2. Significant Accounting Policies

(a)Principles of consolidation:  The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and its wholly‑owned subsidiaries. Income and expenses of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the period are included in the consolidated statements of operations from the effective date of acquisition and up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

(b)Use of estimates:  The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(c)Other comprehensive income/(loss):  We follow the accounting guidance relating to comprehensive income, which requires separate presentation of certain transactions that are recorded directly as components of shareholders’ equity. We have no other comprehensive income/(loss) items and, accordingly, comprehensive income/(loss) equals net income/(loss) for the periods presented and thus we have not presented this in the consolidated statement of operations or in a separate statement.

(d)Foreign currency translation:  Our functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. Foreign currency transactions are measured and recorded in the functional currency using the exchange rate in effect at the date of the transaction. As of balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are adjusted to reflect the exchange rate at the balance sheet date and any gains or losses are included in the statement of operations. For the periods presented, we had no foreign currency derivative instruments.

(e)Cash and cash equivalents:  We consider highly liquid investments such as time deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

(f)Trade receivables, net and accrued revenues:  Trade receivables, net and accrued revenues, reflect receivables from vessel charters, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. Provision for doubtful accounts for the periods presented was zero.

(g)Due from related parties:  Due from related parties reflect receivables from the Helios Pool and other related parties. Distributions of earnings due from the Helios Pool are classified as current and working capital contributed to the Helios Pool is classified as non-current.

(h)Inventories:  Inventories consist of bunkers on board the vessels when vessels are unemployed or are operating under voyage charters and lubricants and stores on board the vessels. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first in, first out method.

(i)Vessels, net:  Vessels, net are stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation and impairment charges. The costs of the vessels acquired as part of a business acquisition are recorded at their fair value on the date of acquisition. The cost of vessels purchased consists of the contract price, less discounts, plus any direct expenses incurred upon acquisition, including improvements, commission paid, delivery expenses and other expenditures to prepare the vessel for her initial voyage. The initial purchase of LPG coolant for the refrigeration of cargo is also capitalized. Allocated interest costs incurred during construction are capitalized. Subsequent expenditures for conversions and major improvements are also capitalized when they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

(j)Impairment of long‑lived assets:  We review our vessels “held and used” for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. When the estimate of future undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of the asset is less than its carrying amount, the asset is evaluated for an impairment loss. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset.

(k)Vessel depreciation:  Depreciation is computed using the straight‑line method over the estimated useful life of the vessels, after considering the estimated salvage value. Each vessel’s salvage value is equal to the product of its lightweight tonnage and estimated scrap rate. Management estimates the useful life of its vessels to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Second hand vessels are depreciated from the date of their acquisition through their remaining estimated useful life.

(l)Drydocking and special survey costs:  Drydocking and special survey costs are accounted under the deferral method whereby the actual costs incurred are deferred and are amortized on a straight‑line basis over the period through the date the next survey is scheduled to become due. We are required to drydock each of our vessels every five years until it reaches 15 years of age, after which we are required to drydock the applicable vessel every 2.5 years. Costs deferred are limited to actual costs incurred at the yard and parts used in the drydocking or special survey. Costs deferred include expenditures incurred relating to shipyard costs, hull preparation and painting, inspection of hull structure and mechanical components, steelworks, machinery works, and electrical works. If a survey is performed prior to the scheduled date, the remaining unamortized balances are immediately written off. Unamortized balances of vessels that are sold are written‑off and included in the calculation of the resulting gain or loss in the period of the vessel’s sale. The amortization charge is presented within Depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statement of operations.

(m)Financing costs:  Financing costs incurred for obtaining new loans and credit facilities are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the respective term of the loan or credit facility using the effective interest rate method. Any unamortized balance of costs relating to loans repaid or refinanced is expensed in the period the repayment or refinancing is made, subject to the accounting guidance regarding Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments. Any unamortized balance of costs related to credit facilities repaid is expensed in the period. Any unamortized balance of costs relating to credit facilities refinanced are deferred and amortized over the term of the respective credit facility in the period the refinancing occurs, subject to the provisions of the accounting guidance relating to Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments. The unamortized financing costs are reflected as a reduction of Long-term debt—net of current portion and deferred financing fees in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

(n)Restricted cash:  Restricted cash represents minimum liquidity to be maintained with certain banks under our borrowing arrangements and pledged cash deposits. The restricted cash is classified as non-current in the event that its obligation is not expected to be terminated within the next twelve months as they are long-term in nature.

(o)Revenues and expenses:  Revenue is recognized when an agreement exists, the vessel is made available to the charterer or services are provided, the charter hire is determinable and collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured.

Net pool revenue: As from April 1, 2015, we began operation of a pool. Net pool revenues—related party for each vessel in the pool is determined in accordance with the profit-sharing terms specified within the pool agreement. In particular, the pool manager calculates the net pool revenues using gross revenues less voyage expenses of all the pool vessels and less the general and administrative expenses of the pool and distributes the net pool revenues as time charter hire to participants based on:

We recognize net pool revenues—related party on a monthly basis, when the vessel has participated in the pool during the period and the amount of net pool revenues for the month can be estimated reliably. 

