SEC Form 424B5 filed by Global Ship Lease Inc New

We have entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Evercore Group L.L.C. (the “Agent”) relating to our Class A common shares, par value $0.01 (the “Class A common shares”), offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell our Class A common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000 from time to time through the Agent, acting as sales agent and/or principal.

Our Class A common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GSL.” On August 14, 2024, the last recorded sale price of our Class A common shares on the NYSE was $27.04.

Sales of our Class A common shares, if any, under this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be made in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Agent is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of Class A common shares, but has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices on mutually agreed terms between the Agent and us. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Evercore with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. See “Plan of Distribution” for further information.

The Class A common shares to which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate will be offered and sold through the Agent over a period of time and from time to time. Under the Sales Agreement, the Agent will be entitled to compensation equal to an amount that is up to 2.5% of the gross proceeds from each sale of the Class A common shares sold through it as our sales agent. In connection with the sale of Class A common shares on our behalf, the Agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of the Agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. There is no arrangement to place proceeds of the offering in escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

Investing in our Class A common shares involves a high degree of risk. Before you make an investment in our Class A common shares, you should carefully consider the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement, and other risk factors contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) using a “shelf” registration process. This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of Class A common shares and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein. The second part, the base prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, gives more general information about securities we may offer from time to time, some of which does not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to the “prospectus,” we are referring to both parts combined, and when we refer to the “accompanying base prospectus” or the “accompanying prospectus,” we are referring only to the base prospectus.

If the description of this offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated into each by reference include important information about us, the Class A common shares being offered and other information you should know before investing. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus together with additional information described under the heading, “Where You Can Find Additional Information,” before investing in our Class A common shares.

You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement only and that any information we have incorporated by reference or included in the accompanying base prospectus is accurate only as of the date given in such document incorporated by reference or as of the date of the prospectus, as applicable, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus or any sale of the Class A common shares. Our business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

We have authorized only the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the Agent has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. We and the Agent take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may give you.

We are not, and the Agent is not, making an offer to sell our Class A common shares in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering in jurisdictions outside the United States are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions as to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering applicable to that jurisdiction. This prospectus supplement does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus supplement by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our” or “Global Ship Lease” refer to Global Ship Lease, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries, “Technomar” or “Technical Manager” refers to Technomar Shipping Inc., our technical ship manager, “Conchart” refers to Conchart Commercial Inc., our commercial ship manager (“Commercial Manager”, and together with Technomar, the “Managers”), and “MSI” refers to Maritime Strategies International Limited, our industry expert. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “$” and “dollars” in this prospectus are to U.S. dollars. We use the term “TEU”, meaning twenty-foot equivalent unit, the international standard measure of container size, in describing volumes in world container trade and other measures, including the capacity of our containerships, which we also refer to as vessels or ships. Unless otherwise indicated, we calculate the average age of our vessels on a weighted average basis, based on TEU capacity. References to our “2023 Annual Report” refer to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Commission on March 20, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.

This prospectus and the information and documents we file with the Commission that are incorporated by reference herein contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” “scheduled” or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our disclosure concerning our operations, cash flows, financial position, dividend policy, and the likelihood of success in acquiring additional vessels to expand our business.

Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus and in our 2023 Annual Report, as updated by annual, quarterly and other reports and documents we file with the Commission after the date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference herein, including, without limitation, in the sections entitled “Business Overview,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Operations,” and “Dividend Policy.”

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors described in “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in our 2023 Annual Report. The risks described under “Risk Factors” are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus describe additional factors that could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and the development of the industries in which we operate. New risks can emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such risks, nor can we assess the impact of all such risks on our business or the extent to which any risks, or combination of risks and other factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus, as predictions of future events. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the Commission after the date of this prospectus.

The cautionary statements made in this prospectus supplement are intended to be applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they may appear in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, and the information and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus supplement, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, the information and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and achievements may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements.

