Excel Maritime Reports First Quarter Ended March 31, 2009


ATHENS, GREECE--(Marketwire - May 21, 2009) - Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd (NYSE: EXM), an owner and operator of dry bulk carriers and a leading international provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes, announced today its operating and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.

First Quarter Highlights:

--  Revenues from operations amounted to $222.1 million as compared to
    $69.8 million in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of approximately
    218.2%;
    
--  Net income was $118.0 million or $2.57 per weighted average diluted
    share compared to $35.1 million or $1.76 per weighted average diluted share
    in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of approximately 236.2%. The
    results for the first quarter of 2009 include a non-cash item of $6.7
    million relating to the unrealized gain from the valuation of interest rate
    swaps and $0.1 million gain on sale of a vessel. Net income, excluding the
    above items, for the quarter would amount to $111.2 million or $2.42 per
    weighted average diluted share;
    
--  An average of 47.8 vessels were operated during the first quarter of
    2009 earning a blended average time charter equivalent rate of $21,024 per
    day compared to $41,767 per day for the first quarter of 2008 earned by an
    average of 18 vessels.
    

Corporate Developments

During the first quarter of 2009, we amended our two credit facilities with Nordea Bank and Credit Suisse Bank and secured all the appropriate covenant waivers for these credit facilities until January 1, 2011. As part of the loan amendments entities affiliated with the family of our Chairman of the Board of Directors have injected $45.0 million in the Company. Earlier in the quarter, our Board of Directors had decided to suspend our dividend in light of the challenging conditions both in the freight market and the financial environment.

(Please refer to our earnings release for the fourth quarter of 2008 announced on April 8, 2009 for a detailed discussion of the above corporate developments).

Dissolution of Oceanaut, Inc.

We held 18.9% of the outstanding common stock of Oceanaut, Inc., or Oceanaut, a blank check corporation that was organized in May 2006 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and was formed to acquire, through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or other similar business combination, vessels or one or more operating businesses in the shipping industry. At a special meeting held on April 6, 2009, Oceanaut's shareholders voted to approve the dissolution and liquidation of Oceanaut. As set forth in Oceanaut's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, Oceanaut's officers took action to dissolve Oceanaut and distribute the funds in Oceanaut's trust account, at a rate of approximately $8.26 per share of common stock, to those shareholders holding shares of Oceanaut's common stock sold in its initial public offering and to us with respect to the shares of Oceanaut common stock included in 625,000 of the 1,125,000 of the Oceanaut insider units that we owned. In this respect, on April 15, 2009, we received approximately $5.2 million.

Fleet Developments:

Sale of vessel

Based on a Memorandum of Agreement dated February 20, 2009, the M/V Swift, a Handymax vessel of 37,687 dwt built in 1984 was sold for net proceeds of approximately $3.8 million. As of December 31, 2008, the vessel's value was impaired and written down to her fair value, which approximated her sale proceeds and thus, the results for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 were not affected. The vessel was delivered to her new owners on March 16, 2009. Following the sale of the vessel, the Company repaid an amount of $4.6 million of its Nordea Loan.

Vessels new fixtures

On April 16, 2009 the M/V Sandra, a Capesize vessel of 180,000 dwt built in 2008, terminated her existing time charter by receiving an amount of approximately $2.0 million as compensation for the early termination and entered into a new one at a daily rate of $32,000 expiring in September 2010. A second charter on the vessel has been fixed commencing upon completion of her current charter and through February 2016 at a daily base rate of $25,000 with 50% profit sharing based on the monthly AV4 BCI charter rate as published by the Baltic Exchange.

On May 14, 2009 the M/V Birthday, a Panamax vessel of 71,504 dwt built in 1993, was fixed for a period of 12-14 months at a daily rate of $16,500. The vessel will be delivered to the charterer upon completion of her existing time charter in June 2009.

Time Charter Coverage

As of today, we have secured under time charter employment 67% of our operating days for 2009 (Q2-Q4) and 55% for 2010.

