As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Global Partners LP* GLP Finance Corp. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
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Delaware | | 74-3140887 |
Delaware | | 20-8324983 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
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P.O. Box 9161 800 South St. Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9161 (781) 894-8800 |
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices) |
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Sean T. Geary P.O. Box 9161 800 South St. Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9161 (781) 894-8800 |
(Name, address, Including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) |
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Copies to: Brenda Lenahan Stancell Haigwood Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. 1114 Avenue of the Americas, 32nd Floor New York, New York 10036 (212) 237-0000 |
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective. |
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ¨
If any of the securities registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 426(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | x | Accelerated filer | ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
| | Emerging growth company | ¨ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨
| * | Includes subsidiaries of Global Partners LP identified on the following page that may guarantee the debt securities. |
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization | IRS Employer Identification Number |
Global Operating LLC | Delaware | 74-3140890 |
Global Companies LLC | Delaware | 04-3443029 |
Glen Hes Corp. | Delaware | 04-3540423 |
Global Montello Group Corp. | Delaware | 04-3443028 |
Chelsea Sandwich LLC | Delaware | 04-3443027 |
Alliance Energy LLC | Massachusetts | 04-3082096 |
Bursaw Oil LLC | Massachusetts | 04-1137410 |
Cascade Kelly Holdings LLC | Oregon | 27-1455470 |
Global Partners Energy Canada ULC | Alberta, Canada | N.A. |
Warren Equities, Inc. | Delaware | 05-0352363 |
Warex Terminals Corporation | New York | 14-1470268 |
Drake Petroleum Company, Inc. | Massachusetts | 04-2236089 |
Puritan Oil Company, Inc. | New Jersey | 21-0647639 |
Maryland Oil Company, Inc. | Delaware | 52-2173087 |
Basin Transload, LLC. | Delaware | 26-3777171 |
Global Everett Landco LLC | Delaware | 93-3410719 |
Meridian Bunker Corp. | Delaware | 93-3145669 |
Global Terminal Holdings LLC | Delaware | 93-4326091 |
SPR Holdings LLC | Delaware | 38-4249423 |
SPR Operator LLC | Delaware | 92-1416860 |
The address for each additional registrant is P.O. Box 9161, 800 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9161, and the telephone number for each additional registrant is (781) 894-8800.
PROSPECTUS
GLOBAL PARTNERS LP
Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests
Preferred Units Representing Limited Partner Interests
Other Classes of Units Representing Limited Partner Interests
GLOBAL PARTNERS LP
GLP FINANCE CORP.
Debt Securities
We may offer, from time to time, in one or more series, the following securities under this prospectus:
| • | common units representing limited partner interests in Global Partners LP; |
| • | preferred units representing limited partner interests in Global Partners LP; |
| • | other classes of units representing limited partner interests in Global Partners LP; and |
| • | debt securities of Global Partners LP and GLP Finance Corp. |
Subsidiaries of Global Partners LP may guarantee the debt securities.
This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer the securities. The specific terms of any securities we offer will be included in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer the securities. We will sell these securities through underwriters on a firm commitment basis. The names of any underwriters and the specific terms of a plan of distribution will be stated in a supplement to this prospectus.
You should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest. You should also read the documents we refer to in the “Information We Incorporate by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information” sections of this prospectus for information on us and our financial statements.
Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GLP.”
We will provide information in the prospectus supplement for the trading market, if any, for any other securities we may offer.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Limited partnerships are inherently different from corporations. You should carefully consider each of the factors referred to under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 8 of this prospectus and contained in the applicable prospectus supplement before you make an investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is March 1, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus, or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. Each time we offer securities with this prospectus, we will provide this prospectus and a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things, the specific amounts and prices of the securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including, in the case of the preferred units representing limited partner interests in Global Partners LP, other classes of units representing limited partner interests in Global Partners LP and debt securities, the specific terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement.
The information in this prospectus is accurate as of its date. Therefore, before you invest in our securities, you should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Global Partners LP,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms refer to Global Partners LP and its subsidiaries.
INFORMATION WE INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE
We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information we have filed with the SEC, which means that we disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to another document filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically supersede information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference. Therefore, before you decide to invest in a particular offering under this prospectus, you should always check for reports we may have filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below:
| • | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2024, January 4, 2024, January 18, 2024, February 8, 2024 and February 28, 2024, and Form 8-K/A filed on February 29, 2024 (excluding any information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K); |
In addition, we incorporate by reference in this prospectus any future filings made by Global Partners LP with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) (excluding any information furnished and not filed with the SEC) after the date on which the registration statement that includes this prospectus was initially filed with the SEC (including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement) and until all offerings under this shelf registration statement are terminated.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and, in accordance therewith, file reports and other information with the SEC. Such material may be accessed electronically by means of the SEC’s home page on the Internet (www.sec.gov). We also make available free of charge on our website, at http://www.globalp.com, all materials that we file electronically with the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such information with the SEC. Neither our website nor anything contained therein is a part of or incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any exhibit specifically incorporated by reference in those documents, at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following:
Global Partners LP
Attention: Office of the General Counsel
P.O. Box 9161
800 South St.
Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9161
(781) 894-8800
INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “may,” “believe,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “continue,” “will likely result” or other similar expressions although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. In addition, any statement made by our management concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible actions by us are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Although we believe these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, statements made regarding future results are subject to a number of assumptions, uncertainties and risks, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause future results to be materially different from the results stated or implied in this document. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things:
| • | We may not have sufficient cash from operations to enable us to pay distributions on our Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units (each as defined below) or maintain distributions on our common units at current levels following establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our general partner. |
| • | A significant decrease in price or demand for the products we sell or a significant increase in the cost of our logistics activities could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. |
| • | The impact on the global economy and commodity prices resulting from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East may have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations. |
| • | We depend upon marine, pipeline, rail and truck transportation services for the petroleum products we purchase and sell. Regulations and directives related to these aforementioned services as well as a disruption in any of these transportation services could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. |
| • | We have contractual obligations for certain transportation assets such as barges and railcars. A decline in demand for the products we sell could result in a decrease in the utilization of our transportation assets, which could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. |
| • | We may not be able to fully implement or capitalize upon planned growth projects. Even if we consummate acquisitions or expend capital in pursuit of growth projects that we believe will be accretive, they may in fact result in no increase or even a decrease in cash available for distribution to our unitholders. |
| • | We may not be able to realize expected returns or other anticipated benefits associated with our joint ventures. |
| • | Erosion of the value of major gasoline brands could adversely affect our gasoline sales and customer traffic. |
| • | Our motor fuel sales could be significantly reduced by a reduction in demand due to higher prices and new technologies and alternative fuel sources, such as electric, hybrid, battery powered, hydrogen or other alternative fuel-powered motor vehicles. In addition, changing consumer preferences or driving habits could lead to new forms of fueling destinations or potentially fewer customer visits to our sites, resulting in a decrease in gasoline sales and/or sales of food, sundries and other on-site services. |
| • | Effects of climate change and impacts to areas prone to sea level rise or other extreme weather events could have the potential to adversely affect our assets and operations. |
| • | Changes in government usage mandates and tax credits could adversely affect the availability and pricing of ethanol and renewable fuels, which could negatively impact our sales. |
| • | Our petroleum and related products sales, logistics activities, convenience store operations and results of operations have been and could continue to be adversely affected by, among other things, changes in the petroleum products market structure, product differentials and volatility (or lack thereof), regulations that adversely impact the market for transporting petroleum and related products, severe weather conditions, significant changes in prices, labor and equipment shortages and interruptions in transportation services and other necessary services and equipment, such as railcars, barges, trucks, loading equipment and qualified drivers. |
| • | Our risk management policies cannot eliminate all commodity risk, basis risk or the impact of unfavorable market conditions, each of which can adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. In addition, any noncompliance with our risk management policies could result in significant financial losses. |
| • | Our results of operations are affected by the overall forward market for the products we sell, and pricing volatility may adversely impact our results. |
| • | Our businesses could be affected by a range of issues, such as changes in demand, commodity prices, energy conservation, competition, the global economic climate, movement of products between foreign locales and within the United States, changes in refiner demand, weekly and monthly refinery output levels, changes in the rate of inflation or deflation, changes in local, domestic and worldwide inventory levels, changes in health, safety and environmental regulations, including, without limitation, those related to climate change, additional government regulations related to the products we sell, failure to obtain permits, amend existing permits for permits for expansion and/or to address changes to our assets and underlying operations, or renew existing permits on terms favorable to us, seasonality, supply, weather and logistics disruptions and other factors and uncertainties inherent in the transportation, storage, terminalling and marketing of refined products, gasoline blendstocks, renewable fuels and crude oil. |
| • | We may experience more demand for gasoline during the late spring and summer months than during the fall and winter months. |
| • | Warmer weather conditions adversely affect our home heating oil and residual oil sales. Our sales of home heating oil and residual oil continue to be reduced by conversions to natural gas and/or electric heat pumps and by utilization of propane and/or natural gas (instead of heating oil) as primary fuel sources. |
| • | Increases and/or decreases in the prices of the products we sell could adversely impact the amount of availability for borrowing working capital under our credit agreement, which has borrowing base limitations and advance rates. |
| • | We are exposed to trade credit risk and risk associated with our trade credit support in the ordinary course of our businesses. |
| • | The condition of credit markets may adversely affect our liquidity. |
| • | Operating and financial covenants and borrowing base requirements included in our debt instruments as well as our debt levels could impact our access to sources of financing and our ability to pursue business activities. |
| • | A significant increase in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our ability to service our indebtedness. |
| • | Governmental action and campaigns to discourage smoking and use of other products could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. |
| • | Our results can be adversely affected by unforeseen events, such as adverse weather, natural disasters, terrorism, cyber attacks, pandemics, or other catastrophic events. |
| • | Our businesses, including our gasoline station and convenience store business, expose us to litigation which could result in an unfavorable outcome or settlement of one or more lawsuits where insurance proceeds are insufficient or otherwise unavailable. |
| • | A disruption to our information technology systems, including cybersecurity, could significantly limit our ability to manage and operate our businesses. |
| • | We are exposed to performance risk in our supply chain. |
| • | Our businesses are subject to federal, state and municipal environmental and non-environmental regulations which could significantly impact our operations, increase our costs and have a material adverse effect on such businesses. |
| • | Our general partner and its affiliates have conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary duties, which could permit them to favor their own interests to the detriment of our unitholders. |
| • | Unitholders have limited voting rights and are not entitled to elect our general partner or its directors or remove our general partner without the consent of the holders of at least 66 2∕3% of the outstanding common units (including common units held by our general partner and its affiliates), which could lower the trading price of our units. |
| • | Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. |
| • | Unitholders may be required to pay taxes on their share of our income even if they do not receive any cash distributions from us. |
Additional information about risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements is contained under the heading “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and, to the extent applicable, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Developments in any of these areas could cause our results to differ materially from results that have been or may be anticipated or projected.
All forward-looking statements included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference and all subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, in the case of forward-looking statements contained in any document incorporated by reference, the date of such document, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these statements to reflect any change in our expectations or beliefs or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.
ABOUT GLOBAL PARTNERS LP
We are a master limited partnership formed in March 2005. We own, control or have access to a large terminal network of refined petroleum products and renewable fuels—with strategic rail and/or marine assets—spanning from Maine to Florida and into the U.S. Gulf states. We are one of the largest independent owners, suppliers and operators of gasoline stations and convenience stores, primarily in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania (collectively, the “Northeast”) and Maryland and Virginia. As of December 31, 2023, we had a portfolio of 1,627 owned, leased and/or supplied gasoline stations, including 341 directly operated convenience stores, primarily in the Northeast, as well as 64 gasoline stations located in Texas that are operated by our unconsolidated affiliate, Spring Partners Retail LLC (“SPR”). We are also one of the largest distributors of gasoline, distillates, residual oil and renewable fuels to wholesalers, retailers and commercial customers in the New England states and New York. We engage in the purchasing, selling, gathering, blending, storing and logistics of transporting petroleum and related products, including gasoline and gasoline blendstocks (such as ethanol), distillates (such as home heating oil, diesel and kerosene), residual oil, renewable fuels, crude oil and propane and in the transportation of petroleum products and renewable fuels by rail from the mid-continent region of the United States and Canada.
We purchase refined petroleum products, gasoline blendstocks, renewable fuels and crude oil primarily from domestic and foreign refiners and ethanol producers, crude oil producers, major and independent oil companies and trading companies. We operate our businesses under three segments: (i) Wholesale, (ii) Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations and (iii) Commercial.
Global GP LLC, our general partner, manages our operations and activities and employs our officers and substantially all of our personnel, except for most of our gasoline station and convenience store employees who are employed by our wholly owned subsidiary, Global Montello Group Corp. and for substantially all of the employees who primarily or exclusively provide services to SPR, who are employed by SPR Operator LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ours.
Our principal executive offices are located at P.O. Box 9161, 800 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9161, and our telephone number is (781) 894-8800. Our website is located at http://www.globalp.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
For additional information as to our business, properties and financial condition, please refer to the documents cited in “Information We Incorporate by Reference.”
ABOUT GLP FINANCE CORP.
GLP Finance Corp. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in January 2007, is wholly owned by Global Partners LP and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of debt securities. Its activities are limited to co-issuing debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves a significant degree of risk. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider those risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated herein by reference, and those risk factors that may be included in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference in evaluating an investment in our securities.
If any of the risks discussed in the foregoing documents were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. In that case, we may be unable to pay distributions to our unitholders, or pay interest on, or the principal of, any debt securities. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus for general partnership purposes, including repayment of debt, acquisitions and capital expenditures.
The actual application of proceeds we receive from the sale of any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS AND THE PREFERRED UNITS
The Common Units
The common units represent limited partner interests in us. The holders are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and are entitled to exercise the rights or privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units in and to partnership distributions, please read this section and “How We Make Cash Distributions.” For a description of the voting rights, rights of distribution upon liquidation and other rights and privileges of limited partners, including our common units, under our partnership agreement, please read “The Partnership Agreement.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Duties
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC serves as registrar and transfer agent for the common units. We pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common units, except the following, which must be paid by unitholders:
| • | surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, taxes and other governmental charges; |
| • | special charges for services requested by a holder of a common unit; and |
| • | other similar fees or charges. |
There is no charge to unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will indemnify the transfer agent, its agents and each of their stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
Resignation or Removal
The transfer agent may resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us. The resignation or removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If no successor has been appointed and has accepted the appointment within 30 days after notice of the resignation or removal, our general partner may act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.
Transfer of Common Units
By acceptance of the transfer of a common unit in accordance with our partnership agreement, the transferee of common units:
| • | becomes the record holder of the common units and is an assignee until admitted into our partnership as a substituted limited partner; |
| • | automatically requests admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership; |
| • | agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and executes, our partnership agreement; |
| • | represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into our partnership agreement; |
| • | grants powers of attorney to officers of our general partner and any liquidator of us as specified in our partnership agreement; and |
| • | gives the consents, covenants, representations and approvals contained in our partnership agreement, such as the approval of all transactions and agreements we entered into in connection with our initial public offering. |
An assignee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred common units automatically upon the recording of the transfer on our books and records. Our general partner will cause any unrecorded transfers to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than quarterly.
A transferee’s broker, agent or nominee may complete, execute and deliver a transfer application. A transferee’s broker, agent or nominee may complete, execute and deliver a transfer application. We are entitled to treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.
Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to request admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units.
Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.
Number of Common Units
As of February 26, 2024, we had outstanding 33,995,563 common units. Our common units are traded on the NYSE (as defined below) under the symbol “GLP.”
The Preferred Units
Except in the case of the issuance of units that rank equal to or senior to our Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units (“Series A Preferred Units”) and 9.50% Series B Fixed Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units (“Series B Preferred Units”), our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue additional classes or series of equity interest in Global Partners LP for the consideration of and with the designations, preferences, rights, power and duties established by our general partner without the approval of any of our limited partners. In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may issue additional partnership interests that have special voting rights to which our common units are not entitled. For a description of the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, please read “—Series A Preferred Units” and “—Series B Preferred Units,” respectively.
Should we offer preferred units under this prospectus, a prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of preferred units offered will include the specific terms of those preferred units, including, among other things, the following:
| • | the designation, stated value and liquidation preference of the preferred units and the number of preferred units offered; |
| • | the price at which the preferred units will be issued; |
| • | the conversion or exchange provisions of the preferred units, if any; |
| • | the distribution rights of the preferred units, if any; |
| • | a discussion of any additional material federal income tax considerations regarding the preferred units; and |
| • | any additional rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of the preferred units. |
Series A Preferred Units
Our Series A Preferred Units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GLP pr A.”
We have appointed Equiniti Trust Company, LLC as the paying agent (the “Paying Agent”), and the registrar and transfer agent (the “Registrar and Transfer Agent”), for the Series A Preferred Units. The address of the Paying Agent and the Registrar and Transfer Agent is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11219.
Ranking
The Series A Preferred Units, with respect to quarterly distributions and amounts payable upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of our affairs, rank:
| • | senior to our common units, the incentive distribution rights and to each other class or series of limited partner interests or other equity securities established after the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Units that is not expressly made senior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred Units as to the payment of distributions and amounts payable on a liquidation event (individually and collectively, the “Series A Junior Securities”); |
| • | on parity with each other and any class or series of limited partner interests or other equity securities established after the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Units with terms expressly providing that such class or series ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Units as to the payment of distributions or amounts payable upon a liquidation event, as applicable (individually and collectively, but excluding Series A Senior Securities (as defined below), the “Series A Parity Securities”) (including the Series B Preferred Units); |
| • | junior to any class or series of limited partner interests or equity securities established after the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Units with terms expressly made senior to the Series A Preferred Units as to the payment of distributions or amounts payable upon a liquidation event (individually and collectively, “Series A Senior Securities”); and |
| • | junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us. |
Under our partnership agreement, we may issue Series A Junior Securities from time to time in one or more series without the consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Units. The board of directors of our general partner has the authority to determine the designations, preferences, rights, powers, and duties of any such series before the issuance of any units of that series. The board of directors of our general partner will also determine the number of units constituting each series of securities. Our ability to issue additional Series A Parity Securities in certain circumstances or Series A Senior Securities is limited as described under “— Voting Rights.”
Liquidation Rights
Any amount distributed by us upon our liquidation will be made to our partners in accordance with their respective positive capital account balances. The holders of outstanding Series A Preferred Units will first be specially allocated items of our gross income and gain in a manner designed to cause, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of our affairs (whether voluntary or involuntary), such holders to have a positive capital balance equal to the liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit. If the amount of our gross income and gain available to be specially allocated to the holders of outstanding Series A Preferred Units is not sufficient to cause the capital account of a Series A Preferred Unit to equal the liquidation preference of a Series A Preferred Unit, then the amount that a holder of Series A Preferred Units would receive upon liquidation may be less than the Series A Preferred Unit liquidation preference. Any accumulated and unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Units will be paid prior to any distributions in liquidation made in accordance with capital account balances. The rights of the holders of Series A Preferred Units to receive the liquidation preference will be subject to the rights of the holders of any Series A Senior Securities and the proportional rights of holders of Series A Parity Securities (including the Series B Preferred Units) in liquidation.
Voting Rights
Except as set forth in our partnership agreement (as described below) or as otherwise required by Delaware law, the Series A Preferred Units have no voting rights.
Unless we have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, we may not adopt any amendment to our partnership agreement that has a material adverse effect on the terms of the Series A Preferred Units. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this voting requirement, any amendment to our partnership agreement (i) relating to the issuance of additional limited partner interests (subject to the voting rights regarding the issuance of Series A Parity Securities or Series A Senior Securities discussed below) and (ii) in connection with a merger or another transaction in which we are the surviving entity and the Series A Preferred Units remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged in any respect adverse to the holders of Series A Preferred Units, will be deemed to not materially adversely affect the terms of the holders of Series A Preferred Units.