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe that these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. Although we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market and industry data presented or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, these estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and in our 2023 Annual Report and in subsequent filings with the Commission, which are incorporated by reference herein, and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

An investment in our Class A common shares involves substantial risks. Before making an investment in our Class A common shares, you should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, including those in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in our 2023 Annual Report, filed with the Commission on March 20, 2024, as updated by annual, quarterly and other reports and documents that we file with the Commission after the date of this prospectus supplement that are incorporated by reference herein. Please see the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information—Information Incorporated by Reference.” The occurrence of one or more of those risk factors could adversely impact our business, financial condition or results of operations and could affect the value of the Class A common shares being offered by this prospectus supplement.

We have not designated the amount of net proceeds from this offering to be used for any particular purpose, and as a result our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds and may use the net proceeds in ways that you may not agree with. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include opportunistic vessel purchases. We will not escrow the net proceeds from this offering and will not return the proceeds to you if we do not use the offering proceeds as described above.

The price of our Class A common shares may be volatile and may fluctuate due to factors such as:

The container shipping industry has historically been highly unpredictable and volatile. The market for common shares in companies operating in the container shipping industry may be equally volatile.

Sales of a substantial number of our Class A common shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, may depress the market price for our common stock. These sales could also impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our equity securities in the future.

Subject to the rules of the NYSE, in the future we may issue additional Class A common shares, and other equity securities of equal or senior rank, without shareholder approval, in a number of circumstances. The issuance by us of additional Class A common shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank would have the following effects:

Our shareholders also may elect to sell large numbers of shares held by them from time to time. The number of Class A common shares available for sale in the public market will be limited by restrictions applicable under securities laws, and agreements that we and our executive officers, directors and existing shareholders may enter into with the underwriters at the time of an offering.

Because the sales of the Class A common shares offered hereby will be made directly into the market or in negotiated transactions, the prices at which we sell these shares will vary and these variations may be significant. Purchasers of the shares we sell, as well as our existing shareholders, will experience significant dilution if we sell shares at prices significantly below the price at which they invested.

Subject to certain limitations in the Sales Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver to the Agent, at any time throughout the term of the Sales Agreement, a placement notice pursuant to which we may submit orders (including with respect to any price, time or size limits or other customary parameters or conditions) to sell our Class A common shares on a particular trading day. The number of Class A common shares that are sold by the Agent following its receipt of a placement notice will fluctuate based on the market price of our Class A common shares during the sales period and the limits we set with the Agent. Because the price per Class A common share sold will fluctuate based on the trading price of our Class A common shares during the sales period, it is not possible to predict the number of Class A common shares that will be ultimately issued, if any, and the gross proceeds, if any, that we would receive from such sales.

Our Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, from time to time, declare and pay cash dividends in accordance with our dividend policy or determine to return cash to shareholders in other ways, such as share repurchases. Our Board of Directors makes determinations regarding the payment of dividends in its sole discretion, and there is no guarantee that we will continue to declare and pay dividends in the future. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among other things (a) our results of operations, financial condition, cash flow and cash requirements, (b) our liquidity, including our ability to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by our vessel acquisition strategy, (c) restrictive covenants in our existing and future debt instruments and (d) provisions of Marshall Islands law. The declaration and payment of dividends is also subject at all times to the discretion of our Board of Directors.

The international containership and containership leasing industry is highly volatile, and we cannot predict with certainty the amount of cash, if any, that will be available for distribution as dividends in any period. Also, there may be a high degree of variability from period to period in the amount of cash, if any, that is available for the payment of dividends. The amount of cash we generate from operations and the actual amount of cash we will have available for dividends in each quarter will vary based upon, among other things:

The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our net income or loss for the period, which will be affected by non-cash items. We may incur other expenses or liabilities that could reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution as dividends or to be returned to shareholders in other ways.

In addition, Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received from the sale of shares above the par value of the shares) or if there is no surplus, from the net profits for the current and prior fiscal years, or while a company is insolvent or if it would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. We may not have sufficient surplus or net profits in the future to pay dividends, and our subsidiaries may not have sufficient funds, surplus or net profits to make distributions to us. As a result of these and other factors, we may not be able to pay dividends during periods when we record losses and may not pay dividends during periods when we record net income. We can give no assurance that dividends will be paid in the future or that cash will be returned to shareholders in other ways.

