-- Sell the Panamax vessel MV Waikiki 75,473 dwt built in 1995 for US$ 63
million. Delivery to the new owners will take place during the third
quarter of 2008. Once the sale is concluded, the company expects to
realize a gain of approximately US$ 36.5 million.
-- Sell the Panamax vessel MV Solana 75,100 dwt built in 1995 for US$ 63
million. Delivery to the new owners will take place during the third
quarter of 2008. Once the sale is concluded, the company expects to
realize a gain of approximately US$ 28.7 million.
-- Sell the Panamax vessel MV Lacerta 71,862 dwt built in 1994 for US$
55.5 million. Delivery to the new owners will take place during the third
quarter of 2008. Once the sale is concluded, the company expects to
realize a gain of approximately US$ 44 million.
-- Acquire a 76,500 dwt Panamax vessel built in 2004 for US$ 86.75
million. The vessel will be delivered to the company, charter free, during
the third quarter of 2008.
-- Acquire a 170,012 dwt Capesize vessel built in 2004 for US$ 158
million. The vessel will be delivered to the company, charter free, during
the third quarter of 2008.
-- Acquire a 177,000 dwt Capesize vessel under construction in China for
US$ 153 million to be delivered during the first quarter of 2009.
George Economou, Chairman and CEO of DryShips Inc., stated that "We
continue with our strategy of fleet renewal and expansion and are pleased
to announce a series of vessel acquisitions and disposals. With these
latest transactions, we have further reduced the average age of our fleet
to 7.7 years; about 5.5 years below the industry average. In addition, by
replacing three Panamax vessels with one Panamax and two Capesize vessels,
we have significantly enhanced the earnings capacity of the fleet. These
renewals reiterate our positive outlook on the fundamentals of the drybulk
industry and reinforce our position to take advantage of the strong freight
environment with our large, versatile and modern fleet."
About DryShips Inc.
DryShips Inc. is engaged in ocean transportation services of drybulk
cargoes worldwide through the ownership and operation of dry bulk carrier
vessels. As of April 30, 2008 DryShips owns and operates a fleet of 47
drybulk carriers comprising 4 Capesize, 32 Panamax, 2 Supramax and 9
newbuilding drybulk vessels, with a combined deadweight tonnage of over 4
million tons.
DryShips Inc.'s common stock is listed on NASDAQ Global Market where it
trades under the symbol "DRYS."
Please visit our 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 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: Company Contact: E-mail: management@dryships.com Investor Relations / Media: Nicolas Bornozis Capital Link, Inc., New York Tel. 212-661-7566 E-mail: dryships@capitallink.com