IMPPP Imperial Petroleum Inc

8,499,999 Units consisting of

Shares of Common Stock or Pre-Funded Warrants and Class E Warrants to purchase Common Stock

(and Shares of Common Stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants and Class E Warrants)

Imperial Petroleum Inc.

We are offering 8,499,999 Units consisting of one share of common stock and one Class E Warrant to purchase one share of common stock in a registered direct offering to certain institutional and accredited investors in a privately negotiated transaction pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Each Class E Warrant will be immediately exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share and expire five years after the issuance date. We are also offering to each purchaser of Units that would otherwise result in the purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% of our outstanding common stock immediately following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase Units consisting of one pre-funded warrant (in lieu of one share of common stock) and one Class E Warrant. Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of pre-funded warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its pre-funded warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, such limit may be increased to up to 9.99%) of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable for one share of common stock. The purchase price of each Unit including a pre-funded warrant will be equal to the price per Unit including one share of common stock, minus $0.01, and the remaining exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will equal $0.01 per share. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable (subject to the beneficial ownership cap) and may be exercised at any time until all of the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. For each Unit including a pre-funded warrant we sell (without regard to any limitation on exercise set forth therein), the number of Units including a share of common stock we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. The common stock and pre-funded warrants, if any, can each be purchased in this offering only with the accompanying Class E Warrants as part of a Unit, but the components of the Units will immediately separate upon issuance. See “Description of Securities We Are Offering” in this prospectus supplement for more information.

We are also registering the shares of common stock included in the Units and the shares of common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Class E Warrants and pre-funded warrants offered hereby. This prospectus also covers any additional securities that may become issuable by reason of share splits, share dividends or other similar transactions.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Nasdaq”) under the symbol “IMPP”. On August 10, 2023, the closing sale price as reported on the Nasdaq of the common stock was $2.54 per share. There is no established trading market for the pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants and we do not expect an active trading market to develop. We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants on any securities exchange or other trading market. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of these securities will be limited.

We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, as such, we may elect to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Risk Factors” and “Prospectus Summary—Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company.”

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.

We have engaged Maxim Group LLC as our placement agent (“Maxim” or the “Placement Agent”) to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for the sale of our securities in this offering. The Placement Agent is not purchasing or selling any of the securities we are offering and is not required to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of the securities. We have agreed to pay the Placement Agent the Placement Agent fees set forth in the table above. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-27 of this prospectus supplement for more information regarding compensation payable to the Placement Agent.

The offering will settle delivery versus payment (“DVP”)/receipt versus payment (“RVP”). We expect to deliver the shares of common stock, pre-funded warrants and Class E Warrants, constituting the Units against payment in New York, United States on or about August 15, 2023, subject to satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Prospectus dated August 11, 2023.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

Base Prospectus

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), utilizing a “shelf” registration process.

This document is in two parts. This prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering described herein and the securities offered hereby, and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the base prospectus.

The accompanying base prospectus 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 only to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts combined, and when we refer to the accompanying base prospectus, we are referring 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 contained in this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated into each by reference include important information about us, our common stock being offered and other information you should know before investing. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” before investing in our common stock.

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 or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the sales agents have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. We and the sales agents take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may give you. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in or incorporated by reference in the prospectus is accurate only as of the date such information was issued, regardless of the time of delivery of the prospectus or the date of any sale of our common stock.

Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” in this prospectus supplement are to, and amounts presented in, United States dollars and financial information presented in this prospectus supplement that is derived from financial statements incorporated by reference is prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations or our performance. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:

WE UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO PUBLICLY UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE DOCUMENTS TO WHICH WE REFER YOU IN THIS PROSPECTUS, TO REFLECT ANY CHANGE IN OUR EXPECTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH STATEMENTS OR ANY CHANGE IN EVENTS, CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES ON WHICH ANY STATEMENT IS BASED, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights information that appears later in this prospectus and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. As an investor or prospective investor, you should carefully review the entire prospectus, including the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” and the more detailed information that appears later in this prospectus before making an investment in our securities.

Imperial Petroleum Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on May 14, 2021, by StealthGas Inc. (“StealthGas”) to serve as the holding company of four subsidiaries, each owning one of the tanker vessels in our initial fleet, that it subsequently contributed to us in connection with the Spin-Off (as defined below). On December 3, 2021, StealthGas distributed all of our outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“common stock”), and 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, liquidation preference $25.00 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”), to its stockholders, which completed our separation from StealthGas (the “Spin-Off”).

Unless otherwise indicated, references to “Imperial Petroleum,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar terms refer to the registrant, Imperial Petroleum Inc., and its subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires. We use the term deadweight tons (“dwt”), expressed in metric tons, each of which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, in describing the size of our vessels. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” “U.S. $” and “$” in this prospectus are to the lawful currency of the United States of America. All share amounts reflect the 1-for-15 reverse split of our common stock effected by the Company on April 28, 2023.

Overview

We are a provider of international seaborne transportation services to oil producers, refineries and commodities traders and producers, as well as industrial users of drybulk cargoes. As of August 10, 2023, we own and operate a fleet of five medium range (“MR”) refined petroleum product tankers that carry refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, fuel oil and jet fuel, as well as edible oils and chemicals, two suezmax tankers that carry crude oil and two handysize drybulk carriers that transport major bulks such as iron ore, coal and grains, and minor bulks such as bauxite, phosphate and fertilizers. The total cargo carrying capacity of our nine-vessel fleet is 628,000 dwt. We are managed by Stealth Maritime, a privately owned company controlled by the Vafias Group, which has been active in shipping for over 50 years and is controlled by the Vafias family, of which Harry Vafias, our Chief Executive Officer, is a member.

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Our Fleet

As of August 10, 2023, the profile and deployment of our fleet is the following:

Recent Developments

Spin-Off of C3is Inc.

On June 21, 2023, we completed the spin-off of our previously wholly-owned subsidiary, C3is Inc., the holding company for two drybulk carriers, the Eco Angelbay and the Eco Bushfire, each with an aggregate capacity of 64,000 dwt. Imperial Petroleum stockholders and warrantholders received one C3is common share for every eight shares of Imperial Petroleum’s common stock owned, or in the case of holders of Imperial Petroleum’s outstanding Warrants that they have the right to purchase pursuant to Warrants owned, at the close of business on June 13, 2023.

We retain an interest in C3is Inc. through our ownership of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of C3is Inc.

Sale of Aframax Tanker

We entered into an agreement to sell for $43 million the M/T Stealth Berana an Aframax oil tanker, built at Samsung shipyard, South Korea in 2010, with a cargo carrying capacity of approximately 115,800 dwt, to C3is Inc., an affiliated company. Payment of 10% of the purchase price has been received, with the remaining balance due within one year following the vessel’s delivery which took place on the 14th of July, 2023.

Corporate Structure

Imperial Petroleum Inc. is a holding company existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands, and is the sole owner of the outstanding stock of our subsidiaries, each of which owns one of the vessels in our current fleet. Our principal executive offices are located at 331 Kifissias Avenue, Erithrea 14561 Athens, Greece. Our telephone number from the United States is 011 30 210 625 0001. Our website address is www.imperialpetro.com. The information on or linked to on our website is not a part of this prospectus.

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Upon the completion of the Spin-Off on December 3, 2021, we began operating as a separate company from StealthGas, the Nasdaq-listed ship-owning company serving the liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”) sector of the international shipping industry, of which we were previously a part.

Other Information

Because we are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, you may encounter difficulty protecting your interests as stockholders, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal court system may be limited. Please refer to the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Service of Process and Enforcement of Civil Liabilities” for more information.

Implications of Being an “Emerging Growth Company”

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”). As such, we are eligible, for up to five years, to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other publicly traded entities that are not emerging growth companies. These exemptions include:

We may take advantage of these provisions until December 31, 2026, or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. As a result, we do not know if some investors will find our common stock less attractive. The result may be a less active trading market for our common stock, and the price of our common stock may become more volatile.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of: (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; (iii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter; or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities during any three-year period.

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This provision allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of some accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption, and therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

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THE OFFERING

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(2) Except as otherwise noted, all information in this prospectus reflects and assumes no exercise of pre-funded warrants and Class E Warrants sold in this offering or of outstanding Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants and February 2022 Representative’s Purchase Warrants, March 2022 Representative’s Purchase Warrants and May 2022 Representative’s Purchase Warrants, and no conversion of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock.

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty. We have identified a number of risk factors which you should consider before investing in our securities. You should consider carefully the risks set forth below, those risk factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 3, 2023, and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, and in any other documents we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, as well as those under the heading “Risk Factors” in the accompanying base prospectus before investing in our securities. The occurrence of one or more of these risk factors could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

Risks Related to this Offering

Sales of our common stock by stockholders may have an adverse effect on the then prevailing market price of our common stock.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market following this offering, including upon exercise of our currently outstanding Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants Class D Warrants and underwriters warrants or conversion of our outstanding Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common stock or other equity- related securities would have on the market price of our common stock.

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may use the net proceeds in ways with which you disagree.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our securities. You will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause the price of our securities to decline. Pending the application of these funds, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

The Class E Warrants and pre-funded warrants are speculative in nature.

The Class E Warrants and pre-funded warrants offered hereby do not confer any rights of common stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire common stock at a fixed price. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the pre-funded warrants may acquire the common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants at an exercise price of $0.01 per share and holders of the Class E Warrants may acquire the common stock issuable upon the exercise of such warrants at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. Moreover, following this offering, the market value of the Class E Warrants and pre-funded warrants is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the Class E Warrants and pre-funded warrants will equal or exceed their public offering price.

There is no public market for the Class E Warrants or pre-funded warrants being offered in this offering and we do not expect one to develop.

There is presently no established public trading market for the Class E Warrants or pre-funded warrants being offered in this offering and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the Class E Warrants or pre-funded warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system, including the Nasdaq. Without an active market, the liquidity of the Class E Warrants and pre-funded warrants will be limited.

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Purchasers of our Class E Warrants or pre-funded warrants will not have any rights of common stockholders until such Class E Warrants or pre-funded warrants are exercised.

The Class E Warrants and pre-funded warrants being offered do not confer any rights of common stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire common stock at a fixed price.

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings and other issuances of our common stock, preferred stock or other securities, including upon conversion of our Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, we may elect to sell one or more of our vessels or vessel-owning subsidiaries, conduct a spinoff of such vessels or subsidiaries, or contribute such vessels or vessel-owning subsidiaries to a joint venture, master limited partnership or other entity on terms with which you do not agree.

In order to raise additional capital, including to support our growth plans, or in connection with equity awards, strategic transactions or otherwise, we expect in the future to offer additional common stock, preferred stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, including convertible debt. We expect that a significant component of the financing for the planned expansion of our fleet will be through equity offerings. We cannot predict the size of future issuances or sales of our common stock, preferred stock or other securities, including those made in connection with future capital raising activities or acquisitions, or the effect, if any, that such issuances or sales may have on the market price of our common stock. The issuance and sale of substantial amounts of common stock, preferred stock or other equity-linked securities, or announcement that such issuance and sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and our Series A Preferred Stock. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to make future sales of our common stock, preferred stock or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than the price per share paid by investors, and investors purchasing stocks or other securities in the future could have rights that are superior to existing stockholders. In addition, our Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at a conversion price equal to the lower of (i) $7.50 and (ii) the VWAP of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period expiring on the trading day immediately prior to the date of delivery of written notice of the conversion, which may result in the issuance of common stock upon conversion of such preferred stock at an effective price lower than the price per share paid by other investors. The issuance of additional common stock, preferred stock or other securities could adversely impact the trading price of our common stock.

