(a) prohibit the discharge of oil or an oily mixture into the sea subject to
certain exceptions; (b) impose a duty to report certain incidents involving oil
or an oily mixture; and (c) require all Australian tankers or ships over 400 GRT
(Gross Registered Tonnage) to maintain an oil record book according to the
regulations outlined in those Acts. A maximum penalty of A$1.1 million can be
imposed against the owner of a ship and A$220,000 against the master of a ship
for breaches of the Acts. In New South Wales, oil pollution legislation
effective as of 1st November 2002 increased the maximum penalties for pollution
from A$220,000 to A$500,000 for individuals and from A$1.1 million to A$10
million for corporations. These new penalties are the highest fines in Australia
for marine oil and chemical spills.
The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution
Damage, 1969 (known as CLC), as amended by Protocols dated 1976, 1984 and 1992,
was implemented by the Commonwealth by enactment of the Protection of the Sea
(Powers of Intervention) Act, 1981. The Dumping Convention was implemented by
the Commonwealth by enactment of the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act,
1981. That Act was amended in 1994 to give effect to Australia's obligations
under the Protocol for the Prevention of Pollution of the South Pacific Region
by Dumping ("SPREP") Protocol. Legislation was passed in 1993 to give effect to
the Fund Convention in Australia. The Protection of the Sea (Oil Pollution
Compensation Fund) Act,
30
1993 provides for who is to contribute to an international oil pollution
compensation fund, how much they must contribute and how such contributions
are to be completed.
The Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability) Amendment Act, 2000
provides that: (a) ships over 400 GRT will be required to have appropriate
insurance in place to meet liabilities arising from pollution damage caused by
the discharge of oil; and (b) a breach of this Act will result in a strict
liability offence which carries penalties of up to A$55,000.
International. Globally, the International Maritime Organization
("IMO") has adopted MARPOL 73/78, which relates to environmental standards
including oil leakage or spilling, garbage management, as well as the handling
and disposal of noxious liquids, harmful substances in packaged forms, sewage
and air emissions. Compliance with MARPOL is not yet mandatory. However, CP
Ships endeavours to comply with all materially relevant provisions of the
convention.
The IMO adopted the International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea or SOLAS Convention, which imposes a variety of standards to regulate design
and operational features of ships. SOLAS standards are revised periodically. CP
Ships believes that all ships, either owned or chartered by it, comply with
SOLAS standards. SOLAS also incorporates the International Safety Management
Code ("ISM"). The ISM requires, among other things, ship operators to implement
environmental and safety management systems. CP Ships has obtained ISM
accreditation for all its owned ships and for the management companies operating
those ships.
The majority of CP Ships' marine operations activities has been
certified to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management standard. The purpose of ISO
14001 certification is to ensure that all company marine operations activities
which relate to the environment conform to a specific standard which makes it
mandatory to comply with relevant international conventions, national and local
laws and regulations and create the framework required to continuously improve
directly or indirectly related internal processes, procedures and activities.
Certification of CP Ships' remaining marine and terminal operations is expected
during the course of 2004.
All of CP Ships' owned and chartered ships operate under the
International Ship Management Code's standard of safe operations. CP Ships'
owned ships are registered with internationally recognized Classification
Societies including Lloyds, Bureau Veritas, ABS, and DNV. The principal purpose
of Classification Societies is to provide objective and independent confirmation
to the insurance underwriters that ships are being maintained to the standards
that are considered appropriate to minimize claims on underwriters. A beneficial
by-product of the activities of Classification Societies is to provide
reassurances to owners and others with a financial or other interest in those
ships that they are being regularly surveyed and properly maintained.
31
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Prior to 1st October 2001, CP Ships Holdings Inc. ("CPSHI") was the
wholly owned holding company of CPL's container shipping interests. On 1st
October 2001, as part of a Plan of Arrangement, CPL distributed its interests in
CPSHI to CP Ships, a newly created subsidiary company of CPL. CPL then
distributed its investment in CP Ships to its common shareholders on the basis
of one new common share in CP Ships for four old CPL common shares. Where
appropriate, share numbers in the financial statements reflect the effect of the
Plan of Arrangement applied retroactively. As both CPSHI and CP Ships were under
the control of CPL at the time, the transactions have been accounted for in a
manner similar to a pooling-of-interests and the historical financial
information of CPSHI has become the historical financial information of the now
publicly held CP Ships.
Subject to the foregoing, the following table sets forth certain
financial information for CP Ships or its predecessor and its subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis under Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for
the last three fiscal years.
Consolidated Statements of Income Data
(US$ millions, except amounts per share, presented in $)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended 31st December
------------------------------------------
2003(6) 2002(6) 2001(1)
(as restated) (as restated)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue 3,130 2,687 2,646
Expenses (3,028) (2,611) (2,507)
------------------------------------------
Operating income before exceptional items (2) 102 76 139
Exceptional items (10) 2 (43)
------------------------------------------
Operating income 92 78 96
Interest (expense), net (36) (23) -
Income tax expense (3) (10) (12)
Minority interest - - 1
Goodwill charges (3) - - (16)
------------------------------------------
Net income (3) $ 53 $ 45 $ 69
==========================================
Earnings per common share basic before $0.70 $0.51 $1.37
exceptional items (3) (4) (5)
Earnings per common share basic (3) (4) $0.59 $0.53 $0.83
Earnings per common share diluted (3) (4) $0.57 $0.52 $0.83
Cash dividend declared per common share $0.16 $0.16 -
Cash dividend declared per preference share - - $17.69
</TABLE>
32
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(US$ millions)
At 31st December
----------------------------------------
2003(6) 2002(6) 2001(1)
(as restated) (as restated)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents 75 110 116
Property, plant and equipment 1,235 1,134 774
Total assets 2,500 2,487 1,923
Total long-term liabilities 639 589 223
Total debt 651 597 230
Common share capital 686 685 597
Shareholders' equity 1,278 1,218 1,096
</TABLE>
(1) The 2001 financial statements have been revised. See note 2 to CP
Ships' 2002 Financial Statements.
(2) Exceptional items include an exceptional charge in 2001 of $43
million, an exceptional credit in 2002 of $2 million and an
exceptional charge of $10 million in 2003.
(3) Goodwill was not amortized in 2003 and 2002 due to changes in Canadian
GAAP. The impact of not amortizing goodwill for the year ended 31st
December 2001 would have been to increase net income by $16 million,
and increase basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.20.
(4) Earnings per common share is calculated after deduction of preference
dividends in the years ended 31st December 2003, 2002 and 2001 of
$0, $0 and $3 million, respectively. Basic and diluted earnings per
common share have been calculated using net income (as restated, see
note (6) below) after deducting the preference shares dividend
divided, by 89.8 million and 92.6 million shares, respectively, for
the year ended 31st December 2003 and 84.8 million and 86.1 million
shares, respectively, for the year ended 31st December 2002 and 79.3
million and 79.9 million shares, respectively, for the year ended
31st December 2001.
(5) Exceptional items include a charge of $10 million in 2003, a credit
of $2 million in 2002 and a charge of $43 million in 2001.
(6) On 16th August 2004, CP Ships' restated the previously reported
results for 2003 to reflect an increase in container shipping costs
of $23 million and a reduction in revenue of $6 million, resulting in
a reduction in net income of $29 million. At the same time, 2002
results were also restated to reflect an increase in container
shipping costs and a reduction in net income of $7 million.
The balance sheet as at 31st December 2003 has been restated to increase
accounts payable and accrued liabilities by $30 million and to reduce
accounts receivable by $6 million, with a corresponding reduction of $36
million in retained earnings.
