Quarterlytics / Industrials / Marine Shipping / Diana Shipping Inc. / FY2023 Annual Report

Diana Shipping Inc.
Annual Report 2023

DSX · NYSE Industrials
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Industry Marine Shipping
Employees 981
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FY2023 Annual Report · Diana Shipping Inc.
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UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 

FORM 20-F 

(Mark One)  

☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  

☑ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  

OR 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 

OR 

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

OR 

☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
Date of event requiring this shell company report: Not applicable  

For the transition period from ___________________________ to ___________________________  

Commission file number 001-32458 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   
 (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) 
Diana Shipping Inc. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   

 (Translation of Registrant’s name into English)  

DIANA SHIPPING INC. 

Republic of the Marshall Islands 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   
 (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 

 Pendelis 16, 175 64 Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece  
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   
 (Address of principal executive offices) 

Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis 
Pendelis 16, 175 64 Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece  
Tel:  + 30-210-9470-100, Fax: + 30-210-9470-101 
E-mail: izafirakis@dianashippinginc.com 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   
 (Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)  

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.  

 
 
 
 
 
Title of each class 
Common Stock, $0.01 par value including the Preferred Stock Purchase Rights 
8.875% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares, $0.01 par value 
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock, Expiring on or about December 14, 2026 

Trading 
Symbol(s) 
DSX 
DSXPRB 
DSX WS 

Name of each exchange on which 
registered 
New York Stock Exchange 
New York Stock Exchange 
New York Stock Exchange  

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.  

None 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   
 (Title of Class) 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.  

None 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   
 (Title of Class) 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by 
the annual report.  

As of December 31, 2023, there were 113,065,725 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 

 ☐ Yes ☑ No 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections. 

 ☐ Yes ☑ No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has 
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  

☑ Yes ☐ No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to 
Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was 
required to submit such files). 

 ☑ Yes ☐ No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging 
growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the 
Exchange Act.  

Large accelerated filer ☐ 

Accelerated filer ☑ 

Non-accelerated filer ☐  
Emerging growth company ☐  

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the 

registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† 
provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. □  

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards 

Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the 
effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the 

registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. 

☑  

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the 
registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.                                                     ☐ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-

based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-
1(b).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ☐ 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this 

filing:  
U.S. GAAP  ☑ 

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued    
by the International Accounting Standards Board □  

Other  ☐ 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has 
elected to follow. 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 

☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18  

☐ Yes ☑ No  

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. 

☐ Yes ☐ No

 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

PART I 
Item 1. 
Item 2. 
Item 3. 
Item 4. 
Item 4A. 
Item 5. 
Item 6. 
Item 7. 
Item 8. 
Item 9. 
Item 10. 
Item 11. 
Item 12. 

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers 
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable 
Key Information 
Information on the Company 
Unresolved Staff Comments 
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects 
Directors, Senior Management and Employees 
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions 
Financial Information 
The Offer and Listing 
Additional Information 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities 

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies 
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds 
Controls and Procedures 
Audit Committee Financial Expert 
Code of Ethics 
Principal Accountant Fees and Services 
Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees 
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers 
Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant 

PART II 
Item 13. 
Item 14. 
Item 15. 
Item 16A. 
Item 16B. 
Item 16C. 
Item 16D. 
Item 16E. 
Item 16F. 
Item 16G.  Corporate Governance 
Item 16H.  Mine Safety Disclosure 
Item 16I. 
Item 16J. 
Item 16K. 

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections 
Insider Trading Policies 
Cybersecurity 

PART III 
Item 17. 
Item 18. 
Item 19. 

Financial Statements 
Financial Statements 
Exhibits 

4 

5 

8 
8 
8 
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68 
68 
85 
93 
98 
99 
100 
109 
110 

111 
111 
111 
112 
112 
112 
113 
113 
113 
114 
115 
115 
115 
115 

117 
117 
117 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

Matters  discussed  in  this  annual  report  and  the  documents  incorporated  by  reference  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, but are not limited to, statements 
concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, underlying assumptions and 
other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. 

Diana Shipping Inc., or 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.  This document and any other written or oral statements made by the Company or 
on its behalf may include forward-looking statements, which reflect its current views with respect to future 
events and financial performance, and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. When 
used in this document, the words “believe”,  “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” 
“potential,”  “will,”  “may,”  “should,”  “expect,”  “targets,”  “likely,”  “would,”  “could,”  “seeks,”  “continue,” 
“possible,”  “might,”  “pending,”  and  similar  expressions,  terms  or  phrases  may  identify  forward-looking 
statements. 

Please note in this annual report, “we”, “us”, “our” and “the Company” all refer to Diana Shipping Inc. and 
its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. 

The forward-looking statements in this document 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  its  records  and  other  data  available  from  third 
parties.  Although the Company 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 its control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or 
accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. 

Such  statements  reflect  the  Company’s  current  views  with  respect  to  future  events  and  are  subject  to 
certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, 
or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described 
herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended. The Company is making investors aware 
that such forward-looking statements, because they relate to future events, are by their very nature subject 
to many important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated. 

In addition to these important factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein, including under the heading 
"Item  3.  Key  Information—D.  Risk  Factors,"  and  in  the  documents  incorporated  by  reference  herein, 
important factors that, in its view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the 
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:  

• 

• 

the strength of world economies; 

fluctuations in currencies, interest rates, and inflationary pressures; 

•  general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values; 

• 

• 

changes in demand in the dry-bulk shipping industry; 

changes  in  the  supply  of  vessels,  including  when  caused  by  new  newbuilding  vessel  orders  or 
changes to or terminations of existing orders, and vessel scrapping levels; 

5 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

changes  in  the  Company's  operating  expenses,  including  bunker  prices,  crew  costs,  drydocking 
and insurance costs; 

• 

the Company’s future operating or financial results; 

•  availability  of  financing  and  refinancing  and  changes  to  the  Company’s  financial  condition  and 
liquidity, including the Company’s ability to pay amounts that it owes and obtain additional financing 
to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate activities and the Company’s 
ability to obtain financing and comply with the restrictions and other covenants in the Company’s 
financing arrangements; 

• 

changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities; 

•  potential liability from pending or future litigation; 

• 

• 

• 

compliance with governmental, tax, environmental and safety regulation, any non-compliance with 
the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA) or other applicable regulations relating to 
bribery; 

the failure of counter-parties to fully perform their contracts with the Company; 

the Company’s dependence on key personnel; 

•  adequacy of insurance coverage; 

• 

• 

the volatility of the price of the Company’s common shares; 

the Company’s incorporation under the laws of the Marshall Islands and the different rights to relief 
that may be available compared to other countries, including the United States; 

•  general domestic and international political conditions or labor disruptions; 

• 

the impact of port or canal congestion or disruptions; 

•  any continuing impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) or other global or regional pandemics and its 

impact in the dry-bulk shipping industry; 

•  potential physical disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, climate-related reasons (acute and 
chronic), political events, public health threats, international hostilities and instability, piracy or acts 
by terrorists; and 

•  other  important  factors  described from  time to  time  in the reports  filed  by the  Company  with  the 
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including those factors discussed in “Item 3. 
Key  Information-  D.  Risk  Factors”  in this  Annual  Report  on  Form  20-F  and  the  New  York  Stock 
Exchange, or the NYSE. 

This report may contain assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events. 
These statements are intended as forward-looking statements. The Company may also from time to time 
make forward- looking statements in other documents and reports that are filed with or submitted to the 
Commission, in other information sent to the Company’s security holders, and in other written materials. 
The Company also cautions that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future 
events  may  and  often  do  vary  from  actual  results  and  the  differences  can  be  material.  The  Company 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this report, 
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 

7 

 
 
PART I 

Item 1. 

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers 

Not Applicable. 

Item 2. 

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable 

Not Applicable. 

Item 3. 

Key Information 

A. 

 [Reserved]  

B. 

 Capitalization and Indebtedness  

Not Applicable.  

C. 

Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds  

Not Applicable. 

D. 

Risk Factors 

Summary of Risk Factors  

The below bullets summarize the principal risk factors related to an investment in our Company.  

Industry Specific Risk Factors 

•  Charter hire rates for dry bulk vessels are volatile and have fluctuated significantly in the 
past years, which may adversely affect our earnings, revenues and profitability and our 
ability to comply with our loan covenants. 

• 

The current state of the global financial markets and economic conditions may adversely 
impact  our  ability  to  obtain  additional  financing  on  acceptable  terms  and  otherwise 
negatively impact our business. 

•  Our operating results may be affected by seasonal fluctuations. 

•  An increase in the price of fuel, or bunkers, may adversely affect our profits. 

•  We  are  subject  to  complex  laws  and  regulations,  including  environmental  regulations 

that can adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business. 

8 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

Increased inspection  procedures,  tighter import  and  export  controls and new  security 
regulations could increase costs and disrupt our business. 

•  Operational risks and damage to our vessels could adversely impact our performance.  

• 

If  our  vessels  call  on  ports  located  in  countries  or  territories  that  are  the  subject  of 
sanctions  or  embargoes  imposed  by  the  U.S.  government,  the  European  Union,  the 
United  Nations,  or  other  governmental  authorities,  it  could  lead  to  monetary  fines  or 
penalties and may adversely affect our reputation and the market for our securities. 

•  We conduct business in China, where the legal system is not fully developed and has 

inherent uncertainties that could limit the legal protections available to us. 

• 

Failure  to  comply  with  the  U.S.  Foreign  Corrupt  Practices  Act  could  result  in  fines, 
criminal penalties and an adverse effect on our business. 

•  Changing laws and evolving reporting requirements could have an adverse effect on our 

business. 

Company Specific Risk Factors 

• 

The market values of our vessels could decline, which could limit the amount of funds 
that we can borrow and could trigger breaches of certain financial covenants contained 
in  our  loan  facilities,  which  could  adversely  affect  our  operating  results,  and  we  may 
incur a loss if we sell vessels following a decline in their market values. 

•  We  charter  some  of  our  vessels  on  short-term  time  charters  in  a  volatile  shipping 
industry and a decline in charter hire rates could affect our results of operations and our 
ability to pay dividends. 

•  Rising crew costs could adversely affect our results of operations. 

•  Our investment in Diana Wilhelmsen Management Limited may expose us to additional 

risks. 

•  A cyber-attack could materially disrupt our business. 

•  Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may adversely impact our operations 

and markets. 

• 

Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders and other market 
participants  with  respect  to  our  ESG  policies  may  impose  additional  costs  on  us  or 
expose us to additional risks. 

•  Our earnings may be adversely affected if we are not able to take advantage of favorable 

charter rates. 

• 

Investment in derivative instruments such as forward freight agreements could result in 
losses. 

•  We cannot assure you that we will be able to borrow amounts under loan facilities and 
restrictive covenants in our loan facilities impose financial and other restrictions on us. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  We  are  subject  to  certain  risks  with  respect  to  our  counterparties  on  contracts,  and 
failure of such counterparties to meet their obligations could cause us to suffer losses 
or otherwise adversely affect our business. 

• 

In the highly competitive international shipping industry, we may not be able to compete 
for charters with new entrants or established companies with greater resources, and as 
a result, we may be unable to employ our vessels profitably. 

•  We may be unable to attract and retain key management personnel and other employees 
in  the  shipping  industry,  which  may  negatively  impact  the  effectiveness  of  our 
management and results of operations. 

• 

Technological innovation and quality and efficiency requirements from our customers 
could reduce our charter hire income and the value of our vessels. 

•  We  may  not  have  adequate  insurance  to  compensate  us  if  we  lose  our  vessels  or  to 

compensate third parties. 

•  Our vessels may suffer damage and we may face unexpected drydocking costs, which 

could adversely affect our cash flow and financial condition. 

• 

The aging of our fleet may result in increased operating costs in the future, which could 
adversely affect our earnings. 

•  We are exposed to U.S. dollar and foreign currency fluctuations and devaluations that 

could harm our reported revenue and results of operations. 

•  We depend upon a few significant customers for a large part of our revenues and the 
loss of one or more of these customers could adversely affect our financial performance. 

•  We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute 

funds to us in order to satisfy our financial obligations. 

•  Because we are organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands, it may be difficult to 
serve  us  with  legal  process  or  enforce  judgments  against  us,  our  directors  or  our 
management. 

• 

If we expand our business further, we may need to improve our operating and financial 
systems and will need to recruit suitable employees and crew for our vessels. 

•  We may have to pay tax on U.S. source income, which would reduce our earnings. 

•  U.S. federal tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” 
which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders. 

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock 

•  We cannot assure you that our board of directors will continue to declare dividends on 

shares of our common stock in the future. 

• 

The market prices and trading volume of our shares of common stock may experience 
rapid  and  substantial  price  volatility,  which  could  cause  purchasers  of  our  common 
stock to incur substantial losses. 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Since we are incorporated in the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed 
body  of  corporate  law,  you  may  have  more  difficulty  protecting  your  interests  than 
shareholders of a U.S. corporation. 

•  As  a  Marshall  Islands  corporation  and  with  some  of  our  subsidiaries  being  Marshall 
Islands  entities  and  also  having  subsidiaries  in  other  offshore  jurisdictions,  our 
operations may be subject to economic substance requirements, which could impact our 
business. 

•  Certain existing shareholders will be able to exert considerable control over matters on 

which our shareholders are entitled to vote.  

• 

Future sales of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to 
decline. 

•  Our  Series  B  Preferred  Shares  are  senior  obligations  of  ours  and  rank  prior  to  our 
common shares with respect to dividends, distributions and payments upon liquidation, 
which could have an adverse effect on the value of our common shares. 

Risks Relating to Our Series B Preferred Stock 

•  We may not have sufficient cash from our operations to enable us to pay dividends on 
our Series B Preferred Shares following the payment of expenses and the establishment 
of any reserves. 

•  Our Series B Preferred Shares are subordinate to our indebtedness, and your interests 
could  be  diluted  by  the  issuance  of  additional  preferred  shares,  including  additional 
Series B Preferred Shares, and by other transactions. 

•  We may redeem the Series B Preferred Shares, and you may not be able to reinvest the 

redemption price you receive in a similar security. 

Risks Relating to Our Outstanding Warrants  

• 

The issuance of our common stock upon the exercise of our Warrants may depress our 
stock price. 

Some  of  the  following  risks  relate  principally  to  the  industry  in  which  we  operate  and  our  business  in 
general. Other risks relate principally to the securities market and ownership of our securities, including our 
common stock and our Series B Preferred Shares. The occurrence of any of the events described in this 
section could significantly and negatively affect our business, financial condition, operating results, cash 
available for the payment of dividends on our shares and interest on our loan facilities and Bond, or the 
trading price of our securities. 

Industry Specific Risk Factors 

Charter  hire  rates  for  dry  bulk  vessels  are  volatile  and  have  fluctuated  significantly  in  the  past 
years, which may adversely affect our earnings, revenues and profitability and our ability to comply 
with our loan covenants. 

Substantially all of our revenues are derived from a single market, the dry bulk segment, and therefore our 
financial results are subject to cyclicality of the dry bulk shipping industry and any attendant volatility in 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
charter hire rates and profitability. The degree of charter hire rate volatility among different types of dry bulk 
vessels has varied widely, and time charter and spot market rates for dry bulk vessel have in the recent 
past declined below the operating costs of vessels. When we charter our vessels pursuant to spot or short-
term time charters, we are exposed to changes in spot market and short-term charter rates for dry bulk 
carriers and such changes may affect our earnings and the value of our dry bulk carriers at any given time. 
We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully charter our vessels in the future or renew existing 
charters at rates sufficient to allow us to meet our obligations or pay any dividends in the future. Fluctuations 
in charter rates result from changes in the supply of and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the 
supply  of  and  demand  for  the  major  commodities  carried  by  water  internationally.  Because  the  factors 
affecting the supply of and demand for vessels are outside of our control and are unpredictable, the nature, 
timing, direction and degree of changes in industry conditions are also unpredictable. A significant decrease 
in charter rates would adversely affect our profitability, cash flows and may cause vessel values to decline, 
and, as a result, we may have to record an impairment charge in our consolidated financial statements 
which could adversely affect our financial results. 

In 2023, the period market for dry bulk vessels experienced fluctuations influenced by various factors. Dry 
bulk market conditions remained volatile reflecting the impact of war in Ukraine, geopolitical tensions, trade 
policies,  and  environmental  regulations.  However,  there  were  regional  variations  in  market  conditions, 
with China's demand recovering and some other areas experiencing stronger demand due to infrastructure 
projects or agricultural exports. Panama Canal and Suez Canal disruptions during the year surely affected 
market  and  the  longer  these  issues  go  on,  the  more  of  a  market  support  it  will  be.  The  markets  rallied 
strongly at the end of last year, with the Baltic Capesize index rallying to heights which since 2010 was 
only exceeded in October 2021. The Panamax, Ultramax, Supramax and Handysize indices rallied to levels 
which since 2010 was exceeded only during most of 2021 and early 2022. Fundamentals maintain bullish 
and can support a positive outlook for 2024 which as always are subject to revisions.  

Factors that influence demand for dry bulk vessel capacity include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

supply  of  and  demand  for  energy  resources,  commodities,  and  semi-finished  and  finished 
consumer and industrial products; 

changes in the exploration or production of energy resources, commodities, and semi-finished 
and finished consumer and industrial products; 

the location of regional and global exploration, production and manufacturing facilities; 

the location of consuming regions for energy resources, commodities, and semi-finished and 
finished consumer and industrial products; 

the globalization of production and manufacturing; 

global  and regional  economic  and  political  conditions,  armed  conflicts,  including  the  ongoing 
conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas, and fluctuations in industrial and 
agricultural production; 

disruptions and developments in international trade; 

changes  in  seaborne  and  other  transportation  patterns,  including  the  distance  cargo  is 
transported by sea for reasons including but not limited to reductions in canal capacities and 
geopolitical conflicts and military responses; 

international sanctions, embargoes, import and export restrictions, nationalizations, piracy, and 
terrorist attacks; 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

legal and regulatory changes including regulations adopted by supranational authorities and/or 
industry bodies, such as safety and environmental regulations and requirements; 

weather and acts of God and natural disasters; 

environmental and other regulatory developments; 

currency exchange rates, specifically versus USD; and 

economic slowdowns caused by public health pandemics. 

Demand for our dry bulk oceangoing vessels is dependent upon economic growth in the world’s economies, 
seasonal and regional changes in demand and changes to the capacity of the global dry bulk fleet and the 
sources and supply for dry bulk cargo transported by sea. Continued adverse economic, political or social 
conditions  or  other  developments  could  negatively  impact  charter  rates  and  therefore  have  a  material 
adverse effect on our business results, results of operations and ability to pay dividends. 

Factors that influence the supply of dry bulk vessel capacity include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the number of newbuilding orders and deliveries, including slippage in deliveries; 

the number of shipyards and ability of shipyards to deliver vessels; 

port or canal congestion; 

potential disruption, including supply chain disruptions, of shipping routes due to accidents or 
political events; 

the scrapping of older vessels; 

speed of vessel operation; 

vessel casualties; 

technological advances in vessel design and capacity; 

the  degree  of  scrapping  or  recycling  of  older  vessels,  depending,  among  other  things,  on 
scrapping or recycling rates and international scrapping or recycling regulations; 

the price of steel and vessel equipment; 

product imbalances (affecting level of trading activity) and developments in international trade; 

the number of vessels that are out of service, namely those that are laid-up, drydocked, awaiting 
repairs or otherwise not available for hire;  

availability of financing for new vessels and shipping activity; 

changes  in  international  regulations  that  may  effectively  cause  reductions  in  the  carrying 
capacity of vessels or early obsolescence of tonnage; and 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

changes  in  environmental  and  other  regulations  that  may  limit  the  useful  lives  and  trading 
patterns of vessels. 

In  addition  to  the  prevailing  and  anticipated  freight  rates,  factors  that  affect  the  rate  of  newbuilding, 
scrapping and laying-up include newbuilding prices, secondhand vessel values in relation to scrap prices, 
costs of bunkers and other operating costs,  costs associated with classification society surveys, normal 
maintenance and insurance coverage costs, the efficiency and age profile of the existing dry bulk fleet in 
the  market  and  government  and  industry  regulation  of  maritime  transportation  practices,  particularly 
environmental  protection  laws  and  regulations.  These factors  influencing  the  supply  of  and  demand  for 
shipping capacity are outside of our control, and we may not be able to correctly assess the nature, timing 
and degree of changes in industry conditions. 

We anticipate that the future demand for our dry bulk carriers will be dependent upon economic growth in 
the world’s economies, including China and India, seasonal and regional changes in demand, changes in 
the capacity of the global dry bulk carrier fleet and the sources and supply of dry bulk cargo transported by 
sea. While there has been a general decrease in new dry bulk carrier ordering since 2014, the capacity of 
the global dry bulk carrier fleet could increase and economic growth may not resume in areas that have 
experienced  a  recession  or  continue  in  other  areas.  Adverse  economic,  political,  social  or  other 
developments could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. 

In  addition,  the  conflict  between  Israel  and  Hamas,  which  began  in  October  2023,  has  resulted  in  an 
increased  number  of  vessel  attacks  in  the  Red  Sea.  Various  shipping  companies  and/or  commercial 
managers have indicated that their vessels would avoid crossing the Red Sea and consequently the Suez 
Canal,  and  for  the  time  being  divert  vessels  around  southern  Africa’s  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  which 
occasionally adds substantial time and cost to East-West voyages. While we are unable to ascertain the 
immediate impact of this conflict, any further attacks or piracy attempts, or continued diversion of vessels 
from the Suez Canal, may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

The current state of the global financial markets and economic conditions may adversely impact 
our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms and otherwise negatively impact our 
business. 

Global  financial  markets  can  be  volatile  and  contraction  in  available  credit  may  occur  as  economic 
conditions change. In recent years, operating businesses in the global economy have faced weakening 
demand for goods and services, deteriorating international liquidity conditions, and declining markets which 
lead  to  a  general  decline  in  the  willingness  of  banks  and  other  financial  institutions  to  extend  credit, 
particularly in the shipping industry. As the shipping industry is highly dependent on the availability of credit 
to finance and expand operations, it may be negatively affected by such changes and volatility. 

We face risks attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in interest rates, and instability in 
the  banking  and  securities  markets  around  the  world,  among  other  factors  which  may  have  a  material 
adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and may cause the price of our common 
shares to decline. As of December 31, 2023, we had total outstanding indebtedness of $517.0 million under 
our various credit facilities and bond and a further $133.3 million of finance liabilities.  

Global economic conditions may continue to negatively impact the drybulk shipping industry. 

Major market disruptions and adverse changes in market conditions and regulatory climate in China, the 
United States, the European Union and worldwide may adversely affect our business or impair our ability 
to borrow amounts under credit facilities or any future financial arrangements.  

Chinese dry bulk imports have accounted for the majority of global dry bulk transportation growth annually 
over the last decade. Accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations, as well as our future 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
prospects,  would  likely  be  hindered  by  an  economic  downturn  in  any  of  these  countries  or  geographic 
regions. In recent years China and India have been among the world’s fastest growing economies in terms 
of gross domestic product. The growth of China’s economy has slowed during 2023. A continued  economic 
slowdown  in  China  or  the  Asia  Pacific  region  or  in  India  may  adversely  affect  demand  for  seaborne 
transportation of our products and our results of operations. Moreover, any deterioration in the economy of 
the United States or the European Union, may further adversely affect economic growth in Asia. 

Economic growth is expected to slow, including due to supply-chain disruption, inflationary pressures and 
related actions by central banks and geopolitical conditions, with a significant risk of recession in many 
parts  of  the  worlds  in  the  near  term.  In  particular,  an  adverse  change  in  economic  conditions  affecting 
China, Japan, India or Southeast Asia generally could have a negative effect on the drybulk market.   

The dry bulk carrier charter market has improved but remains significantly below its high in 2008, 
which may affect our revenues, earnings and profitability, and our ability to comply with our loan 
covenants. 