Any such capital raising transactions may be at the Imperial Petroleum Inc. or subsidiary level, to which interests in certain vessels in our fleet and rights to receive related cash flows would be transferred, as well as other capital raising alternatives available to us at that particular time. In addition, we may elect to sell one or more of our vessels or vessel-owning subsidiaries, conduct a spinoff of such vessels or subsidiaries, or contribute such vessels or vessel-owning subsidiaries to a joint venture, master limited partnership or other entity on terms with which you do not agree. Any such transfer may reduce our asset base and our rights to cash flows related to the transferred assets. If we contribute assets to a joint venture or master limited partnership, the joint venture or master limited partnership may be owned by or issue equity securities to public or private investors, and as part of any spin-off of assets we may be required to distribute a portion of such assets to holders of outstanding warrants pursuant to the terms of such warrants, thereby reducing our percentage interest in such assets and in the related cash flows.

Future issuances or sales, or the potential for future issuances or sales, of our common stock may cause the trading price of our securities to decline and could impair our ability to raise capital through subsequent equity offerings.

We have issued a significant number of our shares of common stock and we may do so in the future. Shares to be issued in future equity offerings could cause the market price of our common stock to decline, and could have an adverse effect on our earnings per share. In addition, future sales of our common stock or other securities

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in the public markets, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline, and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional securities.

The market price of our common stock could decline due to sales, or the announcements of proposed sales, of a large number of shares of common stock in the market, including sales of common stock by our large stockholders, or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales or the perception that these sales could occur could also depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities or make it more difficult or impossible for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of common stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our common stock.

Our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, authorizes our Board, to, among other things, issue additional shares of common or preferred stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into equity securities, without stockholder approval. We may issue such additional equity or convertible securities to raise additional capital.

The issuance of any additional shares of common or preferred stock or convertible securities could be substantially dilutive to our stockholders. Moreover, to the extent that we issue restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, options or warrants to purchase our common stock in the future and those stock appreciation rights, options or warrants are exercised or as the restricted stock units vest, our stockholders may experience further dilution. Holders of shares of our common stock have no preemptive rights that entitle such holders to purchase their pro rata share of any offering of shares of any class or series and, therefore, such sales or offerings could result in increased dilution to our stockholders.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $15.6 million from this offering, after deducting placement agent and commissions and expenses payable by us related to this offering. This amount is based on the public offering price of $2.00 per share of common stock and accompanying Class E Warrant and $1.99 per pre-funded warrant and accompanying Class E Warrant, and assuming no exercise of the Class E Warrants sold in this offering.

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for capital expenditures, including acquisitions of additional vessels which we have not yet identified, which may include vessels in seaborne transportation sectors other than the product and crude tanker and drybulk sectors in which we currently operate, and for other general corporate purposes.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization at June 30, 2023:

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. Our board of directors will, however, evaluate our dividend policy consistent with our cash flows and liquidity requirements and we may consider paying dividends on our common stock depending on future performance of our business and financial condition. Declaration and payment of any future dividend is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. The timing and amount of dividend payments will be dependent upon our earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, restrictions in our loan agreements, or other financing arrangements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of distributions to stockholders and other factors, and will be subject to the priority of our Series A Preferred Stock, which, as described elsewhere in this prospectus, earn dividends at a dividend rate of 8.75% per annum per $25.00 of liquidation preference per share. Because we are a holding company with no material assets other than the stock of our subsidiaries, our ability to pay dividends will depend on the earnings and cash flow of our subsidiaries and their ability to pay dividends to us. Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent upon the payment thereof.

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING

We are offering 8,499,999 Units, each Unit consisting of one share of common stock and one Class E Warrant to purchase one share of common stock. We are also offering to each purchaser whose purchase of shares of common stock in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, such limit may be increased to up to 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock immediately following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase, if the purchaser so chooses, Units containing pre-funded warrants in lieu of shares of common stock that would otherwise result in the purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, such limit may be increased to up to 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock. For each pre-funded warrant we sell (without regard to any limitation on exercise set forth therein), the number of shares of common stock we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. Because one Class E Warrant is being sold together in this offering with each common stock or, in the alternative, each pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of common stock, the number of Class E Warrants sold in this offering will not change as a result of a change in the mix of the number of shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants sold.

We are also registering the common stock included in the Units and the common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants and Class E Warrants included in the Units offered hereby. Our Units have no stand-alone rights and will not be certificated or issued as stand-alone securities. The common stock (or pre-funded warrants) and the Class E Warrants comprising our Units are immediately separable and will be issued separately in this offering.

The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the pre-funded warrants and Class E Warrants offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the form of pre- funded warrant, and the form of Class E Warrant, which will be filed as an exhibit to our Report on Form 6-K in connection with this offering and incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions set forth in the form of pre-funded warrant and the form of Class E Warrant.

Exercisability. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance. The Class E Warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance up to the date that is five years after their original issuance. Each of the Class E Warrants and the pre-funded warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and, at any time a registration statement registering the issuance of the common stock underlying the Class E Warrants or pre-funded warrants under the Securities Act is effective and available for the issuance of such shares, or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is available for the issuance of such shares, by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. If a registration statement registering the issuance of the common stock underlying the Class E Warrants under the Securities Act is not effective or available and an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is not available for the issuance of such stock, the holder may, in its sole discretion, elect to exercise the Class E Warrants through a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the Class E Warrants. At any time, the holder may, in its sole discretion, elect to exercise the pre-funded warrants through a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the pre-funded warrants. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a Class E Warrant or pre-funded warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price. The Class E Warrants and pre-funded warrants will be issued in certificated form only.

Exercise Limitation. A holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the Class E Warrants or pre-funded warrants if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, upon election by a holder prior to the issuance of any pre-funded warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our

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common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of such warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99%, upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us with respect to any increase in such percentage.

Exercise Price. The exercise price for the pre-funded warrants is $0.01 per share. The exercise price per whole share of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the Class E Warrants is $2.00 per share. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise will adjust in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock.

Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the Class E Warrants and the pre-funded warrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned without our consent.

Exchange Listing. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the Class E Warrants or pre-funded warrants offered in this offering on any stock exchange. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Class E Warrants and the pre-funded warrants will be limited.

Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Class E Warrants or the pre-funded warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of our common stock, the holder of a Class E Warrant or pre-funded warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises such warrants.

Fundamental Transactions. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the Class E Warrants and the pre-funded warrants and generally including, with certain exceptions, any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the Class E Warrants and the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. Additionally, as more fully described in the Class E Warrants, in the event of certain fundamental transactions, the holders of the Class E Warrants will be entitled to receive consideration in an amount equal to the Black Scholes value of the Class E Warrants on the date of consummation of such transaction.

Governing Law. The pre-funded warrants and the Class E Warrants are governed by New York law.

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TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax and Marshall Islands tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Units consisting of one share of common stock share of or one pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of common stock and one Class E Warrant to purchase one share of common stock, and of the ownership, exercise, lapse and disposition of the Class E Warrants and pre-funded warrants, and of the material U.S. federal and Marshall Islands income tax consequences applicable to us and our operations.

We have not sought, nor do we intend to seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the description herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court.

Marshall Islands Tax Consequences

The following is a discussion of the current laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands applicable to persons who do not reside in, maintain offices in or engage in business in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Imperial Petroleum is incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Under current Marshall Islands law, Imperial Petroleum is not subject to tax on income or capital gains, and no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon payments of dividends by Imperial Petroleum to holders of its common stock that are not residents or domiciled or carrying any commercial activity in the Marshall Islands. The holders of Imperial Petroleum common stock will not be subject to Marshall Islands tax on the sale or other disposition of such common stock.

United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following discussion of United States federal income tax matters is based on the Code, judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury Regulations”), all as of the date of this prospectus, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion is also based in part upon Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 883 of the Code. The discussion below is based, in part, on the description of Imperial Petroleum’s business as described in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and assumes that Imperial Petroleum will conduct its business as described in those documents.

This section does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to us or each investor. This section does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular investor based on such investor’s individual circumstances. In particular, this section considers only investors that will own Units as capital assets and does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to investors that are subject to special treatment, including broker-dealers, insurance companies, taxpayers who have elected mark-to-market accounting, tax-exempt organizations, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, financial institutions or “financial services entities”, taxpayers who hold common shares as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction, taxpayers required to recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than when such income is reported on an “applicable financial statement”, taxpayers that own 10% or more, directly or constructively, of the common shares, certain expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States, taxpayers that are subject to the “base erosion and anti-avoidance” tax”, and U.S. Holders (as defined herein) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. We have not sought, nor do we intend to seek, a ruling from the IRS as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the description herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court.

The following does not address any aspect of U.S. federal gift or estate tax laws, or state or local tax laws. Additionally, the section does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or

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persons who hold our common shares through such entities. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the specific tax consequences to them of the acquisition, holding or disposition of our common shares, in light of their particular circumstances.

United States Federal Income Taxation of Our Company

Taxation of Operating Income: In General

Unless exempt from United States federal income taxation under the rules discussed below, a foreign corporation is subject to United States federal income taxation in respect of any income that is derived from the use of vessels, from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use on a time, voyage or bareboat charter basis, from the participation in a pool, partnership, strategic alliance, joint operating agreement, code sharing arrangement or other joint venture it directly or indirectly owns or participates in that generates such income, or from the performance of services directly related to those uses, which we refer to as “shipping income,” to the extent that the shipping income is derived from sources within the United States. For these purposes, 50% of shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States exclusive of certain U.S. territories and possessions constitutes income from sources within the United States, which we refer to as “U.S.-source shipping income.”

Shipping income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States. We are not permitted by law to engage in transportation that produces income which is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States. Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-United States ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Shipping income derived from sources outside the United States will not be subject to any United States federal income tax.

In the absence of exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code, our gross U.S.-source shipping income would be subject to a 4% tax imposed without allowance for deductions as described below.

Exemption of Operating Income from United States Federal Income Taxation

Under Section 883 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, Imperial Petroleum will be exempt from United States federal income taxation on its U.S.-source shipping income if:

The Marshall Islands jurisdiction where Imperial Petroleum and certain of its shipowning subsidiaries, are incorporated, and Liberia where its other shipowning subsidiaries are incorporated, grant an “equivalent exemption” to United States corporations. Therefore, Imperial Petroleum will be exempt from United States federal income taxation in any taxable year with respect to our U.S.-source shipping income if Imperial Petroleum satisfies either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test for such taxable year.

Imperial Petroleum does not expect that it will be able to satisfy the 50% Ownership Test for any taxable year due to the anticipated, widely-held nature of its stock.

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Imperial Petroleum’s ability to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test is discussed below.

The Treasury Regulations provide, in pertinent part, that the stock of a foreign corporation will be considered to be “primarily traded” on an established securities market in a country if the number of shares of each class of stock that is traded during the taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such class that is traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country. Imperial Petroleum common stock and Series A Preferred Stock are “primarily traded” on the Nasdaq Capital Market, which is an established securities market for these purposes.

Under the regulations, Imperial Petroleum stock will be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market if one or more classes of its stock representing more than 50% of our outstanding shares, by total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and total value, is listed on the market (the “listing threshold”). Since Imperial Petroleum expects its common stock and Series A Preferred Stock, in the aggregate, to represent more than 50% of its outstanding shares, by total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and total value, and because Imperial Petroleum common stock and Series A Preferred Stock, is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, Imperial Petroleum expects to satisfy the listing threshold. However, it is possible that Imperial Petroleum’s common stock and Series A Preferred Stock represents less than 50% of Imperial Petroleum’s outstanding shares, by total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and total value, and no assurance can be given that Imperial Petroleum will satisfy the listing threshold to qualify for the exemption under Section 883 of the Code for any taxable year.

It is further required that with respect to each class of stock relied upon to meet the listing threshold (i) such class of the stock is traded on the market, other than in minimal quantities, on at least 60 days during the taxable year (or 1/6 of the days in the case of a short taxable year); and (ii) the aggregate number of shares of such class of stock traded on such market is at least 10% of the average number of shares of such class of stock outstanding during such year (or as appropriately adjusted in the case of a short taxable year). Imperial Petroleum expects to satisfy the trading frequency and trading volume tests described in this paragraph. Even if this were not the case, the relevant Treasury regulations provide that the trading frequency and trading volume tests will be deemed satisfied by a class of stock if, as is the case with its common stock and Series A Preferred Stock, such class of stock is traded on an established market in the United States, such as the Nasdaq Capital Market, and such class of stock is regularly quoted by dealers making a market in such stock.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Treasury regulations provide that, in pertinent part, a class of a non-U.S. corporation’s stock will not be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market for any taxable year if 50% or more of the outstanding shares of such class of the corporation’s stock is owned, actually or constructively under specified attribution rules, on more than half the days during the taxable year by persons who each own 5% or more of such class of the corporation’s stock (the “5% Override Rule”).

