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 agreed to extend the present time charter contract with SwissMarine Services S.A., Geneva, for one of its Capesize dry bulk vessels, the m/v Houston, for a period of about thirteen (13) months to maximum fifteen (15) months. The gross charter rate is US$5,150 per day for the first fifteen (15) days of the charter period and US$10,000 per day for the balance period of the time charter, in each case minus a 5% commission paid to third parties. The new charter period is expected to commence tomorrow.
The “Houston” is a 177,729 dwt Capesize dry bulk vessel built in 2009.
The employment extension of “Houston” is anticipated to generate approximately US$3.68 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the time charter.