Diana Shipping extends contracts with Phaethon for two Panamax dry bulk ships, announces new time charter for a Capesize vessel with DHL
Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), (the “Company”), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of dry bulk vessels, announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has agreed to extend the present time charter contract with Phaethon International Company AG, for one of its Panamax dry bulk vessels, the m/v Erato. The gross charter rate is US$10,500 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period of minimum fourteen (14) months to maximum seventeen (17) months. The new charter period is expected to commence on December 30, 2017. The m/v Erato is currently chartered, as previously announced, at a gross charter rate of US$7,250 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties.
The “Erato” is a 74,444 dwt Panamax dry bulk vessel built in 2004.
The Company also announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has agreed to extend the present time charter contract with Phaethon International Company AG, for one of its Panamax dry bulk vessels, the m/v Danae. The gross charter rate is US$10,000 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period of minimum thirteen (13) months to about sixteen (16) months. The new charter period is expected to commence on December 22, 2017. The m/v Danae is currently chartered at a gross charter rate of US$7,750 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties.
The “Danae” is a 75,106 dwt Panamax dry bulk vessel built in 2001.
In addition, the Company announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with DHL Project & Chartering Limited, Hong Kong, for one of its Capesize dry bulk vessels, the m/v New York. The gross charter rate is US$16,000 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period of minimum sixteen (16) months to maximum nineteen (19) months. The charter is expected to commence by mid-January, 2018. The m/v New York is currently chartered, as previously announced, to Koch Shipping Pte. Ltd., Singapore, at a gross charter rate of US$14,450 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties.
The “New York” is a 177,773 dwt Capesize dry bulk vessel built in 2010.
The employment extensions of “Erato” and “Danae” as well as the employment of “New York” are anticipated to generate approximately US$15.99 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the time charters.
Diana Shipping Inc.’s fleet currently consists of 50 dry bulk vessels (4 Newcastlemax, 14 Capesize, 5 Post-Panamax, 5 Kamsarmax and 22 Panamax). As of today, the combined carrying capacity of the Company’s fleet is approximately 5.8 million dwt with a weighted average age of 8.33 years. A table describing the current Diana Shipping Inc. fleet can be found on the Company’s website, www.dianashippinginc.com. Information contained on the Company’s website does not constitute a part of this press release.
About the Company
Diana Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership of dry bulk vessels. The Company’s vessels are employed primarily on medium to long-term time charters and transport a range of dry bulk cargoes, including such commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide shipping routes.