We are a “foreign private issuer” under the securities laws of the United States and the rules of the NYSE. Under the securities laws of the United States, “foreign private issuers” are subject to different disclosure requirements than U.S. domiciled registrants, as well as different financial reporting requirements. Under the NYSE rules, a “foreign private issuer” is subject to less stringent corporate governance requirements. Subject to certain exceptions, the rules of the NYSE permit a “foreign private issuer” to follow its home country practice in lieu of the listing requirements of the NYSE. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the NYSE corporate governance requirements.

We and all of our subsidiaries are incorporated in jurisdictions outside the U.S. and substantially all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries are located outside the U.S. In addition, most of our directors and officers are non-residents of the U.S., and all or a substantial portion of the assets of these non-residents are located outside the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. investors to serve process within the U.S. upon us, our subsidiaries or our directors and officers or to enforce a judgment against us for civil liabilities in U.S. courts. In addition, you should not assume that courts in the countries in which we or our subsidiaries are incorporated or where our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries are located (1) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or our subsidiaries based upon the civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws or (2) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us or our subsidiaries based on those laws.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our Charter and Second Amended and Restated By-laws and by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act (the “BCA”). The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. However, there have been few judicial cases in the

Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the laws of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in the United States. The rights of shareholders of companies incorporated in the Marshall Islands may differ from the rights of shareholders of companies incorporated in the United States. While the BCA 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 Marshall Islands and we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as United States courts. 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 relatively more substantial body of case law.

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any Class A common shares in this offering, after deducting the Agent’s commissions and our offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, which may include opportunistic vessel purchases. See “Risk Factors— Management will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may use some or all of the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes with which you may not agree.”

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 30, 2024:

You should read the information below together with the sections of this prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus entitled “Use of Proceeds” and “Risk Factors,” in addition to our Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on August 6, 2024, which contains our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and unaudited consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2024, and our 2023 Annual Report, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The historical data in the table is derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference herein from our report on Form 6-K reporting our financial condition and operating results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2024.

There have been no other material adjustments to our capitalization since June 30, 2024, as so adjusted.

Please see the section entitled “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation” in our 2023 Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference. For purposes of this prospectus supplement, the discussion set forth in that section of our 2023 Annual Report applies only to persons that will own our Class A common shares solely by reason of this offering.

We have entered into the Sales Agreement with the Agent, under which we may offer and sell our Class A common shares from time to time to or through the Agent acting as our sales agent or principal. Sales of our Class A common shares, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompany prospectus will be made at market prices by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, including without limitation (A) by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions (whether or not solicited), (B) to or through a market maker, (C) directly on or through any national securities exchange or facility thereof, a trading facility of a national securities association, an alternative trading system, or any other market venue, (D) in the over-the-counter market, (E) in privately negotiated transactions, or (F) through a combination of any such methods. If agreed between us and the Agent, the Agent may purchase our Class A common shares as principal. Pursuant to this prospectus, we may offer and sell up to $100,000,000 of our Class A common shares.

Each time we wish to issue and sell Class A common shares under the Sales Agreement, we will notify the Agent of the number of shares to be issued, the dates on which such sales are anticipated to be made, any limitation on the number of shares to be sold in any one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made. Once we have so instructed the Agent, unless the Agent declines to accept the terms of such notice, the Agent has agreed to use its reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such shares up to the amount specified on such terms. The obligations of the Agent under the Sales Agreement to sell our Class A common shares are subject to a number of conditions that we must meet.

The settlement of sales of shares between us and the Agent is generally anticipated to occur on the first trading day following the date on which such sales are made. Sales of our Class A common shares as contemplated in this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and the Agent may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

We will pay the Agent a commission of up to 2.5% of the gross offering proceeds we receive from each sale of our Class A common shares. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. In addition, we have agreed to reimburse the Agent for the fees and disbursements of its legal counsel, payable upon execution of the Sales Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, as well as certain ongoing disbursements of their legal counsel payable in the amount of up to $15,000 in connection with each diligence bring-down thereafter. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding any commissions or expense reimbursement payable to the Agent under the terms of the Sales Agreement, will be approximately $300,000. The remaining sale proceeds, after deducting any other transaction fees, will equal our net proceeds from the sale of such shares.

