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A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
The Company
We are SFL Corporation Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda on October 10, 2003, as a Bermuda exempted company under the Bermuda Companies Law of 1981 (Company No. EC-34296). We are engaged primarily in the ownership and operation of vessels and offshore related assets, and we are also involved in the charter, purchase and sale of assets. Our registered and principal executive offices are located at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda, and our telephone number is (441) 295-9500. Our website is www.sflcorp.com. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s internet site is www.sec.gov. None of the information contained on these websites is incorporated into or forms a part of this annual report.
We operate through subsidiaries and branches located in Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, Liberia, Namibia, Norway, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the Marshall Islands.
We are an international ship owning and chartering company with a large and diverse asset base across the maritime, shipping and offshore asset classes and business sectors. As of December 31, 2025, our assets consist of 17 tankers, two dry bulk carriers, 21 container vessels, seven car carriers and two drilling rigs, as well as five dual-fuel 16,800 TEU container vessels under construction, expected to be delivered in 2028. We also hold an equity interest in an associated company that owns four leased-in container vessels.
Our primary objective is to continue to grow our business through accretive acquisitions across a diverse range of marine and offshore asset classes. In doing so, our strategy is to generate stable and increasing cash flows by chartering our assets primarily under medium to long-term bareboat or time charters.
History of the Company
We were formed in 2003 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Frontline, a major operator of large crude oil tankers. In 2004, Frontline distributed 25% of our common shares to its ordinary shareholders in a partial spin off, and our common shares commenced trading on the NYSE, under the ticker symbol “SFL” on June 14, 2004. Frontline subsequently made six further dividends of our shares to its shareholders, and its ownership in our Company is now less than one percent. Our assets at the time consisted of a fleet of Suezmax tankers, very large crude carriers or VLCCs, and oil/bulk/ore carriers.
Since 2004, we have diversified our asset base and now have eight asset types: crude oil tankers, oil product tankers, chemical tankers, container vessels, car carriers, dry bulk carriers, a jack-up drilling rig and an ultra-deepwater drilling rig. In addition, we have certain financial investments.
Acquisitions, Deliveries, Capital Investments and Disposals
We entered into the following acquisitions, deliveries, capital investments and disposals in 2023, 2024, 2025 and until March 16, 2026:
Acquisitions, Deliveries and Capital Investments
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we invested $117.8 million for special periodic surveys, or SPS, ballast water treatment systems and other capital upgrades performed on the harsh environment semi-submersible drilling rig Hercules.
As of November 2023, we had paid total installments and related costs of $158.4 million in relation to two dual-fuel 7,000 CEU newbuilding car carriers designed to use LNG under construction. The vessels, Emden and Wolfsburg, were delivered in September and November 2023, respectively. On delivery, the vessels performed a voyage charter for an Asia based operator from Asia to Europe, and thereafter, the vessels started a 10-year time charter to Volkswagen Group.
As of March 2024, we had paid total installments and related costs of $170.2 million in relation to two dual-fuel 7,000 CEU newbuilding car carriers under construction. The vessels, Odin Highway and Thor Highway, were delivered between January and March 2024, respectively, and commenced a 10-year time charter to K Line.
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Between June 2024 and October 2024, we acquired and took delivery of three newbuilding LR2 product tankers, SFL Tucana, SFL Taurus and SFL Tigris from entities related to our largest shareholder, Hemen, for a total cost of $234.9 million. Upon delivery, the vessels immediately commenced long-term charters to a third party.
In July 2024, we entered into agreements to build five LNG dual-fuel 16,800 TEU container vessels at an aggregate construction cost of $962.5 million. The vessels are expected to be delivered in 2028 and are scheduled to commence a minimum 10-year time charter to a leading liner company. As of December 2025, we paid yard installments of $144.4 million relating to the newbuilding container vessels under construction.
In August 2024, we took delivery of two LNG dual-fuel 33,000 dwt chemical tankers, SFL Bonaire and SFL Aruba, from an unrelated third party for a total purchase price of $113.6 million. Upon delivery, one of the vessels commenced trading in a pool with Stolt Tankers Chartering B.V., or Stolt Tankers, for a period of eight years and the second vessel commenced an eight-year time charter with Stolt Tankers.
Between September and November 2024, we exercised the purchase options and took redelivery of four 15,400 TEU and three 10,600 TEU container vessels. The vessels were previously under the financing structure of a Japanese operating lease with call option and accounted for as 'vessels under finance lease'.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded $49.4 million for a SPS and capital upgrades performed on the drilling rigs, Linus and Hercules.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we recorded $58.0 million for energy efficiency and other upgrades performed on 14 container vessels, one car carrier, four Suezmax tankers, one chemical tanker and two drilling rigs.
Disposals
In March 2023 and April 2023, we delivered the two Suezmax tankers, Glorycrown and Everbright, which were trading in the spot market, to an unrelated third party. Net sale proceeds of $84.9 million were received in connection with the transaction and recorded a gain of $16.4 million on the disposals.
In April 2023 and June 2023, we sold and delivered the two chemical tankers, SFL Weser and SFL Elbe, which were also trading in the spot market, to an unrelated third party for net sale proceeds of $19.4 million. We recorded a gain of $30,000 on the disposals and recorded an impairment loss of $7.4 million prior to the disposals.
In August 2023, we sold and delivered the VLCC, Landbridge Wisdom, which was previously accounted for as an investment in ‘leaseback asset’, to Landbridge Universal Limited or Landbridge, following exercise of the applicable purchase option in the charter contract. Net sales proceeds totaling $52.0 million were received from Landbridge and we recorded a gain of $2.2 million in connection with the transaction.
In March 2024, we sold and delivered the two container vessels, MSC Margarita and MSC Vidhi, which were accounted for as 'investments in sales-type leases', following execution of the applicable purchase obligation in the charter contracts. Net sales proceeds totaling $12.0 million were received from MSC, and we recorded a loss of $17,000 in connection with the transaction.
In December 2024, we sold and delivered the 1,700 TEU container vessel, Green Ace, to an unrelated third party for net sale proceeds of $10.8 million. We recorded a gain of $5.4 million on the disposal.
Between April 2025 and September 2025, we sold and delivered the five 57,000 dwt Supramax dry bulk vessels, SFL Yukon, SFL Sara, SFL Kate, SFL Hudson, and SFL Humber, to unrelated third parties for net sales proceeds of $54.8 million. A net loss of $0.9 million was recorded on the disposal and an impairment loss of $26.7 million was recorded prior to the disposal.
In May 2025, we sold and delivered the 1,700 TEU container vessel, Asian Ace, to an unrelated third party for net sale proceeds of $9.4 million and recorded a gain of $4.3 million on the disposal.
Between June and July 2025, we delivered seven container vessels, which were accounted for as 'sales-type leases', to MSC following execution of the applicable purchase obligations at the end of the vessels' bareboat charter contracts. We received net sales proceeds totaling $31.2 million from MSC.
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In July 2025, we sold and delivered eight Capesize dry bulk carriers to Golden Ocean Group Limited, or Golden Ocean, following exercise of the applicable purchase options in the charter contracts. We received net sale proceeds of $114.1 million and recorded a gain of $1.1 million on the disposals.
In December 2025, we sold and delivered the Suezmax tanker, SFL Ottawa, to an unrelated third party for net sale proceeds of $49.1 million and recorded a gain of $11.3 million on the disposal.
In February 2026, we delivered the 2015-built Suezmax vessel SFL Thelon to its new third-party owner for a gross sales price of $57.1 million. Net proceeds were $48.4 million after the payment of a fee under a pre-agreed profit-sharing arrangement in the time charter agreement.
