SFL Corporation (SFL) Risk Factors

Although most of our vessels are employed on medium or long-term charters, prolonged or significant downturns in the markets in which we operate could have a significant and adverse effect in finding new customers in the short and long term market and on our existing customers' ability to continue to fulfill their obligations to us. It also affects the resale value of vessels. The tanker market has historically been volatile. Global oil demand is expected to increase in 2024 with oil prices remaining near their 2023 average at $83 per barrel as the global oil supply is expected to increase as well. The tanker market was relatively strong due to demand growth, tight supply and ongoing trade inefficiencies caused by geopolitical and climate related events. However, with continued uncertainty, there can be no assurance that the tanker market will sustain its recent rally. While also experiencing volatility, the dry bulk shipping market has enjoyed significantly improved market conditions during 2021. Industry sources indicate that seaborne dry bulk trade (in tonnes) increased slightly in 2023 but face increasing complexity and impacts from geopolitical disruption. The global fleet of dry bulk vessels has increased as a result of the delivery of numerous newbuilding orders over the past few years. During 2022, the global dry bulk fleet has grown by 2.9%, and as of January 2024, newbuilding orders had been placed for an aggregate of about 8.7% of the existing global dry bulk fleet, with Panamax and Supramax vessels accounting for 71% of deliveries during the next two years. The dry bulk charter market, from which we derive and plan to continue to derive our revenues, has been relatively weak in 2023, with freight rates rising at the end of the year due to congestion in the Panama Canal. In 2023, charter rates for dry bulk vessels experienced new highs that come close to the seasonal levels of 2021. The Baltic Dry Index, an index published by The Baltic Exchange of shipping rates for key dry bulk routes reflected significant volatility in 2023 as levels ranged from approximately 564 points to 3166 points due to geopolitical tensions and readjustments of sea transport routes in the Red Sea as well as uncertainty in the broader economic sentiment. However, with continued uncertainty, there can be no assurance that the dry bulk charter market will realize recovery. The containership charter market experienced significant volatility in 2023, with disruption in global trade and supply chains. Due to escalated conflict in the Red Sea, approximately 90% of container vessels changed course in the first week of January 2024. As a result, global container capacity depletion could possibly increase by 20-25%. With the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea and expected port congesting, container spot rates have risen rapidly and may go up even further. The offshore drilling charter market is correlated to the oil price (Brent crude spot) which has experienced significant volatility during the last decade. In April 2020 the oil price fell below $20 per barrel following fears that oil storage in the U.S. was running tight. As a consequence of these reductions in oil prices, oil and gas companies significantly reduced their exploration and development activities, resulting in many drilling companies laying up rigs and experiencing financial difficulties. However, oil prices averaged over $83 per barrel in 2023, down from $101 per barrel in 2022. Oil prices are projected to remain relatively flat in 2024 as industry experts expect global supply and demand to be relatively balanced over the next year. However, in January 2024, there was a rise in oil prices as the crisis in the Red Sea raised concerns about trade disruption. The medium and long-term oil price development remains uncertain, with the escalation of conflict in the Red Sea and a structural transition in global energy systems with renewable energy expected to increase going forward. Additionally, the offshore drilling industry is dependent on demand for services from the oil and gas exploration and production industry, and, accordingly, the charterers of our drilling rigs are directly affected by the adoption of laws and regulations that, for economic, environmental or other policy reasons, curtail exploration and development drilling for oil and gas. For example, current U.S. President Biden signed an executive order in January 2021 blocking new leases for oil and gas drilling in U.S. federal waters. The charterers of our drilling rigs may be required to make significant capital expenditures to comply with governmental laws and regulations. It is also possible that these laws and regulations may in the future add significantly to the charterers of our drilling rigs' operating costs or significantly limit drilling activity. In certain jurisdictions, there are or may be imposed restrictions or limitations on the operation of foreign flag vessels and rigs, and these restrictions may prevent us or our charterers from operating our assets as intended. We cannot guarantee that we or our charterers will be able to accommodate such restrictions or limitations, nor that we or our charterers can relocate the assets to other jurisdictions where such restrictions or limitations do not apply. Currently, we own two harsh environment drilling rigs, the 2014-built jack-up rig Linus and 2008-built semi-submersible drilling rig Hercules. In September 2022, Linus was redelivered from Seadrill to us. Concurrently, the drilling contract of Linus with ConocoPhillips was assigned from Seadrill to us and we started earning drilling contract revenue directly from ConocoPhillips. Following the redelivery of the Hercules from Seadrill in December 2022, the rig went through its 15-year special periodic survey ("SPS") and upgrades at a shipyard in Norway, which was finalized in June 2023. Following the completion of the third SPS and upgrades, the Hercules mobilized to Canada for a drilling contract with ExxonMobil which began in mid-July and was completed in September 2023. The Hercules then mobilized to Namibia for the commencement of a contract with Galp Energia S.A. ("Galp Energia"), where it is currently working. Once completed, the rig will be mobilized to Canada for a contract with Equinor Canada Ltd ("Equinor") expected to commence in the first half of 2024. While we have been able to charter our jack-up rig and semi-submersible drilling rig, we may not be able to recharter them in the future on similar or better terms. For more information please see "Item 5.D.-Trend Information". Downturns in these markets and resulting volatility has had a number of adverse consequences, including, among other things: - an absence of financing for vessels or rigs;- limited second-hand market for the sale of vessels or rigs;- extremely low charter rates, particularly for vessels employed in the spot market;- widespread loan covenant defaults in the shipping and offshore industries; and - declaration of bankruptcy by some operators, rig and ship owners as well as charterers. The occurrence of one or more of these events could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay cash distributions. In addition, because the market value of our vessels and rigs may fluctuate significantly, we may incur losses when we sell vessels, which may adversely affect 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 those financial statements, resulting in a loss and a reduction in earnings.