The Agent will provide written confirmation to us before the open on the NYSE on the day following each day on which Class A common shares are sold under the Sales Agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of the Class A common shares sold on that day, the gross offering proceeds received from such sales and the compensation by us to the Agent with respect to such sales.

We will report at least quarterly the number of our Class A common shares sold by or through the Agent under the Sales Agreement, the net proceeds to us and the compensation paid to the Agent by us in connection with the sales of our Class A common shares.

In connection with the sale of the Class A common shares on our behalf, the Agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of the Agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the Agent against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. As a sales agent, the Agent will not engage in any transactions that stabilizes our Class A common shares. We have also agreed to contribute to payments the Agent may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.

The offering of our Class A common shares pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all Class A common shares subject to the Sales Agreement and (ii) the termination of the Sales Agreement as permitted therein. We and the Agent may each terminate the Sales Agreement at any time.

This summary of the material provisions of the Sales Agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. A copy of the Sales Agreement is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

The Agent and its affiliates have previously and may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking, financial advisory and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they have and may in the future receive customary fees. In the course of its business, the Agent may actively trade our securities for its own account or for the accounts of customers, and, accordingly, the Agent may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.

The following are the estimated expenses of the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, all of which will be paid by us.

The validity of the Class A common shares offered by this prospectus and certain other legal matters relating to United States and Marshall Islands law are being passed upon for us by Watson Farley & Williams LLP, New York, New York. The Agent has been represented in this offering by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Palo Alto, California.

The consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The industry information attributed to Maritime Strategies International Limited (“MSI”) by incorporation by reference to our 2023 Annual Report, has been reviewed by MSI, which has confirmed to us that such information accurately describes the container shipping market.

As required by the Securities Act, we filed a registration statement relating to the securities offered by this prospectus with the Commission. This prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information.

We file annual and special reports with the Commission. The Commission maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Commission. Our filings are also available on our website at http://www.globalshiplease.com. The information on our website, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those filed documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the Commission prior to the termination of this offering will also be considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and will automatically update and supersede previously filed information, including information contained in this document.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the Commission under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act:

We are also incorporating by reference all subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F that we file with the Commission and certain reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the Commission after the date of this prospectus supplement (if they state that they are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement), until the date all of the securities offered hereby are sold or the offering is otherwise terminated. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus.

We have authorized only the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the Agent has not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. We and the Agent take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell Class A common

shares in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement as well as the information we previously filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the dates of those documents only. Our business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

You may request a free copy of the above-mentioned filings or any subsequent filing we incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement by writing to us at the following address:

We will furnish holders of our Class A 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 United States generally accepted accounting principles and those reports will include a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section for the relevant periods. 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 intend to furnish proxy statements to any shareholder in accordance with the rules of the NYSE, those proxy statements are not expected to conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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 Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Through this prospectus, we or any selling shareholder may periodically offer common shares, preferred shares, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, rights, purchase contracts, and units. We may also offer securities of the types listed above that are convertible or exchangeable into one or more of the securities listed above.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. The prices and other terms of the securities that we or any selling shareholder will offer will be determined at the time of their offering and will be set forth in an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or in a supplement to this prospectus, or may be set forth in one or more documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

The securities issued under this prospectus may be offered directly or through one or more underwriters, agents or dealers, or through other means. The names of any underwriters, agents or dealers will be included in a supplement to this prospectus.

Our Class A common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol “GSL.” Our depositary shares, each of which represents a 1/100th interest in a share of our 8.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares, are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GSL-B.”