Management Commentary:

Lefteris Papatrifon, Chief Financial Officer of Excel, stated, "We are pleased with our operating performance and our ability to keep generating strong cash flows despite the volatile market conditions that the shipping industry has experienced during the first quarter of 2009. We believe that our versatile fleet and significant time charter coverage with quality counterparties together with the recent restructuring of our credit facilities allow us to efficiently manage the current market environment and take advantage of any opportunities that might emerge in the future."


First Quarter 2009 Results:

The Company reported net income for the quarter of $118.0 million or $2.57 per weighted average number of share as compared to net income of $35.1 million or $1.76 per weighted average number of share for the first quarter of 2008.

The results for the first quarter of 2009 include a non-cash item of $6.7 million relating to the unrealized gain from the valuation of interest rate swaps and $0.1 million gain on sale of a vessel. Net income, excluding the above items, for the quarter would amount to $111.2 million or $2.42 per weighted average diluted share.

Included in the above adjusted net income are also the amortization of favorable and unfavorable time charters that were fair valued upon acquiring Quintana on April 15, 2008 amounting to a net income of $67.8 million ($1.48 per weighted average diluted share), a non-cash gain of $51.5 million ($1.12 per weighted average diluted share) related to the accelerated amortization of the time charter value of M/V Sandra and M/V Coal Pride assumed upon Quintana Maritime Limited ("Quintana") acquisition due to their termination and the amortization of stock based compensation expense of $2.4 million ($0.05 per weighted average diluted share).

In addition, effective January 1, 2009, the Company changed the method of accounting for dry-docking and special survey costs from the deferral method to the expense as incurred method. (Please refer to a subsequent section of this Press Release for a further discussion on this accounting change). Such change was effected retrospectively to all periods presented and its effect in the first quarter of 2009 was a decrease in net income of approximately $2.0 million or $0.04 per weighted average diluted share.

Revenues for the first quarter of 2009 amounted to $222.1 million as compared to $69.8 million for the same period in 2008, an increase of approximately 218.2%. Included in revenues for the first quarter of 2009 are $129.1 million of non-cash revenues relating to the amortization of unfavorable time charters that were fair valued upon acquiring Quintana. There were no such non-cash revenue items recorded in the corresponding period in 2008.

An average of 47.8 vessels operated during the first quarter of 2009 earning a blended average time charter equivalent rate of $21,024 per day, compared to an average of 18 vessels operated during the first quarter of 2008 earning a blended average time charter equivalent rate of $41,767 per day. Please refer to a subsequent section of this Press Release for a calculation of the TCE.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2009 was $53.3 million compared to $52.0 million for the first quarter of 2008, an increase of approximately 2.5%. Please refer to a subsequent section of this Press Release for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to Net Income.

Conference Call Details:

Tomorrow May 22, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. EDT, the company's management will host a conference call to discuss the results.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 866 819 7111 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 0329 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 542 301 (Standard International Dial In). Please quote "Excel Maritime" to the operator.


A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until May 29, 2009 by dialing 1 866 247 4222 (US Toll Free Dial In), 0800 953 1533 (UK Toll Free Dial In) or +44 (0)1452 550 000 (Standard International Dial In). Access Code: 1838801#

Slides and Audio Webcast:

There will also be a live, and then archived, webcast of the conference call, available through Excel Maritime Carriers' website (www.excelmaritime.com). Participants for the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

- Financial and Other Financial Data Follow -

               EXCEL MARITIME CARRIERS LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
        FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 (as adjusted) AND 2009
    (In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for share and per share data)



                                                       First  Quarter
                                                 -------------------------
                                                     2008
                                                 (as adjusted)     2009
                                                 -------------  ----------
REVENUES:
Voyage revenues                                         69,524      92,806
Time Charter fair value amortization                         -     129,137
Revenue from managing related party vessels                233         165
                                                 -------------  ----------
Revenue from operations                                 69,757     222,108
                                                 -------------  ----------

EXPENSES:
  Voyage expenses                                        4,168       4,826
  Charter hire expense                                       -       8,096
  Charter hire amortization                                  -       9,846
  Commissions to a related party                           868         458
  Vessel operating expenses                              9,047      21,145
  Depreciation expense                                   7,992      30,533
  Dry-docking and special survey cost                    3,629       4,106
  General and administrative expenses                    3,767       7,291
                                                 -------------  ----------
                                                        29,471      86,301
                                                 -------------  ----------