We may be, from time to time, involved in various litigation matters. These matters may include, among other things, contract disputes, personal injury claims, environmental claims or proceedings, asbestos and other toxic tort claims, employment matters, governmental claims for taxes or duties, and other litigation that arises in the ordinary course of our business. Although we intend to defend these matters vigorously, we cannot predict with certainty the outcome or effect of any claim or other litigation matter, and the ultimate outcome of any litigation or the potential costs to resolve them may have a material adverse effect on us. Insurance may not be applicable or sufficient in all cases and/or insurers may not remain solvent, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

A foreign corporation will be treated as a "passive foreign investment company," or ("PFIC"), for United States federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of "passive income" or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation's assets produce or are held for the production of those types of "passive income". For purposes of these tests, "passive income" includes dividends, interest and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties, which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute "passive income", but income from bareboat charters does constitute "passive income". United States shareholders of a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous United States federal income tax regime with respect to the distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC. Under these rules, if our income from our time charters is considered to be passive rental income, rather than income from the performance of services, we will be considered to be a PFIC. We believe that it is more likely than not that our income from time charters will not be treated as passive rental income for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. Correspondingly, we believe that the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of such income do not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. This position is principally based upon the positions that (1) our time charter income will constitute services income, rather than rental income, and (2) Golden Ocean Management, which provide services to certain of our time-chartered vessels, will be respected as separate entities from the Golden Ocean Charterer, with which they are affiliated. Based on our current and anticipated chartering activities, we do not believe that we will be treated as a PFIC for the current or future taxable years, although no assurance can be given in this regard. Although there is no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our method of operation, there is substantial legal authority supporting our position consisting of case law and the United States Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, it should be noted that there is also authority that characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court of law will accept our position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in the nature and extent of our operations. If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our United States shareholders will face adverse United States federal income tax consequences. Under the PFIC rules, unless those shareholders make an election available under United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders, as discussed below under "Taxation-United States Federal Income Tax Considerations"), such shareholders would be liable to pay United States federal income tax at the then prevailing income tax rates on ordinary income plus interest upon excess distributions and upon any gain from the disposition of our common shares, as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder's holding period of our common shares.

