Navios Maritime Partners (NMM) Risk Factors

New eco-type vessel designs or scrubber retrofits purport to offer material bunker savings compared to older designs, including certain of our vessels. Fitting scrubbers will allow a ship to consume high sulphur fuel oil ("HSFO") which is expected to be cheaper than the low sulphur fuel oil ("LSFO") that ships without scrubbers must consume to comply with the IMO 2020 low sulphur emission requirements. Such savings could result in a substantial reduction of bunker cost for charterers compared to such vessels of our fleet which may not have scrubbers. As the supply of such "eco-type" or scrubber retrofitted vessels increases, if the differential between the cost of HSFO and LSFO remains high, or if charterers prefer such vessels over our vessels that are not classified as such, this may reduce demand for our non-"eco-type", non-scrubber retrofitted vessels, impair our ability to re-charter such vessels at competitive rates and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

The drybulk shipping industry is cyclical with attendant volatility in charter hire rates and profitability. The degree of charter hire rate volatility among different types of drybulk vessels has varied widely, and charter hire rates for drybulk vessels have declined significantly from historically high levels. For example, in the past time charter and spot market rates for drybulk vessels have declined below operating costs of vessels. The Baltic Dry Index, or BDI, an index published by the Baltic Exchange Limited of shipping rates for 19 key drybulk routes, fell 97% from a peak of 11,793 in May 2008 to a low of 290 in February 2016. While the BDI showed improvement since then, it has ranged from a low of 411 in February 2020 to a high of 2,518 in September 2019, it remains at low levels compared to historical highs and there can be no assurance that the drybulk charter market will not decline further. The ocean-going container shipping industry is both cyclical and volatile in terms of charter rates, profitability and, consequently, vessel values. According to industry data, containership charter rates peaked in 2005, with the Containership Timecharter Rate Index (a $/day per TEU weighted average of 6-12 month time charter rates of Panamax and smaller vessels (1993=100)) reaching 172 points in March and April 2005, and generally stayed above 100 points until the middle of 2008, when the effects of the economic crisis began to affect global container trade, driving the Containership Timecharter Rate Index to a 10-year low of 32 points in the period from November 2009 to January 2010. As of the end of January 2019, the Containership Timecharter Rate Index stood at 50 points, peaked at 63 points as of the end of September 2019 and then fell to 61 points at the end of January 2020. Fluctuations in charter rates result from changes in the supply and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the major commodities carried by water internationally. Because the factors affecting the supply and demand for vessels are outside of our control and are unpredictable, the nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in charter rates are also unpredictable. Furthermore, a significant decrease in charter rates would cause asset values to decline, and we may have to record an impairment charge in our consolidated financial statements which could adversely affect our financial results. Because the market value of our vessels may fluctuate significantly, we may also incur losses when we sell vessels, which may adversely affect our earnings. If we sell vessels at a time when vessel prices have fallen and before we have recorded an impairment adjustment to our financial statements, the sale may be at less than the vessel's carrying amount in our financial statements, resulting in a loss and a reduction in earnings. Factors that influence demand for vessels capacity include: -  global and regional economic and political conditions, including armed conflicts, wars and terrorist activities (including piracy), embargoes and strikes;-  disruptions and developments in international trade, including the effects of currency exchange rate changes;-  changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns, such as port congestion and canal closures or expansions;-  supply and demand for energy resources, drybulk products, commodities, semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products;-  changes in the exploration or production of energy resources, commodities, semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products;-  supply and demand for products shipped in containers;-  supply and demand for commodities shipped in dry cargo vessels;-  changes in global production of raw materials, semi-finished or finished goods and products transported by containerships;-  the distance drybulk cargo or containers are to be moved by sea;-  fuel prices for the bunker fuel used aboard ships;-  whether the vessel is equipped with scrubbers or not;-  natural or man-made disasters;-  the globalization of manufacturing;-  carrier alliances, vessel sharing or container slot sharing that seek to allocate container ship capacity on routes;-  weather and crop yields;-  political, environmental and other regulatory developments, including but not limited to governmental macroeconomic policy changes, import and export restrictions, including trade wars, central bank policies and pollution conventions or protocols;-  international sanctions, embargoes, nationalizations ; and -  technical advances in ship design and construction. The supply of vessel capacity has generally been influenced by, among other factors: -  the number of vessels that are out of service, namely those that are laid-up, drydocked, awaiting or undergoing repairs or otherwise not available for hire. -  the scrapping rate of older vessels;-  the availability of finance or lack thereof for ordering newbuildings or for facilitating ship sale and purchase transactions;-  port and canal traffic and congestion, including canal improvements that can affect employment of ships designed for older canals;-  the number of shipyards and ability of shipyards to deliver vessels;-  the number of newbuilding deliveries;-  vessel casualties;-  weather;-  changes in environmental and other regulations and standards (including IMO rules requiring a reduction in the use of high sulphur fuels and the fitting of additional ballast water treatment systems) that limit the profitability, operations or useful lives of vessels;-  the price of steel, fuel and other raw materials; and -  the economics of slow steaming. In addition to the prevailing and anticipated charter rates, factors that affect the rate of newbuilding, scrapping and laying-up include newbuilding prices, secondhand vessel values in relation to newbuilding and scrap prices, costs of bunkers and other operating costs, costs associated with classification society surveys, normal maintenance and insurance coverage costs, the efficiency and age profile of the existing drybulk fleet in the market and government and industry regulation of maritime transportation practices, particularly environmental protection laws and regulations. These and other factors influencing the supply of and demand for shipping capacity are outside of our control, and we may not be able to correctly assess the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions. We anticipate that the future demand for our vessels will be dependent upon economic growth in the world's economies, mainly China and India, seasonal and regional changes in demand, changes in the capacity of the global dry and container fleets and the sources and supply of drybulk or containerized cargo to be transported by sea.