  Gain on sale of vessel                                     -          61

  Income from operations                                40,286     135,868
                                                 -------------  ----------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
  Interest and finance costs                            (5,730)    (18,023)
  Interest income                                        2,639          76
  Interest rate swap gain (loss)                        (1,903)        558
  Foreign exchange gains (losses)                         (138)         88
  Other, net                                               (72)       (440)
                                                 -------------  ----------
  Total other income (expenses), net                    (5,204)    (17,741)
                                                 -------------  ----------

Net income before taxes and income from
 investment in affiliate                                35,082     118,127
                                                 -------------  ----------

US Source Income taxes                                    (245)       (176)

                                                 -------------  ----------
Net income before income from investment in
 affiliate                                              34,837     117,951
                                                 -------------  ----------

Income from Investment in affiliate                        229           -

                                                 -------------  ----------
Net income                                              35,066     117,951
                                                 -------------  ----------

Less: Loss assumed by the non controlling
 interests                                                   -          41

                                                 -------------  ----------
Net income attributable to Excel Maritime
 Carriers Ltd.                                          35,066     117,992
                                                 =============  ==========

Earnings per common share, basic                 $        1.76  $     2.57
                                                 =============  ==========
Weighted average number of shares, basic            19,955,190  45,835,762
                                                 =============  ==========
Earnings per common share, diluted               $        1.76  $     2.57
                                                 =============  ==========
Weighted average number of shares, diluted          19,965,852  45,835,762
                                                 =============  ==========





               EXCEL MARITIME CARRIERS LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEETS
          AT DECEMBER 31, 2008 (as adjusted) AND MARCH 31, 2009
                      (In thousands of U.S. Dollars)



                                                  December 31,
                                                      2008       March 31,
ASSETS                                            (as adjusted)    2009
                                                  -------------  ---------
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents                             109,792    130,249
  Restricted cash                                            53         53
  Accounts receivable                                    10,247      4,739
  Other current assets                                    6,958      5,539
                                                  -------------  ---------
  Total current assets                                  127,050    140,580
                                                  -------------  ---------

FIXED ASSETS:
  Vessels, net                                        2,786,717  2,752,668
  Advances for vessels under construction               106,898    107,566
  Office furniture and equipment, net                     1,722      1,650
                                                  -------------  ---------
  Total fixed assets, net                             2,895,337  2,861,884
                                                  -------------  ---------

OTHER NON CURRENT ASSETS:
  Time charters acquired, net                           264,263    254,417
  Restricted cash                                        24,947     24,947
  Investment in affiliate                                 5,212      5,212

                                                  -------------  ---------
    Total assets                                      3,316,809  3,287,040
                                                  =============  =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Current portion of long-term debt, net of
   deferred financing fees                              220,410    174,826
  Accounts payable                                        6,440      7,241
  Other current liabilities                              47,934     53,115
  Current portion of financial instruments               40,119     39,272
                                                  -------------  ---------
  Total current liabilities                             314,903    274,454
                                                  -------------  ---------

Long-term debt, net of current portion and net of
 deferred financing fees                              1,256,707  1,236,640
Time charters acquired, net                             650,781    521,644
Financial instruments                                    41,020     35,123

                                                  -------------  ---------
  Total liabilities                                   2,263,411  2,067,861
                                                  -------------  ---------

Commitments and contingencies                                 -          -
                                                  -------------  ---------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock                                             -          -
  Common stock                                              461        718
  Additional paid-in capital                            944,207    991,361
  Other Comprehensive Loss                                  (74)       (74)
  Retained earnings                                      94,063    212,055
  Less: Treasury stock                                     (189)      (189)
                                                  -------------  ---------
  Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. Stockholders'
   equity                                             1,038,468  1,203,871
                                                  -------------  ---------
  Non-controlling interests                              14,930     15,308
  Total Stockholders' Equity                          1,053,398  1,219,179
                                                  -------------  ---------

