Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration Statement No. 333-194690

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Up to 4,693,700 Common Shares Issuable Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Warrants

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

You should rely only on information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is not an offer to sell, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy, (1) any securities other than our common shares and Warrants or (2) our common shares and Warrants in any circumstances in which such an offer or solicitation is unlawful. The information contained in this prospectus may change after the date of this prospectus. Do not assume after the date of this prospectus that the information contained in this prospectus is still correct. Information contained on our website, www.topships.org, does not constitute part of this prospectus.

Name	Deadweight	Charterer	Charter Duration	Gross Rate fixed period/ options
M/T Stenaweco Energy	49,737	Stena Weco A/S	4+1+1 years	$16,500 / $17,350 / $18,100
M/T Stenaweco Evolution	49,760	Stena Weco A/S	4+1+1 years	$16,200 (first 3 years) and $16,350 (4th year) / $17,200 / $18,000

Name	Deadweight	Charterer	Charter Duration	Gross Rate fixed period/ options
M/T Eco Fleet	39,208	BP Shipping Limited	3+1+1 years	$15,200 / $16,000 / $16,750
M/T Eco Revolution	39,208	BP Shipping Limited	3+1+1 years	$15,200 / $16,000 / $16,750
M/T Stenaweco Excellence	49,737	Stena Weco A/S	3+1+1 years	$16,200 / $17,200 / $18,000

Name	Deadweight	Expected Delivery	Charterer	Charter Duration	Gross Rate fixed period/ options
Hull No S417 (tbn Nord Valiant)	50,000	Q3 2016	DS Norden A/S	5+1+1 years	$16,800 / $17,600 / $18,400

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus includes "forward-looking statements," as defined by U.S. federal securities laws, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Words such as, but not limited to, "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "targets," "projects," "likely," "will," "would," "could" and similar expressions or phrases may identify forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The occurrence of the events described, and the achievement of the expected results, depend on many events, some or all of which are not predictable or within our control. Actual results may differ materially from expected results.

The forward-looking statements in this prospectus are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these assumptions and matters discussed elsewhere herein, important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charterhire rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the shipping market, including the effect of changes in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in regulatory requirements affecting vessel operations, changes in Top Ships Inc.'s operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, changes in the price of our capital investments, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, political events, piracy or acts by terrorists, and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by us with the SEC.

See the section entitled "Risk Factors," beginning on page 5, for a more complete discussion of these risks and uncertainties and for other risks and uncertainties. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our results. Consequently, there can be no assurance that actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds if all the warrant holders, as of the date of this prospectus, exercise their Warrants will be approximately $13.1 million; however, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of potential Warrant exercises.  As such we have not allocated any proceeds of such exercises to any particular purpose. Accordingly, all such proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes and working capital. It is possible that some or all of the Warrants may expire and may never be exercised.

DIVIDEND POLICY

The declaration and payment of any future dividends shall remain subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and shall be based on general market and other conditions including our earnings, financial strength and cash requirements and availability, restrictions in our loan agreements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of distributions to shareholders and other factors.

Further, our ABN Senior Credit Facility and NORD/LB Bank Facility restrict us and our shipowning companies from paying dividends if such a payment would result in an event of default or in a breach of covenants under the loan agreement.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization at December 31, 2015:

The information set forth in the table gives effect to a one-for-ten reverse split of our common shares effective as of February 22, 2016.

(1) Our long term indebtedness (both current and non-current portions), is secured by mortgages on our owned ships and is guaranteed by us. The related party indebtedness is unsecured.

DILUTION

PRICE RANGE OF OUR COMMON SHARES

You should carefully review the high and low prices of our common shares in the tables for the months, quarters and years indicated under the heading Item 9. "The Offer and Listing" in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Our common shares currently trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "TOPS." All share prices have been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split of our common shares effected on February 22, 2016. The high and low market prices for our common stock for the periods indicated were as follows:

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Purpose

Our purpose is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or BCA. Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws, as amended, do not impose any limitations on the ownership rights of our shareholders.