An investment in these securities involves a high degree of risk. Before you make an investment in our securities, you should carefully consider the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus, and other risk factors contained in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will not make any offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Commission, using a shelf registration process. Under the shelf registration process we or any selling shareholder may sell, from time to time, the common shares, preferred shares, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, rights, purchase contracts and units described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. No limit exists on the aggregate amount of the securities we or any selling shareholder may sell pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or any selling shareholder may offer. Each time we or a selling shareholder offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things, the specific amounts, prices and terms of the offered securities. We will provide updated information if required whenever we offer our securities pursuant to this prospectus. This may include a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the offered securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. Before purchasing any securities, you should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described below.

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement do not and will not contain all the information provided in the registration statement that we filed with the Commission. Forms of the indentures and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are filed as exhibits to the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. For further information about us or the securities offered hereby, you should refer to the registration statement, which you can obtain from the Commission as described below under the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “Global Ship Lease” refer to Global Ship Lease, Inc.; “Technomar” refers to Technomar Shipping Inc., our ship technical manager and “Conchart” refers to Conchart Commercial Inc., our commercial ship manager. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “$” and “dollars” in this prospectus are to U.S. dollars. We use the term “TEU”, meaning twenty-foot equivalent unit, the international standard measure of container size, in describing volumes in world container trade and other measures, including the capacity of our containerships, which we also refer to as ships. Unless otherwise indicated, we calculate the average age of our vessels on a weighted average basis, based on TEU capacity. All share and per share amounts disclosed in this prospectus give retroactive effect, for all periods presented, to the one-for-eight reverse stock split of our Class A common shares effected on March 25, 2019.

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment in our securities, you should carefully consider all of the information included in this prospectus, the risk factors and all of the other information included in any prospectus supplement and the documents that have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, including those in “Item 3.Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on March 24, 2022, as updated by annual and other reports and documents we file with the Commission after the date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference herein. Please see the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information—Information Incorporated by Reference.” The occurrence of one or more of those risk factors could adversely impact our business, financial condition or results of operations. When we, or a selling shareholder, offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in that prospectus supplement.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. We desire to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this cautionary statement in connection therewith.

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “will” or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our disclosure concerning our operations, cash flows, financial position, dividend policy, the anticipated benefits of our strategic transaction with Poseidon Containers, and the likelihood of success in acquiring additional vessels to expand our business.

Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus and in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Commission on March 24, 2022, as updated by annual and other reports and documents we file with the Commission after the date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference herein, including, without limitation, in the sections entitled “Business Overview,” “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Operations,” and “Dividend Policy.”

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors described in “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. The risks described under “Risk Factors” are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus describe additional factors that could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and the development of the industries in which we operate. New risks can emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such risks, nor can we assess the impact of all such risks on our business or the extent to which any risks, or combination of risks and other factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the Commission after the date of this prospectus.

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will not receive any proceeds from the sales of our securities by any of the selling shareholders.

Each prospectus supplement will include information about our capitalization.

We are organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands as a corporation. The Marshall Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides protections for investors to a significantly lesser extent.

Most of our directors and officers and those of our subsidiaries are residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of our and our subsidiaries' assets and a substantial portion of the assets of our directors and officers are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for United States investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us, our directors or officers, or our subsidiaries or to realize against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. However, we have expressly submitted to the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal and New York state courts sitting in the City of New York for the purpose of any suit, action or proceeding arising under the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Marshall Islands would (1) recognize or enforce against us or our directors or officers judgments of courts of the United States based on civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; or (2) impose liabilities against us or our directors and officers in original actions brought in the Marshall Islands, based on these laws.

We or any selling shareholder may sell or distribute our securities included in this prospectus through underwriters, through agents, to dealers, in private transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, or otherwise.