                                                  -------------  ---------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity        3,316,809  3,287,040
                                                  =============  =========





               EXCEL MARITIME CARRIERS LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES
              CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
        FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 (as adjusted) AND 2009
                      (In thousands of U.S. Dollars)



                                                        First Quarter
                                                   -----------------------
                                                       2008
                                                   (as adjusted)    2009
                                                   -------------  --------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income                                              35,066   117,992
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities                       11,176   (90,669)
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Operating assets                                        (977)    6,927
    Operating liabilities                                  8,484     5,984
                                                   -------------  --------
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities                 53,749    40,234
                                                   -------------  --------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
    Advances for vessels under construction                    -      (668)
    Additions to vessel cost                                   -      (119)
    Additions to office furniture and equipment              (28)      (28)
    Payment for business acquisition costs                (5,941)        -
    Proceeds from sale of vessel                               -     3,776
                                                   -------------  --------
Net cash provided by (used in) Investing
 Activities                                               (5,969)    2,961
                                                   -------------  --------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
    Repayment of long-term debt                           (8,381)  (68,157)
    Dividends paid                                        (3,989)        -
    Payment of financing costs                              (755)        -
    Issuance of common stock                                   -    45,000
    Non controlling interests                                  -       419
                                                   -------------  --------
Net cash used in Financing Activities                    (13,125)  (22,738)
                                                   -------------  --------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                 34,655    20,457
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period         243,672   109,792
                                                   -------------  --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period           278,327   130,249
                                                   =============  ========

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Cash paid during the period for:
    Interest payments                                      2,481    18,025





                      Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
                (all amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

                                                          First Quarter
                                                        -------------------
                                                          2008      2009
                                                        --------- --------
Net income                                                 35,066  117,992
Interest and finance costs, net (1)                         3,237   24,132
Depreciation                                                7,992   30,533
Dry-dock and special survey cost                            3,629    4,106
Unrealized swap (gain) loss                                 1,757   (6,743)
Amortization of T/C fair values (2)                             - (119,291)
Stock based compensation                                      123    2,411
Gain on sale of vessel                                          -      (61)
Taxes                                                         245      176
                                                        --------- --------
Adjusted EBITDA                                            52,049   53,255
                                                        ========= ========




(1) Includes swap interest paid and received
(2) Analysis:

                                                             First quarter
                                                                 2009
Non-cash amortization of unfavourable time charters in
 revenue                                                           (77,663)
Non-cash accelerated amortization of M/V Sandra and Coal
 Pride time charter fair value due to charter termination          (51,474)
Non-cash amortization of favourable time charters in charter
 hire expense                                                        9,846
                                                             -------------
                                                                  (119,291)
                                                             =============




            Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income
                (all amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

                                                        First Quarter
                                                  ------------------------
                                                      2008         2009
                                                  -----------  -----------
Net income                                        $     35,066     117,992
Unrealized swap (gain) loss                              1,757      (6,743)
Gain on sale of vessel                                       -         (61)
                                                  -----------  -----------
Adjusted Net income                               $     36,823     111,188
                                                  ===========  ===========



  Reconciliation of Earnings per Share (Diluted) to Adjusted Earnings per
                              Share (Diluted)
                      (all amounts in  U.S. Dollars)

                                                        First Quarter
                                                  ------------------------
                                                      2008         2009
                                                  ------------ -----------
Earnings per Share (Diluted)                      $       1.76 $      2.57
Unrealized swap (gain) loss                               0.09       (0.15)
Gain on sale of vessel                                       -        (0.0)
                                                  ------------ -----------
Adjusted Earnings per Share (Diluted)             $       1.85 $      2.42
                                                  ============ ===========

Accounting changes:

Change in Dry-docking and Special survey accounting policy

Effective January 1, 2009, we changed the method of accounting for dry-docking and special survey costs from the deferral method, under which costs associated with the dry-docking and special survey of a vessel are deferred and charged to expense over the period to a vessel's next scheduled dry-docking, to the direct expense method, under which the dry-docking and special survey costs will be expensed as incurred. We consider this as a preferable method since it eliminates the subjectivity and significant amount of time that is needed in determining which costs related to dry-docking activities should be deferred and amortized over a future period.

