Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2011 Results


NEW YORK, March 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE) today announced its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

For the Fourth Quarter:

  • Net reported loss of $1.7 million or $0.03 per share (based on a weighted average of 62,700,719 diluted shares outstanding for the quarter), compared to net income of $3.03 million, or $0.05 per share, for the comparable quarter in 2010.
  • Net revenues of $70.0 million, compared to $72.4 million for the comparable quarter in 2010. Gross time charter and freight revenues of $71.7 million, compared to time charter revenues of $75.6 million for the comparable quarter in 2010.
  • EBITDA, as adjusted for exceptional items under the terms of the Company's credit agreement, was $30.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with $32.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2010.
  • Fleet utilization rate of 99.7%.
  • Took delivery of the Sandpiper Bulker, the last vessel of our new building program.

For the Fiscal Year 2011:

  • Net reported loss of $14.8 million or $.24 per share (based on a weighted average of 62,621,771 diluted shares outstanding for the year), compared to net income of $26.8 million, or $0.43 per share, for the comparable fiscal year in 2010.
  • Net revenues of $313.4 million, an increase of 18% compared to $265.0 million for the comparable year in 2010. Gross time charter and freight revenues increased 18% to $327.2 million, compared to gross time charter and freight revenues of $278.5 million for the comparable year in 2010.
  • EBITDA, as adjusted for exceptional items under the terms of the Company's credit agreement, was $108.9 million for the year of 2011, compared with $148.7 million for the year of 2010.
  • Fleet utilization rate of 99.4%.
  • Took delivery of eight newbuilding vessels and sold the Heron, 2001-built Supramax.

Sophocles N. Zoullas, Chairman and CEO, commented, "With the completion of our newbuilding program in 2011, Eagle Bulk now operates a fleet of 45 homogenous vessels with an average age of 4.8 years. We believe our Supramax vessels will continue to demonstrate resilience through their optimal size, diversified cargo mix, onboard cranes, and general supply/demand fundamentals as compared to other asset classes.

"We are realistic about the year ahead. Newbuilding deliveries flooded the market in January, and while demand is steady, it is insufficient at this point to meet unfavorable supply dynamics. Our singular focus in this environment is to continue our record of operational and commercial excellence while working towards a satisfactory agreement with our lenders. We will update the market accordingly going forward."

Results of Operations for the three-month period ended December 31, 2011 and 2010

For the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company reported a net loss of $1,698,979 or $0.03 per share, based on a weighted average of 62,700,719 diluted shares outstanding. In the comparable fourth quarter of 2010, the Company reported net income of $3,032,942 or $0.05 per share, based on a weighted average of 62,629,178 diluted shares outstanding.

The Company's revenues were earned from time and voyage charters. Gross revenues in the quarter ended December 31, 2011 were $71,704,158, a decrease of 5% from $75,641,650 recorded in the comparable quarter in 2010. The decrease in gross revenues is attributable to lower charter rates offset by operation of a larger fleet. Gross revenues recorded in the quarter ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, include an amount of $1,254,697 and $1,330,202, respectively, relating to the non-cash amortization of fair value below contract value of time charters acquired. Brokerage commissions incurred on revenues earned in the quarter ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $1,693,259 and $3,287,732, respectively. Net revenues during the quarter ended December 31, 2011, decreased 3% to $70,010,899 from $72,353,918 in the comparable quarter in 2010.

Total operating expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 were $60,857,843 compared with $57,502,627 recorded in the fourth quarter of 2010. The Company operated 45 vessels in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with 38 vessels in the corresponding quarter in 2010. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increase in operating a larger fleet size which includes increases in vessels crew cost and vessel depreciation expense.

EBITDA, adjusted for exceptional items under the terms of the Company's credit agreement, decreased to $29,989,681 for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with $32,925,831 for the fourth quarter of 2010. (Please see below for a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income/loss).

Results of Operations for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 and 2010

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, the Company reported net loss of $14,819,749 or $0.24 per share, based on a weighted average of 62,621,771 diluted shares outstanding. In the comparable period of 2010, the Company reported net income of $26,844,650 or $0.43 per share, based on a weighted average of 62,417,247 diluted shares outstanding.