In addition, we or the selling shareholders may sell some or all of our securities included in this prospectus through:

In addition, we or the selling shareholders may enter into options or other types of transactions that require us or them to deliver our securities to a broker-dealer, who will then resell or transfer the securities under this prospectus. We or any selling shareholder may enter into hedging transactions with respect to our securities. For example, we or any selling shareholder may:

We or any selling shareholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us, any selling shareholder or borrowed from us or any selling shareholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us or any selling shareholder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions may be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we or any selling shareholder may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

The selling shareholders and any broker-dealers or other persons acting on our behalf or on the behalf of the selling shareholders that participate with us or the selling shareholders in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters and any commissions received or profit realized by them on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. As a result, we have or will inform the selling shareholders that Regulation M, promulgated under the Exchange Act, may apply to sales by the selling shareholders in the market. The selling shareholders may agree to indemnify any broker, dealer or agent that participates in transactions involving the sale of our common shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

As of the date of this prospectus, we are not a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding between any broker or dealer and us with respect to the offer or sale of the securities pursuant to this prospectus.

At the time that any particular offering of securities is made, to the extent required by the Securities Act, a prospectus or prospectus supplement, or if appropriate, a post-effective amendment, will be distributed, setting forth the terms of the offering, including the aggregate number of securities being offered, the purchase price of the securities, the public offering price of the securities, the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other items constituting compensation from us, and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers. Furthermore, we, our executive officers, our directors and the selling shareholders may agree, subject to certain exemptions, that for a certain period from the date of the prospectus supplement under which the securities are offered, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of an underwriter, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of our common shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares. However, an underwriter, in its sole discretion, may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice. We expect an underwriter to exclude from these lock-up agreements securities exercised and/or sold pursuant to trading plans entered into by any selling shareholder pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, that are in place at the time of an offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement hereto that provide for periodic sales of the selling shareholders' securities on the basis of parameters described in such trading plans.

Underwriters or agents could make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an at-the-market offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on or through the NYSE, the existing trading market for our common shares, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

We will bear the costs relating to all of the securities offered and sold by us under this registration statement.

The following is a summary of the description of our capital stock and certain material terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended (the “Articles of Incorporation”) and amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”), as in effect as of the date of this prospectus. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the applicable provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the Commission on March 24, 2022, and which is incorporated by reference herein. Please see the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Under our Articles of Incorporation, our authorized share capital consists of:

Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred shares, holders of common shares are entitled to receive ratably all dividends, if any, declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends. Upon our dissolution or liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common shares are entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution. Holders of common shares do not have conversion, redemption or pre-emptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common shares are subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares.

Our directors are elected by the vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to each director. For purposes thereof, a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast against that director. A majority of the common shares in the aggregate shall constitute a quorum. Our Articles of Incorporation prohibits cumulative voting. Of our authorized common stock, we only have Class A common shares outstanding (we have no Class B or Class C common shares outstanding).

Under Marshall Islands law generally and our Articles of Incorporation, there are no limitations on the right of non-residents of the Marshall Islands or owners who are not citizens of the Marshall Islands to hold or vote our common shares.

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the terms and rights of that series, including the designation of the series, the number of shares of the series, the preferences and relative, participating, option or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series; and the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series.

The Series B Preferred Shares are an existing series of preferred stock of the Company. The Series B Preferred Shares outstanding are deposited with Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as applicable, as depositary, under the Deposit Agreement among us, the Depositary and the registered holders and indirect and beneficial owners from time to time of the Series B Depositary Shares (the “Deposit Agreement”). The Deposit Agreement sets forth the terms of the Series B Depositary Shares. In general, each Series B Depositary Share represents, and entitles the holder, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, to proportional rights and preferences (including dividends, voting, redemption and liquidation rights and preferences) as if such holder held 1/100th of one share of Series B Preferred Shares. The material terms of the Series B Preferred Shares and the Series B Depositary Shares are summarized in Exhibit 2.6 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F, that was filed with the Commission on March 24, 2022 and incorporated by reference herein.

The registrar and transfer agent for our Class A common shares is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Our Class A common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GSL.” Our Series B Depositary Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GSL-B.”

We may issue depositary shares that represent common shares or preferred shares of the Company. The common shares or preferred shares represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company that is selected by us, which we refer to as the “bank depositary.” Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable common shares or particular series of preferred shares or fraction thereof represented by that depositary share, to all of the rights and preferences of the common shares or preferred shares represented thereby, including any dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement.