Voyage charter revenue:    Under a voyage charter, the revenues are recognized on a pro‑rata basis over the duration of the voyage determined on a discharge—to discharge port basis but we do not begin recognizing revenue until a charter has been agreed to by the customer and us, even if the vessel has discharged its cargo and is sailing to the anticipated load port for its next voyage. In the event a vessel is acquired or sold while a voyage is in progress, the revenue recognized is based on an allocation formula agreed between the buyer and the seller. Demurrage income represents payments by the charterer to the vessel owner when loading or discharging time exceeds the stipulated time in the voyage charter and is recognized when earned and collection is reasonably assured. Despatch expense represents payments by us to the charterer when loading or discharging time is less than the stipulated time in the voyage charter and is recognized as incurred. Voyage charter revenue relating to voyages in progress as of the balance sheet date are accrued and presented in Trade receivables and accrued revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Time charter revenue:    Time charter revenues are recorded ratably over the term of the charter as service is provided. Time charter revenues received in advance of the provision of charter service are recorded as deferred income and recognized when the charter service is rendered. Deferred income or accrued revenue also may result from straight‑line revenue recognition in respect of charter agreements that provide for varying charter rates. Deferred income and accrued revenue amounts that will be recognized within the next twelve months are presented as current, with amounts to be recognized thereafter presented as non‑current. Revenues earned through the profit-sharing arrangements in the time charters represent contingent rental revenues that are recognized when earned and amounts are reasonably assured based on estimates provided by the charterer.

Commissions:    Charter hire commissions to brokers or managers, if any, are deferred and amortized over the related charter period and are included in Voyage expenses.

Vessel operating expenses:  Vessel operating expenses are accounted for as incurred on the accrual basis. Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the cost of spares and consumable stores and other miscellaneous expenses.

(p)Repairs and maintenance:  All repair and maintenance expenses, including underwater inspection costs are expensed in the period incurred. Such costs are included in Vessel operating expenses.

(q)Stock-based compensation: Stock-based payments to employees and directors are determined based on their grant date fair values and are amortized against income over the vesting period. The fair value is considered to be the closing price recorded on the grant date. We account for restricted stock award forfeitures upon occurrence.

(r)Stock repurchases:  We record the repurchase of our shares of common stock at cost based on the settlement date of the transaction. These shares are classified as treasury stock, which is a reduction to shareholders’ equity. Treasury shares are included in authorized and issued shares but excluded from outstanding shares.

(s)Segment reporting:  Each of our vessels serve the same type of customer, have similar operations and maintenance requirements, operate in the same regulatory environment, and are subject to similar economic characteristics. Based on this, we have determined that it operates in one reportable segment, the international transportation of liquid petroleum gas with its fleet of vessels. Furthermore, when we charter a vessel to a charterer, the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide and, as a result, the disclosure of geographic information is impracticable.

(t)Derivative instruments:  All derivatives are stated at their fair value, as either a derivative asset or a liability. The fair value of the interest rate derivatives is based on a discounted cash flow analysis and their fair value changes are recognized in current period earnings. When the derivatives do qualify for hedge accounting, depending upon the nature of the hedge, changes in fair value of the derivatives are either recognized in current period earnings or in other comprehensive income/(loss) (effective portion) until the hedged item is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. For the periods presented, no derivatives were accounted for as accounting hedges.

(u)Fair value of financial instruments:  In accordance with the requirements of accounting guidance relating to Fair Value Measurements, the Company classifies and discloses its assets and liabilities carried at fair value in one of the following three categories:

(v)Recent accounting pronouncements:  In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued accounting guidance to require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The implementation of this guidance is anticipated to result in restricted cash transfers not reported as cash flow activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows, and, upon adoption, is not anticipated to have an impact on our consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations.

In August 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance addressing specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not believe that the impact of the adoption of this amended guidance will have a material effect on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance to simplify the requirements of accounting for share-based payment transactions. The guidance simplifies the accounting for taxes related to stock-based compensation, including adjustments to how excess tax benefits and an entity’s payments for tax withholdings should be classified. Additionally, an entity may make an entity-wide policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures when they occur. The pronouncement is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within that reporting period with early adoption permitted in any interim or annual period. We have adopted this pronouncement and have made the entity-wide policy election to account for forfeitures when they occur. The amended guidance had no significant impact on our financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2017.

In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance to update the requirements of financial accounting and reporting for lessees and lessors. The updated guidance, for lease terms of more than 12 months, will require a dual approach for lessee accounting under which a lessee would account for leases as finance leases or operating leases. Both finance leases and operating leases will result in the lessee recognizing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. For finance leases, the lessee would recognize interest expense and amortization of the right-of-use asset, and for operating leases, the lessee would recognize a straight-line total lease expense. Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged. The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. The pronouncement is effective prospectively for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. We are currently assessing the impact the amended guidance will have on our financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance requiring entities to measure most inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The pronouncement is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within that reporting period. We do not believe that the impact of the adoption of this amended guidance will have a material effect on our financial statements.

In April 2015, an accounting pronouncement was issued by the FASB to update the guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs, which we adopted in April 2016. This guidance requires debt issuance costs, related to a recognized debt liability, be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability rather than being presented as an asset. The reclassification does not impact net income/(loss) as previously reported or any prior amounts reported on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, or the consolidated statements of cash flows. The effect of the retrospective application of this change in accounting principle on our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 resulted in a reduction of “Deferred charges, net” and “Total assets” in the amount of $20.1 million and $23.7 million, respectively, with a corresponding reduction of “Long-term debt—net of current portion” and “Total long-term liabilities.”

In May 2014, the FASB amended its accounting guidance for revenue recognition. The fundamental principles of the new guidance are that companies should recognize revenue in a manner that reflects the timing of the transfer of services to customers and consideration that a company expects to receive for the services provided. It also requires additional disclosures necessary for the financial statement users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date by one year for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within that reporting period and permit early adoption of the standard, but not before the beginning of 2017. We are currently assessing the impact the amended guidance will have on our financial statements.