The Company's revenues were earned from time and voyage charters. Gross revenues for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 were $327,210,063, an increase of 18% from $278,476,584 recorded in the comparable period in 2010. The increase in gross revenues is attributable to operation of a larger fleet as reflected by the increased operating days, offset by lower charter rates earned. Gross revenues recorded in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, include an amount of $5,088,268 and $4,754,407, respectively, relating to the non-cash amortization of fair value below contract value of time charters acquired. Brokerage commissions incurred on revenues earned in the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $13,777,632 and $13,440,518, respectively. Net revenues during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011, increased 18% to $313,432,431 from $265,036,066 in the comparable period in 2010.

Total operating expenses were $281,764,140 in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 compared to $189,376,882 recorded in the same period of 2010. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increase in voyage expenses, charter hire expenses and operating a larger fleet size which includes increases in vessels crew cost, insurance cost and vessel depreciation expense.

EBITDA, adjusted for exceptional items under the terms of the Company's credit agreement, decreased by 27% to $108,853,142 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 from $148,663,208 for the same period in 2010. (Please see below for a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income/loss).

Legal Proceedings

We evaluated the KLC matter to make a determination as to the impact, if any, on our business, liquidity, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and recorded an initial allowance for bad debt in the first quarter of 2011 of $6,586,900, which was updated in the fourth quarter of 2011 to reflect the settlement on November 24, 2011. Accordingly, we adjusted the allowance to $1,811,320, which reflects our recovery of $1,269,070 and write off of $3,506,510. As of December 31, 2011, KLC is not performing in accordance with the $17,000 per vessel per day shortfall arrangement and KLC owes us approximately $4.9 million relating to fourth quarter activities. That revenue does not meet our revenue recognition policy and is not included in our financial statements. We will recognize that revenue and any future revenue from KLC when collectability is assured.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $58,296,117 and $94,339,830, respectively. The change in 2011 and 2010 was primarily due to lower rates on time charter renewals offset by cash generated from operation of the fleet for 17,514 days in 2011, compared to 13,274 operating days in 2010.

Net cash used in investing activities during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011, was $157,786,210, compared to $280,995,791 during the corresponding twelve-month period ended December 31, 2010. Investing activities during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 related primarily to making progress payments and incurring related vessel construction expenses for the newbuilding vessels, of which eight and twelve delivered during the first twelve months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2011 was $4,556,384, compared to net cash provided by of $244,432,868 in 2010. In 2011, we repaid $21,875,735 toward our revolving facility, and as part of our sixth amendatory and commercial framework agreement with our lenders we reduced our restricted cash by $19,000,000. In 2010 we borrowed $251,183,596 from our revolving credit facility which was used to partly fund advances for construction of newbuilding vessels, twelve of which, Golden Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Thrasher, Crane, Egret Bulker, Avocet, Gannet Bulker, Grebe Bulker, Ibis Bulker, Jay, Kingfisher and Martin delivered during the year.

As of December 31, 2011, our cash balance was $25,075,203 compared to a cash balance of $129,121,680 at December 31, 2010. In addition, our restricted cash balance includes $276,056, for collateralizing letters of credit relating to our office leases and $394,362 which collateralize our derivatives positions as of December 31, 2011.

At December 31, 2011, the Company's debt consisted of $1,129,478,741 in net borrowings under the amended Revolving Credit Facility, which funded the Company's newbuilding program.