Authorized Capitalization

Share History

The Amended and Restated 2005 Plan expired in April 2015.

Shareholder Meetings

Directors

Classified Board

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide for the division of our Board of Directors into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered, three-year terms. Approximately one-third of our Board of Directors will be elected each year. This classified board provision could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our shares or attempting to obtain control of our company. It could also delay shareholders who do not agree with the policies of the Board of Directors from removing a majority of the Board of Directors for two years.

Election and Removal

Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws require parties other than the Board of Directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that our directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote for those directors. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.

Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal and Payment

Shareholders' Derivative Actions

Under the BCA, any of our shareholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the shareholder bringing the action is a holder of common stock both at the time the derivative action is commenced and at the time of the transaction to which the action relates. On November 20, 2014, we amended our Amended and Restated By-Laws to provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any shareholders' derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company or the Company's shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the BCA, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the High Court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in all cases subject to the court's having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants.

Anti-takeover Provisions of our Charter Documents

Several provisions of our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of our Board of Directors to maximize shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these anti-takeover provisions, which are summarized below, could also discourage, delay or prevent (1) the merger or acquisition of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, that a shareholder may consider in its best interest and (2) the removal of incumbent officers and directors.

Business Combinations

Limited Actions by Shareholders

Blank Check Preferred Stock

Under the terms of our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, our Board of Directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock. Our Board of Directors may issue shares of preferred stock on terms calculated to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or the removal of our management.

Super-majority Required for Certain Amendments to Our By-Laws

On February 28, 2007, we amended our by-laws to require that amendments to certain provisions of our by-laws may be made when approved by a vote of not less than 66 2/3% of the entire Board of Directors. These provisions that require not less than 66 2/3% vote of the Board of Directors to be amended are provisions governing: the nature of business to be transacted at our annual meetings of shareholders, the calling of special meetings by our Board of Directors, any amendment to change the number of directors constituting our Board of Directors, the method by which our Board of Directors is elected, the nomination procedures of our Board of Directors, removal of our Board of Directors and the filling of vacancies on our Board of Directors.

Transfer Agent

The registrar and transfer agent for our common shares is Computershare Trust Company, Inc.

Listing

Our common shares traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "TOPS."

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following is a brief description of the Warrants issued in the Offering, which relate to the common shares being offered by this prospectus upon exercise of such Warrants. This summary does not purport to be complete in all respects. This description is subject to and qualified entirely by the terms of the form of the Warrant filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Exercisability

We issued 5,330,000 Warrants to investors on June 11, 2014, of which 5,273,820 Warrants are currently outstanding. Each Warrant currently entitles the holder to purchase 0.89 common shares. The Warrants are exercisable immediately and at any time up to the date that is five years from the date of issuance. The Warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and payment in full for the number of our common shares purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). Unless otherwise specified in the Warrant, the holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the Warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (subject to an increase or decrease by a holder to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% upon 61 days' prior written notice to us and any such increase or decrease will apply only to the holder sending such notice and not to any other holder of Warrants) of the number of common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Warrants.

Exercise Price

The current exercise price for each Warrant share is $2.80 and the number of our common shares purchasable by each Warrant is 0.89 common shares. The exercise price of each Warrant is subject to adjustments pursuant to the terms of the Warrant (see the section entitled "Anti-Dilution Provisions").

Cashless Exercise

In the event that common shares underlying the Warrants are no longer registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the holder may, in its sole discretion, exercise the Warrant in whole or in part and, in lieu of making cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, elect instead to receive upon such exercise the net number of common shares determined according to the formula set forth in the Warrant.

Transferability

Subject to applicable laws, the Warrants may be transferred at the option of the holders upon surrender of the Warrants to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

Anti-Dilution Provisions

The exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise are subject to adjustment in the event of sales of our common shares at a price per share less than the exercise price then in effect (or securities convertible or exercisable into common shares at a conversion or exercise price less than the exercise price then in effect). In addition, the exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise are also subject to adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common shares, and also upon any distributions of assets, including cash, stock or other property to our shareholders.

