DryShips Inc. Reports Financial and Operating Results for the Fourth Quarter 2012


ATHENS, GREECE--(Marketwire - Mar 6, 2013) - DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS), or DryShips or the Company, an international provider of marine transportation services for drybulk and petroleum cargoes, and through its majority owned subsidiary, Ocean Rig UDW Inc., or Ocean Rig, of offshore deepwater drilling services, today announced its unaudited financial and operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012.

Fourth Quarter 2012 Financial Highlights

  • For the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company reported a net loss of $129.8 million, or $0.34 basic and diluted loss per share.

    Included in the fourth quarter 2012 results are:

    -- Costs associated with the 10-year class survey for the Eirik Raude of $43.9 million, or $0.12 per share;
    -- Loss on the sale of the newbuilding tankers Esperona and Blanca, of $41.3 million, or $0.11 per share.

    Excluding the above items, the Company's net results would have amounted to a net loss of $59.9 million, or $0.15 per share.(1)

  • The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $109.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, as compared to $169.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2011.(2)

Year Ended December 31, 2012 Financial Highlights

  • For the year ended 2012, the Company reported a net loss of $246.8 million, or $0.65 basic and diluted loss per share.

    Included in the year ended 2012 results are:

    -- Costs associated with the 10-year class survey for the Eirik Raude of $65.5 million, or $0.17 per share;
    -- Loss on the sale of the newbuilding tankers Esperona and Blanca, of $41.3 million, or $0.11 per share.

    Excluding the above items, the Company's net results would have amounted to a net loss of $162.8 million, or $0.43 per share.(1) 

  • The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $500.5 million for the year ended 2012, as compared to $600.9 million for the year ended 2011.(2)

(1) The net result is adjusted for the minority interests of 35% of Ocean Rig not owned by Dryships Inc. common stockholders as of December 31, 2012.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure; please see later in this press release for reconciliation to net income.

Recent Events

-- On March 3, 2013, our customer European Hydrocarbons Limited, or European Hydrocarbons, unilaterally cancelled our drilling contract in West Africa for the Eirik Raude. Under the terms of the contract, European Hydrocarbons will have to reimburse the Company with an early termination payment of approximately $13 million plus accrued work performed to date. 

-- On February 28, 2013, Ocean Rig signed definitive documentation for a $1.35 billion syndicated secured term loan facility to partially finance the construction costs of the newbuilding drillships Ocean Rig Mylos, the Ocean Rig Skyros and the Ocean Rig Athena, scheduled for delivery in July 2013, October 2013 and November 2013, respectively. The facility has a five-year term and a repayment profile of approximately 11 years and bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin.

-- On February 14, 2013, Ocean Rig received a Letter of Award (LOA) from a major oil company for a three-year drilling contract offshore West Africa with an estimated backlog of approximately $680 million, including mobilization for the Ocean Rig Apollo, our newbuilding drillship scheduled for delivery in January 2015. The contract is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2015. The customer has the option to extend the contract for four periods of six months each, with the first option exercisable not less than one year before the estimated completion date. The Company has the option to elect the Ocean Rig Apollo or similar vessel, to drill under this contract. The contract is subject to definitive documentation and customary approvals.

-- On February 14, 2013, the Company completed a public offering of an aggregate of 7,500,000 common shares of Ocean Rig owned by DryShips. The Company received approximately $123.2 million of net proceeds from the public offering.

-- On February 1, 2013, Ocean Rig entered into a firm four-well program plus options, with Lukoil Overseas Sierra-Leone B.V., or Lukoil, for the Eirik Raude for drilling offshore West Africa. The contract has estimated duration of about 12 months and an estimated backlog of approximately $217 million, including mobilization and demobilization fees. This contract is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2013, following the completion of the drilling contract with ExxonMobil discussed below

-- On January 14, 2013, the Company sold, via novation, two of its tankers under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. Or Samsung, Esperona and Blanca, to a third party. Under the terms of the novation agreements the buyer assumed all rights, benefits and obligations under the shipbuilding contracts, in exchange for a cash consideration of $21.4 million paid by the Company to the buyer.