B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Our Business Strategies
Our primary objectives are to profitably grow our business and increase long-term distributable cash flow per share through our
current operations and activities and by pursuing the following strategies:
(1)Expand and diversify our asset base. We have a diverse asset base consisting of crude oil tankers, oil product tankers, chemical tankers, container vessels, car carriers, dry bulk carriers, a jack-up drilling rig and an ultra-deepwater drilling rig. We plan to expand our asset base through various transactions including, placing newbuilding orders, acquiring second-hand vessels and entering into short, medium or long-term charter arrangements. We also make financial investments or provide loans secured by vessels, rigs and/or other assets in the wider maritime industry. We believe that the expertise and relationships of our management, together with our relationship with the group of companies related to Seatankers Management Norway AS and Seatankers Management Co. Ltd., collectively Seatankers, could provide us with incremental opportunities to expand and further diversify our asset base.
(2)Expand and diversify our customer relationships. We presently have over 10 customers, none of which are related parties, and intend to continue to expand our relationships with our existing customers and also to add new customers, as the companies servicing the international shipping, maritime and offshore oil exploration and production markets continue to expand their use of leased-in assets to add capacity.
(3)Pursue medium to long-term fixed-rate charters. We pursue and intend to continue to pursue medium to long-term fixed rate charters, which provide us with stable future cash flows. Our customers typically employ long-term charters for strategic expansion as most of their assets are typically of strategic importance to certain operating pools, established trade routes or dedicated oil-field installations. In addition, we plan to seek to enter into charter agreements that are shorter and provide for profit sharing, so that we can generate incremental revenue and share in the upside during strong markets.
Our Environmental, Social and Governance Efforts
We are primarily engaged in the ownership, operation and chartering of vessels and off-shore related assets on medium- and long-term charters. Our goal is to maintain a portfolio of high-quality assets and long-term charters with strong counterparts by improving our fleet’s emissions and fuel efficiency in cooperation with those of our partners and counterparts. We strive to incorporate the UN Global Compact Principles into our SASB framework in connection with the structuring and reporting of our ESG efforts in our operations and ESG management system.
We have carried out a materiality analysis by following the GRI 3 Materiality Standard, regarding the severity and likelihood of the impacts of our operations, and the SASB Marine Transportation Standard (2018), guiding us on financially material ESG aspects.
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The Board has deemed the following topics to be material to our ESG efforts: direct greenhouse gas emissions; low carbon energy sources; climate-related risks; marine casualties involving crew; corruption risk; ship recycling; spills and releases; and compliance training and training on board our vessels. The Board works to ensure that we have sufficient internal control and risk management systems in place, which encompass our corporate values and ethical guidelines, including the guidelines for corporate social responsibility. The Board routinely considers critical ESG issues, and, in line with our Corporate Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, any significant incidents are reported directly to the Board. The Board also reviews our annual ESG report, which sets forth our ESG strategy and goals and reports on our ESG performance across all our business operations.
Copies of our ESG reports and further details on our ESG efforts may be found on our website at https://www.sflcorp.com/esg/. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.
Customers
As of March 16, 2026, our customers includes, among others, Maersk, MSC, ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS, or ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66 Company, or Phillips 66, Volkswagen Konzernlogistik Gmbh Co. OHG, or Volkswagen, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd., or K Line, Trafigura Maritime Logistics Pte Ltd, or Trafigura, Hapag-Lloyd AG, or Hapag-Lloyd, Eukor, Vitol International Shipping Pte. Ltd, or Vitol and Stolt Tankers.
Our customers that represent the largest proportion of our revenue are discussed below in “Item 5 - Factors Affecting Our Current and Future Results”.
Competition
We currently operate in several sectors of the maritime, shipping and offshore industries, including oil transportation, dry bulk shipments, oil products transportation, container transportation, car transportation and drilling rigs.
The markets for international seaborne oil transportation services, dry bulk transportation services, container and car transportation services are highly fragmented and competitive. Seaborne oil transportation services are generally provided by two main types of operators: (i) major oil companies or (ii) captive fleets (both private and state-owned) and independent shipowner fleets.
In addition, several owners and operators pool their vessels together on an ongoing basis, and such pools are available to customers to the same extent as independently owned and operated fleets. Many major oil companies and other commodity carriers also operate their own vessels and use such vessels not only to transport their own cargoes but also to transport cargoes for third parties, in direct competition with independent owners and operators.
Container vessels and car carriers are generally operated by logistics companies, where the vessels are used as an integral part of their services. Therefore, container vessels and car carriers are typically chartered more on a period basis and single voyage chartering is less common. As the market has grown significantly over recent decades, we expect in the future to see more vessels chartered by logistics companies on a shorter term basis, particularly smaller vessels, however this will vary depending on market conditions and the availability of vessels.
Our jack-up drilling rig and our ultra-deepwater drilling rig are sub-chartered out on charters to oil majors. Jack-up drilling rigs and ultra-deepwater drilling rigs are normally chartered by oil companies on a shorter-term basis linked to area-specific well drilling or oil exploration activities, but there have also been longer period charters available when oil companies want to cover their longer term requirements for such rigs. Ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling rigs are self-propelled, and can therefore easily move between geographic areas. Jack-up drilling rigs are not self-propelled, but it is common to move these assets over long distances on heavy-lift vessels. Therefore, the markets and competition for these rigs are effectively world-wide.
Competition for charters in all the above sectors is intense and is based upon price, location, size, age, specifications, condition and acceptability of the vessel/rig and its technical and commercial managers. Competition is also affected by the availability of other sized vessels/rigs to compete in the trades in which we engage. Most of our existing vessels are chartered at fixed rates on a long-term basis and are thus not directly affected by competition in the short-term.
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Seasonality
A significant portion of our fleet is chartered on a long-term basis at fixed rates, and seasonal factors therefore do not have a material direct effect on our overall business. We have two Suezmax tankers and two dry bulk carriers trading in the spot or short-term time charter market, and one chemical tanker that trades in a pool alongside similar third-party owned vessels. The effects of seasonality may affect the earnings of these vessels.
Following scrubber installations on seven container vessels on charter to Maersk and one car carrier on charter to Eukor, the agreements were amended to include sharing of fuel cost savings with these charterers. The fuel savings will depend on the price difference between IMO compliant fuel and IMO non-compliant fuel that is subsequently made compliant by the scrubbers.
Inflation
In light of the current and foreseeable economic environment, significant global inflationary pressures could increase our operating, voyage, general and administrative and financing costs. Although we attempt to manage the effects of inflation by reviewing our suppliers regularly, there are no assurances that the effects of inflation will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.
Russian-Ukrainian War
The war between Russia and Ukraine has disrupted supply chains and caused instability in the global economy, and the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, among other countries, announced sanctions against the Russian government and its supporters. OFAC administers and enforces multiple authorities under which sanctions have been imposed on Russia, including: the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities sanctions program, established by the Russia-related national emergency declared in Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 and subsequently expanded and addressed through certain additional authorities, and the Ukraine-/Russia-related sanctions program, established with the Ukraine-related national emergency declared in E.O. 13660 and subsequently expanded and addressed through certain additional authorities. The United States has also issued several Executive Orders that prohibit certain transactions related to Russia, including the importation of certain energy products of Russian Federation origin, investments in the Russian energy sector by U.S. persons, among other prohibitions and export controls, and has issued numerous determinations authorizing the imposition of sanctions on persons who operate or have operated in the energy, metals and mining, and marine sectors of the Russian Federation economy, among other sectors. The ongoing conflict could result in the imposition of further economic sanctions or new categories of export restrictions against persons in or connected to Russia. As of March 16, 2026, our charter contracts have not been materially affected by the events in Russia and Ukraine. However, it is possible that in the future third parties, with whom we have or will have charter contracts, may be impacted by such events. While in general much uncertainty remains regarding the global impact of the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine, and any potential resolution thereof, it is possible that such tensions could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.