Adoption of new accounting pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, "Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements -- an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No.51" and FSP No. APB 14-1, "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)".

With the exception of SFAS 160 which requires retrospective application only in the presentation and disclosure requirements, the other two accounting changes require retrospective application for all periods presented and were effected in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 154 "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections", which requires that an accounting change should be retrospectively applied to all prior periods presented, unless it is impractical to determine the prior period impacts.

Accordingly, the previously reported 2008 financial information has been recast to account for these changes.

Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income plus net interest expense, depreciation, amortization, and taxes eliminating the effect of deferred stock-based compensation, gains or losses on the sale of vessels, amortization of deferred time charter assets and liabilities and unrealized gains or losses on swaps, which are significant non-cash items. Following the Company's change in the method of accounting for dry docking and special survey costs, such costs are also included in the adjustments to EBITDA for comparability purposes. The Company's management uses adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure. The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors, because the shipping industry is capital intensive and may involve significant financing costs. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure recognized by GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other indicator of a Company's operating performance required by GAAP. The Company's definition of adjusted EBITDA may not be the same as that used by other companies in the shipping or other industries.

Adjusted Net Income represents net income plus unrealized gains or losses from our swap transactions and any gains or losses on sale of vessels, both of which are significant non-cash items. Adjusted Earnings per Share (diluted) represents Adjusted Net Income divided by weighted average shares outstanding (diluted).

These measures are "non-GAAP financial measures" and should not be considered substitutes for net income or earnings per share (diluted), respectively, as reported under GAAP. The Company has included an adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share (diluted) calculation in this period in order to facilitate comparability between the Company's performance in the reported periods and its performance in prior periods.

About Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd

Excel is an owner and operator of dry bulk carriers and a provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes, such as iron ore, coal and grains, as well as bauxite, fertilizers and steel products. After the acquisition of Quintana, Excel owns a fleet of 40 vessels and, together with 7 Panamax vessels under bareboat charters, operates 47 vessels (5 Capesize, 14 Kamsarmax, 21 Panamax, 2 Supramax and 5 Handymax vessels) with a total carrying capacity of approximately 3.9 million DWT. Excel Class A common shares have been listed since September 15, 2005 on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EXM and, prior to that date, were listed on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) since 1998. For more information about the Company, please go to our corporate website www.excelmaritime.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and 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 changes in the demand for dry bulk 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.

APPENDIX

The following key indicators highlight the Company's financial and operating performance during the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. In the table below, the Panamax fleet includes both Kamsarmax and Panamax vessels and the Handymax fleet includes both Supramax and Handymax vessels:

                           Vessel Employment
           (In U.S. Dollars per day, unless otherwise stated)

                CAPESIZE                      HANDYSIZE
                 FLEET      PANAMAX FLEET       FLEET         TOTAL FLEET
                                Quarter ended March 31,
              2008   2009    2008    2009    2008    2009    2008    2009
              ----  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------

Total calendar
 days            -     450     910   3,150     728     704   1,638   4,304
Available days
 under period
 charter         -     450     670   2,352     293     140     963   2,942
Available days
 under
 spot/short
 duration
 charter         -       -     182     766     399     455     581   1,221
Utilization      -     100%   93.7%     99%   95.1%   84.5%   94.3%   96.7%
Time charter
 equivalent
 per ship per
 day-period      -  42,460  32,473  24,244  37,659  16,747  34,051  26,673
Time charter
 equivalent
 per ship per
 day-spot        -       -  74,325   8,493  45,497   5,605  54,528   7,416
Time charter
 equivalent
 per ship per
 day-weighted
 average         -  42,460  41,410  20,375  42,176   8,230  41,767  21,024
Net daily
 revenue per
 ship per day    -  42,460  38,782  20,164  40,105   6,955  39,370  20,335
Vessel
 operating
 expenses per
 ship per day    -  (5,157) (6,219) (4,810) (4,653) (5,216) (5,523) (4,913)
Net Operating
 cash flows
 per ship per
 day before
 G&A expenses    -  37,303  32,563  15,354  35,452   1,740  33,847  15,422
              ----  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------

Glossary of Terms

Average number of vessels This is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of calendar days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.