Fundamental Transaction

Upon the consummation of a Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Warrant), the holder of the Warrant will have the right to receive, upon exercise of the Warrant, the same amount and kind of securities, cash or property as it would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction if it had been, immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction, the holder of the number of shares then issuable upon exercise in full of the Warrant without regard to any limitations on exercise contained in the Warrant.

A "Fundamental Transaction" is defined under the Warrants as when (i) we or any of our subsidiaries shall directly or indirectly (1) consolidate or merge with or into any other entity other than a subsidiary of ours, or (2) sell, lease, license, other than for purposes of granting a security interest assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our respective properties or assets to any other person or entity, or (3) allow any other entity to make a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of our voting stock or (4) consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination with any other entity whereby such other person or entity acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of our voting stock or (5) (I) reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify our common stock, or (II) effect or consummate a stock combination, reverse stock split or other similar transaction involving our common shares or (III) make any public announcement or disclosure with respect to any stock combination, reverse stock split or other similar transaction involving our common shares or (ii) any "person" or "group" (as these terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) is or shall become the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by our issued and outstanding voting stock of ours; provided, however, that this clause (ii) shall not apply with respect to any person or group who is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of at least 50% of the aggregate voting power represented by our issued and outstanding voting stock as of the date of the issuance of the Warrant.

Rights as a Shareholder

Except as otherwise provided in the Warrants or by virtue of such holder's ownership of our common shares, the holder of a warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common shares, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the Warrant.

Currently, no public market exists for our Warrants. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the Warrants on any national securities exchange.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We will deliver shares of our common stock offered hereby upon exercise of the Warrants we issued on June 11, 2014. As of the date of this prospectus, the Warrants are exercisable for a total of up to 4,693,700 common shares, which can be adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Warrants, and no more of the Warrants will be issued. We will not issue fractional shares upon exercise of the Warrants. Each of the Warrants contains instructions for exercise. In order to exercise any of the Warrants, the holder must deliver to us or our transfer agent the information required in the Warrants, along with payment for the exercise price of the shares to be purchased. We will then deliver shares of our common stock in the manner described above in the section titled "Description of Warrants."

MARSHALL ISLANDS COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS

Our corporate affairs are governed by our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws, as further amended, and by the BCA. The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. While the BCA also provides that it is to be interpreted according to the laws of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the BCA in the Republic of The Marshall Islands and we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as courts in the United States. Thus, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a United States jurisdiction which has developed a substantial body of case law. The following table provides a comparison between the statutory provisions of the BCA and the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to shareholders' rights.

Marshall Islands		Delaware
Shareholder Meetings
Held at a time and place as designated in the bylaws.		May be held at such time or place as designated in the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, or if not so designated, as determined by the board of directors.
Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the articles of incorporation or by the bylaws.		Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws.
May be held within or without the Marshall Islands.		May be held within or without Delaware.
Notice:		Notice:
Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and, unless it is an annual meeting, indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting.		Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any.
A copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given personally or sent by mail not less than 15 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.		Written notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
Shareholders' Voting Rights
Any action required to be taken by a meeting of shareholders may be taken without meeting if consent is in writing and is signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote.		Any action required to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent for such action is in writing and is signed by shareholders having not fewer than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.		Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.

Marshall Islands		Delaware
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, a majority of shares entitled to vote constitutes a quorum. In no event shall a quorum consist of fewer than one-third of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting.		For stock corporations, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the number of shares required to constitute a quorum but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of shares entitled to vote at a meeting. In the absence of such specifications, a majority of shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum.
When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.		When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.
The articles of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.		The certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Directors
The board of directors must consist of at least one member.		The board of directors must consist of at least one member.
The number of board members may be changed by an amendment to the bylaws, by the shareholders, or by action of the board under the specific provisions of a bylaw.		The number of board members shall be fixed by, or in a manner provided by, the bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number shall be made only by an amendment to the certificate of incorporation.
If the board is authorized to change the number of directors, it can only do so by a majority of the entire board and so long as no decrease in the number shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.		If the number of directors is fixed by the certificate of incorporation, a change in the number shall be made only by an amendment of the certificate.