-- On January 9, 2013, Ocean Rig entered into a drilling contract with ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Ireland (Offshore) Limited, or ExxonMobil, for a one-well program for the Eirik Raude for drilling offshore Ireland. The contract has an estimated duration of up to six months and an estimated backlog of approximately $112 million, including mobilization and demobilization fees. The contract commenced on March 3, 2013, in direct continuation of the cancelled contract with European Hydrocarbons.

-- In December 2012, the Company reached an agreement with the lender under its $90.0 million Senior Secured Credit Facility dated October 5, 2007, as amended, and its $130.0 million Senior Secured Credit Facility dated March 13, 2008, as amended. Under the terms of these agreements, the lender has agreed to waive the Company's breaches of the value maintenance covenants until December 31, 2013 as well as to defer certain installments to maturity. In exchange, the Company has agreed to increase the pricing under the facility as well as provide a full cash sweep up to a certain point in time. In addition, the Company has agreed to provide a pledge over a portion of the Ocean Rig shares owned by DryShips which pledge will be automatically released on December 31, 2013. We estimate that the number of shares subject to this pledge will be approximately 7,600,000. These agreements are subject to definitive documentation which is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

-- In December 2012, we reached an agreement with a far eastern shipyard for a $12.5 million sellers credit to the Company. This credit is repayable to the yard in one bullet repayment two years after date of drawdown and it bears interest at LIBOR plus 300 basis points per annum. The Company has agreed to provide a pledge of 1,602,500 shares in Ocean Rig that it owns, which pledge will be automatically released upon repayment of credit. This agreement is subject to definitive documentation, which is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

George Economou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented:

"We continue to be bearish about the short-term performance of the shipping markets. Both tanker and drybulk spot charter rates continue to hover around historic lows. Unfortunately this comes at a time when most of our lucrative legacy charters expire.

As we have mentioned in previous quarters, low-cost financing for traditional shipping assets is generally less available than before and therefore the optimization of our newbuilding programs is our top priority right now. We sold our only two unfinanced tankers and eliminated approximately $100 million in CAPEX. With respect to our Drybulk newbuilding program in China, we are still in discussions with the shipyards in this respect to reduce and prolong our CAPEX program. This process was never going to be easy but we still believe a deal with a shipyard could be struck. Alternatively, we are seeing interest for our vessels in the S&P market.

Our shareholding in Ocean Rig has been our backstop. We recently sold down a portion of our holdings for approximately $120 million. This action was not a preferred option (especially at today's pricing levels) but it was necessary. In addition, we have pledged some of our Ocean Rig shares to our banks to remedy covenant breaches. We continue to be bullish about the prospects for Ocean Rig. The backlog currently stands at $5.1 billion over three years and provides Ocean Rig with substantial cash flow visibility and growth. Given strong industry fundamentals, we expect to further increase our already substantial backlog by entering into long-term contracts for remaining units."

Financial Review: 2012 Fourth Quarter

The Company recorded a net loss of $129.8 million, or $0.34 basic and diluted loss per share, for the three-month period ended December 31, 2012, as compared to a net loss of $6.2 million, or $0.02 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the three-month period ended December 31, 2011. Adjusted EBITDA was $109.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, as compared to $169.0 million for the same period in 2011.(3)

For the drybulk carrier segment, net voyage revenues (voyage revenues minus voyage expenses) amounted to $34.9 million for the three-month period ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $81.6 million for the three-month period ended December 31, 2011. For the offshore drilling segment, revenues from drilling contracts decreased by $7.9 million to $229.8 million for the three-month period ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $237.7 million for the same period in 2011. For the tanker segment, net voyage revenues amounted to $6.5 million for the three-month period ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $3.6 million for the same period in 2011.