Israel-Gaza Conflict
Tensions related to the Israel–Gaza conflict continued to elevate maritime risks in the Red Sea during 2025, as Houthi forces expanded their attacks on commercial vessels in the Bab al‑Mandab Strait. In July 2025, the Houthis sank two commercial ships, killing four seafarers, and by late 2025 more than 100 attacks had been recorded since 2023, affecting vessels from over 60 countries. These threats kept many Europe–Asia trades rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, although Bab al‑Mandab transits showed partial recovery by August 2025, reaching their highest level since early 2024. While the January 19, 2025 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas offered some relief to regional tensions, it did not meaningfully reduce the ongoing Houthi threat to commercial shipping. As of March 16, 2026, our vessels and contracts have not been materially affected by the events in the Middle East and the Red Sea.
Israel-Iran Conflict
The hostilities between Israel and Iran in 2025 significantly increased security risks for commercial vessels operating in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Following Israeli strikes on Iran in June 2025, shipowners were warned to avoid both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, and many operators rerouted or slowed transits due to fears of missile attacks, sea mines and other hostile actions. The regional threat level intensified further in March 2026, when the United States jointly conducted major strikes with Israel on Iranian targets, including operations that destroyed multiple Iranian naval vessels, naval headquarters and other military infrastructure, prompting Iran to launch large‑scale retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region. These exchanges included missile strikes that hit commercial tankers and disrupted shipping lanes.
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The situation deteriorated further as Iran targeted U.S. bases in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan, while some Iranian officials claimed the Strait of Hormuz was closed, triggering widespread industry concern and causing major shipping companies to suspend or halt bookings through the region. Electronic interference affecting vessel navigation systems spiked around the Strait of Hormuz, complicating safe passage and heightening operational risk. Although the strait remained technically open, the U.S.‑Iran missile exchanges in March 2026 and the U.S. Navy’s combat operations in the Persian Gulf created conditions in which shipping agencies assessed the threat level as “significant,” and many shipowners exercised extreme caution, diverted vessels, or temporarily ceased transits through the area. As of March 16, 2026, our vessels and contracts have not been materially affected by the events in the Strait of Hormuz or Persian Gulf.
Environmental and Other Regulations in the Shipping Industry
Government regulation and laws significantly affect the ownership and operation of our fleet. We are subject to international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the countries in which our vessels may operate or are registered relating to safety and health and environmental protection including the storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination and liability for damage to natural resources. Compliance with such laws, regulations and other requirements entails significant expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of certain operating procedures.
A variety of government and private entities subject our vessels to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include the local port authorities (applicable national authorities such as the USCG, harbor master or equivalent), classification societies, flag state administrations (countries of registry) and charterers, particularly terminal operators. Certain of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations for the safe operation of our vessels. Failure to comply could require us to incur substantial costs or result in the temporary suspension of the operation of one or more of our vessels.
Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to stricter environmental standards. We are required to maintain operating standards for all of our vessels that emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of our officers and crews and compliance with United States and international regulations. We believe that the operation of our vessels is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that our vessels have all material permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations necessary for the conduct of our operations. However, because such laws and regulations frequently change and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these requirements, or the impact of these requirements on the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. In addition, a future serious marine incident that causes significant adverse environmental impact could result in additional legislation or regulation that could negatively affect our profitability and reputation.
Flag State
The flag state, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is responsible for implementing and enforcing a broad range of international maritime regulations with respect to all ships granted the right to fly its flag. The “Shipping Industry Guidelines on Flag State Performance” evaluates flag states based on factors such as ratification, implementation and enforcement of principal international maritime treaties, supervision of surveys, compliance with International Labour Organization reporting, and participation at IMO meetings. Our vessels and rigs are flagged in Liberia, the Marshall Islands, Cyprus, Hong Kong or Norway.
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International Maritime Organization
The International Maritime Organization, or IMO, the United Nations agency responsible for maritime safety and pollution prevention, has adopted several core conventions that govern vessel construction, safety, and environmental compliance, including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978, or MARPOL, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, or SOLAS, and the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966. MARPOL, which applies to dry bulk carriers, tankers, LNG carriers, and other vessels, is divided into six Annexes addressing different pollution sources, including oil leakage or spilling (Annex I), harmful substances carried in bulk or packaged form (Annexes II and III), sewage and garbage management (Annexes IV and V), and air emissions (Annex VI), with the latter adopted separately in 1997 and revised through the IMO‑2020 emission standards effective January 1, 2020. The IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee, or MEPC, has also adopted amendments to key technical instruments, including the 2012 amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, which took effect on January 1, 2021 and require updated certificates of fitness and compliance for newly classified cargos, as well as the 2013 amendments to the MARPOL Annex I Condition Assessment Scheme, effective October 1, 2014, which mandate compliance with the 2011 Enhanced Programme of Inspections for bulk carriers and oil tankers. Compliance with these evolving international requirements may necessitate financial expenditures across our fleet.
Air Emissions
In September of 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution from vessels. Effective May 2005, Annex VI sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from all commercial vessel exhausts and prohibits “deliberate emissions” of ozone depleting, emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks, and the shipboard incineration of specific substances. Emissions of “volatile organic compounds” from certain vessels, and the shipboard incineration (from incinerators installed after January 1, 2000) of certain substances (such as polychlorinated biphenyls) are also prohibited. We believe that all our vessels are currently compliant in all material respects with these regulations.
The MEPC adopted amendments to Annex VI regarding emissions of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and ozone depleting substances, which entered into force on July 1, 2010. On October 27, 2016, the MEPC 70 agreed to implement a global 0.5% m/m sulfur oxide emissions limit (reduced from 3.50%) starting from January 1, 2020. This limitation can be met by using low-sulfur compliant fuel oil, alternative fuels, or certain exhaust gas cleaning systems. Ships are now required to obtain bunker delivery notes and International Air Pollution Prevention, Certificates from their flag states that specify sulfur content. Additionally, amendments to Annex VI to prohibit the carriage of bunkers above 0.5% sulfur on ships took effect on March 1, 2020, with the exception of vessels fitted with scrubbers, which can carry fuel of higher sulfur content. These regulations subject ocean-going vessels to stringent emission controls, and may cause us to incur substantial costs.
Sulfur content standards are even stricter within certain Emission Control Areas, or ECAs. As of January 1, 2015, ships operating within an ECA were not permitted to use fuel with sulfur content in excess of 0.1% m/m. Currently, the IMO has designated five ECAs, including specified portions of the Baltic Sea area, Mediterranean Sea area, North Sea area, North American area and U.S. Caribbean area. Ocean-going vessels in these areas will be subject to stringent emission controls and may cause us to incur additional costs. Other areas in China are subject to local regulations that impose stricter emission controls. In July 2023, MEPC 80 announced three new ECA proposals, including the Canadian Arctic waters and the Norwegian Sea, which should take effect in March 2027. MEPC 83 also approved the Northeast Atlantic Ocean as an ECA and is expected to take effect in 2028. If other ECAs are approved by the IMO, or other new or more stringent requirements relating to emissions from marine diesel engines or port operations by vessels are adopted by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, or the states where we operate, compliance with these regulations could entail significant capital expenditures or otherwise increase the costs of our operations.
