d851977.htm
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
6-K
REPORT
OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the
month of February 2008
Commission
File Number: 001-32458
DIANA
SHIPPING INC.
(Translation
of registrant’s name into English)
Pendelis
16, 175 64 Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece
(Address
of principal executive office)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under
cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form
20-F
[X] Form 40-F
[ ]
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted
by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted
by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)7: ___
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained
in
this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant
to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes
[_] No [X]
If
“Yes”
is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
Attached
to this report on Form 6-K as Exhibit 1 is a press release dated February 4,
2008 of Diana Shipping Inc. (the “Company”) announcing that it has entered into a time charter
contract
with Atlas Bulk Shipping A/S, Denmark, for one of its Panamax dry bulk carriers,
the Calipso.
Corporate
Contact:
Ioannis
Zafirakis
Director
and
Vice-President
Telephone:
+
30-210-9470100
Email:
izafirakis@dianashippinginc.com
For
Immediate
Release
Investor
and Media
Relations:
Edward
Nebb
Euro
RSCG Magnet
Telephone:
+
1-212-367-6848
Email:
ed.nebb@eurorscg.com
DIANA
SHIPPING INC. ANNOUNCES TIME CHARTER CONTRACT FOR MV CALIPSO
ATHENS,
GREECE February 4, 2008 – Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), a global shipping
company specializing in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, today announced
that it has entered into a time charter contract with Atlas Bulk Shipping A/S,
Denmark, for one of its Panamax dry bulk carriers, the Calipso, at a gross
rate
of US$55,000 per day for a minimum eleven (11) to a maximum thirteen (13) month
period. Initially the agreement was for a minimum four (4) to a maximum six
(6)
month period at a gross rate of US$58,500, however it was subsequently mutually
agreed to extend the time charter period at the new daily rate.
This
employment is anticipated to generate approximately US$18.5 million of gross
revenues for the minimum scheduled period of the charter. The charter is
expected to commence at the middle of February, 2008.
The
Calipso is a 73,691 dwt Panamax dry bulk carrier built in 2005. The previous
time charter contract for the Calipso was at the gross charter hire rate of
US$26,750 per day.
About
the Company
Diana
Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services. The
Company specializes in transporting 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,”
“will,” “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.
#
#
#
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
DIANA
SHIPPING INC.
(registrant)
|
Dated: February
4, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/
Anastassis
Margaronis
|
| |
|
Anastassis
Margaronis
President
|
SK
23159 0002
851977