Marshall Islands		Delaware
Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal
Shareholders have a right to dissent from any plan of merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all assets not made in the usual course of business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares, subject to exceptions.  For example, the right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the fair value of his shares is not available if for the shares of any class or series of shares, which shares at the record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the meeting of shareholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (1) listed on a securities exchange or admitted for trading on an interdealer quotation system or (2) held of record by more than 2,000 holders.		Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a corporation in a merger or consolidation, subject to limited exceptions, such as a merger or consolidation of corporations listed on a national securities exchange in which listed stock is the offered consideration.
A holder of any adversely affected shares who does not vote on or consent in writing to an amendment to the articles of incorporation has the right to dissent and to receive payment for such shares if the amendment:
Alters or abolishes any preferential right of any outstanding shares having preference; or
Creates, alters, or abolishes any provision or right in respect to the redemption of any outstanding shares; or
Alters or abolishes any preemptive right of such holder to acquire shares or other securities; or
Excludes or limits the right of such holder to vote on any matter, except as such right may be limited by the voting rights given to new shares then being authorized of any existing or new class.

Marshall Islands		Delaware
Shareholder's Derivative Actions
An action may be brought in the right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by a holder of shares or of voting trust certificates or of a beneficial interest in such shares or certificates. It shall be made to appear that the plaintiff is such a holder at the time of bringing the action and that he was such a holder at the time of the transaction of which he complains, or that his shares or his interest therein devolved upon him by operation of law.		In any derivative suit instituted by a shareholder of a corporation, it shall be averred in the complaint that the plaintiff was a shareholder of the corporation at the time of the transaction of which he complains or that such shareholder's stock thereafter devolved upon such shareholder by operation of law.
A complaint shall set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to secure the initiation of such action by the board or the reasons for not making such effort.		Other requirements regarding derivative suits have been created by judicial decision, including that a shareholder may not bring a derivative suit unless he or she first demands that the corporation sue on its own behalf and that demand is refused (unless it is shown that such demand would have been futile).
Such action shall not be discontinued, compromised or settled, without the approval of the High Court of the Republic of The Marshall Islands.
Reasonable expenses including attorney's fees may be awarded if the action is successful.
A corporation may require a plaintiff bringing a derivative suit to give security for reasonable expenses if the plaintiff owns less than 5% of any class of stock and the shares have a value of less than $50,000.

 

TAXATION

The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to a U.S. Holder and a Non-U.S. Holder, each as defined below, with respect to the Warrants and the common shares. This discussion does not purport to deal with the tax consequences of owning Warrants or common shares to all categories of investors, some of which, such as financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, persons holding our common shares as part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, traders in securities that have elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, persons who are investors in partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, dealers in securities or currencies, U.S. Holders, as defined below, whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar and investors that own, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, 10% or more of our common shares, may be subject to special rules. This discussion deals only with holders who acquire our common shares in connection with this offering and hold the common shares as a capital asset. You are encouraged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences arising in your own particular situation under U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. law of the ownership of the Warrants or our common shares. The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax matters is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

Marshall Islands Tax Consequences

We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Under current Marshall Islands law, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains, and no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon payments of dividends by us to our shareholders or upon exercise, retirement, lapse, adjustment to exercise price, or other disposition of the Warrants.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders

Exercise of Warrants

Neither we nor a U.S. Holder of a Warrant will recognize gain or loss as a result of the U.S. Holder's receipt of our common stock upon exercise of a Warrant. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares received will be an amount equal to the sum of (i) the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Warrant exercised plus (ii) the amount of the exercise price for the Warrant. If the Warrants lapse without exercise, the U.S. Holder will recognize capital loss in the amount equal to the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Warrants. A U.S. Holder's holding period for common shares received upon exercise of a Warrant will commence on the date the Warrant is exercised.