In addition, unless we have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting as a class together with holders of any Series A Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (including the Series B Preferred Units), we may not:
| • | create or issue any Series A Parity Securities (including any additional Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units) if the cumulative distributions payable on then outstanding Series A Preferred Units (or Series A Parity Securities, if applicable) are in arrears; |
| • | create or issue any Series A Senior Securities; or |
| • | declare or pay any distributions to our common unitholders out of capital surplus. |
On any matter on which the holders of the Series A Preferred Units are entitled to vote as a class, such holders will be entitled to one vote per Series A Preferred Unit.
Series A Preferred Units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and its nominee provides otherwise.
Distributions
General
Holders of Series A Preferred Units are entitled to receive, when, as, and if declared by our general partner out of legally available funds for such purpose, cumulative quarterly cash distributions. Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units are paid out of our available cash with respect to the quarter ended immediately preceding the applicable Series A Distribution Payment Date (as defined below).
Distribution Rate
Distributions on Series A Preferred Units are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly in arrears (as described under “— Series A Distribution Payment Dates”), when, as, and if declared by our general partner out of legally available funds for such purpose.
Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units accumulate for each distribution period at a percentage of the $25.00 liquidation preference equal to (i) an annual floating rate of a substitute or successor base rate that the calculation agent determines to be the most comparable to the three-month LIBOR plus (ii) a spread of 6.774% per annum.
The distribution rate for each distribution period will be determined by the calculation agent using a substitute or successor base rate that the calculation agent has determined to be the most comparable to the three-month LIBOR as in effect on the second London banking day prior to the beginning of the distribution period, which date is the “distribution determination date” for the distribution period. The calculation agent then will add the spread of 6.774% per annum to such substitute or successor base rate as determined on the distribution determination date. Absent manifest error, the calculation agent’s determination of the distribution rate for a distribution period for the Series A Preferred Units will be binding and conclusive on holders, the transfer agent, and us. A “London banking day” is any day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.
The term “three-month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars having an index maturity of three months in amounts of at least $1,000,000, as that rate appears on the display designated on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any successor or replacement page) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the relevant distribution determination date, provided that:
(i) If no offered rate appears on the Reuters screen page on the relevant distribution determination date at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, then the calculation agent, after consultation with us, will select four major banks in the London interbank market and will request each of their principal London offices to provide a quotation of the rate at which three-month deposits in U.S. dollars in amounts of at least $1,000,000 are offered by it to prime banks in the London interbank market, on that date and at that time, that is representative of single transactions at that time. If at least two quotations are provided, three-month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided.
(ii) Otherwise, the calculation agent will select three major banks in New York City and will request each of them to provide a quotation of the rate offered by it at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the distribution determination date for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks having an index maturity of three months for the applicable distribution period in an amount of at least $1,000,000 that is representative of single transactions at that time. If three quotations are provided, three-month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided.
(iii) Otherwise, the calculation agent, after consulting such sources as it deems comparable to any of the foregoing quotations or display page, or any such source as it deems reasonable from which to estimate three-month LIBOR or any of the foregoing lending rates, shall determine three-month LIBOR for the applicable distribution period in its sole discretion.
Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii):
(A) If the calculation agent determines on the relevant distribution determination date that the LIBOR base rate has been discontinued, then the calculation agent will use a substitute or successor base rate that it has determined in its sole discretion is most comparable to the LIBOR base rate, provided that if the calculation agent determines there is an industry-accepted substitute or successor base rate, then the calculation agent shall use such substitute or successor base rate; and
(B) If the calculation agent has determined a substitute or successor base rate in accordance with the foregoing, the calculation agent in its sole discretion may determine what business day convention to use, the definition of business day, the distribution determination date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor base rate.
Calculation Agent
In August 2023, we appointed a calculation agent (other than us or our affiliates) for the Series A Preferred Units. We keep a record of such appointment at our principal offices, which will be available to any unitholder upon request. For the successor base rate comparable to the three-month LIBOR, the calculation agent selected the industry-accepted substitute which is the 3-month CME Term SOFR plus the applicable tenor spread of 0.26161% per annum.
Series A Distribution Payment Dates
The “Series A Distribution Payment Dates” for the Series A Preferred Units are February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15. Distributions are paid to holders of record as of the opening of business on the February 1, May 1, August 1 or November 1 next preceding the Series A Distribution Payment Date. Distributions accumulate in each such period from and including the preceding Series A Distribution Payment Date or the initial issue date, as the case may be, to but excluding the applicable Series A Distribution Payment Date for such period, and distributions accrue on accumulated distributions at the applicable distribution rate. If any Series A Distribution Payment Date otherwise would fall on a day that is not a Business Day (as defined below), declared distributions will be paid on the immediately succeeding Business Day without the accumulation of additional distributions. Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units will be payable based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day periods. “Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the State of New York shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
Payment of Distributions
Not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Series A Distribution Payment Date, we pay quarterly distributions, if any, on the Series A Preferred Units that have been declared by our general partner to the holders of such Series A Preferred Units as such holders’ names appear on our unit transfer books maintained by the Registrar and Transfer Agent on the applicable record date.
So long as the Series A Preferred Units are held of record by the nominee of the Securities Depositary (as defined below), declared distributions are paid to the Depository Trust Company (and its successors or assigns or any other securities depositary selected by us, the “Securities Depositary”) in same-day funds on each Series A Distribution Payment Date. The Securities Depositary credits accounts of its participants in accordance with the Securities Depositary’s normal procedures. The participants are responsible for holding or disbursing such payments to beneficial owners of the Series A Preferred Units in accordance with the instructions of such beneficial owners.
No distribution may be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any Series A Junior Securities (other than a distribution payable solely in Series A Junior Securities) unless full cumulative distributions have been or contemporaneously are being paid or provided for on all outstanding Series A Preferred Units and any Series A Parity Securities through the most recent respective Series A Distribution Payment Dates. Accumulated distributions in arrears for any past distribution period may be declared by the general partner and paid on any date fixed by the general partner, whether or not a Series A Distribution Payment Date, to holders of the Series A Preferred Units on the record date for such payment, which may not be less than 10 days before such payment date.
Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated distributions in arrears on all outstanding Series A Preferred Units and any Series A Parity Securities (including the Series B Preferred Units) have not been declared and paid, or sufficient funds for the payment thereof have not been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in arrears will be made in order of their respective Series A Distribution Payment Dates, commencing with the earliest Series A Distribution Payment Date. If less than all distributions payable with respect to all Series A Preferred Units and any Series A Parity Securities (including the Series B Preferred Units) are paid, any partial payment will be made pro rata with respect to the Series A Preferred Units and any Series A Parity Securities (including the Series B Preferred Units) entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate amounts remaining due in respect of such Series A Preferred Units and Series A Parity Securities (including the Series B Preferred Units) at such time. Holders of the Series A Preferred Units are not entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or units, in excess of full cumulative distributions. Except insofar as distributions accrue on the amount of any accumulated and unpaid distributions no interest or sum of money in lieu of interest will be payable in respect of any distribution payment which may be in arrears on the Series A Preferred Units.
Series A Change of Control
Optional Redemption upon a Series A Change of Control
Upon the occurrence of a Series A Change of Control (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Units in whole or in part within 120 days after the first date on which such Series A Change of Control occurred (the “Series A Change of Control Redemption Period”), by paying the liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit, plus all accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the redemption date, whether or not declared. If, prior to the Series A Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined below), we exercise our right to redeem Series A Preferred Units as described in the immediately preceding sentence or as described below under “— Redemption,” holders of the Series A Preferred Units we have elected to redeem will not have the conversion right described below under “— Conversion Right upon a Series A Change of Control.” Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose.
“Series A Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events after the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Units:
| • | the direct or indirect lease, sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger, consolidation or business combination), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of us and our subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act); or |
| • | the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger, consolidation or business combination), the result of which is that any person (as defined above), other than a Series A Permitted Holder (as defined below), becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting interests of our general partner, measured by voting power rather than percentage of interests. |
“Series A Permitted Holder” means Richard Slifka and Eric Slifka (or (i) other immediate family members of Alfred Slifka or the foregoing, (ii) related family trusts or (iii) other persons which are controlled by Richard Slifka and/or Eric Slifka).
Conversion Right upon a Series A Change of Control
Upon the occurrence of a Series A Change of Control, each holder of Series A Preferred Units will have the right (unless, during the Series A Change of Control Redemption Period, we provide notice of our election to redeem Series A Preferred Units as described above under “— Optional Redemption upon a Series A Change of Control” or below under “— Redemption”) to convert (the “Series A Change of Control Conversion”) some or all of the Series A Preferred Units held by such holder on the Series A Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of our common units per Series A Preferred Unit to be converted equal (the “Series A Common Unit Conversion Consideration”) to the lesser of:
| • | the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference plus the amount of any accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the Series A Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Series A Change of Control Conversion Date is after a record date for a Series A Preferred Unit distribution payment and prior to the corresponding Series A Preferred Unit distribution payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and unpaid distribution will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Series A Common Unit Price (as defined below), and |
| • | 2.7100, which is the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the $25.00 liquidation preference by (ii) one-half of the closing price of the common units on the NYSE on July 30, 2018, subject, in each case, to certain adjustments and to provisions as the general partner determines to be equitable in connection with (i) the receipt of any Series A Alternative Conversion Consideration (as defined below) and (ii) splits, combinations and distributions in the form of equity issuances, each as described in greater detail in our partnership agreement. |
In the case of a Series A Change of Control pursuant to which our common units will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “Series A Alternative Conversion Consideration”), a holder of Series A Preferred Units electing to exercise its Series A Change of Control Conversion Right (as defined below) will receive upon conversion of such Series A Preferred Units elected by such holder the kind and amount of such consideration that such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Series A Change of Control had such holder held a number of our common units equal to the Series A Common Unit Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Series A Change of Control, which we refer to as the Series A Alternative Conversion Consideration; provided, however, that if the holders of our common units have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Series A Change of Control, the consideration that the holders of Series A Preferred Units electing to exercise their Series A Change of Control Conversion Right will receive will be the form and proportion of the aggregate consideration elected by the holders of our common units who participate in the determination (based on the weighted average of elections) and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of our common units are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in the Series A Change of Control. We will not issue fractional common units upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Units. Instead, we will pay the cash value of such fractional units.
If we provide a redemption notice prior to the expiration of the Series A Change of Control Redemption Period, whether pursuant to our special optional redemption right in connection with a Series A Change of Control as described above under “— Optional Redemption upon a Series A Change of Control” or our optional redemption rights as described below under “— Redemption,” holders of Series A Preferred Units will not have any right to convert the Series A Preferred Units that we have elected to redeem and any Series A Preferred Units subsequently selected for redemption that have been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Series A Change of Control Conversion Right will be redeemed on the related redemption date instead of converted on the Series A Change of Control Conversion Date.
Within five days following the expiration of the Series A Change of Control Redemption Period (or, if we waive our right to redeem the Series A Preferred Units prior to the expiration of the Series A Change of Control Redemption Period, within five days following the date of such waiver), we will provide to the holders of Series A Preferred Units written notice (the “Series A Change of Control Conversion Right Notice”) of occurrence of the
Series A Change of Control that describes the resulting Series A Change of Control Conversion Right. The Series A Change of Control Conversion Right Notice will state the following:
| • | the events constituting the Series A Change of Control; |
| • | the date of the Series A Change of Control; |
| • | the date on which the Series A Change of Control Redemption Period expired or was waived; |
| • | the last date on which the holders of Series A Preferred Units may exercise their Series A Change of Control Conversion Right; |
| • | the method and period for calculating the Series A Common Unit Price; |
| • | the Series A Change of Control Conversion Date; |
| • | if applicable, the type and amount of Series A Alternative Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per Series A Preferred Unit; |
| • | the name and address of the Paying Agent; and |
| • | the procedure that the holders of Series A Preferred Units must follow to exercise the Series A Change of Control Conversion Right. |
We will issue a press release for publication through a news or press organization as is reasonably expected to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public, or post notice on our website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first Business Day following any date on which we provide the Series A Change of Control Conversion Right Notice to the holders of Series A Preferred Units.
Holders of Series A Preferred Units that choose to exercise their Series A Change of Control Conversion Right will be required prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Series A Change of Control Conversion Date, to notify us of the number of Series A Preferred Units to be converted and otherwise to comply with any applicable procedures contained in the Series A Change of Control Conversion Right Notice or otherwise required by the Securities Depositary for effecting the conversion.
“Series A Change of Control Conversion Right” means the right of a holder of Series A Preferred Units to convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Units held by such holder on the Series A Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of our common units per Series A Preferred Unit pursuant to the conversion provisions in our partnership agreement.
“Series A Change of Control Conversion Date” means the date fixed by our general partner, in its sole discretion, as the date the Series A Preferred Units are to be converted into common units, which will be a Business Day that is no fewer than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which we provide the Series A Change of Control Conversion Right Notice to holders of the Series A Preferred Units.
“Series A Common Unit Price” means (i) the amount of cash consideration per common unit, if the consideration to be received in the Series A Change of Control by the holders of our common units is solely cash; and (ii) the average of the closing prices for our common units on the NYSE for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the Series A Change of Control Conversion Date, if the consideration to be received in the Series A Change of Control by the holders of our common units is other than solely cash.
Redemption
Optional Redemption
We may redeem, at our option and at any time, in whole or in part, the Series A Preferred Units at a redemption price in cash equal to $25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. We may undertake multiple partial redemptions. We may also redeem the Series A Preferred Units under the terms set forth above under “— Series A Change of Control — Optional Redemption upon a Series A Change of Control.” Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Redemption Procedures
Any optional redemption shall be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose. We will give written notice of any redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the scheduled date of redemption, to the holders of any Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed as such holders’ names appear on our unit transfer books maintained by the Registrar and Transfer Agent at the address of such holders shown therein. Such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date, (ii) the number of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed and, if less than all outstanding Series A Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the number (and, in the case of Series A Preferred Units in certificated form, the identification) of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed from such holder, (iii) the redemption price, (iv) the place where any Series A Preferred Units in certificated form are to be redeemed and shall be presented and surrendered for payment of the redemption price therefor, and (v) that distributions on the Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed will cease to accumulate from and after such redemption date.
If fewer than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the number of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed will be determined by us, and such Series A Preferred Units will be redeemed by such method of selection as the Securities Depositary shall determine, pro rata or by lot, with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional units. So long as all Series A Preferred Units are held of record by the nominee of the Securities Depositary, we will give notice, or cause notice to be given, to the Securities Depositary of the number of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed, and the Securities Depositary will determine the number of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed from the account of each of its participants holding such Series A Preferred Units in its participant account. Thereafter, each participant will select the number of Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed from each beneficial owner for whom it acts (including the participant, to the extent it holds Series A Preferred Units for its own account). A participant may determine to redeem Series A Preferred Units from some beneficial owners (including the participant itself) without redeeming Series A Preferred Units from the accounts of other beneficial owners. Any Series A Preferred Units not redeemed will remain outstanding and entitled to all the rights and preferences of Series A Preferred Units under our partnership agreement.
So long as the Series A Preferred Units are held of record by the nominee of the Securities Depositary, the redemption price will be paid by the Paying Agent to the Securities Depositary on the redemption date. The Securities Depositary’s normal procedures provide for it to distribute the amount of the redemption price in same-day funds to its participants who, in turn, are expected to distribute such funds to the persons for whom they are acting as agent.
If we give or cause to be given a notice of redemption, then we will deposit with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to redeem the Series A Preferred Units as to which notice has been given by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for redemption, and will give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the holder or holders thereof upon surrender or deemed surrender (which will occur automatically if the certificate representing such Series A Preferred Units is issued in the name of the Securities Depositary or its nominee) of the certificates therefor. If a notice of redemption shall have been given, then from and after the date fixed for redemption, unless we default in providing funds sufficient for such redemption at the time and place specified for payment pursuant to the notice, all distributions on such Series A Preferred Units will cease to accumulate and all rights of holders of such Series A Preferred Units as limited partners will cease, except the right to receive the redemption price, including an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date fixed for redemption, whether or not declared. The holders of Series A Preferred Units will have no claim to the interest income, if any, earned on such funds deposited with the Paying Agent. Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent hereunder by us for any reason, including, but not limited to, redemption of Series A Preferred Units, that remain unclaimed or unpaid after one year after the applicable redemption date or other payment date, shall be, to the extent permitted by law, repaid to us upon our written request, after which repayment the holders of the Series A Preferred Units entitled to such redemption or other payment shall have recourse only to us.
If only a portion of the Series A Preferred Units represented by a certificate has been called for redemption, upon surrender of the certificate to the Paying Agent (which will occur automatically if the certificate representing such Series A Preferred Units is registered in the name of the Securities Depositary or its nominee), we will issue and the Paying Agent will deliver to the holder of such Series A Preferred Units a new certificate (or adjust the applicable book-entry account) representing the number of Series A Preferred Units represented by the surrendered certificate that have not been called for redemption.
Notwithstanding any notice of redemption, there will be no redemption of any Series A Preferred Units called for redemption until funds sufficient to pay the full redemption price of such Series A Preferred Units, including all accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared, have been deposited by us with the Paying Agent.
We may from time to time purchase Series A Preferred Units, subject to compliance with all applicable securities and other laws. We have no obligation, or any present plan or intention, to purchase any Series A Preferred Units. Any Series A Preferred Units that we redeem or otherwise acquire will be cancelled.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units and any Series A Parity Securities have not been paid or declared and set apart for payment, we may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, in whole or in part, any Series A Preferred Units or Series A Parity Securities except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same relative terms to all holders of Series A Preferred Units and any Series A Parity Securities. Common units and any other Series A Junior Securities may not be redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired by us unless full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units and any Series A Parity Securities for all prior and the then-ending distribution periods have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.
No Limited Call Right
Our general partner’s limited call right does not apply to the Series A Preferred Units.
No Sinking Fund
The Series A Preferred Units do not have the benefit of any sinking fund.
No Fiduciary Duty
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the partnership agreement or any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, we, and the officers and directors of our general partner, do not owe any duties, including fiduciary duties, or have any liabilities to holders of the Series A Preferred Units.
Book-Entry System
All Series A Preferred Units are represented by a single certificate issued to the Securities Depositary, and registered in the name of its nominee (Cede & Co.). The Series A Preferred Units will continue to be represented by a single certificate registered in the name of the Securities Depositary or its nominee, and no holder of the Series A Preferred Units is entitled to receive a certificate evidencing such Series A Preferred Units unless otherwise required by law or the Securities Depositary gives notice of its intention to resign or is no longer eligible to act as such and we have not selected a substitute Securities Depositary within 60 calendar days thereafter. Payments and communications made by us to holders of the Series A Preferred Units are duly made by making payments to, and communicating with, the Securities Depositary. Accordingly, unless certificates are available to holders of the Series A Preferred Units, each purchaser of Series A Preferred Units must rely on (i) the procedures of the Securities Depositary and its participants to receive distributions, any redemption price, liquidation preference and notices, and to direct the exercise of any voting rights, with respect to such Series A Preferred Units and (ii) the records of the Securities Depositary and its participants to evidence its ownership of such Series A Preferred Units.
So long as the Securities Depositary (or its nominee) is the sole holder of the Series A Preferred Units, no beneficial holder of the Series A Preferred Units will be deemed to be a holder of Series A Preferred Units. The Depository Trust Company, the initial Securities Depositary, is a New York-chartered limited purpose trust company that performs services for its participants, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own the Depository Trust Company. The Securities Depositary maintains lists of its participants and the positions (i.e., ownership interests) held by its participants in the Series A Preferred Units, whether as a holder of the Series A Preferred Units for its own account or as a nominee for another holder of the Series A Preferred Units.