For purposes of being able to determine the persons who own 5% or more of a class of a corporation’s stock (“5% Stockholders”) the Treasury regulations permit a corporation to rely on Schedule 13D and Schedule 13G filings with the SEC to identify persons who have a 5% or more beneficial interest in such corporation’s common stock, which currently are our sole class of voting stock, or, if our Series A Preferred Stock are then entitled to vote, our Series A Preferred Stock. The Treasury regulations further provide that an investment company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, will not be treated as a 5% Stockholder for such purposes.

Additionally, we intend to take the position that the pre-funded warrants are a separate class of stock for purposes of the Publicly-Traded Test and that therefore the holders of pre-funded warrants will not be treated as owners of common stock for purposes of determining the percentage of common stock owned by a stockholder under the 5% Override Rule. However, the precise application of these rules to the pre-funded warrants is unclear and the IRS may disagree with this position.

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It is possible that 5% Stockholders may own more than 50% of the Imperial Petroleum common stock. In the event the 5% Override Rule is triggered, the Treasury regulations provide that the 5% Override Rule will nevertheless not apply if Imperial Petroleum can establish that within the group of 5% Stockholders, there are sufficient 5% Stockholders that are considered to be “qualified shareholders” for purposes of Section 883 of the Code to preclude non-qualified 5% Stockholders in the closely-held group from owning 50% or more of the corporation’s common stock for more than half the number of days during the taxable year. To establish this exception to the 5% Override Rule, 5% Stockholders owning a sufficient number of shares of our common stock would have to provide the Corporation with certain information in order to substantiate their status as qualified shareholders. If, after the Spin-Off, 5% Stockholders were to own more than 50% of the Imperial Petroleum common stock, there is no assurance that Imperial Petroleum would be able to satisfy the foregoing requirements.

Taxation in Absence of Exemption

If the benefits of Section 883 of the Code are unavailable for any taxable year, Imperial Petroleum’s U.S. source shipping income, to the extent not considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a United States trade or business, as described below, will be subject to a 4% tax imposed by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without the benefit of deductions (“4% gross basis tax regime”). Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more than 50% of our shipping income is treated as being derived from United States sources, the maximum effective rate of United States federal income tax on our shipping income will not exceed 2% under the 4% gross basis tax regime.

To the extent the benefits of the Section 883 of the Code are unavailable and Imperial Petroleum’s U.S. source shipping income is considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a United States trade or business, as described below, any such “effectively connected” U.S. source shipping income, net of applicable deductions, would be subject to the United States federal corporate income tax currently imposed at rates of up to 21%. In addition, Imperial Petroleum may be subject to the 30% United States federal “branch profits” taxes on earnings effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, as determined after allowance for certain adjustments, and on certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of such United States trade or business.

Imperial Petroleum’s U.S. source shipping income would be considered “effectively connected” with the conduct of a United States trade or business only if:

Imperial Petroleum does not intend to have, or permit circumstances that would result in having, any vessel operating to the United States on a regularly scheduled basis. Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of Imperial Petroleum’s shipping operations and other activities, Imperial Petroleum believes that none of its U.S. source shipping income will be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a United States trade or business.

United States Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels

Regardless of whether Imperial Petroleum qualifies for exemption under Section 883 of the Code, Imperial Petroleum will not be subject to United States federal income taxation with respect to gain realized on a sale of a vessel, provided the sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under United States federal income

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tax principles. In general, a sale of a vessel will be considered to occur outside of the United States for this purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of loss with respect to the vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States. It is expected that any sale of a vessel by Imperial Petroleum will be considered to occur outside of the United States.

United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders

The following discussion regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences, subject to the limitations described below, to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of acquiring, and of owning and disposing, our Units, does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person.

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants that acquired such shares or warrants in the offering and that is a United States citizen or resident, United States corporation or other United States entity taxable as a corporation, an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or the trust has in effect a valid election to be treated as a United States person.

This discussion does not purport to deal with the tax consequences of owning Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants to all categories of investors, some of which, such as dealers in securities, investors whose functional currency is not the United States dollar and investors that own, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, 10% or more of our common stock, may be subject to special rules. This discussion deals only with holders who hold Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants as a capital asset. You are encouraged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences arising in your own particular situation under United States federal, state, local or foreign law of the ownership of Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants.

If a partnership holds Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants, you are encouraged to consult your tax advisor.

Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit

No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addresses the treatment of a unit or instruments similar to a unit for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, therefore, that treatment is not entirely clear. The acquisition of a unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the acquisition of one share of common stock or one pre-funded warrant and one Class E Warrant. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each holder of a unit must allocate the purchase price paid by such holder for such unit between the common stock or pre-funded warrant and Class E Warrant based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of issuance. Under U.S. federal income tax law, each investor must make his or her own determination of such value based on all the relevant facts and circumstances. Therefore, we strongly urge each investor to consult his or her tax adviser regarding the determination of value for these purposes. The price allocated to each share of common stock or pre-funded warrant and each Class E Warrant should be the stockholder’s tax basis in such share or pre-funded warrant and each Class E Warrant, as the case may be. Any disposition of a Unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a disposition of the share of common stock or pre-funded warrant and Class E Warrant comprising the unit, and the amount realized on the disposition should be allocated between the share of common stock or pre-funded warrant and Class E Warrant based on their respective relative fair market values at the time of disposition (as determined by each such unit holder based on all relevant facts and circumstances). The separation of the common stock or pre-funded warrant and the Class E Warrant comprising a unit should not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

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The foregoing treatment of the common stock, pre-funded warrants and Class E Warrants and a holder’s purchase price allocation are not binding on the IRS or the courts. Because there are no authorities that directly address instruments that are similar to the units, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the characterization described above or the discussion below. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult its own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an investment in a unit (including alternative characterizations of a unit). The balance of this discussion assumes that the characterization of the units described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Tax Treatment of the Pre-Funded Warrants

We believe that our pre-funded warrants should be treated as our common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, rather than as warrants. Assuming this position is upheld, upon the exercise of a pre-funded warrant, the holding period of a pre-funded warrant should carry over to the common stock received. Similarly, no gain or loss should be recognized upon the exercise of a pre-funded warrant and the tax basis of a pre-funded warrant should carry over to the common stock received upon exercise, increased by the exercise price of $0.01 per share.

In the event that the exercise price or conversion ratio of pre-funded warrants is adjusted as a result of an action affecting the common stock, such as a dividend being paid on the common stock, a U.S. Holder may be treated as receiving a distribution from us. Such deemed distributions may be treated as a dividend and may be eligible for preferential tax rates, as described in the next section below.

However, our position is not binding on the IRS and the IRS may treat the pre-funded warrants as warrants to acquire our common stock. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the pre-funded warrants. The following discussion assumes our pre-funded warrants are properly treated as our common stock.

Distributions

Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies below, any distributions made by Imperial Petroleum with respect to its common stock to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or “qualified dividend income” to the extent of Imperial Petroleum’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of Imperial Petroleum’s current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis their common stock on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because Imperial Petroleum is not a United States corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations will generally not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to any distributions such corporate U.S. Holders receive. Dividends paid with respect to the Imperial Petroleum common stock will generally be treated as “passive category income” or, in the case of certain types of U.S. Holders, “general category income” for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for United States foreign tax credit purposes.

Dividends paid on the Imperial Petroleum common stock to a U.S. Holder who is an individual, trust or estate (a “U.S. Individual Holder”) are expected generally to be treated as “qualified dividend income” provided certain requirements are met. Qualified dividend income is taxable to such U.S. Individual Holders at preferential tax rates provided that (1) Imperial Petroleum is not a passive foreign investment company for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (which as discussed below, Imperial Petroleum does not believe it is, has been or will be), (2) the Imperial Petroleum common stock are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the Nasdaq Capital Market, on which the Imperial Petroleum common stock will be listed), (3) the U.S. Individual Holder has owned the common stock for more than 60 days in the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common stock become ex-dividend, and (4) the U.S. Individual Holder is not under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make payments with respect to positions in similar or related property. There is no

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assurance that any dividends paid on the Imperial Petroleum common stock will be eligible for these preferential rates in the hands of a U.S. Individual Holder. Any dividends paid by Imperial Petroleum that are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a U.S. Individual Holder.

Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend”, which is generally a dividend paid by Imperial Petroleum in an amount which is equal to or in excess of ten percent of a stockholder’s adjusted tax basis (or fair market value in certain circumstances) in Imperial Petroleum common stocks. If Imperial Petroleum pays an “extraordinary dividend” on its common stock that is treated as “qualified dividend income,” then any loss derived by a U.S. Individual Holder from the sale or exchange of such common stock will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.

For foreign tax credit purposes, if at least 50 percent of our stock by voting power or by value is owned, directly, indirectly or by attribution, by United States persons, then, subject to the limitation described below, a portion of the dividends that we pay in each taxable year will be treated as U.S.-source income, depending in general upon the ratio for that taxable year of our U.S.-source earnings and profits to our total earnings and profits. The remaining portion of our dividends (or all of our dividends, if we do not meet the 50 percent test described above) will be treated as foreign-source income and generally will be treated as passive category income or, in the case of certain types of United States holders, general category income for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for United States federal income tax purposes. However, if, in any taxable year, we have earnings and profits and less than ten percent of those earnings and profits are from United States sources, then, in general, dividends that we pay from our earnings and profits for that taxable year will be treated entirely as foreign-source income. Where a United States holder that is an individual receives a dividend on our shares that is a qualifying dividend (as described in the second preceding paragraph), special rules will apply that will limit the portion of such dividend that will be included in such individual’s foreign source taxable income and overall taxable income for purposes of calculating such individual’s foreign tax credit limitation.

Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock

Assuming Imperial Petroleum does not constitute a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of Imperial Petroleum common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such stock. Such gain or loss will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Gain or loss realized by a United States holder on the sale or exchange of common stock generally will be treated as U.S.-source gain or loss for United States foreign tax credit purposes. A United States holder’s ability to deduct capital losses against ordinary income is subject to certain limitations.

Exercise of Class E Warrants

A U.S. Holder should not recognize gain or loss on the exercise of Class E Warrants and related receipt of common stock (unless cash is received in lieu of the issuance of a fractional share). A U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in the common stock received on the exercise of a Class E Warrant should be equal to the sum of (a) such U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in such warrant plus (b) the exercise price paid by such U.S. Holder on the exercise of such warrant. If we were to become a PFIC, pursuant to proposed Treasury Regulations a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common stock received will begin on the date on which such U.S. holder acquired its Class E Warrant.

In certain limited circumstances, a U.S. Holder may be permitted to undertake a cashless exercise of Class E Warrants into common stock. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of warrants into common stock is unclear, and the tax consequences of a cashless exercise could differ from the consequences upon the exercise of a Class E Warrant described in the preceding paragraph. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of Class E Warrants.

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Disposition of Class E Warrants

A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of a Class E Warrant in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class E Warrant sold or otherwise disposed of. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, any such gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Class E Warrant is held for more than one year. Deductions for capital losses are subject to complex limitations under the Code.

Expiration of Class E Warrants without Exercise

Upon the lapse or expiration of a Class E Warrant, a U.S. Holder will recognize a loss in an amount equal to such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class E Warrant. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, any such loss generally will be a capital loss and will be long-term capital loss if the Class E Warrants are held for more than one year. Deductions for capital losses are subject to complex limitations under the Code.