Total vessels', drilling rigs' and drillships' operating expenses and total depreciation and amortization increased to $194.4 million and $84.8 million, respectively, for the three-month period ended December 31, 2012, from $119.6 million and $82.3 million, respectively, for the three-month period ended December 31, 2011. Total general and administrative expenses increased to $39.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 from $36.7 million during the comparative period in 2011.

Interest and finance costs, net of interest income, amounted to $53.5 million for the three-month period ended December 31, 2012, compared to $48.2 million for the three-month period ended December 31, 2011.

(3) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure; please see later in this press release for a reconciliation to net income.

Fleet List
The table below describes our fleet profile as of March 4, 2013:

    Year           Gross rate   Redelivery 
    Built   DWT   Type   Per day   Earliest   Latest
Drybulk fleet                        
                         
Capesize:                        
Fakarava   2012   206,000   Capesize   $25,000   Sept-15   Sept-20
Mystic   2008   170,040   Capesize   $52,310   Aug-18   Dec-18
Robusto   2006   173,949   Capesize   $26,000   Aug-14   Apr-18
Cohiba   2006   174,234   Capesize   $26,250   Oct-14   Jun-19
Montecristo   2005   180,263   Capesize   $23,500   May-14   Feb-19
Flecha   2004   170,012   Capesize   $55,000   Jul-18   Nov-18
Manasota   2004   171,061   Capesize   $30,000   Jan-18   Aug-18
Partagas   2004   173,880   Capesize   $10,000   Jun-13   Aug-13
Alameda   2001   170,662   Capesize   $27,500   Nov-15   Jan-16
Capri   2001   172,579   Capesize   $10,000   Nov-13   Mar-14
                         
Panamax:                        
Raraka   2012   76,037   Panamax   $7,500   Jan-15   Mar-15
Woolloomooloo   2012   76,064   Panamax   $7,500   Dec-14   Feb-15
Amalfi   2009   75,206   Panamax   $39,750   Jul- 13   Sep- 13
Rapallo   2009   75,123   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Catalina   2005   74,432   Panamax   $40,000   Jun-13   Aug-13
Majorca   2005   74,477   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Ligari   2004   75,583   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Saldanha   2004   75,707   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Sorrento   2004   76,633   Panamax   $24,500   Aug-21   Dec-21
Mendocino   2002   76,623   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Bargara   2002   74,832   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Oregon   2002   74,204   Panamax   $9,650   Sept-13   Nov-13
Ecola   2001   73,931   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Samatan   2001   74,823   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Sonoma   2001   74,786   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Capitola   2001   74,816   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Levanto   2001   73,925   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Maganari   2001   75,941   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Coronado   2000   75,706   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Marbella   2000   72,561   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Redondo   2000   74,716   Panamax   $9,250   Sept-13   Nov-13
Topeka   2000   74,716   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Ocean Crystal   1999   73,688   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Helena   1999   73,744   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
                         
Supramax:                        
Byron   2003   51,118   Supramax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Galveston   2002   51,201   Supramax   Spot   N/A   N/A
                         
                         
                         
    Year           Gross rate   Redelivery 
    Built   DWT   Type   Per day   Earliest   Latest
Newbuildings                        
                         
Capesize:                        
Newbuilding VLOC #5   2014   206,000   Capesize   Spot   N/A   N/A
Newbuilding VLOC #2   2013   206,000   Capesize   Spot   N/A   N/A
Newbuilding VLOC #3   2013   206,000   Capesize   Spot   N/A   N/A
Newbuilding VLOC #4   2013   206,000   Capesize   Spot   N/A   N/A
Newbuilding Capesize 1   2013   176,000   Capesize   Spot   N/A   N/A
Newbuilding Capesize 2   2013   176,000   Capesize   Spot   N/A   N/A
                         