Total calendar days We define these as the total days we owned the vessels in our fleet for the relevant period including off hire days associated with major repairs, dry dockings or special or intermediate surveys. Calendar days are an indicator of the size of the fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that are recorded during a period.

Available days These are the calendar days less the aggregate number of off-hire days associated with major repairs, dry docks or special or intermediate surveys and the aggregate amount of time spent positioning vessels and any unforeseen off-hire. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenue.

Available days under spot / short duration charter This is defined as available days under spot charters and / or time charters of duration of less than six months.

Fleet utilization This is the percentage of time that our vessels were available for revenue generating days, and is determined by dividing available days by calendar days for the relevant period.

Time charter equivalent per ship per day ("TCE"): This 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 revenue generated from voyage charters net of voyage expenses by available 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. Time charter equivalent revenue and TCE rate are not measures of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. However, TCE is 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 voyage charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods.

                    Time Charter Equivalent Calculation
 (all amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for Daily Time Charter
                      Equivalent and available days)

                                                        First Quarter
                                                  ------------------------
                                                      2008         2009
                                                  -----------  -----------
Voyage revenues                                        69,524       92,806
Voyage expenses                                        (5,036)      (5,284)
                                                  -----------  -----------
Total revenue, net of voyage expenses                  64,488       87,522
                                                  ===========  ===========
Total available days                                    1,544        4,163
Daily Time charter equivalent                          41,767       21,024

Net daily revenue We define this as the daily TCE rate including idle time.

Daily vessel operating expenses This includes crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance, maintenance and repairs and is calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by total calendar days for the relevant time period.

Daily general and administrative expense This is calculated by dividing general and administrative expense by total calendar days for the relevant time period.

Expected Amortization Schedule for Fair Valued Time Charters for Next Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in USD millions)                             Q2'09 Q3'09 Q4'09 1Q'10 Total

Amortization of unfavourable time charters (1) 75.3  76.1  72.6  70.9 294.9
Amortization of favourable time charters (2)   10.0  10.1  10.1   9.9  40.1

(1) Adjustment to Revenue from operations i.e. increases revenues
(2) Adjustment to Charter hire expenses i.e. increases charter hire expense

Fleet List as of May 20, 2009:

                                                             Average TC
Name                      Type        Dwt     Year Built  Expiration Date
                        ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------------
Capesize
Iron Miner                Capesize    177,000       2007     February 2012
Kirmar                    Capesize    165,500       2001        April 2013
Iron Beauty               Capesize    165,500       2001          May 2010
Lowlands Beilun           Capesize    170,162       1999          May 2010
Sandra                    Capesize    180,000       2008 September 2010 (1)
Total Capesize                   5    858,162
Kamsarmax
Iron Manolis             Kamsarmax     82,300       2007     December 2010
Iron Brooke              Kamsarmax     82,300       2007     December 2010
Iron Lindrew             Kamsarmax     82,300       2007     December 2010
Coal Hunter              Kamsarmax     82,300       2006     December 2010
Pascha                   Kamsarmax     82,300       2006     December 2010
Coal Gypsy               Kamsarmax     82,300       2006     December 2010
Iron Anne                Kamsarmax     82,000       2006     December 2010
Iron Vassilis            Kamsarmax     82,000       2006     December 2010
Iron Bill                Kamsarmax     82,000       2006     December 2010
Santa Barbara            Kamsarmax     82,266       2006     December 2010
Ore Hansa                Kamsarmax     82,229       2006     December 2010
Iron Kalypso             Kamsarmax     82,204       2006     December 2010
Iron Fuzeyya             Kamsarmax     82,229       2006     December 2010
Iron Bradyn              Kamsarmax     82,769       2005     December 2010
                                   ----------
Total Kamsarmax                 14  1,151,497
Panamax
Grain Harvester            Panamax     76,411       2004     December 2010
Grain Express              Panamax     76,466       2004     December 2010
Iron Knight                Panamax     76,429       2004     December 2010
Coal Pride                 Panamax     72,600       1999        In Ballast
Isminaki                   Panamax     74,577       1998       August 2009
Angela Star                Panamax     73,798       1998         June 2009
Elinakos                   Panamax     73,751       1997    September 2009
Happy Day                  Panamax     71,694       1997         July 2009
Iron Man (A)               Panamax     72,861       1997          May 2010
Coal Age (A)               Panamax     72,861       1997    September 2009
Fearless I (A)             Panamax     73,427       1997    September 2009
Barbara (A)                Panamax     73,390       1997         June 2009
Linda Leah (A)             Panamax     73,390       1997    September 2009
King Coal (A)              Panamax     72,873       1997         July 2011
Coal Glory (A)             Panamax     73,670       1995     December 2009
Powerful                   Panamax     70,083       1994         June 2009
First Endeavour            Panamax     69,111       1994    September 2009
Rodon                      Panamax     73,670       1993       August 2009
Birthday                   Panamax     71,504       1993         July 2010
Renuar                     Panamax     70,128       1993         June 2009
Fortezza                   Panamax     69,634       1993         July 2009
                                   ----------
Total Panamax                   21  1,532,328
                        ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------------