Certain Adjustments to the Class E Warrants

Under Section 305 of the Code, an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock that will be issued on the exercise of the Class E Warrants, or an adjustment to the exercise price of the Class E Warrants, may be treated as a constructive distribution to a U.S. Holder of the Class E Warrants if, and to the extent that, such adjustment has the effect of increasing such U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in our earnings and profits or our assets, depending on the circumstances of such adjustment (for example, if such adjustment is to compensate for a distribution of cash or property to the stockholders). Adjustments to the exercise price of the Class E Warrants made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing dilution of the interest of the holders of the Class E Warrants should generally not be considered to result in a constructive distribution. Any such constructive distribution would be taxable whether or not there is an actual distribution of cash or other property (see more detailed discussion of the rules applicable to distributions we make at “Distributions” above).

Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences

Special United States federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that holds stock or Class E Warrants in a foreign corporation classified as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for United States federal income tax purposes. In general, Imperial Petroleum will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which such holder held Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants, either:

For purposes of determining whether Imperial Petroleum is a PFIC, Imperial Petroleum will be treated as earning and owning our proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of any of its subsidiary corporations, in which Imperial Petroleum owns at least 25% of the value of the subsidiary’s stock. Income earned, or deemed earned, by Imperial Petroleum in connection with the performance of services would not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income would generally constitute “passive income” unless Imperial Petroleum were treated under specific rules as deriving rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business.

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Based on Imperial Petroleum’s anticipated operations and future projections, Imperial Petroleum does not believe that it is a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2022. Although there is no legal authority directly on point, and Imperial Petroleum is not relying upon an opinion of counsel on this issue, Imperial Petroleum’s belief is based principally on the position that, for purposes of determining whether Imperial Petroleum is a PFIC, the gross income Imperial Petroleum derives or is deemed to derive from the time chartering and voyage chartering activities of its wholly-owned subsidiaries should constitute services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, such income should not constitute passive income, and the assets that Imperial Petroleum or its wholly-owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular, the vessels, should not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether Imperial Petroleum is a PFIC. Imperial Petroleum believes there is substantial legal authority supporting its position consisting of case law and IRS pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. Moreover, in the absence of any legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing PFICs, the IRS or a court could disagree with Imperial Petroleum’s position. In addition, although Imperial Petroleum intends to conduct its affairs in a manner to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, there can be no assurance that the nature of Imperial Petroleum’s operations will not change in the future.

As discussed more fully below, if Imperial Petroleum were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year which included a U.S. Holder’s holding period in Imperial Petroleum common stock or Series A Preferred Stock, then such U.S. Holder would be subject to different U.S. federal income taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat Imperial Petroleum as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF election”). As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to Imperial Petroleum common stock or Series A Preferred Stock, as discussed below. In addition, if Imperial Petroleum were to be treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of Imperial Petroleum common stock or Series A Preferred Stock would be required to file annual information returns with the IRS.

In addition, if a U.S. Holder owns Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants and Imperial Petroleum is a PFIC, such U.S. Holder must generally file IRS Form 8621 with the IRS

U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election

A U.S. Holder who makes a timely QEF election with respect to Imperial Petroleum common stock (an “Electing Holder”) would report for U.S. federal income tax purposes his pro rata share of Imperial Petroleum’s ordinary earnings and of Imperial Petroleum’s net capital gain, if any, for Imperial Petroleum’s taxable year that ends with or within the taxable year of the Electing Holder. Imperial Petroleum’s net operating losses or net capital losses would not pass through to the Electing Holder and will not offset Imperial Petroleum’s ordinary earnings or net capital gain reportable to the Electing Holder in subsequent years (although such losses would ultimately reduce the gain, or increase the loss, if any, recognized by the Electing Holder on the sale of his common stock). Distributions received from Imperial Petroleum by an Electing Holder are excluded from the Electing Holder’s gross income to the extent of the Electing Holder’s prior inclusions of Imperial Petroleum’s ordinary earnings and net capital gain. The Electing Holder’s tax basis in his common stock would be increased by any amount included in the Electing Holder’s income. Distributions received by an Electing Holder, which are not includible in income because they have been previously taxed, would decrease the Electing Holder’s tax basis in Imperial Petroleum common stock. An Electing Holder would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or exchange of Imperial Petroleum common stock. In order for an Electing Holder to make a QEF election, we would need to provide such Electing Holder with annual information regarding Imperial Petroleum. If we were aware that we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, we currently expect that we would provide each United States Holder with all necessary information, to the extent reasonably available, in order to make the QEF election described above with respect to our common stock. We may elect to provide such information on our website. A QEF election will not be available with respect to Class E Warrants. The availability of a QEF

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election with respect to the pre-funded warrants is unclear, and depends upon whether the pre-funded warrants are treated as outstanding common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

U.S. Holders Making a Timely Mark-to-Market Election

A U.S. Holder who makes a timely mark-to-market election with respect to Imperial Petroleum common stock would include annually in the U.S. Holder’s income, as ordinary income, any excess of the fair market value of the common stock at the close of the taxable year over the U.S. Holder’s then adjusted tax basis in the common stock, respectively. The excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis at the close of the taxable year over the then fair market value of the common stock would be deductible in an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of the excess or the net mark-to-market gains that the U.S. Holder included in income in previous years with respect to the common stock. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in his common stock would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss amount recognized pursuant to the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder would recognize ordinary income or loss on a sale, exchange or other disposition of the common stock; provided, however, that any ordinary loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition may not exceed the net mark-to-market gains that the U.S. Holder included in income in previous years with respect to the common stock. A mark-to-market election will not be available with respect to the Class E Warrants. The availability of a mark-to-market election with respect to the pre-funded warrants is unclear, and depends upon whether the pre-funded warrants are treated as outstanding common stock, and of the same class as our other common stock, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF Election or Mark-to-Market Election

A U.S. Holder who does not make a timely QEF Election or a timely mark-to-market election with respect to Imperial Petroleum common stock or, to the extent applicable, pre-funded warrants, or is holding our Class E Warrants (a “Non-Electing Holder”) would be subject to special rules with respect to (i) any “excess distribution” (generally, the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on the common stock or Class E Warrants in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holder’s holding period for the common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants), and (ii) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants. Under these rules, (i) the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holder’s holding period for the common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants; (ii) the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, would be taxed as ordinary income; and (iii) the amount allocated to each of the other prior taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed tax deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year. If a Non-Electing Holder dies while owning Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants, the Non-Electing Holder’s successor would be ineligible to receive a step-up in the tax basis of those common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants.

Unearned Income Medicare Contribution Tax

Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts are required to pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants. U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on the ownership and disposition of our common stock, pre-funded warrants and Class E Warrants.

United States Federal Income Taxation of “Non-U.S. Holders”

A beneficial owner of Imperial Petroleum common stock (other than a partnership) that is not a U.S. Holder is referred to herein as a “Non-U.S. Holder.”

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Dividends on Common Stock

Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax on dividends received from Imperial Petroleum with respect to its common stock, unless such income is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of a United States income tax treaty with respect to those dividends, such income is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States.

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants or Class E Warrants

Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants, unless:

If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a United States trade or business for United States federal income tax purposes, the income from the common stock, including dividends and the gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants that is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business will generally be subject to regular United States federal income tax in the same manner as discussed in the previous section relating to the taxation of U.S. Holders. In addition, in the case of a corporate Non-U.S. Holder, its earnings and profits that are attributable to the effectively connected income, subject to certain adjustments, may be subject to an additional United States federal “branch profits” tax at a rate of 30%, or at a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable United States income tax treaty.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

In general, dividend payments, or other taxable distributions, made within the United States to you will be subject to information reporting requirements. Such payments will also be subject to backup withholding tax if a U.S. Individual Holder:

Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying their status on an appropriate IRS Form W-8.

If a stockholder sells Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants to or through a United States office of a broker, the payment of the proceeds is subject to both United States backup withholding and information reporting unless the stockholder certifies that it is a non-U.S. person, under penalties of perjury, or the stockholder otherwise establishes an exemption. If a stockholder sells Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants through a non-United States office of a non-United States broker and the sales proceeds are paid outside the United States then information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to that payment. However, United States information reporting

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requirements, but not backup withholding, will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United States, if a stockholder sells Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants through a non-United States office of a broker that is a United States person or has some other contacts with the United States.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, a stockholder generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under backup withholding rules that exceed the stockholder’s United States federal income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.

Individuals who are U.S. Holders (and to the extent specified in the applicable Treasury Regulations, certain individuals who are Non-U.S. Holders and certain United States entities) who hold “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations) are required to file IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) with information relating to each such asset for each taxable year in which the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $75,000 at any time during the taxable year or $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year. Specified foreign financial assets would include, among other assets, Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants, unless Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants or Class E Warrants were held through an account maintained with a United States financial institution. Substantial penalties apply to any failure to timely file IRS Form 8938, unless the failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. Additionally, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of United States federal income tax with respect to a taxable year for which the filing of IRS Form 8938 is required may not close until three years after the date on which IRS Form 8938 is filed. U.S. Holders (including United States entities) and Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations under Section 6038D of the Code.

Imperial Petroleum encourages each stockholder and warrant holder to consult with his, her or its own tax advisor as to particular tax consequences to it of acquiring, holding and disposing of Imperial Petroleum common stock, pre-funded warrants and Class E Warrants, including the applicability of any state, local or foreign tax laws and any proposed changes in applicable law.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Pursuant to a placement agency agreement, we have engaged Maxim Group LLC to act as our exclusive placement agent (the “Placement Agent”) to solicit offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus. The Placement Agent is not purchasing or selling any securities, nor is it required to arrange for the purchase and sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities, other than to use its “reasonable best efforts” to arrange for the sale of the securities by us. We have entered into securities purchase agreements directly with the investors in connection with this offering, and we will only sell our securities offered hereby to the investors who have entered into the securities purchase agreements. The Placement Agent may engage one or more subagents or selected dealers in connection with this offering.

The placement agency agreement provides that the Placement Agent’s obligations are subject to conditions contained in the placement agency agreement.

We will deliver the securities being issued to the investors upon receipt of investor funds for the purchase of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus. We expect to deliver the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus starting on or about August 15, 2023.

Placement Agent Fees, Commissions and Expenses

Upon the closing of this offering, we will pay the Placement Agent a cash transaction fee of up to 6.0% of the aggregate gross cash proceeds to us from the sale of the securities in the offering. In addition, we will reimburse the Placement Agent for its out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this offering, including the fees and expenses of the counsel for the Placement Agent, up to $100,000.

The following table shows the public offering price, Placement Agent fees and proceeds, before expenses, to us.

We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding Placement Agent fees, will be approximately $400,000 all of which are payable by us. This figure includes the Placement Agent’s accountable expenses, including, but not limited to, legal fees for Placement Agent’s legal counsel, that we have agreed to pay at the closing of the offering up to an aggregate expense reimbursement of $100,000.

Lock-Up Agreements

We and each of our officers and directors have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, issue, sell, contract to sell, encumber, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any of our shares of common stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our shares of common stock for a period of 90 days after this offering is completed without the prior written consent of the Placement Agent.

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The Placement Agent may in its sole discretion and at any time without notice release some or all of the shares subject to lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the lock-up period. When determining whether or not to release shares from the lock-up agreements, the Placement Agent will consider, among other factors, the reasons for requesting the release, the number of shares for which the release is being requested and market conditions at the time.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the Placement Agent against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the Placement Agent may be required to make for these liabilities.

Determination of Offering Price and Class E Warrant Exercise Price

The actual public offering price of the securities we are offering, and the exercise price of the Class E Warrants included in the Units that we are offering, were negotiated between us and the investors in the offering based on the trading of our common stock prior to the offering, among other things. Other factors considered in determining the public offering price of the securities we are offering, as well as the exercise price of the Class E Warrants included in the Units that we are offering include our history and prospects, the stage of development of our business, our plans for the future of our business and the extent to which they have been implemented, an assessment of our management, the general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the offering and such other factors as were deemed relevant including trends and fundamentals in the shipping markets, including in particular for tanker vessels.