Series B Preferred Units
Our Series B Preferred Units are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GLP pr B.”
We have appointed Equiniti Trust Company, LLC as the Paying Agent, and the Registrar and Transfer Agent, for the Series B Preferred Units. The address of the Paying Agent and the Registrar and Transfer Agent is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11219.
Ranking
The Series B Preferred Units, with respect to quarterly distributions and amounts payable upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of our affairs, rank:
| • | senior to our common units, the incentive distribution rights and to each other class or series of limited partner interests or other equity securities established after the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Units that is not expressly made senior to or on parity with the Series B Preferred Units as to the payment of distributions and amounts payable on a liquidation event (individually and collectively, the “Series B Junior Securities”); |
| • | on parity with each other and any class or series of limited partner interests or other equity securities established after the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Units with terms expressly providing that such class or series ranks on parity with the Series B Preferred Units as to the payment of distributions or amounts payable upon a liquidation event, as applicable (individually and collectively, but excluding Series B Senior Securities (as defined below), the “Series B Parity Securities”) (including our Series A Preferred Units); |
| • | junior to any class or series of limited partner interests or equity securities established after the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Units with terms expressly made senior to the Series B Preferred Units as to the payment of distributions or amounts payable upon a liquidation event (individually and collectively, “Series B Senior Securities”); and |
| • | junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us. |
Under our partnership agreement, we may issue Series B Junior Securities from time to time in one or more series without the consent of the holders of the Series B Preferred Units. The board of directors of our general partner has the authority to determine the designations, preferences, rights, powers, and duties of any such series before the issuance of any units of that series. The board of directors of our general partner will also determine the number of units constituting each series of securities. Our ability to issue additional Series B Parity Securities in certain circumstances or Series B Senior Securities is limited as described under “—Voting Rights.”
Liquidation Rights
Any amount distributed by us upon our liquidation will be made to our partners in accordance with their respective positive capital account balances. The holders of outstanding Series B Preferred Units will first be specially allocated items of our gross income and gain in a manner designed to cause, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of our affairs (whether voluntary or involuntary), such holders to have a positive capital balance equal to the liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Unit. If the amount of our gross income and gain available to be specially allocated to the holders of outstanding Series B Preferred Units is not sufficient to cause the capital account of a Series B Preferred Unit to equal the liquidation preference of a Series B Preferred Unit, then the amount that a holder of Series B Preferred Units would receive upon liquidation may be less than the Series B Preferred Unit liquidation preference. Any accumulated and unpaid distributions on the Series B Preferred Units will be paid prior to any distributions in liquidation made in accordance with capital account balances. The rights of the holders of Series B Preferred Units to receive the liquidation preference will be subject to the rights of the holders of any Series B Senior Securities and the proportional rights of holders of Series B Parity Securities (including the Series A Preferred Units) in liquidation.
Voting Rights
Except as set forth in our partnership agreement (as described below) or as otherwise required by Delaware law, the Series B Preferred Units have no voting rights.
Unless we have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series B Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, we may not adopt any amendment to our partnership agreement that would have a material adverse effect on the terms of the Series B Preferred Units. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this voting requirement, any amendment to our partnership agreement (i) relating to the issuance of additional limited partner interests (subject to the voting rights regarding the issuance of Series B Parity Securities or Series B Senior Securities discussed below) and (ii) in connection with a merger or another transaction in which we are the surviving entity and the Series B Preferred Units remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged in any respect adverse to the holders of Series B Preferred Units, will be deemed to not materially adversely affect the terms of the holders of Series B Preferred Units.
In addition, unless we have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series B Preferred Units, voting as a class together with holders of any Series B Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (including the Series A Preferred Units), we may not:
| • | create or issue any Series B Parity Securities (including any additional Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units) if the cumulative distributions payable on then outstanding Series B Preferred Units (or Series B Parity Securities, if applicable) are in arrears; |
| • | create or issue any Series B Senior Securities; or |
| • | declare or pay any distributions to our common unitholders out of capital surplus. |
On any matter on which the holders of the Series B Preferred Units are entitled to vote as a class, such holders will be entitled to one vote per Series B Preferred Unit.
Series B Preferred Units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and its nominee provides otherwise.
Distributions
General
Holders of Series B Preferred Units are entitled to receive, when, as, and if declared by our general partner out of legally available funds for such purpose, cumulative quarterly cash distributions. Distributions on the Series B Preferred Units are paid out of our available cash with respect to the quarter ended immediately preceding the applicable Series B Distribution Payment Date (as defined below).
Distribution Rate
Distributions on Series B Preferred Units are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly in arrears (as described under “—Series B Distribution Payment Dates”), when, as, and if declared by our general partner out of legally available funds for such purpose.
The distribution rate for the Series B Preferred Units is 9.50% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per unit (equal to $2.375 per unit per annum).
Series B Distribution Payment Dates
The “Series B Distribution Payment Dates” for the Series B Preferred Units are February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15. Distributions are paid to holders of record as of the opening of business on the February 1, May 1, August 1 or November 1 next preceding the Series B Distribution Payment Date. Distributions accumulate in each such period from and including the preceding Series B Distribution Payment Date or the initial issue date, as the case may be, to but excluding the applicable Series B Distribution Payment Date for such period, and distributions accrue on accumulated distributions at the applicable distribution rate. If any Series B Distribution Payment Date otherwise would fall on a day that is not a Business Day, declared distributions will be paid on the immediately succeeding Business Day without the accumulation of additional distributions. Distributions on the Series B Preferred Units will be payable based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day periods.
Payment of Distributions
Not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Series B Distribution Payment Date, we pay quarterly distributions, if any, on the Series B Preferred Units that have been declared by our general partner to the holders of such Series B Preferred Units as such holders’ names appear on our unit transfer books maintained by the Registrar and Transfer Agent on the applicable record date.
So long as the Series B Preferred Units are held of record by the nominee of the Securities Depositary, declared distributions are paid to the Securities Depositary in same-day funds on each Series B Distribution Payment Date. The Securities Depositary credits accounts of its participants in accordance with the Securities Depositary’s normal procedures. The participants are responsible for holding or disbursing such payments to beneficial owners of the Series B Preferred Units in accordance with the instructions of such beneficial owners.
No distribution may be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any Series B Junior Securities (other than a distribution payable solely in Series B Junior Securities) unless full cumulative distributions have been or contemporaneously are being paid or provided for on all outstanding Series B Preferred Units and any Series B Parity Securities through the most recent respective Series B Distribution Payment Dates. Accumulated distributions in arrears for any past distribution period may be declared by the general partner and paid on any date fixed by the general partner, whether or not a Series B Distribution Payment Date, to holders of the Series B Preferred Units on the record date for such payment, which may not be less than 10 days before such payment date.
Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated distributions in arrears on all outstanding Series B Preferred Units and any Series B Parity Securities (including the Series A Preferred Units) have not been declared and paid, or sufficient funds for the payment thereof have not been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in arrears will be made in order of their respective Series B Distribution Payment Dates, commencing with the earliest Series B Distribution Payment Date. If less than all distributions payable with respect to all Series B Preferred Units and any Series B Parity Securities (including the Series A Preferred Units) are paid, any partial payment will be made pro rata with respect to the Series B Preferred Units and any Series B Parity Securities (including the Series A Preferred Units) entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate amounts remaining due in respect of such Series B Preferred Units and Series B Parity Securities (including the Series A Preferred Units) at such time. Holders of the Series B Preferred Units are not entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or units, in excess of full cumulative distributions.
Except insofar as distributions accrue on the amount of any accumulated and unpaid distributions no interest or sum of money in lieu of interest will be payable in respect of any distribution payment which may be in arrears on the Series B Preferred Units.
Series B Change of Control
Optional Redemption upon a Series B Change of Control
Upon the occurrence of a Series B Change of Control (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Units in whole or in part within 120 days after the first date on which such Series B Change of Control occurred (the “Series B Change of Control Redemption Period”), by paying the liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Unit, plus all accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the redemption date, whether or not declared. If, prior to the Series B Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined below), we exercise our right to redeem Series B Preferred Units as described in the immediately preceding sentence or as described below under “—Redemption,” holders of the Series B Preferred Units we have elected to redeem will not have the conversion right described below under “—Conversion Right upon a Series B Change of Control.” Any such redemption will be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose.
“Series B Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events after the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Units:
| • | the direct or indirect lease, sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger, consolidation or business combination), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of us and our subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act; or |
| • | the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger, consolidation or business combination), the result of which is that any person (as defined above), other than a Series B Permitted Holder (as defined below), becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting interests of our general partner, measured by voting power rather than percentage of interests. |
“Series B Permitted Holder” means Richard Slifka and Eric Slifka (or (i) other immediate family members of Alfred Slifka or the foregoing, (ii) related family trusts or (iii) other persons which are controlled by Richard Slifka and/or Eric Slifka).
Conversion Right upon a Series B Change of Control
Upon the occurrence of a Series B Change of Control, each holder of Series B Preferred Units will have the right (unless, during the Series B Change of Control Redemption Period, we provide notice of our election to redeem Series B Preferred Units as described above under “—Optional Redemption upon a Series B Change of Control” or below under “—Redemption”) to convert (the “Series B Change of Control Conversion”) some or all of the Series B Preferred Units held by such holder on the Series B Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of our common units per Series B Preferred Unit to be converted equal (the “Series B Common Unit Conversion Consideration”) to the lesser of:
| • | the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference plus the amount of any accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the Series B Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Series B Change of Control Conversion Date is after a record date for a Series B Preferred Unit distribution payment and prior to the corresponding Series B Preferred Unit distribution payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and unpaid distribution will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Series B Common Unit Price (as defined below), and |
| • | 2.1533, which is the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the $25.00 liquidation preference by (ii) one-half of the closing price of the common units on the NYSE on March 16, 2021, subject, in each case, to certain adjustments and to provisions as the general partner determines to be equitable in connection with (i) the receipt of any Series B Alternative Conversion Consideration (as defined below) and (ii) splits, combinations and distributions in the form of equity issuances, each as described in greater detail in our partnership agreement. |
In the case of a Series B Change of Control pursuant to which our common units will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “Series B Alternative Conversion Consideration”), a holder of Series B Preferred Units electing to exercise its Series B Change of Control Conversion Right (as defined below) will receive upon conversion of such Series B Preferred Units elected by such holder the kind and amount of such consideration that such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Series B Change of Control had such holder held a number of our common units equal to the Series B Common Unit Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Series B Change of Control, which we refer to as the Series B Alternative Conversion Consideration; provided, however, that if the holders of our common units have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Series B Change of Control, the consideration that the holders of Series B Preferred Units electing to exercise their Series B Change of Control Conversion Right will receive will be the form and proportion of the aggregate consideration elected by the holders of our common units who participate in the determination (based on the weighted average of elections) and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of our common units are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in the Series B Change of Control. We will not issue fractional common units upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred Units. Instead, we will pay the cash value of such fractional units.
If we provide a redemption notice prior to the expiration of the Series B Change of Control Redemption Period, whether pursuant to our special optional redemption right in connection with a Series B Change of Control as described under “—Optional Redemption upon a Series B Change of Control” or our optional redemption rights as described below under “—Redemption,” holders of Series B Preferred Units will not have any right to convert the Series B Preferred Units that we have elected to redeem and any Series B Preferred Units subsequently selected for redemption that have been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Series B Change of Control Conversion Right will be redeemed on the related redemption date instead of converted on the Series B Change of Control Conversion Date.
Within five days following the expiration of the Series B Change of Control Redemption Period (or, if we waive our right to redeem the Series B Preferred Units prior to the expiration of the Series B Change of Control Redemption Period, within five days following the date of such waiver), we will provide to the holders of Series B Preferred Units written notice (the “Series B Change of Control Conversion Right Notice”) of occurrence of the Series B Change of Control that describes the resulting Series B Change of Control Conversion Right. The Series B Change of Control Conversion Right Notice will state the following:
| • | the events constituting the Series B Change of Control; |
| • | the date of the Series B Change of Control; |
| • | the date on which the Series B Change of Control Redemption Period expired or was waived; |
| • | the last date on which the holders of Series B Preferred Units may exercise their Series B Change of Control Conversion Right; |
| • | the method and period for calculating the Series B Common Unit Price; |
| • | the Series B Change of Control Conversion Date; |
| • | if applicable, the type and amount of Series B Alternative Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per Series B Preferred Unit; |
| • | the name and address of the Paying Agent; and |
| • | the procedure that the holders of Series B Preferred Units must follow to exercise the Series B Change of Control Conversion Right. |
We will issue a press release for publication through a news or press organization as is reasonably expected to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public, or post notice on our website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first Business Day following any date on which we provide the Series B Change of Control Conversion Right Notice to the holders of Series B Preferred Units.
Holders of Series B Preferred Units that choose to exercise their Series B Change of Control Conversion Right will be required prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Series B Change of Control Conversion Date, to notify us of the number of Series B Preferred Units to be converted and otherwise to comply with any applicable procedures contained in the Series B Change of Control Conversion Right Notice or otherwise required by the Securities Depositary for effecting the conversion.
“Series B Change of Control Conversion Right” means the right of a holder of Series B Preferred Units to convert some or all of the Series B Preferred Units held by such holder on the Series B Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of our common units per Series B Preferred Unit pursuant to the conversion provisions in our partnership agreement.
“Series B Change of Control Conversion Date” means the date fixed by our general partner, in its sole discretion, as the date the Series B Preferred Units are to be converted into common units, which will be a Business Day that is no fewer than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which we provide the Series B Change of Control Conversion Right Notice to holders of the Series B Preferred Units.
“Series B Common Unit Price” means (i) the amount of cash consideration per common unit, if the consideration to be received in the Series B Change of Control by the holders of our common units is solely cash; and (ii) the average of the closing prices for our common units on the NYSE for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the Series B Change of Control Conversion Date, if the consideration to be received in the Series B Change of Control by the holders of our common units is other than solely cash.
Redemption
Optional Redemption on or after May 15, 2026
Any time on or after May 15, 2026, we may redeem, at our option, in whole or in part, the Series B Preferred Units at a redemption price in cash equal to $25.00 per Series B Preferred Unit plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. We may undertake multiple partial redemptions. We may also redeem the Series B Preferred Units under the terms set forth under “—Series B Change of Control—Optional Redemption upon a Series B Change of Control.” Any such redemption will be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and will be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Redemption Procedures
Any optional redemption shall be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose. We will give written notice of any redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the scheduled date of redemption, to the holders of any Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed as such holders’ names appear on our unit transfer books maintained by the Registrar and Transfer Agent at the address of such holders shown therein. Such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date, (ii) the number of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed and, if less than all outstanding Series B Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the number (and, in the case of Series B Preferred Units in certificated form, the identification) of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed from such holder, (iii) the redemption price, (iv) the place where any Series B Preferred Units in certificated form are to be redeemed and shall be presented and surrendered for payment of the redemption price therefor, and (v) that distributions on the Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed will cease to accumulate from and after such redemption date.
If fewer than all of the outstanding Series B Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the number of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed will be determined by us, and such Series B Preferred Units will be redeemed by such method of selection as the Securities Depositary shall determine, pro rata or by lot, with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional units. So long as all Series B Preferred Units are held of record by the nominee of the Securities Depositary, we will give notice, or cause notice to be given, to the Securities Depositary of the number of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed, and the Securities Depositary will determine the number of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed from the account of each of its participants holding such Series B Preferred Units in its participant account. Thereafter, each participant will select the number of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed from each beneficial owner for whom it acts (including the participant, to the extent it holds Series B Preferred Units for its own account). A participant may determine to redeem Series B Preferred Units from some beneficial owners (including the participant itself) without redeeming Series B Preferred Units from the accounts of other beneficial owners. Any Series B Preferred Units not redeemed will remain outstanding and entitled to all the rights and preferences of Series B Preferred Units under our partnership agreement.
So long as the Series B Preferred Units are held of record by the nominee of the Securities Depositary, the redemption price will be paid by the Paying Agent to the Securities Depositary on the redemption date. The Securities Depositary’s normal procedures provide for it to distribute the amount of the redemption price in same-day funds to its participants who, in turn, are expected to distribute such funds to the persons for whom they are acting as agent.
If we give or cause to be given a notice of redemption, then we will deposit with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to redeem the Series B Preferred Units as to which notice has been given by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date fixed for redemption, and will give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the holder or holders thereof upon surrender or deemed surrender (which will occur automatically if the certificate representing such Series B Preferred Units is issued in the name of the Securities Depositary or its nominee) of the certificates therefor. If a notice of redemption shall have been given, then from and after the date fixed for redemption, unless we default in providing funds sufficient for such redemption at the time and place specified for payment pursuant to the notice, all distributions on such Series B Preferred Units will cease to accumulate and all rights of holders of such Series B Preferred Units as limited partners will cease, except the right to receive the redemption price, including an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date fixed for redemption, whether or not declared. The holders of Series B Preferred Units will have no claim to the interest income, if any, earned on such funds deposited with the Paying Agent. Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent hereunder by us for any reason, including, but not limited to, redemption of Series B Preferred Units, that remain unclaimed or unpaid after one year after the applicable redemption date or other payment date, shall be, to the extent permitted by law, repaid to us upon our written request, after which repayment the holders of the Series B Preferred Units entitled to such redemption or other payment shall have recourse only to us.
If only a portion of the Series B Preferred Units represented by a certificate has been called for redemption, upon surrender of the certificate to the Paying Agent (which will occur automatically if the certificate representing such Series B Preferred Units is registered in the name of the Securities Depositary or its nominee), we will issue and the Paying Agent will deliver to the holder of such Series B Preferred Units a new certificate (or adjust the applicable book-entry account) representing the number of Series B Preferred Units represented by the surrendered certificate that have not been called for redemption.
Notwithstanding any notice of redemption, there will be no redemption of any Series B Preferred Units called for redemption until funds sufficient to pay the full redemption price of such Series B Preferred Units, including all accumulated and unpaid distributions to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared, have been deposited by us with the Paying Agent.
We may from time to time purchase Series B Preferred Units, subject to compliance with all applicable securities and other laws. We have no obligation, or any present plan or intention, to purchase any Series B Preferred Units. Any Series B Preferred Units that we redeem or otherwise acquire will be cancelled.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that full cumulative distributions on the Series B Preferred Units and any Series B Parity Securities have not been paid or declared and set apart for payment, we may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, in whole or in part, any Series B Preferred Units or Series B Parity Securities except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same relative terms to all holders of Series B Preferred Units and any Series B Parity Securities. Common units and any other Series B Junior Securities may not be redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired by us unless full cumulative distributions on the Series B Preferred Units and any Series B Parity Securities for all prior and the then-ending distribution periods have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.
No Limited Call Right
Our general partner’s limited call right does not apply to the Series B Preferred Units.
No Sinking Fund
The Series B Preferred Units do not have the benefit of any sinking fund.
No Fiduciary Duty
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the partnership agreement or any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, we, and the officers and directors of our general partner, do not owe any duties, including fiduciary duties, or have any liabilities to holders of the Series B Preferred Units.