Panamax:                        
Newbuilding Ice -class Panamax 1   2014   75,900   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Newbuilding Ice -class Panamax 2   2014   75,900   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Newbuilding Ice -class Panamax 3   2014   75,900   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Newbuilding Ice -class Panamax 4   2014   75,900   Panamax   Spot   N/A   N/A
                         
Tanker fleet                        
                         
Suezmax:                        
Bordeira   2013   158,300   Suezmax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Petalidi   2012   158,300   Suezmax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Lipari   2012   158,300   Suezmax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Vilamoura   2011   158,300   Suezmax   Spot   N/A   N/A
                         
Aframax:                        
Alicante   2013   115,200   Aframax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Mareta   2013   115,200   Aframax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Calida   2012   115,200   Aframax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Saga   2011   115,200   Aframax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Daytona   2011   115,200   Aframax   Spot   N/A   N/A
Belmar   2011   115,200   Aframax   Spot   N/A   N/A
                         
                         

Drilling Rigs/Drillships:

                 
Unit   Year built   Redelivery   Operating area   Backlog ($m)
Leiv Eiriksson   2001   Q1 - 16   Norway   $627
Eirik Raude   2002   Q3 - 13   Ireland   $112
Eirik Raude   2002   Q4 - 14   Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ivory Coast   $217
Ocean Rig Corcovado   2011   Q2 - 15   Brazil   $357
Ocean Rig Olympia   2011   Q3 - 15   Ivory Coast, Gabon, Angola   $517
Ocean Rig Poseidon   2011   Q1 - 13   Africa   $22
Ocean Rig Poseidon   2011   Q2 - 16   Angola   $781
Ocean Rig Mykonos   2011   Q1 - 15   Brazil   $330
                 
Newbuildings                
Ocean Rig Mylos   2013   Q3 - 16   Brazil   $680
Ocean Rig Skyros   2013   N/A   N/A   N/A
Ocean Rig Athena   2013   Q1 - 17   Angola   $750
Ocean Rig Apollo   2015   Q1 - 18   West Africa   $680 (1)
Total               $5,073
                 

(1) LOA is subject to definitive documentation.

Drybulk Carrier and Tanker Segment Summary Operating Data (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except average daily results)

             
Drybulk   Three Months Ended
 December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2011     2012     2011     2012  
Average number of vessels(1)     36.1       36       35.8       35.7  
Total voyage days for vessels(2)     3,226       3,312       12,831       13,027  
Total calendar days for vessels(3)     3,325       3,312       13,068       13,056  
Fleet utilization(4)     97.0 %     100.0 %     98.2 %     99.8 %
Time charter equivalent(5)   $ 25,306     $ 10,547     $ 26,912     $ 15,896  
Vessel operating expenses (daily)(6)   $ 7,007     $ 5,124     $ 6,271     $ 5,334  
                                 
                                 
Tanker   Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2011     2012     2011     2012  
Average number of vessels(1)     3.9       7.0       2.6       6.3  
Total voyage days for vessels(2)     362       644       963       2,293  
Total calendar days for vessels(3)     362       644       963       2,293  
Fleet utilization(4)     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Time charter equivalent(5)   $ 10,077     $ 10,062     $ 12,592     $ 13,584  
Vessel operating expenses (daily)(6)   $ 8,895     $ 6,781     $ 9,701     $ 7,195  
                                 

(1) Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
(2) Total voyage days for fleet are the total days the vessels were in our possession for the relevant period net of dry-docking days.
(3) Calendar days are the total number of days the vessels were in our possession for the relevant period including dry-docking days.
(4) Fleet utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels were available for revenue generating voyage days, and is determined by dividing voyage days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.
(5) Time charter equivalent, or TCE, is a measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel on a per voyage basis. Our method of calculating TCE is consistent with industry standards and is determined by dividing voyage revenues (net of voyage expenses) by voyage days for the relevant time period. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by the charterer under a time charter contract, as well as commissions. TCE revenues, a non-U.S. GAAP measure, provides additional meaningful information in conjunction with revenues from our vessels, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, because it assists our management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of its vessels and in evaluating their financial performance. TCE is also a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods. Please see below for a reconciliation of TCE rates to voyage revenues.
(6) Daily vessel operating expenses, which includes crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance, maintenance and repairs is calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period.