The abrupt and dramatic downturn in the dry bulk charter market until the beginning of 2021, from which 
we  derive  substantially  all  of  our  revenues,  severely  affected  the  dry  bulk  shipping  industry  and  our 
business. The Baltic Dry Index, or the BDI, a daily average of charter rates for key dry bulk routes published 
by the Baltic Exchange Limited, has long been viewed as the main benchmark to monitor the movements 
of the dry bulk vessel charter market and the performance of the entire dry bulk shipping market. The BDI 
declined  94%  in  2008  from  a  peak  of  11,793  in May  2008  to  a  low  of  663  in  December  2008  and  has 
remained volatile since then, reaching a record low of 290 in February 2016. In 2023, the BDI ranged from 
a low of 530 to a high of 3,346 and closed at 1,714 on April 2, 2024. There can be no assurance that the 
dry bulk charter market will not decline further. The decline and volatility in charter rates is due to various 
factors,  including  the  lack  of  trade  financing  for  purchases  of  commodities  carried  by  sea,  which  has 
resulted in a significant decline in cargo shipments, and the excess supply of iron ore in China, which has 
resulted in falling iron ore prices and increased stockpiles in Chinese ports. The decline and volatility in 
charter rates in the dry bulk market also affects the value of our dry bulk vessels, which follows the trends 
of dry bulk charter rates, and earnings on our charters, and similarly, affects our cash flows, liquidity and 
compliance with the covenants contained in our loan agreements. 

Any  decline  in  the  dry  bulk  carrier  charter  market  may  have  additional  adverse  consequences  for  our 
industry,  including  an  absence  of  financing  for  vessels,  no  active  secondhand  market  for  the  sale  of 
vessels,  charterers  seeking  to  renegotiate  the  rates  for  existing  time  charters,  and  widespread  loan 
covenant defaults in the dry bulk shipping industry. Accordingly, the value of our common shares could be 
substantially reduced or eliminated. 

Worldwide inflationary pressures could negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows. 

The  previous  year  worldwide  economies  experienced  inflationary  pressures,  with  price  increases  seen 
across  many  sectors  globally.  For  example,  the  U.S.  consumer  price  index,  an  inflation  gauge  that 
measures costs across dozens of items was 6.5% in December 2022, driven in large part by increases in 
energy costs. In December 2023, the U.S. consumer price index dropped to 3.4% and it remains to be 
seen  whether  inflationary  pressures  will  increase  again  and  to  what  degree.  In  the  event  that  inflation 
becomes a significant factor in the global economy generally and in the shipping industry more specifically, 
inflationary pressures would result in increased operating, voyage and administrative costs. Furthermore, 
the effects of inflation on the supply and demand of the products we transport could alter demand for our 
services. Interventions in the economy by central banks in response to inflationary pressures may slow 
down economic activity, including by altering consumer purchasing habits and reducing demand for the 
commodities and products we carry, and cause a reduction in trade. As a result, the volumes of goods we 
deliver and/or charter rates for our vessels may be affected. Any of these factors could have an adverse 
effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and operating results. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risks  associated  with  operating  ocean-going  vessels  could  affect  our  business  and  reputation, 
which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. 

The operation of ocean-going vessels carries inherent risks. These risks include the possibility of: 

•  marine disaster; 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

acts of God; 

terrorism; 

environmental accidents; 

cargo and property losses or damage; 

business  interruptions  caused  by  mechanical  failures,  human  error,  war,  political  action  in 
various countries, labor strikes or adverse weather conditions; and 

piracy or robbery. 

In  addition,  international  shipping  is  subject  to  various  security  and  customs  inspection  and  related 
procedures  in  countries  of  origin  and  destination  and  trans-shipment  points.  Inspection  procedures  can 
result in the seizure of the cargo and/or our vessels, delays in the loading, offloading or delivery and the 
levying  of  customs  duties,  fines  or  other  penalties  against  us.  It  is  possible  that  changes  to  inspection 
procedures  could  impose  additional  financial  and  legal  obligations  on  us.  Furthermore,  changes  to 
inspection procedures could also impose additional costs and obligations on our customers and may, in 
certain  cases,  render  the  shipment  of  certain  types  of  cargo  uneconomical  or  impractical.  Any  such 
changes or developments may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash 
flows, financial condition and available cash. 

Our  operations  outside the  United  States  expose  us  to  global  risks,  such  as  political instability, 
terrorist  or  other  attacks,  war,  international  hostilities  and  global  public  health  concerns,  which 
may affect the seaborne transportation industry and adversely affect our business. 

We are an international shipping company and primarily conduct most of our operations outside the United 
States, and our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends, 
if any, in the future may be adversely affected by changing economic, political and government conditions 
in the  countries and regions  where our  vessels are  employed or  registered. Moreover,  we operate in a 
sector of the economy that is likely to be adversely impacted by the effects of political conflicts.  

Currently, the world economy faces a number of challenges, including trade tensions between the 
United States and China, stabilizing growth in China, continuing threat of terrorist attacks around 
the world, continuing instability and conflicts and other ongoing occurrences in the Middle East, 
Ukraine, and in other geographic areas and countries, economic sanctions restrictions.  

In the past, political instability has also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts 
to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region and most recently in the Black Sea 
in connection with the recent conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and in the Red Sea in connection with 
the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in 
regions  such  as  the  South  China  Sea  and  the  Gulf  of  Aden  off  the  coast  of  Somalia.  Any  of  these 
occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our future performance, results of operation, cash 
flows and financial position. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning  in  February  of  2022,  President  Biden  and  several  European  leaders  announced  various 
economic sanctions against Russia in connection with the aforementioned conflicts in the Ukraine region, 
which may adversely impact our business. 

The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) administers 
and  enforces  multiple  authorities  under  which  sanctions  have  been  imposed  on  Russia,  including:  the 
Russian  Harmful  Foreign  Activities  sanctions  program,  established  by  the  Russia-related  national 
emergency declared in Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 and subsequently expanded and addressed through 
certain  additional  authorities,  and  the  Ukraine-Russia-related  sanctions  program,  established  with  the 
Ukraine-related national emergency declared in E.O. 13660 and subsequently expanded and addressed 
through  certain  additional  authorities.  The  United  States  has  also  issued  several  Executive  Orders  that 
prohibit  certain  transactions  related  to  Russia,  including  the  importation  of  certain  energy  products  of 
Russian Federation origin (including crude oil, petroleum, petroleum fuels, oils, liquefied natural gas and 
coal), and all new investments in Russian by U.S. persons, among other prohibitions and export controls. 
Furthermore, the United States has also prohibited a variety of specified services related to the maritime 
transport  of  Russian  Federation  origin  crude  oil  and  petroleum  products,  including  trading/commodities 
brokering, financing, shipping, insurance (including reinsurance and protection and indemnity), flagging, 
and customs brokering. These prohibitions took effect on December 5, 2022 with respect to the maritime 
transport  of  crude  oil  and  February  5,  2023  with  respect  to  the  maritime  transport  of  other  petroleum 
products.  An exception exists to permit such services when the price of the seaborne Russian oil does not 
exceed the relevant price cap; but implementation of this price exception relies on a recordkeeping and 
attestation process that allows each party in the supply chain of seaborne Russian oil to demonstrate or 
confirm that oil has been purchased at or below the price cap.  Violations of the price cap policy or the risk 
that information, documentation, or attestations provided by parties in the supply chain are later determined 
to be false may pose additional risks adversely affecting our business. 

While Ukraine continued to deploy a number of counter-attacks in 2023 and as of December 2023 held 
important areas in ground operations, after over two years of fighting Russia still maintains a foothold in a 
number  of  key cities  and  areas.  The  ongoing  conflict  could result  in  the  imposition  of  further  economic 
sanctions  or  new  categories  of  export  restrictions  against  persons  in  or  connected  to  Russia.  While  in 
general much uncertainty remains regarding the global impact of the conflict in Ukraine, it is possible that 
such tensions could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operation and 
cash  flows.  Our  business  could  also  be  adversely  impacted  by  trade  tariffs,  trade  embargoes  or  other 
economic sanctions that limit trading activities by the United States or other countries against countries in 
the  Middle  East,  Asia  or  elsewhere  as  a  result  of  terrorist  attacks,  hostilities  or  diplomatic  or  political 
pressures, including as a result of the current conflict between Israel and Hamas.  

Outbreaks  of  epidemic  and  pandemic  diseases  and  governmental  responses  thereto  could 
adversely affect our business. 

Our operations are subject to risks related to pandemics, epidemics or other infectious disease outbreaks 
and  government  responses  thereto.  COVID-19,  which  was  initially  declared  a  pandemic  by  the  World 
Health Organization on March 11, 2020 and was declared no longer a global health emergency on May 5, 
2023,  negatively  affected  economic  conditions,  supply  chains,  labor  markets,  and  demand  for  certain 
shipped  goods  both  regionally  and  globally  as  a  result  of  government  efforts  to  combat  the  pandemic, 
including  the  enactment  or  imposition  of  travel  bans,  quarantines  and  other  emergency  public  health 
measures. 

The  extent  to  which  our  business,  the  global  economy  and  dry  bulk  transportation  industry  may  be 
negatively  affected  by  future  pandemics,  epidemics  or  other  outbreaks  of  infectious  diseases  is  highly 
uncertain and will depend on numerous evolving factors that we cannot predict, including, but not limited 
to (i) the duration and severity of the infectious disease outbreak; (ii) the imposition of restrictive measures 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
to combat the outbreak and slow disease transmission; (iii) the introduction of financial support measures 
to reduce the impact of the outbreak on the economy; (iv) volatility in the demand for and price of oil and 
gas; (v) shortages or reductions in the supply of essential goods, services or labor; and (vi) fluctuations in 
general economic or financial conditions tied to the outbreak, such as a sharp increase in interest rates or 
reduction  in the  availability  of  credit. We  cannot predict  the  effect that  an  outbreak  of  a  new  COVID-19 
variant  or  strain,  or  any  future  infectious  disease  outbreak,  pandemic  or  epidemic  may  have  on  our 
business, results of operations and financial condition, which could be material and adverse. 

Our operating results may be affected by seasonal fluctuations. 

We operate our vessels in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in demand and, as 
a result, in charter hire rates. This seasonality may result in quarter-to-quarter volatility in our operating 
results.  The  dry  bulk  carrier  market  is  typically  stronger  in  the  fall  and  winter  months  in  anticipation  of 
increased  consumption  of  coal  and  other  raw  materials  in  the  northern  hemisphere  during  the  winter 
months. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns in these months tend to disrupt vessel scheduling and 
supplies of certain commodities. As a result, our revenues may be weaker during the fiscal quarters ending 
June 30  and  September 30,  and,  conversely,  our  revenues  may  be  stronger  in  fiscal  quarters  ending 
December 31 and March 31. While this seasonality does not directly affect our operating results, it could 
materially  affect  our  operating results  to the  extent  our  vessels  are  employed  in the  spot  market  in the 
future. 

An increase in the price of fuel, or bunkers, may adversely affect our profits. 

While we generally will not bear the cost of fuel or bunkers for vessels operating on time charters, fuel is a 
significant  factor  in  negotiating  charter  rates.  As  a  result,  an  increase  in  the  price  of  fuel  beyond  our 
expectations  may  adversely  affect  our  profitability  at  the  time  of  charter  negotiation.  Fuel  is  also  a 
significant, if not the largest, expense in shipping when vessels are under voyage charter. The price and 
supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control, including geopolitical 
developments,  supply  and  demand for  oil  and  gas,  actions  by the Organization of  Petroleum  Exporting 
Countries (the "OPEC"), and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing countries and 
regions, regional production patterns and environmental concerns. Any future increase in the cost of fuel 
may reduce the profitability and competitiveness of our business. 

In addition, if the recent sharp increase in crude oil prices and widening of the spread between the prices 
of high sulfur fuel and low sulfur fuel resulting from conflict between Russia and Ukraine  and Israel and 
Hamas  continues,  this might  lead to  a  decrease  in  the  economic  viability  of  older  vessels  that  lack fuel 
efficiency and a reduction of useful lives of these vessels. 

We  are  subject  to  complex  laws  and  regulations,  including  environmental  regulations  that  can 
adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business. 

Our business and the operations of our vessels are materially affected by environmental regulation in the 
form of international conventions, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the jurisdictions 
in which our vessels operate, as well  as in the country or countries of their registration, including those 
governing the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of oil spills 
and other contamination, air emissions (including greenhouse gases), water discharges and ballast water 
management. These regulations include, but are not limited to, European Union regulations, the U.S. Oil 
Pollution  Act  of  1990,  requirements  of  the  U.S.  Coast  Guard,  or  USCG  and  the  U.S.  Environmental 
Protection Agency, the U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 (including its amendments of 1977 and 1990) , the U.S. 
Clean Water Act, and the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, and regulations of the IMO, 
including the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, the International 
Convention  for  the  Prevention  of  Pollution  from  Ships  of  1973,  as  modified  by  the  Protocol  of  1978, 
collectively referred to as MARPOL 73/78 or MARPOL, including designations of Emission Control Areas, 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
thereunder, SOLAS, the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, the International Convention of 
Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, and the ISM Code. Because such conventions, laws, and 
regulations are often revised, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with such requirements or 
the impact thereof on the re-sale price or useful life of any vessel that we own or will acquire. Additional 
conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could limit our ability to do business or increase 
the  cost  of  our  doing  business  and  which  may  materially  adversely  affect  our  operations.  Government 
regulation  of  vessels,  particularly  in  the  areas  of  safety  and  environmental  requirements,  continue  to 
change, requiring us to incur significant capital expenditures on our vessels to keep them in compliance, 
or even to scrap or sell certain vessels altogether. In addition, we may incur significant costs in meeting 
new  maintenance  and  inspection  requirements,  in  developing  contingency  arrangements  for  potential 
environmental violations and in obtaining insurance coverage. 

In addition, we are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain 
permits,  licenses,  certificates,  approvals  and  financial  assurances  with  respect  to  our  operations.  Our 
failure to maintain necessary permits, licenses, certificates, approvals or financial assurances could require 
us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend operation of one or more of the vessels in our fleet or 
lead to the invalidation or reduction of our insurance coverage. 

Environmental  requirements  can  also  affect  the  resale  value  or  useful  lives  of  our  vessels,  require  a 
reduction in cargo capacity, ship modifications or operational changes or restrictions, lead to decreased 
availability  of  insurance  coverage  for  environmental  matters  or  result  in  the  denial  of  access  to  certain 
jurisdictional waters or ports, or detention in certain ports. Under local, national and foreign laws, as well 
as  international  treaties  and  conventions,  we  could  incur  material  liabilities,  including  for  cleanup 
obligations and natural resource damages, in the event that there is a release of petroleum or hazardous 
substances from our vessels or otherwise in connection with our operations. We could also become subject 
to personal injury or property damage claims relating to the release of hazardous substances associated 
with our existing or historic operations. Violations of, or liabilities under, environmental requirements can 
result in substantial penalties, fines and other sanctions, including in certain instances, seizure or detention 
of our vessels. 

Increased inspection procedures, tighter import and export controls and new security regulations 
could increase costs and disrupt our business. 

International  shipping  is  subject  to  various  security  and  customs  inspection  and  related  procedures  in 
countries of origin, destination and trans-shipment points. Under the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security 
Act  of  2002  (“MTSA”),  the  U.S.  Coast Guard  issued  regulations requiring  the  implementation  of certain 
security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States 
and at  certain  ports  and  facilities.  These  security  procedures may  result  in cargo  seizure,  delays  in the 
loading, offloading, trans-shipment or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties 
against us. It is possible that changes to inspection procedures could impose additional financial and legal 
obligations on us. Changes to inspection procedures could also impose additional costs and obligations on 
our customers and may, in certain cases, render the shipment of certain types of cargo uneconomical or 
impractical.  Any  such  changes  or  developments  may  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business, 
customer relations, financial condition and earnings.  

Operational risks and damage to our vessels could adversely impact our performance.  

The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks. Our vessels and their cargoes are at risk of 
being damaged or lost because of events such as marine disasters, bad weather and other acts of God, 
business  interruptions  caused  by mechanical failures,  grounding, fire,  explosions  and collisions, human 
error, war, terrorism, piracy, labor strikes, boycotts and other circumstances or events. Changing economic, 
regulatory  and political  conditions  in some  countries,  including  political  and military  conflicts,  have  from 
time  to  time  resulted  in  attacks  on  vessels,  mining  of  waterways,  piracy,  terrorism,  labor  strikes  and 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
boycotts. Damage to the environment could also result from our operations, particularly through spillage of 
fuel,  lubricants  or  other  chemicals  and  substances  used  in  operations,  or  extensive  uncontrolled  fires. 
These  hazards  may  result  in  death  or  injury  to  persons,  loss  of  revenues  or  property,  the  payment  of 
ransoms,  environmental  damage,  higher  insurance  rates,  damage  to  our  customer  relationships  and 
market disruptions, delay or rerouting, any of which may subject us to litigation. As a result, we could be 
exposed  to  substantial  liabilities  not  recoverable  under  our  insurances.  Further,  the  involvement  of  our 
vessels in a serious accident could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel operator and lead to 
a loss of  business.  Epidemics  and  other  public health incidents  may  also  lead to  crew member illness, 
which  can  disrupt  the  operations  of  our  vessels,  or  to  public  health  measures,  which  may  prevent  our 
vessels from calling on ports or discharging cargo in the affected areas or in other locations after having 
visited the affected areas.  

If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock 
repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We may have to pay drydocking costs that our insurance 
does not cover at all or in full. The loss of revenues while these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, 
as well as the actual cost of these repairs, may adversely affect our business and financial condition. In 
addition, space at drydocking facilities is sometimes limited and not all drydocking facilities are conveniently 
located. We may be unable to find space at a suitable drydocking facility or our vessels may be forced to 
travel to a drydocking facility that is not conveniently located relative to our vessels' positions. The loss of 
earnings while these vessels are forced to wait for space or to travel to more distant drydocking facilities 
may adversely affect our business and financial condition. 

The operation of dry bulk vessels has certain unique operational risks. With a dry bulk vessel, the cargo 
itself and its interaction with the ship can be a risk factor. By their nature, dry bulk cargoes are often heavy, 
dense  and  easily  shifted,  and  react  badly  to  water  exposure.  In  addition,  dry  bulk  vessels  are  often 
subjected to battering treatment during unloading operations with grabs, jackhammers (to pry encrusted 
cargoes out of the hold), and small bulldozers. This treatment may cause damage to the dry bulk vessel. 
Dry bulk vessels damaged due to treatment during unloading procedures may be more susceptible to a 
breach at sea. Hull breaches in dry bulk vessels may lead to the flooding of their holds. If flooding occurs 
in the forward holds, the bulk cargo may become so waterlogged that the vessel's bulkheads may buckle 
under the resulting pressure leading to the loss of the dry bulk vessel. These risks may also impact the risk 
of loss of life or harm to our crew. 

If  we  are  unable to  adequately  maintain  or  safeguard  our  vessels,  we  may  be  unable  to  prevent  these 
events. Any of these circumstances or events could negatively impact our business, financial condition or 
results of operations. In addition, the loss of any of our vessels could harm our crew and our reputation as 
a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator. 

If our vessels call on ports located in countries or territories that are the subject of sanctions or 
embargoes  imposed  by  the  U.S.  government,  the  European  Union,  the  United  Nations,  or  other 
governmental authorities, it could lead to monetary fines or penalties and may adversely affect our 
reputation and the market for our securities. 

We have not engaged in shipping activities in countries or territories or with government-controlled entities 
in 2023 in violation of any applicable sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government, the EU, 
the United Nations or other applicable governmental authorities. Our contracts with our charterers prohibit 
them from  causing  our  vessels  to  call  on  ports  located in sanctioned  countries or territories  or  carrying 
cargo for entities that are the subject of sanctions. Although our charterers may, in certain cases, control 
the  operation  of  our  vessels,  we  have  monitoring  processes  in  place  to  ensure  our  compliance  with 
applicable economic sanctions and embargo laws. Nevertheless, it remains possible that our charterers 
may cause our vessels to trade in violation of sanctions provisions without our consent. If such activities 
result  in  a  violation  of  applicable  sanctions  or  embargo  laws,  we  could  be  subject  to  monetary  fines, 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
penalties, or other sanctions, and our reputation and the market for our common shares could be adversely 
affected. 

The applicable  sanctions  and  embargo  laws  and regulations  of  these different  jurisdictions vary in their 
application and do not all apply to the same covered persons or proscribe the same activities. In addition, 
the sanctions and embargo laws and regulations of each jurisdiction may be amended to increase or reduce 
the restrictions they impose over time, and the lists of persons and entities designated under these laws 
and regulations are amended frequently. Moreover, most sanctions regimes provide that entities owned or 
controlled by the persons or entities designated in such lists are also subject to sanctions. The U.S. and 
EU have enacted new sanctions programs in recent years. Additional countries or territories, as well as 
additional persons or entities within or affiliated with those countries or territories, have, and in the future 
will,  become  the  target  of  sanctions.  These  require  us  to  be  diligent  in  ensuring  our  compliance  with 
sanctions  laws.  Further,  the  U.S.  has  increased  its  focus  on  sanctions  enforcement  with  respect  to  the 
shipping sector. Current or future counterparties of ours may be affiliated with persons or entities that are 
or may be in the future the subject of sanctions or embargoes imposed by the United States, EU, and/or 
other international bodies. If we determine that such sanctions require us to terminate existing or future 
contracts to which we, or our subsidiaries, are party or if we are found to be in violation of such applicable 
sanctions, our results of operations may be adversely affected, or we may suffer reputational harm. 

As a result of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the U.S., EU and United Kingdom, together with numerous other 
countries, have imposed significant sanctions on persons and entities associated with Russia and Belarus, 
as  well  as  comprehensive  sanctions  on  certain  areas  within  the  Donbas  region  of  Ukraine,  and  such 
sanctions apply to entities owned or controlled by such designated persons or entities. These sanctions 
adversely affect our ability to operate in the region and also restrict parties whose cargo we may carry.  

Although we believe that we have been in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and 
regulations in 2023 and up to the date of this annual report, and intend to maintain such compliance, there 
can be no assurance that we or our charterers will be in compliance in the future, particularly as the scope 
of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations. Any such violation could 
result  in  fines,  penalties or  other  sanctions  that  could severely  impact  our  ability  to access  U.S.  capital 
markets and conduct our business and could result in our reputation and the markets for our securities to 
be adversely affected and/or in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, or not 
to invest, in us. In addition, certain institutional investors may have investment policies or restrictions that 
prevent them from holding securities of companies that have contracts with countries or territories identified 
by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. The determination by these investors not to invest 
in, or to divest from, our shares may adversely affect the price at which our shares trade. Moreover, our 
charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of actions that 
do  not  involve  us  or  our  vessels,  and  those  violations  could  in  turn  negatively  affect  our  reputation.  In 
addition, our reputation and the market for our securities may be adversely affected if we engage in certain 
other  activities,  such  as  entering  into  charters  with  individuals  or  entities  that  are  not  controlled  by  the 
governments of countries or territories that are the subject of certain U.S. sanctions or embargo laws, or 
engaging in operations associated with those countries or territories pursuant to contracts with third parties 
that  are  unrelated  to  those  countries  or  territories  or  entities  controlled  by  their  governments.  Investor 
perception of the value of our common stock may be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the 
effects of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in countries or territories that we operate in. 

The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental claims 
against us. 

We  expect that  our vessels  will  call  in  ports  in  areas  where  smugglers  attempt  to  hide  drugs  and  other 
contraband  on  vessels, with or  without the knowledge  of  crew members.  To the  extent  our  vessels  are 
found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel and whether with or without the 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental or other regulatory claims which could have an 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. 

Maritime  claimants  could  arrest  or  attach  one  or  more  of  our  vessels, which  could interrupt  our 
business or have a negative effect on our cash flows. 

Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo, lenders, and other parties 
may  be  entitled  to  a  maritime  lien  against  a  vessel  for  unsatisfied  debts,  claims  or  damages.  In  many 
jurisdictions, a maritime lien holder may enforce its lien by “arresting” or “attaching” a vessel through judicial 
or foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could interrupt the cash 
flow of the charterer and/or require us to pay a significant amount of money to have the arrest or attachment 
lifted, which would have an adverse effect on our cash flows. 