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The amended Annex VI also established new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for marine diesel engines, depending on their date of installation. Tier III Nitrogen Oxide, or NOx standards were designed for the control of NOx produced by vessels and apply to ships that operate in the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea ECAs with marine diesel engines installed and constructed on or after January 1, 2016. The MEPC also approved the North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs for nitrogen oxide for ships built on or after January 1, 2021. The Canadian-Arctic ECA for NOx will also be effective starting from March 1, 2026 for ships built on or after January 1, 2025. For the Norwegian Sea ECA, the NOx Tier III engine certification requirement will apply to ships (i) with building contracts placed on or after March 1, 2026, (ii) in the absence of a building contract, constructed on or after September 1, 2026, or (iii) delivered on or after March 1, 2030. For the North-East Atlantic ECA, the requirement is expected to apply to ships (i) contracted on or after January 1, 2027, (ii) in the absence of a building contract, constructed on or after July 1, 2027, or (iii) delivered on or after January 1, 2031. The EPA promulgated equivalent (and in some senses stricter) emissions standards in 2010. Tier III requirements could apply to additional areas designated for Tier III NOx in the future. In April 2025, MEPC 83 also adopted amendments (expected to enter into force late 2026 and early 2027) to the NOx Technical Code 2008, which allows ships to optimize fuel consumption based on their operational profile, thus improving energy efficiency, while ensuring compliance with NOx emission requirements. As a result of these designations or similar future designations, we may be required to incur additional operating or other costs.
At MEPC 70, Regulation 22A of MARPOL Annex VI became effective as of March 1, 2018 and requires ships above 5,000 gross tonnage to collect and report annual data on fuel oil consumption to an IMO database, with the first year of data collection having commenced on January 1, 2019. The IMO used such data as part of its initial roadmap (through 2023) for developing its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, as discussed further below.
As of January 1, 2013, MARPOL made mandatory certain measures relating to energy efficiency for ships. All ships are now required to develop and implement Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans, or SEEMP, and new ships must be designed in compliance with minimum energy efficiency levels per capacity mile as defined by the Energy Efficiency Design Index, or EEDI. MEPC 75 adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI which brought forward the effective date of the EEDI’s “phase 3” requirements from January 1, 2025 to April 1, 2022 for several ship types, including gas carriers, general cargo ships, and LNG carriers.
MEPC has continued tightening air‑emission and environmental standards under MARPOL Annex VI. In 2022, MEPC adopted amendments introducing new greenhouse‑gas reduction measures requiring all ships to assess and measure energy efficiency through (i) the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index, or EEXI, a technical rating applicable to ships of 400 gross tons and above, and (ii) an operational Carbon Intensity Indicator, or CII, which requires ships of 5,000 gross tons and above to document and verify annual carbon‑intensity performance against required CII levels. All ships above 400 gross tons must maintain an approved SEEMP, and those above 5,000 gross tons must include additional mandatory content. That same year, MEPC amended MARPOL Annex I to prohibit the use and carriage for use as fuel of heavy fuel oil by ships operating in Arctic waters beginning July 1, 2024. MEPC 79 subsequently adopted further amendments to Annex VI, including revisions to Appendix IX to require reporting of attained and required CII values, CII ratings, and attained EEXI to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database, while also updating EEDI calculation guidelines to add a CO2 conversion factor for ethane, incorporate updated ITCC guidance, and clarify the treatment of vessels with multiple load line certificates; these amendments entered into force on May 1, 2024.
In 2023, MEPC 80 endorsed a plan to review CII regulations and guidelines, and in April 2025, MEPC 83 adopted amendments to the 2021 Guidelines on operational carbon‑intensity reduction factors, extending CII reduction‑factor methodologies through 2030 and approving a work plan for developing a regulatory framework governing onboard carbon‑capture and storage systems. Compliance with these evolving greenhouse gas‑reduction, fuel‑use, reporting‑and‑verification and energy‑efficiency requirements may require us to incur additional costs, and future conventions or regulatory changes could necessitate the installation of expensive emissions‑control systems, adversely affecting our business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.
Safety Management System Requirements
The SOLAS Convention was amended to address the safe manning of vessels and emergency training drills. The Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, or the LLMC, sets limitations of liability for a loss of life or personal injury claim or a property claim against ship owners. We believe that our vessels are in substantial compliance with SOLAS and LLMC standards.
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Under Chapter IX of the SOLAS Convention, or the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or (the ISM Code, our operations are also subject to environmental standards and requirements. The ISM Code requires the party with operational control of a vessel to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and for responding to emergencies. We rely upon the safety management system that we and our technical management team have developed for compliance with the ISM Code. The failure of a vessel owner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel’s management with the ISM Code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a safety management certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. We have obtained applicable documents of compliance for our offices and safety management certificates for all of our vessels for which the certificates are required by the IMO. The document of compliance and safety management certificate are renewed as required.
Regulation II-1/3-10 of the SOLAS Convention governs ship construction and stipulates that ships over 150 meters in length must have adequate strength, integrity and stability to minimize risk of loss or pollution. Goal-based standards amendments in SOLAS regulation II-1/3-10 entered into force in 2012, with July 1, 2016 set for application to new oil tankers and bulk carriers. The SOLAS Convention regulation II-1/3-10 on goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers, which entered into force on January 1, 2012, requires that all oil tankers and bulk carriers of 150 meters in length and above, for which the building contract is placed on or after July 1, 2016, satisfy applicable structural requirements conforming to the functional requirements of the International Goal-based Ship Construction Standards for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers.
Amendments to the SOLAS Convention Chapter VII apply to vessels transporting dangerous goods and require those vessels be in compliance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, or IMDG Code. Effective January 1, 2018, the IMDG Code includes (1) provisions for radioactive material, reflecting the latest provisions from the International Atomic Energy Agency, (2) marking, packing and classification requirements for dangerous goods, and (3) mandatory training requirements.
The IMO has also adopted the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, or STCW. As of February 2017, all seafarers are required to meet the STCW standards and be in possession of a valid STCW certificate. Flag states that have ratified SOLAS and STCW generally employ the classification societies, which have incorporated SOLAS and STCW requirements into their class rules, to undertake surveys to confirm compliance.
Furthermore, cybersecurity guidance and regulations have been developed in an attempt to combat cybersecurity threats. For new ships and offshore installations contracted for construction on or after January 1, 2024, the International Association of Classification Societies, or IACS, now requires vessel owners, yard and suppliers to build cybersecurity barriers into their systems and vessels, requiring compliance across the full spectrum of critical on-board control and navigation systems. On July 16, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard’s final rule, Cybersecurity in the Martine Transportation System, went into effect. Under this rule, all regulated entities are required to develop Cybersecurity and Cyber Incident Response Plans, designate a Cybersecurity Officer to implement plans, and to report certain cyber incidents to the National Response Center. This might cause companies to create additional procedures for monitoring cybersecurity, which could require additional expenses and/or capital expenditures. The impact of such regulations is hard to predict at this time. The cybersecurity of our vessels continues to improve through hands-on training, campaigns and external assistance/equipment provision.
Pollution Control and Liability Requirements
The IMO has negotiated international conventions that impose liability for pollution in international waters and the territorial waters of the signatories to such conventions. For example, the IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention, in 2004. The BWM Convention entered into force on September 8, 2017. The BWM Convention requires ships to manage their ballast water to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of new or invasive aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments. The BWM Convention’s implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits, and require all ships to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast water management certificate.
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The MEPC maintains guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8). Ships over 400 gross tons generally must comply with a “D-1 standard,” requiring the exchange of ballast water only in open seas and away from coastal waters. The “D-2 standard” specifies the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged, and compliance dates vary depending on the IOPP renewal dates. The standards have been in force since 2019, and for most ships, compliance with the D-2 standard involved installing on-board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms. Ballast water management systems, which include systems that make use of chemical, biocides, organisms or biological mechanisms, or which alter the chemical or physical characteristics of the ballast water, must be approved in accordance with IMO Guidelines (Regulation D-3). Since September 8, 2024, all ships have been required to meet the D-2 standard. Additionally, since June 2022, the BWM Convention requires a commissioning test of the ballast water management system for the initial survey or when performing an additional survey for retrofits. This analysis will not apply to ships that already have an installed BWM system certified under the BWM Convention. In December 2022, MEPC 79 agreed that it should be permitted to use ballast tanks for temporary storage of treated sewage and grey water and also established that ships are expected to return to D-2 compliance after experiencing challenging uptake water and bypassing a BWM system should only be used as a last resort.
