Diana Adds Capesize, Nets Two Charters

Athens-based Diana Shipping Inc. has through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary taken delivery of the m/v Santa Barbara (formerly Hull No. BC18.0-51), a 179,426 dwt newly built Capesize dry bulk vessel that the company entered into an agreement to purchase in December 2014.

The company has also entered into a time charter contract with Vroon Dry Cargo Chartering B.V., Breskens, for one of its Post-Panamax dry bulk vessels, the 98,704 dwt m/v Polymnia. The gross charter rate is USD 7,500 per day, plus USD 237,500 ballast bonus, for a period of minimum nine months to maximum thirteen months. The charter is expected to commence on January 17, 2015.

Diana has also made arrangements with Glencore Grain B.V., Rotterdam to charter one of its Panamax dry bulk vessels, the 75,106 dwt m/v Danae. The gross charter rate is USD 7,650 per day, for a period of minimum eleven months to maximum fourteen months. The charter is expected to commence on January 16, 2015.

Including the newly delivered m/v Santa Barbara, Diana Shipping Inc.’s fleet currently consists of 40 dry bulk vessels (2 Newcastlemax, 12 Capesize, 3 Post-Panamax, 3 Kamsarmax and 20 Panamax).

The company also expects to take delivery of two new-building Newcastlemax dry bulk vessels and one new-building Kamsarmax dry bulk vessel during the second quarter of 2016.