In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the “sister-ship” theory of liability, a claimant 
may arrest both the vessel that is subject to the claimant’s maritime lien and any “associated” vessel, which 
is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert “sister-ship” liability 
against  one  vessel  in  our  fleet  for  claims  relating  to  another  of  our  ships.  Under  some  of  our  present 
charters, if the vessel is arrested or detained as a result of a claim against us, we may be in default of our 
charter  and  the  charterer  may  suspend  the  payment  of  hire  under  the  charter  and  charge  us  with  any 
additional expenses incurred during that period, which may negatively impact our revenues and cash flows. 

We  conduct  business  in  China,  where  the  legal  system  is  not  fully  developed  and  has  inherent 
uncertainties that could limit the legal protections available to us. 

Some  of  our  vessels  may  be  chartered  to  Chinese  customers  and  from  time to  time  on  our  charterers' 
instructions,  our  vessels  may  call  on  Chinese  ports.  Such  charters  and  voyages  may  be  subject  to 
regulations in China that may require us to incur new or additional compliance or other administrative costs 
and may require  that  we  pay  to  the  Chinese  government  new  taxes or  other fees.  Applicable laws  and 
regulations in China may not be well publicized and may not be known to us or to our charterers in advance 
of us or our charterers becoming subject to them, and the implementation of such laws and regulations 
may be inconsistent. Changes in Chinese laws and regulations, including with regards to tax matters, or 
changes  in  their  implementation  by  local  authorities  could  affect  our  vessels  if  chartered  to  Chinese 
customers as well as our vessels calling to Chinese ports and could have a material adverse impact on our 
business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, resulting in a loss 
of earnings. 

A government could requisition one or more of our vessels for title or for hire. Requisition for title occurs 
when  a government  takes control of  a  vessel  and  becomes  her  owner, while requisition  for  hire  occurs 
when  a government takes  control  of  a  vessel  and  effectively  becomes her  charterer  at  dictated  charter 
rates. Generally, requisitions occur during periods of war or emergency, although governments may elect 
to requisition vessels in other circumstances. Although we would be entitled to compensation in the event 
of  a  requisition  of  one  or  more  of  our  vessels,  the  amount  and  timing  of  payment  would  be  uncertain. 
Government requisition of one or more of our vessels may negatively impact our revenues and reduce the 
amount  of  cash  we  may  have  available  for  distribution  as  dividends  to  our  shareholders,  if  any  such 
dividends are declared. 

Failure  to  comply  with  the  U.S.  Foreign  Corrupt  Practices  Act  could  result  in  fines,  criminal 
penalties and an adverse effect on our business. 

We may operate in a number of countries throughout the world, including countries suspected to have a 
risk of corruption. We are committed to doing business in accordance with applicable anti-corruption laws 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and have adopted measures designed to ensure compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 
of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”). We are subject, however, to the risk that we, our affiliated entities or 
our  or  their  respective  officers,  directors,  employees  and  agents  may  take  actions  determined  to  be  in 
violation of such anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA. Any such violation could result in substantial 
fines, sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties, curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might 
adversely affect our business, earnings or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could 
damage  our  reputation  and  ability  to  do  business.  Furthermore,  detecting,  investigating,  and  resolving 
actual  or  alleged  violations  is  expensive  and  can  consume  significant  time  and  attention  of  our  senior 
management. 

Changing laws and evolving reporting requirements could have an adverse effect on our business. 

Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to reporting requirements, including the European Union 
General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, may create additional compliance requirements for us. 

GDPR broadens the scope of personal privacy laws to protect the rights of European Union citizens and 
requires organizations to report on data breaches within 72 hours and be bound by more stringent rules 
for obtaining the consent of individuals on how their data can be used. GDPR has become enforceable on 
May 25, 2018 and non-compliance may expose entities to significant fines or other regulatory claims which 
could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operations. 

Company Specific Risk Factors 

The market values of our vessels could decline, which could limit the amount of funds that we can 
borrow and could trigger breaches of certain financial covenants contained in our loan facilities, 
which  could  adversely  affect  our  operating  results,  and  we  may  incur  a  loss  if  we  sell  vessels 
following a decline in their market values. 

While the market values of vessels and the freight charter market have a very close relationship as the 
charter market moves from trough to peak, the time lag between the effect of charter rates on market values 
of ships can vary. 

The market values of our vessels have generally experienced high volatility, and you should expect the 
market values of our vessels to fluctuate depending on a number of factors including: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the prevailing level of charter hire rates; 

general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry; 

competition from other shipping companies and other modes of transportation; 

the types, sizes and ages of vessels; 

the supply of and demand for vessels; 

applicable governmental or other regulations; 

technological advances;  

the need to upgrade vessels as a result of charterer requirements, technological advances in vessel 
design or equipment or otherwise; and 

the cost of newbuildings. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If the market values of our vessels decline, we may not be in compliance with certain covenants contained 
in our loan facilities and we may not be able to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing or incur 
debt on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all 
of the covenants in our loan facilities. If we are not able to comply with the covenants in our loan facilities 
or are unable to obtain waivers or amendments or otherwise remedy the relevant breach, our lenders could 
accelerate our debt and foreclose on our vessels.  

Furthermore, if we sell any of our owned vessels at a time when prices are depressed, our business, results 
of operations, cash flow and financial condition could be adversely affected. Moreover, if we sell a vessel 
at a time when vessel prices have fallen, the sale may be at less than the vessel's carrying amount in our 
financial statements, resulting in a loss and a reduction in earnings. In addition, if vessel values decline, 
we may have to record an impairment adjustment in our financial statements which could adversely affect 
our financial results.    

We charter some of our vessels on short-term time charters in a volatile shipping industry and a 
decline in charter hire rates could affect our results of operations and our ability to pay dividends. 

Although significant exposure to short-term time charters is not unusual in the dry bulk shipping industry, 
the short-term time charter market is highly competitive and spot market charter hire rates (which affect 
time charter rates) may fluctuate significantly based upon available charters and the supply of, and demand 
for,  seaborne  shipping  capacity.  While  the  short-term  time  charter  market  may  enable  us  to  benefit  in 
periods  of  increasing  charter  hire  rates,  we  must  consistently  renew  our  charters  and this  dependence 
makes us vulnerable to declining charter rates. As a result of the volatility in the  dry bulk carrier charter 
market, we may not be able to employ our vessels upon the termination of their existing charters at their 
current charter hire rates or at all. The dry bulk carrier charter market is volatile, and in the recent past, 
short-term  time  charter  and  spot  market  charter  rates  for  some  dry  bulk  carriers  declined  below  the 
operating  costs  of  those  vessels  before  rising.  We  cannot  assure  you  that  future  charter  hire  rates  will 
enable us to operate our vessels profitably, or to pay dividends.  

Rising crew costs could adversely affect our results of operations.  

Due to an increase in the size of the global shipping fleet, the limited supply of and increased demand for 
crew  has  created  upward  pressure  on  crew  costs.  Additionally,  the  return  of  a  number  of  Ukrainian 
seafarers to their homes as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine has reduced the number of seafarers 
globally,  and  thereby  increased  the  pressure  on  crew  wages.  Continued  higher  crew  costs  or  further 
increases in crew costs could adversely affect our results of operations. 

Our investment in Diana Wilhelmsen Management Limited may expose us to additional risks. 

During  2015  we  invested  in  a  50/50  joint  venture  with  Wilhelmsen  Ship  Management  which  provides 
management  services  to  a  limited  number  of  vessels  in  our  fleet  and  to  affiliated  companies,  but  our 
eventual goal is to provide fleet management services to unaffiliated third party vessel operators. While 
this joint venture may provide us in the future with a potential revenue source, it may also expose us to 
risks such as low customer satisfaction, increased operating costs compared to those we would achieve 
for our vessels, and inability to adequately staff our vessels with crew that meets our expectations or to 
maintain our vessels according to our standards, which would adversely affect our financial condition. 

A cyber-attack could materially disrupt our business. 

We  rely  on  information  technology  systems  and  networks  in  our  operations  and  administration  of  our 
business.  Information  systems  are  vulnerable  to  security  breaches  by  computer  hackers  and  cyber 
terrorists. We rely on industry accepted security measures and technology to securely maintain confidential 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and  proprietary  information  maintained  on  our  information  systems.  However,  these  measures  and 
technology may not adequately prevent security breaches. Our business operations could be targeted by 
individuals or groups seeking to sabotage or disrupt our information technology systems and networks, or 
to steal data. A successful cyber-attack could materially disrupt our operations, including the safety of our 
operations, or lead to unauthorized release of information or alteration of information in our systems. Any 
such attack or other breach of our information technology systems could have a material adverse effect on 
our  business  and  results  of  operations.  In  addition,  the  unavailability  of  the  information  systems  or  the 
failure  of these  systems  to  perform  as anticipated for  any  reason could  disrupt  our  business  and could 
result  in  decreased  performance  and  increased  operating  costs,  causing  our  business  and  results  of 
operations  to  suffer.  Any  significant  interruption  or  failure  of  our  information  systems  or  any  significant 
breach of security could adversely affect our business and results of operations.  Our systems were the 
subject of a malicious attack in September 2020 that resulted in disruptions to our computer networks for 
a period of several days. We were able to successfully fully restore our systems without interruption to our 
business  or  operations.  Since  then, we  have  taken  extensive  measures  to  enhance  our  security 
infrastructure, reform network architecture, and implement rigorous security policies in line with ISO27001. 
Key  initiatives  include  establishing  security  testing,  business  continuity,  disaster  recovery,  and  incident 
response programs, as well as implementing multi-factor authentication and a vulnerability management 
framework. Despite these improvements we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully thwart 
all future attacks with causing material and adverse effect on our business. 

Moreover, our risk of cyber-attacks and other sources of security breaches and incidents may be elevated 
as a  result  of  the  ongoing conflicts  between Russia and Ukraine.  and  the Israel-Hamas conflict. To  the 
extent  such  attacks  have  collateral  effects  on  global  critical  infrastructure  or  financial  institutions,  such 
developments could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. At this time it 
is difficult to assess the likelihood of such threat and any potential impact. 

Even  without  actual  breaches  of  information  security,  protection  against  increasingly  sophisticated  and 
prevalent cyberattacks may result in significant future prevention, detection, response and management 
costs, or other costs, including the deployment of additional cybersecurity technologies, engaging third-
party  experts,  deploying  additional  personnel  and  training  employees.  Further,  as  cyberthreats  are 
continually  evolving,  our  controls  and  procedures may  become  inadequate,  and  we  may  be  required to 
devote additional resources to modify or enhance our systems in the future. Such expenses could have a 
material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position. 

Further,  in  July  2023,  the  SEC  adopted  amendments  to  its  rules  on  cybersecurity  risk  management, 
strategy, governance, and incident disclosure. The amendments, require us to report material cybersecurity 
incidents involving our information systems and periodic reporting regarding our policies and procedures 
to identify and manage cybersecurity risks, amongst other disclosures. 

Climate  change  and  greenhouse  gas  restrictions  may  adversely  impact  our  operations  and 
markets. 

Due to concern over the risk of climate change, a number of countries and the IMO have adopted, or are 
considering the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These regulatory 
measures  may  include,  among  others,  adoption  of  cap  and  trade  regimes,  carbon  taxes,  increased 
efficiency  standards  and  incentives  or  mandates  for  renewable  energy.  In  July  2023,  nations  at  the 
International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (“MEPC”) 80 updated the 
initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The initial strategy identifies ―levels of 
ambition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including (1) decreasing the carbon intensity from ships 
through implementation of further phases of the EEDI for new ships; (2) reducing carbon dioxide emissions 
per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least  20% by 2030, compared to 
2008 emission levels; and (3) reducing the total annual greenhouse emissions by at least  70% by 2040 
compared to 2008 while pursuing efforts towards phasing them out entirely. 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Since January 1, 2020, ships have to either remove sulfur from emissions or buy fuel with low sulfur content, 
which may lead to increased costs and supplementary investments for ship owners. The interpretation of 
"fuel oil used on board" includes use in main engine, auxiliary engines and boilers. We have elected to 
comply with this regulation by using 0.5% sulfur fuels on board, which are available around the world but 
often at a higher cost and may result in higher costs than other companies that elected to install scrubbers 
on their vessels. 

In  addition,  although  the  emissions  of  greenhouse  gases  from  international  shipping  currently  are  not 
subject  to  the  Kyoto  Protocol  to  the  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change,  which 
required adopting countries to implement national programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, or the 
Paris  Agreement  (discussed  further  below),  a  new  treaty  may  be  adopted  in  the  future  that  includes 
restrictions on shipping emissions. Compliance with changes in laws, regulations and obligations relating 
to climate change could increase our costs related to operating and maintaining our vessels and require 
us  to  install  new  emission  controls,  acquire  allowances  or  pay  taxes  related  to  our  greenhouse  gas 
emissions  or  administer  and  manage  a  greenhouse  gas  emissions  program.  Revenue  generation  and 
strategic growth opportunities may also be adversely affected. 

Increasing  scrutiny  and  changing  expectations  from  investors,  lenders  and  other  market 
participants with respect to our ESG policies may impose additional costs on us or expose us to 
additional risks. 

Companies  across  all  industries  are  facing  increasing  scrutiny  relating  to  their  ESG  policies.  Investor 
advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds, lenders and other market participants 
are increasingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the 
implications and social cost of their investments. Companies which do not adapt to or comply with investor, 
lender  or  other  industry  shareholder  expectations  and  standards,  which  are  evolving,  or  which  are 
perceived  to  have  not  responded  appropriately  to  the  growing  concern  for  ESG  issues,  regardless  of 
whether  there  is  a  legal  requirement  to  do  so,  may  suffer  from  reputational  damage  and  the  business, 
financial condition, and/or stock price of such a company could be materially and adversely affected. 

In February 2021, the Acting Chair of the SEC issued a statement directing the Division of Corporation 
Finance to enhance its focus on climate-related disclosure in public company filings and in March 2021 the 
SEC announced the creation of a Climate and ESG Task Force in the Division of Enforcement (the “Task 
Force”).  The  Task  Force’s  goal  is  to  develop  initiatives  to  proactively  identify  ESG-related  misconduct 
consistent  with  increased  investor  reliance  on  climate  and  ESG-related  disclosure  and  investment.  To 
implement  the  Task  Force’s  purpose,  the  SEC  has  taken  several  enforcement  actions,  with  the  first 
enforcement action taking place in May 2022, and promulgated new rules. On March 21, 2022, the SEC 
proposed that all public companies are to include extensive climate-related information in their SEC filings. 
On May 25, 2022, SEC proposed a second set of rules aiming to curb the practice of "greenwashing" (i.e., 
making unfounded claims about one's ESG efforts) and would add proposed amendments to rules and 
reporting  forms  that  apply  to  registered  investment  companies  and  advisers,  advisers  exempt  from 
registration,  and  business  development  companies.  On  March  6,  2024,  the  SEC  adopted  final  rules  to 
require registrants to disclose certain climate-related information in SEC filings of all public companies. The 
final rules require companies to disclose, among other things: material climate-related risks; activities to 
mitigate or adapt to such risks; information about the registrant's board of directors' oversight of climate-
related risks and management’s role in managing material climate-related risks; and information on any 
climate-related  targets  or  goals  that  are  material  to  the  registrant's  business,  results  of  operations,  or 
financial condition. Further, to facilitate investors' assessment of certain climate-related risks, the final rules 
require  disclosure  of  Scope  1  and/or  Scope  2  greenhouse  gas  (GHG)  emissions  on  a  phased-in  basis 
when those emissions are material; the filing of an attestation report covering the required disclosure of 
such  registrants’  Scope  1  and/or  Scope  2  emissions,  also  on  a  phased-in  basis;  and  disclosure  of  the 
financial statement effects of severe weather events and other natural conditions including, for example, 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
costs  and  losses.  The  final  rules  include  a  phased-in  compliance  period  for  all  registrants,  with  the 
compliance date dependent on the registrant’s filer status and the content of the disclosure. However, on 
March 15, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted an administrative stay on the SEC's 
recent climate disclosure rule. 

We may face increasing pressures from investors, future lenders and other market participants, who are 
increasingly  focused  on  climate  change,  to  prioritize  sustainable  energy  practices,  reduce  our  carbon 
footprint  and promote  sustainability.  As  a  result, we may  be required  to  implement more  stringent  ESG 
procedures or standards so that our existing and future investors and lenders remain invested in us and 
make further investments in us. For example, in February 2021, we established a Sustainability Committee 
and in March 2021, we signed an agreement with American Bureau of Shipping (“ABS”) to implement the 
ABS  Environmental  MonitorTM  digital  sustainability  solution  across  all  our  vessels  managed  by  Diana 
Shipping Services S.A. Additionally, in May 2021, we signed a sustainability - linked loan facility with ABN 
AMRO Bank N.V., through six wholly-owned subsidiaries. Under this loan, the margin amount that we are 
required  to  pay  can  be  either  increased  or  decreased  depending  on  our  ability  to  achieve  certain 
sustainability performance targets related to our fleet’s carbon emissions. If we do not meet the standards 
in this loan, our business could be harmed. 

Additionally,  certain  investors  and  lenders  may  exclude  companies,  such  as  us,  from  their  investing 
portfolios  altogether  due  to environmental,  social and  governance  factors.  These  limitations  in  both  the 
debt and equity capital markets may affect our ability to grow as our plans for growth may include accessing 
the  equity  and  debt  capital  markets.  If  those  markets  are  unavailable,  or  if  we  are  unable  to  access 
alternative means of financing on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be unable to implement our business 
strategy, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations 
and impair our ability to service our indebtedness. Further, it is likely that we will incur additional costs and 
require  additional  resources  to  monitor,  report  and  comply  with  wide  ranging  ESG  requirements.  The 
occurrence  of  any  of  the  foregoing  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business  and  financial 
condition.  

Moreover, from time to time, in alignment with our sustainability priorities, we may establish and publicly 
announce  goals  and  commitments  in  respect  of  certain  ESG  items.  While  we  may  create  and  publish 
voluntary disclosures regarding ESG matters from time to time, many of the statements in those voluntary 
disclosures are based on hypothetical expectations and assumptions that may or may not be representative 
of current or actual risks or events or forecasts of expected risks or events, including the costs associated 
therewith.  Such  expectations  and  assumptions  are  necessarily  uncertain  and  may  be  prone to  error  or 
subject to misinterpretation given the long timelines involved and the lack of an established single approach 
to identifying, measuring and reporting on many ESG matters. If we fail to achieve or improperly report on 
our progress toward achieving our environmental goals and commitments, the resulting negative publicity 
could adversely affect our reputation and/or our access to capital. 

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board inspection of our independent accounting firm, 
could lead to findings in our auditors’ reports and challenge the accuracy of our published audited 
consolidated financial statements. 

Auditors of U.S. public companies are required by law to undergo periodic Public Company Accounting 
Oversight  Board,  or  PCAOB,  inspections  that  assess  their  compliance  with  U.S.  law  and  professional 
standards in connection with performance of audits of financial statements filed with the SEC. For several 
years  certain  European  Union  countries,  including  Greece,  did  not  permit  the  PCAOB  to  conduct 
inspections of accounting firms established and operating in such European Union countries, even if they 
were part of major international firms. Accordingly, unlike for most U.S. public companies, the PCAOB was 
prevented  from  evaluating  our  auditor’s  performance  of  audits  and  its  quality  control  procedures,  and, 
unlike stockholders of most U.S. public companies, we and our stockholders were deprived of the possible 
benefits of such inspections. Since 2015, Greece has agreed to allow the PCAOB to conduct inspections 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
of accounting firms operating in Greece. In the future, such PCAOB inspections could result in findings in 
our  auditors’  quality  control  procedures,  question  the  validity  of  the  auditor’s  reports  on  our  published 
consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and 
cast doubt upon the accuracy of our published audited financial statements. 

Our earnings may be adversely affected if we are not able to take advantage of favorable charter 
rates. 

We  charter  our  dry  bulk  carriers  to  customers  pursuant  to  short,  medium  or  long-term  time  charters. 
However, as part of our business strategy, the majority of our vessels are currently fixed on medium-term 
time charters. We may extend the charter periods for additional vessels in our fleet, including additional dry 
bulk carriers that we may purchase in the future, to take advantage of the relatively stable cash flow and 
high  utilization  rates  that  are  associated  with  long-term  time  charters.  While  we  believe  that  long-term 
charters provide us with relatively stable cash flows and higher utilization rates than shorter-term charters, 
our vessels that are committed to long-term charters may not be available for employment on short-term 
charters  during  periods  of  increasing  short-term  charter  hire  rates  when  these  charters  may  be  more 
profitable than long-term charters. 

Investment in derivative instruments such as forward freight agreements could result in losses. 

Forward  freight  agreements,  or  FFAs  and  other  derivative  instruments  may  be  used  to  hedge  a  vessel 
owner's  exposure  to  the  charter  market  by  providing  for  the  sale  of  a  contracted  charter  rate  along  a 
specified route and period of time. Upon settlement, if the contracted charter rate is less than the average 
of the rates, as reported by an identified index, for the specified route and period, the seller of the FFA is 
required to pay the buyer an amount equal to the difference between the contracted rate and the settlement 
rate, multiplied by the number of days in the specified period. Conversely, if the contracted rate is greater 
than the settlement rate, the buyer is required to pay the seller the settlement sum. If we take positions in 
FFAs  or  other  derivative  instruments  and  do  not  correctly  anticipate  charter  rate  movements  over  the 
specified route and time period, we could suffer losses in the settling or termination of the FFA. This could 
adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. 

We may have difficulty effectively managing our growth, which may adversely affect our earnings. 

Since the completion of our initial public offering in March 2005, we have increased our fleet to 51 vessels 
in operation in 2017, and as of the date of this annual report we have 41 vessels of which 39 vessels in 
operation,  owned  and  chartered-in,  and  two  under  construction  and  we  have  agreed to  sell  one  of  our 
vessels. We may grow our fleet further in the future and this may require us to increase the number of our 
personnel. We may also have to increase our customer base to provide continued employment for the new 
vessels.  

Any future growth will primarily depend on our ability to: 

• 

• 

• 

locate and acquire suitable vessels; 

identify and consummate acquisitions or joint ventures; 

enhance our customer base; 

•  manage our expansion; and 

• 

obtain required financing on acceptable terms. 

28 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Growing  any  business  by  acquisition  presents  numerous  risks,  such  as  undisclosed  liabilities  and 
obligations, the  possibility  that  indemnification  agreements  will  be  unenforceable or  insufficient to  cover 
potential  losses  and  difficulties  associated  with  imposing  common  standards,  controls,  procedures  and 
policies, obtaining additional qualified personnel, managing relationships with customers and integrating 
newly acquired assets and operations into existing infrastructure. We cannot give any assurance that we 
will be successful in executing any future growth plans or that we will not incur significant expenses and 
losses in connection with our future growth.  

We cannot assure you that we will be able to borrow amounts under loan facilities and restrictive 
covenants in our loan facilities impose financial and other restrictions on us. 

Historically, we have entered into several loan agreements to finance vessel acquisitions, the construction 
of newbuildings and working capital. As of December 31, 2023, we had $517.0 million outstanding under 
our  facilities  and  bond.  Our  ability  to  borrow  amounts  under  our  facilities  is  subject  to  the  execution  of 
customary  documentation  relating  to  the  facility,  including  security  documents,  satisfaction  of  certain 
customary conditions precedent and compliance with terms and conditions included in the loan documents. 
Prior  to  each  drawdown,  we  are  required,  among  other  things,  to  provide  the  lender  with  acceptable 
valuations of the vessels in our fleet confirming that the vessels in our fleet have a minimum value and that 
the  vessels  in  our  fleet  that  secure  our  obligations  under  the  facilities  are  sufficient  to  satisfy  minimum 
security requirements. To the extent that we are not able to satisfy these requirements, including as a result 
of a decline in the value of our vessels, we may not be able to draw down the full amount under the facilities 
without obtaining a waiver or consent from the lender. We will also not be permitted to borrow amounts 
under the facilities if we experience a change of control. 