Regulation M

The Placement Agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by it and any profit realized on the resale of the securities sold by it while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. As an underwriter, the Placement Agent would be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of our securities by the Placement Agent acting as principal. Under these rules and regulations, the Placement Agent (i) may not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities and (ii) may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until it has completed its participation in the distribution.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by the Placement Agent. In connection with the offering, the Placement Agent or selected dealers may distribute prospectuses electronically. No forms of electronic prospectus other than prospectuses that are printable as Adobe^® PDF will be used in connection with this offering.

Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the Placement Agent’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by the Placement Agent is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the Placement Agent in its capacity as placement agent and should not be relied upon by investors.

Certain Relationships

The Placement Agent and its affiliates have and may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the

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future receive customary fees. To the extent required by Regulation M, the sales agents will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement. Maxim acted as the sole underwriter in connection with our public offerings that we consummated in February 2022, March 2022 and May 2022, as warrant solicitation agent in connection with a warrant inducement transaction, and as sales agent in connection with an at-the-market offering program entered into in December 2022, for each of which it received compensation.

Selling Restrictions

Australia. No prospectus or other disclosure document (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or the Corporations Act) in relation to the securities has been or will be lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, or ASIC. This document has not been lodged with ASIC and is only directed to certain categories of exempt persons. Accordingly, if you receive this document in Australia:

Canada. The securities may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the securities must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal adviser.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriters conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

European Economic Area. In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant State”), no securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by

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the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of securities may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to securities in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

Hong Kong. The securities may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance”) or which do not constitute an invitation to the public within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“Securities and Futures Ordinance”), or (ii) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the securities may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” in Hong Kong as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made thereunder.

Israel. This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, or the Securities Law, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In the State of Israel, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the shares and Class E Warrants is directed only at, investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisers, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and “qualified individuals,” each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors will be required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.

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EXPENSES

The following are the estimated expenses of the issuance and distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus, all of which will be paid by us.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the common stock offered hereby and other matters relating to Marshall Islands law will be passed upon for us by Reeder & Simpson P.C. Certain matters of New York law are being passed on by Goodwin Procter LLP, New York, New York. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York, is representing the placement agent in this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Imperial Petroleum Inc. as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus by reference to Imperial Petroleum Inc.’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, have been audited by Deloitte Certified Public Accountants, S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The office of Deloitte Certified Public Accountants, S.A. is located at Fragoklissias 3a & Granikou Street, Maroussi, Athens 151 25, Greece.

SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEMENT OF LIABILITIES

We are a Marshall Islands corporation and our principal executive offices are located outside of the United States in Athens, Greece. All of our directors and officers and some of the experts in this prospectus reside outside the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of our directors, officers and experts are located outside of the United States. As a result, you may have difficulty serving legal process within the United States upon us or any of these persons. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside of the United States, judgments you may obtain in U.S. courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. Federal or state securities laws.

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

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

As required by the Securities Act, we have filed a registration statement relating to the securities offered by this prospectus with the SEC. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information. We file annual and other reports and other information with the SEC. Such filings are available to the public from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with the SEC, by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Any information that we file later with the SEC and that is deemed incorporated by reference will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. In all such cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or in any incorporated document. You should not assume that information in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is current as of any date other than the date of that document:

This prospectus incorporates by reference the following documents:

We also incorporate by reference any future filings made with the SEC under the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the completion of the offering of the securities. In addition, we will incorporate by reference certain future materials furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K after the date of this prospectus supplement, but only to the extent specifically indicated in those submissions or in a future prospectus supplement. Each subsequently filed Annual Report should be deemed to supersede entirely each earlier filed Annual Report and, unless explicitly stated otherwise, such earlier reports should not be deemed to be part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement and you should not rely upon statements made in those earlier periodic reports.

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

Imperial Petroleum Inc.

331 Kifissias Avenue

Erithrea 14561

Athens, Greece

Attention: Secretary

011 30 210 625 0001

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PROSPECTUS

$500,000,000

IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.

DEBT SECURITIES

WARRANTS

RIGHTS

PURCHASE CONTRACTS

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

UNITS

DEPOSITARY SHARES

We may offer debt securities, warrants, rights, purchase contracts, common stock, preferred stock, units or depositary shares from time to time. We may also offer securities of the types listed above that are convertible or exchangeable into one or more of the other securities so listed. When we decide to sell a particular class or series of securities, we will provide specific terms of the offered securities in a prospectus supplement. The securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus will have an aggregate public offering price of up to $500,000,000.

The securities covered by this prospectus may be offered and sold from time to time in one or more offerings, which may be through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, will be included in a supplement to this prospectus.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “IMPP” and our 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “IMPPP.”

Our principal executive offices are located at 331 Kifissias Avenue, Erithrea 14561 Athens, Greece. Our telephone number at such address is 011 30 210 625 0001.

Investing in our securities involves risks. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or other 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.

Prospectus dated December 15, 2022.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference contain forward-looking statements based on beliefs of our management. Any statements contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated herein and therein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations or our performance. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:

WE UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO PUBLICLY UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE DOCUMENTS TO WHICH WE REFER YOU IN THIS PROSPECTUS, TO REFLECT ANY CHANGE IN OUR EXPECTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH STATEMENTS OR ANY CHANGE IN EVENTS, CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES ON WHICH ANY STATEMENT IS BASED, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks set forth below and the discussion of risks under the heading “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 SEC on March 29, 2022, our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on December 2, 2022 and the other documents we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the section entitled “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in future Annual Reports on Form 20-F that summarize the risks that may materially affect our business, before making an investment in our securities. Please see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation Of Certain Information By Reference.”

SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEMENT OF LIABILITIES

We are a Marshall Islands corporation and our principal executive offices are located outside of the United States in Athens, Greece. All of our directors and officers and some of the experts in this prospectus reside outside the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of our directors, officers and experts are located outside of the United States. As a result, you may have difficulty serving legal process within the United States upon us or any of these persons. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside of the United States, judgments you may obtain in U.S. courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. Federal or state securities laws.

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

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell from time to time any combination of the securities described in this prospectus having an aggregate public offering price of $500,000,000 in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. When we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation Of Certain Information By Reference.”

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

As required by the Securities Act, we have filed a registration statement relating to the securities offered by this prospectus with the SEC. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information. We file annual and other reports and other information with the SEC. Such filings are available to the public from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with the SEC, by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Any information that we file later with the SEC and that is deemed incorporated by reference will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. In all such cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or in any incorporated document. You should not assume that information in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is current as of any date other than the date of that document:

This prospectus incorporates by reference the following documents:

We also incorporate by reference any future filings made with the SEC under the Exchange Act after (i) the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement and (ii) the date of this prospectus and before the completion of the offering of the securities under the registration statement. In addition, we will incorporate by reference certain future materials furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K after the date of the initial registration statement, but only to the extent specifically indicated in those submissions or in a future prospectus supplement. Each subsequently filed Annual Report should be deemed to supersede entirely each earlier filed Annual Report and Quarterly Report and, unless explicitly stated otherwise, such earlier reports should not be deemed to be part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement and you should not rely upon statements made in those earlier periodic reports.

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

Imperial Petroleum Inc.

331 Kifissias Avenue

Erithrea 14561

Athens, Greece

Attention: Secretary

011 30 210 625 0001

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds received from the sale of the securities we offer by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

We may raise additional funds from time to time through equity or debt financings not involving the issuance of securities described in this prospectus, including borrowings under credit facilities, to finance our business and operations and our new vessel acquisitions.

CAPITALIZATION

Our capitalization will be set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F or a Report on Form 6-K which is incorporated herein by reference, or in a prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

Our 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. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of our management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of shares of our common stock.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any series of preferred stock in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

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

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer debt securities. As used in this prospectus, “debt securities” means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that Imperial Petroleum Inc. may issue from time to time. Debt securities offered by this prospectus will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities will be issued under a “Senior Indenture” to be entered into later between us and a trustee and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a “Subordinated Indenture” to be entered into later between us and a trustee. This prospectus sometimes refers to the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture collectively as the “Indentures.”

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The form of Senior Indenture and the form of the Subordinated Indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement. The statements and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement regarding provisions of the Indentures and debt securities are summaries thereof, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the Indentures and debt securities, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

General

Debt securities will be direct obligations of Imperial Petroleum Inc. Senior debt securities will rank equally with all of Imperial Petroleum Inc.’s other senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of Imperial Petroleum Inc.’s present and future senior indebtedness.

Because Imperial Petroleum Inc. is principally a holding company, its right to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary, upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent Imperial Petroleum Inc. may be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, Imperial Petroleum Inc.’s obligations under debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities of its subsidiaries, and holders of debt securities should look only to Imperial Petroleum Inc.’s assets for payment thereunder.

The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that Imperial Petroleum Inc. may issue and provide that Imperial Petroleum Inc. may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. Imperial Petroleum Inc. may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable Indenture.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to the specific series of debt securities being offered. These terms will include some or all of the following:

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Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities will be issued in fully-registered form without coupons.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

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Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such debt securities. Debt securities may also be issued as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement relating to any of the particular debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to specific debt securities will also describe any special considerations and certain additional tax considerations applicable to such debt securities.

Subordination

The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities will describe the specific subordination provisions. However, unless otherwise noted in the applicable prospectus supplement, subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of Imperial Petroleum Inc.’s Senior Indebtedness, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Indenture.

Under the Subordinated Indenture, “Senior Indebtedness” means all obligations of Imperial Petroleum Inc. in respect of any of the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter incurred or created:

Senior Indebtedness does not include:

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Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.

Unless otherwise noted in the accompanying prospectus supplement, if Imperial Petroleum Inc. defaults in the payment of any principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Indebtedness when it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise, then, unless and until such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, Imperial Petroleum Inc. will make no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) in respect of the principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities or in respect of any redemption, retirement, purchase or other requisition of any of the subordinated debt securities.

In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the holders of all senior debt securities outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on senior debt securities before the holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the subordinated debt securities.

If any of the following events occur, Imperial Petroleum Inc. will pay in full all Senior Indebtedness before it makes any payment or distribution under subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities or other property, to any holder of subordinated debt securities:

In such event, any payment or distribution under subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities or other property, which would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of such subordinated debt securities, will be paid or delivered directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full. If any payment or distribution under subordinated debt securities is received by the trustee of any subordinated debt securities in contravention of any of the terms of the Subordinated Indenture and before all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, such payment or distribution or security will be received in trust for the benefit of, and paid over or delivered and transferred to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full.

The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the issuance of additional Senior Indebtedness.

If subordinated debt securities are issued to a trust in connection with the issuance of trust preferred securities, such subordinated debt securities may thereafter be distributed pro rata to the holders of such trust securities in connection with the dissolution of such trust upon the occurrence of certain events described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Conversion Rights

In the case of debt securities that are convertible into other securities, an accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the terms on which such securities are convertible into shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or other securities. Those terms will address whether conversion is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. The terms may also provide that the number of shares or interests of our shares of common stock or other securities, as the case may be, to be received by the holders of the convertible debt securities will be calculated according to the market price of our shares of common stock or other securities, as the case may be, as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement or otherwise.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, the following shall constitute “Events of Default” under the Indentures with respect to each series of debt securities:

If an Event of Default with respect to any debt securities of any series outstanding under either of the Indentures shall occur and be continuing, the trustee under such Indenture or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series outstanding may declare, by notice as provided in the applicable Indenture, the principal amount (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the debt securities of that series) of the debt securities of that series outstanding to be due and payable immediately; provided that, in the case of an Event of Default involving certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, acceleration is automatic; and, provided further, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived.

Upon the acceleration of the maturity of original issue discount securities, an amount less than the principal amount thereof will become due and payable.

Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to any original issue discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of maturity thereof. Any past default under either Indenture with respect to debt securities of any series, and any Event of Default arising therefrom, may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of such series outstanding under such Indenture, except in the case of (i) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt securities of such series or (ii) default in respect of a covenant or provision which may not be amended or modified without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such series affected.

The trustee is required, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default (which is known to the trustee and is continuing), with respect to the debt securities of any series (without regard to any grace period or notice

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requirements), to give to the holders of debt securities of such series notice of such default; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment, on any debt securities of such series, the trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of debt securities of such series.

