46 C.F.R. § 283.3 Dividend policy criteria.
Title 46 - Shipping
(a) In general. A subsidized operator may pay cash dividends at any time it desires up to the amount set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. Dividends may be paid pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, as provided therein. The written approval of the Maritime Administrator shall be obtained prior to any declaration of dividends by the operator, if the payment of dividends does not meet the criteria of either paragraph (b) or (c) of this section. It is intended that dividend payments be permitted under the provisions of either paragraph (b) or (c), whichever allows payment of the greatest amount of dividends. Nothing in this part shall alter restrictions on the payment of dividends which may affect the operator under any other agreements with the Maritime Administrator. (b) 40 percent dividend criteria—If the operator is able to meet the criteria of this paragraph after declaration and payment of the proposed dividend, it may declare a dividend of up to 40 percent of prior years' earnings, less any dividends that were paid in such years, unless there is an operating loss in the fiscal year to the date of proposed payment of dividend, as well as operating losses in the immediately preceding two years. If in any of the years included in the prior years' earnings calculation dividends were paid under the 100 percent rule, those years' earnings and dividends may be excluded from the prior years' earnings calculation, and then only the earnings and dividends associated with the remaining years of the three year period may be used. This provision enables an operator to pay dividends under the 40 percent rule when in past years it has paid dividends under the 100 percent rule. The criteria which must be satisfied are as follows: (1) Working Capital—Working Capital must equal or exceed one dollar. (2) Long-term Debt to Equity ratio—Long-Term Debt must not exceed two times Equity. (The Maritime Administrator may modify this requirement during periods of vessel construction). (3) Net Worth Floor—Net Worth must exceed the adjusted net worth floor as computed in §283.2. (c) An operator may declare a dividend in an amount up to 100 percent of retained earnings, unless there is an operating loss in the fiscal year to the date of proposed payment of dividend, as well as operating losses in the immediately preceding two years, if the following criteria are satisfied: (1) Working Capital—Working Capital must equal or exceed one dollar. (2) Long-Term Debt to Equity ratio—Long-Term debt must not exceed Equity. (3) Net Worth Floor—Net worth must exceed the Adjusted Net Worth floor as computed in §283.2. (4) Funding for Replacement Vessels—Funds available must exceed Funds Required, and the basis for Funds Required for replacement vessels must receive prior approval, as provided in §283.2(i) herein.
Title 46: Shipping
PART 283—DIVIDEND POLICY FOR OPERATORS RECEIVING OPERATING-DIFFERENTIAL SUBSIDY
§ 283.3 Dividend policy criteria.