The loan facilities also impose operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions may limit our 
ability to, among other things: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

pay dividends if there is a default under the loan facilities or if the payment of the dividend would 
result in a default or breach of a loan covenants; 

incur additional indebtedness, including through the issuance of guarantees; 

change the flag, class or management of our vessels; 

create liens on our assets; 

sell our vessels; 

enter into a time charter or consecutive voyage charters that have a term that exceeds, or which 
by virtue of any optional extensions may exceed a certain period; 

•  merge or consolidate with, or transfer all or substantially all our assets to, another person; and 

• 

enter into a new line of business. 

Therefore, we may need to seek permission from our lenders in order to engage in some corporate actions. 
Our lenders’ interests may be different from ours and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain 
our  lenders'  permission  when  needed.  This  may  limit  our  ability  to finance  our  future  operations,  make 
acquisitions or pursue business opportunities. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We  cannot  assure  you  that  we  will  be  able  to  refinance  indebtedness  incurred  under  our  loan 
facilities and bond. 

We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance our indebtedness with equity offerings or otherwise, 
on  terms  that  are  acceptable  to  us  or at  all.  If  we  are  not  able to  refinance these  amounts  with  the  net 
proceeds of equity offerings or otherwise, on terms acceptable to us or at all, we will have to dedicate a 
greater portion of our cash flow from operations to pay the principal and interest of this indebtedness than 
if we were able to refinance such amounts. If we are not able to satisfy these obligations, we may have to 
undertake alternative financing plans. The actual or perceived credit quality of our charterers, any defaults 
by them, and the market value of our fleet, among other things, may materially affect our ability to obtain 
alternative financing. In addition, debt service payments under our loan facilities or alternative financing 
may limit funds otherwise available for working capital, capital expenditures and other purposes. If we are 
unable to meet our debt obligations, or if we otherwise default under our loan facilities or an alternative 
financing arrangement, our lenders could declare the debt, together with accrued interest and fees, to be 
immediately due and payable and foreclose on our fleet, which could result in the acceleration  of other 
indebtedness that we may have at such time and the commencement of similar foreclosure proceedings 
by other lenders. 

Purchasing  and  operating  secondhand  vessels  may  result  in  increased  operating  costs  and 
reduced operating days, which may adversely affect our earnings.  

As part of our current business strategy to increase our owned fleet, we may acquire new and secondhand 
vessels. While we rigorously inspect previously owned or secondhand vessels prior to purchase, this does 
not  provide  us  with  the same  knowledge  about their  condition  and  cost of  any  required  (or  anticipated) 
repairs  that  we  would  have  had  if  these  vessels  had  been  built  for  and  operated  exclusively  by  us. 
Accordingly, we may not discover defects or other problems with secondhand vessels prior to purchasing 
or  chartering-in,  or  may  incur  costs  to  terminate  a  purchase  agreement.  Any  such  hidden  defects  or 
problems may require us to put a vessel into drydock, which would reduce our fleet utilization and increase 
our  operating  costs.  If  a  hidden  defect  or  problem  is  not  detected,  it  may  result  in  accidents  or  other 
incidents for which we may become liable to third parties.  

In general, the costs to maintain a vessel in good operating condition increase with the age of the vessel. 
Older vessels are typically less fuel-efficient than more recently constructed vessels due to improvements 
in engine technology. Cargo insurance rates increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less 
desirable to charterers. 

Furthermore, governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of vessels 
may require  expenditures  for  alterations,  or  the addition  of  new  equipment  and may  restrict the type  of 
activities  in  which the  vessel  may  engage.  As  our  vessels  age,  market  conditions  may  not  justify  those 
expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives.  

We are subject to certain risks with respect to our counterparties on contracts, and failure of such 
counterparties  to  meet  their  obligations  could  cause  us  to  suffer  losses  or  otherwise  adversely 
affect our business. 

We  enter  into,  among  other  things,  charter  parties  with  our  customers.  Such  agreements  subject  us  to 
counterparty risks. The ability and willingness of each of our counterparties to perform its obligations under 
a contract with us will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among 
other things, general economic conditions, the condition of the maritime and offshore industries, the overall 
financial  condition  of  the  counterparty,  charter  rates  received  for  specific  types  of  vessels,  and  various 
expenses. Should a counterparty fail to honor its obligations under agreements with us, we could sustain 
significant losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results 
of operations and cash flows. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In addition, in depressed market conditions, our charterers may no longer need a vessel that is currently 
under charter or may be able to obtain a comparable vessel at lower rates. As a result, charterers may 
seek to renegotiate the terms of their existing charter agreements or avoid their obligations under those 
contracts.  If  our  charterers  fail  to  meet  their  obligations  to  us  or  attempt  to  renegotiate  our  charter 
agreements,  it  may  be  difficult  to  secure  substitute  employment  for  such  vessels,  and any  new  charter 
arrangements  we secure  may  be  at  lower rates.  As  a  result,  we could sustain significant  losses,  which 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash 
flows.  

In  the  highly  competitive  international  shipping  industry,  we  may  not  be  able  to  compete  for 
charters with new entrants or established companies with greater resources, and as a result, we 
may be unable to employ our vessels profitably. 

The  operation  of  dry  bulk  vessels  and  transportation  of  dry  bulk  cargoes  is  extremely  competitive  and 
fragmented. Competition for the transportation of dry bulk cargoes by sea is intense and depends on price, 
location,  size,  age,  condition  and  the  acceptability  of  the  vessel  and  its  operators  to  the  charterers. 
Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of whom have substantially greater resources 
than we do. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, competitors with greater resources than us could 
enter the dry bulk shipping industry and operate larger fleets through consolidations or acquisitions and 
may be  able to  offer  lower  charter rates  and  higher  quality vessels than we are  able to offer.  If we are 
unable to successfully compete with other dry bulk shipping companies, our results of operations may be 
adversely impacted. 

We  may  be  unable  to  attract  and retain  key  management  personnel  and  other  employees  in  the 
shipping industry, which may negatively impact the effectiveness of our management and results 
of operations. 

Our success depends to a significant extent upon the abilities and efforts of our management team. We 
have  entered  into  employment  contracts  with  our  Chief  Executive  Officer  Mrs. Semiramis  Paliou;  our 
President, Mr. Anastasios Margaronis; our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Treasurer and 
Secretary Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis and our Chief Operating Officer Mr. Eleftherios Papatrifon. On February 22, 
2023, Mr. Eleftherios Papatrifon resigned from his position of the Chief Operating Officer and since that 
date serves as a member of the board of directors. Our success will depend upon our ability to retain key 
members of our management team and to hire new members as may be necessary. The loss of any of 
these individuals could adversely affect our business prospects and financial condition. Difficulty in hiring 
and retaining replacement personnel could have a similar effect. We do not currently, nor do we intend to, 
maintain “key man” life insurance on any of our officers or other members of our management team. 

Technological  innovation  and  quality  and  efficiency  requirements  from  our  customers  could 
reduce our charter hire income and the value of our vessels. 

Our customers have a high and increasing focus on quality and compliance standards with their suppliers 
across  the  entire  supply  chain,  including  the  shipping  and  transportation  segment.  Our  continued 
compliance with these standards and quality requirements is vital for our operations. The charter hire rates 
and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors including the vessel’s 
efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Efficiency includes speed, fuel economy and the ability to 
load and  discharge  cargo  quickly.  Flexibility  includes the  ability to enter harbors,  utilize related  docking 
facilities and pass through canals and straits. The length of a vessel’s physical life is related to its original 
design and construction, its maintenance and the impact of the stress of operations. We face competition 
from  companies  with  more modern  vessels  having  more  fuel  efficient  designs  than  our  vessels,  or  eco 
vessels, and if new dry bulk vessels are built that are more efficient or more flexible or have longer physical 
lives than the current eco vessels, competition from the current eco vessels and any more technologically 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
advanced vessels could adversely affect the amount of charter hire payments we receive for our vessels 
and  the  resale  value  of  our  vessels  could  significantly  decrease.  Similarly,  technologically  advanced 
vessels are needed to comply with environmental laws the investment in which along with the foregoing 
could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, charter hire payments and resale value 
of vessels. This could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows, financial condition 
and ability to pay dividends.  

We may not have adequate insurance to compensate us if we lose our vessels or to compensate 
third parties. 

We procure insurance for our fleet against risks commonly insured against by vessel owners and operators. 
Our  current  insurance  includes  hull  and  machinery  insurance,  war  risks  insurance  and  protection  and 
indemnity  insurance  (which  includes  environmental  damage  and  pollution  insurance).  We  can  give  no 
assurance that we are adequately insured against all risks or that our insurers will pay a particular claim. 
Even if our insurance coverage is adequate to cover our losses, we may not be able to timely obtain a 
replacement vessel in the event of a loss. Furthermore, in the future, we may not be able to obtain adequate 
insurance coverage  at  reasonable  rates  for  our fleet.  We may  also be  subject  to  calls,  or  premiums,  in 
amounts based not only on our own claim records but also the claim records of all other members of the 
protection  and  indemnity  associations  through  which  we  receive  indemnity  insurance  coverage  for  tort 
liability.  Our  insurance  policies  also  contain  deductibles,  limitations  and  exclusions  which,  although  we 
believe are standard in the shipping industry, may nevertheless increase our costs. 

Our  vessels  may  suffer  damage  and  we  may  face  unexpected  drydocking  costs,  which  could 
adversely affect our cash flow and financial condition. 

If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock 
repairs are unpredictable and can be substantial. The loss of earnings while a vessel is being repaired and 
repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs not covered by our insurance, would decrease our 
earnings and available cash. We may not have insurance that is sufficient to cover all or any of the costs 
or losses for damages to our vessels and may have to pay drydocking costs not covered by our insurance. 

The aging of our fleet may result in increased operating costs in the future, which could adversely 
affect our earnings. 

In general, the cost of maintaining a vessel in good operating condition increases with the age of the vessel. 
As of the date of this annual report, our fleet consists of 41 vessels of which 39 in operation, owned and 
chartered-in, having a combined carrying capacity of 4.4 million dead weight tons, or dwt, and a weighted 
average age of 10.4 years and two Kamsarmax vessels under construction. As our fleet ages, we will incur 
increased  costs.  Older  vessels  are  typically  less  fuel  efficient  and  more  costly  to  maintain  than  more 
recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine technology. Cargo insurance rates increase 
with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental regulations and 
safety  or  other  equipment  standards  related  to  the  age  of  vessels  may  also  require  expenditures  for 
alterations or the addition of new equipment to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which 
our  vessels may  engage. We cannot  assure  you  that,  as  our  vessels  age, market  conditions  will  justify 
those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives. 

We are exposed to U.S. dollar and foreign currency fluctuations and devaluations that could harm 
our reported revenue and results of operations. 

We generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but incur around half of our operating expenses and our 
general and administrative expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Euro. Because 
a significant portion of our expenses is incurred in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, our expenses may 
from time to time increase relative to our revenues as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
between the U.S. dollar and the Euro, which could affect the amount of net income that we report in future 
periods. While we historically have not mitigated the risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations through 
the use of financial derivatives, we may employ such instruments from time to time in the future in order to 
minimize this risk. Our use of financial derivatives would involve certain risks, including the risk that losses 
on a hedged position could exceed the nominal amount invested in the instrument and the risk that the 
counterparty to the derivative transaction may be unable or unwilling to satisfy its contractual obligations, 
which could have an adverse effect on our results. 

We depend upon a few significant customers for a large part of our revenues and the loss of one 
or more of these customers could adversely affect our financial performance.  

We have historically derived a significant part of our revenues from a small number of charterers. During 
2023, 2022, and 2021, approximately 13%, 34% and 10%, respectively, of our revenues were derived from 
one,  two  and  one  charterers,  respectively.  If  one  or  more  of  our  charterers  chooses  not  to  charter  our 
vessels  or  is  unable  to  perform  under  one  or  more  charters  with  us  and  we  are  not  able  to  find  a 
replacement charter, we could suffer a loss of revenues that could adversely affect our financial condition 
and results of operations. 

We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to 
us in order to satisfy our financial obligations. 

We are a holding company and our subsidiaries conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating 
assets. We have no significant assets other than the equity interests in our subsidiaries. As a result, our 
ability to satisfy our financial obligations depends on our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to 
us.  If  we  are  unable  to  obtain  funds  from  our  subsidiaries,  we  may  not  be  able  to  satisfy  our  financial 
obligations. 

Certain of our vessels are owned through joint ventures that we have entered into, and our views 
about  the  operations  of  those  vessels  may  differ  from  our  joint  venture  partners  and  adversely 
affect our interest in the joint ventures. 

We have entered into two joint venture arrangements pursuant to which we own minority interests in four 
CSOV newbuilding contracts through Windward Offshore GmbH & Co. KG and one dry bulk vessel through 
Bergen Ultra, and we may enter into additional joint venture arrangement in the future. As a minority interest 
holder  in  these  joint  ventures,  we  share  voting  and  operational  control  of  these  joint  ventures  and  the 
operations of these vessel that we own through these joint ventures. Our joint venture partners may have 
interests that are different from ours which may result in conflicting views as to the operation the vessels 
owned by the joint ventures or the conduct of the business of the joint venture. We may not be able to 
resolve such conflicts in our favor and such conflicts or differing view could have a material adverse effect 
on our interest in the joint venture or our business in general.  

Because we are organized under the laws of the Marshall  Islands, it may be difficult to serve us 
with legal process or enforce judgments against us, our directors or our management. 

We are organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands, and substantially all of our assets are located 
outside of the United States. In addition, the majority of our directors and officers are non-residents of the 
United States, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of these non-residents are located outside the 
United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for someone to bring an action against us or 
against these  individuals  in the  United  States  if they  believe that their  rights  have  been infringed under 
securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the 
Marshall Islands and of other jurisdictions may prevent or restrict them from enforcing a judgment against 
our assets or the assets of our directors or officers. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The international nature of our operations may make the outcome of any bankruptcy proceedings 
difficult to predict. 

We are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and we conduct operations in 
countries  around  the  world.  Consequently,  in  the  event  of  any  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  liquidation, 
dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding involving us or any of our subsidiaries, bankruptcy laws 
other  than  those  of  the  United  States  could  apply.  If  we  become  a  debtor  under  U.S.  bankruptcy  law, 
bankruptcy  courts  in  the  United  States  may  seek  to  assert  jurisdiction  over  all  of  our  assets,  wherever 
located, including property situated in other countries. There can be no assurance, however, that we would 
become  a  debtor  in  the  United  States,  or  that  a  U.S.  bankruptcy  court  would  be  entitled  to,  or  accept, 
jurisdiction over such a bankruptcy case, or that courts in other countries that have jurisdiction over us and 
our operations would recognize a U.S. bankruptcy court’s jurisdiction if any other bankruptcy court would 
determine it had jurisdiction. 

If we expand our business further, we may need to improve our operating and financial systems 
and will need to recruit suitable employees and crew for our vessels. 

Our current operating and financial systems may not be adequate if we further expand the size of our fleet 
and our attempts to improve those systems may be ineffective. In addition, if we expand our fleet further, 
we  will  need  to  recruit  suitable  additional  seafarers  and  shoreside  administrative  and  management 
personnel. While we have not experienced any difficulty in recruiting to date, we cannot guarantee that we 
will  be  able  to  continue  to  hire  suitable  employees  if  we  expand  our  fleet.  If  we  or  our  crewing  agents 
encounter business or financial difficulties, we may not be able to adequately staff our vessels. If we are 
unable to grow our financial and operating systems or to recruit suitable employees should we determine 
to expand our fleet, our financial performance may be adversely affected, among other things. 

We may have to pay tax on U.S. source income, which would reduce our earnings. 

Under  the  U.S.  Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1986,  as  amended,  or  the  Code,  50%  of  the  gross  shipping 
income  of  a  vessel-owning  or  chartering  corporation,  such  as  ourselves  and  our  subsidiaries,  that  is 
attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States 
is characterized as U.S. source shipping income and such income is generally subject to a 4% U.S. federal 
income tax without allowance for deductions, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under 
Section 883 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. 

We expect that we and each of our subsidiaries qualify for this statutory tax exemption for the 2023 taxable 
year and we will take this position for U.S. federal income tax return reporting purposes. However, there 
are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption 
in future years and thereby become subject to U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. source shipping income. 
For example, in certain circumstances we may no longer qualify for exemption under Code Section 883 for 
a particular taxable year if shareholders, other than “qualified shareholders”, with a five percent or greater 
interest in our common shares owned, in the aggregate, 50% or more of our outstanding common shares 
for more than half the days during the taxable year. Due to the factual nature of the issues involved, we 
can give no assurances on our tax-exempt status or that of any of our subsidiaries. 

If we or our subsidiaries are not entitled to this exemption under Section 883 of the Code for any taxable 
year, we or our subsidiaries would be subject for those years to a 4% U.S. federal income tax on our gross 
U.S.-source shipping income. The imposition of this taxation could have a negative effect on our business 
and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our shareholders, although, for the 2023 
taxable year, we estimate our maximum U.S. federal income tax liability to be immaterial if we were subject 
to  this  U.S.  federal  income  tax.  See  “Item  10.  Additional  Information—E.  Taxation"  for  a  more 
comprehensive discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. federal tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company”, which could 
have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders. 

A foreign corporation will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company”, or PFIC, for U.S. federal 
income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain 
types of “passive income” or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation's assets produce or 
are  held  for  the  production  of  those  types  of  “passive  income.”  For  purposes  of  these  tests,  “passive 
income” includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property, and rents 
and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with 
the  active  conduct  of  a  trade  or  business.  For  purposes  of  these  tests,  income  derived  from  the 
performance of services does not constitute “passive income.” U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are subject to 
a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the 
distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition 
of their shares in the PFIC. 

Based on our current and proposed method of operation, we do not believe that we will be a PFIC with 
respect to any taxable year. In this regard, we intend to treat the gross income we derive or are deemed to 
derive from our time chartering activities as services income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, we 
believe that our income from our time chartering activities does not constitute “passive income,” and the 
assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of that income do not constitute assets 
that produce or are held for the production of “passive income”. 

There  is  substantial  legal  authority  supporting  this  position  consisting  of  case  law  and  U.S.  Internal 
Revenue Service, or “IRS”, pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time 
charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, it should be noted that 
there  is  also  authority  which  characterizes  time  charter  income  as  rental  income  rather  than  services 
income for other tax purposes. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court of law will 
accept this position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC. 
Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if the 
nature and extent of our operations changed. 

If the IRS or a court of law were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our U.S. 
shareholders would face adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences. Under the PFIC rules, unless 
those shareholders make an election available under the Code (which election could itself have adverse 
consequences for such shareholders), such shareholders would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at 
the then prevailing U.S. federal income tax rates on ordinary income plus interest upon excess distributions 
and upon any gain from the disposition of our common stock, as if the excess distribution or gain had been 
recognized ratably over the shareholder's holding period of our common stock. See “Item 10. Additional 
Information—E.  Taxation–United  States  Taxation  of  U.S.  Holders–PFIC  Status  and  Significant  Tax 
Consequences" for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. 
holders of our common stock if we are or were to be treated as a PFIC. 

Changes in tax laws and unanticipated tax liabilities could materially and adversely affect the taxes 
we pay, results of operations and financial results. 

We are subject to income and other taxes in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, and our results of 
operations and financial results may be affected by tax and other initiatives around the world. For instance, 
there is a high level of uncertainty in today’s tax environment stemming from global initiatives put forth by 
the  Organisation  for  Economic  Co-operation  and  Development’s  (“OECD”)  two-pillar  base  erosion  and 
profit  shifting  project.  In  October  2021,  members  of  the  OECD  put  forth  two  proposals:  (i)  Pillar  One 
reallocates profit to the market jurisdictions where sales arise versus physical presence; and (ii) Pillar Two 
compels multinational corporations with €750 million or more in annual revenue to pay a global minimum 
tax of 15% on income received in each country in which they operate. The reforms aim to level the playing 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
field between countries by discouraging them from reducing their corporate income taxes to attract foreign 
business investment. Over 140 countries agreed to enact the two-pillar solution to address the challenges 
arising from the digitalization of the economy and, in 2024, these guidelines were declared effective and 
must now be enacted by those OECD member countries. It is possible that these guidelines, including the 
global  minimum  corporate  tax  rate  measure  of  15%,  could  increase  the  burden  and  costs  of  our  tax 
compliance, the  amount  of taxes  we  incur  in  those jurisdictions  and  our global  effective tax  rate,  which 
could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial results.  

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock 

We cannot assure you that our board of directors will continue to declare dividends on shares of 
our common stock in the future. 

In order to position us to take advantage of market opportunities in a then-deteriorating market, our board 
of directors, beginning with the fourth quarter of 2008, suspended our common stock dividend. As a result 
of improving market conditions in 2021, our board of directors elected to declare quarterly dividends from 
the fourth quarter of 2021 until the first quarter of 2024 and two special non-cash dividends. The actual 
declaration of future cash dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates, is subject to final 
determination  by  our  board  of  directors  each  quarter  after  its  review  of  the  company's  financial 
performance.  We  cannot  assure  you  that  our  board  of  directors  will  declare  and  pay  dividends  going 
forward. Our dividend policy is assessed by our board of directors from time to time, based on prevailing 
market conditions, available cash, uses of capital, contingent liabilities, the terms of our loan facilities, our 
growth strategy and other cash needs, the requirements of Marshall Islands law and other factors deemed 
relevant  to  our  board  of  directors.  In  addition,  other  external  factors,  such  as  our  lenders  imposing 
restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. Under the terms of our agreements, we may not be permitted 
to  pay  dividends  that  would  result  in  an  event  of  default  or  if  an  event  of  default  has  occurred  and  is 
continuing. 

Our strategy contemplates that we will finance the acquisition of additional vessels through a combination 
of debt and equity financing on terms acceptable to us. If financing is not available to us on acceptable 
terms, our board of directors may determine to finance or refinance acquisitions with cash from operations, 
which could also reduce or even eliminate the amount of cash available for the payment of dividends. 

Marshall  Islands  law  generally  prohibits  the  payment  of  dividends  other  than  from  surplus  (retained 
earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares) 
or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. We 
may not have sufficient surplus in the future to pay dividends.  

In addition, our ability to pay dividends to holders of our common shares will be subject to the rights of 
holders  of  our  Series  B  Preferred  Shares,  which  rank  senior  to  our  common  shares  with  respect  to 
dividends,  distributions  and  payments  upon  liquidation.  No  cash  dividend  may  be  paid  on  our  common 
stock unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are being paid or provided for on 
all outstanding Series B Preferred Shares for all prior and the then-ending dividend periods. Cumulative 
dividends  on  our  Series  B  Preferred  Shares  accrue  at  a  rate  of  8.875%  per  annum  per  $25.00  stated 
liquidation preference per Series B Preferred Share, subject to increase upon the occurrence of certain 
events, and are payable, as and if declared by our board of directors, on January 15, April 15, July 15 and 
October 15 of each year, or, if any such dividend payment date otherwise would fall on a date that is not a 
business  day,  the  immediately  succeeding  business  day.  For  additional  information  about  our  Series  B 
Preferred Shares, please see the section entitled "Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered" 
of our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2014 and incorporated by 
reference herein. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  market  prices  and  trading  volume  of  our  shares  of  common  stock  may  experience  rapid  and 
substantial price volatility, which could cause purchasers of our common stock to incur substantial 
losses. 

Our shares of our common stock may experience similar rapid and substantial price volatility unrelated 
to our financial performance, which could cause purchasers of our common stock to incur substantial 
losses,  which  may  be  unpredictable  and  not  bear  any  relationship  to  our  business  and  financial 
performance. Extreme fluctuations in the market price of our common stock may occur in response to 
strong  and  atypical  retail  investor  interest,  including  on  social  media  and  online  forums,  the  direct 
access by retail investors to broadly available trading platforms, the amount and status of short interest 
in  our  common  stock  and  our  other  securities,  access  to  margin  debt,  trading  in  options  and  other 
derivatives on our shares of common stock and any related hedging and other trading factors: 

If there  is extreme market  volatility and trading patterns  in our common  stock,  it may create several 
risks for purchasers of our shares, including the following: 

• 

• 

• 

the market price of our common stock may experience rapid and substantial increases or 
decreases  unrelated  to  our  operating  performance  or  prospects,  or  macro  or  industry 
fundamentals; 

if  our  future  market  capitalization  reflects  trading  dynamics  unrelated  to  our  financial 
performance or prospects, purchasers of our common stock could incur substantial losses 
as prices decline once the level of market volatility has abated; 

if the future market price of our common stock declines, purchasers of shares of common 
stock in this offering may be unable to resell such shares at or above the price at which they 
acquired  them.  We  cannot  assure  such  purchasers  that  the  market  of  our  common  stock 
will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future, in which case investors in this  offering 
could incur substantial losses. 