On September 26, 2011, we entered into the Sixth Amendatory and Commercial Framework Implementation Agreement (the "Sixth Amendment") to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 19, 2007, most of the provisions of this Sixth Amendment, unless amended, expire on April 30, 2012. Among other provisions, the Sixth Amendment suspends the Company's compliance with the Minimum Adjusted Net Worth covenant until April 30, 2012 for accounting periods ended March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2011, and suspends compliance with the Minimum Liquidity covenant until January 30, 2012. From January 31, 2012 until March 30, 2012, the Minimum Liquidity covenant is reduced to $500,000 multiplied by the number of vessels owned and from March 31 until April 29, 2012 the Company is required to maintain cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $27,000,000 and at April 30, 2012 in the amount of $36,000,000. Until April 30, 2012, the calculation of Minimum Liquidity covenant includes undrawn facility amounts as cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2011 the undrawn amount is $21,875,735. In addition to the Minimum Liquidity covenant, the Sixth Amendment requires the Company to obtain the lenders' consent for additional vessel dispositions during the commercial framework period, and to make reasonable efforts to meet certain reporting requirements to the lenders. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants related to this Sixth Amendment as of December 31, 2011 and expects to be in compliance through all covenants in effect in 2012 through the April 30, 2012 expiration of the Sixth Amendment.

At the end of the commercial framework period we will provide to our lenders the compliance certificates for the deferred periods. As described in note 6, on August 4, 2009, we entered into a third amendatory agreement to our revolving credit facility. Among other things, the third amendatory agreement reduced the facility to $1.2 billion and changed the applicable interest rate to 2.5% over LIBOR. In addition, among other changes, the third amendatory agreement amended the facility's net worth covenant from a market value to book value measurement with respect to the value of our fleet and reduced the facility's EBITDA to interest coverage ratio, with these changes to stay in effect until we were in compliance with the facility's original covenants for two consecutive accounting periods. Based on information which we provided in 2010 to the lenders under the revolving credit facility, the agent for the lenders notified us that according to its interpretation we were in compliance with the original covenants for the second and third quarters during 2010, and, therefore, our original collateral covenants have been reinstated. We disagree with the interpretation of the original covenant calculation being used by the agent and have advised the agent that we were not in compliance with the original covenants for these two consecutive quarters, and, therefore, the amended collateral covenants should remain in place. Under the agent's interpretation of the covenant, we were in compliance both with the original collateral covenants and the amended collateral covenants during the accounting period ended December 31, 2010. We have remained in compliance with the amended collateral covenants during the accounting periods ended March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2011, but would not have been in compliance for these periods under the agent's interpretation of the original collateral covenants. We believe that our interpretation of the facility agreement's covenant calculation is correct, that the reinstatement of the original loan covenant has not occurred, and that we remain in compliance with all covenants in effect at December 31, 2011. However, if the agent's interpretation is determined to be correct, we would not be in compliance with the original covenants for the periods ending March 31, 2011, June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2011, which would constitute a default under the facility agreement and would result in the classification as current of the amounts due under the facility agreement and would lead to substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, if we are unable to agree on satisfactory alternative terms or obtain a waiver from the lenders. We are in discussions with our lenders as part of the Sixth Amendment to either amend the facility's amortization schedule or the covenants then in effect. Although there is no assurance that we will be successful in doing so, we continue to seek a satisfactory agreement with our lenders.

Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA represents operating earnings before extraordinary items, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and income taxes, if any. EBITDA is included because it is used by certain investors to measure a company's financial performance. EBITDA is not an item recognized by GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for net income, cash flow from operating activities and other operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA is presented to provide additional information with respect to the Company's ability to satisfy its obligations including debt service, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. While EBITDA is frequently used as a measure of operating results and the ability to meet debt service requirements, the definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.

The following table is a reconciliation of net income, as reflected in the consolidated statements of operations, to the Credit Agreement EBITDA:

   Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
  December
31, 2011
December
31, 2010
December
31, 2011
December
31, 2010
Net income (loss) $ (1,698,979) $ 3,032,942 $ (14,819,749) $ 26,844,650
Interest expense 11,370,603 11,668,048 46,769,965 48,885,674
Depreciation and amortization 19,624,596 16,508,187 73,084,105 62,945,478
Amortization of fair value below contract value of time charter acquired (1,254,697) (1,330,202) (5,088,268) (4,754,407)
EBITDA 28,041,523 29,878,975 99,946,053 133,921,395
Adjustments for exceptional items:        
Non-cash compensation expense (1) 1,948,158 3,046,856 8,907,089 14,741,813
Credit agreement EBITDA $ 29,989,681 $ 32,925,831 $ 108,853,142 $ 148,663,208
         
(1) Stock based compensation related to stock options and restricted stock units.

