Diana Shipping Inc. Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012


Announces Delivery of the Post-Panamax Dry Bulk Carrier M/V Polymnia and Entry Into Time Charter Contract

Announces Time Charter Contract for the M/V Arethusa

ATHENS, Greece, Nov. 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE:DSX), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership and operation of dry bulk vessels, today reported net income of $12.3 million for the third quarter of 2012, compared to net income of $26.4 million reported in the third quarter of 2011.

Time charter revenues were $56.2 million for the third quarter of 2012, compared to $64.2 million for the same period of 2011, mainly due to reduced time charter rates. The decrease in time charter revenues was partly offset by revenues derived from the increase in ownership days resulting from the addition to the Company's fleet of the vessels Leto delivered in January 2012, Los Angeles delivered in February 2012, Philadelphia and Melia delivered in May 2012, and Amphitrite delivered in August 2012.

Net income to Diana Shipping Inc. for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 amounted to $49.6 million, compared to net income of $87.3 million for the same period of 2011. Time charter revenues were $171.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $198.3 million for 2011.

Delivery of the m/v Polymnia and Entry into Time Charter Contract

In addition, the Company also announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has taken delivery today of the m/v "Polymnia," a 98,704 dwt newly built Post-Panamax dry bulk carrier that the Company entered into an agreement to purchase in October 2012.

The Company also announced that it has entered into a time charter contract with Sino East Transportation Ltd., Hong Kong, through the aforementioned subsidiary, for the newly delivered Polymnia at a gross charter rate of US$8,000 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period of about forty-five (45) to fifty-five (55) days. The charter is expected to commence tomorrow, November 21, 2012.

Time Charter Contract for the m/v Arethusa

The Company also announced that it has entered into a time charter contract with Cargill International S.A., Geneva, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, for one of its Panamax dry bulk carriers, the m/v "Arethusa", at a gross charter rate of US$7,300 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period of minimum eighteen (18) months to maximum twenty-four (24) months. The charter is expected to commence on November 23, 2012.

This employment is anticipated to generate approximately US$3.9 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the charter.

The Arethusa is a 73,593 dwt Panamax dry bulk vessel built in 2007.

Including the newly-delivered m/v Polymnia, Diana Shipping Inc.'s fleet currently consists of 30 dry bulk carriers (17 Panamax, 3 Post-Panamax, 8 Capesize and 2 Newcastlemax), as well as 2 new-building Ice Class Panamax vessels expected to be delivered to the Company during the fourth quarter of 2013. As of today, the combined carrying capacity of our current fleet, excluding the two vessels not yet delivered, is approximately 3.4 million dwt with a weighted average age of 5.9 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.

  Fleet Employment Profile (As of November 20, 2012)  
  Currently Diana Shipping Inc.'s fleet is employed as follows:  
                   
 
Vessel
BUILT DWT

Sister
Ships*


Gross Rate (USD Per Day)