Due to concern over the risk of climate change, a number of countries and the IMO have adopted, or are considering the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These regulatory measures may include, among others, adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, increased efficiency standards and incentives or mandates for renewable energy. More specifically, on October 27, 2016, the IMO's MEPC announced its decision concerning the implementation of regulations mandating a reduction in sulfur emissions from 3.5% to 0.5% as of the beginning of January 1, 2020. Additionally, in April 2018, nations at the MEPC 72 adopted an initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The initial strategy identifies levels of ambition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including (i) decreasing the carbon intensity from ships through implementation of further phases of the EEDI for new ships; (ii) reducing carbon dioxide emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008 emission levels; and (iii) reducing the total annual greenhouse emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 while pursuing efforts towards phasing them out entirely. In July 2023, MEPC 80 adopted a revised strategy, which includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping around or close to 2050, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero greenhouse gas fuels by 2030, as well as i). reducing the total annual greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by at least 20%, striving for 30%, by 2030, compared to 2008; and ii). reducing the total annual greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by at least 70%, striving for 80%, by 2040, compared to 2008. The European Commission has proposed adding shipping to the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) as of 2023 with a phase-in period. It is expected that shipowners will need to purchase and surrender a number of emission allowances that represent their recorded carbon emission exposure for a specific reporting period. The person or organization responsible for the compliance with the EU Emissions Trading System ("EU ETS") should be the shipping company, defined as the shipowner or any other organization or person, such as the manager or the bareboat charterer, that has assumed the responsibility for the operation of the ship from the shipowner. On December 18, 2022, the Environmental Council and European Parliament agreed to include maritime shipping emissions within the scope of the EU ETS on a gradual introduction of obligations for shipping companies to surrender allowances: 40% for verified emissions from 2024, 70% for 2025 and 100% for 2026. Most large vessels will be included in the scope of the EU ETS from the start. Big offshore vessels of 5,000 gross tonnage and above will be included in the 'MRV' on the monitoring, reporting and verification of CO2 emissions from maritime transport regulation from 2025 and in the EU ETS from 2027. General cargo vessels and offshore vessels between 400-5,000 gross tonnage will be included in the MRV regulation from 2025 and their inclusion in EU ETS will be reviewed in 2026. Furthermore, starting from January 1, 2026, the ETS regulations will expand to include emissions of two additional greenhouse gases: nitrous oxide and methane. Compliance with the Maritime EU ETS could result in additional compliance and administration costs to properly incorporate the provisions of the Directive into our business routines. Additional EU regulations which are part of the EU's Fit-for-55, could also affect our financial position in terms of compliance and administration costs when they take effect. Since January 1, 2020, ships must either remove sulfur from emissions or buy fuel with low sulfur content, which may lead to increased costs and supplementary investments for ship owners. The interpretation of "fuel oil used on board" includes use in main engine, auxiliary engines and boilers. Shipowners must comply with this regulation by (i) using 0.5% sulfur fuels on board, which are available around the world but at a higher cost; (ii) installing scrubbers for cleaning of the exhaust gas; or (iii) by retrofitting vessels to be powered by alternative fuels, which may not be a viable option due to the lack of supply network and high costs involved in this process. Costs of compliance with these regulatory changes may be significant and may have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operation, cash flows and financial position. On November 13, 2021, the Glasgow Climate Pact was announced following discussions at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference ("COP26"). The Glasgow Climate Pact calls for signatory states to voluntarily phase out fossil fuels subsidies. A shift away from these products could potentially affect the demand for our vessels and negatively impact our future business, operating results, cash flows and financial position. COP26 also produced the Clydebank Declaration, in which 22 signatory states (including the United States and United Kingdom) announced their intention to voluntarily support the establishment of zero-emission shipping routes. Governmental and investor pressure to voluntarily participate in these green shipping routes could cause us to incur significant additional expenses to "green" our vessels. Territorial taxonomy regulations in geographies where we are operating and are regulatorily liable might jeopardize the level of access to capital. For example, EU has already introduced a set of criteria for economic activities which should be framed as ‘green', called EU Taxonomy. As long as we are an EU-based company meeting the NFRD prerequisites, we will be eligible for reporting our Taxonomy eligibility and alignment. Based on the current version of the Regulation, companies that own assets shipping fossil fuels are considered as not aligned with EU Taxonomy. The outcome of such provision might be either an increase in the cost of capital and/or gradually reduced access to financing as a result of financial institutions' compliance with EU Taxonomy. In addition, although the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping currently are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which required adopting countries to implement national programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, or the Paris Agreement (discussed further below), a new treaty may be adopted in the future that includes restrictions on shipping emissions. Compliance with changes in laws, regulations and obligations relating to climate change may affect the propulsion options in subsequent vessel designs and could increase our costs related to acquiring new vessels, operating and maintaining our existing vessels and require us to install new emission controls, acquire allowances or pay taxes related to our greenhouse gas emissions or administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program. Revenue generation and strategic growth opportunities may also be adversely affected. Adverse effects upon the oil and gas industry relating to climate change, including growing public concern about the environmental impact of climate change, may also adversely affect demand for our services. For example, increased regulation of greenhouse gases or other concerns relating to climate change may reduce the demand for oil and gas in the future or create greater incentives for use of alternative energy sources and alternate modes of transporting goods. In addition, the physical effects of climate change, including changes in weather patterns, extreme weather events, rising sea levels, scarcity of water resources, may negatively impact our operations. Any long-term material adverse effect on the oil and gas industry could have a significant financial and operational adverse impact on our business that we cannot predict with certainty at this time.