The balance sheet as at 31st December 2002 has been restated to increase
accounts payable and accrued liabilities by $7 million with a
corresponding $7 million reduction in retained earnings.
a) Impact of restatement of consolidated statements of income
The impact of the restatements on net income for the years ended 31st
December 2003 and 2002 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
US$ millions 31st December 2003 31st December 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Net income - as previously reported 82 52
Adjustments:
-----------
Revenue
Container shipping operations (i) (6) -
Expenses
Container shipping operations (ii), (iii) (23) (7)
----------------------------------------------------------
Total adjustments (29) (7)
----------------------------------------------------------
Net income - as restated 53 45
----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(i) Adjustment required to eliminate revenue-related balances that
should not have been included on the balance sheet. Of this amount
$3 million is to eliminate intercompany items previously not
eliminated on consolidation and included within
33
accounts receivable. A further $3 million relates to the
elimination of other miscellaneous revenue-related balances which
should not have been recognized as revenues and accounts
receivable.
(ii) The 2003 adjustment includes $20 million to correct the level of
accruals established for container shipping costs. These
underaccruals resulted from issues that affected certain of the
processes and controls required to make and maintain reasonable
estimates of accruals. A further $2 million relates to an incorrect
reversal of cost accruals. An additional $1 million relates to the
elimination of certain other cost-related balances.
(iii) The 2002 adjustment of $7 million is to charge additional costs for
container shipping operations, required as a result of the
unintentional recording of an intercompany liability within accruals
and the subsequent charging of third party costs against this
balance.
None of the adjustments reflected above are affected by income taxes and
therefore no restatement of the company's previously reported provisions
for income taxes is required.
b) Impact of restatement on consolidated statements of retained earnings
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
31st December 31st December 31st December
2003 2002 2001
US$ millions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Retained earnings - as
previously reported
615 547 509
Adjustments (36) (7) -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings - as restated 579 540 509
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
As at 31st December 2003, accounts receivable has decreased by $6 million
and accounts payable and accrued liabilities have increased by $30
million.
As at 31st December 2002, accounts payable and accrued liabilities have
increased by $7 million.
c) Impact of restatement on segmented reporting
The impact of the restatement on operating income by segment for the
years ended 31st December 2003 and 2002 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
2003
----
Trans Atlantic Latin America
US$ millions Australasia Asia Other Total
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating income
before
exceptional items
as reported in
2003
82 27 15 (8) 15 131
Restatement (17) (3) (4) (4) (1) (29)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restated
operating income
before
exceptional items
65 24 11 (12) 14 102
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34
2002
----
Trans Atlantic Latin America
US$ millions Australasia Asia Other Total
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income
before
exceptional items
as reported in
2002
60 27 21 (38) 13 83
Restatement (4) - - (3) - (7)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restated
operating income
56 27 21 (41) 13 76
============================================================================================
</TABLE>
Dividend Policy
On 16th August 2004, CP Ships' Board of Directors declared a dividend
for the second quarter of 2004 of $0.04 per common share ($3.6 million in
aggregate), payable on 6th September 2004.
The Board of Directors determines the amount of the quarterly
dividends based on its view of anticipated net income and in accordance with CP
Ships' capital expenditure and working capital needs as well as its strategic
spending plans. Should the Board's view change, the amount of the dividend could
be increased, decreased or eliminated entirely.
The Board of Directors is under no obligation to declare dividends and
the declaration of dividends is wholly within its discretion. Restrictions under
CP Ships' existing or future financing agreements and the provisions of
applicable law preclude, or may preclude, the payment of dividends in certain
circumstances.
35
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Reference is made to CP Ships' revised Management's Discussion and
Analysis for the year ended 31st December 2003, which is incorporated by
reference in this Annual Information Form.
MARKET FOR SECURITIES
Stock Exchange Listings
The common shares are traded on The TSX and the NYSE and trade under
the symbol "TEU".
DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT
Directors
Set out below are the names, municipality of residence, business
addresses, offices within CP Ships and principal occupations within the past
five years of the directors of CP Ships together with the common shares
beneficially owned or controlled by such individuals as at 29th February 2004.
As at 31st March 2004, no single director beneficially owns or controls 1% or
more of the common shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Common
Shares
Beneficially
Owned or
Name, Municipality of Residence and Controlled as at
Business Address if different from Principal Occupation 29th February
CP Ships Office (where different from office) 2004
<S> <C> <C> <C>
John P. Bowmer................................. Director since Corporate Director 6,503
Atherton, California October 2001
Business Address:
100 Redwood Shores Parkway
Redwood City
California, U.S.A. 94065
Robert J. Clanin............................... Director since Corporate Director 6,486
Alpharetta, Georgia October 2001
Business Address:
14780 East Bluff Road
Alpharetta
Georgia, U.S.A. 30004
Peter J. Dey.................................... Director since Partner, Osler Hoskin & 8,735
Toronto, Ontario October 2001 Harcourt LLP (law firm)
Business Address:
1 First Canadian Place
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5X 1B8
Frank J. Halliwell.............................. Director since 201,790(1)
Tampa, Florida October 2001 and
Chief Executive
Officer
Business Address:
401 East Jackson St., Suite 3300
Tampa
Florida, U.S.A. 33602
36
Number of
Common
Shares
Beneficially
Owned or
Name, Municipality of Residence and Controlled as at
Business Address if different from Principal Occupation 29th February
CP Ships Office (where different from office) 2004
John D. McNeil................................. Director since Corporate Director 23,735
Toronto, Ontario October 2001
Business Address:
150 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5H 1J9
Raymond R. Miles............................... Director since 276,116(2)
London, England October 2001 and
Chairman
Business Address:
2 City Place
Beehive Ring Road
Gatwick Airport
RH6 0PA England
Nigel M.S. Rich ................................. Director since Corporate Director 3,387
London, England October 2001
Business Address:
7 Lower Sloane Street
London
SW1W 8AY England
Ian J. Webber..................................... Director since 135,318(3)
Kent, England October 2001 and
Chief Financial
Officer
Business Address:
2 City Place
Beehive Ring Road
Gatwick Airport
RH6 0PA England
Viscount Weir... ................................. Director since Corporate Director 3,895
Glasgow, Scotland October 2001 and
Lead Director
since May 2004
Business Address:
2 City Place
Beehive Ring Road
Gatwick Airport
RH6 0PA England
</TABLE>
(1) As at 29th February 2004, Frank J. Halliwell held 201,790 common
shares of which 131,778 are Restricted Shares, 41,778 of which
vest on 18th October 2004 and 41,778 vest on 1st December 2005,
and 48,222 subject to company performance criteria also vest on
1st December 2005, all under compensation plans.
(2) As at 29th February 2004, Raymond R. Miles held 276,116 common
shares of which 184,445 are Restricted Shares, 73,778 of which
vest on 18th October 2004 and 73,778 vest on 1st December 2005,
and 36,889 subject to company performance criteria also vest on
1st December 2005, all under compensation plans.
(3) As at 29th February 2004 Ian J. Webber held 135,318 common
shares of which 103,556 are Restricted Shares, 33,556 of which
vest on 18th October 2004 and 33,556 vest on 1st December 2005,
and 36,444 subject to company performance criteria also vest on
1st December 2005, all under compensation plans.
Ray Miles was appointed Chairman following the annual meeting on 4th
May 2004. He joined CP Ships in 1988 as Chief Executive Officer. He has worked
in the shipping industry since 1972. He is a non-executive Director of
Provident Financial and West of England P&I Club, Chairman of Box Club the
container shipping industry's CEO forum, Chairman of the World Shipping
Council, the industry's US representative organization, and a trustee of the
National Maritime Museums at both Greenwich, London and Falmouth, Cornwall.
Viscount Weir, was appointed Lead Director following the annual
meeting on 4th May 2004. He was Chairman of CP Ships from 2001 to 2004.
Viscount Weir also served as Chairman of Balfour Beatty, one of the UK 's
largest construction companies until May 2003. He was Chairman of the Weir
Group, a UK-based
37
mechanical engineering group, from 1983 to 1999. He is also a Director of St
James's Place Capital and Canadian Pacific Railway. Formerly, he was a Director
of the Bank of England, British Steel and CPL. He is Chairman of the
Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit and Corporate Governance
Committees.
