UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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(Contact information for company contact person)

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Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.    

79,626,81979,360,719 Common Units

5,000,000 Series A Preferred Units

6,800,000 Series B Preferred Units

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

PART I

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this prospectus to “Teekay LNG Partners,” “we,” “us” and “our” and similar terms refer to Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, except that those terms, when used in this Annual Report in connection with the common or preferred units described herein, shall mean specifically Teekay LNG Partners L.P. References in this Annual Report to “Teekay Corporation” refer to Teekay Corporation and/or any one or more of its subsidiaries.

In addition to historical information, this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events and our operations, objectives, expectations, performance, financial condition and intentions. When used in this Annual Report, the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report include, in particular, statements regarding:

 

We do not intend to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any change in our expectations or events or circumstances that may subsequently arise. You should carefully review and consider the various disclosures included in this Annual Report and in our other filings made with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business prospects and results of operations.

Set forth below is selected consolidated financial and other data of Teekay LNG Partners and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years 20132014 through 2017,2018, which have been derived from our consolidated financial statements. The following table should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, (a) “Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” included herein, and (b) the historical consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm therein (which are included herein), with respect to the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 2016 and 2015.2016.

RISK FACTORS

Some of the following risks relate principally to the industry in which we operate and to our business in general. Other risks relate principally to the securities market and to ownership of our common or preferred units. The occurrence of any of the events described in this section could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to pay distributions on, and the trading price of, our common and preferred units.

We may not have sufficient cash from operations to enable us to pay distributions on our common and preferred units.

The amount of cash we can distribute on our common and preferred units principally depends upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations, which may fluctuate based on, among other things:

The actual amount of cash we will have available for distribution also will depend on factors such as:

The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our profit or loss for the period, which will be affected by non-cash items. As a result of this and the other factors mentioned above, we may make cash distributions during periods when we record losses and may not make cash distributions during periods when we record net income.

Our ability to grow may be adversely affected by our cash distribution policy.

Our cash distribution policy, which is consistent with our partnership agreement, requires us to distribute each quarter all of our Available Cash (as defined in our partnership agreement, which takes into account cash reserves for, among other things, future capital expenditures and credit needs). Accordingly, our growth may not be as fast as businesses that reinvest their Available Cash to expand ongoing operations.

In determining the amount of cash available for distribution, the boardBoard of directorsDirectors of our General Partner, in makingwhich makes the determination on our behalf, approves the amount of cash reserves to set aside, including reserves for future maintenance capital expenditures, anticipated future credit needs, working capital and other matters. We also rely upon external financing sources, including commercial borrowings and proceeds from debt and equity offerings, to fund our capital expenditures. Accordingly, to the extent we do not have sufficient cash reserves or are unable to obtain financing, our cash distribution policy may significantly impair our ability to meet our financial needs or to grow.

GlobalAlthough global crude oil prices have significantly declinedexperienced moderate recovery since mid-2014.falling from the highs reached in mid-2014, prices have not returned to those same highs. The significant decline in oil prices has also contributed to depressed natural gas prices. Lower oil prices may negatively affect both the competitiveness of natural gas as a fuel for power generation and the market price of natural gas, to the extent that natural gas prices are benchmarked to the price of crude oil. These declines in energy prices, combined with other factors beyond our control, have adversely affected energy and master limited partnership capital markets and available sources of financing for our capital expenditures and debt repayment obligations. As a result, effective forOn November 13, 2018, our General Partner announced that quarterly common unit distributions would increase by

36 percent to $0.19 per unit, commencing with the quarterly distribution for the fourthfirst quarter of 2015, we reduced2019 distribution to be paid in May 2019 as part of a balanced capital allocation strategy, however, our quarterly cash distributions per common unitdistribution policy is subject to $0.14 from $0.70,certain restrictions and our near-term business strategy is primarily to focus on funding and implementing existing growth projects and repaying or refinancing scheduled debt obligations with cash flows from operations rather than pursuing additional growth projects. It is uncertain when, if at all,may be changed by the boardBoard of directorsDirectors of our General Partner may increase quarterly cash distributions on our common units.Partner.

Our ability to repay or refinance our debt obligations and to fund our capital expenditures will depend on certain financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. To the extent we are ableunable to finance these obligations and expenditures with cash from operations or by issuing debt or equity securities, our ability to make cash distributions may be diminished or our financial leverage may increase, or our unitholders may be diluted. Our business may be adversely affected if we need to access other sources of funding.