In addition to the BWM Convention, the cost of compliance could increase for ocean carriers and may have a material effect on our operations. However, many countries already regulate the discharge of ballast water carried by vessels from country to country to prevent the introduction of invasive and harmful species via such discharges. The United States, for example, requires vessels entering its waters from another country to conduct mid-ocean ballast exchange, or undertake some alternate measure, and to comply with certain reporting requirements.
The IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, as amended by different Protocols in 1976, 1984, and 1992, and amended in 2000, or the CLC. Under the CLC and depending on whether the country in which the damage results is a party to the 1992 Protocol to the CLC, a vessel’s registered owner may be strictly liable for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil, subject to certain exceptions. The 1992 Protocol changed certain limits on liability expressed using the International Monetary Fund currency unit, the Special Drawing Rights. The limits on liability have since been amended so that the compensation limits on liability were raised. The right to limit liability is forfeited under the CLC where the spill is caused by the shipowner’s actual fault and under the 1992 Protocol where the spill is caused by the shipowner’s intentional or reckless act or omission where the shipowner knew pollution damage would probably result. The CLC requires ships over 2,000 tons covered by it to maintain insurance covering the liability of the owner in a sum equivalent to an owner’s liability for a single incident. We have protection and indemnity insurance for environmental incidents. P&I Clubs in the International Group issue the required Bunkers Convention “Blue Cards” to enable signatory states to issue certificates. All of our vessels are in possession of a CLC State issued certificate attesting that the required insurance coverage is in force.
The IMO also adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or the Bunker Convention, to impose strict liability on ship owners (including the registered owner, bareboat charterer, manager or operator) for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross tons to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the LLMC). With respect to non-ratifying states, liability for spills or releases of oil carried as fuel in ship’s bunkers typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.
Ships are required to maintain a certificate attesting that they maintain adequate insurance to cover an incident. In jurisdictions, such as the United States where the CLC or the Bunker Convention has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or on a strict-liability basis.
Anti‑Fouling Requirements
In 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti‑fouling Systems on Ships, or the Anti‑fouling Convention. The Anti‑fouling Convention, which entered into force on September 17, 2008, prohibits the use of organotin compound coatings to prevent the attachment of mollusks and other sea life to the hulls of vessels. Vessels of over 400 gross tons engaged in international voyages will also be required to undergo an initial survey before the vessel is put into service or before an International Anti‑fouling System Certificate, or the IAFS Certificate, is issued for the first time; and subsequent surveys when the anti‑fouling systems are altered or replaced. Vessels of 24 meters in length or more but less than 400 gross tonnage engaged in international voyages will have to carry a Declaration on Anti-fouling Systems signed by the owner or authorized agent.
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In November 2020, MEPC 75 approved draft amendments to the Anti-fouling Convention to prohibit anti-fouling systems containing cybutryne, which have applied to ships since January 1, 2023, or, for ships already bearing such an anti-fouling system, at the next scheduled renewal of the system after that date, but no later than 60 months following the last application to the ship of such a system. In addition, the IAFS Certificate has been updated to address compliance options for anti-fouling systems to address cybutryne. Ships which are affected by this ban on cybutryne must receive an updated IAFS Certificate no later than two years after the entry into force of these amendments. Ships which are not affected (i.e. with anti-fouling systems which do not contain cybutryne) must receive an updated IAFS Certificate at the next anti-fouling application to the vessel. These amendments were formally adopted at MEPC 76 in June 2021 and entered into force on January 1, 2023.
We have obtained Anti‑fouling System Certificates for all of our vessels that are subject to the Anti‑fouling Convention.
Compliance Enforcement
Noncompliance with the ISM Code or other IMO regulations may subject the ship owner or bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. The USCG and European Union authorities prohibit vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code by applicable deadlines from trading in U.S. and EU ports, respectively. As of March 16, 2026, each of our vessels is ISM Code certified. However, there can be no assurance that such certificates will be maintained in the future. The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations. It is impossible to predict what additional regulations, if any, may be passed by the IMO and what effect, if any, such regulations might have on our operations.
United States Regulations
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all “owners and operators” whose vessels trade or operate within the U.S., its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in U.S. waters, which includes the United States’ territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. The United States has also enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil, except in limited circumstances, whether on land or at sea. OPA and CERCLA both define “owner and operator” in the case of a vessel as any person owning, operating or chartering by demise, the vessel. Both OPA and CERCLA impact our operations.
Under OPA, vessel owners and operators are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels, including bunkers (fuel).
OPA contains statutory caps on liability and damages; such caps do not apply to direct cleanup costs. Effective March 23, 2023, the adjusted limits of OPA liability for a tank vessel, other than a single-hull tank vessel, over 3,000 gross tons liability to the greater of $2,500 per gross ton or $21,521,300 (previous limit was $2,300 per gross ton or $19,943,400), and the adjusted limits of OPA liability for non-tank vessels, edible oil tank vessels, and any oil spill response vessels, to the greater of $1,300 per gross ton or $1,076,000 (previous limit was $1,200 per gross ton or $997,100). These limits of liability do not apply if an incident was proximately caused by the violation of an applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulation by a responsible party (or its agent, employee or a person acting pursuant to a contractual relationship), or a responsible party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The limitation on liability similarly does not apply if the responsible party fails or refuses to (i) report the incident as required by law where the responsible party knows or has reason to know of the incident; (ii) reasonably cooperate and assist as requested in connection with oil removal activities; or (iii) without sufficient cause, comply with an order issued under the Federal Water Pollution Act (Section 311 (c), (e)) or the Intervention on the High Seas Act.
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CERCLA contains a similar liability regime whereby owners and operators of vessels are liable for cleanup, removal and remedial costs, as well as damages for injury to, or destruction or loss of, natural resources, including the reasonable costs associated with assessing the same, and health assessments or health effects studies. There is no liability if the discharge of a hazardous substance results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5.0 million for vessels carrying a hazardous substance as cargo and the greater of $300 per gross ton or $500,000 for any other vessel. These limits do not apply (rendering the responsible person liable for the total cost of response and damages) if the release or threat of release of a hazardous substance resulted from willful misconduct or negligence, or the primary cause of the release was a violation of applicable safety, construction or operating standards or regulations. The limitation on liability also does not apply if the responsible person fails or refused to provide all reasonable cooperation and assistance as requested in connection with response activities where the vessel is subject to OPA.
OPA and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law, including maritime tort law. OPA and CERCLA both require owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the USCG evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the maximum amount of liability to which the particular responsible person may be subject. Vessel owners and operators may satisfy their financial responsibility obligations by providing a proof of insurance, a surety bond, qualification as a self-insurer or a guarantee. We comply and intend to comply going forward with the USCG’s financial responsibility regulations by providing applicable certificates of financial responsibility.
OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, provided they accept, at a minimum, the levels of liability established under OPA. Some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for oil spills, and many U.S. states that border a navigable waterway have enacted environmental pollution laws that impose strict liability on a person for removal costs and damages resulting from a discharge of oil or a release of a hazardous substance. Moreover, some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for discharge of pollutants within their waters, although in some cases, states which have enacted this type of legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining vessel owners’ responsibilities under these laws. These laws may be more stringent than U.S. federal law. We intend to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.