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except for TCE rate, which is expressed in Dollars, and voyage days)

               

Drybulk
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
     
Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2011       2012       2011       2012  
Voyage revenues   $ 86,621     $ 40,754     $ 365,361     $ 227,141  
Voyage expenses     (4,985 )     (5,821 )     (20,047 )     (20,064 )
Time charter equivalent revenues   $ 81,636     $ 34,933     $ 345,314     $ 207,077  
Total voyage days for fleet     3,226       3,312       12,831       13,027  
Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate   $ 25,306     $ 10,547     $ 26,912     $ 15,896  
                                 
                                 
Tanker   Three Months Ended
 December 31,
      Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2011       2012       2011       2012  
Voyage revenues   $ 3,903     $ 12,361     $ 12,652     $ 41,095  
Voyage expenses     (255 )     (5,881 )     (526 )     (9,948 )
Time charter equivalent revenues   $ 3,648     $ 6,480     $ 12,126     $ 31,147  
Total voyage days for fleet     362       644       963       2,293  
Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate   $ 10,077     $ 10,062     $ 12,592     $ 13,584  
                                 

Dryships Inc.

Financial Statements
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

             
(Expressed in Thousands of U.S. Dollars except for share and per share data)   Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2011     2012     2011     2012  
                                 
REVENUES:                                
Voyage revenues   $ 90,524     $ 53,115     $ 378,013     $ 268,236  
Revenues from drilling contracts     237,658       229,751       699,649       941,903  
      328,182       282,866       1,077,662       1,210,139  
                                 
EXPENSES:                                
Voyage expenses     5,240       11,702       20,573       30,012  
Vessel operating expenses     26,517       21,337       91,289       86,139  
Drilling rigs operating expenses     93,056       173,092       281,833       563,583  
Depreciation and amortization     82,280       84,843       274,281       335,458  
Vessel impairments and other, net     27,142       41,517       116,779       42,518  
General and administrative expenses     36,660       39,460       123,247       145,935  
Legal settlements and other     -       (5,912 )     -       (9,360 )
                                 
Operating income/(loss)     57,287       (83,173 )     169,660       15,854  
                                 
OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES):                                
Interest and finance costs, net of interest income     (48,181 )     (53,456 )     (129,598 )     (205,925 )
Gain/(loss) on interest rate swaps     2,298       (4,582 )     (68,943 )     (54,073 )
Other, net     1,441       (1,891 )     9,023       (492 )
Income taxes     (9,872 )     (11,354 )     (27,428 )     (43,957 )
Total other expenses     (54,314 )     (71,283 )     (216,946 )     (304,447 )
                                 
Net income/(loss)     2,973       (154,456 )     (47,286 )     (288,593 )
                                 
Net income/(loss) attributable to Non controlling interests     (9,193 )     24,608       (22,842 )     41,815  
                                 
Net loss attributable to Dryships Inc.  
$
(6,220 )  
$
(129,848 )  
$
(70,128 )  
$
(246,778 )
                                 
Loss per common share, basic and diluted   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.34 )   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.65 )
Weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted     375,495,260       380,179,472       355,144,764       380,159,088  
                                 
                                 
                                 

Dryships Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Expressed in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)   December 31, 2011   December 31, 2012
             
ASSETS            
             
  Cash and restricted cash (current and non-current)   $ 656,709   $ 720,458
  Other current assets     246,169     338,446
  Advances for vessels and rigs under construction and acquisitions     1,027,889     1,201,807
  Vessels, net     1,956,270     2,059,570
  Drilling rigs, drillships, machinery and equipment, net     4,587,916     4,446,730
  Other non-current assets     146,736     111,480
  Total assets     8,621,689     8,878,491
             