To fund our existing and future debt obligations and capital expenditures, including our LNG and LPG carrier newbuildings, we will be required to use cash from operations, incur borrowings, and/or seek to access other financing sources. Our access to potential funding sources and our future financial and operating performance will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If we are unable to access additional bank financing and generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt, capital expenditure and other business requirements, we may be forced to take actions such as:

Such measures might not be successful, available on acceptable terms or enable us to meet our debt, capital expenditure and other obligations. Some of such measures may adversely affect our business and reputation. In addition, our financing agreements may restrict our ability to implement some of these measures.

Use of cash from operations and possible future sale of certain assets will reduce cash available for distribution to unitholders. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering as well as by adverse market conditions. Even if we are successful in obtaining necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders or operate our business as currently conducted. In addition, incurring additional debt may significantly increase our interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional equity securities may result in significant unitholder dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required to maintain our quarterly distributions to unitholders.

We have limited current liquidity.

We must make substantial capital expenditures to maintain, over the long term, the operating capacity of our fleet. These maintenance capital expenditures include capital expenditures associated with dry docking a vessel, modifying an existing vessel or acquiring a new vessel to the extent these expenditures are incurred to maintain the operating capacity of our fleet. These expenditures could increase as a result of changes in:

In addition, our actual maintenance capital expenditures vary significantly from quarter to quarterquarter-to-quarter based on, among other things, the number of vessels dry docked during that quarter. Certain repair and maintenance items are more efficient to complete while a vessel is in dry dock. Consequently, maintenance capital expenditures will typically increase in periods when there is an increase in the number of vessels dry docked. Our significant maintenance capital expenditures reduce the amount of cash we have available for distribution to our unitholders.

Our partnership agreement requires our General Partner to deduct estimated, rather than actual, maintenance capital expenditures from operating surplus (as defined in our partnership agreement) each quarter in an effort to reduce fluctuations in operating surplus. The amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by the conflicts committee of our General Partner’s boardBoard of directorsDirectors at least once a year. In years when estimated maintenance capital expenditures are higher than actual maintenance capital expenditures – as we expect will be the case in the years we are not required to make expenditures for mandatory dry dockings – the amount of cash available for distribution to unitholders will be lower than if actual maintenance capital expenditures were

deducted from operating surplus. If our General Partner underestimates the appropriate level of estimated maintenance capital expenditures, we may have less cash available for distribution in future periods when actual capital expenditures begin to exceed our previous estimates.

We will be required to make substantial capital expenditures to expand the size of our fleet or gas business and generally are required to make significant installment payments for acquisitions of newbuilding vessels or for construction of receiving and regasification terminals prior to their delivery or completion and generation of revenue.

Our substantial capital expenditures may reduce our cash available for our two remaining unfinanced newbuildings during 2018, there is no assurance that we will do so.

We and Teekay Corporation regularly evaluate and pursue opportunities to provide the marine transportation requirements for new or expanding LNG and LPG projects. The award process relating to LNG transportation opportunities typically involves various stages and takes several months to complete. Neither we nor Teekay Corporation may be awarded charters relating to any of the projects we or it pursues. If any LNG project charters are awarded to Teekay Corporation, it must offer them to us pursuant to the terms of an omnibus agreement entered into in connection with our initial public offering. If we elect pursuant to the omnibus agreement to obtain Teekay Corporation’s interests in any projects

To fund the remaining portion of existing or future capital expenditures, we will be required to use cash from operations or incur borrowings or raise capital through the sale of debt or additional equity securities. Use of cash from operations will reduce cash available for distributions to unitholders. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our failure to obtain the funds for future capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our ability to make cash distributions. Even if we are successful in obtaining necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders. In addition, incurring additional debt may significantly increase our interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional equity securities may result in significant unitholder dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required to maintain our current level of quarterly distributions to unitholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to make cash distributions.

Our substantial debt levels may limit our flexibility in obtaining additional financing, refinancing credit facilities upon maturity, pursuing other business opportunities and paying distributions.