The trustee, subject to its duties during default to act with the required standard of care, may require indemnification by the holders of debt securities of any series with respect to which a default has occurred before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indentures at the request of the holders of debt securities of such series. Subject to such right of indemnification and to certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series under either Indenture may 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 with respect to debt securities of such series.

No holder of a debt security of any series may institute any action against Imperial Petroleum Inc. under either of the Indentures (except actions for payment of overdue principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such debt security or for the conversion or exchange of such debt security in accordance with its terms) unless (i) the holder has given to the trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to debt securities of such series specifying an Event of Default, as required under the applicable Indenture, (ii) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of that series then outstanding under such Indenture shall have requested the trustee to institute such action and offered to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request and (iii) the trustee shall not have instituted such action within 60 days of such request.

The terms of the Indentures require that Imperial Petroleum Inc. furnish annually to the trustee statements as to its compliance with all conditions and covenants under each Indenture.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Imperial Petroleum Inc. may discharge or defease its obligations under each Indenture as set forth below.

Imperial Petroleum Inc. may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under either the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture which have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and which have either become due and payable or are by their terms due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or, in the case of debt securities payable only in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in either Indenture), as trust funds in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such debt securities.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Imperial Petroleum Inc. may elect either (i) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to debt securities of or within any series (except as otherwise provided in the relevant Indenture) (“defeasance”) or (ii) to be released from its obligations with respect to certain covenants applicable to debt securities of or within any series (“covenant defeasance”), upon the deposit with the relevant Indenture trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money and/or government obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such debt securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As a condition to defeasance or covenant defeasance, Imperial Petroleum Inc. must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to

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federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (i) above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the relevant Indenture. In addition, in the case of either defeasance or covenant defeasance, Imperial Petroleum Inc. shall have delivered to the trustee (i) an officers’ certificate to the effect that the relevant debt securities exchange(s) have informed it that neither such debt securities nor any other debt securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit and (ii) an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with. Imperial Petroleum Inc. may exercise its defeasance option with respect to such debt securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

Modification and Waiver

Under the Indentures, Imperial Petroleum Inc. and the applicable trustee may supplement the Indentures for certain purposes which would not materially adversely affect the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities of a series without the consent of those holders. Imperial Petroleum Inc. and the applicable trustee may also modify the Indentures or any supplemental indenture in a manner that affects the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series issued under the Indenture. However, the Indentures require the consent of each holder of debt securities that would be affected by any modification which would:

If subordinated debt securities are held by a trust or a trustee of a trust, a supplemental indenture that affects the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities will not be effective until the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation preference of the preferred securities and common securities of the applicable trust, collectively, have consented to the supplemental indenture; provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security is required, the supplemental indenture will not be effective until each holder of the preferred securities and the common securities of the applicable trust has consented to the supplemental indenture.

The Indentures permit the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series issued under the Indentures which is affected by the modification or amendment to waive Imperial Petroleum Inc.’s compliance with certain covenants contained in the Indentures.

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Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name a debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as Imperial Petroleum Inc. may designate for such purpose from time to time.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at Imperial Petroleum Inc.’s option, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent designated by Imperial Petroleum Inc. and located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York will act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. All paying agents initially designated by Imperial Petroleum Inc. for debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Imperial Petroleum Inc. may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that Imperial Petroleum Inc. will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for debt securities of a particular series.

All moneys paid by Imperial Petroleum Inc. to a paying agent for the payment of the principal, interest or premium on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, interest or premium has become due and payable will be repaid to Imperial Petroleum Inc. upon request, and the holder of such debt security thereafter may look only to Imperial Petroleum Inc. for payment thereof.

Denominations, Registrations and Transfer

Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities will be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of a nominee for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). In such case, each holder’s beneficial interest in the global securities will be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial interests will only be effected through DTC’s records.

A holder of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial interest in a global security for certificated securities registered in the holder’s name if:

If debt securities are issued in certificated form, they will only be issued in the minimum denomination specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of such denomination. Transfers and exchanges of such debt securities will only be permitted in such minimum denomination. Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be registered at the trustee’s corporate office or at the offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by Imperial Petroleum Inc. under the Indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different denominations may also be made at such locations.

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Governing Law

The Senior Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture and debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or units 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. A series of warrants may 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 any applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

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

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of any of our debt or equity securities issued by us.

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

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

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 stockholder 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, including, where applicable, the following:

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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 SEC 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.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights, debt securities and depositary shares, or any combination thereof. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any series of units will describe the terms of the units, including, where applicable, the following:

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

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

We may issue fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do so, we may issue receipts for depositary shares that each represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. A related prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that is selected by us, which we refer to as the “bank depositary.” Each owner of a depository share will be entitled to all the right, preferences and privileges of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary share will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.

The forms of the depositary agreement and the depository receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC each time we issue depositary shares, and any prospectus supplement relating to any particular depositary shares will describe, among other things, the following:

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You should read the particular terms of any depositary shares and any depositary receipts that we offer and any deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred stock which will be described in more detail in a prospectus supplement. A copy of the form of deposit agreement, including the form of depositary receipt, will be filed with the SEC at the time of the offering and incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You can obtain copies of these documents when they are filed by following the directions outlined in “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

CONVERTIBLE OR EXCHANGEABLE SECURITIES

We may issue securities of the types described in this prospectus that are convertible or exchangeable into other securities described herein. The terms of such convertible or exchangeable securities will be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock summarizes the material terms and provisions of our capital stock. For the complete terms of our capital stock, please refer to our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws, which have been filed as an exhibit hereto. The Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act (the “BCA”), may also affect the terms of these securities.

Authorized Capitalization

Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. All of our shares of stock are in registered form. As of November 30, 2022, 193,111,176 shares of Common Stock, 795,878 shares of 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock and 16,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, as well as Class A Warrants to purchase up to 43,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, Class B Warrants to purchase up to 11,802,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.60 per share, Class C Warrants to purchase up to 78,278,862 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.55 per share, which expire on May 19, 2027 and Class D Warrants to purchase up to 31,150,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.80 per share, which expire on June 15, 2027 and underwriters warrants to purchase up to 552,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.375 per share, 1,724,998 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share, and 2,090,909 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.6875 per share.

Common Stock

Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which there were 4,775,272 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 193,111,176 shares outstanding as of November 30, 2022. As of November 30, 2022, we also had outstanding Class A Warrants to purchase up to 43,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, Class B Warrants to purchase up to 11,802,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.60 per share, 78,278,862 shares of common stock subject to outstanding Class C Warrants, with an exercise price of $0.55 per share, which expire on May 19, 2027 and 31,150,000 shares of common stock subject to outstanding Class D Warrants with an exercise price of $0.80 per share, which expire on June 15, 2027 and underwriters warrants to purchase up to 552,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.375 per share, 1,724,998 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share and 2,090,909 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.6875 per share. All of the 3,900,000 pre-funded warrants issued on March 23, 2022 were exercised, at a price of $0.01 per share, for an aggregate of 3,900,000 shares of common stock.

Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, on all matters that may be voted upon by their holders at meetings of the stockholders. Holders of our common stock (i) have equal ratable rights to dividends from funds legally available therefore, if declared by the Board of Directors; (ii) are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets available for distribution upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and (iii) do not have preemptive, subscription or conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions. All issued common stock when issued will be fully paid for and non-assessable.

Our stockholders have approved the amendment of the Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation to effect one or more reverse stock splits of the shares of our common stock issued and outstanding at the time of the reverse split at an exchange ratio of between one-for-two and one-for-five hundred, with the Board of Directors to determine, in its sole discretion, whether to implement any reverse stock split, as well as the specific timing and ratio, within such approved range of ratios; provided that any such split is implemented prior to the third anniversary of the Spin-Off.

Dividends. We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. Our board of directors will, however, evaluate our dividend policy consistent with our cash flows

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and liquidity requirements and we may consider paying dividends on our common stock depending on future performance of our business and financial condition. Declaration and payment of any future dividend is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. The timing and amount of dividend payments will be dependent upon our earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, restrictions in our loan agreements, or other financing arrangements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of distributions to stockholders and other factors, and will be subject to the priority of our Series A Preferred Stock, which, as described elsewhere in this prospectus, earn dividends at a dividend rate of 8.75% per annum per $25.00 of liquidation preference per share. Because we are a holding company with no material assets other than the stock of our subsidiaries, our ability to pay dividends will depend on the earnings and cash flow of our subsidiaries and their ability to pay dividends to us. Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent upon the payment thereof.

Warrants

General. As of November 30, 2022, we had outstanding Class A Warrants to purchase up to 43,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, Class B Warrants to purchase up to 11,802,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.60 per share, 78,278,862 shares of common stock subject to outstanding Class C Warrants, with an exercise price of $0.55 per share, and 31,150,000 shares of common stock subject to outstanding Class D Warrants with an exercise price of $0.80 per share, and underwriters warrants to purchase up to 552,000 shares of common Stocks at an exercise price of $1.375 per share, 1,724,998 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share and 2,090,909 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.6875 per share. All of the 3,900,000 pre-funded warrants issued on March 23, 2022 were exercised, at a price of $0.01 per share, for an aggregate of 3,900,000 shares of common stock.

The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the forms of Class A Warrant, Class B Warrant, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants, respectively, which are each filed as an exhibit to this registration statement.

Exercisability. The Class A Warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance, of February 2, 2022, up to the date that is five years after their original issuance (February 2, 2027). The Class B Warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance, of March 23, 2022, up to the date that is five years after their original issuance (March 23, 2027). The Class C Warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance, of May 19, 2022, up to the date that is five years after their original issuance (May 19, 2027). The Class D Warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance, of June 15, 2022, up to the date that is five years after their original issuance (June 15, 2027). The Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and, at any time a registration statement registering the issuance of the common stock underlying the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants or Class D Warrants under the Securities Act is effective and available for the issuance of such shares, or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is available for the issuance of such shares, by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. If a registration statement registering the issuance of the common stock underlying the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants or Class C Warrants, or the resale of the common stock underlying the Class D Warrants, under the Securities Act is not effective or available and, in the case of the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants and Class C Warrants, an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is not available for the issuance of such shares, the holder may, in its sole discretion, elect to exercise the Class A Warrant, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants or Class D Warrants through a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the Class A Warrant, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants or Class D Warrants. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a Class A Warrant, Class B Warrant, Class C Warrant or Class D Warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price.

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Exercise Limitation. A holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants or Class D Warrants if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, upon election by a holder prior to the issuance of any Class A warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99%, upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us with respect to any increase in such percentage.

Exercise Price. The exercise price per whole share of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the Class A Warrants is $1.25 per share, upon exercise of the Class B Warrants is $1.60 per share, upon exercise of the Class C Warrants is $0.55 per share and upon exercise of the Class D Warrants is $0.80 per share. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise will adjust in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock.

Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned without our consent.

Exchange Listing. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants or Class D Warrants on any stock exchange. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants will be limited.

Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants or Class D Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of our common stock, the holder of a Class A Warrant, Class B Warrant, Class C Warrants or Class D Warrants does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the warrant.

Fundamental Transactions. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants and generally including, with certain exceptions, any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. Additionally, as more fully described in the Class A Warrant, Class B Warrant, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants, as applicable, in the event of certain fundamental transactions, the holders of the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants will be entitled to receive consideration in an amount equal to the Black Scholes value of the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants or Class D Warrants, respectively, on the date of consummation of such transaction.

Governing Law. The Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants, Class C Warrants and Class D Warrants and related warrant agency agreement are governed by New York law.

Underwriter’s Warrants. The 552,000 February 2022 Representative’s Purchase Warrants, issued to the representative of the underwriters of our February 2022 underwritten public offering, have substantially similar terms as the Class A Warrants other than that they will be exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the period commencing July 31, 2022 and expiring January 31, 2027 at an exercise price of $1.375 per share. These warrants are governed by New York law.