Sale, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of Warrants

Upon the sale, retirement or other taxable disposition of a Warrant, the U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss to the extent of the difference between the sum of the cash and the fair market value of any property received in exchange therefor and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Warrant. Any such gain or loss recognized by a holder upon the sale, retirement or other taxable disposition of a Warrant will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Warrant has been held for more than one year.

Certain Adjustments to the Exercise Price

The exercise price of a Warrant is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. Certain adjustments to the exercise price of a Warrant may cause the U.S. Holder of the Warrant to receive a constructive or deemed distribution under Section 304 of the Code. For example, if an adjustment increases a proportionate interest of a U.S. Holder of a Warrant in the fully diluted common stock without proportionate adjustments to the holders of our common stock, the U.S. Holder of the Warrants may be treated as having received a constructive distribution, which may be taxable to the U.S. Holder as a dividend. A U.S. Holder of a Warrant should consult its tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax implications of adjustments to the exercise price. For a general discussion of U.S. federal income tax treatment of distributions made by us, see the section titled "Item 10.—Additional Information—E. Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S Holders" incorporated by reference here from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on April 26, 2016.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of our Common Shares

For a discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations relating to holding our shares, see the section titled "Item 10.—Additional Information—E. Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders" incorporated by reference here from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on April 26, 2016.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Taxation of "Non-U.S. Holders"

Exercise or Lapse of Warrants

A Non-U.S. Holder will not recognize any gain or loss on the exercise or lapse of the Warrants.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of our Common Shares

For a discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations relating to holding our shares, see the section titled "Item 10.—Additional Information—E. Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders" incorporated by reference here from our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on April 26, 2016.

OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The following table sets forth an itemization of all estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities to be registered:

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon by Seward & Kissel LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from Top Ships Inc.'s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015, have been audited by Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The offices of Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A. are located at Fragoklissias 3a & Granikou Str., 15125 Maroussi, Athens, Greece.

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

Top Ships Inc. is a Marshall Islands company and our executive offices are located outside of the U.S. in Maroussi, Greece. A majority of our directors, officers and the experts named in the prospectus reside outside the U.S. In addition, a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of our directors, officers and experts are located outside of the U.S. As a result, you may have difficulty serving legal process within the U.S. upon us or any of these persons. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside the U.S., judgments you may obtain in U.S. courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal or state securities laws.

Furthermore, there is substantial doubt that the courts of the Marshall Islands or Greece would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on U.S. federal or state securities laws.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, with respect to the securities offered hereby. For the purposes of this section, the term registration statement means the original registration statement and any and all amendments including the schedules and exhibits to the original registration statement or any amendment. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement we filed. Each statement made in this prospectus concerning a document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement is qualified by reference to that exhibit for a complete statement of its provisions. The registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1 (800) SEC-0330, and you may obtain copies at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at its principal office in Washington, D.C. 20549. The SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC.

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this Prospectus information in other documents that we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this Prospectus.  We incorporate by reference in this Prospectus the documents listed below which have been filed with the SEC:

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

TOP Ships Inc.

1 Vas. Sofias and Meg. Alexandrou Str,

15124 Maroussi, Greece

011 30 210 8128180 (telephone number)

These reports may also be obtained on our website at www.topships.org. None of the information on our website is a part of this prospectus.

Information provided by the Company

We will furnish holders of our common shares with annual reports containing audited financial statements and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm. The audited financial statements will be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As a "foreign private issuer," we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders. While we furnish proxy statements to shareholders in accordance with the rules of any stock exchange on which our common shares may be listed in the future, those proxy statements do not conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act. In addition, as a "foreign private issuer," our officers and directors are exempt from the rules under the Securities Exchange Act relating to short swing profit reporting and liability.

Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Up to 4,693,700 Common Shares Issuable Upon Exercise of Outstanding Warrants

 

 

August 10, 2016