As at December 31, 2017,2018, our consolidated debt, obligations related to capital leases and advances from affiliates totaled $2.8$3.3 billion and we had the capacity to borrow an additional $189.4$175.6 million under our revolving credit facilities. These facilities may be used by us for general partnership purposes. If we obtain debt financing for existing newbuilding orders or we are awarded contracts for new LNG or LPG projects, our consolidated debt and obligations related to capital leases will increase, perhaps significantly. We will continue to have the ability to incur additional debt, subject to limitations in our credit facilities. Our level of debt could have important consequences to us, including the following:

Our ability to service our debt and obligations related to capital leases depends upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which is affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. If our operating results are not sufficient to service our current or future indebtedness or obligations related to capital leases, we will be forced to take actions such as further reducing distributions, reducing, cancellingcanceling or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, seeking to restructure or refinance our debt, seeking additional debt or equity capital or seeking bankruptcy protection. We may not be able to effect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms, or at all.

Financing agreements containing operating and financial restrictions may restrict our business and financing activities.

The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our financing arrangements and any future financing agreements for us could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage,pursue and expand or pursue our business activities. For example, thethese financing arrangements may restrict our ability to:

Some of our financing arrangements require us to maintain a minimum level of tangible net worth, to maintain certain ratios of vessel values as it relates to the relevant outstanding principal balance, to maintain a minimum level of aggregate liquidity, to maintain leverage below a maximum level of leverage and require certain of our subsidiaries to maintain restricted cash deposits. Please read "Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects: Credit Facilities".Facilities." Our ability to comply with covenants and restrictions contained in debt instruments may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, compliance with these covenants may be impaired. If restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in the financing agreements are breached, a significant portion or all of the obligations may become immediately due and payable, and the lenders’ commitment to make further loans may terminate. This could lead to cross-defaults under other financing agreements and result in obligations becoming due and commitments being terminated under such agreements. We might not have or be able to obtain sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, our obligationsA default under our existing credit facilities are secured by certainfinancing agreements could also result in foreclosure on any of our vessels and if we are unableother assets securing related loans.

Furthermore, the termination of any of our charter contracts by our customers could result in the repayment of the debt facilities to repay debt underwhich the credit facilities, the lenders could seek to foreclose on those assets.chartered vessels relate.

Restrictions in our debt agreements may prevent us from paying distributions.

The payment of principal and interest on our debt and obligations related to capital leases reduces cash available for distribution on our units. In addition, our financing agreements prohibit the payment of distributions upon the occurrence of the following events, among others:

We derive a substantial majority of our revenues from a limited number of customers, and the loss of any customer, charter or vessel, or any adjustment to our charter contracts could result in a significant loss of revenues and cash flow.

We have derived, and believe that we will continue to derive, a significant portion of our revenues and cash flow from a limited number of customers. Please read “Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 4 – Segment Reporting.”

We could lose a customer or the benefits of a time-charter if:

If we lose a key LNG time-charter, we may be unable to redeploy the related vessel on terms as favorable to us due to the long-term nature of most LNG time-charters and the lack of an established LNG spot market. If we are unable to redeploy a LNG carrier, we will not receive any revenues from that vessel, but we may be required to pay expenses necessary to maintain the vessel in proper operating condition. In addition, if a customer exercises its right to purchase a vessel, we would not receive any further revenue from the vessel and may be unable to obtain a substitute vessel and charter. This may cause us to receive decreased revenue and cash flows from having fewer vessels operating in our fleet. Any compensation under our charters for a purchase of the vessels may not adequately compensate us for the loss of the vessel and related time-charter.

If we lose a key conventional tanker customer, we may be unable to obtain other long-term conventional charters and may become subject to the volatile spot market, which is highly competitive and subject to significant price fluctuations. If a customer exercises its right under some charters to purchase or force a sale of the vessel, we may be unable to acquire an adequate replacement vessel or may be forced to construct a new vessel. Any replacement newbuilding would not generate revenues during its construction and we may be unable to charter any replacement vessel on terms as favorable to us as those of the terminated charter.

The loss of certain of our customers, time-charters or vessels, or a decline in payments under our charters, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to unitholders.

We depend on Teekay Corporation and certain of our joint venture partners to assist us in operating our business and competing in our markets.

Pursuant to certain services agreements between us and certain of our operating subsidiaries, on the one hand, and certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation and certain of our joint venture partners, on the other hand, the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries and certain of our joint venture partners provide to us various services including, in the case of operating subsidiaries, substantially all of their managerial, operational and administrative services (including vessel maintenance, crewing for some of our vessels, purchasing, shipyard supervision, insurance and financial services) and other technical and advisory services, and in the case of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., various administrative services. Our operational success and ability to execute our growth strategy depend significantly upon Teekay Corporation’s and certain of our joint venture partners’ satisfactory performance of these services. Our business will be harmed if Teekay Corporation or certain of our joint venture partners fail to perform these services satisfactorily or if Teekay Corporation or certain of our joint venture partners stop providing these services to us.