Com**


Charterer
Delivery
Date to
Charterer


Redelivery Date to Owners***


Notes
 
  Panamax Bulk Carriers  
CORONIS C $10,600 5.00% EDF Trading Limited, London 12-Mar-12 27-Nov-13 - 27-Jun-14    
  2006 74,381                
ERATO  C $12,200 5.00% Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea 26-Nov-11 26-Dec-12 - 10-Apr-13    
  2004 74,444                
ARETHUSA B $9,250 5.00% DS Norden A/S, Copenhagen 17-May-12 22-Nov-12  
       $7,300 5.00% Cargill International, S.A., Geneva  23-Nov-12  23-May-14 - 23-Nov-14     
  2007 73,593                
NAIAS B $19,750 5.00% J. Aron & Company, New York 24-Sep-10 2-Sep-12    
      $9,250 5.00% Ultrabulk A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark 2-Sep-12 2-Feb-14 - 2-Aug-14    
  2006 73,546                
CLIO B $10,750 5.00% Cargill International S.A., Geneva 22-Feb-12 22-Aug-13 - 22-Feb-14    
  2005 73,691                
CALIPSO  B $12,250 5.00% Louis Dreyfus Commodities Suisse S.A., Geneva 11-Oct-11 11-Aug-13 - 11-Dec-13    
  2005 73,691                
PROTEFS B $11,750 4.75% Cargill International S.A., Geneva 6-Aug-11 2-Sep-12  
  2004 73,630   $9,000 5.00%   14-Sep-12 14-Sep-14 - 14-Feb-15  
THETIS B $10,500 5.00% EDF Trading Limited, London 22-Feb-12 22-Aug-13 - 22-Jun-14  
  2004 73,583                
DIONE  A $20,500  5.00%  Louis Dreyfus Commodities Suisse S.A., Geneva 26-Sep-10 19-Jul-12    
      $9,700 5.00% EDF Trading Limited, London 19-Jul-12 19-Jul-14 - 19-Dec-14  
  2001 75,172                
10  DANAE  A $15,600  5.00%  Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea 18-Apr-11 18-Mar-13 - 18-May-13  
  2001 75,106                
11  OCEANIS  A $19,750 5.00% China National Chartering Co. Ltd. (Sinochart BJ), Beijing 17-Sep-10 14-Aug-12  
      $9,250 5.00% Ultrabulk A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark 14-Aug-12 14-Jan-14 - 14-Jul-14  
  2001 75,211                
12  TRITON A $19,500 4.75% Resource Marine Pte., Ltd, Singapore 11-Dec-10 11-Nov-13 - 11-Feb-14  
  2001 75,336                
13  ALCYON A $34,500 4.75% Cargill International S.A., Geneva 21-Feb-08 19-Nov-12 8,9,10  
  2001 75,247                
14  NIREFS A $12,250 5.00% Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. 18-Dec-11 18-Jan-13 - 18-Apr-13 11,12  
  2001 75,311                
15  MELIA G $10,900 5.00% STX Panocean Co., Ltd., Seoul 2-May-12 2-Apr-13 - 2-Jul-13    
  2005 76,225                
16  MELITE G $16,500 5.00% Cargill International S.A., Geneva 1-Feb-11 1-Jan-13 - 1-Mar-13    
  2004 76,436                
17  LETO   $12,900 5.00% EDF Trading Limited, London 17-Jan-12 17-Jan-14 - 17-Nov-14    
  2010 81,297                
  Post-Panamax Bulk Carriers  
18  ALCMENE   $20,250 5.00% Cargill International S.A., Geneva 20-Nov-10 24-Oct-12 13   
  2010 93,193   $6,250 5.00% Oldendorff GmbH Co., KG, Luebeck 1-Nov-12 6-Dec-12 - 16-Dec-12 14   
19  AMPHITRITE   $10,000 5,00% Bunge S.A., Geneva 15-Aug-12 31-May-14 - 30-Oct-14 15   
  2012 98,697                
20  POLYMNIA   $8,000 5.00% Sino East Transportation Ltd, Hong Kong 21-Nov-12 5-Jan-13 - 15-Jan-13 16,17  
  2012 98,704                
  Capesize Bulk Carriers  
21  NORFOLK   $74,750 3.75% Corus UK Limited 12-Feb-08 12-Jan-13 - 12-Mar-13 18,19  
  2002 164,218                
22  ALIKI   $26,500 5.00% Minmetals Logistics Group Co. Ltd., Beijing 1-Mar-11 1-Feb-16 - 1-Apr-16    
  2005 180,235                
23  SALT LAKE CITY   $55,800 5.00% Refined Success Limited 28-Sep-07 29-Jul-12 20,21  
      $13,000 5.00% Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. 11-Aug-12 11-Jun-14 - 11-Dec-14  
  2005 171,810                
24  SIDERIS GS D $30,500 5.00% BHP Billiton Marketing AG 16-Oct-10 16-Feb-13 - 16-Jun-13 22   
  2006 174,186                
25  SEMIRIO D $17,350 5.00% Cargill International S.A., Geneva 30-May-11 15-Mar-13 - 14-Aug-13    
  2007 174,261                
26  BOSTON D $14,000 5.00% Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. 29-Oct-11 29-Aug-13 - 29-Dec-13 23   
  2007 177,828                
27  HOUSTON D $55,000 4.75% Shagang Shipping Co. 3-Nov-09 3-Oct-14 - 3-Jan-15 24   
  2009 177,729                
28  NEW YORK D $48,000 3.75% Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Tokyo (NYK) 3-Mar-10 3-Jan-15 - 3-May-15    
  2010 177,773                
  Newcastlemax Bulk Carriers  
29  LOS ANGELES E $18,000 5.00% EDF Trading Limited, London 9-Feb-12 9-Dec-15 - 9-Apr-16    
  2012 206,104                
30  PHILADELPHIA E $18,000 5.00% EDF Trading Limited, London 17-May-12 17-Jan-16 - 17-Jul-16 25   
  2012 206,040                
  Vessels Under Construction  
31  HULL H2528 F -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 26   
