Diana Shipping Inc. Announces Time Charter Contract for m/v Philadelphia With Classic Maritime

ATHENS, Greece, April 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), (the “Company”), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of dry bulk vessels, today announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with Classic Maritime Inc., for one of its Newcastlemax dry bulk vessels, the m/v Philadelphia. The gross charter rate is US$28,500 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period until minimum March 1, 2022 up to maximum May 1, 2022. The charter commenced earlier today. The m/v Philadelphia was chartered, as previously announced, to BHP Billiton Freight Singapore Pte. Ltd., at a gross charter rate of US$14,500 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties.

The “Philadelphia” is a 206,040 dwt Newcastlemax dry bulk vessel built in 2012.

The employment of “Philadelphia” is anticipated to generate approximately US$8.81 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the time charter.

Commenting on this charter, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Semiramis Paliou, stated:

“We are pleased to announce the specific time charter fixture, which is in line with our chartering strategy over the years. We find it especially noteworthy that the m/v Philadelphia has been fixed at the highest rate since the vessel was delivered to us in 2012, a reflection of the robust current dry bulk market.”

Upon completion of the previously announced sale of one Panamax dry bulk vessel, the m/v Naias, Diana Shipping Inc.’s fleet will consist of 36 dry bulk vessels (4 Newcastlemax, 12 Capesize, 5 Post-Panamax, 5 Kamsarmax and 10 Panamax). As of today, the combined carrying capacity of the Company’s fleet, including the m/v Naias,  is approximately 4.7 million dwt with a weighted average age of 10.17 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.