Book-Entry System
All Series B Preferred Units are represented by a single certificate issued to the Securities Depositary, and registered in the name of its nominee (Cede & Co.). The Series B Preferred Units will continue to be represented by a single certificate registered in the name of the Securities Depositary or its nominee, and no holder of the Series B Preferred Units is entitled to receive a certificate evidencing such Series B Preferred Units unless otherwise required by law or the Securities Depositary gives notice of its intention to resign or is no longer eligible to act as such and we have not selected a substitute Securities Depositary within 60 calendar days thereafter. Payments and communications made by us to holders of the Series B Preferred Units are duly made by making payments to, and communicating with, the Securities Depositary. Accordingly, unless certificates are available to holders of the Series B Preferred Units, each purchaser of Series B Preferred Units must rely on (i) the procedures of the Securities Depositary and its participants to receive distributions, any redemption price, liquidation preference and notices, and to direct the exercise of any voting rights, with respect to such Series B Preferred Units and (ii) the records of the Securities Depositary and its participants to evidence its ownership of such Series B Preferred Units.
So long as the Securities Depositary (or its nominee) is the sole holder of the Series B Preferred Units, no beneficial holder of the Series B Preferred Units will be deemed to be a holder of Series B Preferred Units. The Depository Trust Company, the initial Securities Depositary, is a New York-chartered limited purpose trust company that performs services for its participants, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own the Depository Trust Company. The Securities Depositary maintains lists of its participants and the positions (i.e., ownership interests) held by its participants in the Series B Preferred Units, whether as a holder of the Series B Preferred Units for its own account or as a nominee for another holder of the Series B Preferred Units.
DESCRIPTION OF PARTNERSHIP SECURITIES
Except in the case of the issuance of units that rank equal to or senior to Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue additional classes or series of equity interest in Global Partners LP for the consideration and on the terms and conditions established by our general partner without the approval of any limited partners.
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we also may issue additional partnership interests that, if approved by our general partner, have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled.
The following is a description of the general terms and provisions of our partnership securities. The particular terms of any series of partnership securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and the amendment to our partnership agreement, if necessary, relating to that series of partnership securities, which will be filed as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in this prospectus at or before the time of issuance of any such series of partnership securities. If so indicated in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any such series may differ from the terms set forth below.
Except in the case of the issuance of units that rank equal to or senior to our Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, our general partner is authorized to approve the issuance of one or more classes or series of partnership securities without further authorization of the limited partners and to fix the number of securities, the designations, rights, privileges, power and duties of any such class or series.
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the number of securities, particular designation, relative rights and preferences and the limitations of any series of partnership securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered. The particular terms of any such series may include the following.
| • | the maximum number, if any, of securities to constitute the series and the designation and ranking thereof; |
| • | the distribution rate, if any, on securities of the series, whether such rate is fixed or variable or both, the dates from which distributions will begin to accrue or accumulate, whether distributions will be cumulative and whether such distributions will be paid in cash, securities or otherwise; |
| • | whether the securities of the series will be redeemable and, if so, the price and the terms and conditions on which the securities of the series may be redeemed, including the time during which securities of the series may be redeemed and any accumulated distributions thereof that the holders of the securities of the series will be entitled to receive upon the redemption thereof; |
| • | the liquidation preference, if any, applicable to securities of the series; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, on which the securities of the series will be convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities of any other class or classes of partnership securities, including the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same; and |
| • | the voting rights, if any, of the securities of the series. |
Partnership securities will be fully paid and non-assessable when issued upon full payment of the purchase price therefor. The prospectus supplement will contain, if applicable, a description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of the series of partnership securities offered by the prospectus supplement. The transfer agent, registrar and distributions disbursement agent for the partnership securities will be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
HOW WE MAKE CASH DISTRIBUTIONS
General
Our cash distribution policy reflects a basic judgment that our common unitholders will be better served by our distributing our available cash rather than retaining it. Because we are not subject to an entity-level federal income tax, we have more cash to distribute to our common unitholders than would be the case were we subject to tax.
Our cash distribution policy is consistent with the terms of our partnership agreement which requires us to distribute available cash to common unitholders on a quarterly basis. Our determination of available cash takes into account the need to maintain certain cash reserves to preserve our distribution levels across seasonal and cyclical fluctuations in our business.
Because we intend to distribute the majority of the cash generated from our business to our common unitholders, we will in large part rely upon external financing sources, including commercial borrowings and other debt and equity issuances, to fund our capital expenditures. To the extent we are unable to finance growth externally, our cash distribution policy could significantly impair our ability to grow.
There is no guarantee that common unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from us. Our distribution policy is subject to certain restrictions and may be changed at any time, including:
| • | Our distribution policy is subject to certain restrictions on distributions under our current and anticipated debt agreements. Should we be unable to satisfy these restrictions under our debt agreements, we would be prohibited from making distributions to our common unitholders notwithstanding our stated distribution policy. |
| • | The board of directors of our general partner has broad discretion to establish reserves for the prudent conduct of our business and the establishment of those reserves could result in a reduction of our stated distribution policy. |
| • | Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions paid and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement. |
| • | Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, we may not make distributions to our common unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. |
| • | We may lack sufficient cash to pay distributions to our common unitholders due to increases in selling, general and administrative expenses, capital expenditures, principal and interest payments on our outstanding debt, working capital requirements and anticipated cash needs or due to significant decreases in demand for the products we sell or in demand for our logistics activities. |
Distributions of Available Cash
General
Subject to the rights of our Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.
Definition of Available Cash
Available cash generally means, for each fiscal quarter, all cash on hand at the end of the quarter less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to:
| • | provide for the proper conduct of our business; |
| • | comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments, or other agreements; |
| • | provide funds for payments to holders of our Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units in respect of any one or more of the next four quarters; or |
| • | provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters. |
Intent to Distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution
We intend to distribute to the holders of common units on a quarterly basis at least the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4625 per unit, or $1.85 per year, to the extent we have sufficient cash from our operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our general partner. However, there is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units in any quarter. Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions paid under our policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement. We are prohibited from making any distributions to common unitholders if it would cause an event of default, or an event of default is existing, under our credit agreement.
General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights
Our general partner is entitled to 0.67% of all quarterly common unit distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. This general partner interest is represented by 230,303 general partner units. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its current general partner interest. The general partner’s 0.67% interest in these distributions may be reduced if we issue additional common units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 0.67% general partner interest. Our general partner also currently holds incentive distribution rights that entitle it to receive increasing percentages, up to a maximum of 48.67%, of the cash we distribute from distributable cash flow (as defined below) in excess of $0.4625 per unit. The maximum distribution of 48.67% includes distributions paid to our general partner on its 0.67% general partner interest, and assumes that our general partner maintains its general partner interest at 0.67%. The maximum distribution of approximately 48.67% does not include any distributions that our general partner may receive on units that it owns. Please read “— Distributions of Available Cash from Distributable Cash Flow” for additional information.
Series A Preferred Units
On August 7, 2018, we issued 2,760,000 of our Series A Preferred Units at a price of $25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit.
The Series A Preferred Units is a class of equity security that ranks senior to the common units, the incentive distribution rights and each other class or series of our equity securities established after August 7, 2018, the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Units (the “Series A Original Issue Date”), that is not expressly made senior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred Units as to the payment of distributions and amounts payable on a liquidation event.
Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units are cumulative from the Series A Original Issue Date and payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2018, to holders of record as of the opening of business on the February 1, May 1, August 1 or November 1 next preceding the Series A Distribution Payment Date, in each case, when, as, and if declared by the general partner out of legally available funds for such purpose. Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units will be paid out of our available cash with respect to the quarter ended immediately preceding the applicable Series A Distribution Payment Date. No distribution may be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any junior securities (other than a distribution payable solely in junior securities) unless full cumulative distributions have been or contemporaneously are being paid or provided for on all outstanding Series A Preferred Units and any parity securities through the most recent respective distribution periods.
Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units accumulate for each distribution period at a percentage of the $25.00 liquidation preference equal to (i) an annual floating rate of a substitute or successor base rate that the calculation agent determines to be the most comparable to the three-month LIBOR plus (ii) a spread of 6.774% per annum. For the successor base rate comparable to the three-month LIBOR, the calculation agent has selected the industry-accepted substitute which is the 3-month CME Term SOFR plus the applicable tenor spread of 0.26161%.
Series B Preferred Units
On March 24, 2021, we issued 3,000,000 of our Series B Preferred Units at a price of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Unit.
The Series B Preferred Units is a class of equity security that rank (a) senior to the common units, the incentive distribution rights and each other class of series of our equity securities established after March 24, 2021, the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Units (the “Series B Original Issue Date”), that is not expressly made senior to or on parity with the Series B Preferred Units as to the payment of distributions and amounts payable on a liquidation event, and (b) on parity with respect to distributions or amounts payable upon a liquidation event, as applicable, with the Series A Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred Units and each other and any class or series of equity securities established after the Series B Original Issue Date with terms expressly providing that such class or series ranks on parity with the Series B Preferred Units as to payment of distributions and amounts payable on a liquidation event, as applicable.
Distributions on the Series B Preferred Units are cumulative from the Series B Original Issue Date and payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 2021, to holders of record as of the opening of business on the February 1, May 1, August 1 or November 1 next preceding the Series B Distribution Payment Date, in each case, when, as, and if declared by the general partner out of legally available funds for such purpose. Distributions on the Series B Preferred Units will be paid out of our available cash with respect to the quarter ended immediately preceding the applicable Series B Distribution Payment Date.
No distribution may be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any junior securities (other than a distribution payable solely in junior securities) unless full cumulative distributions have been or contemporaneously are being paid or provided for on all outstanding Series B Preferred Units and any parity securities through the most recent respective distribution periods.
The distribution rate for the Series B Preferred Units is 9.50% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per Series B Preferred Unit (equal to $2.375 per Series B Preferred Unit per annum).
Distributable Cash Flow and Capital Surplus
General
All cash distributed to unitholders will be characterized as either “distributable cash flow” or “capital surplus.” We distribute available cash from distributable cash flow differently than available cash from capital surplus.
Definition of Distributable Cash Flow
Distributable cash flow, for any period, means, on a cumulative basis since the closing date of our initial public offering and without duplication, the sum of net income plus depreciation and amortization, in each case calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, minus maintenance capital expenditures (as defined below), as adjusted to eliminate items approved by the audit committee of the board of directors of our general partner that are extraordinary or non-recurring in nature and that would otherwise increase distributable cash flow.
Maintenance capital expenditures represent capital expenditures to replace partially or fully depreciated assets to maintain the operating capacity of or sales and revenues generated by existing assets or to extend the useful lives of such assets. Maintenance capital expenditures include expenditures required to maintain equipment reliability, tankage and pipeline integrity and safety and to address environmental regulations. Repair and maintenance expenses associated with existing assets that are minor in nature and do not extend the useful life of existing assets are charged to operating expenses as incurred. The officers and directors of our general partner determine if an expenditure is a maintenance capital expenditure.
Characterization of Cash Distributions
We treat all available cash distributed as coming from distributable cash flow until the sum of all available cash distributed since we began operations equals the distributable cash flow as of the most recent date of determination of available cash. We treat any amount distributed in excess of distributable cash flow, regardless of its source, as capital surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus.
Distributions of Available Cash from Distributable Cash Flow
We will make distributions of available cash from distributable cash flow for any quarter in the following manner:
| • | First, 99.33% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 0.67% to our general partner, until each common unitholder receives a total of $0.4625 per unit for that quarter (the “first target distribution”); |
| • | Second, 86.33% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 13.67% to our general partner, until each common unitholder receives a total of $0.5375 per unit for that quarter (the “second target distribution”); |
| • | Third, 76.33% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 23.67% to our general partner, until each common unitholder receives a total of $0.6625 per unit for that quarter (the “third target distribution”); and |
| • | Thereafter, 51.33% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 48.67% to our general partner. |
The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 0.67% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from distributable cash flow after certain target distribution levels have been achieved. The percentages set forth above for our general partner include the incentive distribution rights. Our general partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in our partnership agreement.
Percentage Allocations of Available Cash from Distributable Cash Flow
The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of the additional available cash from distributable cash flow between the common unitholders and our general partner up to the various target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under “Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions” are the percentage interests of our general partner and the common unitholders in any available cash from distributable cash flow we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “Total Quarterly Distribution,” until available cash from distributable cash flow we distribute reaches the next target distribution level, if any. The percentage interests shown for the common unitholders and the general partner for the first target distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the first target distribution. The percentage interests set forth below for our general partner include its 0.67% general partner interest and assume the general partner has not transferred its incentive distribution rights.
| | | | Marginal Percentage Interest in Distribution | |
| | Total Quarterly Distribution Target Amount | | Unitholders | | | General Partner and IDRs | |
Minimum Quarterly Distribution | | $0.4625 | | | 99.33 | % | | | 0.67 | % |
First Target Distribution | | $0.4625 | | | 99.33 | % | | | 0.67 | % |
Second Target Distribution | | above $0.4625 up to $0.5375 | | | 86.33 | % | | | 13.67 | % |
Third Target Distribution | | above $0.5375 up to $0.6625 | | | 76.33 | % | | | 23.67 | % |
Thereafter | | above $0.6625 | | | 51.33 | % | | | 48.67 | % |
Distributions from Capital Surplus
How Distributions from Capital Surplus Will Be Made
We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:
| • | First, 99.33% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 0.67% to the general partner, until we distribute for each common unit an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to the initial public offering price; and |
| • | Thereafter, we will make all distributions of available cash from capital surplus as if they were from distributable cash flow. |
Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus
The partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as the repayment of the initial unit price from our initial public offering, which is a return of capital. The initial public offering price less any distributions of capital surplus per common unit is referred to as the “unrecovered initial unit price.” Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made, the target distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the corresponding reduction in the unrecovered initial unit price. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the target distributions, after any of these distributions are made, it may be easier for the general partner to receive incentive distributions.
Once we distribute capital surplus on a common unit in an amount equal to the initial unit price, we will reduce the target distribution levels to zero. We will then make all future distributions from distributable cash flow, with 51.33% being paid to the holders of common units and 48.67% to the general partner. The percentage interests shown for our general partner include its 0.67% general partner interest and assume the general partner has not transferred the incentive distribution rights.
Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels
In addition to adjusting the target distribution levels to reflect a distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our common units into fewer units or subdivide our common units into a greater number of units, we will proportionately adjust:
| • | target distribution levels; and |
| • | the unrecovered initial unit price. |
For example, if a two-for-one split of the common units should occur, the target distribution levels and the unrecovered initial unit price would each be reduced to 50% of its initial level. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional units for cash or property.
In addition, if legislation is enacted or if existing law is modified or interpreted by a governmental taxing authority, so that we become taxable as a corporation or otherwise subject to taxation as an entity for federal, state or local income tax purposes, we will reduce the target distribution levels for each quarter by multiplying each distribution level by a fraction, the numerator of which is available cash for that quarter and the denominator of which is the sum of available cash for that quarter plus the general partner’s estimate of our aggregate liability for the quarter for such income taxes payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation. To the extent that the actual tax liability differs from the estimated tax liability for any quarter, the difference will be accounted for in subsequent quarters.
The amount of distributions paid under our cash distribution policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement.
Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation
General
If we dissolve in accordance with our partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors. We will distribute any remaining proceeds to the partners, in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation; provided, that any unpaid cash distribution on our Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units shall be paid prior to the making of any such distributions.
The allocations of gain and loss upon liquidation are intended, to the extent possible, to entitle the holders of outstanding common units to receive their unrecovered initial unit. However, there may not be sufficient gain upon our liquidation to enable the holders of common units to fully recover all of these amounts.
Manner of Adjustments for Gain
The manner of the adjustment for gain is set forth in our partnership agreement. If liquidation occurs, the holders of outstanding Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units will first be specifically allocated items of our gross income and gain in a manner designed to cause such holders to have a positive capital balance equal to the liquidation preference of $25.00 per unit. We will then allocate any gain to the partners in the following manner:
| • | First, to the partners who have negative balances in their capital accounts to the extent of and in proportion to those negative balances; |
| • | Second, 99.33% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 0.67% to the general partner, until the capital account for each common unit is equal to the sum of: |
| (1) | the unrecovered initial unit price; and |
| (2) | the amount of the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs; |
| • | Third, 99.33% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 0.67% to the general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: |
| (1) | the sum of the excess of the first target distribution per common unit over the minimum quarterly distribution per common unit for each quarter of our existence; less |
| (2) | the cumulative amount per common unit of any distributions of available cash from distributable cash flow in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution per common unit that we distributed 99.33% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 0.67% to the general partner, for each quarter of our existence; |
| • | Fourth, 86.33% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 13.67% to the general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: |
| (1) | the sum of the excess of the second target distribution per common unit over the first target distribution per common unit for each quarter of our existence; less |
| (2) | the cumulative amount per common unit of any distributions of available cash from distributable cash flow in excess of the first target distribution per common unit that we distributed 86.33% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 13.67% to the general partner for each quarter of our existence; |
| • | Fifth, 76.33% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 23.67% to the general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: |
| (1) | the sum of the excess of the third target distribution per unit over the second target distribution per common unit for each quarter of our existence; less |
| (2) | the cumulative amount per common unit of any distributions of available cash from distributable cash flow in excess of the second target distribution per common unit that we distributed 76.33% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 23.67% to the general partner for each quarter of our existence; and |
| • | Thereafter, 51.33% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 48.67% to the general partner. |
The percentage interests set forth above for our general partner include its 0.67% general partner interest and assume the general partner has not transferred the incentive distribution rights.
Manner of Adjustments for Losses
If liquidation occurs, we will generally allocate any loss to the partners in the following manner:
| • | First, 99.33% to the holders of common units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 0.67% to the general partner, until the capital accounts of the common unitholders have been reduced to zero; |
| • | Second, to all partners holding Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, pro rata, until the capital account in respect of each Series A Preferred Unit or Series B Preferred Units has been reduced to zero; and |
| • | Thereafter, 100% to the general partner. |
Adjustments to Capital Accounts
We will make adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units. In doing so, we will allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain or loss resulting from the adjustments to the unitholders and the general partner in the same manner as we allocate gain or loss upon liquidation. In the event that we make positive adjustments to the capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units, we will allocate any later negative adjustments to the capital accounts resulting from the issuance of additional units or upon our liquidation in a manner which results, to the extent possible, in the general partner’s capital account balances equaling the amount which they would have been if no earlier positive adjustments to the capital accounts had been made.
THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. Our partnership agreement is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part. We will provide prospective investors with a copy of this agreement upon request at no charge.
We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this prospectus:
| • | with regard to distributions of available cash, please read “How We Make Cash Distributions”; |
| • | with regard to certain terms of the common units and the preferred units, please read “Description of the Common Units and the Preferred Units”; and |
| • | with regard to allocations of taxable income and taxable loss, please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” |
Organization and Duration
We were organized on March 2, 2005 and have a perpetual existence.
Purpose
Our purpose under our partnership agreement is limited to any business activities that are approved by our general partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized under Delaware law; provided, that our general partner may not cause us to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that our general partner determines would cause us to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes.
Although our general partner has the ability to cause us, our operating company or its subsidiaries to engage in activities other than the marketing, storage, terminalling, transportation and distribution of petroleum and related products, distillates, residual oil, renewable fuels, crude oil and propane and owning, supplying and operating gasoline stations and convenience stores, our general partner has no current plans to do so but may elect to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. Our general partner is authorized in general to perform all acts it determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.
Power of Attorney
Each limited partner and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder, grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of attorney to, among other things, execute and file documents required for our qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants our general partner the authority to amend, and to make consents and waivers under, our partnership agreement.
Capital Contributions
Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “— Limited Liability.”
Voting Rights
The following matters require the limited partners vote specified below. Various matters require the approval of a “unit majority,” which means the approval of a majority of the common units.
In voting their common units, our general partner and its affiliates have no duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us and our limited partners.