John Bowmer was Chairman of Adecco of Switzerland, the world's largest
international staffing and recruitment company until 2004. He was Chief
Executive Officer of Adecco from 1996 to 2002 and Chief Executive Officer of
its predecessor, Adia, since 1993. He has served in a variety of executive
positions in the UK, Asia, Australia and the US since he joined Adia in 1987.
He is a member of the Audit, Corporate Governance and Compensation Committees.
Robert Clanin is Chairman of Overseas Partners, a Bermuda reinsurance
company, a Director of Caraustar Industries, which produces recycled packaging,
of John H Harland, a financial services company and of Serologicals. a global
provider of biological products. He was Chief Financial Officer of United Parcel
Service, the US-based international parcel delivery and logistics company, from
1994 to 2001, having joined the company in 1971. He oversaw what was at the time
the largest ever initial public offering of stock in the US. He is a member of
the Audit, Corporate Governance and Compensation Committees.
Peter Dey was Chairman of Morgan Stanley Canada from 1998 until 2001
and President from 1994. From 1985 to 1994 he was a partner in the Canadian law
firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt which he first joined in 1969 and to which he
returned as a partner in 2001. He was Chairman of the Ontario Securities
Commission from 1983 to 1985 and was responsible for the Dey Report on corporate
governance in Canada. He is a director of Stelco, Camco, Workbrain Corporation
and Atlas Cold Storage Income Trust. He is Chairman of the Corporate Governance
Committee and a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees.
Frank Halliwell was appointed Chief Executive Officer of CP Ships
following the annual meeting on 4th May 2004. He previously served as Chief
Operating Officer since 2001, having been Executive Vice President since 1995.
He has filled a number of senior roles in the CP Ships group since joining
Canada Maritime as Commercial Director in 1991. He entered the container
shipping industry in 1971.
John McNeil was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Life
Assurance Company of Canada from 1988 to 1998 and Chairman until retirement in
1999, having originally joined the company in 1956. He is a Director of Sun Life
Financial. He serves as Chairman of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts having been
Director of its former parent company, Canadian Pacific Limited from 1992 to
2001. He is also a Director of Shell Canada and DWL (USA). He is Chairman of the
Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance
Committees.
Nigel Rich is Chairman of Exel, the global logistics business. He is
also Chairman of the Hamptons Group, a real estate services company, and a
Director of Pacific Assets Trust. He spent 20 years with the Jardine Matheson
group in Asia and was its Chief Executive from 1989 to 1994. He is a member of
the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees.
Ian Webber, a Chartered Accountant, was appointed Chief Financial
Officer in 1996 after 17 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the last five as
an audit partner.
The Articles of Amalgamation of CP Ships provide for a minimum of
three and a maximum of 15 directors. The directors are empowered to exercise all
the powers of CP Ships, including the power to borrow money. A director may not
vote in respect of any contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal in which
he, or any person connected with him, has any material interest other than by
virtue of his interests in securities of, or otherwise in or through, CP Ships.
A director shall not vote or be counted in any quorum concerning his own
appointment or terms of his appointment. Directors are not required to hold any
shares of CP Ships by way of qualifications but the board has decided that each
should own 10,000 shares within five years of election. There is a mandatory
retirement for a director at the AGM after reaching 70 years of age, however,
the board may waive the mandatory disqualification for directors having reached
70 years of age for successive one year periods when it is in the best interests
of the company.
38
Management
The names, municipality of residence and principal occupations within
the past five years of CP Ships' senior officers who are not directors are shown
below. Unless otherwise noted below during the past five years each of the
following senior officers has been engaged in the principal occupation shown
opposite his name or in another position with the same or an affiliated company.
Salvador Bruno, Tampa, USA, Senior Vice-President, joined in July 1997
with the acquisition of Lykes Lines, where he had worked since 1985 having
served in a number of senior positions until his appointment as VP Commercial.
Terry Burrows, Sussex, England, Senior Vice-President, appointed in
August 2000. He joined CP Ships in 1964 and has served in various senior
commercial and marketing roles for the Montreal Gateway.
Dave Dawson, Sussex, England, Senior Vice-President, was appointed in
January 2003. He joined CP Ships in 1966 and has held a number of senior
administrative and commercial positions.
Jeff Drake, London, England, was appointed Vice-President Logistics in
June 2004. He joined CP Ships in October 2000 and previously served as Vice
President Corporate Planning. From 1998, he was Director Marketing and Planning
for Contship Italia in Italy and before that a partner with Mercer Management
Consulting in Boston, Massachusetts.
Juan Manuel Gonzalez, Tampa, USA, was appointed Executive
Vice-President in July 2004, he was previously Senior Vice President and joined
CP Ships on the merger with TMM in 1999.
Glenn Hards, Tampa, USA, was appointed Executive Vice-President in
July 2004. He joined CP Ships in 1978 and has held management positions in
finance, audit and business development.
John Irving, Surrey, England, Vice-President General Counsel and
Secretary, joined CP Ships in June 2001 after five years as Senior
Vice-President and General Counsel for Dairyworld Foods in Vancouver, British
Columbia. He was Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary of Emco Limited
from 1993 to 1996.
JP LaCasse, Tampa, USA, Senior Vice-President, joined in January 1998.
Before that he was with APL for nine years, most recently as North American
Controller. He started in the shipping business in 1978 as international tax
counsel for Sea-Land Service Inc.
Jeremy Lee, Montreal, Canada, Vice-President Investor Relations since
June 2001. He joined CP Ships in 1989 and has served in various senior
commercial, marketing and corporate planning positions.
Jeremy Masters, Sussex, England, was appointed Senior Vice-President
in May 2004. He joined CP Ships in 1984 and previously served in a number of
senior commercial positions.
Paul Stone, Essex, England, Vice-President Human Resources, was
appointed in November 1999 after serving as General Manager, Human Resources for
Contship Containerlines since 1996. Previously he was UK HR Manager for Deloitte
& Touche and previously in similar roles in other companies.
Iain Torrens, London, England, Vice-President Treasurer, was appointed
in January 2002. He joined from Cookson Group where he was Deputy Group
Treasurer.
There is no family relationship between any of the directors and
officers.
39
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of CP Ships has constituted three standing
committees - an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Corporate
Governance Committee. Each standing committee is comprised of non-employee
directors. Matters regarding employee health and safety and the protection of
the environment are dealt with by the full Board of Directors.
Audit Committee
The mandate of the Audit Committee includes:
o Reviewing with management and CP Ship's internal and external
auditors, the financial reporting in connection with the annual
audit and the preparation of the financial statements including the
judgement of the external auditors as to the quality and
appropriateness of CP Ship's accounting principles.
o Reviewing CP Ship's Quarterly Financial Statements and recommending
the release of those statements to the public.
o Discussing with management the policies and procedures for managing
the principal financial risks of the business to satisfy themselves
that the principal financial risks have been identified and that
systems have been implemented to effectively manage these risks.
o Reviewing the effectiveness of CP Ship's disclosure controls and
procedures and internal financial controls.
o Subject to shareholder approval, selecting, retaining and where
appropriate replacing the external auditors, including a review and
discussion with the external auditors of all significant
relationships that the external auditors and their affiliates have
with CP Ships.
o Approving the audit and non-audit services and fees of the external
auditors.
o Establishing procedures for anonymous complaints regarding
questionable accounting or auditing matters.
The Chairman of the Audit Committee is John McNeil and the members are
John Bowmer, Robert Clanin, Peter Dey, Nigel Rich and Viscount Weir.
Corporate Governance Committee
The mandate of the Corporate Governance Committee includes:
o Monitoring and assessing the functioning of the Board and the
committees of the Board and developing and implementing good
corporate governance practices.
o In consultation with the Chairman and the CEO, reviewing the size,
composition and profile of the Board and identifying candidates to
be appointed to fill any vacancies.
o Reviewing from time to time the compensation for the Board and for
committee service.
o Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board from time to time
with respect to the performance of the Board and various committees
of the Board.