There are a number of risks associated with the operation of ocean-going vessels, including mechanical failure, collision, fire, human error, war, terrorism, piracy, loss of life, contact with floating objects, property loss, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities and labor strikes. Any of these events may result in loss of revenues, increased costs and decreased cash flows. In addition, the operation of any vessel is subject to the inherent possibility of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps. There are also liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. We procure insurance for our fleet in relation to risks commonly insured against by vessel owners and operators. Our current insurance includes (i) hull and machinery and war risk insurance covering damage to our vessels' hulls and machinery from, among other things, collisions and contact with fixed and floating objects, (ii) war risks insurance covering losses associated with the outbreak or escalation of hostilities and (iii) protection and indemnity insurance (which includes environmental damage) covering, among other things, third-party and crew liabilities such as expenses resulting from the injury or death of crew members, passengers and other third parties, the loss or damage to cargo, third-party claims arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third-party property and pollution arising from oil or other substances, and salvage, towing and other related costs, including wreck removal. We do not currently maintain strike or off-hire insurance, which would cover the loss of revenue during extended vessel off-hire periods, such as those that occur during an unscheduled drydocking due to damage to the vessel from accidents except in cases of loss of hire up to a limited number of days due to war or a piracy event. Other events that may lead to off-hire periods include natural or man-made disasters that result in the closure of certain waterways and prevent vessels from entering or leaving certain ports. Accordingly, any extended vessel off-hire, due to an accident or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders. We can give no assurance that we are adequately insured against all risks or that our insurers will pay a particular claim. Even if our insurance coverage is adequate to cover our losses, we may not be able to obtain a timely replacement vessel in the event of a vessel loss. Under the terms of our credit facilities, we are subject to restrictions on the use of any proceeds we may receive from claims under our insurance policies. Because we obtain some of our insurance through protection and indemnity associations, we may also be subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts based not only on our own claim records, but also the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations. There is no cap on our liability exposure for such calls or premiums payable to our protection and indemnity association. Our payment of these calls could result in significant expenses to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to renew our insurance policies on the same or commercially reasonable terms, or at all, in the future. For example, more stringent environmental regulations have led in the past to increased costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of availability of, protection and indemnity insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution. Any uninsured or underinsured loss could harm our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. In addition, our insurance may be voidable by the insurers as a result of certain of our actions, such as our vessels failing to maintain certification with applicable maritime self-regulatory organizations. Further, we cannot assure you that our insurance policies will cover all losses that we incur, or that disputes over insurance claims will not arise with our insurance carriers. Any claims covered by insurance would be subject to deductibles, and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material. In addition, our insurance policies are subject to limitations and exclusions, which may increase our costs or lower our revenues, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. A catastrophic oil spill or marine disaster could exceed our insurance coverage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make distributions to our unit holders. Any uninsured or underinsured loss could harm our business and financial condition. In addition, the insurance may be voidable by the insurers as a result of certain actions, such as vessels failing to maintain required certification. Our charterers may in the future engage in legally permitted trading in locations or with persons which may still be subject to restrictions due to sanctions or boycott. However, no vessels in our fleet have called on ports in sanctioned countries or countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism by the U.S. State Department, including Iran, Syria, or Sudan. Our insurers may be contractually or by operation of law prohibited from honoring our insurance contract for such trading on such locations or countries or trading with such persons, which could result in reduced insurance coverage for losses incurred by the related vessels. Changes in the insurance markets attributable to the risk of terrorism in certain locations around the world could make it difficult for us to obtain certain types of coverage.  In addition, the insurance that may be available to us may be significantly more expensive than our existing coverage. Furthermore, our insurers and we may be prohibited from posting or otherwise be unable to post security in respect of any incident in such locations or countries or as a result of trading with such persons, resulting in the loss of use of the relevant vessel and negative publicity for our Company which could negatively impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and unit price.