Capital Expenditures and Drydocking

Our capital expenditures relate to the purchase of vessels and capital improvements to our vessels which are expected to enhance the revenue earning capabilities and safety of these vessels.

We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with our vessel acquisitions. As of December 31, 2011, our fleet consisted of 43 Supramax and 2 Handymax vessels.

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, the Company's other major capital expenditures include funding the Company's program of regularly scheduled drydocking necessary to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. Although the Company has some flexibility regarding the timing of its dry docking, the costs are relatively predictable. Management anticipates that vessels are to be drydocked every two and a half years. Funding of these requirements is anticipated to be met with cash from operations. We anticipate that this process of recertification will require us to reposition these vessels from a discharge port to shipyard facilities, which will reduce our available days and operating days during that period.

Drydocking costs incurred are deferred and amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the period through the date of the next scheduled drydocking for those vessels. In 2011, four of our vessels were drydocked and we incurred $2,809,406 in drydocking related costs. In 2010, five of our vessels were drydocked and we incurred $2,827,534 in drydocking related costs. In 2009, eight of our vessels were drydocked and we incurred $4,477,244 in drydocking related costs. The following table represents certain information about the estimated costs for anticipated vessel drydockings in the next four quarters, along with the anticipated off-hire days:

     
Quarter Ending Off-hire Days(1) Projected Costs(2)
March 31, 2012 30 $0.75 million
June 30, 2012 -- --
September 30, 2012 15 $0.35 million
December 31, 2012 22 $0.55 million
 
(1) Actual duration of drydocking will vary based on the condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors.
(2) Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed.

Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data:

The following table summarizes the Company's selected consolidated financial and other data for the periods indicated below.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
     
  Three Months Ended  
  (unaudited) Twelve Months Ended
  December December December December
  31, 2011 31, 2010 31, 2011 31, 2010
Revenues, net of commissions  $70,010,899 $72,353,918 $313,432,431 $265,036,066
         
Voyage expenses  8,403,814 2,288,326 44,345,774 3,726,847
Vessel expenses  22,285,822 22,492,719 85,049,671 72,983,630
Charter hire expenses  3,202,586 7,144,697 41,215,875 9,982,677
Depreciation and amortization  19,624,596 16,508,187 73,084,105 62,945,478
General and administrative expenses  7,341,025 9,068,698 37,559,639 40,029,261
Loss (gain) from sale of vessel  --  -- 509,076 (291,011)
         
 Total operating expenses  60,857,843 57,502,627 281,764,140 189,376,882
         
Operating income  9,153,056 14,851,291 31,668,291 75,659,184
         
Interest expense  11,370,603 11,668,048 46,769,965 48,885,674
Interest income  (7,077) (148,117) (130,007) (369,558)
Other (income) expense  (511,491) 298,418 (151,918) 298,418
 Total other expense, net  10,852,035 11,818,349 46,488,040 48,814,534
         
Net income (loss)  $(1,698,979) $3,032,942 $(14,819,749) $26,844,650
         
Weighted average shares outstanding :        
Basic  62,700,719 62,325,549 62,621,771 62,204,443
Diluted  62,700,719 62,629,178 62,621,771 62,417,247
         
Per share amounts:
Basic net income (loss)  $(0.03) $0.05 $(0.24) $0.43
         
         
Fleet Operating Data        
     
  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
  December 31,
2011
December 31,
2010
December 31,
2011
December 31,
2010
Ownership Days 4,122 3,496 15,290 12,958
Chartered-in under operating lease Days 182 336 2,421 426
Available Days 4,283 3,802 17,619 13,323
Operating Days 4,272 3,794 17,514 13,274
Fleet Utilization 99.7% 99.8% 99.4% 99.6%
 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
     