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The 1,724,998 March 2022 Representative’s Purchase Warrants, issued to the representative of the underwriters of our March 2022 underwritten public offering, have substantially similar terms as the Class B Warrants other than that they will be exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the period commencing September 18, 2022 and expiring March 18, 2027 at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. These warrants are governed by New York law.

The 2,090,909 May 2022 Representative’s Purchase Warrants, issued to the representative of the underwriters of our May 2022 underwritten public offering, have substantially similar terms as the Class C Warrants other than that they will be exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the period commencing November 12, 2022 and expiring May 16, 2027 at an exercise price of $0.6875 per share. These warrants are governed by New York law.

Preferred Stock

Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 800,000 shares have been designated as Series A Preferred Stock, of which 795,878 shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and November 30, 2022, and 16,000 shares have been designated as Series B Preferred Stock, all of which were outstanding as of November 30, 2022. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series and our Board of Directors, without further approval from our stockholders, is authorized to fix the dividend rights and terms, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights, liquidation preferences and other rights and restrictions relating to any series. Issuances of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely affect the relative voting power of the holders of our common stock. See “Description of Series A Preferred Stock” and Description of Series B Preferred Stock” below.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is the transfer agent and registrar for Imperial Petroleum common stock and Series A Preferred Stock.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “IMPP.” Our Series A Preferred Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “IMPPP.”

Description of Series A Preferred Stock

The following description of the Series A Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Statement of Designations designating the Series A Preferred Stock (the “Statement of Designations”) and setting forth the rights, preferences and limitations of the Series A Preferred Stock. A copy of the Statement of Designations, is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which prospectus forms a part, and may be obtained from us as described under “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” References to “Imperial Petroleum Inc.,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer specifically to Imperial Petroleum Inc.

General

As of December 31, 2021 and November 30, 2022, there are 800,000 Series A Preferred Stock authorized, and 795,878 Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. We may, without notice to or consent of the holders of the then-outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, authorize and issue additional Series A Preferred Stock as well as Parity Securities and Junior Securities and, subject to the further limitations described under “—Voting Rights”, Senior Securities.

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The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available for that purpose at times and in amounts as our board of directors may from time to time determine. Upon the occurrence of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up the holders of common stock would be entitled to share ratably in the distribution of all of our assets remaining available for distribution after satisfaction of all our liabilities and payment to the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock (including the Series A Preferred Stock) having preferential rights to receive distributions of our assets.

The Series A Preferred Stock entitle the holders thereof to receive cumulative cash dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds for such purpose. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock have a fixed liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for payment, whether or not declared. Please read “—Liquidation Rights.”

The Series A Preferred Stock represent perpetual equity interests in us and, unlike our indebtedness, will not give rise to a claim for payment of a principal amount at a particular date. As such, the Series A Preferred Stock ranks junior to all of our indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us.

All the Series A Preferred Stock are represented by a single certificate issued to the Securities Depository (as defined below) and registered in the name of its nominee and, so long as a Securities Depository has been appointed and is serving, no person acquiring Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a certificate representing such shares unless applicable law otherwise requires or the Securities Depository resigns or is no longer eligible to act as such and a successor is not appointed. Please read “—Book-Entry System.”

The Series A Preferred Stock are not convertible into common stock or other of our securities and will not have exchange rights or be entitled or subject to any preemptive or similar rights. The Series A Preferred Stock will not be subject to mandatory redemption or to any sinking fund requirements. The Series A Preferred Stock will be subject to redemption, in whole or from time to time in part, at our option commencing on September 30, 2022. Please read “—Redemption.”

Ranking

The Series A Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend distributions and distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of our affairs, rank:

Under the Statement of Designations, we may issue Junior Securities and, so long as cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are not in arrears, Parity Securities from time to time in one or more series

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without the consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. Our board of directors has the authority to determine the preferences, powers, qualifications, limitations, restrictions and special or relative rights or privileges, if any, of any such series before the issuance of any shares of that series. Our board of directors will also determine the number of shares constituting each series of securities. Our ability to issue additional Senior Securities is limited as described under “—Voting Rights.”

Liquidation Preference

The holders of issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, to receive the liquidation preference of $25.00 per share in cash plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to (but not including) the date fixed for payment of such amount (whether or not declared), and no more, before any distribution will be made to the holders of our common stock or any other Junior Securities. A consolidation or merger of us with or into any other entity, individually or in a series of transactions, will not be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs for this purpose. In the event that our assets available for distribution to holders of the issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Securities are insufficient to permit payment of all required amounts, our assets then remaining will be distributed among the Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Securities, as applicable, ratably on the basis of their relative aggregate liquidation preferences. After payment of all required amounts to the holders of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Parity Securities, our remaining assets and funds will be distributed among the holders of the common stock and any other Junior Securities then issued and outstanding according to their respective rights.

Voting Rights

The Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights except as provided by Marshall Islands law and as follows. In the event that six quarterly dividends, whether consecutive or not, payable on Series A Preferred Stock are in arrears, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have the right, voting separately as a class together with holders of any other Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, at the next meeting of stockholders called for the election of directors, to elect one member of our board of directors, and the size of our board of directors will be increased as needed to accommodate such change (unless the size of our board of directors already has been increased by reason of the election of a director by holders of Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and with which the Series A Preferred Stock voted as a class for the election of such director). The right of such holders of Series A Preferred Stock to elect one member of our board of directors will continue until such time as all dividends accumulated and in arrears on the Series A Preferred Stock have been paid in full, at which time such right will terminate, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent failure to pay six quarterly dividends as described above. Upon any termination of the right of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other Parity Securities to vote as a class for a director, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class will terminate immediately. Any director elected by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other Parity Securities shall each be entitled to one vote per director on any matter before our board of directors.

Unless we have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, we may not (i) adopt any amendment to our articles of incorporation or Statement of Designations, that adversely alters the preferences, powers or rights of the Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) issue any Parity Securities if the cumulative dividends payable on outstanding Series A Preferred Stock are in arrears, or (iii) create or issue any Senior Securities.

On any matter described above on which the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a class, such holders will be entitled to one vote per share. The Series A Preferred Stock held by us or any of our subsidiaries or affiliates will not be entitled to vote.

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Dividends

General

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds for such purpose, cumulative cash dividends from December 3, 2021.

Dividend Rate

Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock will be cumulative, commencing December 3, 2021 and payable on each Dividend Payment Date, commencing December 30, 2021, when, as and if declared by our board of directors or any authorized committee thereof out of legally available funds for such purpose. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will accrue at a rate of 8.75% per annum per $25.00 stated liquidation preference per Series A Preferred Stock. The dividend rate is not subject to adjustment.

Dividend Payment Date

The “Dividend Payment Dates” for the Series A Preferred Stock will be each March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 30, commencing December 30, 2021. Dividends will accumulate in each dividend period from and including the preceding Dividend Payment Date or the initial issue date, as the case may be, to but excluding, the applicable Dividend Payment Date for such dividend period. If any Dividend Payment Date otherwise would fall on a day that is not a Business Day, declared dividends will be paid on the immediately succeeding Business Day without the accumulation of additional dividends. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will be payable based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

“Business Day” means a day on which the Nasdaq Stock Market is open for trading and which is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close.

Payment of Dividends

Not later than the close of business, New York City time, on each Dividend Payment Date, we will pay those dividends, if any, on the Series A Preferred Stock that have been declared by our board of directors to the holders of such shares as such holders’ names appear on our share transfer books maintained by the Registrar and Transfer Agent on the applicable Record Date. The applicable record date (the “Record Date”), will be three Business Days immediately preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date, except that in the case of payments of dividends in arrears, the Record Date with respect to a Dividend Payment Date will be such date as may be designated by our board of directors in accordance with our Bylaws then in effect and the Statement of Designations.

So long as the Series A Preferred Stock are held of record by the Securities Depository or its nominee, declared dividends will be paid to the Securities Depository in same-day funds on each Dividend Payment Date. The Securities Depository will credit accounts of its participants in accordance with the Securities Depository’s normal procedures. The participants will be responsible for holding or disbursing such payments to beneficial owners of the Series A Preferred Stock in accordance with the instructions of such beneficial owners.

No dividend may be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any Junior Securities (other than dividend payable solely in shares of Junior Securities) unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are being paid or provided for on all issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Securities through the most recent respective dividend payment dates. Accumulated dividends in arrears for any past dividend period may be declared by our board of directors and paid on any date fixed by our board of directors, whether or not a Dividend Payment Date, to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock on the record date for such payment, which may not be more than 60 days, nor less than 15 days, before such payment date. Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated dividends in arrears on all outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and

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any Parity Securities have not been declared and paid, or sufficient funds for the payment thereof have not been set apart, payment of accumulated dividends in arrears will be made in order of their respective dividend payment dates, commencing with the earliest. If less than all dividends payable with respect to all Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Securities are paid, any partial payment will be made pro rata with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Securities entitled to a dividend payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate amounts remaining due in respect of such shares at such time. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment which may be in arrears on the Series A Preferred Stock.

Redemption

The Series A Preferred Stock represent perpetual equity interests in us. We will have no obligation to redeem or repurchase any Series A Preferred Stock at any time.

Optional Redemption

We may redeem, at our option, in whole or from time to time in part, the Series A Preferred Stock (i) on or after June 30, 2022 and prior to June 30, 2023, at a price equal to $26.00 per Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) on or after June 30, 2023 and prior to June 30, 2024, at a price equal to $25.75 per Series A Preferred Stock, (iii) on or after June 30, 2024 and prior to June 30, 2025, at a price equal to $25.50 per Series A Preferred Stock, (iv) on or after June 30, 2025 and prior to June 30, 2026, at a price equal to $25.25 per Series A Preferred Stock, and (v) on or after June 30, 2026, at a price equal to $25.00 per Series A Preferred Stock, plus, in each case, an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to (but not including) the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such optional redemption may be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose.

Redemption Upon a Change of Control

In connection with a Change of Control (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, no later than 90 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurs, at a redemption price of (1) if the “Change of Control” occurs prior to December 31, 2023, $26.50 per share and (2) if the “Change of Control” occurs on or after December 31, 2023 at the same redemption prices as apply to an optional redemption as set forth above under “Optional Redemption”, plus, in the case of either (1) or (2), an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to (but not including) the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption may be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose.

A “Change of Control” means the following events have occurred and are continuing:

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Redemption Procedure

We will give notice of any redemption by mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the scheduled date of redemption, to the holders of any shares to be redeemed as such holders’ names appear on our share transfer books maintained by the Registrar and Transfer Agent at the address of such holders shown therein. Such notice shall state: (1) the redemption date, (2) the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if less than all issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the number (and the identification) of shares to be redeemed from such holder, (3) the redemption price, (4) the place where the Series A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed and shall be presented and surrendered for payment of the redemption price therefor, and (5) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate from and after such redemption date.

If fewer than all of the issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed will be determined by us, and such shares will be redeemed pro rata or by lot as the Securities Depository shall determine, with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares. So long as all Series A Preferred Stock are held of record by the Securities Depository or its nominee, we will give notice, or cause notice to be given, to the Securities Depository of the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed and the Securities Depository will determine the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed from the account of each of its participants holding such shares in its participant account.

So long as the Series A Preferred Stock are held of record by the Securities Depository or its nominee, the redemption price will be paid by the Paying Agent to the Securities Depository on the redemption date. The Securities Depository’s normal procedures provide for it to distribute the amount of the redemption price in same-day funds to its participants who, in turn, are expected to distribute such funds to the persons for whom they are acting as agent.