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY            
             
  Total debt     4,241,835     4,386,715
  Total other liabilities     441,192     623,757
  Total stockholders' equity     3,938,662     3,868,019
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 8,621,689   $ 8,878,491
             
 

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, vessel impairments, dry-dockings and class survey costs and gains or losses on interest rate swaps. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operations, as determined by United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, and our calculation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is included herein because it is a basis upon which the Company measures its operations and efficiency. Adjusted EBITDA is also used by our lenders as a measure of our compliance with certain covenants contained in our loan agreements and because the Company believes that it presents useful information to investors regarding a company's ability to service and/or incur indebtedness.

The following table reconciles net income to Adjusted EBITDA:

                         
(Dollars in thousands)   Three Months Ended December 31, 2011     Three Months Ended December 31, 2012     Year Ended December 31, 2011     Year Ended December 31, 2012  
                             
Net loss   $ (6,220 )   (129,848 )   (70,128 )   $ (246,778 )
                             
Add: Net interest expense     48,181     53,456     129,598       205,925  
Add: Depreciation and amortization     82,280     84,843     274,281       335,458  
Add: Impairment losses and other     32,584     41,339     144,688       41,339  
Add: Dry-dockings and class survey costs     4,643     43,745     26,135       66,506  
Add: Income taxes     9,872     11,354     27,428       43,957  
Add: Gain/(loss) on interest rate swaps     (2,298 )   4,582     68,943       54,073  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 169,042     109,471     600,945     $ 500,480  
                             

Conference Call and Webcast: March 7, 2013

As announced, the Company's management team will host a conference call, on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to discuss the Company's financial results.

Conference Call Details

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1(866) 819-7111 (from the US), 0(800) 953-0329 (from the UK) or +(44) (0) 1452 542 301 (from outside the US). Please quote "DryShips."

A replay of the conference call will be available until March 14, 2013. The United States replay number is 1(866) 247- 4222; from the UK 0(800) 953-1533; the standard international replay number is (+44) (0) 1452 55 00 00 and the access code required for the replay is: 2133051#.

A replay of the conference call will also be available on the Company's website at www.dryships.com under the Investor Relations section.

Slides and Audio Webcast

There will also be a simultaneous live webcast over the Internet, through the DryShips Inc. website (www.dryships.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

About DryShips Inc.

DryShips Inc. is an owner of drybulk carriers and tankers that operate worldwide. Through its majority owned subsidiary, Ocean Rig UDW Inc., DryShips owns and operates 10 offshore ultra deepwater drilling units, comprising of 2 ultra deepwater semisubmersible drilling rigs and 8 ultra deepwater drillships, 3 of which remain to be delivered to Ocean Rig during 2013 and 1 is scheduled for delivery during 2015. DryShips owns a fleet of 46 drybulk carriers (including newbuildings), comprising 12 Capesize, 28 Panamax, 2 Supramax and 4 newbuilding Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOC) with a combined deadweight tonnage of approximately 5.1 million tons, and 10 tankers, comprising 4 Suezmax and 6 Aframax, with a combined deadweight tonnage of over 1.3 million tons.

DryShips' common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market where it trades under the symbol "DRYS."

Visit the Company's website at www.dryships.com

Forward-Looking Statement

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 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 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 and drilling dayrates and drybulk vessel, drilling rig and drillship values, failure of a seller to deliver one or more drilling rigs, drillships or drybulk vessels, failure of a buyer to accept delivery of a drilling rig, drillship, or vessel, inability to procure acquisition financing, default by one or more charterers of our ships, changes in demand for drybulk commodities or oil, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers and customer drilling programs, scheduled and unscheduled drydockings and upgrades, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, changes in governmental rules and regulations 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact Information:

Investor Relations / Media:

Nicolas Bornozis
Capital Link, Inc. (New York)
Tel. 212-661-7566
E-mail: dryships@capitallink.com