  2013 76,000                
32  HULL H2529 F -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 26   
  2013 76,000                
* Each dry bulk carrier is a "sister ship," or closely similar, to other dry bulk carriers that have the same letter.  
** Total commission percentage paid to third parties.  
*** Charterers' optional period to redeliver the vessel to owners. Charterers have the right to add the off hire days, if any, and therefore the optional period may be extended.  
1 Estimated date.  
2 Vessel off-hire for drydocking from September 2, 2012 to September 14, 2012.  
3 Vessel off-hire from September 23, 2012 to October 3, 2012.  
4 The previous charterers, Louis Dreyfus Commodities Suisse S.A., Geneva, have agreed to compensate the owners for the early redelivery by paying US$ 11,875 gross per day, minus 5% commission paid to third parties, starting from the date of redelivery to owners, on July 19, 2012, to the minimum agreed redelivery date, July 26, 2012.  
5 Vessel off-hire for unscheduled maintenance from May 5, 2012 to May 9, 2012.  
6 The previous charterers, China National Chartering Co. Ltd (Sinochart BJ), Beijing have agreed to compensate the owners for the early redelivery of the vessel on August 14, 2012 till the minimum agreed redelivery date, August 17, 2012.  
7 Resource Marine Pte., Ltd, Singapore is a guaranteed nominee of Macquarie Bank Limited.  
8 Vessel off-hire from July 28, 2012 to July 30, 2012.  
9 The previous charterers, Cargill International S.A., Geneva, have agreed to compensate the owners for the early redelivery of the vessel on November 19, 2012 till the minimum agreed redelivery date, November 21, 2012.  
10 Vessel currently undergoing scheduled maintenance.  
11 Vessel off-hire for drydocking from September 26, 2012 to October 15, 2012.  
12 Vessel currently off-hire for unscheduled maintenance.  
13 Vessel drydocked from October 24, 2012 to November 1, 2012.  
14 Redelivery dates based on an estimated voyage duration of about 35-45 days.  
15 The charterer has the option to employ the vessel for a further 11 to 14 month period at a gross charter rate of $11,300 per day. The optional period, if exercised, must be declared on or before the end of the 21st month of employment and will only commence at the end of the 24th month.  
16 Estimated date of delivery to the charterers.  
17 Redelivery dates based on an estimated voyage duration of about 45-55 days.  
18 Since September 2010 charterer's name has changed to Tata Steel UK, Limited.  
19 Vessel off-hire for drydocking from September 8, 2012 to September 17, 2012.  
20 The previous charterers, Refined Success Limited, have agreed to compensate the owners for the early redelivery by paying US$ 1,540,132.71 gross, minus 3.75% commission paid to third parties, for the period starting from the date of redelivery to owners, on July 29, 2012, to the minimum agreed redelivery date, August 28, 2012.  
21 Vessel drydocked from July 29, 2012 till August 11, 2012.  
22 Since October 25, 2012 charterers have changed to BHP Billiton Singapore Pte Ltd.  
23 Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. has the option to employ the vessel for a further minimum eleven (11) to a maximum thirteen (13) month period at a gross rate of US$15,000 per day starting twenty-four (24) months after delivery of the vessel to the charterer.  
24 Shagang Shipping Co. is a guaranteed nominee of the Jiangsu Shagang Group Co.  
25 Vessel off-hire for unscheduled maintenance from June 1, 2012 to June 5, 2012.  
26 Year of delivery and dwt are based on shipbuilding contract.  
Summary of Selected Financial & Other Data        
  For the three months ended
September 30,
For the nine months ended
September 30,
  2012 2011 2012 2011
  (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA (in thousands of US Dollars):        
Time charter revenues $ 56,220  $ 64,248  $ 171,405  $ 198,299 
Voyage expenses 1,090  3,105  6,191  8,666 
Vessel operating expenses 16,950  14,065  46,977  40,507 
Net income attributed to Diana Shipping Inc. 12,285  26,443  49,623  87,256 
FLEET DATA         
Average number of vessels 28.5  23.9  27.0  23.4 
Number of vessels 29.0  24.0  29.0  24.0 
Weighted average age of vessels (in years) 5.9  6.1  5.9  6.1 
Ownership days 2,624  2,202  7,409  6,401 
Available days 2,584  2,187  7,323  6,318 
Operating days 2,567  2,181  7,290  6,279 
Fleet utilization 99.3% 99.7% 99.5% 99.4%
AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS         
Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate (1) $ 21,335  $ 27,957  $ 22,561  $ 30,015 
Daily vessel operating expenses (2) $ 6,460  $ 6,387  $ 6,341  $ 6,328 
         