  December 31,
  2011 2010
ASSETS:    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $25,075,203 $129,121,680
Accounts receivable 13,960,777 14,366,495
Prepaid expenses 3,969,905 3,459,721
Inventories 11,083,331 3,190,052
Investment 988,196 --
Fair value above contract value of time charters acquired 567,315 594,611
Fair value of derivative instruments 246,110 --
     
 Total current assets 55,890,837 150,732,559
Noncurrent assets:    
Vessels and vessel improvements, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $239,568,767 and $176,824,438, respectively 1,789,381,046 1,509,798,249
Advances for vessel construction -- 191,477,225
Other fixed assets, net of accumulated amortization of $324,691 and $153,375, respectively 605,519 420,204
Restricted cash 670,418 19,790,341
Deferred drydock costs 3,303,363 4,217,071
Deferred financing costs 11,766,779 16,458,496
Fair value above contract value of time charters acquired 3,041,496 3,608,812
Other assets, net 2,597,270 70,001
 Total noncurrent assets 1,811,365,891 1,745,840,399
     
Total assets $1,867,256,728 $1,896,572,958
     
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable $10,642,831 $6,089,273
Accrued interest 2,815,665 6,651,554
Other accrued liabilities 11,822,582 5,850,474
Current portion of long-term debt 32,094,006 --
Deferred revenue and fair value below contract value of time charters Acquired 5,966,698 5,705,326
Unearned charter hire revenue 5,779,928 6,091,332
Fair value of derivative instruments -- 127,758
     
 Total current liabilities 69,121,710 30,515,717
Noncurrent liabilities:    
Long-term debt 1,097,384,735 1,151,354,476
Deferred revenue and fair value below contract value of time charters Acquired 17,088,464 23,480,740
Fair value of derivative instruments 9,486,116 22,135,507
     
 Total noncurrent liabilities 1,123,959,315 1,196,970,723
Total liabilities 1,193,081,025 1,227,486,440
Commitment and contingencies    
Stockholders' equity:    
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 63,003,286 and 62,126,665 shares issued and outstanding, respectively 630,033 625,604
Additional paid-in capital 745,473,169 738,251,158
Retained earnings (net of dividends declared of $262,118,388 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively) (62,474,486) (47,654,737)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (9,453,013) (22,135,507)
     
 Total stockholders' equity 674,175,703 669,086,518
     
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,867,256,728 $1,896,572,958
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS:
       
  Year Ended December 31,
  2011 2010 2009
Cash flows from operating activities      
Net income (loss) $(14,819,749) $26,844,650 $33,287,271
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Items included in net income not affecting cash flows:      
Depreciation and amortization 69,887,121 59,503,895 41,380,917
Amortization of deferred drydocking costs 3,196,984 3,441,583 2,948,341
Amortization of deferred financing costs 4,172,604 3,202,455 1,373,998
Write-off of deferred financing costs -- -- 3,383,289
Amortization of fair value (below) above contract value of time charter acquired (5,088,268) (4,754,407) (2,643,820)
Loss (gain) on sale of vessel 509,076 (291,011) --
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives, net (373,868) 127,758 --
Allowance for accounts receivable 1,811,320 -- --
Non-cash compensation expense 8,907,089 14,741,813 13,977,974
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable (1,405,602) (6,923,045) (3,085,613)
Prepaid expenses (510,184) 1,529,725 (1,691,645)
Inventories  (7,893,279) (3,190,052)  --
Other assets (2,527,269) (70,001)  --
Accounts payable 4,553,558 3,799,940 252,273
Accrued interest (4,526,690) (4,211,361) 1,429,939
Accrued expenses 5,972,108 2,022,756 805,743
Drydocking expenditures (2,809,406) (2,827,534) (4,477,244)
Deferred revenue (448,024) 159,467 4,684,138
Unearned charter hire revenue (311,404) 1,233,199 (1,100,700)
       
Net cash provided by operating activities 58,296,117 94,339,830 90,524,861
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Vessels and vessel improvements and Advances for vessel construction (179,105,635) (301,795,862) (228,530,198)
Purchase of other fixed assets (356,631) (255,713) (94,065)
Proceeds from sale of vessel 22,511,226 21,055,784 --
Investment (955,093) -- --
Changes in restricted cash 119,923 -- --
       