We currently maintain pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1.0 billion per vessel per incident, except for certain excluded areas at high risk including Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, or the High Risk Areas. If the damages from a catastrophic spill were to exceed our insurance coverage, it could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Other United States Environmental Initiatives
The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970, as amended, or CAA, requires the EPA to promulgate and enforce standards governing emissions of volatile organic compounds and other hazardous air pollutants from mobile and stationary sources. Our vessels are subject to federal and state vapor‑control and recovery requirements applicable to certain cargoes during loading, unloading, ballasting, tank cleaning, and other operations in regulated port districts. The CAA also requires each state to adopt a State Implementation Plan, or SIP, to achieve and maintain National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and SIPs may impose vessel‑specific emissions controls, including mandatory installation and use of vapor‑recovery systems during cargo transfer operations. Our vessels operating in such jurisdictions are equipped with vapor‑control technology designed to satisfy current CAA and SIP requirements. In addition, the U.S. Clean Water Act, or CWA, prohibits unauthorized discharges of oil, hazardous substances, and ballast water into U.S. navigable waters, imposes strict liability for violations, and provides for civil penalties, cleanup costs, remediation obligations, and damages. The CWA complements federal liability regimes under OPA and CERCLA, and together these statutes may impose substantial civil and administrative exposure for non‑compliance.
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The EPA and U.S. Coast Guard, or USCG, also regulate ballast‑water management, requiring vessels to install U.S.-approved ballast‑water treatment systems or utilize alternative disposal arrangements in port facilities, and may otherwise restrict vessel access to U.S. waters for non‑compliance. These federal requirements will continue under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, or VIDA, enacted December 4, 2018, which supersedes the 2013 Vessel General Permit, or VGP, and existing USCG regulations under the National Invasive Species Act. VIDA establishes a national ballast‑water and incidental‑discharge regulatory framework under the CWA. The EPA finalized its Vessel Incidental Discharge Standards of Performance in October 2024, thereby triggering VIDA’s requirement that the USCG promulgate corresponding implementation, compliance, and enforcement regulations within two years of the EPA’s final rule. Until the USCG regulations become effective, the 2013 VGP and existing USCG ballast‑water requirements remain in force, and non‑military, non‑recreational vessels greater than 79 feet must continue to comply with VGP obligations, including submission of a Notice of Intent, or NOI, or retention of a PARI form and filing of annual reports. We have submitted NOIs for our vessels where required. Compliance with CWA, EPA, USCG and state ballast‑water requirements may necessitate installation of treatment systems or port‑facility disposal arrangements at significant cost and may restrict our vessels’ ability to operate in or enter U.S. waters.
European Union Regulations
In October 2009, the European Union amended a directive to impose criminal sanctions for illicit ship-source discharges of polluting substances, including minor discharges, if committed with intent, recklessly or with serious negligence and the discharges individually or in the aggregate result in deterioration of the quality of water. Aiding and abetting the discharge of a polluting substance may also lead to criminal penalties. The directive applies to all types of vessels, irrespective of their flag, but certain exceptions apply to warships or where human safety or that of the ship is in danger. Criminal liability for pollution may result in substantial penalties or fines and increased civil liability claims. Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 (amending EU Directive 2009/16/EC) governs the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport, and, subject to some exclusions, requires companies with ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to monitor and report carbon dioxide emissions annually which may cause us to incur additional expenses.
The European Union has adopted several regulations and directives requiring, among other things, more frequent inspections of high-risk ships, as determined by type, age, and flag as well as the number of times the ship has been detained. The European Union also adopted and extended a ban on substandard ships and enacted a minimum ban period and a definitive ban for repeated offenses. The regulation also provided the European Union with greater authority and control over classification societies, by imposing more requirements on classification societies and providing for fines or penalty payments for organizations that failed to comply. Furthermore, the European Union has implemented regulations requiring vessels to use reduced sulfur content fuel for their main and auxiliary engines. The EU Directive 2005/33/EC (amending Directive 1999/32/EC) introduced requirements parallel to those in Annex VI relating to the sulfur content of marine fuels. In addition, the European Union imposed a 0.1% maximum sulfur requirement for fuel used by ships at berth in the Baltic, the North Sea and the English Channel, or the so called SOx-Emission Control Area. As of January 2020, EU member states must also ensure that vessels in all EU waters, except the SOx-Emission Control Area, use fuels with a 0.5% maximum sulfur content.
On September 15, 2020, the European Parliament voted to include greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime sector in the European Union's carbon market, Emissions Trading System, or EU ETS, as part of its “Fit-for-55” legislation to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. This will require shipowners to buy permits to cover these emissions. On December 18, 2022, the Environmental Council and European Parliament agreed on a gradual introduction of obligations for shipping companies to surrender allowances equivalent to a portion of their carbon emissions: 40% for verified emissions from 2024, 70% for 2025 and 100% for 2026. Most large vessels will be included in the scope of the EU ETS from the start. Big offshore vessels of 5,000 gross tonnage and above will be included in the 'MRV' on the monitoring, reporting and verification of CO2 emissions from maritime transport regulation from 2025 and in the EU ETS from 2027. General cargo vessels and off-shore vessels between 400-5,000 gross tonnage will be included in the MRV regulation from 2025 and their inclusion in EU ETS will be reviewed in 2026. Furthermore, starting from January 1, 2026, the ETS regulations will expand to include emissions of two additional greenhouse gases: nitrous oxide and methane.
From January 1, 2025, the European Union adopted the FuelEU Maritime regulation, a proposal included in the "Fit-for-55" legislation. FuelEU Maritime sets requirements on the annual average greenhouse gas intensity of energy used by ships trading within the European Union or European Economic Area (EEA). This will start at a 2% reduction in 2025, increasing to 6% in 2030, and accelerating from 2035 to reach an 80% reduction by 2050.
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Compliance with the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime regulation will result in additional compliance and administration costs to properly incorporate the provisions of the Directive into our business routines. Additional EU regulations which are part of the EU’s "Fit-for-55," could also affect our financial position in terms of compliance and administration costs when they take effect.
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the UN that has adopted the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, or MLC 2006. A Maritime Labour Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance is required to ensure compliance with the MLC 2006 for all ships that are 500 gross tonnage or over and are either engaged in international voyages or flying the flag of a Member and operating from a port, or between ports, in another country. We believe that all our vessels are in substantial compliance with and are certified to meet MLC 2006.
Greenhouse Gas Regulations
Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which entered into force in 2005 and pursuant to which adopting countries have been required to implement national programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. International negotiations are continuing with respect to a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, and restrictions on shipping emissions may be included in any new treaty. In December 2009, more than 27 nations, including the United States and China, signed the Copenhagen Accord, which includes a non-binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris resulted in the Paris Agreement, which entered into force on November 4, 2016 and does not directly limit greenhouse gas emissions from ships. As of January 27, 2026, the United States is no longer a party to the Paris Agreement following notification of withdrawal.
At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, a draft outline of the structure of the initial strategy for developing a comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships was approved. In accordance with this roadmap, in April 2018, nations at the MEPC 72 adopted an initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The initial strategy identifies “levels of ambition” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and notes that technological innovation, alternative fuels and/or energy sources for international shipping will be integral to achieve the ambitions. At MEPC 77, the Member States agreed to initiate the revision of the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, recognizing the need to strengthen the “levels of ambition”. In July 2023, MEPC 80 adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships or the 2023 IMO Strategy, which builds upon the initial strategy’s levels of ambition. The revised levels of ambition include (1) further decreasing the carbon intensity from ships through improvement of energy efficiency; (2) reducing carbon intensity of international shipping; (3) increasing adoption of zero or near-zero emissions technologies, fuels, and energy sources; and (4) achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping. Furthermore, the following indicative checkpoints were adopted in order to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping: i). reduce the total annual greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by at least 20%, striving for 30%, by 2030, compared to 2008 levels; and ii). reduce the total annual greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by at least 70%, striving for 80%, by 2040, compared to 2008 levels. As part of the 2023 IMO Strategy, MPEC also created the IMO Net-zero Framework, which will combine mandatory emissions limits and greenhouse gas pricing across the industry. The IMO Net-zero Framework was approved at MEPC 83 (Spring 2025) for potential adoption in Spring 2026 and will eventually be included in Annex VI. Under these draft regulations, ships will be required to reduce their annual greenhouse gas fuel intensity, or GFI, calculated using the well-to-wake approach and ships emitting above GFI thresholds will have to acquire remedial units to balance its deficit emissions, while those using zero or near-zero greenhouse gas technologies will be eligible for financial rewards.