40
The Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee is Peter Dey and
the members are John Bowmer, Robert Clanin, John McNeil, Nigel Rich and Viscount
Weir.
Compensation Committee
The mandate of the Compensation Committee includes:
o Defining the reporting relationships of senior management and its
major business units
o Reviewing on a regular basis, succession plans for senior management
positions
o Assessing the performance of senior management, their compensation
and reviewing the compensation policy of CP Ships.
The Chairman of the Compensation Committee is Viscount Weir and the
members are John Bowmer, Robert Clanin, Peter Dey, John McNeil and Nigel Rich.
41
DESCRIPTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS AND TAXATION OF CP
SHIPS AND SUBSIDIARIES
The following is a summary of the terms and conditions of CP Ships'
revolving credit facility, 10-3/8% Senior Notes due 2012, 4% Convertible Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2024, Pacific Class Vessel loan, and certain capital
leases and other operating leases. This summary is necessarily of a general
nature and does not purport to describe all of the terms and conditions of such
financing transactions.
Indebtness Corporate Structure
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------
| CP Ships Limited (1) |
| (New Brunswick) |
| Borrower under 10-3/8% Senior Notes |
| Borrower under 4% Convertible Senior Subordinated |
| Notes |
| Guarantor under $525 Million Facility |
| Guarantor under Container Sale |
| and Leaseback |
| Guarantor of Pacific Class Vessel Loan |
| Guarantor of Venture and Spirit Leases |
| Guarantor of Long-term Charters |
------------------------------------------------------------
|
-------------//--------------------------------------------//-----------------------
| | |
| | |
<S> <C> <C> <C>
------------------------- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------------
|Cast Terminal Company | | CP Ships (Bermuda) Limited (2) | |Racine Terminal (Montreal) |
| (Nova Scotia) | | (Bermuda) | | Company |
| | | Guarantor of Pacific Class Vessel Loan| | (Nova Scotia) |
------------------------- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------------
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | | |
/ / / |
/ / / |
| | | |
| | | |
|--------------------------| |-------------------------------| |-----------------------------| |---------------------------|
| Container Equipment | | CP Ships (UK) Limited (4) | | CP Ships (Americas) | | CPS Number 1 Limited (8)|
| Leasing Limited (3) | | (England and Wales) | | Limited (8) (Bermuda) | | (Bermuda) |
| (Bermuda) | | Guarantor of 10-3/8 % | | Borrower under | | Borrower under $525 |
| Lessee under Container | | Senior Notes | | Pacific Class Vessel Loan | | Million Facility |
| Sale and Leaseback | | Guarantor under $525 Million | | | | |
| | | Facility | | | | |
| | | Lessess under Venture and | | | | |
| | | Spirit Leases | | | | |
|--------------------------| |-------------------------------| |-----------------------------| |---------------------------|
| |
|-----------------| |----------------|
| |
| |
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|--------------------------| |-------------------------------| |-----------------------------| |---------------------------|
| CPS Number 2 Limited (8)| | Italia di Navigaazione LLC (5)| | Lykes Lines Limited, LLC (6)| | TMM Lines Limited, LLC (7)|
| (England and Wales) | | (Delaware) | | (Delaware) | | (Delaware) |
| Borrower under $525 | | | | Guarantor of 10-3/8 % | | Guarantor of 10-3/8% |
| Million Facility | | | | Senior Notes | | Senior Notes |
| | | | | Guarantor under $525 | | Guarantor under $525 |
|--------------------------| |-------------------------------| | Million Facility | | Million Facility |
| Guarantor of Venture | | Guarantor of Venture |
| and Spirit Leases | | and Spirit Leases |
| Lessee under Long-term | | |
| Charters | | |
|-----------------------------| |---------------------------|
</TABLE>
(1) CP Ships owns a 100% interest in Racine Terminal (Montreal) Company
and Cast Terminal Company indirectly through CP Ships (Canada)
Holdings Company, which is incorporated in Nova Scotia.
(2) CP Ships (Bermuda) Limited holds a 100% interest in (i) CP Ships (UK)
Limited indirectly through three intermediate holding companies, one
of which is incorporated in Bermuda and the other two in England and
Wales, (ii) CP Ships (Americas) Limited through an intermediate
holding company incorporated in Bermuda.
(3) Owns and leases CP Ships' containers.
(4) Services are marketed under the following brands: Canada Maritime,
Cast, Contship Containerlines and ANZDL.
(5) Services are marketed under the Italia brand.
(6) Services are marketed under the Lykes Lines brand.
(7) Services are marketed under the TMM Lines brand.
(8) Ship-owning company.
42
Revolving Credit Facility
$525 Million Facility
On 25th March 2004, CP Ships and certain of its subsidiaries entered
into a $525 million secured revolving credit facility (the "$525 Million
Facility") with a syndicate of financial institutions represented by ING Bank
NV, as agent and security trustee. The $525 Million Facility replaces CP Ships'
previous $175 million and $350 million revolving credit facilities, which have
been cancelled. The $525 Million Facility has a five-year term expiring in March
2009. Borrowings under the $525 Million Facility are by subsidiaries of CP Ships
(CPS Number 1 Limited and CPS Number 2 Limited), are presently secured by 25
owned ships, and are guaranteed by CP Ships, Lykes LLC, TMM LLC and CP Ships
(UK).
Under the $525 Million Facility, CP Ships must pay interest on amounts
borrowed at a rate equal to LIBOR (or, in relation to any advance in Euro,
Euribor), plus the applicable margin and mandatory costs (if any), in addition
to a quarterly commitment fee on the unused portion of the $525 Million Facility
equal to 40% of the applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on the
average of the Moody's and S&P corporate ratings of CP Ships. For so long as CP
Ships' corporate ratings continue to be Ba2 (as rated by Moody's) and BBB-- (as
rated by S&P) and the amount outstanding under the $525 Million Facility is less
than 50% of the total commitments thereunder at such time, the applicable margin
is 1.10%. The applicable margin is subject to adjustment in the event of a
change in such ratings. If the amount outstanding under the $525 Million
Facility is more than 50% of the total commitments thereunder at such time, the
applicable margin is increased by a further 0.15%.
Under the $525 Million Facility, CP Ships may borrow an amount up to
the aggregate of 75% of the appraised value of the ships on which the facility
is secured. The value of all secured ships is subject to an annual reappraisal
and, to the extent that borrowings under the facility exceed the 75% threshold,
CP Ships may be required to reduce the borrowings within 15 business days of
notification. CP Ships may also be required to make a prepayment if and to the
extent that the sale or total loss of a ship, or the release of a mortgage on a
ship results in borrowings under the facility exceeding the 75% threshold. Based
on the appraised value of the 25 secured ships, CP Ships was able to borrow $525
million under the $525 Million Facility as at 3rd September 2004.
Voluntary prepayments, including partial prepayments, are permitted
under the $525 Million Facility and amounts prepaid may be re-borrowed.
As guarantor, CP Ships is subject to certain financial and other
covenants including: (i) an ongoing obligation to maintain free liquid assets
(defined as credit balances on current or deposit accounts, short-term (less
than one-year maturity) certificates of deposit, investments in money market
funds rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's, and amounts up to $35 million of any
unutilized, committed credit facilities with a remaining term of greater than
one year) of at least $75 million; (ii) an ongoing obligation to maintain
consolidated tangible net worth (defined as shareholders' equity less any
goodwill and other intangibles) equal to or in excess of $500 million; (iii) an
ongoing obligation to ensure that the ratio of total debt (excluding up to $225
million of subordinated debt) and capitalized lease obligations (excluding (a)
the impact of ship charters which commence on a future date and (b) leases of
office equipment, office premises, motor vehicles, trucks and chassis) to
shareholders' equity does not exceed 1.2 to 1.0; (iv) an ongoing obligation to
ensure that the ratio of total debt (excluding up to $225 million of
subordinated debt) to earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes and
amortization does not exceed 4.0 to 1.0.