The 2009 Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (the "Hong Kong Convention"), aims to ensure ships, being recycled once they reach the end of their operational lives do not pose any unnecessary risks to the environment, human health and safety. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Convention was ratified by the required number of countries, and this will enter into force in June 2025. Upon the Hong Kong Convention's entry into force, each ship sent for recycling will have to carry an inventory of its hazardous materials. The hazardous materials, whose use or installation are prohibited in certain circumstances, are listed in an appendix to the Hong Kong Convention. Ships will be required to have surveys to verify their inventory of hazardous materials initially, throughout their lives and prior to the ship being recycled. On November 20, 2013, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU adopted the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, or ESSR, which, among other things, retains the requirements of the Hong Kong Convention and requires that certain commercial seagoing vessels flying the flag of an EU member state may be recycled only in facilities included on the European list of permitted ship recycling facilities. Apart from that, any vessel, including ours, is required to set up and maintain an Inventory of Hazardous Materials from December 31, 2018 for EU flagged new ships and from December 31, 2020 for EU flagged existing ships and non-EU flagged ships calling at a port or anchorage of an EU member state. Such a system includes information on the hazardous materials with a quantity above the threshold values specified in the relevant EU Resolution and are identified in ship's structure and equipment. This inventory should be properly maintained and updated, especially after repairs, conversions or unscheduled maintenance on board the ship. Under the ESSR, commercial EU-flagged vessels of 500 gross tonnage and above may be recycled only at shipyards included on the European List of Authorised Ship Recycling Facilities (the "European List"). The European List presently includes eight facilities in Turkey but no facilities in the major ship recycling countries in Asia. The combined capacity of the European List facilities may prove insufficient to absorb the total recycling volume of EU-flagged vessels. This circumstance, taken in tandem with the possible decrease in cash sales, may result in longer wait times for divestment of recyclable vessels as well as downward pressure on the purchase prices offered by European List shipyards. Furthermore, facilities located in the major ship recycling countries generally offer significantly higher vessel purchase prices, and as such, the requirement that we utilize only European List shipyards may negatively impact revenue from the residual values of our vessels. In addition, on December 31, 2018, the European Waste Shipment Regulation, or EWSR, requires that non-EU flagged ships departing from EU ports be recycled only in Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, member countries. In March 2018, the Rotterdam District Court ruled that the sale of four recyclable vessels by third-party Dutch ship owner Seatrade to cash buyers, who then reflagged and resold the vessels to non-OECD country recycling yards, were effectively indirect sales to non-OECD country yards, in violation of the EWSR. If European Union Member State courts widely adopt this analysis, it may negatively impact revenue from the residual values of our vessels and we may be subject to a heightened risk of non-compliance, due diligence obligations and costs in instances where we sell older ships to cash buyers. These regulatory requirements, may lead to cost escalation by shipyards, repair yards and recycling yards. This may then result in a decrease in the residual recycling value of a vessel, which could potentially not cover the cost to comply with the latest requirements, which may have an adverse effect on our future performance, results of operation, cash flows and financial position.