Many of our vessels regularly call to ports in China and we may enter into sale and leaseback transactions with Chinese financial institutions. Although our charters and sale and leaseback agreements are governed by English law, we may have difficulties enforcing a judgment rendered by an English court (or other non-Chinese court) in China. Such charters and any additional agreements that we enter into with Chinese counterparties, may be subject to new regulations in China that may require us to incur new or additional compliance or other administrative costs and pay new taxes or other fees to the Chinese government. Changes in laws and regulations, including with regards to tax matters, and their implementation by local authorities could affect our vessels chartered to Chinese customers as well as our vessels calling to Chinese ports and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as our cash flows, including cash available for distributions to our unit holders.

Our vessels may call in ports where smugglers may attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. To the extent our vessels are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel and whether with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face reputational damage and governmental or other regulatory claims or penalties, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, as well as our cash flows, including cash available for distributions to our unitholders. Under some jurisdictions, vessels used for the conveyance of illegal drugs could result in forfeiture of the vessel to the government of such jurisdiction.

Under the Code, 50.0% of the gross transportation income of a vessel-owning or chartering corporation that is attributable to transportation that either begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States is characterized as U.S. Source International Transportation Income. U.S. Source International Transportation Income generally is subject to a 4.0% U.S. federal income tax without allowance for deduction or, if such U.S. Source International Transportation Income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, U.S. federal corporate income tax (presently imposed at a 21.0% rate) as well as a branch profits tax (presently imposed at a 30.0% rate on effectively connected earnings) applies, unless the non-U.S. corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code. Based on an opinion of counsel, and certain assumptions and representations, we believe that we have qualified for this statutory tax exemption, and we will take this position for U.S. federal income tax return reporting purposes for our 2019 taxable year. However, there are factual circumstances, including some that may be beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption, including the delisting of our securities from quotation on the NYSE which could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption and thereby make us subject to U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. Source International Transportation Income. See "-Risks Related to Our Units-The New York Stock Exchange may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit your ability to trade our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions". Furthermore, our board of directors could determine that it is in our best interests to take an action that would result in this tax exemption not applying to us in the future. In addition, our conclusion that we qualify for this exemption, as well as the conclusions in this regard of our counsel, Thompson Hine LLP, is based upon legal authorities that do not expressly contemplate an organizational structure such as ours; specifically, although we have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we are organized as a limited partnership under Marshall Islands law. Therefore, we can give no assurances that the IRS will not take a different position regarding our qualification for this tax exemption. If we were not entitled to the Section 883 exemption for any taxable year, we generally would be subject to a 4.0% U.S. federal gross income tax with respect to our U.S. Source International Transportation Income or, if such U.S. Source International Transportation Income were effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, U.S. federal corporate income tax as well as a branch profits tax for those years. Our failure to qualify for the Section 883 exemption could have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our unitholders.

We are subject to local and national laws, including in the United States, as well as international treaties and conventions, intended to enhance and ensure vessel security.  These laws are detailed below.  Navios has and will continue to implement the various security measures addressed by all applicable laws and will take measures for our vessels or vessels that we charter to attain compliance with all applicable security requirements within the prescribed time periods. Although management does not believe that these additional requirements will have a material financial impact on our operations, there can be no assurance that there will not be an interruption in operations to bring vessels into compliance with the applicable requirements and any such interruption could cause a decrease in charter revenues. Furthermore, additional security measures could be required in the future that could have significant financial impact on us. The cost of vessel security measures has also been affected by the escalation in recent years in the frequency and seriousness of acts of piracy against ships, notably off the coast of Somalia, including the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea area. Attacks of this kind have commonly resulted in vessels and their crews being detained for several months, and being released only on payment of large ransoms. Substantial loss of revenue and other costs may be incurred as a result of such detention. Although we insure against these losses to the extent practicable, the risk of uninsured losses which could significantly affect our business remains. Costs are incurred in taking additional security measures in accordance with Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy, notably those contained in the BMP3 industry standard. A number of flag States have signed the 2009 New York Declaration, which expresses commitment to Best Management Practices in relation to piracy and calls for compliance therewith them as an essential part of compliance with the ISPS Code.