In addition to events of default customary for this type of facility,
any event of default or default with respect to CP Ships, Lykes LLC, TMM LLC and
CP Ships (UK) or the borrowing subsidiaries' indebtedness for money borrowed
having an aggregate principal amount of $15 million or more would constitute an
event of default under the $525 Million Facility. If CP Ships ceases to be
listed on The TSX, the London Stock Exchange or the NYSE (or other approved
stock exchanges) or any person or group acquires more than 25% of CP Ships'
outstanding common shares, this will constitute a change of control under the
$525 Million Facility and an event of default. The occurrence of an event of
default, unless waived by the lenders, will result in all amounts owing under
the facility becoming immediately due and payable.
43
10-3/8% Senior Notes due 2012
On 3rd July 2002, CP Ships completed a private placement of senior
notes in the aggregate principal amount of $200 million at a price of 97.722% of
their principal amount. Following an exchange offer made by CP Ships on 31st
October 2002, all of the senior notes were exchanged for senior notes registered
under the Securities Act (the "10-3/8% Senior Notes"). The 10-3/8% Senior Notes
are issued pursuant to a Trust Indenture dated 3rd July 2002 between CP Ships as
issuer, CP Ships (UK), Lykes LLC and TMM LLC (together, the "Note Guarantors")
as subsidiary guarantors and The Bank of New York as trustee and reference is
made to the Trust Indenture for a full description of the terms and conditions
attaching to the 10-3/8% Senior Notes. The 10-3/8% Senior Notes are listed on
the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (CUSIP number 22409VAC6).
The 10-3/8% Senior Notes bear interest at 10.375% payable
semi-annually and mature in July 2012 unless redeemed earlier. The obligations
of CP Ships under the 10-3/8% Senior Notes are guaranteed by the Note
Guarantors. Under the terms of the 10-3/8% Senior Notes, CP Ships has the
option, in each case subject to payment of any accrued and unpaid interest:
(i) at any time prior to 15th July 2005, to redeem up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the 10-3/8% Senior Notes with the proceeds of one
or more public equity offerings, at a redemption price equal to 110.375% of the
principal amount of the redeemed 10-3/8% Senior Notes;
(ii) at any time prior to 15th July 2007, to redeem any of the 10-3/8%
Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof plus a
redemption premium equal to the greater of (a) 1% of such principal amount and
(b) the excess of (x) the present value at the redemption date of the redemption
price of such 10-3/8% Senior Notes at 15th July 2007 plus all required interest
payments that would otherwise be due to be paid on such 10-3/8% Senior Notes
between the redemption date and 15th July 2007 excluding accrued but unpaid
interest, computed using a discount rate equal to the U.S. Treasury Rate at such
redemption date plus 0.50%; over (y) the principal amount of such 10-3/8% Senior
Notes; and
(iii) at any time after 15th July 2007 and prior to their maturity, to
redeem any of the 10-3/8% Senior Notes at an applicable fixed redemption price
which gradually decreases from 105.188% of the aggregated principal amount of
such 10-3/8% Senior Notes if such option is exercised in 2007 to 100% of such
amount if such option is exercised in 2010 and thereafter.
Under the terms of the 10-3/8% Senior Notes, if any person or group
directly or indirectly acquires 50% or more of CP Ships' outstanding common
shares, or if CP Ships consummates certain specific merger or consolidation
transactions or sells substantially all of its or its subsidiaries' assets, or
the majority of the Board of CP Ships is replaced during any consecutive two
year period and, within 90 days of any such event, the credit rating of the 10
3/8% Senior Notes is downgraded or withdrawn by both S&P and Moody's, CP Ships
will be required to make an offer to purchase all of the outstanding 10-3/8%
Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus
accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.
CP Ships is also required to make an offer to purchase outstanding 10
3/8% Senior Notes in the principal amount equal to any proceeds (when such
proceeds exceed $25 million) from a sale of assets by CP Ships or its
subsidiaries that have not been used to repay third-party debt of any subsidiary
of CP Ships or to acquire assets, at a price equal to 100% of such principal
amount plus accrued interest up to the date of purchase.
The indenture governing the 10-3/8% Senior Notes contains various
restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of CP Ships
and each of its subsidiaries to: (i) incur certain additional indebtedness; (ii)
pay dividends on capital stock or redeem capital stock or prepay any
subordinated debt; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) sell assets other than
at a fair market value and for cash or other equivalent consideration; (v) enter
into transactions with direct or indirect holders of more than 10% of the common
shares of CP Ships or of its subsidiaries and with affiliates that are not
subsidiaries of CP Ships, other than in good faith and on arm's-length terms;
(vi) create security interests over any of their respective assets other than
certain permitted security interests; (vii) sell shares in its subsidiaries or
permit its subsidiaries to issue
44
shares; (viii) sell and leaseback assets; (ix) guarantee debt; (x) consolidate,
merge or transfer all or substantially all of CP Ships' assets or
(xi) in the case of the Note Guarantors, dispose of their respective assets.
All of these restrictions are subject to a number of important limitations and
qualifications.
Events of default under the 10-3/8% Senior Notes are customary for
this type of debt and, among other things, include the occurrence of an event of
default or default with respect to CP Ships' or its subsidiaries' indebtedness
for borrowed money having an aggregate principal amount of $20 million or more
that results in acceleration of the payment of such indebtedness.
4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024
On 24th February 2004, CP Ships completed a private placement of
convertible senior subordinated notes due 2024 (the "Convertible Notes") in the
aggregate principal amount of $200 million at a price of 100% of their principal
amount. The Convertible Notes are issued pursuant to an Indenture dated 24th
February 2004 between CP Ships and The Bank of New York as trustee (the
"Convertible Notes Indenture") and reference is made to the Convertible Notes
Indenture for a full description of the terms and conditions attaching to the
Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes are traded in The PORTAL Market (CUSIP
number 22409VAD4).
The Convertible Notes bear interest at 4% payable semi-annually and
mature 30th June 2024 unless redeemed earlier. The Convertible Notes are
unsecured obligations of the Company subordinated in right of payment to all
existing and future senior indebtedness.
Under the terms of the Convertible Notes, the Convertible Notes are
convertible into common shares of CP Ships at an initial conversion rate of
39.6542 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (which results
in an initial conversion price of approximately $25.22 per share), subject to
adjustment, prior to the close of business on 30th June 2024 under the following
circumstances:
(i) during any fiscal quarter commencing after 30th June 2004 and
only during such fiscal quarter, if the closing sale price of
one of CP Ships' common shares exceeds 120% of the conversion
price for at least 20 trading days in the 30 trading day period
ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter;
(ii) during the five business day period after any five consecutive
trading day period in which the trading price per Convertible
Note for each day of that period was less than 98% of the
product of the closing sale of CP Ships' common shares and the
conversion rate for such date;
(iii) if the Convertible Notes have been called for redemption; or
(iv) upon the occurrence of certain specified corporate
transactions.
On or after 3rd July 2009, by giving investors at least 30 days'
notice, CP Ships may redeem any of the Convertible Notes at a redemption price
of 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and
unpaid interest. Holders may require CP Ships to purchase the Notes on 30th June
2009, 30th June 2014 and 30th June 2019, or upon the occurrence of certain
designated events, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of
the Convertible Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
CP Ships may, in lieu of delivering its common shares upon conversion
of all or a portion of the Convertible Notes, elect to pay cash or a combination
of cash and common shares.