If any of our charters terminate, we may not be able to re-charter those vessels on a long-term basis with terms similar to the terms of our existing charters, or at all. The vessels in our fleet that have charters attached to them are generally contracted to a firm period in addition to certain optional periods. However, we have granted some of our charterers purchase or early termination options that, if exercised, may effectively terminate our charters with these customers at an earlier date. One or more of the charters with respect to our vessels may also terminate in the event of a requisition for title or a loss of a vessel. Under our vessel management agreements with Golden Ocean Management, for fixed management fees, Golden Ocean Management are responsible for all of the technical and operational management of the vessels chartered by the Golden Ocean Charterer, respectively, and will indemnify us against certain loss of hire and various other liabilities relating to the operation of these vessels. If the relevant charter is terminated, the corresponding management agreement will also be terminated. In addition to the eight vessels on charter to Golden Ocean Charterer, we also have 23 container vessels, seven Suezmax tankers, six product tankers and six car carriers employed on time charters and seven dry bulk carriers trading in the spot or short-term time charter market. The agreements for the technical and operational management of these vessels are not fixed price agreements, and we cannot assure you that any further vessels which we may acquire in the future will be operated under fixed price management agreements. We also own two harsh environmental drilling rigs, the 2014-built jack-up rig Linus and 2008-built semi-submersible drilling rig Hercules. In September 2022, Linus was redelivered from Seadrill to us. Concurrently, the drilling contract of Linus with ConocoPhillips was assigned from Seadrill to us and we started earning drilling contract revenue directly from ConocoPhillips. Following the redelivery of the Hercules from Seadrill in December 2022, the rig went through its third SPS and upgrades at a shipyard in Norway, which was finalized in June 2023. Following the completion of the third SPS and upgrades, the Hercules mobilized to Canada for a drilling contract with ExxonMobil which began in mid-July and was completed in September 2023. The Hercules then mobilized to Namibia for the commencement of a contract with Galp Energia, where it is currently working. Once completed, the rig will be mobilized to Canada for a contract with Equinor expected to commence in the first half of 2024. Therefore, to the extent that we acquire additional vessels, our cash flow could be more volatile in the future and we could be exposed to increases in our vessel and rig operating expenses, each of which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and business.

The charter-free market values of our vessels and drilling rigs are expected to change from time to time depending on a number of factors including general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping and offshore industries, competition, cost of vessel or drilling rig construction, governmental or other regulations, prevailing levels of charter rates and technological changes. We have granted fixed price purchase options to certain of our customers with respect to the vessels and drilling rigs they have chartered from us, and these prices may be less than the respective vessel's or drilling rig's charter-free market value at the time the option may be exercised. In addition, we may not be able to obtain a replacement vessel or drilling rig for the price at which we sell the vessel or drilling rig. In such a case, we could incur a loss and a reduction in earnings.

It has been recently observed that worldwide economies have experienced inflationary pressures, with price increases seen across many sectors globally. For example, the U.S. consumer price index, an inflation gauge that measures costs across dozens of items, rose 3.4% in 2023 compared to the prior year, driven in large part by rising shelter costs. It remains to be seen whether inflationary pressures will continue, and to what degree, as central banks begin to respond to price increases. In the event that inflation becomes a significant factor in the global economy generally and in the shipping industry more specifically, inflationary pressures would result in increased operating, voyage and administrative costs. Furthermore, the effects of inflation on the supply and demand of the products we transport could alter demand for our services. Interventions in the economy by central banks in response to inflationary pressures may slow down economic activity, including by altering consumer purchasing habits and reducing demand for the commodities and products we carry, and cause a reduction in trade. As a result, the volumes of goods we deliver and/or charter rates for our vessels may be affected. Any of these factors could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and operating results.