Net cash used in investing activities (157,786,210) (280,995,791) (228,624,263)
Cash flows from financing activities      
Issuance of common stock -- -- 99,999,997
Equity issuance costs -- -- (2,708,951)
Bank borrowings -- 251,183,596 159,215,000
Repayment of debt (21,875,735) -- (48,645,523)
Changes in restricted cash 19,000,000 (6,014,285) (2,000,000)
Deferred financing costs -- -- (4,515,623)
Cash used to settle net share equity awards (1,680,649) (736,443) (1,109,587)
       
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (4,556,384) 244,432,868 200,235,313
Net increase/(decrease) in Cash (104,046,477) 57,776,907 62,135,911
Cash at beginning of period 129,121,680 71,344,773 9,208,862
       
Cash at end of period $25,075,203 $129,121,680 $71,344,773
       
Supplemental cash flow information:      
Cash paid during the period for Interest (including capitalized interest and commitment fees of $3,200,486, $13,725,858 and $26,643,519 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively) $48,498,289 $57,480,100 $52,760,344
The following table represents certain information about our revenue earning charters on our operating fleet as of December 31, 2011:
         
         
Vessel Year Built Dwt Charter Expiration (1) Daily Charter Hire Rate
Avocet (2) 2010 53,462 Jan 2012  $8,050(3)
         
         
Bittern (2) 2009 57,809 Feb 2012  $13,500(3)
         
         
Canary (2) 2009 57,809 Jan 2012  $15,500(3)
         
         
Cardinal  2004 55,362 Dec 2012 to Feb 2013 Index (4)
         
Condor  2001 50,296 Jan 2012 to Mar 2012 $15,250
Crane (2) 2010 57,809 Feb 2012  Voyage(3)
         
         
Crested Eagle  2009 55,989 Jan 2012  $13,300(3)
         
         
Crowned Eagle  2008 55,940 Aug 2012 to Oct 2012 $14,000
Egret Bulker 2010 57,809 Oct 2012 to Feb 2013 $17,650(5) (with 50% profit share over $20,000)
         
         
Falcon  2001 50,296 Jan 2012 to Mar 2012  $14,000
Gannet Bulker 2010 57,809 Jan 2013 to May 2013 $17,650(5) (with 50% profit share over $20,000)
         
         
Golden Eagle  2010 55,989 Mar 2012 $15,750
Goldeneye 2002 52,421 Oct 2012 to Jan 2013 Index(4)
Grebe Bulker 2010 57,809 Feb 2013 to Jun 2013 $17,650(5) (with 50% profit share over $20,000)
         
         
Harrier  2001 50,296 Feb 2012 $15,000(3)
Hawk I  2001 50,296 Jan 2012 to Feb 2012 $13,500(3)
Ibis Bulker 2010 57,775 Mar 2013 to Jul 2013 $17,650(5) (with 50% profit share over $20,000)
         
         
Imperial Eagle 2010 55,989 Nov 2012 to Feb 2013 Index(4)
Jaeger  2004 52,248 Nov 2012 to Jan 2013 Index(4)
         
Jay(2) 2010 57,802 Jan 2012 Spot(3) 
Kestrel I 2004 50,326 Aug 2012 to Oct 2012 Index(4)
         
Kingfisher (2) 2010 57,776 Feb 2012 Voyage
Kite  1997 47,195 Feb 2012 to May 2012 $10,000
Kittiwake 2002 53,146 Jan 2012 to Mar 2012 $14,950(3)
Martin(2) 2010 57,809 Jan 2012 Voyage(3)
Merlin 2001 50,296 Jan 2012 to Mar 2012 $15,625
Nighthawk(2) 2011 57,809 Jan 2012 Voyage(3)
Oriole(2) 2011 57,809 Feb 2012 $26,750(3)
Osprey I  2002 50,206 Jan 2012 to Feb 2012 $14,000(3)
Owl(2) 2011 50,809 Feb 2012 to Apr 2012 Voyage(3)
Peregrine  2001 50,913 Jan 2012 $12,750(3)
Petrel Bulker 2011 57,809 May 2014 to Sep 2014 $17,650(5) (with 50% profit share over $20,000)
         