CP Ships has entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to
which CP Ships has agreed to:
o File a shelf registration statement with the SEC within 120
days after the closing date of the offering covering resales of
the Convertible Notes and the common shares issuable upon
conversion of the Convertible Notes;
45
o Use reasonable best efforts to have the shelf registration
statement declared effective within 180 days of the closing
date of this offering; and
o Use reasonable best efforts to keep the shelf registration
statement effective until the date that there cease to be
limitations on resale of the Convertible Notes or common shares
thereunder or there are otherwise no longer any outstanding
registrable securities.
If CP Ships is party to a consolidation, amalgamation, statutory
arrangement, merger, binding share exchange or other combination or a transfer
of all or substantially all of CP Ships' consolidated property asset, as
determined under applicable law, pursuant to which CP Ships' common shares are
converted into, or become the right to receive, cash, securities or other
property, a holder may convert Notes at any time from and after the date which
is 15 days prior to the anticipated effective date of the transaction, as
determined by CP Ships, until 15 days after the effective date of the
transaction.
Whilst the Convertible Notes Indenture does not restrict CP Ships
ability to incur additional senior indebtedness, CP Ships has agreed not to
incur any indebtedness that is contractually subordinate in right of payment to
any senior indebtedness unless it ranks pari passu or is contractually
subordinated in right of payment to the convertible bonds ; provided, however,
that unsecured debt will not be deemed to be subordinate in right of payment to
secured debt merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured debt.
Events of default under the Convertible Notes are customary for this
type of debt and, among other things, include the occurrence of an event of
default or default with respect to CP Ships' or its subsidiaries' indebtedness
for borrowed money having an aggregate principal amount of $25 million or more
that results in acceleration of the payments of such indebtedness.
Pacific Class Vessel Loan
CP Ships acquired on 14th September 2001 the beneficial interest in
four trusts (the "PCV Trusts"), each of which owns a U.S. flag Pacific Class
ship which was and continues to be chartered to Lykes LLC under long-term
charter arrangements. Prior to such acquisition, the PCV Trusts had entered into
agreements dated 22nd July 1998 with a financial institution pursuant to which
they borrowed a total of $70.5 million (the "Pacific Class Vessel Loan"). As a
result of such acquisition, CP Ships effectively acquired the four ships and
assumed the Pacific Class Vessel Loan. As at 31st December 2003 the principal
amount outstanding under the Pacific Class Vessel Loan was $37 million.
The obligations of the PCV Trusts under the Pacific Class Vessel Loan
are secured on the four ships and are guaranteed by CP Ships and CP Ships
(Bermuda). The loan is repayable in monthly instalments with the final
instalment being due in June 2008, at an interest rate of 6.71% per annum.
Under the Pacific Class Vessel Loan, CP Ships is subject to certain
covenants including: (i) a restriction on the sale of assets outside the
ordinary course of business and (ii) an ongoing obligation to ensure that a
subsidiary, CP Ships (Bermuda), has a net worth of at least $100 million.
CP Ships may prepay in whole the Pacific Class Vessel Loan at any time
by paying to the lender an amount equal to the principal amount outstanding
under the Pacific Class Vessel Loan plus a premium.
Capital Leases
Venture and Spirit Leases
CP Ships (UK) has entered into two leases with Seaspirit Leasing
Limited (the "Lessor") to lease from the Lessor two container vessels. The first
lease, entered into on 29th May 2003 (the "Venture Lease"), is in relation to a
4080 TEU ice-strengthened container vessel called the "Canmar Venture" (the
"Venture") and the second lease, entered into on 23rd July 2003 (the "Spirit
Lease"), is in relation to a similar vessel called the "Canmar Spirit" (the
"Spirit"). All obligations of CP Ships (UK) under the leases (and/or any of its
affiliates which manages either vessel under any related agreements) are
guaranteed by CP Ships, Lykes LLC
46
and TMM LLC.
The primary lease period for each lease is 25 years commencing on the
delivery date of the vessel (3rd June 2003 in respect of the Venture and 25th
July 2003 in respect of Spirit and each a "Delivery Date") with one-year
secondary lease periods renewable at CP Ships (UK)'s option thereafter. CP Ships
(UK) is required to make quarterly rental payments to the Lessor which are
determined in accordance with the financial schedule forming part of the
relevant lease. The rental instalments during the primary lease period for each
lease are calculated by reference to factors such as the cost of the vessel,
interest and assumptions as to, in particular, changes in UK tax rates and the
level of capital allowances available to the Lessor and is therefore variable
throughout the lease.
During the lease period, CP Ships (UK) is liable for all costs and
expenses in relation to the operation of the vessels, including but not limited
to, the maintenance, repair, insurance and use of the vessels. CP Ships (UK)
bears the full risk of any damage to or loss of the vessels.
During June 2004, as part of conforming the financial covenants
contained in the Venture Lease and Spirit Lease documentation with those
contained in the $525 million Facility, the Lessee agreed that the Lessor be
entitled to review (according to its own criteria) the "creditworthiness" of
CP Ships during 2009 and 2019, in order to monitor the adequacy of the
guarantees provided by CP Ships. If the Lessor determines, in its sole
discretion, that the creditworthiness of CP Ships is inadequate, it can
require CP Ships (UK) to provide additional security in respect of each lease
by way of letter of credit or other security, or to prepay rental to a
specified level. Failure to provide such security and/or make the prepayment
will be a termination event. The Spirit Lease is further secured by a 364-day
letter of credit (the "LC") with a bank currently rated AA (the "LC Bank") in
the maximum aggregate amount of (pound)7,000,000 which decreases throughout
the lease period as rental instalments are paid. The Lessor may only make a
demand under the LC following a termination of the Spirit Lease and the
termination sum (as calculated in the financial schedule) becoming due and
payable if not already paid at that time. If the rating of the LC Bank is
lower than A- at any time or if the LC is not renewed, and CP Ships has not
replaced the LC or otherwise provided additional security acceptable to the
Lessor, a termination event would arise under the Spirit Lease.
Other than in connection with the LC, the termination provisions are
consistent in both leases and cover standard defaults such as non-payment,
breach of representations, warranties and undertakings and insolvency events in
respect of the Lessor, CP Ships and any security provider. In particular, there
will be a termination event if CP Ships breaches any of its financial
indebtedness (including pursuant to any lease agreement or hire purchase
agreement) with any other party in excess of $15,000,000 unless the Lessor
notifies CP Ships (UK) that such default does not have a material adverse effect
on the ability of CP Ships and/or CP Ships (UK) to discharge its obligations
under the leases. There will also be a termination event if CP Ships ceases to
be a public limited liability company listed on the stock exchanges of Toronto,
London or New York. A termination event under one lease will cross-default the
other lease.
Upon the occurrence of a termination event under either lease, the
Lessor may require CP Ships (UK) to pay (i) all outstanding amounts under the
lease and the associated finance documents; (ii) any loss which the Lessor has
incurred in relation to the termination, and (iii) a fixed termination amount as
calculated in the relevant financial schedule. On the termination of a lease
(either following a termination or mandatory prepayment event or upon expiry),
the Lessor irrevocably appoints CP Ships (UK) as its exclusive sales agent for
the purpose of negotiating the sale of the vessel with a purchaser. The Lessor
may terminate such appointment if no sale has been made within six (6) months of
the termination date of the relevant lease. Any sale proceeds which are realized
can be used to repay the outstanding amounts under the relevant vessel's lease
and any excess can be used to prepay unpaid amounts under the other lease. Upon
satisfaction of amounts due under the lease, 99.9% of any excess sale proceeds
would be payable to CP Ships.
During June 2004, CP Ships, as guarantor, conformed the financial
covenants contained in the Venture Lease and Spirit Lease documentation with
those contained in the $525 Million Facility. See "Revolving Credit Facility".
47
Other Capital Lease Obligations
CP Ships has entered into a number of other capital leases, which are
repayable in monthly installments ending between 2004 and 2007 and are secured
on the leased equipment, mainly containers. Obligations under capital leases
bear primarily fixed interest rates, which range from 3% to 18%. Interest
expense on such leases amounted to $5 million in 2003 ($2 million in 2002).