Our international operations and activities could expose us to risks associated with trade and economic sanctions prohibitions or other restrictions imposed by the U.S. or other governments or organizations, including the United Nations, the EU and its member countries, as described in this report. Under economic and trade sanctions laws, governments and organizations may seek to impose modifications to, prohibitions/restrictions on business practices and activities, and modifications to compliance programs, which may increase compliance costs, and, in the event of a violation, may subject us to fines and other penalties. To reduce the risk of violating economic sanctions, we have a policy of compliance with applicable economic sanctions laws and have implemented and continue to implement and diligently follow compliance procedures to avoid economic sanctions violations. Considering U.S. as well as EU sanctions and the nature of our business, there is a constant sanction-related risk for us, due to the worldwide trade of our vessels, which we seek to minimize by the implementation of our corporate Economic Sanctions Compliance Policy and Procedures and our compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations. Although we intend to maintain such Economic Sanctions Compliance Policy and Procedures, there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance in the future, particularly as the scope of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations, and the law may change. Moreover, despite, for example, relevant provisions in charter parties forbidding the use of our vessels in trade that would violate economic sanctions, our charterers may nevertheless violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations and those violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation and be imputed to us. We constantly monitor developments in the U.S., the EU and other jurisdictions that maintain economic sanctions against Iran, Russian entities, Venezuela, other countries, and other sanctions targets, including developments in implementation and enforcement of such sanctions programs. Expansion of sanctions programs, embargoes and other restrictions in the future (including additional designations of countries and persons subject to sanctions), or modifications in how existing sanctions are interpreted or enforced, could prevent our vessels from calling in ports in sanctioned countries or could limit their cargoes. Given our relationship with Navios Holdings (and/or its affiliates), we cannot give any assurance that an adverse finding against Navios Holdings (and/or its affiliates) by a governmental or legal authority or others, with respect to sanction matters or any future matter related to regulatory compliance by Navios Holdings (and/or its affiliates) will not have a material adverse impact on our business, reputation or the market price or trading of our common units. If any of the risks described herein materializes, it could have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations. For a description of the economic and trade sanctions and other compliance requirements under which we operate please see "Item 4. Information on the Company. B. Business Overview - Sanction and Compliance"

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of the recent COVID-19. The coronavirus or other epidemics or pandemics could potentially result in delayed deliveries of our vessels under construction, disrupt our operations and significantly affect global markets, affecting the demand for our services, global demand for goods shipped in containerships and dry bulk vessels  as well as the price of international freights and hires. If the effect of the coronavirus is ongoing, we may be unable to charter our vessels at the rates or for the length of time we currently expect. The effects of the coronavirus remain uncertain, and should customers be under financial pressure this could negatively affect our charterers' willingness to perform their obligations under our time charters. The loss or termination of any of our time charters or a decline in payments under our time charters, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as our cash flows, including cash available for distributions to our unit holders and repurchases of common units. In addition, certain countries have introduced travel restrictions and adopted certain hygiene measures, including quarantining. European countries and the United States have recently adopted more stringent measures to contain the spread of the virus. Any prolonged measure may affect our normal operations and those of our Manager. All these measures have further affected the process of construction and repair of vessels, as well as the presence of workers in shipyards, of administrative personnel in their offices, and of seafarers. Any prolonged restrictive measures in order to control the novel coronavirus or other adverse global public health developments may have a material and adverse effect on our business operations and demand for our vessels generally.

We engage in worldwide commerce with a variety of entities. Although our operations may expose us to certain levels of foreign currency risk, our transactions are at present predominantly U.S. dollar-denominated. Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are translated at the exchange rate in effect on the date of each transaction. Expenses incurred in foreign currencies against which the U.S. dollar falls in value can increase thereby decreasing our income or vice versa if the U.S. dollar increases in value. For example, as of December 31, 2019, the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to the Euro increased by approximately 2.0% compared with the respective value as of December 31, 2018. A greater percentage of our transactions and expenses in the future may be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