Further, we may incur rapid and substantial increases or decreases in our common stock price in the 
foreseeable future that may not coincide in timing with the disclosure of news or developments by or 
affecting us. Accordingly, the market price of our common stock may fluctuate dramatically, and may 
decline  rapidly,  regardless  of  any  developments  in  our  business.  Overall,  there  are  var ious  factors, 
many  of  which  are  beyond  our  control,  that  could  negatively  affect  the  market  price  of  our  common 
stock or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our common stock, including:  

• 

• 

• 

actual or anticipated variations in our annual or quarterly results of operations, including our 
earnings estimates and whether we meet market expectations with regard to our earnings;  

our ability to pay dividends or other distributions; 

publication  of  research  reports  by  analysts  or  others  about  us  or  the  shipping  industry  in 
which we operate which may be unfavorable, inaccurate, inconsistent or not disseminated 
on a regular basis; 

• 

changes in market valuations of similar companies; 

•  market reaction to any additional equity, debt or other securities that we may issue in the 

future, and which may or may not dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders;  

• 

additions or departures of key personnel; 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

actions by institutional or significant stockholders; 

short interest in our common stock or our other securities and the market response to such 
short interest; 

the  dramatic  increase  in  the  number  of  individual  holders  of  our  common  stock  and  their 
participation in social media platforms targeted at speculative investing;  

speculation in the press or investment community about our company or industries in which 
we operate; 

strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or other  investments; 

legislative, administrative, regulatory or other actions affecting our business, our industry;  

investigations, proceedings, or litigation that involve or affect us; 

the occurrence of any of the other risk factors included in this registration statement of which 
this prospectus forms a part; and 

general market and economic conditions. 

Since we are incorporated in the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of 
corporate law, you may have more difficulty protecting your interests than shareholders of a U.S. 
corporation. 

Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws and 
by  the  Marshall  Islands  Business  Corporations  Act,  or  the  BCA.  The  provisions  of  the  BCA  resemble 
provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. However, there have been 
few judicial cases in the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of 
directors under the laws of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary 
responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in the United States. The rights 
of  shareholders  of  the  Marshall  Islands  may  differ  from  the  rights  of  shareholders  of  companies 
incorporated in the United States. While the BCA provides that it is to be interpreted according to the laws 
of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been 
few, if any, court cases interpreting the BCA in the Marshall Islands and we cannot predict whether Marshall 
Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as U.S. courts. Thus, you may have more difficulty in 
protecting your interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders 
than  would  shareholders  of  a  corporation  incorporated  in  a  U.S.  jurisdiction  which  has  developed  a 
relatively more substantial body of case law.  

As a Marshall Islands corporation and with some of our subsidiaries being Marshall Islands entities 
and  also  having  subsidiaries  in  other  offshore  jurisdictions,  our  operations  may  be  subject  to 
economic substance requirements, which could impact our business. 

We  are  a  Marshall  Islands  corporation  and  some  of  our  subsidiaries  are  Marshall  Islands  entities.  The 
Marshall Islands has enacted economic substance laws and regulations with which we may be obligated 
to  comply.  We  believe  that  we  and  our  subsidiaries  are  compliant  with  the  Marshall  Islands  economic 
substance requirements. However, if there were a change in the requirements or interpretation thereof, or 
if there were an unexpected change to our operations, any such change could result in noncompliance with 
the economic substance legislation and related fines or other penalties, increased monitoring and audits, 
and dissolution of the non-compliant entity, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial 
condition or operating results. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EU Finance ministers rate jurisdictions for tax rates and tax transparency, governance and real economic 
activity. Countries that are viewed by such finance ministers as not adequately cooperating, including by 
not implementing sufficient standards in respect of the foregoing, may be put on a “grey list” or a “blacklist”. 
Effective as of October 17, 2023 the Marshall Islands has been designated as a cooperating jurisdiction 
for tax purposes. If the Marshall Islands is added to the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in the future 
and sanctions or other financial, tax or regulatory measures were applied by European Member States to 
countries on the list or further economic substance requirements were imposed by the Marshall Islands, 
our business could be harmed. 

Certain existing shareholders will be able to exert considerable  influence over matters on which 
our shareholders are entitled to vote.  

As  of  the  date  of  this  annual  report,  Mrs.  Semiramis  Paliou,  our  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Director, 
beneficially owns 23,750,097 shares, or approximately 19.8% of our outstanding common stock, which is 
held indirectly through entities over which she exercises sole voting power. Mrs. Paliou controls 10,675 
shares of Series C Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued on January 31, 2019, and 400 shares 
of Series D Preferred Stock, issued on June 22, 2021. The Series C Preferred Stock vote with our common 
shares and each share of the Series C Preferred Stock entitles the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all 
matters submitted to a vote of the common stockholders of the Issuer. The Series D Preferred Stock vote 
with the  common  shares  of  the  Company,  and  each  share of  the  Series D  Preferred  Stock  entitles the 
holder thereof to up to 200,000 votes, on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company, 
provided however, that to the extent the total number of votes one or more holders of Series D Preferred 
Stock is entitled to vote (including any voting power of such holders derived from Series D Preferred Stock, 
shares of Common Stock or any other voting security of the Company issued and outstanding as of the 
date hereof or that may be issued in the future) on any matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of the 
Company  would  exceed  36%  of  the  total  number  of  votes  eligible  to  be  cast  on  such  matter,  the  total 
number of votes that holders of Series D Preferred Stock may exercise derived from the Series D Preferred 
Stock together with Common Shares and any other voting securities of the Company beneficially owned 
by such holder, shall be reduced to 36% of the total number of votes entitled to vote on any matter put to 
stockholders of the Company. Through her beneficial ownership of common shares and shares of Series 
C  Preferred  Stock  and  Series  D  Preferred  Stock,  Mrs.  Paliou  controls  36%  of  the  vote  of  any  matter 
submitted to the vote of the common shareholders. Please see "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related 
Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders." While Mrs. Paliou and the entities controlled by Mrs. Paliou 
have no agreement, arrangement or understanding relating to the voting of their shares of our common 
stock, they are able to influence the outcome of matters on which our shareholders are entitled to vote, 
including the election of directors and other significant corporate actions. This concentration of ownership 
may  have  the  effect  of  delaying,  deferring  or  preventing  a  change  in  control,  merger,  consolidation, 
takeover or other business combination. This concentration of ownership could also discourage a potential 
acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which could in turn have 
an adverse effect on the market price of our shares. So long as our Chief Executive Officer continues to 
own a significant amount of our equity, even though the amount held by her represents less than 50% of 
our voting power, she will continue to be able to exercise considerable influence over our decisions. The 
interests of these shareholders may be different from your interests. 

Future sales of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to 1,000,000,000 shares of 
common stock, of which, as of December 31, 2023, 113,065,725 shares were outstanding. The number of 
shares of common stock available for sale in the public market is limited by restrictions applicable under 
securities laws and agreements that we and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders 
have entered into. 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that 
these  sales  could  occur,  may  depress  the  market  price  for  our  common  stock.  These  sales  could  also 
impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our equity securities in the future. 

Anti-takeover  provisions  in  our  organizational  documents  could  make  it  difficult  for  our 
shareholders to replace or remove our current board of directors or have the effect of discouraging, 
delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect the market price of 
our common stock. 

Several provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it difficult 
for our shareholders to change the composition of our board of directors in any one year, preventing them 
from changing the composition of management. In addition, the same provisions may discourage, delay or 
prevent a merger or acquisition that shareholders may consider favorable. 

These provisions include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

authorizing  our  board  of  directors to  issue “blank  check”  preferred  stock  without  shareholder 
approval; 

providing for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms; 

prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors; 

authorizing  the removal of  directors  only for  cause and only  upon  the  affirmative vote of the 
holders  of  a majority  of  the  outstanding  shares  of  our  common  stock  entitled  to  vote for  the 
directors; 

prohibiting shareholder action by written consent; 

limiting the persons who may call special meetings of shareholders; and 

establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors 
or for proposing matters that can be acted on by shareholders at shareholder meetings. 

In addition, we have adopted a Stockholders Rights Agreement, dated January 15, 2016, pursuant to which 
our board of directors may cause the substantial dilution of any person that attempts to acquire us without 
the approval of our board of directors. 

These  anti-takeover  provisions,  including  provisions  of  our  Stockholders  Rights  Agreement,  could 
substantially impede the ability of public shareholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a result, 
may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and your ability to realize any potential change 
of control premium. 

Our Series B Preferred Shares are senior obligations of ours and rank prior to our common shares 
with  respect  to  dividends,  distributions  and  payments  upon  liquidation,  which  could  have  an 
adverse effect on the value of our common shares. 

The rights of the holders of our Series B Preferred Shares rank senior to the obligations to holders of our 
common shares. Upon our liquidation, the holders of Series B Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive 
a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends, prior and in preference 
to any distribution to the holders of any other class of our equity securities, including our common shares. 
The existence of the Series B Preferred Shares could have an adverse effect on the value of our common 
shares. 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risks Relating to Our Series B Preferred Stock 

We may not have sufficient cash from our operations to enable us to pay dividends on our Series 
B Preferred Shares following the payment of expenses and the establishment of any reserves. 

We pay quarterly dividends on our Series B Preferred Shares only from funds legally available for such 
purpose  when,  as  and  if  declared  by  our  board of  directors. We may  not have  sufficient  cash  available 
each  quarter  to  pay  dividends.  The  amount  of  dividends  we  can  pay  on our  Series  B  Preferred Shares 
depends upon the amount of cash we generate from and use in our operations, which may fluctuate. 

The amount  of  cash  we have  available for  dividends  on  our  Series  B  Preferred  Shares  will  not  depend 
solely on our profitability. The actual amount of cash we have available to pay dividends on our Series B 
Preferred Shares depends on many factors, including the following: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

changes in our operating cash flow, capital expenditure requirements, working capital requirements 
and other cash needs; 

restrictions under our existing or future credit facilities or any future debt securities on our ability to 
pay dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or if the payment of the dividend 
would result in an event of default, or under certain facilities if it would result in the breach of certain 
financial covenants; 

the amount of any cash reserves established by our board of directors; and 

restrictions under Marshall Islands law, which generally prohibits the payment of dividends other 
than from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares 
above the par value of the shares) or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent 
by the payment of such a dividend. 

The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our net income or loss for 
the period, which is affected by non-cash items, and our board of directors in its discretion may elect not 
to declare any dividends. As a result of these and the other factors mentioned above, we may pay dividends 
during  periods  when  we  record  losses  and  may  not  pay  dividends  during  periods  when  we  record  net 
income. 

The Series B Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests. 

The Series B Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests in us and, unlike our indebtedness, will 
not give rise to a claim for payment of a principal amount at a particular date. As a result, holders of the 
Series  B  Preferred  Shares may  be  required to  bear the  financial risks  of  an  investment  in  the  Series  B 
Preferred Shares for an indefinite period of time. In addition, the Series B Preferred Shares will rank junior 
to all our indebtedness and other liabilities, and to any other senior securities we may issue in the future 
with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us. 

Our Series B Preferred Shares are subordinate to our indebtedness, and your interests could be 
diluted  by  the  issuance  of  additional  preferred  shares,  including  additional  Series  B  Preferred 
Shares, and by other transactions. 

Our Series B Preferred Shares are subordinated to all of our existing and future indebtedness. Therefore, 
our ability to pay dividends on, redeem or pay the liquidation preference on our Series B Preferred Shares 
in liquidation or otherwise may be subject to prior payments due to the holders of our indebtedness. Our 
existing indebtedness restricts, and our future indebtedness may include restrictions on, our ability to pay 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
dividends  on  or  redeem preferred  shares. Our  amended and restated  articles of  incorporation  currently 
authorize the issuance of up to 50,000,000 preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share. Of these preferred 
shares, 1,000,000 shares have been designated Series A Participating Preferred Stock, 5,000,000 shares 
have been designated Series B Preferred Shares, 10,675 are designated as Series C Preferred Shares 
and 400 are designated as Series D Preferred Shares. The Series B Preferred Shares are senior in rank 
to the Series A Participating Preferred Shares. The issuance of additional Series B Preferred Shares or 
other preferred shares on a parity with or senior to the Series B Preferred Shares would dilute the interests 
of holders of our Series B Preferred Shares, and any issuance of preferred shares senior to our Series B 
Preferred Shares or of additional indebtedness could affect our ability to pay dividends on, redeem or pay 
the liquidation preference on our Series B Preferred Shares. The Series B Preferred Shares do not contain 
any provisions affording the holders of our Series B Preferred Shares protection in the event of a highly 
leveraged or other transaction, including a merger or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially 
all our assets or business, which might adversely affect the holders of our Series B Preferred Shares, so 
long as the rights of our Series B Preferred Shares are not directly materially and adversely affected. 

We may redeem the Series B Preferred Shares, and you may not be able to reinvest the redemption 
price you receive in a similar security. 

Since February 14, 2019, we may, at our option, redeem Series B Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at 
any time or from time to time. We may have an incentive to redeem Series B Preferred Shares voluntarily 
if market conditions allow us to issue other preferred shares or debt securities at a rate that is lower than 
the dividend on the Series B Preferred Shares. If we redeem Series B Preferred Shares, then from and 
after the redemption date, your dividends will cease to accrue on your Series B Preferred Shares, your 
Series B Preferred Shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all your rights as a holder of those 
shares  will  terminate,  except  the  right  to  receive  the  redemption  price  plus  accumulated  and  unpaid 
dividends, if any, payable upon redemption. If we redeem the Series B Preferred Shares for any reason, 
you may not be able to reinvest the redemption price you receive in a similar security.  

Market interest rates may adversely affect the value of our Series B Preferred Shares. 

One of the factors that may influence the price of our Series B Preferred Shares is the dividend yield on 
the Series B Preferred Shares (as a percentage of the price of our Series B Preferred Shares) relative to 
market  interest  rates.  An  increase  in  market  interest  rates,  which  are  currently  at  low  levels  relative  to 
historical  rates,  may  lead  prospective  purchasers  of  our  Series  B  Preferred  Shares  to  expect  a  higher 
dividend yield, and higher interest rates would likely increase our borrowing costs and potentially decrease 
funds available for distribution. Accordingly, higher market interest rates could cause the market price of 
our Series B Preferred Shares to decrease. 

As a holder of Series B Preferred Shares you have extremely limited voting rights. 

Your voting rights as a holder of Series B Preferred Shares are extremely limited. Our common shares are 
the only outstanding class or series of our shares carrying full voting rights. Holders of Series B Preferred 
Shares have no voting rights other than the ability, subject to certain exceptions, to elect one director if 
dividends for six quarterly dividend periods (whether or not consecutive) payable on our Series B Preferred 
Shares are in arrears and certain other limited protective voting rights. 

Our  ability  to  pay  dividends  on  and  to  redeem  our  Series  B  Preferred  Shares  is  limited  by  the 
requirements of Marshall Islands law. 

Marshall Islands law provides that we may pay dividends on and redeem the Series B Preferred Shares 
only to the extent that assets are legally available for such purposes. Legally available assets generally are 
limited to our surplus, which essentially represents our retained earnings and the excess of consideration 
received by us for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares. In addition, under Marshall Islands 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
law we may not pay dividends on or redeem Series B Preferred Shares if we are insolvent or would be 
rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend or the making of such redemption. 

The amount of your liquidation preference is fixed and you will have no right to receive any greater 
payment regardless of the circumstances. 

The  payment  due  upon  a  liquidation  is  fixed  at  the  redemption  preference  of  $25.00  per  share  plus 
accumulated  and  unpaid  dividends to the  date  of  liquidation. If,  in  the  case of  our  liquidation,  there are 
remaining  assets  to  be  distributed  after  payment  of  this  amount,  you  will  have  no  right  to  receive  or  to 
participate in these amounts. Furthermore, if the market price for your Series B Preferred Shares is greater 
than  the  liquidation  preference,  you  will  have  no  right  to  receive  the  market  price  from  us  upon  our 
liquidation. 

Risks Relating to Our Outstanding Warrants  

The issuance of our common stock upon the exercise of the Warrants may depress our stock price. 

We could issue up to 33,919,605 shares of common stock in connection with the exercise of the Warrants. 
The issuances of the shares of common stock upon exercise of the Warrants and the resale of such shares 
after their issuance, or the perception that such sales could occur, could result in downward pressure on 
our  stock  price  and  could  impact  our  ability  to  raise  capital  through  the  sale  of  additional  shares  in  the 
future. See “Item 4. Information on the Company— A. History and development of the Company— Warrant 
Distribution" for a more detailed discussion of our Warrants. 

Item 4. 

Information on the Company 

A. 

History and development of the Company 

Diana Shipping Inc. is a holding company incorporated under the laws of Liberia in March 1999 as Diana 
Shipping  Investments  Corp.  In  February  2005,  the  Company’s  articles  of  incorporation  were  amended. 
Under the amended and restated articles of incorporation, the Company was renamed Diana Shipping Inc. 
and was re-domiciled from the Republic of Liberia to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.  Our executive 
offices are located at Pendelis 16, 175 64 Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece. Our telephone number at this 
address is +30-210-947-0100. Our agent and authorized representative in the United States is our wholly 
owned  subsidiary,  Bulk  Carriers  (USA)  LLC,  established  in  September  2006,  in  the  State  of  Delaware, 
which is located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808. The SEC maintains an 
Internet  site  that  contains  reports,  proxy  and  information  statements,  and  other  information  regarding 
issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC's Internet site is http://www.sec.gov. 
The address of the Company's Internet site is http://www.dianashippinginc.com. 

Recent Developments  

Vessel acquisitions 

In January 2023, we took delivery of DSI Aquarius, a 2016 built Ultramax dry bulk vessel of 60,309 dwt, for 
a purchase price of $24.0 million in cash and 2,033,613 newly issued common shares. The vessel is one 
of nine modern Ultramax dry bulk vessels that we entered into an agreement to purchase in August 2022. 

In February 2024, we signed shipbuilding contracts for two 81,200 dwt methanol dual fuel new-building 
Kamsarmax  dry  bulk  vessels,  for  a  purchase  price  of  $46  million  each,  to  be  built  at  Tsuneishi  Group 
(Zhoushan)  Shipbuilding  Inc.,  China.  The  vessels  are  expected  to  be  delivered  to  the  Company  by the 
second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028, respectively. 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vessel disposals 

In January 2023, we agreed to sell to an unrelated third party the vessel Aliki for $15.08 million. The vessel 
was delivered to her new owners on February 8, 2023.  

In February  2023,  we  agreed to  sell to  OceanPal,  a  related party, the  vessel  Melia  for  $14.0 million,  of 
which $4.0 million was paid in cash and $10.0 million through 13,157 of OceanPal Series D Convertible 
Preferred Shares. The vessel was delivered to her new owners on February 8, 2023.  

In  October  2023,  we  agreed to  sell  to  an  unrelated  third  party  the  vessel  Boston  for  $18.0  million.  The 
vessel was delivered to her new owners on December 6, 2023.  

In January 2024, we agreed to sell to an unrelated third party the vessel Artemis for the purchase price of 
$13.0 million. The vessel was delivered to her new owners on March 5, 2024. 

In February 2024, we agreed to sell to an unrelated third party, the vessel Houston, for $23.3 million. The 
vessel is expected to be delivered to the buyer latest by September 16, 2024. 

Please  read  Note  6  – Advances  for  vessel  acquisitions  and  Vessels,  net of  our  consolidated  financial 
statements, included elsewhere in this Annual Report for a full description of the Company’s acquisitions 
and sales of vessels as of December 31, 2023. 

Other transactions 

In February 2023, we signed a Memorandum of Agreement to acquire from an unaffiliated third-party an 
Ultramax dry bulk vessel for a purchase price of $27.9 million. On April 28, 2023, the vessel’s ship owning 
company  was  deconsolidated  from  the  Company’s  financial  statements  due  to  the  Company’s  loss  of 
control. Upon the deconsolidation, we retained 25% of the the total partnership interests. 

In  November  2023,  we  entered  into  a  joint  venture  agreement,  with  two  unrelated  companies  to  form 
Windward  Offshore  GmbH  &  Co.  KG,  or  Windward,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  and  operating  an 
offshore wind vessel company. We agreed to contribute Euro 25.0 million, being 45.45% of Windward’s 
capital,  to  construct  two  CSOVs.  In  January  2024,  we  committed  to  increase  our  contribution  to  the 
partnership to Euro 50.0 million, being 45.87% of Windward’s capital in order for the partnership to place 
orders for two additional CSOVs. 

Dividends 

On March 20, 2023, we paid a cash dividend on our common stock of $0.15 per share, or $16 million, to 
all shareholders of record as of March 13, 2023 and on June 9, 2023, we distributed our Series D Preferred 
Shares of OceanPal to our shareholders of record as of April 24, 2023. 

On July 10, 2023, we distributed a dividend of $0.15 per share to our shareholders of record as of June 
12,  2023,  and  paid  $12.4  million  in  cash  to  shareholders  who  elected  to  receive  cash  and  distributed 
965,044 newly issued common shares to shareholders who elected to receive shares. 

On September 8, 2023, we distributed a dividend of $0.15 per share to our shareholders of record as of 
August 14, 2023, and paid $13.0 million in cash to shareholders who elected to receive cash and distributed 
831,672 newly issued common shares to shareholders who elected to receive shares. 

On  December  4,  2023, we distributed  a  dividend  of  $0.15  per  share  to all  shareholders  of record as  of 
November 27, 2023, in the form of common stock and distributed 4,831,777 newly issued common shares.  

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On March 12, 2024, we paid a cash dividend of $0.075 per share, or $9.0 million, to all shareholders of 
record as of March 5, 2024. 

Please read Note 11 – Capital Stock and Changes in Capital Accounts and Note 17 – Subsequent events 
to our consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere in this Annual Report for a full description of 
the Company’s dividends distribution as of December 31, 2023. 

Loans 

In February 2023, we early prepaid $8.1 million of outstanding debt due to the sale of Melia to OceanPal 
and Aliki to an unaffiliated third party.  

On March 14, 2023, we early prepaid $11.8 million, being the outstanding balance of our loan with DNB 
Bank ASA. 

In April 2023, both loans held with BNP were refinanced through a new $100 million loan facility with Danish 
Ship Finance and the outstanding balance of both loans, amounting to $75.2 million was prepaid in full. 

On June 26, 2023, we prepaid in full both loans held with ABN Bank amounting to $68.7 million, which 
were refinanced under a new loan agreement with DNB Bank ASA of $100.0 million, drawn on June 27, 
2023. As part of the loan agreement, we entered into an interest rate swap with DNB for a notional amount 
of $30.0 million, being 30% of the loan amount under which we pay a fixed rate and receive floating under 
term SOFR. 

On June 27, 2023, we drew down $22.5 million and prepaid in full the outstanding balance of our loan with 
Nordea Bank of $20.9 million. 

On June 29, 2023, we repurchased $5.9 million nominal value of the $125.0 million senior unsecured bond 
issued in June 2021 with maturity in June 2026. 

A full description of the Company’s loan facilities as of December 31, 2023 is included in Item 5 Operating 
and  Financial  Review  and  Prospects  and  Note  8  of  our  consolidated  financial  statements  and  Notes 
thereto, included elsewhere in this Annual Report. 