The forms of the deposit agreement and the depository receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the Commission, and any prospectus supplement relating to any particular depositary shares will describe the material terms of such depositary shares, underlying shares, and related depositary agreement.

Any depositary agreement and the depositary receipts will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles thereof relating to conflicts of law that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction, unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment hereto).

We may offer and issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, under one or more indentures, each dated as of a date on or prior to the issuance of the debt securities to which it relates, and pursuant to an applicable prospectus supplement. We may issue senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities pursuant to separate indentures, a senior indenture and a subordinated indenture, respectively, in each case between us and the trustee named in the indenture. We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, are sometimes referred to individually as an “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures.” Each indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act, and will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles thereof relating to conflicts of law that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction, unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement and indenture (or post-effective amendment hereto). The aggregate principal amount of debt securities which may be issued under each indenture will contain the specific terms of any series of debt securities or provide that those terms must be set forth in or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution, as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement, and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series. Our debt securities may be convertible or exchangeable into any of our equity or other debt securities.

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms and provisions of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and the extent to which the general terms and provisions described below may apply to the offered debt securities, will be described in the applicable subsequent filings. We refer to any applicable prospectus supplement, amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and reports we file with the Commission under the Exchange Act as “subsequent filings.” The statements below are not complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable indenture. The specific terms of any debt securities that we may offer, including any modifications of, or additions to, the general terms described below as well as any applicable material U.S. federal income tax considerations concerning the ownership of such debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and indenture and, as applicable, supplemental indenture. Accordingly, for a complete description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, the general description of the debt securities set forth below should be read in conjunction with the applicable prospectus supplement and indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

We expect that neither indenture will limit the amount of debt securities which may be issued. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series.

You should read the applicable indenture and subsequent filings relating to the particular series of debt securities for the following terms of the offered debt securities:

Subsequent filings may include additional terms not listed above. Unless otherwise indicated in subsequent filings with the Commission relating to the indenture, principal, premium and interest will be payable and the debt securities will be transferable at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee. Unless other arrangements are made or set forth in subsequent filings or a supplemental indenture, principal, premium and interest will be paid by checks mailed to the registered holders at their registered addresses.

Unless otherwise indicated in subsequent filings with the Commission, the debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with these debt securities.

Some or all of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt securities, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates, to be sold at a substantial discount below the stated principal amount. United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any discounted securities will be described in subsequent filings with the Commission relating to those securities.

We may issue senior debt securities, which may be secured or unsecured, under the senior debt indenture. The senior debt securities will rank on an equal basis with all our other senior debt except subordinated debt. The senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated, however, to all of our secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt. We will disclose the amount of our debt in the prospectus supplement.

We may issue subordinated debt securities under a subordinated debt indenture. Subordinated debt would rank subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the subordinated debt indenture, to all our senior debt.

Any series of debt securities may have covenants in addition to or differing from those included in the applicable indenture which will be described in subsequent filings prepared in connection with the offering of such securities, limiting or restricting, among other things:

We expect that each indenture and the rights of the respective holders may be modified by us only with the consent of holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series under the respective indenture affected by the modification, taken together as a class. But we expect that no modification that:

will be effective against any holder without their consent.

Other terms as specified in subsequent filings may be modified without the consent of the holders.

We expect that each indenture will define an event of default for the debt securities of any series as being any one of the following events:

An event of default of one series of debt securities will not necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities.

There may be such other or different events of default as described in applicable subsequent filings with respect to any class or series of debt securities.

We expect that under each indenture, in case an event of default occurs and continues for the debt securities of any series, the applicable trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding of that series may declare the principal and accrued but unpaid interest of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable. Further, any event of default for the debt securities of any series which has been cured is expected to be permitted to be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding.

We expect that each indenture will require us to file annually after debt securities are issued under that indenture with the applicable trustee a written statement signed by two of our officers as to the absence of material defaults under the terms of that indenture. We also expect that each indenture will provide that the applicable trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any default if it considers it in the interest of the holders to do so, except notice of a default in payment of principal, premium or interest.