                                                               Average TC
                                                               Expiration
Name                           Type        Dwt     Year Built     Date
                             ---------- ---------- ---------- -------------
Supramax
July M                         Supramax     55,567       2005     June 2009
Mairouli                       Supramax     53,206       2005 December 2009
                                        ----------
Total Supramax                        2    108,773
Handymax
Emerald                        Handymax     45,588       1998      May 2009
Princess I                     Handymax     38,858       1994     June 2009
Marybelle                      Handymax     42,552       1987     June 2009
Attractive                     Handymax     41,524       1985     June 2009
Lady                           Handymax     41,090       1985     June 2009
                                        ----------
Total Handymax                        5    209,612
                                        ----------
GRAND TOTAL                          47  3,860,372
                                        ==========
Average age                                           9.0 Yrs
                             ---------- ---------- ---------- -------------



                                                                Estimated
Fleet to be delivered                         Type     Dwt    delivery (B)
                                            -------- -------- -------------
Christine (D)                               Capesize  180,000    March 2010
Hope (E)                                    Capesize  181,000 November 2010
Lillie (E)                                  Capesize  181,000 December 2010

Total fleet to be delivered                           542,000
                                            -------- -------- -------------



                                                                Estimated
Fleet to be delivered (C)                 Type         Dwt     delivery (B)
                                      ----------- ----------- -------------
Fritz (E)                                Capesize     180,000      May 2010
Benthe (E)                               Capesize     180,000     June 2010
Gayle Frances (E)                        Capesize     180,000     July 2010
Iron Lena (E)                            Capesize     180,000   August 2010
                                      ----------- ----------- -------------

(1) The vessel will enter into a time charter through February 2016 upon completion of its current charter.

(A) These vessels were sold in 2007 and leased back on a bareboat charter through July 2015.

(B) The delivery dates shown in this column are estimates based on the delivery dates set forth in the relevant shipbuilding contracts or resale agreements.

(C) No refund guarantee has been received for these newbuildings and Excel does not believe that the respective new building contracts will materialize. There can be no assurance that the vessels will be delivered timely or at all.

(D) Excel holds a 42.8% interest in the joint venture that will own the vessel.

(E) Excel holds a 50% interest in the joint ventures that will own these vessels.

For further details on the fleet and their employment please refer to our website at www.excelmaritime.com

Contact Information: Contacts: Investor Relations / Financial Media: Nicolas Bornozis PresidentCapital Link, Inc. 230 Park Avenue - Suite 1536 New York, NY 10160, USA Tel: (212) 661-7566 Fax: (212) 661-7526 E-Mail: excelmaritime@capitallink.com www.capitallink.com Company: Lefteris Papatrifon Chief Financial Officer Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. 17th Km National Road Athens-Lamia & Finikos Street 145 64 Nea Kifisia Athens, Greece Tel: 011-30-210-62-09-520 Fax: 011-30-210-62-09-528 E-Mail: ir@excelmaritime.com www.excelmaritime.com