The following is a summary of the vote requirements specified for certain matters under our partnership agreement:
Issuance of additional units | Except in the case of the issuance of units that rank equal to or senior to the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, no approval required. |
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Amendment of our partnership agreement | Certain amendments may be made by our general partner without the approval of the limited partners. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. Unless we have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, and the outstanding Series B Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, we may not adopt any amendment to our partnership agreement that our general partner determines would have a material adverse effect on the terms of the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, respectively. Please read “— Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement.” |
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Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets | Unit majority in certain circumstances. Please read “— Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets.” |
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Dissolution of our partnership | Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.” |
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Continuation of our partnership upon dissolution | Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.” |
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Removal of our general partner | Not less than 66⅔% of the outstanding common units, voting as a single class, including common units held by our general partner and its affiliates. Please read “— Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.” |
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Transfer of our general partner interest | Our general partner may transfer all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest in us without a vote of our limited partners to an affiliate or to another person in connection with its merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, such person. Please read “— Transfer of General Partner Interest.” |
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Transfer of ownership interests in our general partner | No approval required at any time. Please read “— Transfer of Ownership Interests in Our General Partner.” |
Limited Liability
Participation in the Control of Our Partnership
Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Act and that he otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of our partnership agreement, his liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital he is obligated to contribute to us for his common units plus his share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right, or exercise of the right, by the limited partners as a group:
| • | to remove or replace our general partner; |
| • | to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement; or |
| • | to take other action under our partnership agreement; |
constituted “participation in the control” of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware, to the same extent as our general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe that the limited partner is a general partner. Neither our partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against our general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of our general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for such a claim in Delaware case law.
Unlawful Partnership Distribution
Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act shall be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Under the Delaware Act, an assignee who becomes a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of his assignor to make contributions to the partnership, except the assignee is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him at the time he became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.
Failure to Comply with the Limited Liability Provisions of Jurisdictions in Which We Do Business
We conduct business in a number of jurisdictions. Maintenance of our limited liability as a member of our operating company may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which our operating company conducts business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there.
Limitations on the liability of limited partners for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our membership interest in our operating company or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group to remove or replace our general partner, to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement or to take other action under our partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as the general partner under the circumstances. We operate in a manner that our general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.
Issuance of Additional Securities
Except in the case of the issuance of units that rank equal to or senior to the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our general partner without the approval of the limited partners.
It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units or other partnership securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other partnership securities may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership securities that, as determined by our general partner, may have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled. In addition, our partnership agreement does not prohibit the issuance by our subsidiaries of equity securities, which may effectively rank senior to the common units.
Upon issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its 0.67% general partner interest in us. Our general partner’s 0.67% interest in us will be reduced if we issue additional common units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 0.67% general partner interest. Moreover, our general partner has the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units or other partnership securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain its and its affiliates’ percentage interest, including such interest represented by common units, that existed immediately prior to each issuance. The holders of common units do not have preemptive rights to acquire additional common units or other partnership securities.
Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement
General
Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by our general partner. However, our general partner has no duty or obligation to propose any amendment and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner must seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as described below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.
Prohibited Amendments
No amendment may:
| • | enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless approved by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected; or |
| • | enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our general partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of our general partner, which may be given or withheld in at its option. |
The provision of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in the bullets above can be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding common units voting together as a single class (including units owned by our general partner and its affiliates).
No Limited Partner Approval
Our general partner may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee to reflect:
| • | a change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our registered agent or our registered office; |
| • | the admission, substitution, withdrawal, or removal of partners in accordance with the partnership agreement; |
| • | a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for us to qualify or to continue our qualification as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that neither we, our operating company, nor its subsidiaries will be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed); |
| • | an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our general partner or its directors, officers, agents or trustees from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA (as defined below), whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed; |
| • | subject to the rights of holders of our Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, an amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the authorization of additional partnership securities or rights to acquire partnership securities; |
| • | any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone; |
| • | an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of our partnership agreement; |
| • | any amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership, or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement; |
| • | a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes; |
| • | mergers with or conveyances to another limited liability entity that is newly formed and has no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of the merger or conveyance other than those it receives by way of the merger or conveyance; or |
| • | any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described above. |
In addition, subject to the rights of holders of our Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee if our general partner determines that those amendments:
| • | do not adversely affect the limited partners (or any particular class of limited partners) in any material respect; |
| • | are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions, or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute; |
| • | are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of limited partner interests or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities exchange on which the limited partner interests are or will be listed for trading; |
| • | are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our general partner relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of our partnership agreement; or |
| • | are required to effect the intent expressed in the registration statement for our initial public offering or the intent of the provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our partnership agreement. |
Opinion of Counsel and Limited Partner Approval
Our general partner is not required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners or result in our being treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes in connection with any of the amendments described under “— No Limited Partner Approval”. No other amendments to our partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding common units voting as a single class unless we first obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any of our limited partners. Finally, our general partner may consummate any merger without the prior approval of our unitholders if we are the surviving entity in the transaction, the transaction would not result in a material amendment to the partnership agreement, each partnership security will be an identical partnership security of our partnership following the transaction, the partnership securities to be issued do not exceed 20% of our outstanding partnership securities immediately prior to the transaction and our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding certain limited liability and tax matters.
In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class or series or partnership interests in relation to other classes of partnership interests will require the approval of at least a majority of the class or series of partnership interests so affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action must be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets
A merger or consolidation of us requires the prior consent of our general partner. However, our general partner has no duty or obligation to consent to any merger or consolidation and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interest of us or the limited partners.
In addition, our partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner, without the prior approval of the holders of common units representing a unit majority, from causing us to, among other things, sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation, or other combination, or approving on our behalf the sale, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our subsidiaries. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without that approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without that approval.
If the conditions specified in our partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may convert us or any of our subsidiaries into a new limited liability entity or merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey some or all of our assets to, a newly formed entity if the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity. The limited partners are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under our partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a conversion, merger or consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets, or any other transaction or event.
Termination and Dissolution
We will continue as a limited partnership until terminated under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:
| • | the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of common units representing a unit majority; |
| • | there being no limited partners, unless we are continued without dissolution in accordance with applicable Delaware law; |
| • | the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership; or |
| • | the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with our partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal following approval and admission of a successor. |
Upon a dissolution under the fourth bullet point above, the holders of a unit majority may also elect, within specific time limitations, to continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in our partnership agreement by appointing as a successor general partner an entity approved by the holders of common units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:
| • | the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner; and |
| • | neither our partnership, our operating company nor any of our other subsidiaries would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed). |
Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds
Upon our dissolution, unless we are continued as a new limited partnership, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that are necessary or appropriate, liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as described in “How We Make Cash Distributions — Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation”. The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners.
Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner
Our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days’ written notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. In addition, our partnership agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest in us without the approval of the limited partners. Please read “— Transfer of General Partner Interest” and “— Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.”
Upon withdrawal of our general partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of a transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up, and liquidated, unless within a specified period of time after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 662∕3% of the outstanding units, voting together as a single class, including common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of our general partner is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units. The ownership of more than 331∕3% of the outstanding common units by our general partner and its affiliates would give them the practical ability to prevent our general partner’s removal.
Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and no common units held by our general partner and its affiliates are voted in favor of that removal, our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of the interests at the time.
In the event of removal of our general partner under circumstances where cause exists or withdrawal of our general partner where that withdrawal violates our partnership agreement, a successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights of the departing general partner for a cash payment equal to the fair market value of those interests. Under all other circumstances where the general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general partner and its incentive distribution rights for their fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will determine the fair market value. Or, if the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will determine the fair market value.
If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the successor general partner, the departing general partner’s general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will automatically convert into common units with a value equal to the fair market value of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.
In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due the departing general partner, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred for the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.
Transfer of General Partner Interest
Our general partner and its affiliates may at any time transfer units to one or more persons, without limited partner approval.
Transfer of Ownership Interests in Our General Partner
At any time, the members of our general partner may sell or transfer all or part of their membership interests in our general partner without the approval of our unitholders.
Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights
Our general partner or its affiliates or a subsequent holder may transfer its incentive distribution rights to an affiliate of the holder (other than an individual) or another entity as part of the merger or consolidation of such holder with or into another entity, the sale of all of the ownership interest of the holder or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, that entity without the prior approval of the unitholders. The incentive distribution rights are freely transferable.
Change of Management Provisions
Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove Global GP LLC as our general partner or otherwise change management. If any person or group other than our general partner and its affiliates acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding partnership securities, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its partnership securities. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the partnership securities from our general partner or its affiliates and any transferees of that person or group approved by our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the partnership securities with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner.
Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed under circumstances where cause does not exist and no units held by our general partner and its affiliates are voted in favor of that removal, our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests.
Limited Call Right
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of the then-issued and outstanding partnership securities of any class (other than Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units), our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining partnership securities of the class held by unaffiliated persons. The purchase price in the event of such an acquisitions is the greater of:
| • | the highest price paid by either of our general partner or any of its affiliates for any partnership securities of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those partnership securities; and |
| • | the average of the daily closing prices of the partnership securities of such class over the 20 trading days preceding the date three days before the date the notice is mailed. |
As a result of our general partner’s right to purchase outstanding partnership securities, a holder of partnership securities may have his partnership securities purchased at an undesirable time or price. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his common units in the market. The repurchase right described in this section does not apply to Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Disposition of Units.”
Meetings; Voting
Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20% or more of any partnership securities then outstanding, unitholders or assignees who are record holders of units on the record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited. Common units that are owned by an assignee who is a record holder, but who has not yet been admitted as a limited partner, will be voted by our general partner at the written direction of the record holder. Absent direction of this kind, the common units will not be voted, except that, in the case of common units held by our general partner on behalf of non-citizen assignees, our general partner will distribute the votes on those common units in the same ratios as the votes of limited partners on other units are cast.
Our general partner does not anticipate that any meeting of limited partners will be called in the foreseeable future. Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the limited partners may be taken either at a meeting of the limited partners or without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of partnership securities necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting. Meetings of the limited partners may be called by our general partner or by limited partners owning at least 20% of the outstanding limited partner interests of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Limited partners may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding partnership securities of the class, classes or series entitled to vote and be present for which a meeting has been called, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum unless any action by the limited partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the partnership securities in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage.
Each record holder of a common unit has a vote according to his percentage interest in us, although additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. Please read “— Issuance of Additional Securities.” However, if at any time any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general partner or its affiliates, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of partnership securities then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its partnership securities and the partnership securities may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of limited partners, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum, or for other similar purposes. Common units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and his nominee provides otherwise.
Any notice, demand, request, report, or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of common units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.
Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption
If we are or become subject to federal, state, or local laws or regulations that, in the reasonable determination of our general partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which we have an interest in because of the nationality, citizenship, or other related status of any limited partner or assignee, we may redeem the limited partner interest held by the limited partner or assignee at their current market price. In order to avoid any cancellation or forfeiture, our general partner may require each limited partner or assignee to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship, or related status. If a limited partner or assignee fails to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship, or other related status within 30 days after a request for the information or our general partner determines after receipt of the information that the limited partner or assignee is not an eligible citizen, the limited partner or assignee may be treated as a non-citizen assignee. In addition to other limitations on the rights of an assignee that is not a substituted limited partner, a non-citizen assignee does not have the right to direct the voting of his limited partner interests and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation.
Indemnification
Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons, in most circumstances, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages, or similar events:
(1) our general partner;
(2) any departing general partner;
(3) any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner or any departing general partner;
(4) any person who is or was an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of any entity described in (1), (2) or (3) above;
(5) any person who is or was serving as a director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person at the request of our general partner or any departing general partner or any of their affiliates; or
(6) any person designated by our general partner.
Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise agrees, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. Our partnership agreement permits us to purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.
Reimbursement of Expenses
Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or otherwise incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf on-site at our terminals and pipeline, and expenses allocated to our general partner by its affiliates. The general partner is entitled to determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us.
Books and Reports
Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal offices. The books are maintained for both tax and financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. For tax and financial reporting purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.
We furnish or make available to record holders of common units, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent public accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we also furnish or make available summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.
We furnish each record holder of a unit with information reasonably required for tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each calendar year. This information is furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to unitholders depends on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder receives information to assist him in determining his federal and state tax liability and filing his federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with information.
Right to Inspect Our Books and Records
Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to his interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable demand stating the purpose of such demand and at his own expense, obtained:
| • | a current list of the name and last known address of each partner; |
| • | a copy of our tax returns; |
| • | information as to the amount of cash, and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other property or services, contributed or to be contributed by each partner and the date on which each became a partner; |
| • | copies of our partnership agreement, the certificate of limited partnership of the partnership, related amendments, and powers of attorney under which they have been executed; |
| • | information regarding the status of our business and financial condition; and |
| • | any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable. |
Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is not in our best interests, could damage us or our business or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.
Registration Rights
Under our partnership agreement, subject to certain limitations, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and applicable state securities laws any common units or other partnership securities proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available. These registration rights continue for two years following any withdrawal or removal of Global GP LLC as our general partner. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
General
The debt securities will be:
| • | our direct general obligations; |
| • | either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; and |
| • | issued under separate indentures among us, any subsidiary guarantors and a trustee. |
Global Partners LP may issue debt securities in one or more series, and GLP Finance Corp. will be a co-issuer of each such series of debt securities. GLP Finance Corp. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in January 2007, is wholly owned by Global Partners LP and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of debt securities. Its activities are limited to co-issuing debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto. When used in this section “Description of Debt Securities,” the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “issuers” refer jointly to Global Partners LP and GLP Finance Corp., and the terms “Global LP” and “GLP Finance” refer strictly to Global Partners LP and GLP Finance Corp., respectively.
If we offer senior debt securities, we will issue them under a senior indenture. If we issue subordinated debt securities, we will issue them under a subordinated indenture. A form of each indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We have not restated either indenture in its entirety in this description. You should read the relevant indenture because it, and not this description, will control your rights as holders of the debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the indentures.
Specific Terms of Each Series of Debt Securities in the Prospectus Supplement
A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture or authorizing resolutions relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:
| • | the guarantors of the debt securities, if any; |
| • | whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated debt securities; |
| • | the title of the debt securities; |
| • | the total principal amount of the debt securities; |
| • | the assets, if any, that are pledged as security for the payment of the debt securities; |
| • | whether we will issue the debt securities in individual certificates to each holder in registered form, or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities held by a depository on behalf of holders; |
| • | the prices at which we will issue the debt securities; |
| • | the portion of the principal amount that will be payable if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated; |
| • | the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities will be payable, if not U.S. dollars; |
| • | the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable; |
| • | the interest rate that the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities; |
| • | any conversion or exchange provisions; |
| • | any optional redemption provisions; |
| • | any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities; |
| • | any changes to or additional Events of Default or covenants; and |
| • | any other terms of the debt securities. |
We may offer and sell debt securities, including original issue discount debt securities, at a substantial discount below their principal amount. The prospectus supplement will describe special U.S. federal income tax and any other considerations applicable to those securities. In addition, the prospectus supplement may describe certain special U.S. federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any debt securities that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars.
Guarantees
If specified in the prospectus supplement respecting a series of debt securities, the subsidiaries of Global LP specified in the prospectus supplement will unconditionally guarantee to each holder and the trustee, on a joint and several basis, the full and prompt payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of that series when and as the same become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise. If a series of debt securities is guaranteed, such series will be guaranteed by substantially all of the domestic subsidiaries of Global LP. The prospectus supplement will describe any limitation on the maximum amount of any particular guarantee and the conditions under which guarantees may be released.
The guarantees will be general obligations of the guarantors. Guarantees of subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness of the guarantors on the same basis as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness of Global LP.
Consolidation, Merger or Asset Sale
Each indenture will, in general, allow us to consolidate or merge with or into another domestic entity. It will also allow each issuer to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to another domestic entity. If this happens, the remaining or acquiring entity must assume all of the issuer’s responsibilities and liabilities under the indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the issuer’s covenants in the indenture.
However, each indenture will impose certain requirements with respect to any consolidation or merger with or into an entity, or any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of an issuer’s assets, including:
| • | the remaining or acquiring entity must be organized under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia; provided that GLP Finance may not merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into another entity other than a corporation satisfying such requirement for so long as Global LP is not a corporation; |
| • | the remaining or acquiring entity must assume the issuer’s obligations under the indenture; and |
| • | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default (as defined under “— Events of Default and Remedies” below) may exist. |
The remaining or acquiring entity will be substituted for the issuer in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture, and the issuer will be relieved from any further obligations under the indenture.
No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control
Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that protect the holders of the debt securities in the event of a change of control of us or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, whether or not such transaction results in a change of control of us.
Modification of Indentures
We may supplement or amend an indenture if the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series issued under the indenture affected by the supplement or amendment consent to it. Further, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive past defaults under the indenture and compliance by us with our covenants with respect to the debt securities of that series only. Those holders may not, however, waive any default in any payment on any debt security of that series or compliance with a provision that cannot be supplemented or amended without the consent of each holder affected. Without the consent of each outstanding debt security affected, no modification of the indenture or waiver may:
| • | reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver; |
| • | reduce the principal of or extend the fixed maturity of any debt security; |
| • | reduce the premium payable upon redemption or change the time any debt securities may be redeemed; |
| • | reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any debt security; |
| • | waive a Default or an Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities or a provision that cannot be amended without the consent of each affected holder; |
| • | except as otherwise permitted under the indenture, release any security that may have been granted with respect to the debt securities; |
| • | make any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt securities; |
| • | in the case of any subordinated debt security, make any change in the subordination provisions that adversely affects the rights of any holder under those provisions; |
| • | make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to the rights of holders of debt securities to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities on or after the respective due date; |
| • | except as otherwise permitted in the indenture, release any guarantor from its obligations under its guarantee or the indenture or change any guarantee in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of holders; or |
| • | make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions. |
We may supplement or amend an indenture without the consent of any holders of the debt securities in certain circumstances, including:
| • | to establish the form or terms of any series of debt securities; |
| • | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
| • | to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certified notes; |
| • | to provide for the assumption of an issuer’s obligations to holders of debt securities in the case of a merger or consolidation or disposition of all or substantially all of such issuer’s assets; |
| • | in the case of any subordinated debt security, to make any change in the subordination provisions that limits or terminates the benefits applicable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of Global LP; |
| • | to add or to reflect the release of guarantors pursuant to the terms of the indenture; |
| • | to make any changes that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of debt securities or that do not adversely affect the rights under the indenture of any holder of debt securities; |
| • | to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (“Trust Indenture Act”); |
| • | to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under the indenture of a successor or separate trustee; |
| • | to add any additional Events of Default; or |
| • | to secure the debt securities and/or the guarantees. |
Events of Default and Remedies
“Event of Default,” when used in an indenture, will mean any of the following with respect to the debt securities of any series:
| • | failure to pay when due the principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series; |
| • | failure to pay, within 30 days of the due date, interest on any debt security of that series; |
| • | failure to pay when due any sinking fund payment with respect to any debt securities of that series; |
| • | failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture that continues for 60 days after written notice is given to the issuers; |
| • | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of an issuer; or |
| • | any other Event of Default provided under the terms of the debt securities of that series. |
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities will not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it considers such withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.
If an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs, the entire principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on, all debt securities then outstanding will be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders. If any other Event of Default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of, and accrued interest on, all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority in the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can rescind the declaration.
Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under either indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. If they provide this reasonable security or indemnification, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for that series of debt securities.
No Limit on Amount of Debt Securities
Neither indenture will limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue, unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement. Each indenture will allow us to issue debt securities of any series up to the aggregate principal amount that we authorize.
Registration of Notes
We will issue debt securities of a series only in registered form, without coupons, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement.
Minimum Denominations
Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, the debt securities will be issued only in principal amounts of $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000.
