Contact Information: For further information please contact: Company Contact: Dr. Loukas Barmparis President Safe Bulkers, Inc. Athens, Greece Telephone: +30 210 895 7070 Investor Relations / Media Contact: Ramnique Grewal Vice President Capital Link, Inc. 230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536 New York, N.Y. 10169 Tel.: (212) 661-7566 Fax: (212) 661-7526 E-Mail: safebulkers@capitallink.com
Safe Bulkers, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Two Newbuild Post-Panamax Class Drybulk Vessels
| Source: Safe Bulkers, Inc.
ATHENS, GREECE--(Marketwire - December 16, 2009) - Safe Bulkers, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE : SB ), an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services,
announced today that it has agreed to acquire two additional newbuild
drybulk Post-Panamax class vessels, each with a capacity of 95,000
deadweight tons, built by a Japanese shipyard.
The first of the newbuilds is expected to be delivered during the second
half of 2010 and the second is expected to be delivered during the first
half of 2012. The new agreements expand the existing relationship between
the Company and the shipyard, established in 2008 through a contract for a
sistership vessel, which is expected to be delivered in the second half of
2011. The aggregate cost for the three vessels in construction at this
shipyard is $153.0 million including commissions, plus or minus customary
adjustments.
Polys Hajioannou, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Company, said: "Implementing our strategy of selective fleet expansion, we
are happy to strengthen our relationship with a reputable Japanese shipyard
by ordering two additional Post-Panamax class vessels. These acquisitions
enhance our competitive position, by providing us with advanced-design,
shallow-drafted vessels with exceptional speed and consumption
characteristics, suitable to meet the cargo contract needs of our
charterers."
About Safe Bulkers, Inc.
The Company is an international provider of marine drybulk transportation
services, transporting bulk cargoes, particularly coal, grain and iron ore,
along worldwide shipping routes for some of the world's largest users of
marine drybulk transportation services. The Company's common stock is
listed on the NYSE, where it trades under the symbol "SB." The Company's
current fleet consists of 14 drybulk vessels, all built post-2003, and the
Company has contracted to acquire six additional drybulk newbuild vessels
to be delivered at various times beginning in 2010 through 2012 and has
agreed to sell one vessel with delivery expected by the end of 2009.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in
Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended and in the
Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future
events, the Company's growth strategy and measures to implement such
strategy, including expected vessel acquisitions and entering into further
time charters. Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes,"
"anticipates," "hopes," "estimates" and variations of such words and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that
such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve
known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and
estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and
contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual
results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially include, but are not limited to, the ability to satisfy
the closing conditions of the acquisition, changes in the demand for
drybulk vessels, competitive factors in the market in which the Company
operates, risks associated with operations outside the United States and
other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any
obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to
any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in
the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.