FreeSeas Announces Elimination of USD 30 Mil Debt

FreeSeas Inc. a transporter of dry-bulk cargoes through the ownership and operation of a fleet of six Handysize vessels and one Handymax vessel, announced today that approval was received on October 9, 2013, by the Supreme Court of the State of New York of the terms and conditions of an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) between FreeSeas and Crede CG III Ltd (“Crede”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Crede Capital Group.

Mr. Ion G. Varouxakis, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company made the following comments: “We are pleased to announce the extinguishment of approximately $30 million of debt, representing approximately one third of the Company’s total bank debt. This transaction will result in significant gains, which are presently estimated to exceed $12 million. As a result, our balance sheet will be completely transformed, resetting us in position for future growth.”

Previously, the Company amended a settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with Deutsche Bank Nederland N .V. (“Deutsche Bank”), and Crede became a party thereto and agreed to purchase $10.5 million of outstanding indebtedness owed by the Company to Deutsche Bank, subject to, among other things, court approval of the Exchange Agreement.

As a result of the court approval, Crede released yesterday $10.5 million to Deutsche Bank Nederland N.V. (“Deutsche Bank”), presently held in escrow, and Deutsche Bank, upon receipt of the funds, will, in accordance with the Settlement Agreement, forgive the remaining outstanding indebtedness and overdue interest owed by FreeSeas of approximately $19.5 million in total as well as release all collateral associated with the loan, including the lifting of the mortgages over the M/V Free Maverick and the M/V Free Knight.

The other $10.5 million of outstanding indebtedness will be eliminated upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement, which will occur later today.

A complete description of the Exchange Agreement and the court approval is more fully described in a 6-K Form being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission contemporaneously herewith.

The Company is reviewing the accounting treatment of the transaction and preliminary expects to recognize a gain on extinguishment of debt during the year ending December 31, 2013. The gain, which represents the difference between the fair value of the equity interest granted by the Company and the carrying amount of the debt, is estimated to be in excess of $12 million.

[mappress]

Free Seas, October 11, 2013