No Personal Liability
The general partner of Global LP and its directors, officers, employees and members, as such, will have no liability for the obligations of the issuers or any guarantors under either indenture or the debt securities or for any claim based on such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities by accepting a debt security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the debt securities. The waiver may not be effective under federal securities laws, however, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
Payment and Transfer
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar under each indenture. The issuers may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of debt securities, and the issuers or any of their subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.
If a holder of debt securities has given wire transfer instructions to the issuers, the issuers will make all payments on the debt securities in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on the debt securities will be made at the corporate trust office of the trustee, unless the issuers elect to make interest payments by check mailed to the holders at their addresses set forth in the debt security register.
The trustee and any paying agent will repay to us upon request any funds held by them for payments on the debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to the money must look to us for payment as general creditors.
Exchange, Registration and Transfer
Debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series, the same total principal amount and the same terms, but in different authorized denominations in accordance with the indenture. Holders may present debt securities for exchange or registration of transfer at the office of the registrar. The registrar will effect the transfer or exchange when it is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We will not charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities. We may, however, require the payment of any tax or other governmental charge payable for that registration.
We will not be required to:
| • | issue, register the transfer of, or exchange debt securities of a series during a period of 15 days prior to the mailing of notice of redemption of debt securities of that series; or |
| • | register the transfer of or exchange any debt security called for redemption. |
Provisions Relating only to the Senior Debt Securities
The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated, however, to all of our secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral for that debt. We will disclose the amount of our secured debt in the prospectus supplement.
Provisions Relating only to the Subordinated Debt Securities
Subordinated Debt Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness
The subordinated debt securities will rank junior in right of payment to all of our Senior Indebtedness. “Senior Indebtedness” will be defined in a supplemental indenture or authorizing resolutions respecting any issuance of a series of subordinated debt securities, and the definition will be set forth in the prospectus supplement. If the subordinated debt securities are guaranteed by any of the subsidiaries of Global LP, then the guarantees will be subordinated on like terms.
Payment Blockages
The subordinated indenture will provide that no payment of principal, interest and any premium on the subordinated debt securities may be made in the event:
| • | we or our property (or any guarantor or its property) is involved in any liquidation, bankruptcy or similar proceeding; |
| • | we fail to pay the principal, interest, any premium or any other amounts on any of our Senior Indebtedness within any applicable grace period or the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated following any other default, subject to certain limited exceptions set forth in the subordinated indenture; or |
| • | any other default on any of our Senior Indebtedness occurs that permits immediate acceleration of its maturity, in which case a payment blockage on the subordinated debt securities will be imposed for a maximum of 179 days at any one time. |
No Limitation on Amount of Senior Debt
The subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that we or any guarantor may incur, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement.
Book Entry, Delivery and Form
The debt securities of a particular series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (“DTC”). This means that we will not issue certificates to each holder, except in the limited circumstances described below. Instead, one or more global debt securities will be issued to DTC, who will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased the debt securities. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased the debt securities. Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated debt security, a global debt security may not be transferred, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global debt security as a whole to one another.
Beneficial interests in global debt securities will be shown on, and transfers of global debt securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.
DTC has provided us the following information: DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). The DTC Rules applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC.
We will wire all payments on the global debt securities to DTC’s nominee. We and the trustee will treat DTC’s nominee as the owner of the global debt securities for all purposes. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global debt securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global debt securities.
It is DTC’s current practice, upon receipt of any payment on the global debt securities, to credit Direct Participants’ accounts on the payment date according to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global debt securities as shown on DTC’s records. In addition, it is DTC’s current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to Direct Participants whose accounts are credited with debt securities on a record date, by using an omnibus proxy. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global debt securities, and voting by participants, will be governed by the customary practices between the participants and owners of beneficial interests, as is the case with debt securities held for the account of customers registered in “street name.” However, payments will be the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the trustee or us.
Debt securities represented by a global debt security will be exchangeable for certificated debt securities with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:
| • | DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under applicable law and in either event a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days; or |
| • | an Event of Default occurs and DTC notifies the trustee of its decision to exchange the global debt security for certificated debt securities. |
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
Each indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding debt securities of any series issued thereunder, when:
| (a) | all outstanding debt securities of that series that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us) have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or |
| (b) | all outstanding debt securities of that series that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee and in any case we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust cash sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness of such debt securities not delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of debt securities that have been due and payable) or the stated maturity or redemption date; and |
| (2) | we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the indenture. |
The debt securities of a particular series will be subject to legal or covenant defeasance to the extent, and upon the terms and conditions, set forth in the prospectus supplement.
Governing Law
Each indenture and all of the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
The Trustee
We will enter into the indentures with a trustee that is qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act and with any other trustees chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of debt securities. We may maintain a banking relationship in the ordinary course of business with our trustee and one or more of its affiliates.
Resignation or Removal of Trustee
If the trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee must either eliminate its conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable indenture. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor trustee under the applicable indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of such indenture.
The trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more series of debt securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to any such series. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series may remove the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series.
Limitations on Trustee if It Is Our Creditor
Each indenture will contain certain limitations on the right of the trustee, in the event that it becomes a creditor of an issuer or a guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.
Certificates and Opinions to Be Furnished to Trustee
Each indenture will provide that, in addition to other certificates or opinions that may be specifically required by other provisions of an indenture, every application by us for action by the trustee must be accompanied by a certificate of certain of our officers and an opinion of counsel (who may be our counsel) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with by us.
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
This section summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective unitholders and is based upon current provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder (the “Treasury Regulations”), and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Changes in these authorities may cause the federal income tax consequences to a prospective unitholder to vary substantially from those described below, possibly on a retroactive basis. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “we”, “us” or “the partnership” are references to Global Partners LP and our operating company or its subsidiaries.
Legal conclusions contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. insofar as they relate to matters of U.S. federal income tax law and are based on the accuracy of representations made by us to them for this purpose. However, this section does not address all U.S. federal income tax matters that may affect us or our unitholders, such as the application of the alternative minimum tax that may be applicable to certain unitholders. This section also does not address local taxes, state taxes, non-U.S. taxes or other taxes that may be applicable, except to the limited extent that such tax considerations are addressed below under “— State, Local and Other Tax Considerations.” Furthermore, this section focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States (for U.S. federal income tax purposes), who have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, who use the calendar year as their taxable year, who purchase units in this offering, who do not materially participate in the conduct of our business activities and who hold such units as capital assets (typically, property that is held for investment). This section has limited applicability to corporations (including other entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes), partnerships (including other entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes), estates, trusts, non-resident aliens or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt entities, non-U.S. persons, individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), employee benefit plans, real estate investment trusts or mutual funds.
Accordingly, we encourage each prospective unitholder to consult the unitholder’s own tax advisor in analyzing the federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences that are particular to that unitholder resulting from ownership or disposition of our units and potential changes in applicable tax laws.
We are relying on the opinions and advice of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to the matters described herein. An opinion of counsel represents only that counsel’s best legal judgment and does not bind the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or a court. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any such contest of the matters described herein may materially and adversely impact the market for our units and the prices at which our units trade. In addition, our costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner because the costs will reduce our cash available for distribution. Furthermore, the tax consequences of an investment in us may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions, which may be retroactively applied.
For the reasons described below, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following U.S. federal income tax issues: (1) the treatment of a unitholder whose units are the subject of a securities loan (e.g., a loan to a short seller to cover a short sale of units) (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Securities Loans”); (2) whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read “— Disposition of Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees”); and (3) whether our method for taking into account Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election” and “— Uniformity of Units”).
Taxation of the Partnership
Partnership Status
We expect to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, therefore, subject to the discussion below under “— Administrative Matters — Information Returns and Audit Procedures”, generally will not be liable for entity-level U.S. federal income taxes. Instead, as described below, each of our unitholders will take into account its respective share of our items of income, gain, loss and deduction in computing its U.S. federal income tax liability as if the unitholder had earned such income directly, even if we make no cash distributions to the unitholder. Distributions we make to a unitholder will not give rise to income or gain taxable to such unitholder, unless the distributions of cash or marketable securities treated as cash exceed the unitholder’s adjusted tax basis in its units. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Distributions” and “— Disposition of Units”).
Section 7704 of the Code generally provides that a publicly-traded partnership will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, if 90% or more of a partnership’s gross income for every taxable year it is publicly-traded consists of “qualifying income,” the partnership may continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (the “Qualifying Income Exception”). Qualifying income includes (i) interest, (ii) dividends, (iii) real property rents within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, as modified by Section 7704(d)(3) of the Code, (iv) gains from the sale or other disposition of real property, (v) income and gains derived from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines transporting gas, oil, or products thereof) or the marketing of any “mineral or natural resource”, and (vi) gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets (or property described in Section 1231(b) of the Code) held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less than 5% of our current gross income is not qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time.
No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS with respect to our classification as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or as to the classification of our partnership and limited liability company operating subsidiaries. Instead we have relied on the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. that, based upon the Code, existing Treasury Regulations, published revenue rulings and court decisions and representations described below, Global Partners LP and each of our partnership and limited liability company operating subsidiaries, other than those that have been identified as corporations to Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., will be classified as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that we will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and each of our partnership and limited liability company operating subsidiaries, other than those that have been identified as corporations to Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., will be treated as a partnership or will be disregarded as an entity separate from us. In rendering its opinion, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has relied on factual representations made by us and our general partner, including, without limitation:
| (1) | Neither we nor any of our partnership or limited liability company operating subsidiaries, other than those that have been identified as corporations to Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., has elected or will elect to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| (2) | For each taxable year since and including the year of our initial public offering, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income of a character that Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has opined is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Code; and |
| (3) | Each hedging transaction that we treat as resulting in qualifying income has been and will be appropriately identified as a hedging transaction pursuant to applicable Treasury Regulations, and has been and will be associated with oil, natural gas, or products thereof that are held or to be held by us in activities that Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has opined or will opine result in qualifying income. |
We believe that these representations are true and will be true in the future.
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery (in which case the IRS may also require us to make adjustments with respect to our unitholders or pay other amounts), we will be treated as transferring all of our assets, subject to all of our liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception in return for stock in that corporation and then as distributing that stock to our unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and liquidation should not result in the recognition of taxable income (i) to us (which would be allocated to our unitholders) so long as the aggregate amount of our liabilities does not exceed the adjusted tax basis of our assets or (ii) by our unitholders so long as their respective shares of our liabilities do not exceed their adjusted tax basis in their units. Thereafter, we would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our units may be modified by administrative or legislative action or judicial interpretation at any time. From time to time, members of the U.S. Congress and certain presidential administrations have proposed and considered substantive changes to the U.S. existing federal income tax laws that would affect publicly-traded partnerships. Recent proposals have provided for the expansion of the Qualifying Income Exception in certain circumstances and other proposals have provided for the total elimination of the Qualifying Income Exception upon which we rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
It is possible that a change in law could affect us and may be applied retroactively. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our units. If for any reason we are taxable as a corporation in any taxable year, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be taken into account by us in determining the amount of our liability for U.S. federal income tax, rather than being passed through to our unitholders.
At the state level, several states have been evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise or other forms of taxation. Imposition of a similar tax on us in the jurisdictions in which we operate or in other jurisdictions to which we may expand could substantially reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
If for any reason we are taxable as a corporation in any taxable year, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be taken into account by us in determining the amount of our liability for U.S. federal income tax, rather than being passed through to our unitholders. Our taxation as a corporation would materially reduce our cash available for distribution to unitholders and thus would likely substantially reduce the value of our units. Any distribution made to a unitholder at a time when we are treated as a corporation would be (i) a taxable dividend to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, then (ii) a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the unitholder’s adjusted tax basis in its units (determined separately for each unit), and thereafter (iii) taxable capital gain. In addition, as discussed above, our partnership agreement provides that if a law is enacted or existing law is modified or interpreted in a manner that subjects us to taxation as a corporation or because our general partner makes an election for us to be taxed as a corporation or otherwise subjects us to entity-level taxation for federal, state or local income tax purposes, the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution amounts may be adjusted to reflect the impact of that law on us. Therefore, treatment of us as a corporation or the assessment of a material amount of entity-level taxation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash generated from operations and after-tax return to the unitholders, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of our common units.
The remainder of this discussion is based on the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. that we will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
Limited Partner Status
Unitholders who are admitted as limited partners of the partnership will be treated as partners of the partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and unitholders whose units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of their units will be treated as partners of the partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, a beneficial owner of units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose their status as a partner with respect to such units for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For a discussion related to the risks of losing partner status as a result of securities loans, please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Securities Loans.”
Income, gain, deductions or losses would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is not a partner for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for U.S. federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to be fully taxable as ordinary income. A unitholder who is not treated as a partner in us as described above is urged to consult its own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences applicable to such unitholder under its particular circumstances.
Flow-Through of Taxable Income
Subject to the discussion below under “— Entity-Level Collections of Unitholder Taxes” and “—Administrative Matters — Information Returns and Audit Procedures”, and assuming our general partner does not make an election for us to be taxed as a corporation as a result of a change in tax law, with respect to payments we may be required to make on behalf of our unitholders, we will not pay any U.S. federal income tax. Rather, each unitholder will be required to report on its U.S. federal income tax return each year its share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year or years ending with or within its taxable year. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if that unitholder has not received a cash distribution.
Basis of Units
A unitholder’s tax basis in its units initially will be the amount paid or treated as paid for those units increased by the unitholder’s initial allocable share of our liabilities. That basis generally will be (i) increased by the unitholder’s share of our income and any increases in such unitholder’s share of our liabilities, and (ii) decreased, but not below zero, by the amount of all distributions to the unitholder, the unitholder’s share of our losses, any decreases in the unitholder’s share of our liabilities, and the amount of any excess business interest allocated to the unitholder. The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all of those interests.
Treatment of Distributions
Distributions made by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder, unless such distributions are of cash or marketable securities that are treated as cash and exceed the unitholder’s tax basis in its units, in which case the unitholder generally will recognize gain taxable in the manner described below under “— Disposition of Units.”
Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our “nonrecourse liabilities” (liabilities for which no partner bears the economic risk of loss) will be treated as a distribution by us of cash to that unitholder. A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional units may decrease such unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities. For purposes of the foregoing, a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities generally will be based upon such unitholder’s share of the unrealized appreciation (or depreciation) in our assets, to the extent thereof, with any excess nonrecourse liabilities allocated based on the unitholder’s share of our profits. Please read “— Disposition of Units.”
A non-pro rata distribution of money or property (including a deemed distribution as a result of the reallocation of our nonrecourse liabilities described above) may cause a unitholder to recognize ordinary income if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture and substantially appreciated “inventory items,” both as defined in Section 751 of the Code (“Section 751 Assets”). To the extent of such reduction, the unitholder would be deemed to receive its proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and exchange such assets with us in return for a portion of the non-pro rata distribution. This deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder’s recognition of ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of (1) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (2) the unitholder’s tax basis (typically zero) in the Section 751 Assets deemed to be relinquished in the exchange.
Limitations on Deductibility of Losses
A unitholder may not be entitled to deduct the full amount of loss we allocate to it because its share of our losses will be limited to the lesser of (i) the unitholder’s adjusted tax basis in its units, and (ii) in the case of a unitholder that is an individual, estate, trust or certain types of closely-held corporations, the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities. A unitholder will be at risk to the extent of its adjusted tax basis in its units, reduced by (1) any portion of that basis attributable to the unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, (2) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or similar arrangement, and (3) any amount of money the unitholder borrows to acquire or hold its units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to another unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder subject to the at risk limitation must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions (including distributions deemed to result from a reduction in a unitholder’s share of nonrecourse liabilities) cause the unitholder’s at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year.
Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of the basis or at risk limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction in a later year to the extent that the unitholder’s adjusted tax basis or at risk amount, whichever is the limiting factor, is subsequently increased. Upon a taxable disposition of our units, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at risk limitation but not losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any loss previously suspended by the at risk limitation in excess of that gain can no longer be used, and will not be available to offset a unitholder’s salary or active business income.
In addition to the basis and at risk limitations, passive activity loss limitations limit the deductibility of losses incurred by individuals, estates, trusts, some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations from “passive activities” (such as, trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate). The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly-traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will be available to offset only passive income generated by us. Passive losses that exceed a unitholder’s share of the passive income we generate may be deducted in full when a unitholder disposes of all of its units in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive activity loss rules are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at risk and basis limitations.
For taxpayers other than corporations in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2029, an “excess business loss” limitation further limits the deductibility of losses by such taxpayers. An excess business loss is the excess (if any) of a taxpayer’s aggregate deductions for the taxable year that are attributable to the trades or businesses of such taxpayer (determined without regard to the excess business loss limitation) over the aggregate gross income or gain of such taxpayer for the taxable year that is attributable to such trades or businesses plus a threshold amount. The threshold amount for 2024 is equal to $305,000 or $610,000 (increased annually by the applicable inflation adjustment) for taxpayers filing a joint return. Disallowed excess business losses are treated as a net operating loss carryover to the following tax year. Any losses we generate that are allocated to a unitholder and not otherwise limited by the basis, at risk or passive loss limitations will be included in the determination of such unitholder’s aggregate trade or business deductions. Consequently, any losses we generate that are not otherwise limited will only be available to offset a unitholder’s other trade or business income plus an amount of non-trade or business income equal to the applicable threshold amount. Thus, except to the extent of the threshold amount, our losses that are not otherwise limited may not offset a unitholder’s non-trade or business income (such as salaries, fees, interest, dividends and capital gains). This excess business loss limitation will be applied after the passive activity loss limitation.
Limitations on Interest Deductions
In general, we are entitled to a deduction for interest paid or accrued on indebtedness properly allocable to our trade or business during our taxable year. However, our deduction for this “business interest” is limited to the sum of our business interest income and 30% of our “adjusted taxable income.” For the purposes of this limitation, our adjusted taxable income is computed without regard to any business interest or business interest income. This limitation is first applied at the partnership level and any deduction for business interest is taken into account in determining our non-separately stated taxable income or loss. Then, in applying this business interest limitation at the partner level, the adjusted taxable income of each of our unitholders is determined without regard to such unitholder’s distributive share of any of our items of income, gain, deduction or loss and is increased by such unitholder’s distributive share of our excess taxable income, which is generally equal to the excess of 30% of our adjusted taxable income over the amount of our deduction for business interest for a taxable year.
To the extent our deduction for business interest is not limited, we will allocate the full amount of our deduction for business interest among our unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. To the extent our deduction for business interest is limited, the amount of any disallowed deduction for business interest will also be allocated to each unitholder in accordance with their percentage interest in us, but such amount of “excess business interest” will not be currently deductible. Subject to certain limitations and adjustments to a unitholder’s basis in its units, this excess business interest may be carried forward and deducted by a unitholder in a future taxable year. Further, a unitholder’s basis in his or her units will generally be increased by the amount of any excess business interest upon a disposition of such units.
In addition to this limitation on the deductibility of a partnership’s business interest, the deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” generally is limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:
| · | interest on indebtedness allocable to property held for investment; |
| · | interest expense allocated against portfolio income; and |
| · | the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent allocable against portfolio income. |
The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income. Net investment income does not include qualified dividend income (if applicable) or gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment. A unitholder’s share of a publicly traded partnership’s portfolio income and, according to the IRS, net passive income will be treated as investment income for purposes of the investment interest expense limitation.
Entity-Level Collections of Unitholder Taxes
If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax on behalf of any current or former unitholder, our partnership agreement authorizes us to treat the payment as a distribution of cash to the relevant unitholder. Where the tax is payable on behalf of all unitholders or we cannot determine the specific unitholder on whose behalf the tax is payable, our partnership agreement authorizes us to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of common units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under our partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of a unitholder, in which event the unitholder may be entitled to claim a refund of the overpayment amount. Please read “— Administrative Matters — Information Returns and Audit Procedures”. Each unitholder is urged to consult its tax advisor to determine the consequences to them of any tax payment we make on its behalf.
Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction
Except as described below, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among our unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that incentive distributions are made to our general partner, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of these distributions.
Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated under Section 704(c) of the Code (or the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code) to account for any difference between the adjusted tax basis and fair market value of our assets at the time such assets are contributed to us and at the time of any subsequent offering of our units (a “Book-Tax Disparity”). As a result, the U.S. federal income tax burden associated with any Book-Tax Disparity immediately prior to an offering will be borne by our partners holding interests in us prior to such offering. In addition, items of recapture income will be specially allocated to the extent possible (subject to the limitations described above) to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to that recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by other unitholders.
An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by the Code to eliminate a Book-Tax Disparity, will be given effect for U.S. federal income tax purposes in determining a unitholder’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has “substantial economic effect.” In any other case, a unitholder’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of the unitholder’s interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including (i) the partner’s relative contributions to us, (ii) the interests of all the partners in profits and losses, (iii) the interest of all the partners in cash flow and (iv) the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in “— Section 754 Election” and “— Disposition of Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees,” allocations of income, gain, loss or deduction under our partnership agreement will be given effect for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Treatment of Securities Loans
A unitholder whose units are the subject of a securities loan (for example, a loan to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units) may be treated as having disposed of those units. If so, such unitholder would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss as a result of such deemed disposition. As a result, during this period (i) any of our income, gain, loss or deduction allocated to those units would not be reportable by the lending unitholder, and (ii) any cash distributions received by the lending unitholder as to those units may be treated as ordinary taxable income.
Due to a lack of controlling authority, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder that enters into a securities loan with respect to its units. A unitholder desiring to assure its status as a partner and avoid the risk of income recognition from a loan of its units is urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit its brokers from borrowing and lending its units. The IRS has announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please read “— Disposition of Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
Tax Rates
Under current law, the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rates for individuals applicable to ordinary income and long-term capital gains (generally, gains from the sale or exchange of certain investment assets held for more than one year) are 37% and 20%, respectively. These rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.
In addition, a 3.8% net investment income tax applies to certain net investment income earned by individuals, estates, and trusts. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes a unitholder’s allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of units (without taking into account the 20% deduction discussed below). In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) the unitholder’s net investment income from all investments, or (ii) the amount by which the unitholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (if the unitholder is unmarried or in any other case). In the case of an estate or trust, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) undistributed net investment income, or (ii) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins.
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and ending on or before December 31, 2025, subject to certain limitations, an individual unitholder is entitled to a deduction equal to 20% of his or her allocable share of our “qualified business income.” For purposes of this deduction, our “qualified business income” is equal to the sum of:
| · | the net amount of our U.S. items of income, gain, deduction and loss to the extent such items are included or allowed in the determination of taxable income for the year, excluding, however, certain specified types of passive investment income (such as capital gains and dividends) and certain payments made to the unitholder for services rendered to the Partnership; and |
| · | any gain recognized upon a disposition of our units to the extent such gain is attributable to Section 751 Assets, such as depreciation recapture and our “inventory items,” and is thus treated as ordinary income under Section 751 of the Code. |
Section 754 Election
We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Code that permits us to adjust the tax basis in each of our assets as to specific purchasers of our units under Section 743(b) of the Code to reflect the unit purchase price upon subsequent purchases of units. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. The Section 743(b) adjustment separately applies to a unitholder who purchases units from or exchanges units with another unitholder based upon the values and adjusted tax basis of each of our assets at the time of the relevant purchase, and the adjustment will reflect the purchase price paid. The Section 743(b) adjustment does not apply to a person who purchases units directly from us. For purposes of this discussion, a unitholder’s basis in our assets will be considered to have two components: (1) its share of the tax basis in our assets as to all unitholders and (2) its Section 743(b) adjustment to that tax basis (which may be positive or negative).
Under our partnership agreement, we are authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with applicable Treasury Regulations. A literal application of Treasury Regulations governing a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to properties depreciable under Section 167 of the Code may give rise to differences in the taxation of unitholders purchasing units from us and unitholders purchasing from other unitholders. If we have any such properties, we intend to adopt methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships to preserve the uniformity of units, even if inconsistent with existing Treasury Regulations, and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not opined on the validity of this approach. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.”
The IRS may challenge the positions we adopt with respect to depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of units due to lack of controlling authority. Because a unitholder’s adjusted tax basis in its units is reduced by its share of our items of deduction or loss, any position we take that understates deductions will overstate a unitholder’s tax basis in its units and may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “— Disposition of Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.” If a challenge to such treatment were sustained, the gain from the sale of units may be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.
The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and are made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment we allocated to our depreciable assets to goodwill or nondepreciable assets. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than certain of our tangible assets. We cannot assure any unitholder that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS or that the resulting deductions will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different tax basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than it would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.
Tax Treatment of Operations
Accounting Method and Taxable Year
We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in its tax return its share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for each taxable year ending within or with its taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of its units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of its taxable year must include its share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for its taxable year, with the result that it will be required to include in income for its taxable year its share of more than twelve months of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read “— Disposition of Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”
Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization
The tax basis of each of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation and depletion deductions previously taken, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of its interest in us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” and “— Disposition of Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
The costs we incur in offering and selling our units (called “syndication expenses”) must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. While there are uncertainties regarding the classification of certain costs as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us, the underwriting discounts and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses. Please read “Disposition of Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
We are allowed a first-year bonus depreciation deduction equal to 60% of the adjusted basis of certain depreciable property acquired and placed in service in 2024. For property placed in service during subsequent years, the deduction is phased down by 20% per year until December 31, 2026. This depreciation deduction applies to both new and used property. However, use of the deduction with respect to used property is subject to certain anti-abuse restrictions, including the requirement that the property be acquired from an unrelated party. We can elect to forgo the depreciation bonus and use the alternative depreciation system for any class of property for a taxable year.
Valuation and Tax Basis of Each of Our Properties
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values and the tax basis of each of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of tax basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or tax basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deduction previously reported by a unitholder could change, and such unitholder could be required to adjust its tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
Disposition of Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss
A unitholder will be required to recognize gain or loss on a sale or exchange of a unit equal to the difference, if any, between the unitholder’s amount realized and the adjusted tax basis in the unit sold (taking into account any basis adjustments attributable to previously disallowed interest deductions). A unitholder’s amount realized generally will equal the sum of the cash and the fair market value of other property it receives plus its share of our nonrecourse liabilities with respect to the unit sold or exchanged. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale or exchange of a unit could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from such sale or exchange.
Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder on the sale or exchange of a unit held for more than one year generally will be taxable as long-term capital gain or loss. However, gain or loss recognized on the disposition of units will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Code to the extent attributable to Section 751 Assets, such as depreciation recapture and our “inventory items,” regardless of whether such inventory item has substantially appreciated in value. Ordinary income attributable to Section 751 Assets may exceed net taxable gain realized on the sale or exchange of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale or exchange of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and capital gain or loss upon a sale or exchange of a unit. Net capital loss may offset capital gains and, in the case of individuals, up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year.
For purposes of calculating gain or loss on the sale or exchange of a unit, the unitholder’s adjusted tax basis will be adjusted by its allocable share of our income or loss in respect of its unit for the year of the sale. Furthermore, as described above, the IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner’s tax basis in its entire interest in the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner’s entire interest in the partnership.
Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed in the paragraph above, a unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis units to sell or exchange as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, such unitholder may designate specific units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of the units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of any unit transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of our units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale or exchange of units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.
Specific provisions of the Code affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an “appreciated” financial position, including a partnership interest with respect to which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned or terminated at its fair market value, in the event the taxpayer or a related person enters into:
| · | an offsetting notional principal contract; or |
| · | a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property. |
Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to issue Treasury Regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Securities Loans.”
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees
In general, our taxable income or loss will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month (the “Allocation Date”). Nevertheless, we allocate certain deductions for depreciation of capital additions based upon the date the underlying property is placed in service, and gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets or, in the discretion of the general partner, any other extraordinary item of income, gain, loss or deduction will be allocated among the unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which such income, gain, loss or deduction is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.
Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Code and most publicly traded partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, existing Treasury Regulations do not specifically authorize the use of the proration method we have adopted. Accordingly, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferee and transferor unitholders. If the IRS determines that this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations our taxable income or losses could be reallocated among our unitholders. Under our partnership agreement, we are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferee and transferor unitholders, as well as among unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under the Treasury Regulations.
A unitholder who disposes of units prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to the month of disposition (and any other month during the quarter to which such cash distribution relates and the holder held common units on the first day of such month) but will not be entitled to receive a cash distribution for that period.
Notification Requirements
A unitholder who sells or exchanges any of its units is generally required to notify us in writing of that transaction within 30 days after the transaction (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the transaction in the case of a seller). Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of the transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a transfer of units may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the United States and who effects the sale or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.
Uniformity of Units
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units and for other reasons, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. As a result of the need to preserve uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of U.S. federal income tax requirements. Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of our units. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.”
Our partnership agreement permits our general partner to take positions in filing our tax returns that preserve the uniformity of our units. These positions may include reducing the depreciation, amortization or loss deductions to which a unitholder would otherwise be entitled or reporting a slower amortization of Section 743(b) adjustments for some unitholders than that to which they would otherwise be entitled. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is unable to opine as to the validity of such filing positions.
A unitholder’s adjusted tax basis in units is reduced by its share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual income tax return) so that any position that we take that understates deductions will overstate the unitholder’s basis in its units, and may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “— Disposition of Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss” and “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election” above. The IRS may challenge one or more of any positions we take to preserve the uniformity of our units. If such a challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and, under some circumstances, the gain from any sale of our units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.
Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors
Ownership of our units by employee benefit plans and other tax-exempt organizations, as well as by non-resident alien individuals, non-U.S. corporations and other non-U.S. persons (collectively, “Non-U.S. Unitholders”) raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below, may have substantial adverse tax consequences to them.
Employee benefit plans and most other tax-exempt organizations, including IRAs and other retirement plans, are subject to U.S. federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to tax-exempt organizations will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to a tax-exempt unitholder. Additionally, all or part of any gain recognized by a tax exempt organization upon a sale or other disposition of our units may be unrelated business taxable income and may be taxable to them. Each prospective unitholder that is a tax-exempt entity or a Non-U.S. Unitholder should consult its tax advisors before investing in our units.
Non-U.S. Unitholders are taxed by the United States on income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (“effectively connected income”) and on certain types of U.S.-source non-effectively connected income (such as dividends), unless exempted or further limited by an income tax treaty. Each Non-U.S. Unitholder will be considered to be engaged in business in the United States because of its ownership of our units. Furthermore, Non-U.S. Unitholders will be deemed to conduct such activities through a permanent establishment in the United States within the meaning of an applicable tax treaty. Consequently, each Non-U.S. Unitholder will be required to file federal tax returns to report its share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay U.S. federal income tax on its share of our net income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly-traded partnerships, distributions to Non-U.S. Unitholders are subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. In addition, distributions to non-U.S. persons will also be subject to a 10% withholding tax on the amount of any distribution in excess of our cumulative net income. As we do not compute our cumulative net income for such purposes due to the complexity of the calculation and lack of clarity in how it would apply to us, we intend to treat all of our distributions as being in excess of our cumulative net income for such purposes and subject to such 10% withholding tax. Accordingly, distributions to non-U.S. persons will be subject to a combined withholding tax rate equal to the sum of the highest applicable effective tax rate and 10%. Each Non-U.S. Unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes.
In addition, if a Non-U.S. Unitholder is classified as a non-U.S. corporation, it will be treated as engaged in a United States trade or business and may be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular U.S. federal income tax, on its share of our income and gain as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporation’s “U.S. net equity” to the extent reflected in the corporation’s earnings and profits. That tax may be reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which the foreign corporate unitholder is a “qualified resident.” In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Code.
A Non-U.S. Unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized from the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Unitholder. Gain realized by a Non-U.S. Unitholder from the sale of its interest in a partnership that is engaged in a trade or business in the United States will be considered to be “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business to the extent that gain that would be recognized upon a sale by the partnership of all of its assets would be “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business. Thus, all of a Non-U.S. Unitholder’s gain from the sale or other disposition of our units would be treated as effectively connected with a unitholder’s indirect U.S. trade or business constituted by its investment in us and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax. As a result of the effectively connected income rules described above, the exclusion from U.S. taxation under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act for gain from the sale of partnership units regularly traded on an established securities market will not prevent a Non-U.S. Unitholder from being subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain from the sale or disposition of its units to the extent such gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.
Moreover, the transferee of an interest in a partnership that is engaged in a U.S. trade or business is generally required to withhold 10% of the amount realized by the transferor unless the transferor certifies that it is not a foreign person. While the determination of a partner’s “amount realized” generally includes any decrease of a partner’s share of the partnership’s liabilities, the Treasury regulations provide that the “amount realized” on a transfer of an interest in a publicly traded partnership, such as our common units, will generally be the amount of gross proceeds paid to the broker effecting the applicable transfer on behalf of the transferor, and thus will be determined without regard to any decrease in that partner’s share of a publicly traded partnership’s liabilities. For a transfer of interests in a publicly traded partnership that is effected through a broker, the obligation to withhold is imposed on the transferor’s broker. Current and prospective foreign unitholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the impact of these rules on an investment in our common units.
Administrative Matters
Information Returns and Audit Procedures
We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each taxable year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes its share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure our unitholders that those positions will yield a result that conforms to all of the requirements of the Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS.
The IRS may audit our U.S. federal income tax information returns. Neither we nor Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully challenge the positions we adopt, and such a challenge could adversely affect the value of our units. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and may result in an audit of the unitholder’s own return. Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments unrelated to our returns.
Publicly-traded partnerships are treated as entities separate from their owners for purposes of U.S. federal income tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings for each of the partners. If the IRS makes audit adjustments to our income tax returns, it may assess and collect any taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) resulting from such audit adjustment directly from us, unless we elect to have our general partner, unitholders and former unitholders take any audit adjustment into account in accordance with their interests in us during the taxable year under audit. Similarly, for such taxable years, if the IRS makes audit adjustments to income tax returns filed by an entity in which we are a member or partner, it may assess and collect any taxes (including penalties and interest) resulting from such audit adjustment directly from such entity.
Generally, we expect to elect to have our general partner, unitholders and former unitholders take any such audit adjustment into account in accordance with their interests in us during the taxable year under audit, but there can be no assurance that such election will be effective in all circumstances. If we are unable or if it is not economical to have our general partner, unitholders and former unitholders take such audit adjustment into account in accordance with their interests in us during the taxable year under audit, our then current unitholders may bear some or all of the tax liability resulting from such audit adjustment, even if such unitholders did not own our units during the taxable year under audit. If, as a result of any such audit adjustment, we are required to make payments of taxes, penalties or interest, our cash available for distribution to our unitholders might be substantially reduced.
The Code requires us to designate a partner, or other person, with a substantial presence in the United States as the partnership representative (“Partnership Representative”). The Partnership Representative has the sole authority to act on our behalf for purposes of, among other things, U.S. federal income tax audits and judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS. We have designated our general partner as the Partnership Representative. Any actions taken by us or by the Partnership Representative on our behalf with respect to, among other things, U.S. federal income tax audits and judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS, will be binding on us and all of our unitholders.
Additional Withholding Requirements
Withholding taxes may apply to certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” (as specially defined in the Code) and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on withholdable payments, including interest, dividends and other fixed or determinable annual or periodic gains, profits and income from sources within the United States (“FDAP Income”) paid to a foreign financial institution or to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specially defined in the Code), unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting, (ii) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. While withholdable payments would have originally included payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any property of a type which could produce interest or dividends from sources within the United States (“Gross Proceeds”) on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations provide that such payments of Gross Proceeds do not constitute withholdable payments. Taxpayers may rely generally on these proposed Treasury Regulations until they are revoked or final Treasury Regulations are issued.
If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (i) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts and withhold 30% on payments to noncompliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing these requirements may be subject to different rules.
To the extent we have FDAP Income that is not treated as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (please read “— Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors”), a unitholder that is a foreign financial institution or certain other non-U.S. entity, or a person that holds its units through such foreign entities, may be subject to withholding on distributions they receive from us, or its distributive share of our income, pursuant to the rules described above. Each prospective unitholder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the potential application of these withholding provisions to its investment in our units.
Nominee Reporting
Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:
| (1) | the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee; |
| (2) | a statement regarding whether the beneficial owner is: |
| (b) | a non-U.S. government, an international organization or any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or |
| (3) | the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and |
| (4) | specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from sales. |
Each broker and financial institution is required to furnish additional information, including whether such broker or financial institution is a U.S. person and specific information on any units such broker or financial institution acquires, holds or transfers for its own account. A penalty per failure, with a significant maximum penalty per calendar year, is imposed by the Code for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of our units with the information furnished to us.
Accuracy-Related Penalties
Certain penalties may be imposed as a result of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for the underpayment of that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding the underpayment of that portion. We do not anticipate that any accuracy-related penalties will be assessed against us.
State, Local and Other Tax Considerations
In addition to U.S. federal income taxes, unitholders may be subject to other taxes, including state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance or intangibles taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we conduct business or own property now or in the future or in which the unitholder is a resident. We conduct business or own property in many states in the United States. Some of these states may impose an income tax on individuals, corporations and other entities. As we make acquisitions or expand our business, we may own property or conduct business in additional states that impose a personal income tax. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider the potential impact of such taxes on its investment in us.
A unitholder may be required to file income tax returns and pay income taxes in some or all of the jurisdictions in which we do business or own property, though such unitholder may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in certain jurisdictions because its income from such jurisdictions falls below the jurisdiction’s filing and payment requirement. Further, a unitholder may be subject to penalties for a failure to comply with any filing or payment requirement applicable to such unitholder. Some of the jurisdictions may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholder’s income tax liability to the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return.
Tax Consequences of Ownership of Preferred Units
A description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of any series of preferred units offered pursuant to this prospectus will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of such preferred units.
Tax Consequences of Ownership of Debt Securities
A description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of debt securities will be set forth on the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of debt securities.
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent jurisdictions, of his, her or its investment in us. We strongly recommend that each prospective unitholder consult, and depend upon, its own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local, and non-U.S., as well as federal tax returns that may be required of it. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion on the state, local, alternative minimum tax or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in us.
INVESTMENT IN GLOBAL PARTNERS LP BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the acquisition and holding of our common units, preferred units, other classes of units or debt securities by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code or employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA), non-U.S. plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) or other plans that are not subject to the foregoing but may be subject to provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Similar Laws”), and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”).
This summary is based on the provisions of ERISA and the Code (and related regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations) as of the date of this prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete, and no assurance can be given that future legislation, court decisions, regulations, rulings or pronouncements will not significantly modify the requirements summarized below. Any of these changes may be retroactive and may thereby apply to transactions entered into prior to the date of their enactment or release. This discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all-inclusive, nor should it be construed as investment or legal advice.
General Fiduciary Matters
ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (an “ERISA Plan”) and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of an ERISA Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan.