Operating Leases
Container Sale and Leaseback
On 7th November 2000, a subsidiary of CP Ships (the "Container
Lessee") agreed to sell containers with a total capacity of approximately 44,350
teu (the "Leased Containers") to a leasing counterparty (the "Lessor") for $63.9
million, and agreed to lease such containers from the Lessor for a minimum of
five years (and up to nine years at the option of CP Ships) under a container
lease contract (the "Container Lease"). The obligations of the subsidiary in
connection with this transaction are fully guaranteed by CP Ships (the
"Container Guarantee"). Under the Container Lease, the Container Lessee is
required to make fixed quarterly rental payments to the Lessor based on the
amortization of the purchase price plus a specified return to the Lessor. The
rate of return to the Lessor is 8.05% if and for so long as CP Ships' long term
corporate credit rating by S&P is not lower than BBB-- or CP Ships' long term
senior implied rating by Moody's is not lower than Baa3 (whichever is the
lower). This rate of return will increase to 8.4% if and for so long as the
lower of such ratings is BB+ (in the case of S&P) or Ba1 (in the case of
Moody's), and 8.9% if and for so long as the lower of such ratings is BB or
lower (in the case of S&P) or Ba2 or lower (in the case of Moody's). For so long
as CP Ships' long term senior implied rating by Moody's is Ba2, the rate of
return to the Lessor is 8.9%.
During September 2004, CP Ships, as guarantor, conformed the financial
covenants contained in the Container Sale and Leaseback documentation with those
contained in the $525 Million Facility. See "Revolving Credit Facility".In
addition, the Lessor may require the Container Guarantee and the Container Lease
to be amended to include any other financial covenants given by CP Ships (or the
Container Lessee) under any future ship mortgage loan, bareboat charter
agreement, container financing arrangement or secured long-term credit facility.
Under the Container Sale and Leaseback, the Lessor can declare a "material
adverse change" if CP Ships' long term corporate credit rating by S&P is lower
than BB+ (as at 31st December 2003 it was BBB--) or its long term senior implied
rating from Moody's is lower than Ba1 (as at 31st December 2003 it was Ba2),
whichever rating is higher from time to time. Such a "material adverse change"
could lead to an event of default under the Container Sale and Leaseback.
If any event of default or default occurs with respect to CP Ships'
obligations under any contract with the Lessor or under any material contract
with a third party having an aggregate principal amount or value in excess of $5
million, the Lessor may declare an event of default under the Container Sale and
Leaseback.
Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Container Sale
and Leaseback, the Lessor may, at its option (i) require CP Ships to repurchase
the Leased Containers at a purchase price based on a fixed termination price
plus certain breakage costs incurred by the Lessor or (ii) retain ownership of
the Leased Containers and demand payment of an amount equal to certain breakage
costs incurred by the Lessor. If the Lessor declares an event of default under
the Container Sale and Leaseback, this will also constitute an event of default
under CP Ships' other financing transactions which, unless waived, will result
in all amounts owing thereunder becoming immediately due and payable.
The Container Lessee may at its option, in order to avoid the
occurrence of an event of default under the Container Sale and Leaseback,
repurchase the Containers at a specified purchase price based on a fixed
termination price (as at 31st December 2003, approximately $54 million).
Under the Container Lease, the Container Lessee has the option
exercisable at the end of the fifth, sixth and seventh years of the Container
Lease to repurchase the Leased Containers at a fixed purchase price
48
based on the projected fair market value of the Leased Containers at the
relevant time plus the Lessor's breakage costs.
Long-term Charter Arrangements
In June 2000, Lykes LLC entered into individual long term time charter
parties (the "Long-Term Charters") for six 4100 teu vessels then under
construction. Lykes took delivery of four of the vessels during the first
quarter of 2003 and the remaining two vessels during the third quarter of 2003.
The Long-Term Charters have been guaranteed by CP Ships.
Each of the Long-Term Charters prescribes an initial hire period (the
"Initial Period") of eight years from the date of delivery of the relevant
vessel with an option, exercisable at the end of the seventh year, to extend
hire for a further two years, or until 2010 (the "Second Period"). Should the
charter be so extended, Lykes LLC then has a second option, exercisable at the
end of the ninth year of the charter, to further extend hire for another two
years (the "Third Period"). The daily rate is fixed, but increases by an agreed
amount on each renewal.
In August 2003, CP Ships' subsidiary Lykes LLC entered into individual
long term charter parties (the "Seaspan Charters") with affiliates of Seaspan
Container Lines Limited ("Seaspan") for nine new 4,250 teu vessels (the "Seaspan
Vessels") of identical specifications. The Seaspan Vessels are presently under
construction and are scheduled for delivery between 2005 and 2007. Lykes LLC's
obligations under each of the Seaspan Charters are guaranteed by CP Ships.
The daily charter hire under each of the Seaspan Charters is for a
fixed amount for the primary charter period (the "Primary Term").Each charter
party delineates two distinct payments to Seaspan for the use and hire of the
relevant Seaspan Vessel. One payment reflects the capital cost of the Seaspan
Vessel and the other reflects certain ship management and operating costs on
account of the costs of a management services agreement that is attached to and
forms a part of the charter party (the "Management Contract"). Lykes LLC's
payment obligations under each Seaspan Charter and the related Management
Contract will commence only on delivery of the relevant Seaspan Vessel.
The Primary Term under each Seaspan Charter is up to ten years, with
options for CP Ships to extend the charter for up to two further years at a
slightly higher daily charter rate; payments under the Management Contract
remain fixed at the previous level. The Primary Term is structured such that
Lykes LLC has entered into an initial charter period of three years from
delivery of each vessel, with seven annual extension options (the "Extension
Options"). Each Extension Option must be declared two years in advance, thereby
creating a rolling minimum three year obligation. If Lykes LLC does not exercise
an Extension Option and the charter terminates at the end of the relevant three
year period, Lykes LLC becomes liable to pay Seaspan an additional
pre-determined exit fee (the "Exit Fee") at the date of termination.
The Exit Fee payable declines with each renewal such that no Exit Fee
is payable if the Primary Term extends to 10 years.
Amounts due under long-term charters are included in the table under
the heading "Commitments" below.
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Commitments
CP Ships has commitments under operating leases, including obligations
under time charters which include certain ship operating expenses. The
commitments in each of the next five years and thereafter are:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Current
operating Future
Year leases commitments(1) Total
---------------- ------ -------------- ------
(in $ millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
2004....... 204 -- 204
2005....... 127 1 128
2006....... 105 25 130
2007....... 94 53 147
2008....... 63 59 122
2009 and thereafter 137 454 591
--- --- ---
730 592 1,322
=== === =======
</TABLE>
(1) Future commitments comprise operating leases and associated
management services agreements for 10 years for the Seaspan vessels from their
expected delivery dates between late 2005 and early 2007. The lease terms allow
for termination at CP Ships' option on an annual basis from the end of the third
year of each lease by giving two years notice and paying a termination fee. The
associated management services agreements would terminate at the same time.
Under the early termination option, the minimum future lease commitments at 31st
December 2003 would be $249 million.
Capital Commitments
CP Ships had capital commitments at 31st December 2003 of $2 million
that fall due in 2004.
Taxation of CP Ships and Subsidiaries
CP Ships is subject to taxation in the countries in which it and its
constituent companies operate. CP Ships' corporate structure is such that much
of the income it generates from container shipping is subject to tax at
relatively low tax rates.
Bermuda
Lykes LLC and TMM Lines are Delaware limited liability companies and
are subject to the taxation regimes of their sole member, which is a Bermuda
company. Lykes LLC and TMM LLC are, therefore, effectively exempt from income
taxation as their sole member has received exemption from income taxation in
Bermuda until 28th March 2016. They are however taxed on their activities in
certain countries other than Bermuda, including in the U.S., with respect to
their operations in those countries.