The EU made a unilateral commitment to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions from its member states from 20% of 1990 levels by 2020. The EU also committed to reduce its emissions by 20% under the Kyoto Protocol’s second period from 2013 to 2020. As of January 2018, large ships over 5,000 gross tonnage calling at EU ports are required to collect and publish data on carbon dioxide emissions and other information. Under the European Climate Law, the EU committed to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 through its “Fit-for-55” legislation package. As part of this initiative, the EU ETS has been extended to cover CO2 emissions from all large ships entering EU ports starting January 2024. For more information on the EU ETS, please see above under “European Union Regulations”.
Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, the European Union, the United States or other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at the international level to succeed the Kyoto Protocol or Paris Agreement, that restricts emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to make significant financial expenditures which we cannot predict with certainty at this time. Even in the absence of climate control legislation, our business may be indirectly affected to the extent that climate change may result in sea level changes or certain weather events.
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Vessel Security Regulations
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security such as the MTSA. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, the USCG issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and at certain ports and facilities, some of which are regulated by the EPA.
Similarly, Chapter XI-2 of the SOLAS Convention imposes detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities and mandates compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, the ISPS Code. The ISPS Code is designed to enhance the security of ports and ships against terrorism. To trade internationally, a vessel must attain an International Ship Security Certificate, or ISSC, from a recognized security organization approved by the vessel’s flag state. Ships operating without a valid certificate may be detained, expelled from, or refused entry at port until they obtain an ISSC.
The USCG regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board a valid ISSC that attests to the vessel’s compliance with the SOLAS Convention security requirements and the ISPS Code. Future security measures could have a significant financial impact on us. We intend to comply with the various security measures addressed by MTSA, the SOLAS Convention and the ISPS Code.
The cost of vessel security measures has also been affected by the escalation in the frequency of acts of piracy against ships, notably off the coast of Somalia, including the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea area. Substantial loss of revenue and other costs may be incurred as a result of detention of a vessel or additional security measures, and the risk of uninsured losses could significantly affect our business. Costs are incurred in taking additional security measures in accordance with Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy, notably those contained in the BMP5 industry standard.
Offshore Drilling Regulations
Our offshore drilling rigs are subject to many of the above environmental laws and regulations relating to vessels, but are also subject to laws and regulations focused on offshore drilling operations. We may incur costs to comply with these revised standards.
Rigs must comply with applicable MARPOL limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, chlorofluorocarbons, and the discharge of other air pollutants, and also with the Bunker Convention's strict liability for pollution damage caused by discharges of bunker fuel in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states.
Furthermore, any drilling rigs that we may operate in U.S. waters, including the U.S. territorial sea and the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the United States, would have to comply with OPA and CERCLA requirements, among others, that impose liability (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges of oil or other hazardous substances.
BOEM periodically issues guidelines for rig fitness requirements in the Gulf of Mexico and may take other steps that could increase the cost of operations or reduce the area of operations for our units, thus reducing their marketability. Implementation of BOEM guidelines or regulations may subject us to increased costs or limit the operational capabilities of our units, and could materially and adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
In addition to the MARPOL, OPA and CERCLA requirements described above, our international offshore drilling operations are subject to various laws and regulations in countries in which we operate, including laws and regulations relating to the importation of and operation of drilling rigs and equipment, currency conversions and repatriation, oil and gas exploration and development, environmental protection, taxation of offshore earnings and earnings of expatriate personnel, the use of local employees and suppliers by foreign contractors, and duties on the importation and exportation of drilling rigs and other equipment. New environmental or safety laws and regulations could be enacted, which could adversely affect our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions. Governments in some countries have become increasingly active in regulating and controlling the ownership of concessions and companies holding concessions, the exploration for oil and gas, and other aspects of the oil and gas industries in their countries. In some areas of the world, this governmental activity has adversely affected the amount of exploration and development work done by major oil and gas companies and may continue to do so.
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In 2016, the government of Canada banned new drilling in Canadian Arctic waters and in August 2019, issued an order prohibiting oil and gas activities under existing leases in the Canadian Arctic offshore. The Canadian government imposed a five-year moratorium on its 2016 ban of new Canadian Arctic drilling and decided to revisit the ban every 5 years based on research and findings. Following the reports of the five-year review, the Canadian government decided to maintain the indefinite moratorium and to support a subsequent review to inform future decisions with regard to the moratorium. The 2019 order will also remain in effect for the duration of the moratorium. Operations in less developed countries can be subject to legal systems that are not as mature or predictable as those in more developed countries, which can lead to greater uncertainty in legal matters and proceedings. Implementation of new environmental laws or regulations that may apply to ultra-deepwater drilling rigs may subject us to increased costs or limit the operational capabilities of our drilling rigs and could materially and adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
Inspection by Classification Societies
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and SOLAS. Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage and lending that a vessel be certified “in class” by a classification society which is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies, the IACS. The IACS has adopted harmonized Common Structural Rules, which apply to oil tankers and bulk carriers contracted for construction on or after July 1, 2015. The Common Structural Rules attempt to create a level of consistency between IACS Societies. All of our vessels are certified as being “in class” by all the applicable Classification Societies (e.g., American Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd's Register of Shipping).
A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys, drydockings and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. Every vessel is also required to carry out a bottom survey every 30 to 36 months for inspection of the underwater parts of the vessel as dictated by statutory and class regulations. If any vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey, drydocking or special survey, the vessel will be unable to carry cargo between ports and will be unemployable and uninsurable which could cause us to be in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements. Any such inability to carry cargo or be employed, or any such violation of covenants, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
The managed vessels, depending on the flag administration requirements, are inspected during the stipulated periodicities. These inspections are arranged on a timely basis and the findings (if any) are addressed for corrective actions, close-out and acceptance purposes. The findings are also finally reviewed by the relevant flag administration, in order to record the actions taken by us and close-out the findings on their systems.
Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance
General
The operation of any cargo vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, physical damage, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, piracy incidents, hostilities and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. OPA, which imposes virtually unlimited liability upon shipowners, operators and bareboat charterers of any vessel trading in the exclusive economic zone of the United States for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has made liability insurance more expensive for shipowners and operators trading in the U.S. market. We carry insurance coverage as customary in the shipping industry. However, not all risks can be insured, specific claims may be rejected, and we might not be always able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates.
Hull and Machinery Insurance
We procure hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance, which includes environmental damage and pollution insurance and war risk insurance and freight, demurrage and defense insurance for our fleet. We generally maintain insurance against loss of hire on our operated fleet, which covers business interruptions that result in the loss of use of a vessel.
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Protection and Indemnity Insurance
Protection and indemnity insurance is provided by mutual protection and indemnity associations, or P&I Associations. and covers our third-party liabilities in connection with our shipping activities. This includes third-party liability and other related expenses of injury or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, loss or damage to cargo, claims arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third-party property, pollution arising from oil or other substances and salvage, towing and other related costs, including wreck removal. Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual indemnity insurance, extended by protection and indemnity mutual associations, or clubs.