In considering an investment in our common units, preferred units, other classes of units or debt securities with a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should consider the Plan’s particular circumstances and all of the facts and circumstances of the investment and determine whether the acquisition and holding of a common unit, preferred unit, other unit or debt security is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to the fiduciary’s duties to the Plan, including, without limitation:
| · | whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws; |
| · | whether, in making the investment, the ERISA Plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws; |
| · | whether the investment is permitted under the terms of the applicable documents governing the Plan; |
| · | whether the acquisition or holding of common units, preferred units, other classes of units or debt securities will constitute a “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (please see the discussion under “— Prohibited Transaction Issues” below); |
| · | whether the Plan will be considered to hold, as plan assets, (i) only common units or (ii) an undivided interest in our underlying assets (please see the discussion under “— Plan Asset Issues” below); and |
| · | whether the investment will result in recognition of unrelated business taxable income by the Plan and, if so, the potential after-tax investment return. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors.” |
Prohibited Transaction Issues
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit ERISA Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are “parties in interest” within the meaning of ERISA or “disqualified persons” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engages in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. The acquisition and/or holding of our common units, preferred units, other classes of units or debt securities by an ERISA Plan with respect to which the issuer, the initial purchaser or a guarantor is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption.
In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs,” that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the sale, acquisition or holding of our debt securities. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 75-1, respecting certain transactions involving ERISA Plans and broker-dealers, reporting dealers and banks; PTCE 84-14, as amended, respecting certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers; PTCE 90-1, respecting certain investments by insurance company pooled separate accounts; PTCE 91-38, respecting certain investments by bank collective investment funds; PTCE 95-60, respecting certain life insurance company general accounts; and PTCE 96-23, respecting certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code each provide relief from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for certain transactions, provided that (i) neither the issuer of the debt securities nor any of its affiliates (directly or indirectly) has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or renders any investment advice with respect to the assets of any ERISA Plan involved in the transaction and (ii) the ERISA Plan pays no more than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. Each of these statutory exemptions and PTCEs contain conditions and limitations on their application and do not provide relief from the self-dealing prohibitions under ERISA and the Code. It should also be noted that even if the conditions specified in one or more of these exemptions are met, the scope of relief provided by these exemptions may not necessarily cover all acts that might be construed as prohibited transactions. Accordingly, the fiduciary of a Plan that is considering acquiring and/or holding the debt securities in reliance on any of these (or any other) exemptions should carefully review the exemption and consult with its counsel to confirm that it is applicable. There can be no, and we do not provide any, assurance that any of these exemptions or any other exemption will be available with respect to the acquisition or holding of the debt securities, or that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.
Because of the foregoing, no common units, preferred units, other classes of units or debt securities should be acquired or held by any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such acquisition and holding will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code or a similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.
Plan Asset Issues
Additionally, a fiduciary of a Plan should consider whether the Plan will, by investing in our common units, preferred units or other classes of units, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that we would become a fiduciary of the Plan and our operations would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.
The DOL regulations provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which ERISA Plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” under some circumstances. Under these regulations, an entity’s assets generally would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:
| (1) | the equity interests acquired by ERISA Plans are “publicly offered securities” (as defined in the DOL regulations) — i.e., the equity interests are part of a class of securities that is widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, are freely transferable, and are either registered under certain provisions of the federal securities laws or sold to the ERISA Plan as part of a public offering under certain conditions; |
| (2) | the entity is an “operating company” (as defined in the DOL regulations) — i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service, other than the investment of capital, either directly or through a majority-owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or |
| (3) | there is no significant investment by “benefit plan investors” (as defined in the DOL regulations) — i.e. immediately after the most recent acquisition by an ERISA Plan of any equity interest in the entity, less than 25% of the total value of each class of equity interest (disregarding certain interests held by persons (other than benefit plan investors) with discretionary authority or control over the assets of the entity or who provide investment advice for a fee (direct or indirect) with respect to such assets, and any affiliates thereof) is held by ERISA Plans, IRAs and certain other Plans (but not including governmental plans, foreign plans and certain church plans), and entities whose underlying assets are deemed to include plan assets by reason of a Plan’s investment in the entity. |
Due to the complexity of these rules and the excise taxes, penalties and liabilities that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering acquiring and/or holding our common units, preferred units, other classes of units or debt securities on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be applicable to the acquisition and holding of our common units, preferred units, other classes of units or debt securities. Purchasers of our common units, preferred units, other classes of units or debt securities have the exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their acquisition and holding of our common units, preferred units, other classes of units or debt securities complies with the fiduciary responsibility rules of ERISA and does not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or applicable Similar Laws. The sale of our common units, preferred units, other classes of units or debt securities to a Plan is in no respect a representation by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by any such Plan or that such investment is appropriate for any such Plan.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We will sell the securities being offered hereby through underwriters on a firm commitment basis.
The prospectus supplement with respect to any offering of securities will set forth the terms of the offering, including: (i) the name or names of any underwriters; (ii) the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us; (iii) any underwriting discounts and commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; and (iv) any delayed delivery arrangements.
We will enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters at the time of sale to them. We will set forth the names of these underwriters and the terms of the transaction in the prospectus supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered to the public. We may indemnify the underwriters under the relevant underwriting agreement against specific liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The underwriters may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the securities will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., New York, New York. Any underwriter or agent will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by its own legal counsel.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Global Partners LP appearing in Global Partners LP’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of Global Partners LP’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The audited statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of December 21, 2023 appearing in Global Partners LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statement is incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. |
Set forth below are the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) expected to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby.
SEC registration fee | | | * | |
Legal fees and expenses | | | ** | |
Accounting fees and expenses | | | ** | |
Printing expenses | | | ** | |
Trustee fees | | | ** | |
Miscellaneous | | | ** | |
Total | | $ | ** | |
| * | The registrants are deferring payment of the registration fee in reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r). |
| ** | These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and amount of securities to be offered and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time. |
| Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Global GP LLC
Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. The limited liability company agreement of Global GP LLC, the managing general partner of Global Partners LP (the “Company”), provides that the Company will, to the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations set forth in the limited liability company agreement, indemnify any person who is or was an affiliate of the Company, any person who is or was an officer, director, fiduciary or trustee of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, any person who is or was serving at the request of the board as an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person (subject to certain exceptions noted) and any person the board designates as an indemnitee for purposes of the limited liability company agreement, except to the extent if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining such person acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that such person’s conduct was unlawful. Such liabilities include any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (joint or several), expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements and other amounts. Officers and directors of the Company are also indemnified by Global Partners LP, as described below.
Global Partners LP
Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages, or similar events:
| (2) | any departing general partner; |
| (3) | any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner or any departing general partner; |
| (4) | any person who is or was an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of any group member or its affiliates or entity described in (1), (2) or (3) above; |
| (5) | any person who is or was serving as a director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person at the request of our general partner or any departing general partner or any of their affiliates (subject to certain exceptions); or |
| (6) | any person designated by our general partner. |
Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.
Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in the partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.
GLP Finance Corp.
The bylaws of GLP Finance Corp. provide that each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any proceeding (as defined therein) by reason of the fact that such person or a person of whom such person is the legal representative, is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the corporation, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer in any other capacity while serving or having agreed to serve as a director or officer, will be indemnified by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized by law against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred. This indemnification would under certain circumstances include indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act. The corporation is authorized to indemnify any such person for proceedings brought by such person (subject to certain limitations) only if such proceeding was authorized by the board of directors. The corporation is authorized to purchase insurance to protect itself and any person who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation.
Delaware
Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.
The limited liability company agreements of each of Global Operating LLC, Global Companies LLC, Chelsea Sandwich LLC, Basin Transload, LLC, Global Everett Landco LLC, Global Terminal Holdings LLC, SPR Holdings LLC and SPR Operator LLC provide, to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law but subject to the limitations set forth in the applicable limited liability company agreement, that the companies shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer or employee of the companies from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or and any other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, in which such indemnified person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, by reason of its status as a member or officer or employee of the companies, except to the extent such person acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that such person’s conduct was unlawful.
Section 145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) provides, in general, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), because he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor because the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue, or matter as to which he or she shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, he or she is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court shall deem proper. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation’s bylaws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.
The bylaws of Global Montello Group Corp. provide that each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any proceeding (as defined therein) by reason of the fact that such person or a person of whom such person is the legal representative, is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the corporations, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer in any other capacity while serving or having agreed to serve as a director or officer, will be indemnified by the corporations to the fullest extent authorized by law against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred. This indemnification would under certain circumstances include indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act. The corporations are authorized to indemnify any such person for proceedings brought by such person (subject to certain limitations) only if such proceeding was authorized by the board of directors. The corporations are authorized to purchase insurance to protect themselves and any person who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporations.
The bylaws of each of Glen Hes Corp., Warren Equities, Inc. and Maryland Oil Company, Inc. provide that the corporation has the power to indemnify any person to the fullest extent permitted under Section 145 of the DGCL or any successor provision or statute.
The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Meridian Bunker Corp. are silent as to indemnification.
Massachusetts
Section 8 of the Massachusetts Limited Liability Company Act provides that a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.
The limited liability company agreements of each of Alliance Energy LLC and Bursaw Oil LLC provide, to the fullest extent permitted under Massachusetts law, that the companies shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer or employee of the companies from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or and any other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, in which such indemnified person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, by reason of its status as a member or officer or employee of the companies, except to the extent such person acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that such person’s conduct was unlawful.
The bylaws of Drake Petroleum Company, Inc. provide that the corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Massachusetts law, indemnify any person who is a party to a proceeding against all liability and expense incurred by reason to the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation.
New Jersey
Section 14A: 3-5 of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act provides that any corporation organized for any purpose under any general or special law of this State shall have the power to indemnify a corporate agent against his expenses and liabilities in connection with any proceeding involving the corporate agent by reason of his being or having been such a corporate agent, other than a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, if: (a) such corporate agent acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and (b) with respect to any criminal proceeding, such corporate agent had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Any corporation organized for any purpose under any general or special law of this New Jersey shall have the power to indemnify a corporate agent against his expenses in connection with any proceeding by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor which involves the corporate agent by reason of his being or having been such corporate agent, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.
The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Puritan Oil Company, Inc. are silent as to indemnification.
New York
The bylaws of Warex Terminals Corporation provide that each director or officer of the corporation, whether or not then in office, and any person whose testator or intestate was such a director or officer, shall be indemnified by the corporation for the defense of, or in connection with, any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York or other applicable law, against, without limitation, all judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlements, and all expenses, including attorneys’ and other experts’ fees, costs and disbursements, actually and reasonably incurred by such person as a result of such action or proceeding, or actually and reasonably incurred by such person (a) in making an application for payment of such expenses before any court or other government body, (b) in otherwise seeking to enforce the indemnification provisions of the corporation’s bylaws, or (c) in securing or enforcing such person’s right under any policy or director or officer liability insurance provided by the corporation. This indemnification would under certain circumstances include indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act. The corporation is authorized to indemnify any such person for proceedings brought by such person (subject to certain limitations) only if such proceeding was authorized by the board of directors.
Oregon
Section 63.160 of the Oregon Limited Liability Company Act provides that the articles of organization or operating agreement may provide for indemnification of any person for any acts or omissions as a member, manager, employee or agent and may eliminate or limit liability of a member, manager, employee or agent to the limited liability company or its members for damages from such acts or omissions; provided, that indemnification of a member or manager is not permitted for any breach of the duty of loyalty to the limited liability company or its members, acts or omissions not in good faith which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of the law, any unlawful distribution or any transaction from which the member or manager derives an improper personal benefit.
The limited liability company agreement of Cascade Kelly Holdings LLC provides, to the fullest extent permitted under Oregon law, that the company shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer or employee of the company from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or and any other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, in which such indemnified person may be involved, or threatened to be involved, by reason of its status as a member or officer or employee of the company, except to the extent such person acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that such person’s conduct was unlawful.
Alberta, Canada
Global Partners Energy Canada ULC (“GPEC”) is incorporated under the Alberta Business Corporations Act (“ABCA”). The corporate by-laws of GPEC provide that it shall indemnify a current or former director or officer, or any other individual permitted by the ABCA to be so indemnified, in the manner and to the fullest extent permitted thereby.
Under the ABCA, GPEC may, and pursuant to its corporate by-laws GPEC shall, indemnify an individual who is or was a director or officer of GPEC or who, at GPEC’s request, acts or acted as a director or officer of another body corporate of which GPEC is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his or her heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the director or officer in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other action or proceeding to which he or she is involved by reason of being or having been a director or officer of GPEC or the other body corporate, if (i) such eligible party acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation and (ii) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, such eligible party had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful; provided that such indemnification in respect of an action brought by or on behalf of GPEC or the other body corporate to procure a judgment in its favor must be approved by the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta.
The ABCA further provides that such eligible party is entitled to indemnity from GPEC in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any civil, criminal or administrative, investigative or other action or proceeding to which he or she is involved by reason of being or having been a director or officer of GPEC or such other body corporate, if the person seeking indemnity was substantially successful on the merits in their defense of the action or proceeding, fulfills the above conditions respecting honest and good faith action and, as applicable, belief in lawful conduct, and is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity.
The ABCA also permits, and the corporate by-laws require, that GPEC advance funds to an eligible party in order to defray the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding referred to above, provided that he or she shall repay the funds advanced if the conditions set out in the previous paragraph are not met.
GPEC may also purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible party against any liability incurred in his or her capacity as a director or officer of GPEC or such other body corporate, except when the liability relates to his or her failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of GPEC or such other body corporate, as applicable
The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration statement.
Exhibit Number | | Description |
1.1** | | Form of Underwriting Agreement |
3.1 | | Certificate of Limited Partnership of Global Partners LP (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on May 10, 2005) |
3.2 | | Certificate of Incorporation of GLP Finance Corp (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on March 3, 2015) |
3.3 | | Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Global Partners LP (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 24, 2021) |
3.4 | | Bylaws of GLP Finance Corp. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on March 3, 2015) |
4.1 | | Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 1, 2012, by and among Global Partners LP and AE Holdings Corp. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2012) |
4.2 | | Indenture, dated as of January 18, 2024, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Regions Bank, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 18, 2024) |
4.3 | | Indenture, dated as of October 7, 2020, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Regions Bank, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 8, 2020) |
| * | Filed herewith. |
| ** | To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or in a post-effective amendment to this registration statement. |
| *** | To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act and Rule 5b-3 thereunder. |
| (1) | Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (a) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
| (ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee Tables” or “Calculation of Registration Fee” table, as applicable, in the effective registration statement; and |
| (iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i), (1)(a)(ii) and (1)(a)(iii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrants pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;
| (b) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (c) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| (d) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: |
| (i) | Each prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
| (ii) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
| (e) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of any registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, each undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, such registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
| (i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of any undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| (ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of any undersigned registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned registrant; |
| (iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about any undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of such registrant; and |
| (iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by any undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| (2) | Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of any registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
| (4) | Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (a) | For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus or any prospectus supplement filed as part of this registration statement in reliance on Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus or prospectus supplement filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
| (b) | For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus or prospectus supplement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (5) | Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee under each of its indentures to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC in Section 305(b)(2) thereunder. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Waltham, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on March 1, 2024.
| GLOBAL PARTNERS LP |
| | |
| By: | GLOBAL GP LLC |
| | Its General Partner |
| | |
| By: | /s/ SEAN T. GEARY |
| | Sean T. Geary |
| | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
| | |
| GLOBAL OPERATING LLC |
| | |
| By: | GLOBAL PARTNERS LP |
| | Its sole member |
| | |
| By: | GLOBAL GP LLC |
| | Its General Partner |
| | |
| By: | /s/ SEAN T. GEARY |
| | Sean T. Geary |
| | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
| GLOBAL COMPANIES LLC |
| CHELSEA SANDWICH LLC |
| ALLIANCE ENERGY LLC |
| CASCADE KELLY HOLDINGS LLC |
| BASIN TRANSLOAD, LLC |
| GLOBAL EVERETT LANDCO LLC |
| GLOBAL TERMINAL HOLDINGS LLC |
| |
| By: | GLOBAL OPERATING LLC |
| | Its sole member |
| | |
| By: | GLOBAL PARTNERS LP |
| | Its sole member |
| | |
| By: | GLOBAL GP LLC |
| | Its General Partner |
| | |
| By: | /s/ SEAN T. GEARY |
| | Sean T. Geary |
| | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
| BURSAW OIL LLC |
| |
| By: | ALLIANCE ENERGY LLC |
| | Its sole member |
| | |
| By: | GLOBAL OPERATING LLC |
| | Its sole member |
| | |
| By: | GLOBAL PARTNERS LP |
| | Its sole member |
| | |
| By: | GLOBAL GP LLC |
| | Its General Partner |
| | |
| By: | /s/ SEAN T. GEARY |
| | Sean T. Geary |
| | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
| | |
| SPR HOLDINGS LLC |
| |
| By: | GLOBAL MONTELLO GROUP CORP., |
| | Its sole member |
| | |
| By: | /s/ SEAN T. GEARY |
| | Sean T. Geary |
| | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
| | |
| SPR OPERATOR LLC |
| |
| By: | SPR HOLDINGS LLC, |
| | Its sole member |
| | |
| By: | GLOBAL MONTELLO GROUP CORP., |
| | Its sole member |
| | |
| By: | /s/ SEAN T. GEARY |
| | Sean T. Geary |
| | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Sean T. Geary as his or her lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments or post-effective amendments to this registration statement, or any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with exhibits hereto and other documents in connection therewith or in connection with the registration of the securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 1, 2024.
Name | | Title |
| | |
/s/ ERIC SLIFKA | | President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman |
Eric Slifka | | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | |
/s/ GREGORY B. HANSON | | Chief Financial Officer |
Gregory B. Hanson | | (Principal Financial Officer) |
| | |
/s/ MATTHEW SPENCER | | Chief Accounting Officer |
Matthew Spencer | | (Principal Accounting Officer) |
| | |
/s/ RICHARD SLIFKA | | Chairman |
Richard Slifka | | |
| | |
/s/ JAIME PEREIRA | | Director |
Jamie Pereira | | |
| | |
/s/ JOHN T. HAILER | | Director |
John T. Hailer | | |
| | |
/s/ ROBERT W. OWENS | | Director |
Robert W. Owens | | |
| | |
/s/ CLARE MCGRORY | | Director |
Clare McGrory | | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Waltham, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on March 1, 2024.
| GLP FINANCE CORP. |
| GLOBAL MONTELLO GROUP CORP. |
| GLEN HES CORP. |
| WARREN EQUITIES, INC. |
| WAREX TERMINALS CORPORATION |
| DRAKE PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC. |
| PURITAN OIL COMPANY, INC. |
| MARYLAND OIL COMPANY, INC. |
| MERIDIAN BUNKER CORP. |
| |
| By: | /s/ SEAN T. GEARY |
| | Sean T. Geary |
| | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Sean T. Geary as his or her lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments or post-effective amendments to this registration statement, or any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with exhibits hereto and other documents in connection therewith or in connection with the registration of the securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 1, 2024.
Name | | Title |
| | |
/s/ ERIC SLIFKA | | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Eric Slifka | | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | |
/s/ GREGORY B. HANSON | | Chief Financial Officer |
Gregory B. Hanson | | (Principal Financial Officer) |
| | |
/s/ MATTHEW SPENCER | | Chief Accounting Officer |
Matthew Spencer | | (Principal Accounting Officer) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Waltham, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on March 1, 2024.
| GLOBAL PARTNERS ENERGY CANADA ULC |
| | |
| By: | /s/ SEAN T. GEARY |
| | Sean T. Geary |
| | Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Sean T. Geary as his or her lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments or post-effective amendments to this registration statement, or any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with exhibits hereto and other documents in connection therewith or in connection with the registration of the securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 1, 2024.
Name | | Title |
| | |
/s/ ERIC SLIFKA | | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Eric Slifka | | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | |
/s/ GREGORY B. HANSON | | Chief Financial Officer |
Gregory B. Hanson | | (Principal Financial Officer) |
| | |
/s/ MATTHEW SPENCER | | Chief Accounting Officer |
Matthew Spencer | | (Principal Accounting Officer) |
| | |
/s/ MARK ROMAINE | | Director |
Mark Romaine | | |