-- The Panamax vessel MV Primera 72,495 dwt built in 1998 for US$ 75
million. Delivery to the new owners is expected to take place during the
fourth quarter of 2008. Once the sale is concluded, the company expects to
realize a gain of approximately US$ 40 million.
-- The Panamax vessel MV Paragon 71,259 dwt built in 1995 for US$ 61
million. Delivery to the new owners is expected to take place during the
first quarter of 2009. Once the sale is concluded, the company expects to
realize a gain of approximately US$ 31 million.
-- The Panamax vessel MV Menorca 71,662 dwt built in 1997 for US$ 77
million. Delivery to the new owners took place in June, 2008. The company
realized a gain of approximately US$ 37 million.
Vessel Acquisitions and Time Charters
In line with its strategy of selling older vessels and replacing them with
modern vessels, the Company has entered into agreements to acquire the
following vessels from companies beneficially owned by George Economou,
Chairman and CEO of DryShips Inc., on terms that the Company believes are
comparable to those that may be obtained from an independent third party.
The Company has entered into agreements to acquire:
-- A 75,228 dwt Panamax vessel built in 2008 which is expected to be
delivered within 2008. The Company has entered into an agreement to time
charter the vessel for a period of approximately four years with an
unrelated first class charterer at a daily rate of US$ 43,750 per day. The
time charter is expected to commence concurrently with the vessel's
delivery to the Company.
-- A 75,204 dwt Panamax vessel built in 2007 which is expected to be
delivered within 2008. The Company has entered into an agreement to time
charter the vessel for a period of approximately four years with an
unrelated first class charterer at a daily rate of US$ 43,750 per day. The
time charter is expected to commence concurrently with the vessel's
delivery to the Company.
-- A 75,000 dwt Panamax vessel under construction in China scheduled to
be delivered during the fourth quarter of 2008.
-- A 75,000 dwt Panamax vessel under construction in China scheduled to
be delivered during the first quarter of 2009.
The en bloc acquisition price of the above four Panamax bulk carriers will
be US$ 400 million.
George Economou, Chairman and CEO of DryShips Inc., stated that, "I am
pleased to announce the above vessel acquisition and disposals, which are
in line with our stated strategy of continued fleet renewal and expansion.
The transactions reiterate our positive outlook on the fundamentals of the
drybulk industry and reinforce our position of taking advantage of the
strong freight environment with our large, versatile and modern fleet."
About DryShips Inc.
DryShips Inc., based in Greece, is an owner and operator of drybulk
carriers that operate worldwide. As of the day of this release, DryShips
owns a fleet of 47 drybulk carriers comprising 6 Capesize, 29 Panamax, 2
Supramax, 10 newbuilding drybulk vessels, with a combined deadweight
tonnage of over 4 million tons.
DryShips Inc.'s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market where it
trades under the symbol "DRYS."
Visit our website at www.dryships.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with
respect to future events and financial performance and may 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 forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various
assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions,
including without limitation, management's examination of historical
operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available
from third parties. Although DryShips Inc. believes 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, DryShips Inc. cannot
assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs
or projections.
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 changes in charterhire rates and vessel values, changes in demand
that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled
drydocking, changes in DryShips Inc.'s operating expenses, including bunker
prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, or actions taken by regulatory
authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation,
domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of
shipping routes due to accidents and political events or acts by
terrorists.
Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by DryShips
Inc. with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact Information: Investor Relations / Media: Nicolas Bornozis Capital Link, Inc., New York Tel. 212-661-7566 E-mail: nbornozis@capitallink.com