Our current protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution is $1.0 billion per vessel per incident, except for certain excluded High Risk Areas. The 12 P&I Associations that comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the world’s commercial tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to reinsure each association’s liabilities. The International Group’s website states that the Pool provides a mechanism for sharing all claims in excess of $10.0 million up to, currently, approximately $8.9 billion. As a member of a P&I Association, which is a member of the International Group, we are subject to calls payable to the associations based on our claim records as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual associations and members of the shipping pool of P&I Associations comprising the International Group.
We are responsible for the insurance of our time chartered and voyage chartered vessels. In accordance with standard practice, we maintain marine hull and machinery and war risks insurance, which include the risk of actual or constructive total loss, and protection and indemnity insurance with mutual assurance associations. From time to time we carry insurance covering the loss of hire resulting from marine casualties in respect of some of our vessels. Currently, the amount of coverage for liability for pollution, spillage and leakage available to us on commercially reasonable terms through protection and indemnity associations and providers of excess coverage is up to $1.0 billion per vessel per occurrence, except for certain excluded High Risk Areas. P&I Associations are mutual marine indemnity associations formed by shipowners to provide protection from large financial loss to one member by contribution towards that loss by all members.
We believe that our current insurance coverage is adequate to protect us against the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business and that we maintain appropriate levels of environmental damage and pollution insurance coverage, consistent with standard industry practice. However, there is no assurance that all risks are adequately insured against, that any particular claims will be paid, or that we will be able to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future.
C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
See Exhibit 8.1 for a list of our significant subsidiaries.
D. PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT
We own a substantially modern fleet of vessels and rigs. The following table sets forth the fleet that we own or charter-in including those in our associated companies as of March 16, 2026.
Approximate Lease Charter Termination
Vessel Built Capacity Flag Classification * Date*
Tankers
Marlin Santorini 2019 150,000 Dwt MI Operating 2026 (5)
Marlin Sicily 2019 150,000 Dwt MI Operating 2027 (5)
Marlin Shikoku 2019 150,000 Dwt MI Operating 2027 (5)
SFL Albany 2020 160,000 Dwt MI n/a n/a (2)
SFL Fraser 2020 160,000 Dwt MI n/a n/a (2)
SFL Tigris 2024 115,000 Dwt MI Operating 2029 (1)
SFL Taurus 2024 115,000 Dwt MI Operating 2029 (1)
SFL Tucana 2024 115,000 Dwt MI Operating 2029 (1)
SFL Trinity 2017 114,000 Dwt MI Operating 2026
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SFL Sabine 2017 114,000 Dwt MI Operating 2026
SFL Lion 2014 115,000 Dwt MI Operating 2027 (5)
SFL Tiger 2015 115,000 Dwt MI Operating 2026 (5)
SFL Panther 2015 115,000 Dwt MI Operating 2027 (5)
SFL Puma 2015 115,000 Dwt MI Operating 2026 (5)
SFL Aruba 2022 33.000 Dwt MI n/a n/a (6)
SFL Bonaire 2023 33.000 Dwt MI Operating 2032 (1)
Dry Bulk Carriers
SFL Yangtze 2012 82,000 Dwt HK n/a n/a (2)
SFL Pearl 2012 82,000 Dwt HK n/a n/a (2)
Container vessels
San Felipe 2014 9,500 TEU MI Operating 2030
San Felix 2014 9,500 TEU MI Operating 2030
San Fernando 2015 9,500 TEU MI Operating 2030
San Francisca 2015 9,500 TEU MI Operating 2030
Maersk Sarat 2015 9,500 TEU LIB Operating 2031 (7)
Maersk Skarstind 2016 9,500 TEU LIB Operating 2026 (8)
Maersk Shivling 2016 9,300 TEU LIB Operating 2026 (8)
Maersk Zambezi 2020 5,300 TEU MI Operating 2028 (1)
Maersk Phuket 2022 2,500 TEU LIB Operating 2029 (1) (4)
Maersk Pelepas 2022 2,500 TEU LIB Operating 2029 (1) (4)
SFL Maui 2013 6,800 TEU LIB Operating 2027 (1) (4)
SFL Hawaii 2014 6,800 TEU LIB Operating 2027 (1) (4)
Vancouver Express 2014 15,400 TEU LIB Operating 2029
Oakland Express 2014 15,400 TEU LIB Operating 2029
Houston Express 2014 15,400 TEU LIB Operating 2029
Atlanta Express 2014 15,400 TEU LIB Operating 2029
Baltimore Express 2014 15,400 TEU LIB Operating 2029 (4)
Savannah Express 2013 15,400 TEU LIB Operating 2028 (4)
Maersk San Vincent 2015 10,600 TEU MI Operating 2030 (1)
Maersk San Lazaro 2015 10,600 TEU MI Operating 2030 (1)
Maersk San Juan 2015 10,600 TEU MI Operating 2030 (1)
MSC Anna 2016 19,200 TEU LIB Direct Financing 2031 (1) (3)
MSC Viviana 2017 19,200 TEU LIB Direct Financing 2032 (1) (3)
MSC Erica 2016 19,400 TEU LIB Direct Financing 2033 (1) (3)
MSC Reef 2016 19,400 TEU LIB Direct Financing 2033 (1) (3)
Car Carriers
SFL Composer 2005 6,500 CEU LIB Operating 2026 (4)
SFL Conductor 2006 6,500 CEU LIB Operating 2027 (4)
Arabian Sea 2010 4,900 CEU MI Operating 2028 (4)
Emden 2023 7,000 CEU LIB Operating 2033 (4)
Wolfsburg 2023 7,000 CEU LIB Operating 2034 (4)
Odin Highway 2024 7,000 CEU LIB Operating 2034 (4)
Thor Highway 2024 7,000 CEU LIB Operating 2034 (4)
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Drilling Rigs
Linus 2014 450 ft NOR n/a 2029 (9)
Hercules 2008 10,000 ft CYP n/a n/a (9)
* Lease classifications and charter termination dates are as of December 31, 2025.
Key to Flags: HK – Hong Kong, LIB – Liberia, MI – Marshall Islands, NOR – Norway, CYP – Cyprus
Notes:
(1)Charterer has purchase options or obligations during the term or at the end of the charter.
(2)Currently employed on a short-term charter or trading in the spot market.
(3)Vessel chartered-in and out on direct financing leases and included in associated companies.
(4)Vessel chartered-in as lease debt financing arrangements and out as operating leases.
(5)Charterer has the right to trigger a sale to a third party, at any time after the first year, with net proceeds over an agreed sum to be shared between the charterer and SFL, with profit split on a previously agreed upon basis of calculation.
(6)Vessel is trading in a pool with Stolt Tankers until 2032.
(7)Vessel had a new charter contract in 2026. Lease assessment is preliminary and may change.
(8)The charters in respect of these vessels end in 2026 and the vessels are then contracted to commence a five-year time charter with the same counterparty.
(9)Linus is currently employed under its long-term drilling contract with ConocoPhillips which expires in the second quarter of 2029. Hercules completed its drilling contract in Canada with Equinor in the fourth quarter of 2024. Following completion, Hercules was mobilized to Norway to await new drilling opportunities. In March 2026, the Company entered into a drilling contract in Canada with a large, investment-grade multinational oil and gas company for the harsh environment semi-submersible rig Hercules. The contract has an estimated value of approximately $170 million, a minimum term of approximately 400 days and is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2027.
In addition to the above fleet of vessels and rigs, we also have five 16,800 TEU container vessels currently under construction, expected to be delivered in 2028.
Substantially, all of our owned vessels and rigs as of December 31, 2025 are pledged under mortgages, excluding two Kamsarmax dry bulk carriers and one drilling rig.
Other than our interests in the vessels and drilling rigs described above, we do not own any material physical properties. We lease office space in all our locations. In Oslo and London, we lease office space from Front Ocean Management AS and Frontline Corporate Services Ltd, respectively, both related parties.