Subject to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default occurs and continues, we expect that each indenture will provide that the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under that indenture at the request, order or direction of holders unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to these provisions for indemnification and the rights of the trustee, each indenture is expected to provide that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee as long as the exercise of that right does not conflict with any law or the indenture.

The terms of each indenture are expected to provide us with the option to be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities issued thereunder upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal, premium and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities on the stated maturity of the payments in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture governing the debt securities. We expect that this right may only be exercised if, among other things, we have received from, or there has been

published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that such a discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to holders. This discharge would not apply to our obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust.

We expect that the terms of the debt securities provide us with the right not to comply with specified covenants and that specified events of default described in a subsequent filing will not apply provided we deposit with the trustee money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which through the payment of interest and principal will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal, premium, and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities on the stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture governing such debt securities. We expect that to exercise this right, we will also be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the deposit and related covenant defeasance should not cause the holders of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.

We refer you to applicable subsequent filings with respect to any deletions or additions or modifications from the description contained in this prospectus.

We may issue warrants to purchase any of our debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The warrants will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles thereof relating to conflicts of law that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction, unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment hereto).

We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of debt or equity securities issued by us, a basket of such securities, an index or indices of such securities, or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the security otherwise deliverable, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions, provisions relating to U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any, or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.

The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued. Our obligation to settle such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may constitute indebtedness. Accordingly, pre-paid purchase contracts will be issued under an indenture.

The purchase contracts will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles thereof relating to conflicts of law that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction, unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment hereto).

We may issue rights to purchase our equity securities. These rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered by this prospectus and may or may not be transferable by the shareholder receiving the rights in the rights offering. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which the underwriter will purchase any securities that remain unsubscribed for upon completion of the rights offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any rights will describe the terms of the offered rights.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights certificate or rights agreement, which will be filed with the Commission if we offer rights. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any rights certificate or rights agreement if we offer rights, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information” of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable rights certificate, the applicable rights agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

The rights will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any principles thereof relating to conflicts of law that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction, unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment hereto).

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more of our rights, purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred shares, common shares or any combination of such securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offered units.

Our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on March 24, 2022, as updated by annual and other reports and documents that we file with the Commission after the date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference herein, provides a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to prospective investors in our common shares. The applicable prospectus supplement may also contain information about any material Marshall Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the securities covered by such prospectus supplement.

The following are the estimated expenses of the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, all of which will be paid by us.

The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Seward & Kissel LLP, New York, New York, with respect to matters of the law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and with respect to matters of United States and New York law.

The consolidated financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The industry information attributed to Maritime Strategies International Limited (“MSI”) by incorporation by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 has been reviewed by MSI, which has confirmed to us that such information accurately describes the container shipping market.

As required by the Securities Act, we filed a registration statement relating to the securities offered by this prospectus with the Commission. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information.

We file annual and special reports with the Commission. The Commission maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Commission. Our filings are also available on our website at http://www.globalshiplease.com. The information on our website, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those filed documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the Commission prior to the termination of this offering will also be considered to be part of this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede previously filed information, including information contained in this document.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the Commission under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act:

We are also incorporating by reference all subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F that we file with the Commission and certain reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the Commission after the date of this prospectus (if they state that they are incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part), until we file a post-effective amendment indicating that the offering of the securities made by this prospectus has been terminated. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not, and any underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as well as the information we previously filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the dates on the front cover of those documents only. Our business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

You may request a free copy of the above mentioned filings or any subsequent filing we incorporated by reference to this prospectus by writing or us at the following address:

We will furnish holders of our Class A 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 United States generally accepted accounting principles and those reports will include a “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section for the relevant periods. 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 intend to furnish proxy statements to any shareholder in accordance with the rules of the NYSE, those proxy statements are not expected to conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. In addition, as a “foreign private issuer,” our officers and directors are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to short swing profit reporting and liability.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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 Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.