United States
CP Ships carries on activities in the United States through various
subsidiaries of CP Ships Holdings (Bermuda) Limited ("CP Ships Holdings
(Bermuda)"), most of which are treated as disregarded entities for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. For such purposes, CP Ships Holdings (Bermuda) is
considered to earn directly all of the income earned by such subsidiaries. A
small amount of activity in the United States, not involving the international
operation of ships, is carried on by non-U.S. subsidiaries of CP Ships Holdings
(Bermuda) in the Cast and Canada Maritime divisions that are not disregarded
entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Under current law, the income derived by CP Ships Holdings (Bermuda)
from the international operation of ships is excluded from gross income and
exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 883 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. For this purpose, income from the international
operation of ships means the gross amount of any income that is derived from the
operation of ships in carriage of
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passengers or cargo for hire, from the hiring or leasing of ships for use on a
time, voyage or bareboat charter basis for carriage of passengers or cargo for
hire, or from activities incidental to such operation, with respect to voyages
that either begin or end (but do not both begin and end) in the United States.
As a prerequisite to obtaining the benefits of the Section 883 exemption, a
corporation claiming these benefits must establish that it satisfies a share
ownership test. CP Ships believes that it and CP Ships Holdings (Bermuda)
satisfy this test. As a result, the income derived by CP Ships Holdings
(Bermuda) from activities in the United States is substantially exempt from
U.S. federal income taxation under the Section 883 exemption. However, the
income from certain activities, such as acting as ships' agent and freight
forwarding, is not considered to be income from the international operation of
ships and is not exempt. In addition, recently finalized regulations under
section 883 have created some uncertainty as to the precise scope of the
activities that are incidental to the international operation of ships, the
income from which qualifies for exemption.
To the extent that income earned by CP Ships Holdings (Bermuda) or its
non-U.S. subsidiaries does not qualify for exemption, it may be subject to U.S.
federal income tax. Non-exempt shipping income from U.S. sources, if any, is
subject to tax at the rate of 4% of the amount of that income, not reduced by
any deductions, unless such taxation is foreclosed by an applicable tax treaty.
To the extent that non-exempt income is effectively connected with the conduct
of a U.S. trade or business (or is attributable to a permanent establishment in
the United States of any subsidiary that qualifies for benefits under an
applicable tax treaty), such income is subject to U.S. federal income tax on a
net basis, in lieu of the 4% tax on gross shipping income. Any such income, net
of applicable deductions, is subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated
rates, up to a current maximum rate of 35% of net income. CP Ships Holdings
(Bermuda) may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at the rate of
30% on the earnings and profits attributable to its effectively connected
income, subject to certain adjustments, and on interest paid or deemed paid
which is allocable to effectively connected income. Any non-U.S. subsidiary of
CP Ships Holdings (Bermuda) that qualifies for benefits under an applicable tax
treaty may also be subject to the branch profits tax at such rate as prescribed
by the treaty.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom introduced a tonnage tax regime ("Tonnage Tax")
from 1st January 2000 for qualifying shipping companies to stimulate investment
in UK shipping. Under Tonnage Tax, the tax liability is calculated with
reference to a pre-set scale of alternate income based on the tonnage of the
ships in the relevant fleet, rather than actual income earned. Therefore, under
Tonnage Tax, tax expense varies with the tonnage of the fleet rather than with
the profitability of the business.
In particular, it is generally not permitted for a company within
Tonnage Tax to reduce its liability to Tonnage Tax by offsetting losses or
depreciation. Entry to Tonnage Tax requires an election by the relevant shipping
company. Such an election generally must be made for a ten-year period and, once
made, is irrevocable.
CP Ships (UK) entered the Tonnage Tax regime with effect from 1st
January 2001, and has recently renewed the election such that it now applies
until 31st December 2013. CP Ships (UK) comprises the Contship Containerlines
business and, from 27th September 2001, the Canada Maritime, Cast and ANZDL
businesses.
Canada
CP Ships and its Canadian subsidiaries that operate the Racine and
Cast marine terminals in Montreal, Quebec are subject to normal Canadian federal
and provincial taxes.
CP Ships believes that it is, and intends to take all necessary steps
to remain, resident solely in Canada for income tax purposes. CP Ships' tax
residency is, however, affected by a number of factors, some of which are
outside its control, including the application and interpretation of relevant
tax laws and treaties. If CP Ships were to cease to be tax resident in Canada,
it would be liable to pay additional Canadian taxes, including, but not limited
to, capital gains tax based on the difference between the fair market value and
tax cost of its assets at the relevant time. If such taxes were to become
payable, this would have a material adverse effect on CP Ships' business,
financial condition and results of operations. In addition, CP Ships may
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be obliged to make indemnification payments under the Plan of Arrangement if its
ceasing to be Canadian tax resident caused the Spin-off to be taxed in a manner
inconsistent with the tax rulings obtained from the Canadian and United States
revenue authorities in connection with the Spin-off. If such indemnification
payments were to become due, this may have an adverse effect on CP Ships.
Further, the tax consequences to holders of Notes would generally be different
from those applicable if CP Ships were not resident in Canada.
As noted above, a significant portion of CP Ships group income is
earned by controlled foreign affiliates resident in Bermuda, the United States
and the United Kingdom. Canadian tax legislation has a detailed regime for the
taxation of activities carried on by foreign affiliates. In very general terms,
income that is from an active business, a term that is defined for Canadian tax
purposes, earned by controlled foreign affiliates is not taxed in Canada. Active
business income earned by controlled foreign affiliates located in jurisdictions
with which Canada has concluded an income tax convention (which would include
the United States and the United Kingdom) is not subject to any additional tax
in Canada upon repatriation. Active business income earned by a controlled
foreign affiliate in a jurisdiction with which Canada has not concluded an
income tax convention, such as Bermuda, is subject to additional taxation in
Canada upon repatriation of such income via dividends. Such income is subject to
taxation at approximately 39%. CP Ships is of the view that the operations of
its significant operating subsidiaries constitute the carrying on of an active
business for the purpose of the Canadian foreign affiliate rules. Changes to the
Canadian foreign affiliate rules could result in an increase of the tax burden
to the group.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
When the securities of CP Ships are in the course of distribution
under a preliminary short form prospectus or a short form prospectus, copies of
the following documents may be obtained upon request from the Vice President
General Counsel and Secretary, CP Ships Limited, 2 City Place, Beehive Ring
Road, Gatwick Airport, West Sussex RH6 0PA, United Kingdom:
(i) one copy of the Annual Information Form, together with one copy
of any document, or the pertinent pages of any document,
incorporated by reference in the Annual Information Form;
(ii) one copy of the comparative financial statements of CP Ships
for its most recently completed financial year for which
financial statements have been filed together with the
accompanying report of the auditor and one copy of the most
recent interim financial statements of CP Ships that have been
filed, if any, for any period after the end of its most
recently completed financial year;
(iii) one copy of the information circular of CP Ships in respect of
its most recent annual meeting of shareholders that involved
the election of directors or one copy of any annual filing
prepared instead of that information circular, as appropriate;
and
(iv) one copy of any other documents that are incorporated by
reference into the preliminary short form prospectus or the
short form prospectus and are not required to be provided under
clauses (i), (ii) or (iii).
At any other time, one copy of any documents referred to in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) will be provided upon request, provided that CP Ships may
require the payment of a reasonable charge if the request is made by a person or
company who is not a security holder of CP Ships.
Additional information including directors' and officers' remuneration
and indebtedness, principal holders of CP Ships' securities, options to purchase
securities and interests of insiders in material transactions, if applicable, is
contained in the CP Ships information circular for its most recent annual
meeting of shareholders that involved the election of directors. Additional
financial information is provided in CP Ships' restated comparative financial
statements for the year ended 31st December 2003. These documents are also
available through the internet on the Canadian securities regulatory
authorities' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) which
can be found at www.sedar.com.
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