9.   Fair Value Measurements and Derivatives

Fair value is defined as the price at which an orderly transaction to sell an asset or to transfer a liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (that is, an exit price at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability).

Fair Value Hierarchy

The following hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value should maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available:

Level 1      Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement dates.

Level 2      Significant other observable inputs that are used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources.

Level 3      Significant unobservable inputs we believe market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available.

Derivatives

We are exposed to market risk attributable to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and fuel prices. We attempt to minimize these risks through a combination of our normal operating and financing activities and through the use of derivatives. We assess whether derivatives used in hedging transactions are “highly effective” in offsetting changes in the cash flow of our hedged forecasted transactions. We use regression analysis for this hedge relationship and high effectiveness is achieved when a statistically valid relationship reflects a high degree of offset and correlation between the fair values of the derivative and the hedged forecasted transaction. Cash flows from the derivatives are classified in the same category as the cash flows from the underlying hedged transaction. If it is determined that the hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, then the amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is released to earnings. There are no amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and there are no credit-risk-related contingent features in our derivative agreements. We monitor concentrations of credit risk associated with financial and other institutions with which we conduct significant business. Credit risk, including but not limited to counterparty non-performance under derivatives, is not considered significant, as we primarily conduct business with large, well-established financial institutions with which we have established relationships, and which have credit risks acceptable to us, or the credit risk is spread out among many creditors. We do not anticipate non-performance by any of our significant counterparties.

As of March 31, 2020, we had fuel swaps and collars, which are used to mitigate the financial impact of volatility of fuel prices pertaining to approximately 1.2 million metric tons of our projected fuel purchases, maturing through December 31, 2023.

As of March 31, 2020, we had fuel swaps which were not designated as cash flow hedges. Due to a decrease in forecasted fuel consumption resulting from voyage cancellations due to COVID-19, we released into earnings fuel hedges of approximately 68 thousand metric tons of fuel as these forecasted transactions were no longer probable of occurring. The agreements mature through October 31, 2020.

As of March 31, 2020, we had foreign currency forward contracts, matured foreign currency options and matured foreign currency collars which are used to mitigate the financial impact of volatility in foreign currency exchange rates related to our ship construction contracts denominated in euros. The notional amount of our foreign currency forward contracts was €2.0 billion, or $2.2 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of March 31, 2020.

As of March 31, 2020, we had interest rate swaps and collars, which are used to hedge our exposure to interest rate movements and manage our interest expense. The notional amount of our outstanding debt associated with the interest rate swaps and collars was $0.7 billion as of March 31, 2020.

The derivatives measured at fair value and the respective location in the consolidated balance sheets include the following (in thousands):

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The fair values of swap and forward contracts are determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. The Company determines the value of options and collars utilizing an option pricing model based on inputs that are either readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. The option pricing model used by the Company is an industry standard model for valuing options and is used by the broker/dealer community. The inputs to this option pricing model are the option strike price, underlying price, risk-free rate of interest, time to expiration, and volatility. The fair value of option contracts considers both the intrinsic value and any remaining time value associated with those derivatives that have not yet settled. The Company also considers counterparty credit risk and its own credit risk in its determination of all estimated fair values.

Our derivatives and financial instruments were categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, and we had no derivatives or financial instruments categorized as Level 1 or Level 3. Our derivative contracts include rights of offset with our counterparties. We have elected to net certain assets and liabilities within counterparties when the rights of offset exist. We are not required to post cash collateral related to our derivative instruments.

The following table discloses the gross and net amounts recognized within assets and liabilities (in thousands):

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The effects of cash flow hedge accounting on accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands):

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The effects of cash flow hedge accounting on the consolidated statements of operations include the following (in thousands):

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Long-Term Debt

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, was $8,595.3 million and $6,957.8 million, respectively, which was $156.6 million lower and $31.3 million higher, respectively, than the carrying values. The difference between the fair value and carrying value of our long-term debt is due to our fixed and variable rate debt obligations carrying interest rates that are above or below market rates at the measurement dates. The fair value of our long-term debt was calculated based on estimated rates for the same or similar instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities, considered to be Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. Market risk associated with our long-term variable rate debt is the potential increase in interest expense from an increase in interest rates.

Goodwill and Tradenames

Goodwill and tradenames are nonfinancial instruments that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) — Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measured a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The guidance was adopted with an effective date of January 1, 2020, and therefore, our interim goodwill impairment tests as of March 31, 2020 were performed using only a Step 1 test.

The Step 1 Test uses discounted future cash flows and other market data to determine the fair value of the reporting units, which are all considered Level 3 inputs. Our discounted cash flow valuation reflects our principal assumptions of 1) forecasted future operating results and growth rates, which have been prepared under multiple scenarios and are probability weighted, 2) forecasted capital expenditures for fleet growth and ship improvements and 3) a weighted average cost of capital of market participants. Historically, our Step 1 Test consisted of a combined approach using discounted future cash flows and market multiples to determine the fair value of the reporting units. However, for the March 31, 2020 Step 1 Test, the market multiples were used solely as a corroboratory approach given the impact of COVID-19 on the current year’s results, as of the valuation date, as well as prospective results including the lack of any guidance provided, which were not available for our peers. We believe that this approach is the most representative method to assess fair value as it utilizes expectations of long-term growth as well as current market conditions. For the tradenames, we use the relief from royalty method, which uses the same forecasts and discount rates from the discounted cash flow valuation in the goodwill assessment along with a tradename royalty rate assumption. We believe that we have made reasonable estimates and judgments. However, a change in our estimated future operating cash flows may result in a decline in fair value in future periods, which may result in a need to recognize additional impairment charges.

Other

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets of all other financial assets and liabilities approximate fair value.