We are an international company and primarily conduct our operations outside of the United States, and our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends, if any, in the future may be adversely affected by changing economic, political and government conditions in the countries and regions where our vessels or rigs are employed or registered. Moreover, we operate in a sector of the economy that is likely to be adversely impacted by the effects of political conflicts. Currently, the world economy continues to face a number of actual and potential challenges, including the war between Ukraine and Russia and between Israel and Hamas, current trade tension between the United States and China, political instability in the Middle East and the South China Sea region and other geographic countries and areas, terrorist or other attacks, war (or threatened war) or international hostilities, such as those between the United States and China, North Korea or Iran, and epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19, banking crises or failures, such as the recent notable regional bank failures in the United States, and real estate crises, such as the decreasing real estate values in China. In the past, political instability has also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region and most recently in the Black Sea in connection with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and in connection with the recent attacks by the Houthi movement in the Red Sea following the recent conflicts between Israel and Hamas. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our future performance, results of operation, cash flows and financial position. Beginning in February of 2022, President Biden and several European leaders announced various economic sanctions against Russia in connection with the aforementioned conflict in the Ukraine, which may adversely impact our business, given Russia's role as a major global exporter of crude oil and natural gas. The United States has implemented the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions program, which includes prohibitions on the import of certain Russian energy products into the United States, including crude oil, petroleum, petroleum fuels, oils, liquefied natural gas and coal, as well as prohibitions on all new investments in Russia by U.S. persons, among other restrictions. Furthermore, the United States has also prohibited a variety of specified services related to the maritime transport of Russian Federation origin crude oil and petroleum products, including trading/commodities brokering, financing, shipping, insurance (including reinsurance and protection and indemnity), flagging, and customs brokering. These prohibitions took effect on December 5, 2022, with respect to the maritime transport of crude oil and took effect on February 5, 2023 with respect to the maritime transport of other petroleum products. An exception exists to permit such services when the price of the seaborne Russian oil does not exceed the relevant price cap but implementation of this price exception relies on a recordkeeping and attestation process that allows each party in the supply chain of seaborne Russian oil to demonstrate or confirm that oil has been purchased at or below the price cap. Violations of the price cap policy or the risk that information, documentation, or attestations provided by parties in the supply chain are later determined to be false may pose additional risks adversely affecting our business. In addition, on February 24, 2023, the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") issued a new determination pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order 14024, which enables the imposition of sanctions on individuals and entities who operate or have operated in the metals and mining sector of the Russian economy. Increased restrictions on the metals and mining sector may pose additional risks adversely affecting our business. Our business could also be adversely impacted by trade tariffs, trade embargoes or other economic sanctions that limit trading activities by the United States or other countries against countries in the Middle East, Asia or elsewhere as a result of terrorist attacks, hostilities or diplomatic or political pressures, including as a result of the current conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Acts of piracy and attacks have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in certain regions of the world, such as the South China Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Piracy continues to occur in the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Somalia, and increasingly in the Gulf of Guinea. We consider potential acts of piracy to be a material risk to the international shipping industry, and protection against this risk requires vigilance. Our vessels regularly travel through regions where pirates are active. Furthermore, the recent Houthi seizures and attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden have impacted the global economy as we, our charterers and other companies have decided to reroute vessels to avoid the Suez Canal and Red Sea. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from acts of terrorism, piracy, regional conflicts and other armed actions, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay dividends. Crew costs could also increase in such circumstances.

We employ our vessels in a highly competitive market that is capital intensive and highly fragmented, and competition arises primarily from other vessel owners. Competition for seaborne transportation of goods and products is intense and depends on charter rates and the location, size, age, condition and acceptability of the vessel and its operators to charterers. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, competitors with greater resources could operate larger fleets than we may operate and thus be able to offer lower charter rates and higher quality vessels than we are able to offer. If this were to occur, we may be unable to retain or attract new charterers on attractive terms or at all, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Although we believe that no single competitor has a dominant position in the markets in which we compete, we are aware that certain competitors may be able to devote greater financial and other resources to certain activities than we can, resulting in a significant competitive threat to us. We cannot give assurances that we will continue to compete successfully with our competitors or that these factors will not erode our competitive position in the future.

A significant portion of our earnings are related to the oil industry. A shift in or disruption of the consumer demand from oil towards other energy resources such as electricity, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, renewable energy or hydrogen will potentially affect the demand for certain of our vessels and rigs. A shift from the use of internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles may also reduce the demand for oil. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operation, cash flows and financial position. "Peak oil" is the year when the maximum rate of extraction of oil is reached. While the International Energy Agency ("IEA") recently announced a forecast of "peak oil" during the late 2020s, OPEC maintains that "peak oil" will not be reached until at least 2040, despite transition toward other energy sources. Irrespective of "peak oil", the continuing shift in consumer demand from oil towards other energy resources such as wind energy, solar energy, hydrogen energy, nuclear energy or renewable energy, which appears to be accelerating as a result of shifts in government commitments and support for energy transition programs, may have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position. The IEA noted in its Global Electric Vehicles ("EV") Outlook 2023 that a total of 14% of all new cars sold were electric in 2022, up from around 9% in 2021 and less than 5% in 2020. Electric car sales in 2023 were 14.1 million, up 34% from 2022. Under the IEA Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS), the global outlook for the share of electric car sales based on existing policies and firm objectives has increased to 35% in 2030, up from less than 25% in the previous outlook. The IEA has stated that, based on existing policies, oil demand from road transport is projected to peak around 2025 in the STEPS, with the amount of oil displaced by electric vehicles exceeding five million barrels per day in 2030. A growth in EVs or a slowdown in imports or exports of crude oil products worldwide may result in decreased demand for our vessels and lower charter rates, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends. Seaborne trading and distribution patterns are primarily influenced by the relative advantage of the various sources of production, locations of consumption, pricing differentials and seasonality. Changes to the trade patterns of crude oil or refined oil products may have a significant negative or positive impact on the revenue per ton of freight per mile and therefore the demand for our tankers. This could have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operation, cash flows and financial position.