Our ability to compete for the transportation requirements of certain LNG and oilLPG projects, and to enter into new time-charterscharter contracts, secure financings and expand our customer relationships depends largelyin part on our ability to leverage our relationshiprelationships with Teekay Corporation, and its reputation and relationships in the shipping industry. Our ability to compete for the transportation requirement of LPG projects and to enter into new charters and expand our customer relationships depends largely on our ability to leverage our relationship with one of our joint venture partners and itstheir respective reputation and relationships in the shipping industry. If Teekay Corporation or certain of our joint venture partners suffer material damage to itstheir reputation or relationships it may harm our ability to:

If our ability to do any of the things described above is impaired, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to unitholders.

Our operating subsidiaries may also contract with certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation and certain of our joint venture partners to have newbuildings constructed on behalf of our operating subsidiaries and to incur the construction-related financing. Our operating subsidiaries would purchase the vessels on or after delivery based on an agreed-upon price. None of our operating subsidiaries currently has this type of arrangement with Teekay Corporation or any of its affiliates or any joint venture partners.

Significant declines in natural gas and oil prices may adversely affect our growth prospects and results of operations.

GlobalAlthough global crude oil and gas prices have significantly declinedexperienced moderate recovery since mid-2014. The significantthe highs of mid-2014, prices have not returned to those same highs and remain volatile due to global and regional geopolitical, economic and strategic risks and changes. A further decline in oil prices has also contributed to depressed natural gas prices. Significant declines in natural gas or oil prices may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions, as a result of, among other things:

Our growth depends on continued growth in demand for LNG and LPG shipping.

Our growth strategy focuses on expansion in the LNG and LPG shipping sectors. Accordingly, our growth depends on continued growth in world and regional demand for LNG and LPG and marine transportation of LNG and LPG, as well as the supply of LNG and LPG. Demand for LNG and LPG and for the marine transportation of LNG and LPG could be negatively affected by a number of factors, such as:

Reduced demand for LNG and LPG shipping would have a material adverse effect on our future growth and could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Changes in the oil markets could result in decreased demand for our conventional vessels and services in the future.

Future adverse economic conditions, including disruptions in the global credit markets, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Economic downturns and financial crises in the global markets could produce illiquidity in the capital markets, market volatility, increased exposure to interest rate and credit risks and reduced access to capital markets. If global financial markets and economic conditions significantly

Future adverse economic conditions or other developments may affect our customers’ ability to charter our vessels and pay for our services and may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Future adverse economic conditions or other developments relating directly to our customers may lead to a decline in our customers’ operations or ability to pay for our services, which could result in decreased demand for our vessels and services. Our customers’ inability to pay for any reason could also result in their default on our current contracts and charters. The decline in the amount of services requested by our customers or their default on our contracts with them could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Growth of the LNG market may be limited by infrastructure constraints and community environmental group resistance to new LNG infrastructure over concerns about the environment, safety and terrorism.

A complete LNG project includes production, liquefaction, regasification, storage and distribution facilities and LNG carriers. Existing LNG projects and infrastructure are limited, and new or expanded LNG projects are highly complex and capital-intensive, with new projects often costing several billion dollars. Many factors could negatively affect continued development of LNG infrastructure or disrupt the supply of LNG, including:

If the LNG supply chain is disrupted or does not continue to grow, or if a significant LNG explosion, spill or similar incident occurs, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to unitholders.

Our growth depends on our ability to expand relationships with existing customers and obtain new customers, for which we will face substantial competition.

One of our principal objectives is to enter into additional long-term, fixed-rate LNG LPG and oilLPG charters. The process of obtaining new long-term charters is highly competitive and generally involves an intensive screening process and competitive bids, and often extends for several months. Shipping contracts are awarded based upon a variety of factors relating to the vessel operator, including:

We compete for providing marine transportation services for potential energy projects with a number of experienced companies, including state-sponsored entities and major energy companies affiliated with the energy project requiring energy shipping services. Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we do or Teekay Corporation does. We anticipate that an increasing number of marine transportation companies – including many with strong reputations and extensive resources and experience – will enter the energy transportation sector. This increased competition may cause greater price competition for time-charters. As a result of these factors, we may be unable to expand our relationships with existing customers or to obtain new customers on a profitable basis, if at all, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to unitholders.