If we give or cause to be given a notice of redemption, then we will deposit with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock as to which notice has been given by the close of business, New York City time, no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the date fixed for redemption, and will give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the holder or holders thereof upon surrender or deemed surrender (which will occur automatically if the certificate representing such shares is issued in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee) of the certificates therefor. If notice of redemption shall have been given, then from and after the date fixed for redemption, unless we default in providing funds sufficient for such redemption at the time and place specified for payment pursuant to the notice, all dividends on such shares will cease to accumulate and all rights of holders of such shares as our stockholders will cease, except the right to receive the redemption price, including an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends to (but not including) the date fixed for redemption, whether or not declared. We will be entitled to receive from the Paying Agent the interest income, if any, earned on such funds deposited with the Paying Agent (to the extent that such interest income is not required to pay the redemption price of the shares to be redeemed), and the holders of any shares so redeemed will have no claim to any such interest income. Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent hereunder by us for any reason, including, but not limited to, redemption of Series A Preferred Stock, that remain unclaimed or unpaid after two years after the applicable redemption date or other payment date, shall be, to the extent permitted by law, repaid to us upon our written request after which repayment the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock entitled to such redemption or other payment shall have recourse only to us.

If only a portion of the Series A Preferred Stock represented by a certificate has been called for redemption, upon surrender of the certificate to the Paying Agent (which will occur automatically if the certificate representing such shares is registered in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee), the Paying Agent will issue to the holder of such shares a new certificate (or adjust the applicable book-entry account) representing the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by the surrendered certificate that have not been called for redemption.

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Notwithstanding any notice of redemption, there will be no redemption of any Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption until funds sufficient to pay the full redemption price of such shares, including all accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption, whether or not declared, have been deposited by us with the Paying Agent.

We and our affiliates may from time to time purchase the Series A Preferred Stock, subject to compliance with all applicable securities and other laws. Neither we nor any of our affiliates has any obligation or any present plan or intention, to purchase any Series A Preferred Stock. Any shares repurchased and cancelled by us will revert to the status of authorized but unissued preferred stock, undesignated as to series.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Securities have not been paid or declared and set apart for payment, we may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, in whole or in part, any Series A Preferred Stock or Parity Securities except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Securities. Common stock and any other Junior Securities may not be redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired unless full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Securities for all prior and the then-ending dividend periods have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.

No Sinking Fund

The Series A Preferred Stock do not have the benefit of any sinking fund.

Description of Series B Preferred Stock

The following description of the Series B Preferred Stock is a summary and does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Statement of Designation filed herewith as Exhibit 3.4.

On October 21, 2022, we issued 16,000 shares of our newly-designated Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of November 30, 2022, there are 16,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock authorized, and 16,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.

Voting. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each share of Series B preferred stock entitles the holder hereof to 25,000 votes per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company, provided however, that no holder of Series B preferred stock may exercise voting rights pursuant to Series B preferred stock that would result in the aggregate voting power of any beneficial owner of such shares and its affiliates (whether pursuant to ownership of Series B preferred stock, common stock or otherwise) to exceed 49.99% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast on any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Company. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the holder of Series B preferred stock shall have no special voting or consent rights and shall vote together as one class with the holders of the common stock on all matters put before the shareholders.

Conversion. The Series B preferred stock is not convertible into shares of common stock or any other security.

Redemption. The Series B preferred stock is not redeemable.

Dividends. The Series B preferred stock has no dividend rights.

Transferability. All issued and outstanding Series B preferred stock must be held of record by one holder, and the Series B preferred stock shall not be transferred or sold without the prior approval of our board of directors.

Liquidation Preference. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Series B preferred stock will rank pari-passu with the common stockholders and shall be entitled to receive a payment equal to the par value of $0.01 per share. The Series B preferred stockholder has no other rights to distributions upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

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Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws

Our articles of incorporation and our bylaws are filed as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, hereto.

Purpose.

Our purpose is to engage in any lawful act or activity relating to the business of chartering, rechartering or operating tankers, drybulk carriers or other vessels or any other lawful act or activity customarily conducted in conjunction with shipping, and any other lawful act or activity approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws do not impose any limitations on the ownership rights of our stockholders.

Under our bylaws, annual stockholder meetings will be held at a time and place selected by our Board of Directors. The meetings may be held in or outside of the Marshall Islands. Special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors may set a record date between 15 and 60 days before the date of any meeting to determine the stockholders that will be eligible to receive notice and vote at the meeting.

Directors.

Our directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the stockholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election. There is no provision for cumulative voting.

The Board of Directors may change the number of directors by a vote of a majority of the entire board. Each director shall be elected to serve until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, except in the event of his death, resignation, removal, or the earlier termination of his term of office. The Board of Directors has the authority to fix the amounts which shall be payable to the members of our Board of Directors for attendance at any meeting or for services rendered to us.

Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment.

Under the BCA, our stockholders have the right to dissent from various corporate actions, including any merger or sale of all or substantially all of our assets not made in the usual course of our business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares. However, the right of a dissenting stockholder under the BCA to receive payment of the fair value of his shares is not available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which shares or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of the stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (i) listed on a securities exchange or admitted for trading on an interdealer quotation system or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders. The right of a dissenting stockholder to receive payment of the fair value of his or her shares shall not be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation. In the event of any further amendment of our articles of incorporation, a stockholder also has the right to dissent and receive payment for his or her shares if the amendment alters certain rights in respect of those shares. The dissenting stockholder must follow the procedures set forth in the BCA to receive payment. In the event that we and any dissenting stockholder fail to agree on a price for the shares, the BCA procedures involve, among other things, the institution of proceedings in the circuit court in the judicial circuit in the Marshall Islands in which our Marshall Islands office is situated. The value of the shares of the dissenting stockholder is fixed by the court after reference, if the court so elects, to the recommendations of a court-appointed appraiser.

Stockholders’ Derivative Actions.

Under the BCA, any of our stockholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of common stock both at the time the derivative action is commenced and at the time of the transaction to which the action relates.

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Anti-takeover Provisions of our Charter Documents.

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

Blank Check Preferred Stock.

Under the terms of our articles of incorporation, our Board of Directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our stockholders, to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, of which 800,000 have been designated Series A Preferred Stock and of which 795,878 are issued and outstanding as of November 30, 2022 and 16,000 have been designated Series B Preferred Stock and of which 16,000 are issued and outstanding as of November 30, 2022. Our Board of Directors may issue shares of preferred stock on terms calculated to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or the removal of our management.

Classified Board of Directors.

Our articles of incorporation provide for a Board of Directors serving staggered, three-year terms. Approximately one-third of our Board of Directors will be elected each year. This classified board provision could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our shares or attempting to obtain control of our company. It could also delay stockholders who do not agree with the policies of the Board of Directors from removing a majority of the Board of Directors for two years.

Election and Removal of Directors.

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our bylaws require parties other than the Board of Directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. Our bylaws also provide that our directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote for those directors. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.

Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders.

Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by resolution of our Board of Directors.

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations.

Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary.

Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting. If, however, the date of our annual meeting is more than 30 days before or 60 days after the first anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices by

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the later of (i) the close of business on the 90th day prior to the annual meeting date or (ii) the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which such annual meeting date is first publicly announced or disclosed by us. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may impede stockholders’ ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of stockholders or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of stockholders.

Business Combinations.

Our articles of incorporation prohibit us from engaging in a “business combination” with certain persons for three years following the date the person becomes an interested stockholder. Interested stockholders generally include:

Subject to certain exceptions, a business combination includes, among other things:

These provisions of our articles of incorporation do not apply to a business combination if:

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FORM, EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER

We will issue securities only in registered form; no securities will be issued in bearer form. We will issue each security other than common stock in book-entry form only, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will issue common stock in both certificated and book-entry form, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Securities in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the securities represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a global security will do so through participants in the depositary’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. Only the depositary will be entitled to transfer or exchange a security in global form, since it will be the sole holder of the security. These book-entry securities are described below under “Book-Entry Procedures and Settlement.”

If any securities are issued in non-global form or cease to be book-entry securities (in the circumstances described in the next section), the following will apply to them:

BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES AND SETTLEMENT

Most offered securities will be book-entry (global) securities. Upon issuance, all book-entry securities will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities, without coupons. Each global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, and will be registered in the name of Cede & Co. or another nominee of DTC. DTC, Cede & Co., or such nominee, will thus be the only registered holder of these securities. Except as set forth below, the registered global securities may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to Cede & Co., another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.

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Purchasers of securities may only hold interests in the global securities through DTC if they are participants in the DTC system. Individual certificates in respect of the securities will not be issued in exchange for the registered global securities, except in very limited circumstances. Purchasers may also hold interests through a securities intermediary—banks, brokerage houses and other institutions that maintain securities accounts for customers—that has an account with DTC or its nominee. DTC will maintain accounts showing the security holdings of its participants, and these participants will in turn maintain accounts showing the security holdings of their customers. Some of these customers may themselves be securities intermediaries holding securities for their customers. Thus, each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will hold that security indirectly through a hierarchy of intermediaries, with DTC at the top and the beneficial owner’s own securities intermediary at the bottom.

The securities of each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will be evidenced solely by entries on the books of the beneficial owner’s securities intermediary. The actual purchaser of the securities will generally not be entitled to have the securities represented by the global securities registered in its name and will not be considered the owner under the declaration. In most cases, a beneficial owner will also not be able to obtain a paper certificate evidencing the holder’s ownership of securities. The book-entry system for holding securities eliminates the need for physical movement of certificates and is the system through which most publicly traded common stock is held in the United States. However, the laws of some jurisdictions require some purchasers of securities to take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer book-entry securities.

Title to book-entry interests in the securities will pass by book-entry registration of the transfer within the records of DTC in accordance with its procedures.

If DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with the registered global securities or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor clearing system is not appointed by us within 90 days after receiving that notice from DTC or upon becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, we will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in the securities represented by registered global securities upon delivery of those registered global securities for cancellation. We may also permit beneficial owners of book-entry securities represented by a global security to exchange their beneficial interests for definitive (paper) securities if, in our sole discretion, we decide to allow some or all book-entry securities to be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form.

Unless we indicate otherwise, any global security that is exchangeable will be exchangeable in whole for definitive securities in registered form, with the same terms and of an equal aggregate principal amount. Definitive securities will be registered in the name or names of the person or persons specified by DTC in a written instruction to the registrar of the securities. DTC may base its written instruction upon directions that it receives from its participants.

In this prospectus, for book-entry securities, references to actions taken by security holders will mean actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and references to payments and notices of redemption to security holders will mean payments and notices of redemption to DTC as the registered holder of the securities for distribution to participants in accordance with DTC’s procedures.

Initial settlement for the securities offered on a global basis through DTC will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC’s participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System.

Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the securities among participants thereof, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform the foregoing procedures and these procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time.

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DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a clearing agency registered under section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

We will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interest in the book-entry securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, if required, in any of the following ways: (i) to or through underwriters or dealers, (ii) directly to purchasers, including our affiliates, (iii) through agents, (iv) in an “at the market offering,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act or (v) through a combination of any of these methods or any other method permitted by law. The securities may be distributed at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, market prices prevailing at the time of sale, prices related to the prevailing market prices, or negotiated prices, either:

In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. In the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, we will name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act and describe any commissions that we must pay to any such agent. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

If any underwriters or agents are used in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement, sales agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.

In connection with the offering of securities, we may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional securities with an additional underwriting commission, as may be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement. If we grant any such option, the terms of such option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such securities.

If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer, who may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

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If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.

Agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with their remarketing of offered securities.

Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates, may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, or perform services, including investment banking services, for us or one or more of our respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell

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securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so 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 or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we 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 and an applicable prospectus supplement. 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.

Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the second business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than two scheduled business days after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.

The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Any underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

The anticipated date of delivery of offered securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each offer.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered hereby is being passed upon for us by Reeder & Simpson P.C. Certain matters of New York law are being passed on by Goodwin Procter LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Imperial Petroleum Inc. as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus by reference to Imperial Petroleum Inc.’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021, have been audited by Deloitte Certified Public Accountants, S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The office of Deloitte Certified Public Accountants, S.A. is located at Fragoklissias 3a & Granikou Street, Maroussi, Athens 151 25, Greece.

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8,499,999 Units consisting of

Shares of Common Stock or Pre-Funded Warrants and

Class E Warrants to purchase Common Stock

(and Shares of Common Stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants and Class E Warrants)

Prospectus Supplement

August 11, 2023

Maxim Group LLC