Warrant Distribution  

On December 14, 2023, we issued warrants to purchase common shares (the “Warrants”) to the holders 
of record of Common Stock as of the close of business on December 6, 2023 (the “Record Date”) on the 
terms and conditions described in the Warrant Agreement (as defined below and attached as exhibit 2.10 
to this annual report). Each holder received one Warrant for every five shares of issued and outstanding 
shares of common stock held as of the Record Date (rounded down to the nearest whole number for any 
fractional  Warrant).  Each  Warrant  entitles  the  holder  to  purchase,  at  the  holder’s  sole  and  exclusive 
election, at the exercise price, one share of common stock plus, to the extent, described below, the Bonus 
Share Fraction. A Bonus Share Fraction entitles a holder to receive an additional 0.5 of a share of common 
stock for each Warrant exercised (the “Bonus Share Fraction”) without payment of any additional exercise 
price. Since the dividend ex-Date on March 4, 2024, the Bonus Share Fraction was adjusted to 0.51292 of 
a share of common stock for each Warrant exercised. 

The right to receive the Bonus Share Fraction will expire at 5:00 p.m. New York City time (the “Bonus Share 
Expiration Date”) upon the earlier of (i) the date specified by the Registrant upon not less than 20 business 
days’  notice  and  (ii)  the  first  business  day  following  the  last  day  of  the  first  30  consecutive  trading  day 
period  in  which  the  daily  VWAP  of  the  shares  of  common  stock  has  been  at  least  equal  to  the  then 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
applicable  trigger  price  for  at  least  20  trading  days  (whether  or  not  consecutive)  (the  “Bonus  Price 
Condition”). Any Warrant exercised with an exercise date after the Bonus Share Expiration Date will not be 
entitled to any Bonus Share Fraction. The Company will make a public announcement of the Bonus Share 
Expiration Date (i) at least 20 business days prior to such date, in the case of the Company setting a Bonus 
Share Expiration Date and (ii) prior to market open on the Bonus Share Expiration Date in the case of a 
Bonus Price Condition. 

Unless earlier redeemed, the Warrants will expire and cease to be exercisable at 5:00 p.m. New York City 
time on December 14, 2026 (the “Expiration Date”). 

In connection with the Warrant distribution, we filed a prospectus supplement, dated December 14, 2023, 
pursuant  to  our  existing  shelf  registration  statement  on  Form  F-3  declared  effective  on  July  9,  2021, 
registering up to 33,919,605 shares of common stock to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants under 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 

The  Warrants  commenced  trading  on  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  under  the  ticker  “DSX  WS”  on 
December 14, 2023. 

As of the date of this annual report, out of the 22,613,070 Warrants distributed in this transaction, 3,051,471 
Warrants have been exercised and 4,597,192 common shares have been issued. 

B. 

Business overview 

We specialize in the ownership and bareboat charter-in of dry bulk vessels, determined as one business 
segment. Each of our vessels is owned through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary.  

As of the date of this report, our fleet consisted of 41 vessels of which 39 in operation, owned and chartered-
in, having a combined carrying capacity of 4.4 million dead weight tons, or dwt, and a weighted average 
age of 10.4 years and two Kamsarmax vessels under construction.  

As of December 31, 2023, we had a fleet of 40 dry bulk carriers, owned and chartered-in, consisting of nine 
Ultramax, seven Panamax, six Kamsarmax, five Post-Panamax, nine Capesize and four Newcastlemax 
vessels, having a combined carrying capacity of approximately 4.5 million dwt and a weighted average age 
of 10.5 years.  

As  of  December  31,  2022,  we  had  a  fleet  of  42  dry  bulk  carriers,  consisting  of  eight  Ultramax,  eight 
Panamax, six Kamsarmax, five Post-Panamax, eleven Capesize and four Newcastlemax vessels, having 
a combined carrying capacity of approximately 4.9 million dwt and a weighted average age of 10.2 years. 
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had agreed to acquire a 2016 built Ultramax dry bulk vessel of 
60,309 dwt, delivered on January 30, 2023.  

During  2023,  2022  and  2021,  we  had  a  fleet  utilization  of  99.7%,  98.9%  and  99.1%,  respectively,  our 
vessels achieved daily time charter equivalent rates of $16,713, $22,735 and $15,759, respectively, and 
we generated revenues of $262.1 million, $290.0 million and $214.2 million, respectively. 

We  operate  our  vessels  worldwide,  in  markets  that  have  historically  exhibited  seasonal  variations  in 
demand and, as a result, in charter hire rates. The dry bulk carrier market is typically stronger in the fall 
and winter months in anticipation of increased consumption of coal and other raw materials in the northern 
hemisphere during the winter months. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns in these months tend to 
disrupt vessel scheduling and supplies of certain commodities. This seasonality has a limited direct impact 
on our operating results as we charter our vessels to customers pursuant to medium-term and long-term 
time charter agreements. 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management of Our Fleet 

The commercial and technical management of our fleet, owned and bareboat chartered-in, as well as the 
provision of administrative services relating to the fleet’s operations, are carried out by our wholly-owned 
subsidiary, Diana Shipping Services S.A., which we refer to as DSS, and Diana Wilhelmsen Management 
Limited, a 50/50 joint venture with Wilhelmsen Ship Management, which we refer to as DWM. In exchange 
for  providing  us  with  commercial  and  technical  services,  personnel  and  office  space,  we  pay  DSS  a 
commission,  which  is  a  percentage  of  the  managed  vessels’  gross  revenues,  a  fixed  monthly  fee  per 
managed vessel and an additional monthly fee for the administrative services provided to Diana Shipping 
Inc. Such services may include budgeting, reporting, monitoring of bank accounts, compliance with banks, 
payroll  services  and  any  other  possible  service  that  Diana  Shipping  Inc.  would  require  to  perform  its 
operations. Similarly, in exchange for providing us with commercial and technical services, we pay to DWM 
a commission which is a percentage of the managed vessels’ gross revenues and a fixed management 
monthly fee for each managed vessel. The amounts deriving from the agreements with DSS are considered 
inter-company transactions and, therefore, are eliminated from our consolidated financial statements. The 
management fees and commissions deriving from the agreements with DWM are included in our statement 
of  operations  in  “Management  fees  to  related  party”,  “Voyage  Expenses”,  “Advances  for  vessel 
acquisitions” and “Vessels, net”. 

Steamship  Shipbroking  Enterprises  Inc.,  or  Steamship,  a  related  party  controlled  by  our  CEO  Mrs. 
Semiramis Paliou, provides brokerage services to us, since June 1, 2010. Brokerage fees are included in 
“General and Administrative expenses” in our statement of operations. The terms of this relationship are 
currently governed by a Brokerage Services Agreement dated February 23, 2024. 

The following table presents certain information concerning the dry bulk carriers in our fleet, as of the date 
of this annual report. 

Fleet Employment (As of April 3, 2024) 

VESSEL 

BUILT DWT 

SISTER 
SHIPS* 

GROSS 
RATE (USD 
PER DAY) 

COM** 

CHARTERERS 

DELIVERY DATE 
TO 
CHARTERERS*** 

REDELIVERY DATE TO 
OWNERS**** 

NOTES 

1  DSI Phoenix 

2017 60,456 

2  DSI Pollux 

2015 60,446 

3  DSI Pyxis 

2018 60,362 

4  DSI Polaris 

2018 60,404 

5  DSI Pegasus 

2015 60,508 

6  DSI Aquarius 

2016 60,309 

7  DSI Aquila 

2015 60,309 

8  DSI Altair 

2016 60,309 

A 

A 

A 

A 

A 

B 

B 

B 

9 Ultramax Bulk Carriers 

 13,250  

5.00%  ASL Bulk Marine Limited 

4/Nov/22 

15/Apr/2024 - 4/May/2024 

1 

 14,000  

4.75% 

Cargill Ocean 
Transportation 
(Singapore) Pte. Ltd. 

28/Dec/23 

20/Aug/2025 - 20/Oct/2025 

 14,250  

5.00% 

ASL Bulk Marine Limited 

24/Sep/23 

10/Oct/2024 - 10/Dec/2024 

 13,100  

5.00% 

ASL Bulk Marine Limited 

12/Nov/22 

12/May/2024 - 12/Jul/2024 

 14,000  

5.00%  Reachy Shipping (SGP) 

7/Dec/22 

15/Jul/2024 - 15/Sep/2024 

Pte. Ltd. 

 14,200  

5.00% 

Engelhart CTP Freight 
(Switzerland) SA 

1/Feb/23 

18/Jan/2024 

 14,500  

5.00% 

Stone Shipping Ltd 

18/Jan/24 

1/Dec/2024 - 1/Feb/2025 

 12,500  

5.00%  Western Bulk Carriers 

11/Nov/23 

10/Nov/2024 - 10/Jan/2025 

AS 

 13,800  

5.00%  Western Bulk Carriers 

23/Jun/23 

10/Aug/2024 - 10/Oct/2024 

AS 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9  DSI Andromeda 

2016 60,309 

10  ARTEMIS 

2006 76,942 

11  LETO 

2010 81,297 

12  SELINA 

2010 75,700 

13  MAERA 

2013 75,403 

14  ISMENE 

2013 77,901 

15  CRYSTALIA 

2014 77,525 

16  ATALANDI 

2014 77,529 

17  MAIA 

2009 82,193 

18  MYRSINI 

2010 82,117 

19  MEDUSA 

2010 82,194 

20  MYRTO 

2013 82,131 

21  ASTARTE 

2013 81,513 

22  LEONIDAS P. C. 

2011 82,165 

23  ALCMENE 

2010 93,193 

24  AMPHITRITE 

2012 98,697 

25  POLYMNIA 

2012 98,704 

26  ELECTRA 

2013 87,150 

B 

 13,500  

5.00%  Bunge SA, Geneva 

27/Nov/23 

20/Feb/2025 - 20/Apr/2025 

2, 3 

6 Panamax Bulk Carriers 

 12,000  

5.00%  Jera Global Markets Pte. 

14/Oct/23 

23/Feb/2024 

C 

C 

 14,500  

4.75% 

 12,000  

4.75% 

 12,000  

4.75% 

 13,750  

5.00% 

 12,650  

5.00% 

D 

 11,250  

5.00% 

Ltd. 

Cargill International 
S.A., Geneva 

Cargill International 
S.A., Geneva 

Cargill International 
S.A., Geneva 

ST Shipping and 
Transport Pte. Ltd. 

Paralos Shipping Pte., 
Ltd. 

Reachy Shipping (SGP) 
Pte. Ltd. 

29/Jan/23 

5/Apr/2024 - 30/Apr/2024 

20/May/23 

15/Sep/2024 - 15/Nov/2024 

16/Dec/22 

29/Jan/2024 

29/Jan/24 

20/Nov/2024 - 20/Jan/2025 

13/Sep/23 

15/Apr/2025 - 30/Jun/2025 

6/Sep/23 

05/Apr/2024 - 15/Apr/2024 

 13,900  

5.00% 

Louis Dreyfus Company 
Freight Asia Pte. Ltd. 

- 

- 

D 

 13,250  

4.75% 

Aquavita International 
S.A. 

15/Feb/23 

10/Apr/2024 - 5/May/2024 

4 

1 

5 

1 

6 

1 

E 

E 

E 

E 

F 

F 

6 Kamsarmax Bulk Carriers 

 13,500  

5.00% 

ST Shipping and 
Transport Pte. Ltd. 

23/Sep/23 

15/Jun/2024 - 20/Aug/2024 

 15,000  

5.00% 

Salanc Pte. Ltd. 

22/Nov/22 

20/Apr/2024 - 28/Jun/2024 

 14,250  

5.00% 

 12,650  

5.00% 

ASL Bulk Shipping 
Limited 

Cobelfret S.A., 
Luxemburg 

14/May/23 

10/Feb/2025 - 15/Apr/2025 

15/Jul/23 

1/Nov/2024 - 15/Jan/2025 

 15,000  

5.00%  Reachy Shipping (SGP) 

29/Apr/23 

1/Aug/2024 - 1/Oct/2024 

 17,000  

4.75% 

 17,000  

5.00% 

Pte. Ltd. 

Cargill International 
S.A., Geneva 

Ming Wah International 
Shipping Company 
Limited 

17/Mar/23 

22/Feb/2024 

7 

22/Feb/24 

20/Aug/2025 - 20/Oct/2025 

5 Post-Panamax Bulk Carriers 

 13,000  

5.00% 

 16,000  

5.00% 

 14,250  

 15,000  

5.00% 

 15,000  

5.00% 

G 

 14,500  

5.00% 

2/Jan/23 

23/Mar/2024 

24/Mar/24 

13/May/2024-18/May/2024 

8 

9/Nov/22 

13/Jan/2024 

13/Jan/24 

15/Nov/2024 - 15/Jan/2025 

14/Jan/23 

15/Apr/2024 - 31/May/2024 

9 

10 

13/Apr/23 

1/Jun/2024 - 1/Aug/2024 

SwissMarine Pte. Ltd., 
Singapore 
Triangle Merchant 
Maritime Co., Limited 

Cobelfret S.A., 
Luxembourg 

Cobelfret S.A., 
Luxemburg 

Cobelfret S.A., 
Luxemburg 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27  PHAIDRA 

2013 87,146 

28  SEMIRIO 

2007 174,261 

29  HOUSTON 

2009 177,729 

30  NEW YORK 

2010 177,773 

31  SEATTLE 

2011 179,362 

32  P. S. PALIOS 

2013 179,134 

33  G. P. ZAFIRAKIS 

2014 179,492 

34  SANTA BARBARA 

2015 179,426 

35  NEW ORLEANS 

2015 180,960 

36  FLORIDA 

2022 182,063 

37  LOS ANGELES 

2012 206,104 

38  PHILADELPHIA 

2012 206,040 

39  SAN FRANCISCO 

2017 208,006 

40  NEWPORT NEWS 

2017 208,021 

G 

 12,250  

4.75% 

Aquavita International 
S.A. 

9/May/23 

1/Sep/2024 - 15/Nov/2024 

H 

H 

H 

I 

I 

J 

J 

K 

K 

L 

L 

9 Capesize Bulk Carriers 

 14,150  

5.00%  Solebay Shipping Cape 
Company Limited, Hong 
Kong 

18/Aug/23 

20/Nov/2024 - 30/Jan/2025 

 13,000  

5.00%  EGPN Bulk Carrier Co., 

21/Nov/22 

1/Jul/2024 - 31/Aug/2024 

11 

Limited 

 16,000  

5.00% 

SwissMarine Pte. Ltd., 
Singapore 

 17,500  

5.00%  Solebay Shipping Cape 
Company Limited, Hong 
Kong 

11/Jun/23 

1/Oct/2024 - 7/Dec/2024 

1/Oct/23 

15/Jul/2025 - 30/Sep/2025 

 31,000  

5.00% 

Classic Maritime Inc. 

11/Jun/22 

15/Apr/2024 - 30/Jun/2024 

 17,000  

5.00%  Solebay Shipping Cape 
Company Limited, Hong 
Kong 

 21,250  

5.00% 

Smart Gain Shipping 
Co., Limited 

12/Jan/23 

15/Jun/2024 - 15/Aug/2024 

7/May/23 

10/Oct/2024 - 10/Dec/2024 

12 

 20,000  

5.00%  Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, 

7/Dec/23 

15/Aug/2025 - 31/Oct/2025 

12, 13 

Ltd. 

 25,900  

5.00% 

Bunge S.A., Geneva 

29/Mar/22 

29/Jan/2027 - 29/May/2027 

3 

 17,700  

4 Newcastlemax Bulk Carriers 
5.00%  Nippon Yusen Kabushiki 

15/Jan/23 

20/May/2024 - 5/Aug/2024 

 26,000  

5.00% 

Kaisha, Tokyo 

C Transport Maritime 
Ltd., Bermuda 

 22,500  

5.00% 

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki 
Kaisha, Tokyo 

 22,000  

5.00% 

SwissMarine Pte. Ltd., 
Singapore 

12/Apr/22 

04/Feb/2024 

4/Feb/24 

20/Apr/2025 - 20/Jul/2025 

18/Feb/23 

5/Jan/2025 - 5/Mar/2025 

 20,000  

5.00%  Nippon Yusen Kabushiki 

20/Sep/23 

10/Mar/2025 - 10/Jun/2025 

Kaisha, Tokyo 

* Each dry bulk carrier is a “sister ship”, or closely similar, to other dry bulk carriers that have the same letter. 

** Total commission percentage paid to third parties. 

*** In case of newly acquired vessel with time charter attached, this date refers to the expected/actual date of delivery of the vessel to 
the Company. 

**** Range of redelivery dates, with the actual date of redelivery being at the Charterers’ option, but subject to the terms, conditions, 
and exceptions of the particular charterparty. 

1Based on latest information. 

2The fixture includes the option for redelivery of vessel east of Suez against a gross ballast bonus of US$250,000. 

3Bareboat chartered-in for a period of ten years. 

4Vessel has been sold and delivered to her new Owners on March 5, 2024. 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5Charterers will compensate the Owners at a rate of 105% of the Baltic Panamax Index 5 TC average as published by the Baltic 
Exchange on a daily basis or the vessel’s present charter party rate, whichever is higher, for the excess period commencing from 
December 29, 2023 until the actual redelivery date. 

6Vessel will be delivered to the new Charterers during the second quarter of 2024. 

7Vessel off hire for 6.83 days. 

8Redelivery date based on an estimated time charter trip duration of about 50-55 days. 

9The charter rate will be US$12,250 per day for the first 30 days of the charter period. 

10The charter rate was US$10,000 per day for the first 30 days of the charter period. 

11Vessel has been sold and it is expected to be delivered to her new Owners by latest September 16, 2024. 

12Bareboat chartered-in for a period of eight years. 

13Vessel off hire for 3.65 days. 

Our Customers 

Our customers include regional and international companies, mainly with concentrations below 10% of our 
gross revenues. During 2023, only one of our charterers accounted for 13% of our revenues. During 2022, 
two  of  our  charterers  accounted  for  34%  of  our  revenues,  in  aggregate,  and  during  2021,  one  of  our 
charterers accounted for 10% of our revenues. 

We charter our dry bulk carriers, owned and bareboat chartered-in, to customers pursuant to time charters. 
Under our time charters, the charterer typically pays us a fixed daily charter hire rate and bears all voyage 
expenses, including the cost of bunkers (fuel oil) and canal and port charges. We remain responsible for 
paying the chartered vessel's operating expenses, including the cost of crewing, insuring, repairing and 
maintaining the vessel. In 2023, we paid commissions that ranged from 4.75% to 5.0% of the total daily 
charter hire rate of each charter to unaffiliated ship brokers and to in-house brokers associated with the 
charterer, depending on the number of brokers involved with arranging the charter. 

We strategically monitor developments in the dry bulk shipping industry on a regular basis and, subject to 
market  demand,  seek  to  adjust  the  charter  hire  periods  for  our  vessels  according  to  prevailing  market 
conditions. In order to take advantage of relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates, we fix some 
of our vessels on long-term time charters. Currently, the majority of our vessels are employed on short to 
medium-term time charters, which provides us with flexibility in responding to market developments. We 
continuously evaluate our balance of short- and long-term charters and extend or reduce the charter hire 
periods of the vessels in our fleet according to the developments in the dry bulk shipping industry. 

Charter Hire Rates 

Charter hire rates fluctuate by varying degrees among dry bulk carrier size categories. The volume and 
pattern of trade in a small number of commodities (major bulks) affect demand for larger vessels. Therefore, 
charter rates and vessel values of larger vessels often show greater volatility. Conversely, trade in a greater 
number  of  commodities  (minor  bulks)  drives  demand  for  smaller  dry  bulk  carriers.  Accordingly,  charter 
rates and vessel values for those vessels are usually subject to less volatility. 

Charter  hire  rates  paid  for  dry  bulk  carriers  are  primarily  a  function  of  the  underlying  balance  between 
vessel supply and demand, although at times other factors may play a role. Furthermore, the pattern seen 
in  charter  rates  is  broadly  mirrored  across  the  different  charter  types  and  the  different  dry  bulk  carrier 
categories. In the time charter market, rates vary depending on the length of the charter period and vessel-
specific factors such as age, speed and fuel consumption. 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In the voyage charter market, rates are, among other things, influenced by cargo size, commodity, port 
dues and canal transit fees, as well as commencement and termination regions. In general, a larger cargo 
size is quoted at a lower rate per ton than a smaller cargo size. Routes with costly ports or canals generally 
command higher rates than routes with low port dues and no canals to transit. Voyages with a load port 
within a region that includes ports where vessels usually discharge cargo or a discharge port within a region 
with  ports  where  vessels  load  cargo  also  are  generally  quoted  at  lower  rates,  because  such  voyages 
generally increase vessel utilization by reducing the unloaded portion (or ballast leg) that is included in the 
calculation of the return charter to a loading area. 

Within the dry bulk shipping industry, the charter hire rate references, most likely to be monitored, are the 
freight rate indices issued by the Baltic Exchange. These references are based on actual charter hire rates 
under  charters  entered  into  by  market  participants  as  well  as  daily  assessments  provided  to  the  Baltic 
Exchange by a panel of major shipbrokers. The Baltic Panamax Index is the index with the longest history. 
The Baltic Capesize Index and Baltic Handymax Index are of more recent origin.  

The Baltic Dry Index, or BDI, is a daily average of charter rates in 20 shipping routes measured on a time 
charter and voyage basis and covering Capesize, Panamax, Supramax, and Handysize dry bulk carriers. 
In 2023, the BDI ranged from a low of 530 to a high of 3,346 and closed at 1,714 on April 2, 2024. 

The Dry Bulk Shipping Industry 

The  global  dry  bulk  carrier  fleet  could  be  divided  into  seven  categories  based  on  a  vessel's  carrying 
capacity. These categories consist of: 

•  Very Large Ore Carriers.  Very large ore carriers, or VLOCs, have a carrying capacity of more 
than 200,000 dwt and are a comparatively new sector of the dry bulk carrier fleet. VLOCs are built 
to exploit economies of scale on long-haul iron ore routes.   

•  Capesize.  Capesize vessels have a carrying capacity of 110,000-199,999 dwt. Only the largest 
ports around the world possess the infrastructure to accommodate vessels of this size. Capesize 
vessels are primarily used to transport iron ore or coal and, to a much lesser extent, grains, primarily 
on long-haul routes.  

•  Post-Panamax.  Post-Panamax vessels have a carrying capacity of 80,000-109,999 dwt. These 
vessels tend to have a shallower draft and larger beam than a standard Panamax vessel with a 
higher  cargo  capacity.  These  vessels  have  been  designed  specifically  for  loading  high  cubic 
cargoes from draught restricted ports, although they cannot transit the Panama Canal.  

•  Panamax.  Panamax vessels have a carrying capacity of 60,000-79,999 dwt. These vessels carry 
coal,  iron  ore,  grains,  and, to  a lesser  extent, minor  bulks,  including  steel  products,  cement  and 
fertilizers.  Panamax  vessels  are  able  to  pass  through  the  Panama  Canal,  making  them  more 
versatile  than  larger  vessels  with  regard to  accessing  different  trade  routes.  Most  Panamax  and 
Post-Panamax  vessels  are  “gearless,”  and  therefore  must  be  served  by  shore-based  cargo 
handling equipment. However, there are a small number of geared vessels with onboard cranes, a 
feature  that  enhances  trading  flexibility  and  enables  operation  in  ports  which  have  poor 
infrastructure in terms of loading and unloading facilities. 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Ultramax  Ultramax  is  the  largest  class  before  Panamax  and  is  the  newer  form  of  the  smaller 
Supramax with  a maximum  length  of  200 meters  and  capacity that ranges from  60,000  dwt  and 
66,000 dwt. This class is considered an upgrade to Supramax class as it offers a better all-around 
investment  for  Charterers  and  Shipowners  due  to  its  higher  cargo  carrying  capacity  and  better 
bunker  efficiency.  Ultramax  class  bulk  carriers  have  5  cargo  holds.  are  fitted  with  4  cranes  and 
usually are equipped with grabs allowing them to call more ports with no such facilities giving them 
more versatility. 

•  Handymax/Supramax.  Handymax vessels have a carrying capacity of 40,000-59,999 dwt. These 
vessels  operate  in  a  large  number  of  geographically  dispersed  global  trade  routes,  carrying 
primarily grains and minor bulks. Within the Handymax category there is also a sub-sector known 
as Supramax. Supramax bulk carriers are ships between 50,000 to 59,999 dwt, normally offering 
cargo  loading  and  unloading  flexibility  with  on-board  cranes,  or  “gear,”  while  at  the  same  time 
possessing the cargo carrying capability approaching conventional Panamax bulk carriers.  