Delays in deliveries of newbuildings, or in conversions or upgrades of existing vessels, or construction of LNG receiving and regasification terminals could harm our operating results and lead to the termination of related contracts.

Our receipt of newbuildings or of vessel conversions or upgrades, or completion of the construction of LNG receiving and regasification terminals could be delayed because of:

If delivery of a vessel or the completion of an LNG receiving and regasification terminal is materially delayed, it could adversely affect our results or operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to unitholders.

We may be unable to charter or recharter vessels at attractive rates, which may lead to reduced revenues and profitability.

We may have more difficulty entering into long-term, fixed-rate LNG time-charters if the active short-term, medium-term or spot LNG shipping markets continue to develop.

LNG shipping historically has been transacted with long-term, fixed-rate time-charters, usually with terms ranging from 20 to 25 years. One of our principal strategies is to enter into additional long-term, fixed-rate LNG time-charters. In recent years, the amount of LNG traded on a

spot and short-term basis (defined as contracts with a duration of 4 years or less) has been increasing. In 2016,2018, spot and short-term trades accounted for approximately 28%30% of global LNG trade.

If the active spot, short-term or medium-term markets continue to develop, we may have increased difficulty entering into long-term, fixed-rate time-charters for our LNG carriers and, as a result, our cash flow may decrease and be less stable. In addition, an active short-term, medium-term or spot LNG market may require us to enter into charters based on changing market prices, as opposed to contracts based on a fixed rate, which could result in a decrease in our cash flow in periods when the market price for shipping LNG is depressed.

Over time, vessel valuesthe value of our vessels may fluctuate substantially,decline, which could adversely affect our operating results.

Vessel values for LNG and LPG carriers and conventional tankers can fluctuate substantially over time due to a number of different factors, including:

Vessel values may decline from existing levels. If the operation of a vessel is not profitable, or if we cannot re-deployredeploy a chartered vessel at attractive rates upon charter termination, of its contract, rather than continue to incur costs to maintain and finance the vessel, we may seek to dispose of it. Our inability to dispose of the vessel at a reasonablefair market value or the disposal of the vessel at a fair market value that is lower than its book value could result in a loss on its sale and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Further, if we determine at any time that a vessel’s future useful life and earnings require us to impair its value on our financial statements, we may need to recognize a significant charge against our earnings.

We have recognized vessel and goodwill write-downs in the past and we may recognize additional write-downs in the future, which will reduce our earnings and net assets.

If we determine at any time that a vessel’s value or goodwill has been impaired, we may need to recognize an impairment charge that will reduce our earnings and net assets. We review our vessels for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable, which occurs when the assets’an asset's carrying value is greater than the estimated undiscounted future cash flows the asset is expected to generate over its remaining useful life. We review our goodwill for impairment annually and if a reporting unit's goodwill carrying value is greater than the estimated fair value, the goodwill attributable to that reporting unit is impaired.

A reduction in our net assets could result in a breach of certain financial covenants contained in our credit agreements, which could limit our ability to borrow additional funds under our credit facilities or require us to repay outstanding amounts. This could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition, ability to raise capital or ability to pay distributions.

For the write-downs that occurred during 2017,2018, please read "Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -– Year Ended December 31, 20172018 versus Year Ended December 31, 2016" and2017", "Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 188 – Intangible Assets and Goodwill" and "Note 19 – Write-Down and Loss on Sales of Vessels."

Increased technological innovation in vessel design or equipment could reduce our charter hire rates and the value of our vessels.

The charter hire rates and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors, including the vessel’s efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Efficiency includes speed, fuel economy and the ability for LNG or LPG to be loaded and unloaded quickly. More efficient vessel designs, engines or other features may increase overall vessel efficiency. Flexibility includes the ability to access LNG and LPG storage facilities, utilize related docking facilities and pass through canals and straits. Physical life is related to the original design and construction, maintenance and the impact of the stress of operations. If new LNG or LPG carriers are built that are more efficient or flexible or have longer physical lives than our vessels, competition from these more technologically advanced LNG or LPG carriers could reduce recharter rates available to our vessels and the resale value of the vessels. As a result, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed.

WeActual results of new technologies or technologies upgrades may be unable to perform as per specifications ondiffer from expected results and affect our MEGI engine designs and other equipment.results of operations.