(1) Time charter equivalent rates, or TCE rates, are defined as our time charter revenues less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. Voyage expenses include port charges, bunker (fuel) expenses, canal charges and commissions. TCE is a non-GAAP measure. TCE rate is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter hire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts while charter hire rates for vessels on time charters are generally expressed in such amounts. 
         
(2) Daily vessel operating expenses, which include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses, are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period. 

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Diana Shipping Inc. will conduct a conference call and simultaneous Internet webcast to review these results at 9:00 A.M. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, November 20, 2012.

Investors may access the webcast by visiting the Company's website at www.dianashippinginc.com, and clicking on the webcast link. The conference call also may be accessed by telephone by dialing 1-877-407-8291 (for U.S.-based callers) or 1-201-689-8345 (for international callers), and asking the operator for the Diana Shipping Inc. conference call.

A replay of the webcast will be available soon after the completion of the call and will be accessible for 30 days on www.dianashippinginc.com. A telephone replay also will be available for 30 days by dialing 1-877-660-6853 (for U.S.-based callers) or 1-201-612-7415 (for international callers), and providing the Replay ID number 401891.

About the Company

Diana Shipping Inc. is a leading global provider of shipping transportation services through the ownership and operation 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. 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.

The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

(See financial tables attached)

           
           
DIANA SHIPPING INC.  
FINANCIAL TABLES  
Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share and per share data  
           
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME   
           
  For the three months ended
September 30,
For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
  2012 2011 2012 2011  
           
REVENUES:          
Time charter revenues  $ 56,220   $ 64,248  $ 171,405  $ 198,299   
Other revenues  614   352   1,800   753   
           
EXPENSES:          
Voyage expenses  1,090   3,105   6,191   8,666   
Vessel operating expenses  16,950   14,065   46,977   40,507   
Depreciation and amortization of deferred charges  15,993   14,105   45,908   41,169   
General and administrative expenses  6,222   6,099   18,904   18,849   
Foreign currency gains (338) (145) (1,110) (343)  
Operating income  16,917   27,371   56,335   90,204   
           
OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES):          
Interest and finance costs (2,165) (1,212) (5,564) (3,670)  
Interest income  291   258   1,186   697   
Loss from derivative instruments (276) (381) (516) (955)  
Income / (loss) from investment in Diana Containerships Inc. (2,482)  407  (1,818)  978   
Total other expenses, net (4,632) (928) (6,712) (2,950)  
           
Net Income   $ 12,285  $ 26,443  $ 49,623  $ 87,254   
           
Loss assumed by non-controlling interests  --   --   --   2   
           
Net income attributed to Diana Shipping Inc.  12,285   26,443   49,623   87,256   
           
Earnings per common share, basic and diluted  $ 0.15   $ 0.33  $ 0.61  $ 1.08   
           
Weighted average number of common shares, basic 80,931,326  81,089,446  81,182,564  81,048,635   
           
Weighted average number of common shares, diluted 80,931,326  81,143,058  81,182,564  81,079,457   
           
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME   
           
  For the three months ended
September 30,
For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
  2012  2011  2012 2011  
Net income  $ 12,285  $ 26,443  $ 49,623  $ 87,254   
           
Comprehensive loss assumed by non-controlling interests  --   --   --   2   
           
Comprehensive income attributed to Diana Shipping Inc. $ 12,285  $ 26,443  $ 49,623  $ 87,256   
     
     
CONDENSED UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA    
(in thousands of US Dollars)    
     
  September 30,
2012
December 31,
2011
ASSETS    
     
 Cash and cash equivalents  $ 452,454  $ 416,674 
 Other current assets 16,990  16,017 
 Advances for vessels under construction and acquisitions and other vessel costs 8,772  63,440 
 Vessels' net book value  1,201,524  1,046,719 
 Other fixed assets, net 22,319  21,659 
 Investments 25,690  29,842 
 Other non-current assets 6,436  10,120 
Total assets  $ 1,734,185  $ 1,604,471 
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
     
 Current liabilities, including current portion of long-term debt $ 58,032  $ 48,095 
 Long-term debt, net of current portion and of deferred financing costs 413,662  345,638 
 Other non-current liabilities 2,137  1,860 
 Total stockholders' equity 1,260,354  1,208,878 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 1,734,185  $ 1,604,471 
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA        
  For the three months ended
September 30,
For the nine months ended
September 30,
  2012 2011  2012 2011 
  (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited)
 Net Cash provided by Operating Activities  $ 29,519 $ 39,458 $ 97,552 $ 120,523
 Net Cash used in Investing Activities  (24,372) (33,259) (141,665) (80,815)
 Net Cash provided by / (used in) Financing Activities  (4,169)  13,455  79,893  10,145


            

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