•  Handysize.  Handysize vessels have a carrying capacity of up to 39,999 dwt. These vessels are 
primarily  involved  in  carrying  minor  bulk  cargoes.  Increasingly,  ships  of  this  type  operate  within 
regional  trading  routes,  and  may  serve  as  trans-shipment  feeders  for  larger  vessels.  Handysize 
vessels are well suited for small ports with length and draft restrictions. Their cargo gear enables 
them to service ports lacking the infrastructure for cargo loading and unloading.  

Other size categories occur in regional trade, such as Kamsarmax, with a maximum length of 229 meters, 
the maximum length that can load in the port of Kamsar in the Republic of Guinea. Other terms such as 
Seawaymax, Setouchmax, Dunkirkmax, and Newcastlemax also appear in regional trade. 

The supply of dry bulk carriers is dependent on the delivery of new vessels and the removal of vessels 
from the global fleet, either through scrapping or loss. The level of scrapping activity is generally a function 
of scrapping prices in relation to current and prospective charter market conditions, as well as operating, 
repair and survey costs. The average age at which a vessel is scrapped was 29 years in 2022 and 28 years 
in 2021. 

The  demand  for  dry  bulk  carrier  capacity  is  determined  by  the  underlying  demand  for  commodities 
transported in dry bulk carriers, which in turn is influenced by trends in the global economy. Demand for 
dry  bulk  carrier  capacity  is  also  affected  by  the  operating  efficiency  of  the  global  fleet,  along  with  port 
congestion, which has been a feature of the market since 2004, absorbing tonnage and therefore leading 
to a tighter balance between supply and demand. In evaluating demand factors for dry bulk carrier capacity, 
the Company believes that dry bulk carriers can be the most versatile element of the global shipping fleets 
in terms of employment alternatives.  

Vessel Prices  

Dry bulk vessel values in 2023 generally were lower as compared to 2022. Consistent with these trends 
were the market  values of  our  dry  bulk carriers. As  charter rates  and  vessel  values  partially  decreased 
during 2023, there can be no assurance as to how long charter rates and vessel values will remain at their 
current levels or whether they will decrease or improve to any significant degree in the near future. 

Competition   

Our business fluctuates in line with the main patterns of trade of the major dry bulk cargoes and varies 
according to changes in the supply and demand for these items. We operate in markets that are highly 
competitive and based primarily on supply and demand. We compete for charters on the basis of price, 
vessel  location,  size,  age  and  condition  of  the  vessel,  as  well  as  on  our  reputation  as  an  owner  and 
operator. We compete with other owners of dry bulk carriers in the Panamax, Post-Panamax and smaller 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
class  sectors  and  with  owners  of  Capesize  and Newcastlemax  dry  bulk carriers.  Ownership of  dry  bulk 
carriers is highly fragmented. 

We believe that we possess a number of strengths that provide us with a competitive advantage in the dry 
bulk shipping industry: 

•  We own a modern, high quality fleet of dry bulk carriers.  We believe that owning a modern, high 
quality fleet reduces operating costs, improves safety and provides us with a competitive advantage 
in securing favorable time charters. We maintain the quality of our vessels by carrying out regular 
inspections, both while in port and at sea, and adopting a comprehensive maintenance program for 
each vessel. 

•  Our fleet includes groups of sister ships.  We believe that maintaining a fleet that includes sister 
ships enhances the revenue generating potential of our fleet by providing us with operational and 
scheduling flexibility. The uniform nature of sister ships also improves our operating efficiency by 
allowing our fleet managers to apply the technical knowledge of one vessel to all vessels of the 
same series and create economies of scale that enable us to realize cost savings when maintaining, 
supplying and crewing our vessels. 

•  We  have  an  experienced  management  team.    Our  management  team  consists  of  experienced 
executives  who  have,  on  average,  more  than  30  years  of  operating  experience  in  the  shipping 
industry and has demonstrated ability in managing the commercial, technical and financial areas of 
our business. 

•  We benefit from the experience and reputation of Diana Shipping Services S.A. and the relationship 
with  Wilhelmsen  Ship  Management  through  the  Diana  Wilhelmsen  Management  Limited  joint 
venture. 

•  We benefit from strong relationships with members of the shipping and financial industries.  We 
have developed strong relationships with major international charterers, shipbuilders and financial 
institutions  that  we  believe  are  the  result  of  the  quality  of  our  operations,  the  strength  of  our 
management team and our reputation for dependability. 

•  We have a strong balance sheet and a relatively low level of indebtedness.  We believe that our 
strong  balance  sheet  and  relatively  low  level  of  indebtedness  provide  us  with  the  flexibility  to 
increase the  amount of funds that  we may  draw under  our  loan  facilities  in connection  with any 
future acquisitions or otherwise and enable us to use cash flow that would otherwise be dedicated 
to debt service for other purposes.  

Permits and Authorizations 

We  are  required  by  various  governmental  and  quasi-governmental  agencies  to  obtain  certain  permits, 
licenses and certificates with respect to our vessels. The kinds of permits, licenses and certificates required 
depend upon several factors, including the commodity transported, the waters in which the vessel operates 
the  nationality  of  the  vessel's  crew  and  the  age  of  a  vessel.  We  have  been  able  to  obtain  all  permits, 
licenses and certificates currently required to permit our vessels to operate. Additional laws and regulations, 
environmental or otherwise, may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the 
cost of us doing business. 

Disclosure Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syrian Human Rights 
Act 

Section 219 of the U.S. Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, or the ITRA, added 
new Section 13(r) to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, requiring 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
each SEC reporting issuer to disclose in its annual and, if applicable, quarterly reports whether it or any of 
its affiliates have knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with 
the  Government  of  Iran  or  certain  designated  natural  persons  or  entities  involved  in  terrorism  or  the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction during the period covered by the report.  

Pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act, we note that none of our vessels made port calls to Iran in 
2023 and to the date of this annual report.  

Environmental and Other Regulations in the Shipping Industry 

Government  regulation  and  laws  significantly  affect  the  ownership  and  operation  of  our  fleet.  We  are 
subject to international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in 
the  countries  in  which  our  vessels  may  operate  or  are  registered  relating  to  safety  and  health  and 
environmental  protection  including  the  storage,  handling,  emission,  transportation  and  discharge  of 
hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination and liability for damage to 
natural  resources.  Compliance  with  such  laws,  regulations  and  other  requirements  entails  significant 
expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of certain operating procedures. 

A  variety  of  government  and  private  entities  subject  our  vessels  to  both  scheduled  and  unscheduled 
inspections.  These  entities include the  local  port  authorities (applicable national  authorities such as the 
United  States  Coast  Guard (“USCG”),  harbor  master  or  equivalent),  classification  societies,  flag  state 
administrations  (countries  of  registry)  and  charterers,  particularly  terminal  operators.  Certain  of  these 
entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations for the operation of our 
vessels. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or 
result in the temporary suspension of the operation of one or more of our vessels. 

Increasing  environmental  concerns  have  created  a  demand  for  vessels  that  conform  to  stricter 
environmental  standards.  We  are  required  to  maintain  operating  standards  for  all  of  our  vessels  that 
emphasize  operational  safety,  quality  maintenance,  continuous  training  of  our  officers  and  crews  and 
compliance with United States and international regulations. We believe that the operation of our vessels 
is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that our vessels have 
all  material  permits,  licenses,  certificates  or  other  authorizations  necessary  for  the  conduct  of  our 
operations. However, because such laws and regulations frequently change and may impose increasingly 
stricter  requirements,  we  cannot  predict  the  ultimate  cost  of  complying  with  these  requirements,  or  the 
impact of these requirements on the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. In addition, a future serious 
marine incident that causes significant adverse environmental impact could result in additional legislation 
or regulation that could negatively affect our profitability. 

International Maritime Organization 

The International Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency for maritime safety and the prevention 
of pollution by vessels (the “IMO”), has adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution 
from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, collectively referred to as MARPOL 
73/78 and herein as “MARPOL,” the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974 (“SOLAS 
Convention”), and the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966 (the “LL Convention”). MARPOL 
establishes environmental standards relating to oil leakage or spilling, garbage management, sewage, air 
emissions, handling and disposal of noxious liquids and the handling of harmful substances in packaged 
forms.  MARPOL is applicable to drybulk, tanker and LNG carriers, among other vessels, and is broken 
into six Annexes, each of which regulates a different source of pollution. Annex I relates to oil leakage or 
spilling;  Annexes  II  and  III  relate  to  harmful  substances  carried  in  bulk  in  liquid  or  in  packaged  form, 
respectively; Annexes IV and V relate to sewage and garbage management, respectively; and Annex VI, 
lastly, relates to air emissions. Annex VI was separately adopted by the IMO in September of 1997; new 
emissions standards, titled IMO-2020, took effect on January 1, 2020. 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Air Emissions 

In  September  of  1997,  the  IMO  adopted  Annex  VI  to  MARPOL  to  address  air  pollution  from  vessels. 
Effective May 2005, Annex VI sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from all commercial 
vessel exhausts and prohibits “deliberate emissions” of ozone depleting substances (such as halons and 
chlorofluorocarbons), emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks, and the shipboard incineration of 
specific substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for 
special  areas  to  be  established  with  more  stringent  controls  on  sulfur  emissions,  as  explained 
below.   Emissions  of  “volatile  organic  compounds”  from  certain  vessels,  and  the  shipboard  incineration 
(from incinerators installed after January 1, 2000) of certain substances (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, 
or  “PCBs”)  are  also  prohibited.  We  believe  that  all  our  vessels  are  currently  compliant  in  all  material 
respects with these regulations. 

The Marine Environment Protection Committee, or “MEPC”, adopted amendments to Annex VI regarding 
emissions of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and ozone depleting substances, which entered 
into force on July 1, 2010.  The amended Annex VI seeks to further reduce air pollution by, among other 
things, implementing a progressive reduction of the amount of sulfur contained in any fuel oil used on board 
ships. On October 27, 2016, at its 70th session, the MEPC agreed to implement a global 0.5% m/m sulfur 
oxide emissions limit (reduced from 3.50%) starting from January 1, 2020.  This limitation can be met by 
using  low-sulfur compliant fuel  oil,  alternative fuels,  or  certain  exhaust  gas cleaning  systems.  Ships are 
now required to obtain bunker delivery notes and International Air Pollution Prevention (“IAPP”) Certificates 
from their flag states that specify sulfur content.  Additionally, at MEPC 73, amendments to Annex VI to 
prohibit the carriage of bunkers above 0.5% sulfur on ships were adopted and took effect March 1, 2020, 
with the exception of vessels fitted with exhaust gas cleaning equipment (“scrubbers”) which can carry fuel 
of higher sulfur content.  These regulations subject ocean-going vessels to stringent emissions controls 
and may cause us to incur substantial costs. 

Sulfur  content  standards  are  even  stricter  within  certain  “Emission  Control  Areas,”  or (“ECAs”).  As  of 
January 1, 2015, ships operating within an ECA were not permitted to use fuel with sulfur content in excess 
of 0.1% m/m. Amended Annex VI establishes procedures for designating new ECAs. Currently, the IMO 
has  designated  four  ECAs,  including  specified  portions  of  the  Baltic  Sea  area,  North  Sea  area,  North 
American area and United States Caribbean area.  Ocean-going vessels in these areas will be subject to 
stringent emission controls and may cause us to incur additional costs. Other areas in China are subject 
to local regulations that impose stricter emission controls. In December 2021, the member states of the 
Convention of the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution agreed to support the designation 
of a new ECA in the Mediterranean. On December 15, 2022, MEPC 79 adopted the designation of a new 
ECA in the Mediterranean, with an effective date of May 1, 2025. In July 2023, MEPC 80 announced three 
new ECA proposals, including the Canadian Arctic waters and the North-East Atlantic Ocean. If other ECAs 
are approved by the IMO, or other new or more stringent requirements relating to emissions from marine 
diesel  engines  or  port  operations  by  vessels  are  adopted  by  the  U.S.  Environmental  Protection 
Agency (“EPA”) or the states where we operate, compliance with these regulations could entail significant 
capital expenditures or otherwise increase the costs of our operations. 

Amended Annex VI also establishes new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for marine 
diesel engines, depending on their date of installation. At the MEPC meeting held from March to April 2014, 
amendments to Annex VI were adopted which address the date on which Tier III Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) 
standards in ECAs will go into effect.  Under the amendments, Tier III NOx standards apply to ships that 
operate in the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea ECAs designed for the control of NOx produced 
by  vessels  with  a  marine  diesel  engine  installed  and  constructed  on  or  after  January  1,  2016.   Tier  III 
requirements could apply to areas that will be designated for Tier III NOx in the future. At MEPC 70 and 
MEPC 71, the MEPC approved the North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs for nitrogen oxide for ships built on 
or  after  January  1,  2021.  For  the  moment,  this  regulation  relates  to  new  building  vessels  and  has  no 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
retroactive  application  to  existing  fleet.  The EPA  promulgated  equivalent  (and  in  some  senses  stricter) 
emissions standards in 2010.  As a result of these designations or similar future designations, we may be 
required to incur additional operating or other costs. 

As  determined at the  MEPC  70,  the  new  Regulation 22A  of MARPOL  Annex VI became  effective as  of 
March 1, 2018 and requires ships above 5,000 gross tonnage to collect and report annual data on fuel oil 
consumption to an IMO database, with the first year of data collection having commenced on January 1, 
2019.  The IMO intends to use such data as the first step in its roadmap (through 2023) for developing its 
strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, as discussed further below. 

As of January 1, 2013, MARPOL made mandatory certain measures relating to energy efficiency for ships. 
All  ships  are  now  required  to  develop  and  implement  a  Ship  Energy  Efficiency  Management 
Plans (“SEEMPs”), and new ships must be designed in compliance with minimum energy efficiency levels 
per capacity mile as defined by the Energy Efficiency Design Index (“EEDI”).  Under these measures, by 
2025, all new ships built will be 30% more energy efficient than those built in 2014. Additionally, MEPC 75 
adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI which brings forward the effective date of the EEDI’s “phase 
3” requirements from April 1, 2022 to January 1, 2025 for several ship types, including gas carriers, general 
cargo ships, and LNG carriers. 

Additionally, MEPC 75 introduced draft amendments to Annex VI which impose new regulations to reduce 
greenhouse  gas  emissions  from  ships.    These  amendments  introduce  requirements  to  assess  and 
measure the energy efficiency of all ships and set the required attainment values, with the goal of reducing 
the  carbon  intensity  of  international  shipping.  The  requirements  include  (1)  a  technical  requirement  to 
reduce carbon intensity based on a new Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (“EEXI”), and (2) operational 
carbon intensity reduction requirements, based on a new operational carbon intensity indicator (“CII”).  The 
attained EEXI is required to be calculated for ships of 400 gross tonnage and above, in accordance with 
different values set for ship types and categories.  With respect to the CII, the draft amendments would 
require ships of 5,000 gross tonnage to document and verify their actual annual operational CII achieved 
against a determined required annual operational CII.  Additionally, MEPC 75 proposed draft amendments 
requiring that, on or before January 1, 2023, all ships above 400 gross tonnage must have an approved 
SEEMP  on  board.    For  ships  above  5,000  gross  tonnage,  the  SEEMP  would  need  to  include  certain 
mandatory content.  MEPC 75 also approved draft amendments to MARPOL Annex I to prohibit the use 
and carriage for use as fuel of heavy fuel oil (“HFO”) by ships in Arctic waters on and after July 1, 2024.   
The draft amendments introduced at MEPC 75 were adopted at the MEPC 76 session on June 2021 and 
entered into force on November 1, 2022, with the requirements for EEXI and CII certification coming into 
effect from January 1, 2023. MEPC 77 adopted a non-binding resolution which urges Member States and 
ship operators to voluntarily use distillate or other cleaner alternative fuels or methods of propulsion that 
are  safe  for  ships  and  could  contribute  to  the  reduction  of  Black  Carbon  emissions  from  ships  when 
operating  in  or  near  the  Arctic.  MEPC  79  adopted  amendments  to  MARPOL  Annex  VI,  Appendix  IX  to 
include  the  attained  and  required  CII  values,  the  CII  rating  and  attained  EEXI  for  existing  ships  in  the 
required information to be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database. In July 2023, MEPC 
80 announced three new ECA proposals, including the Canadian Arctic waters and the North-East Atlantic 
Ocean. The amendments will enter into force on May 1, 2024. In July 2023, MEPC 80 approved the plan 
for reviewing CII regulations and guidelines, which must be completed at the latest by January 1, 2026. 
There  will  be  no  immediate  changes  to  the  CII  framework,  including  correction  factors  and  voyage 
adjustments, before the review is completed. 

We  may  incur  costs  to  comply  with  these  revised  standards.  Additional  or  new  conventions,  laws  and 
regulations may be adopted that could require the installation of expensive emission control systems and 
could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Safety Management System Requirements 

The SOLAS Convention was amended to address the safe manning of vessels and emergency training 
drills.  The Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (the “LLMC”) sets limitations of liability 
for  a  loss  of  life  or  personal  injury  claim  or  a  property  claim  against  ship  owners.  The ISM 
Certification provides validation that both company and ships are operating using a process-based system 
approach to manage risks and achieve continual improvement. The ISM code is meant to be a preventive 
tool  and  asks  companies  to  assess  all  risks  and  then  take  measured  to  safeguard  against  them. 
Responsibilities and authorities are set out for the various entities includes in the ISM process. All of our 
vessels as well as our shore-based operations are fully certified under the ISM Code. 

Under Chapter IX of the SOLAS Convention, or the International Safety Management Code for the Safe 
Operation  of  Ships  and  for  Pollution  Prevention (the “ISM  Code”),  our  operations  are  also  subject  to 
environmental standards and requirements. The ISM Code requires the party with operational control of a 
vessel to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption 
of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its 
vessels safely and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. Through strong leadership and 
a  disciplined,  clearly  documented  management  system,  the  Company  promotes  the  concept  of  HSSE 
(Health, Safety, Security and Environmental) excellence at all levels in the organisation. This concept is 
achieved by  consistent measurement  and  feedback  of the  Company’s  Management  System  in order to 
generate  continuous  and  sustainable  improvement  in  Health,  Safety,  Security,  and  Quality  and 
Environmental  (including  Energy  Efficiency)  (HSSQE)  management  processes. The  failure  of  a  vessel 
owner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, may 
decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or 
detention in, certain ports. 

The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they 
operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel’s management with the ISM Code requirements 
for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a safety management certificate unless its manager 
has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. We have 
obtained applicable documents of compliance for our offices and safety management certificates for all of 
our vessels for which the certificates are required by the IMO. The documents of compliance and safety 
management certificate are renewed as required. 

Regulation  II-1/3-10  of  the  SOLAS  Convention governs  ship construction  and stipulates  that  ships over 
150 meters in length must have adequate strength, integrity and stability to minimize risk of loss or pollution. 
Goal-based standards amendments in SOLAS regulation II-1/3-10 entered into force in 2012, with July 1, 
2016 set for application to new oil tankers and bulk carriers.   The SOLAS Convention regulation II-1/3-10 
on goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers, which entered into force on 
January 1, 2012, requires that all oil tankers and bulk carriers of 150 meters in length and above, for which 
the building contract is placed on or after July 1, 2016, satisfy applicable structural requirements conforming 
to  the  functional  requirements  of  the  International  Goal-based  Ship  Construction  Standards  for  Bulk 
Carriers and Oil Tankers (“GBS Standards”). 

Amendments to the SOLAS Convention Chapter VII apply to vessels transporting dangerous goods and 
require those  vessels  be  in  compliance with the International  Maritime  Dangerous Goods  Code (“IMDG 
Code”). Effective January 1, 2018, the IMDG Code includes (1) updates to the provisions for radioactive 
material, reflecting the latest provisions from the International Atomic Energy Agency, (2) new marking, 
packing  and  classification  requirements  for  dangerous  goods,  and  (3)  new  mandatory  training 
requirements. Amendments which took effect on January 1, 2020 also reflect the latest material from the 
UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, including (1) new provisions regarding IMO 
type 9 tank, (2) new abbreviations for segregation groups, and (3) special provisions for carriage of lithium 
batteries and of vehicles powered by flammable liquid or gas. Additional amendments came into force on 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 1, 2022, include (1) addition of a definition of dosage rate, (2) additions to the list of high consequence 
dangerous goods, (3) new provisions for medical/clinical waste, (4) addition of various ISO standards for 
gas cylinders, (5) a new handling code, and (6) changes to stowage and segregation provisions. 

The  IMO  has  also  adopted  the  International  Convention  on  Standards  of  Training,  Certification  and 
Watchkeeping for Seafarers (“STCW”).  As of February 2017, all seafarers are required to meet the STCW 
standards  and be in  possession  of  a  valid  STCW  certificate.   Flag  states  that  have ratified  SOLAS  and 
STCW  generally  employ  the  classification  societies,  which  have  incorporated  SOLAS  and  STCW 
requirements into their class rules, to undertake surveys to confirm compliance. 

The  IMO's  Maritime  Safety  Committee  and  MEPC,  respectively,  each  adopted  relevant  parts  of  the 
International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Water (the “Polar Code”). The Polar Code, which entered 
into force on January 1, 2017, covers design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and 
rescue as well as environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in the waters surrounding 
the two poles. It also includes mandatory measures regarding safety and pollution prevention as well as 
recommendatory provisions. The Polar Code applies to new ships constructed after January 1, 2017, and 
after  January  1,  2018,  ships  constructed  before  January  1,  2017  are  required  to  meet  the  relevant 
requirements by the earlier of their first intermediate or renewal survey. 

Furthermore, recent action by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and United States agencies indicates 
that cybersecurity regulations for the maritime industry are likely to be further developed in the near future 
in an attempt to combat cybersecurity threats. By IMO resolution, administrations are encouraged to ensure 
that  cyber-risk  management  systems  must  be  incorporated  by  ship-owners  and  managers  by  their  first 
annual  Document  of  Compliance  audit  after  January  1,  2021.  In  February  2021,  the  U.S.  Coast  Guard 
published guidance on addressing cyber risks in a vessel’s safety management system. This might cause 
companies  to  create  additional  procedures  for  monitoring  cybersecurity,  which  could  require  additional 
expenses and/or capital expenditures.  The impact of future regulations is hard to predict at this time. 

In June 2022, SOLAS also set out new amendments that took effect on January 1, 2024, which include 
new  requirements for:  (1)  the  design for safe mooring operations,  (2)  the  Global  Maritime Distress  and 
Safety System (“GMDSS”), (3) watertight integrity, (4) watertight doors on cargo ships, (5) fault-isolation of 
fire detection systems, (6) life-saving appliances, and (7) safety of ships using LNG as fuel.  These new 
requirements may impact the cost of our operations. 

Pollution Control and Liability Requirements 

The IMO has negotiated international conventions that impose liability for pollution in international waters 
and  the  territorial  waters  of  the  signatories  to  such  conventions.  For  example,  the  IMO  adopted  an 
International  Convention  for  the  Control  and  Management  of  Ships’  Ballast  Water  and  Sediments,  (the 
“BWM Convention”), in 2004. The BWM Convention entered into force on September 8, 2017.  The BWM 
Convention requires ships to manage their ballast water to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake 
or discharge of new or invasive aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments.  The 
BWM  Convention’s  implementing  regulations  call  for  a  phased  introduction  of  mandatory  ballast  water 
exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits, and require all ships 
to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast water management certificate. 