We have invested and are investing in technology upgrades such as MEGI twin engines and other equipment and designs for certain LNG carrier newbuildings.newbuildings, including, among other things, to improve fuel efficiency and vessel performance. These new engine designs and other equipment may not perform to expectations, which may result in performance issues or claims based on failure to achieve specification included in charter party agreements. Actual fuel consumption for our MEGI LNG carriers exceeds specified levels in certain charter party agreements, which may result in reimbursement by us to the charterer for the cost of the excess fuel consumed. The amount of the reimbursements generally will increase to the extent fuel prices increase, including as a result of the IMO 2020 regulations that will take effect

We are modifying onehave contracted the construction of our LNG carrier newbuildings into a FSU to service aan LNG regasification and receiving terminal in Bahrain in which we will have a 30% ownership interest (please read “Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 6a (i)7a(i) – Equity-Accounted Investments”). We may be unable to operate the FSU efficiently, which may result in performance issues or claims based on charter party agreements. In addition, we or our joint venture partners may be unable to operate a LNG receiving and regasification terminal properly, which could reduce the expected output of this terminal. As a result, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed.

Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may adversely impact our operations and markets.

Due to concern over the risk of climate change, a number of countries have adopted, or are considering the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These regulatory measures include, among others, adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, increased efficiency standards, and incentives or mandates for renewable energy. Compliance with changes in laws, regulations and obligations relating to climate change could increase our costs related to operating and maintaining our 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 may also adversely affect demand for our services. Although we do not expect that demand for oil and gas will lessen dramatically over the short term, in the long-term,long term, climate change may reduce the demand for oil and gas or increased regulation of greenhouse gases may create greater incentives for use of alternative energy sources. Any long-

We may be unable to make or realize expected benefits from acquisitions, and implementing our growth strategy through acquisitions may harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

Our growth strategy includes selectively acquiring existing LNG and LPG carriers or LNG and LPG shipping businesses.businesses as the opportunities arise. Historically, there have been very few purchases of existing vessels and businesses in the LNG and LPG shipping industries. Factors that may contribute to a limited number of acquisition opportunities in the LNG and LPG shipping industries in the near term include the relatively small number of independent LNG and LPG fleet owners and the limited number of LNG and LPG carriers not subject to existing long-term charter contracts. In addition, competition from other companies could reduce our acquisition opportunities or cause us to pay higher prices.

Any acquisition of a vessel or business may not be profitable to us at or after the time we acquire it and may not generate cash flow sufficient to justify our investment. In addition, our acquisition growth strategy exposes us to risks that may harm our business, financial condition and operating results, including risks that we may:

Unlike newbuildings, existing vessels typically do not carry warranties as to their condition. While we generally inspect existing vessels prior to purchase, such an inspection would normally not provide us with as much knowledge of a vessel’s condition as we would possess if it had been built for us and operated by us during its life. Repairs and maintenance costs for existing vessels are difficult to predict and may be substantially higher than for vessels we have operated since they were built. These costs could decrease our cash flow and reduce our liquidity.

Marine transportation is inherently risky, and an incident involving significant loss of or environmental contamination by any of our vessels could harm our reputation and business.

Our vessels, crew and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged, injured or lost because of events such as:

An accident involving any of our vessels could result in any of the following:

Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, any damage to, or environmental contamination involving, oil production facilities serviced by our vessels could result in the suspension or curtailment of operations by our customer, which would in turn result in loss of revenues.

The operation of LNG and LPG carriers and oil tankers is inherently risky. Although we carry hull and machinery (marine and war risks) and protection and indemnity insurance, all risks may not be adequately insured against, and any particular claim may not be paid. In addition, only certain of our LNG and LPG carriers carry insurance covering the loss of revenues resulting from vessel off-hire time based on its cost compared to our off-hire experience. Any significant off-hire time of our vessels could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Any claims covered by insurance would be subject to deductibles, and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material. Certain of our insurance coverage is maintained through mutual protection and indemnity associations, and as a member of such associations we may be required to make additional payments over and above budgeted premiums if member claims exceed association reserves.

We may be unable to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future. For example, more stringent environmental regulations have led in the past to increased costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution. A catastrophic oil spill, marine disaster or natural disasters could result in losses that exceed our insurance coverage, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Any uninsured or underinsured loss could harm our business and financial condition. In addition, our insurance may be voidable by the insurers as a result of certain of our actions, such as our ships failing to maintain certification with applicable maritime regulatory organizations.

Changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks or political change may also make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain. In addition, the insurance that may be available may be significantly more expensive than our existing coverage.

Our and many of our customers’ substantial operations outside the United States expose us and them to political, governmental and economic instability, which could harm our operations.