Navios Partners has entered into an omnibus agreement with Navios Holdings (the "Partners Omnibus Agreement") in connection with the closing of the Navios Partners' IPO governing, among other things, Navios Holdings and its controlled affiliates (other than us, our general partner and our subsidiaries) generally agreed not to acquire or own Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers under time charters of three or more years without the consent of an independent committee of Navios Holdings. The Omnibus Agreement, however, contains significant exceptions that allow Navios Holdings or any of its controlled affiliates to compete with us under specified circumstances which could harm our business. In addition, concurrently with the successful consummation of the initial business combination by Navios Acquisition, on May 28, 2010, because of the overlap between Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and us, with respect to possible acquisitions under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, we entered into a business opportunity right of first refusal agreement which provides the types of business opportunities in the marine transportation and logistics industries, we, Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition must share with the each other. In connection with the Navios Midstream initial public offering and effective November 18, 2014, Navios Partners entered into the Omnibus Agreement with Navios Midstream, Navios Acquisition and Navios Holdings (the "Navios Midstream Omnibus Agreement") pursuant to which Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and Navios Partners have agreed not to acquire or own any VLCCs, crude oil tankers, refined petroleum product tankers, LPG tankers or chemical tankers under time charters of five or more years and also providing rights of first offer on certain tanker vessels. In connection with the 2017 Navios Containers private placement and listing on the Norwegian over-the-counter ("N-OTC") market effective June 8, 2017, Navios Partners entered into an omnibus agreement with Navios Containers, Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Midstream (the "Navios Containers Omnibus Agreement"), pursuant to which Navios Partners, Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Midstream have granted to Navios Containers a right of first refusal over any container vessels to be sold or acquired in the future. The omnibus agreement contains significant exceptions that will allow Navios Partners, Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Midstream to compete with Navios Containers under specified circumstances.

The current charter rates for dry cargo vessels have significantly decreased from their historic highs reached in the second quarter of 2008. If the drybulk shipping industry, which has been highly cyclical and volatile, is depressed in the future when our charters expire, our earnings and available cash flow may be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully charter our vessels in the future or renew our existing charters at rates sufficient to allow us to operate our business profitably, to meet our obligations, including payment of debt service to our lenders, or to pay dividends to our unitholders. Our ability to re-charter our vessels upon the expiration or termination of their current charters, or on vessels that we may acquire in the future, as well as, the charter rates payable under any replacement charters will depend upon, among other things, economic conditions in the sectors in which our vessels operate at that time, changes in the supply and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the transportation of commodities. All of our drybulk time charters are scheduled to expire on dates ranging from March 2020 to March 2023. If, upon expiration or termination of these or other contracts, long-term recharter rates are lower than existing rates, particularly considering that we intend to enter into long-term charters, or if we are unable to obtain replacement charters, our earnings, cash flow and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders could be materially adversely affected. Five containerships that we own are on long-term time charter for ten years until 2023 with our option to terminate after year seven. The other five containerships are on time charters that expire within 2020. Our ability to re-charter our containerships upon the expiration or termination of their current time charters and the charter rates payable under any renewal options or replacement time charters will depend upon, among other things, the prevailing state of the containership charter market, which can be affected by consumer demand for products shipped in containers. If the charter market is depressed when our vessels' time charters expire or when we are otherwise seeking new charters, we may be forced to re-charter our vessels at reduced or even unprofitable rates, or we may not be able to re-charter them at all and/or we may be forced to scrap them, which may reduce or eliminate our earnings, make our earnings volatile, affect our ability to generate cash flows and maintain liquidity.

A large portion of the management, staffing and administrative services that we require to operate our business are provided to us by the Manager. We pay the Manager, a commercial and technical management fee under the management agreement, as well as an administrative services fee under the Administrative Agreement. Pursuant to a management agreement, dated November 16, 2007, as amended or supplemented from time to time, the Manager provides commercial and technical management services to our vessels. The term of the Management Agreement as amended in August 2019 and December 2019, expires in January 1, 2025. During the remaining years of the term of the management agreement, we will reimburse the Manager for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet. In addition, the Manager will provide us with administrative services, pursuant to the Administrative Agreement dated November 16, 2007, as amended or supplemented from time to time, expiring in January 1, 2025, and we will reimburse the Manager for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with the provision of those services. The exact amount of these future costs and expenses are unquantifiable at this time and they are payable regardless of our profitability. If we desire to terminate either of these agreements before its scheduled expiration, we must pay a termination fee to the Manager as per management agreement. As a result, our ability to make short-term adjustments to manage our costs by terminating one or both these agreements may be limited which could cause our results of operations and ability to pay cash distributions and repurchases of common units to be materially and adversely affected. For detailed information on the amount of management fees owed under the Management Agreement, please see the section entitled, "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - A. Operating results - Management fees".