Diana Shipping Inc. Announces Time Charter Contract for m/v DSI Aquarius With Stone Shipping
Diana Shipping Inc. (DSX) has entered into a time charter contract with Stone Shipping Ltd for the m/v DSI Aquarius, generating approximately US$4.52 million in gross revenue. The charter is expected to commence on January 19, 2024, and will last until at least December 1, 2024, up to a maximum of February 1, 2025. The 'DSI Aquarius' is a 60,309 dwt Ultramax dry bulk vessel built in 2016. Diana Shipping Inc. currently operates a fleet of 40 dry bulk vessels with a combined carrying capacity of approximately 4.5 million dwt and a weighted average age of 10.57 years.
The charter agreement between Diana Shipping Inc. and Stone Shipping Ltd for the Ultramax dry bulk vessel, the m/v DSI Aquarius, is a strategic move within the shipping industry, which is highly sensitive to global economic conditions and trade volumes. The fixed charter rate of US$14,500 per day , with a 5% commission deduction, provides a stable revenue stream for Diana Shipping Inc. during the contract period. This stability is particularly valuable given the volatility in the dry bulk market, which can be affected by factors such as fuel prices, geopolitical tensions and changes in supply and demand for commodities.
From a market research perspective, the generated gross revenue of approximately US$4.52 million for the minimum duration of the charter is significant. It indicates a solid operational performance and contributes positively to the company's financials. However, the broader implications for the stock market would depend on how this contract aligns with Diana Shipping Inc.'s overall financial health, debt levels and operational efficiency compared to industry benchmarks.
Assessing the financial implications of the time charter contract for investors, the announcement provides a quantifiable projection of revenue, which can be factored into valuation models for Diana Shipping Inc. The addition of US$4.52 million in gross revenue enhances the company's earnings outlook for the fiscal year and may influence investor sentiment positively. Moreover, the contract duration provides a short-term but clear visibility into the company's revenue stream, which is a critical factor for stock performance in the cyclical shipping sector.
It is also important to consider the impact of the vessel's operational costs and the company's overall capital expenditure on profitability. The weighted average age of the fleet, at 10.57 years , suggests moderate ongoing maintenance expenses, which could affect net income margins. Investors should monitor the company's subsequent financial statements for actual performance against the forecasted revenue.
The dry bulk shipping industry is an indicator of economic activity, as it is heavily reliant on the transportation of raw materials essential for construction and manufacturing. The current charter agreement may reflect broader economic trends, such as an increase in demand for raw materials, which could signal a strengthening global economy. Conversely, should the industry face a downturn, companies with fixed-rate charters like Diana Shipping Inc. may have a buffer against market fluctuations, which is advantageous from an economic stability standpoint.
Furthermore, the carrying capacity of Diana Shipping Inc.'s fleet, at approximately 4.5 million dwt and its diversified vessel composition, positions the company to capitalize on different market segments and trade routes. This diversification can be a hedge against sector-specific risks and is a strategic advantage in managing economic cycles.
01/16/2024 - 09:23 AM
ATHENS, Greece, Jan. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), (the “Company”), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership and bareboat charter-in of dry bulk vessels, today announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with Stone Shipping Ltd, for one of its Ultramax dry bulk vessels, the m/v DSI Aquarius. The gross charter rate is US$14,500 , minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period until minimum December 1, 2024 up to maximum February 1, 2025. The charter is expected to commence on January 19, 2024.
The “DSI Aquarius” is a 60,309 dwt Ultramax dry bulk vessel built in 2016.
The employment of “DSI Aquarius” is anticipated to generate approximately US$4.52 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the time charter.
Diana Shipping Inc.’s fleet currently consists of 40 dry bulk vessels: 4 Newcastlemax, 9 Capesize, 5 Post-Panamax, 6 Kamsarmax, 7 Panamax and 9 Ultramax. As of today, the combined carrying capacity of the Company’s fleet is approximately 4.5 million dwt with a weighted average age of 10.57 years. A table describing the current Diana Shipping Inc. fleet can be found on the Company’s website, www.dianashippinginc.com
About the Company
Diana Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership and bareboat charter-in of dry bulk vessels. The Company’s vessels are employed primarily on short to medium-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, Company management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company’s records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Company’s control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.
In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Company’s view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; 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 the Company’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Company’s 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, including risks associated with the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and related sanctions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, including the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
What is the gross charter rate for the time charter contract for the m/v DSI Aquarius?
The gross charter rate is US$14,500, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties.
When is the charter expected to commence?
The charter is expected to commence on January 19, 2024.
How much gross revenue is anticipated to be generated for the minimum scheduled period of the time charter?
Approximately US$4.52 million of gross revenue is anticipated to be generated.
How many dry bulk vessels does Diana Shipping Inc. currently operate?
Diana Shipping Inc. currently operates a fleet of 40 dry bulk vessels.
What is the combined carrying capacity of Diana Shipping Inc.'s fleet?
The combined carrying capacity of the Company’s fleet is approximately 4.5 million dwt.