         
Puffin Bulker 2011 57,809 May 2014 to Sep 2014 $17,650(5) (with 50% profit share over $20,000)
         
Redwing  2007 53,411 Jan 2012 Voyage(3)
Roadrunner Bulker 2011 57,809 Aug 2014 to Dec 2014 $17,650(5) (with 50% profit share over $20,000)
         
Sandpiper Bulker 2011 57,809 Aug 2014 to Dec 2014 $17,650(5) (with 50% profit share over $20,000)
         
Shrike  2003 53,343 Jan 2012 to Mar 2012 $14,500
Skua  2003 53,350 Jan 2012 to Apr 2012 $14,500
Sparrow  2000 48,225 Feb 2012 Spot(3)
Stellar Eagle  2009 55,989 Feb 2012 to Apr 2012 $15,100
Tern  2003 50,200 Feb 2012 Spot(3)
Thrasher (2) 2010 53,360 Mar 2012 $13,250(3)
         
         
Thrush 2011 53,297 Jan 2012 to Apr 2012 $15,500
         
Woodstar (2) 2008 53,390 Feb 2012 $15,000(3)
         
Wren (2) 2008 53,349 Feb 2012 Spot(3)
         
 
(1) The date range provided represents the earliest and latest date on which the charterer may redeliver the vessel to the Company upon the termination of the charter. The time charter hire rates presented are gross daily charter rates before brokerage commissions, ranging from 0.625% to 5.00%, to third party ship brokers.
(2) The charter rate does not include any shortfall between the vessels' actual daily earnings and the $17,000 per day that KLC is responsible for. Revenue from KLC will be recognized when collectability is assured. In addition, up to December 2015 Eagle is entitled to 100% profit share is between $17,000 to $21,000 and 50% profit share thereafter, from January 2016 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019 with 50% profit share above $17,000.
(3) Upon conclusion of the previous charter the vessel will commence a short term charter for up to six months.
(4) Index, an average of the trailing Baltic Supramax Index.
(5) The charterer has an option to extend the charter by 2 periods of 11 to 13 months each.

Glossary of Terms:

Ownership days: The Company defines ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in its fleet has been owned. Ownership 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 is recorded during a period.

Chartered-in under operating lease days: The Company defines chartered-in under operating lease days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which the Company chartered-in vessels.

Available days: The Company defines available days as the number of ownership days less the aggregate number of days that its vessels are off-hire due to vessel familiarization upon acquisition, scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.

Operating days: The Company defines operating days as the number of its available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that the vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

Fleet utilization: The Company calculates fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades, special surveys or vessel positioning. Our fleet continues to perform at very high utilization rates.

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, members of Eagle Bulk's senior management team will host a teleconference and webcast on Thursday, March 15th, at 8:30 AM ET, to discuss these results.

To participate in the teleconference, investors and analysts are invited to call 866-730-5770 in the U.S., or 857-350-1594 outside of the U.S., and reference participant code 28295256. A simultaneous webcast of the call, including a slide presentation for interested investors and others, may be accessed by visiting http://www.eagleships.com.

A replay will be available following the call until 11:59 PM ET on March 22, 2012. To access the replay, call 888-286-8010 in the U.S., or 617-801-6888 outside of the U.S., and reference passcode 40739533.

About Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. is a Marshall Islands corporation headquartered in New York. The Company is a leading global owner of Supramax dry bulk vessels that range in size from 50,000 to 60,000 deadweight tons and transport a broad range of major and minor bulk cargoes, including iron ore, coal, grain, cement and fertilizer, along worldwide shipping routes.

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 Eagle Bulk Shipping 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, Eagle Bulk Shipping 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 charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydocking, changes in our vessel operating expenses, including dry-docking and insurance costs, or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from 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 Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Visit our website at www.eagleships.com



            

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