On December 4, 2013, the IMO Assembly passed a resolution revising the application dates of the BWM 
Convention so that the dates are triggered by the entry into force date and not the dates originally in the 
BWM  Convention.   This,  in  effect, makes  all  vessels  delivered  before the entry  into  force  date “existing 
vessels” and allows for the installation of ballast water management systems on such vessels at the first 
International Oil Pollution Prevention (“IOPP”) renewal survey following entry into force of the convention. 
The MEPC adopted updated guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8) at MEPC 
70. At MEPC 71, the schedule regarding the BWM Convention’s implementation dates was also discussed 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and amendments were introduced to extend the date existing vessels are subject to certain ballast water 
standards. Those changes were adopted at MEPC 72. Ships over 400 gross tons generally must comply 
with a “D-1 standard,” requiring the exchange of ballast water only in open seas and away from coastal 
waters.  The “D-2 standard” specifies the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged, 
and compliance dates vary depending on the IOPP renewal dates. Depending on the date of the IOPP 
renewal survey, existing vessels must comply with the D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2019. For 
most ships, compliance with the D-2 standard will involve installing on-board systems to treat ballast water 
and eliminate unwanted organisms.  Ballast water management systems, which include systems that make 
use  of  chemical,  biocides,  organisms  or  biological  mechanisms,  or  which alter  the  chemical  or  physical 
characteristics of the ballast water, must be approved in accordance with IMO Guidelines (Regulation D-
3). As of October 13, 2019, MEPC 72’s amendments to the BWM Convention took effect, making the Code 
for  Approval  of  Ballast  Water  Management  Systems,  which  governs  assessment  of  ballast  water 
management systems, mandatory rather than permissive, and formalized an implementation schedule for 
the D-2 standard. Under these amendments, all ships must meet the D-2 standard by September 8, 2024. 
Costs of compliance with these regulations may be substantial. Additionally, in November 2020, MEPC 75 
adopted  amendments to  the  BWM  Convention  which  would require a commissioning  test  of the ballast 
water management system for the initial survey or when performing an additional survey for retrofits. This 
analysis  will  not  apply  to  ships  that  already  have  an  installed  BWM  system  certified  under  the  BWM 
Convention. These amendments have entered into force on June 1, 2022. In December 2022, MEPC 79 
agreed that it should be permitted to use ballast tanks for temporary storage of treated sewage and grey 
water. MEPC 79 also established that ships are expected to return to D-2 compliance after experiencing 
challenging uptake water and bypassing a BWM system should only be used as a last resort. In July 2023, 
MEPC 80 approved a plan for a comprehensive review of the BWM Convention. over the next three years 
and  the  corresponding  development  of  a  package  of  amendments  to  the  Convention.  MEPC  80  also 
adopted further amendments relating to Appendix II of the BWM Convention concerning the form of the 
Ballast Water Record Book, which are expected to enter into force in February 2025. A protocol for ballast 
water  compliance  monitoring  devices  and  unified  interpretation  of  the  form  of  the  BWM  Convention 
certificate were also adopted. 

Once  mid-ocean  exchange  ballast  water  treatment  requirements  become  mandatory  under  the  BWM 
Convention, the cost of compliance could increase for ocean carriers and may have a material effect on 
our operations. Irrespective of the BWM convention, certain countries such as the U.S. have enforced and 
implemented regional requirement related to the system certification, operation and reporting. 

The IMO also adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (the 
“Bunker  Convention”)  to  impose  strict  liability  on  ship  owners  (including  the  registered  owner,  bareboat 
charterer, manager or operator) for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by 
discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross 
tons  to  maintain  insurance  for  pollution  damage  in  an  amount  equal  to  the  limits  of  liability  under  the 
applicable  national  or  international  limitation  regime  (but  not  exceeding  the  amount  calculated  in 
accordance with the LLMC).  With respect to non-ratifying states, liability for spills or releases of oil carried 
as fuel in ship’s bunkers typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction 
where the events or damages occur. 

Ships are required to maintain a certificate attesting that they maintain adequate insurance to cover an 
incident. In jurisdictions, such as the United States where the Bunker Convention has not been adopted, 
various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or 
on a strict-liability basis. 

Anti-Fouling Requirements 

In 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on 
Ships,  or  the  “Anti-fouling  Convention.”  The  Anti-fouling  Convention,  which  entered  into  force  on 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 17,  2008,  prohibits  the  use  of  organotin  compound  coatings  to  prevent  the  attachment  of 
mollusks and other sea life to the hulls of vessels. Vessels of over 400 gross tons engaged in international 
voyages will also be required to undergo an initial survey before the vessel is put into service or before an 
International Anti-fouling System Certificate is issued for the first time; and subsequent surveys when the 
anti-fouling systems are altered or replaced. Vessels of 24 meters in length or more but less than 400 gross 
tonnage engaged in international voyages will have to carry a Declaration on Anti-fouling Systems signed 
by the owner or authorized agent. 

We have obtained Anti-fouling System Certificates for all of our vessels that are subject to the Anti-fouling 
Convention. 

Requirements for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships 

In  2009  the  Hong  Kong  International  Convention  and  MEPC  269(68)  adopted  the  guidelines  for  the 
preparation of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials. The Convention concerns all vessels over 500 GT 
entitled  to  fly  the  flag  of  a  Party  or  operating  under  its  authority,  with  some  exceptions  like  warships. 
According to the Convention the shipowner should control Ship’s Hazardous Materials inherent in ship’s 
structure,  machinery,  equipment  and  paints,  coatings  and  prohibit  the  new  installations  of  Hazardous 
Materials, by maintaining an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM). It is the Company’s responsibility to 
maintain the IHM Part I up to date, during the life of the ship, according to MEPC Guidelines.  The ships 
are  subject  to  survey  (initial,  renewal,  additional  and  final)  and  certification  and  should  keep  a  valid 
International  Certificate  on  Inventory  of  Hazardous  Materials  or  an  International  Ready  for  Recycling 
Certificate (in case of recycling), on board. For ships been resulted to contain hazardous materials (like 
asbestos),  actions  for  removal  should  be  taken  by  the  shipowner.  The  ships  should  only  be  recycled 
according to the regulations. If the ship is detected to be in violation of this Convention, the Party carrying 
out an inspection may take steps to warn, detain, dismiss, or exclude the ship from its ports, which might 
have an impact in our commercial image and cause high fines to the company. Our fleet already complies 
with this regulation, although not yet into force, but the preparation, maintenance and whenever needed 
removal have resulted in substantial costs. 

Compliance Enforcement 

Noncompliance  with  the  ISM  Code  or  other  IMO  regulations  may  subject  the  ship  owner  or  bareboat 
charterer to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels 
and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. The USCG and European Union 
authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code by applicable deadlines will 
be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports, respectively. As of the date of this report, 
each of our vessels is ISM Code certified. The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations. It 
is impossible to predict what additional regulations, if any, may be passed by the IMO and what effect, if 
any, such regulations might have on our operations. 

U.S. Regulations 

The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and 
Liability Act 

The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”) established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the 
protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all “owners and operators” whose 
vessels trade or operate within the U.S., its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in U.S. 
waters, which includes the U.S.’s territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around 
the U.S.   The U.S.  has  also  enacted  the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and 
Liability Act (“CERCLA”), which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil, except in 
limited circumstances, whether on land or at sea.  OPA and CERCLA both define “owner and operator” in 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the case of a vessel as any person owning, operating or chartering by demise, the vessel.  Both OPA and 
CERCLA impact our operations. 

Under OPA, vessel owners and operators are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly 
liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) 
for  all  containment  and  clean-up  costs  and  other  damages  arising  from  discharges  or  threatened 
discharges of oil from their vessels, including bunkers (fuel).  OPA defines these other damages broadly 
to include: 

(i)  injury to, destruction or loss of, or loss of use of, natural resources and related assessment costs; 

(ii)  injury to, or economic losses resulting from, the destruction of real and personal property; 

(iii) loss of subsistence use of natural resources that are injured, destroyed or lost; 

(iv) net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees or net profit revenues resulting from injury, destruction or 

loss of real or personal property, or natural resources; 

(v)  lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to injury, destruction or loss of real or personal 

property or natural resources; and 

(vi) net  cost  of  increased  or  additional  public  services  necessitated  by  removal  activities  following  a 
discharge of oil, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards, and loss of subsistence use 
of natural resources. 

OPA  contains  statutory  caps  on  liability  and  damages;  such  caps  do  not  apply  to  direct  cleanup 
costs.  Effective November 12, 2019, the USCG adjusted the limits of OPA liability for non-tank vessels, 
edible oil tank vessels, and any oil spill response vessels, to the greater of $1,200 per gross ton or $997,100 
(subject to periodic adjustment for inflation). On December 23, 2022, the USCG issued a final rule to adjust 
the limitation of liability under the OPA. Effective March 23, 2022, the new adjusted limits of OPA liability 
for non-tank vessels, edible oil tank vessels, and any oil spill response vessels, to the greater of $1,300 
per gross ton or $1,076,000 (subject to periodic adjustment for inflation).These limits of liability do not apply 
if an incident was proximately caused by the violation of an applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or 
operating  regulation  by  a  responsible  party  (or  its  agent,  employee  or  a  person  acting  pursuant  to  a 
contractual relationship), or a responsible party's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The limitation on 
liability similarly does not apply if the responsible party fails or refuses to (i) report the incident as required 
by law where the responsible party knows or has reason to know of the incident; (ii) reasonably cooperate 
and assist as requested in connection with oil removal activities; or (iii) without sufficient cause, comply 
with an order issued under the Federal Water Pollution Act (Section 311 (c), (e)) or the Intervention on the 
High Seas Act. 

CERCLA contains a similar liability regime whereby owners and operators of vessels are liable for cleanup, 
removal and remedial costs, as well as damages for injury to, or destruction or loss of, natural resources, 
including  the  reasonable  costs  associated  with  assessing the  same,  and  health  assessments  or  health 
effects studies. There is no liability if the discharge of a hazardous substance results solely from the act or 
omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of 
$300 per gross ton or $5.0 million for vessels carrying a hazardous substance as cargo and the greater of 
$300 per gross ton or $500,000 for any other vessel. These limits do not apply (rendering the responsible 
person liable for the total cost of response and damages) if the release or threat of release of a hazardous 
substance  resulted  from  willful  misconduct  or  negligence,  or  the  primary  cause  of  the  release  was  a 
violation of applicable safety, construction or operating standards or regulations.  The limitation on liability 
also does not apply if the responsible person fails or refused to provide all reasonable cooperation and 
assistance as requested in connection with response activities where the vessel is subject to OPA. 

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OPA and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law, including maritime tort 
law.  OPA and CERCLA both require owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the 
USCG evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the maximum amount of liability to which the 
particular  responsible  person  may  be  subject.  Vessel  owners  and  operators  may  satisfy  their  financial 
responsibility obligations by providing a proof of insurance, a surety bond, qualification as a self-insurer or 
a  guarantee.  We comply  and  plan  to  comply going  forward  with  the  USCG’s  financial  responsibility 
regulations by providing applicable certificates of financial responsibility. 

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in additional regulatory initiatives or 
statutes, including higher liability caps under OPA, new regulations regarding offshore oil and gas drilling, 
and  a  pilot  inspection  program  for  offshore  facilities.   However,  several  of  these  initiatives  and 
regulations have  been  or  may  be  revised.   For  example, 
the  U.S.  Bureau  of  Safety  and 
Environmental Enforcement’s  (“BSEE”)  revised  Production  Safety  Systems  Rule  (“PSSR”),  effective 
December 27, 2018, modified and relaxed  certain environmental and safety protections under the 2016 
PSSR.  Additionally, the BSEE amended the Well Control Rule, effective July 15, 2019, which rolled back 
certain  reforms  regarding  the  safety  of  drilling  operations,  and  the  former  U.S.  President  Trump  had  
proposed leasing new sections of U.S. waters to oil and gas companies for offshore drilling.  In January 
2021,  U.S.  President  Biden  signed  an  executive  order  temporarily  blocking  new  leases  for  oil  and  gas 
drilling  in  federal  waters.  However,  attorney  generals  from  13  states  filed  suit  in  March  2021  to  lift  the 
executive order, and in June 2021, a federal judge in Louisiana granted a preliminary injunction against 
the  Biden  administration,  stating  that  the  power  to  pause  offshore  oil  and  gas  leases  “lies  solely  with 
Congress.” In August 2022, a federal judge in Louisiana sided with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, 
along with the other 12 plaintiff states, by issuing a permanent injunction against the Biden Administration’s 
moratorium on oil and gas leasing on federal public lands and offshore waters. After being blocked by the 
courts, in September 2023, the Biden administration announced a scaled back offshore oil drilling plan, 
including just three oil lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico. With these rapid changes, compliance with any 
new  requirements  of  OPA and  future  legislation  or  regulations  applicable  to  the  operation  of  our 
vessels could impact the cost of our operations and adversely affect our business. 

OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution 
incidents  occurring  within  their  boundaries,  provided  they  accept,  at  a  minimum,  the  levels  of  liability 
established  under  OPA  and  some  states  have  enacted  legislation  providing  for  unlimited  liability  for  oil 
spills.  Many U.S. states that border a navigable waterway have enacted environmental pollution laws that 
impose strict  liability  on a person  for removal  costs  and  damages resulting  from  a discharge  of oil  or  a 
release of a hazardous substance.  These laws may be more stringent than U.S. federal law.  Moreover, 
some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for discharge of pollutants within their 
waters,  although  in  some cases,  states  which have  enacted this  type  of  legislation  have  not  yet  issued 
implementing regulations defining vessel owners’ responsibilities under these laws. The Company intends 
to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where the Company’s vessels call. 

We currently maintain pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1 billion per incident for each 
of our vessels. If the damages from a catastrophic spill were to exceed our insurance coverage, it could 
have an adverse effect on our business and results of operation. 

Other United States Environmental Initiatives 

The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 (including its amendments of 1977 and 1990) (“CAA”) requires the EPA to 
promulgate  standards  applicable 
to  emissions  of  volatile  organic  compounds  and  other  air 
contaminants.   The  CAA  requires  states  to  adopt  State  Implementation  Plans,  or  SIPs,  some  of  which 
regulate emissions resulting from vessel loading and unloading operations which may affect our vessels. 
The U.S. Clean Water Act (“CWA”) prohibits the discharge of oil, hazardous substances and ballast water 
in U.S. navigable waters unless authorized by a duly-issued permit or exemption, and imposes strict liability 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
in the form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges.  The CWA also imposes substantial liability for 
the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA and 
CERCLA.  In 2015, the EPA expanded the definition of “waters of the United States” (“WOTUS”), thereby 
expanding federal authority under the CWA.  Following litigation on the revised WOTUS rule, in December 
2018, the EPA and Department of the Army proposed a revised, limited definition of WOTUS. In 2019 and 
2020,  the  agencies repealed  the  prior  WOTUS Rule and promulgated  the  Navigable Waters  Protection 
Rule (“NWPR”)  which  significantly  reduced the  scope and oversight  of  EPA  and the  Department of  the 
Army  in  traditionally  non  navigable  waterways.  On  August  30,  2021,  a  federal  district  court  in  Arizona 
vacated the NWPR and directed the agencies to replace the rule. On December 7, 2021, the EPA and the 
Department of the Army proposed a rule that would reinstate the pre-2015 definition. . In January 2023, 
the revised WOTUS rule was codified in place of the vacated NWPR. On May 25, 2023, the United States 
Supreme Court ruled in the case Sackett v. EPA that only wetlands and permanent bodies of water with a 
"continuous surface connection" to "traditional interstate navigable waters" are covered by the CWA, further 
narrowing the application of the WOTUS rule. On August 2023, the EPA and the Department of the Army 
issued the final WOTUS rule, effective September 8, 2023, that largely reinstated the pre-2015 definition 
and applied the Sackett ruling.  

The EPA and the USCG have also enacted rules relating to ballast water discharge, compliance with which 
requires the installation of equipment on our vessels to treat ballast water before it is discharged or the 
implementation of other port facility disposal arrangements or procedures at potentially substantial costs, 
and/or otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. Waters.  The EPA will regulate these ballast water 
discharges and other discharges incidental to the normal operation of certain vessels within United States 
waters pursuant to the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (“VIDA”), which was signed into law on December 
4,  2018  and  replaces  the  2013  Vessel  General  Permit  (“VGP”)  program  (which  authorizes  discharges 
incidental to operations of commercial vessels and contains numeric ballast water discharge limits for most 
vessels  to  reduce  the  risk  of  invasive  species  in  U.S.  waters,  stringent  requirements  for  exhaust  gas 
scrubbers, and requirements for the use of environmentally acceptable lubricants) and current Coast Guard 
ballast  water  management  regulations  adopted  under  the  U.S.  National  Invasive  Species  Act  (“NISA”), 
such  as  mid-ocean  ballast  exchange  programs  and  installation  of  approved  USCG  technology  for  all 
vessels equipped with ballast water tanks bound for U.S. ports or entering U.S. waters.  VIDA establishes 
a new framework for the regulation of vessel incidental discharges under Clean Water Act (CWA), requires 
the  EPA  to  develop  performance  standards  for  those  discharges  within  two  years  of  enactment,  and 
requires the U.S. Coast Guard to develop implementation, compliance, and enforcement regulations within 
two years of EPA’s promulgation of standards.  Under VIDA, all provisions of the 2013 VGP and USCG 
regulations regarding ballast water treatment remain in force and effect until the EPA and U.S. Coast Guard 
regulations  are  finalized.   Non-military,  non-recreational  vessels  greater  than  79  feet  in  length  must 
continue to comply with the requirements of the VGP, including submission of a Notice of Intent (“NOI”) or 
retention of a PARI form and submission of annual reports. We have submitted NOIs for our vessels where 
required.  Compliance with the EPA, U.S. Coast Guard and state regulations could require the installation 
of ballast water treatment equipment on our vessels or the implementation of other port facility disposal 
procedures at potentially substantial cost or may otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. waters. 

European Union Regulations 

In  October  2009,  the  European  Union  amended  a  directive  to  impose  criminal  sanctions  for  illicit  ship-
source discharges of polluting substances, including minor discharges, if committed with intent, recklessly 
or with serious negligence and the discharges individually or in the aggregate result in deterioration of the 
quality  of  water.  Aiding  and  abetting  the  discharge  of  a  polluting  substance  may  also  lead  to  criminal 
penalties. The directive applies to all types of vessels, irrespective of their flag, but certain exceptions apply 
to warships or where human safety or that of the ship is in danger. Criminal liability for pollution may result 
in  substantial  penalties  or  fines  and  increased  civil  liability  claims.  Regulation  (EU)  2015/757  of  the 
European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 (amending EU Directive 2009/16/EC) governs 
the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport, and, subject 

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to some exclusions, requires companies with ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to monitor and report carbon 
dioxide emissions annually, which may cause us to incur additional expenses. 

The European Union has adopted several regulations and directives requiring, among other things, more 
frequent inspections of high-risk ships, as determined by type, age, and flag as well as the number of times 
the ship has been detained. The European Union also adopted and extended a ban on substandard ships 
and enacted a minimum ban period and a definitive ban for repeated offenses. The regulation also provided 
the  European  Union  with  greater  authority  and  control  over  classification  societies,  by  imposing  more 
requirements on classification societies and providing for fines or penalty payments for organizations that 
failed to comply. Furthermore, the EU has implemented regulations requiring vessels to use reduced sulfur 
content  fuel  for  their  main  and  auxiliary  engines.  The  EU  Directive  2005/33/EC  (amending  Directive 
1999/32/EC) introduced requirements parallel to those in Annex VI relating to the sulfur content of marine 
fuels. In addition, the EU imposed a 0.1% maximum sulfur requirement for fuel used by ships at berth in 
the  Baltic,  the  North  Sea  and  the  English  Channel  (the  so  called  “SOx-Emission  Control  Area”).  As  of 
January 2020, EU member states must also ensure that ships in all EU waters, except the SOx-Emission 
Control Area, use fuels with a 0.5% maximum sulfur content. 

On September 15, 2020, the European Parliament voted to include greenhouse gas emissions from the 
maritime sector in the European Union’s carbon market, the EU Emissions Trading System (“EU ETS”) as 
part of its “Fit-for-55” legislation to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. On July 
14, 2021, the European Parliament formally proposed its plan, which would involve gradually including the 
maritime sector from 2023 and phasing the sector in over three-year period. This will require shipowners 
to buy permits to cover these emissions.   The Environment Council adopted a general approach on the 
proposal  in  June  2022.  On  December  18,  2022,  the  Environmental  Council  and  European  Parliament 
agreed to include maritime shipping emissions within the scope of the EU ETS on a gradual introduction 
of  obligations  for  shipping  companies  to  surrender  allowances  equivalent  to  a  portion  of  their  carbon 
emissions: 40% for verified emissions from 2024, 70% for 2025 and 100% for 2026. Most large vessels will 
be included in the scope of the EU ETS from the start. Big offshore vessels of 5,000 gross tonnage and 
above will be included in the 'MRV' on the monitoring, reporting and verification of CO2 emissions from 
maritime transport  regulation from  2025  and  in  the  EU  ETS  from  2027.  General  cargo vessels  and  off-
shore vessels between 400-5,000 gross tonnage will be included in the MRV regulation from 2025 and 
their inclusion in EU ETS will be reviewed in 2026. Furthermore, starting from January 1, 2026, the ETS 
regulations  will  expand  to  include  emissions  of  two  additional  greenhouse  gases:  nitrous  oxide  and 
methane.  Compliance  with the  Maritime  EU  ETS  will  result  in  additional  compliance  and  administration 
costs  to  properly  incorporate  the  provisions  of  the  Directive  into  our  business  routines.  Additional  EU 
regulations  which  are  part  of  the  EU’s  "Fit-for-55,"  could  also  affect  our  financial  position  in  terms  of 
compliance and administration costs when they take effect. 

EU Ship Recycling Regulation 

The Regulation is mostly aligned with the Hong Kong Convention on Ship Recycling, mentioned earlier 
and aims quick ratification of the Convention. However, it sets some additional requirements and has been 
into force since 2015 for new ships and 2020 for existing ships. It concerns vessels over 500 GT flying the 
flag of a member state or vessels flying the flag of a 3rd party calling at port or anchorage of member states. 
Our  fleet  fully  complies  with  this  regulation.  Our  fleet’s  Inventories  of  Hazardous Materials  preparation, 
certification and continuous maintenance have resulted in a significant cost to the Company. 

International Labour Organization 

The International Labour Organization (the “ILO”) is a specialized agency of the UN that has adopted the 
Maritime Labor Convention 2006 (“MLC 2006”). A Maritime Labor Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime 
Labor Compliance is required to ensure compliance with the MLC 2006 for all ships that are 500 gross 
tonnage  or  over  and  are  either  engaged  in  international  voyages  or  flying  the  flag  of  a  Member  and 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
operating  from  a  port,  or  between  ports,  in  another  country. All  of  our  vessels  are  certified  under  the 
Maritime Labor Convention 2006 (“MLC 2006”) 

Greenhouse Gas Regulation 

Currently,  the  emissions  of  greenhouse  gases  from  international  shipping  are  not  subject  to  the  Kyoto 
Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which entered into force in 2005 
and pursuant to which adopting countries have been required to implement national programs to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions with targets extended through 2020.  International negotiations are continuing 
with respect to a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, and restrictions on shipping emissions may be included 
in  any  new  treaty.  In  December  2009,  more  than  27  nations,  including  the  U.S.  and  China,  signed  the 
Copenhagen Accord, which includes a non-binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The 
2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris resulted in the Paris Agreement, which entered 
into force on November 4, 2016 and does not directly limit greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The U.S. 
initially  entered  into  the  agreement,  but  on  June  1,  2017,  the  former  U.S. President  Trump  announced 
that the United States intends to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, and the withdrawal became effective 
on November 4, 2020.  On January 20, 2021, U.S. President Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the 
Paris Agreement, which the U.S. officially rejoined on February 19, 2021. 

At  MEPC  70  and  MEPC  71,  a  draft  outline  of  the  structure  of  the  initial  strategy  for  developing  a 
comprehensive  IMO  strategy  on  reduction  of  greenhouse  gas  emissions  from  ships  was  approved.  In 
accordance with this roadmap, in April 2018, nations at the MEPC 72 adopted an initial strategy to reduce 
greenhouse  gas  emissions  from  ships.   The  initial  strategy  identifies  “levels  of  ambition”  to  reducing 
greenhouse  gas  emissions,  including  (1)  decreasing  the  carbon  intensity  from  ships  through 
implementation of further phases of the EEDI for new ships; (2) reducing carbon dioxide emissions per 
transport  work,  as  an  average  across  international  shipping,  by  at  least  40%  by  2030,  pursuing  efforts 
towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008 emission levels; and (3) reducing the total annual greenhouse 
emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 while pursuing efforts towards phasing them out 
entirely.  The initial strategy notes that technological innovation, alternative fuels and/or energy sources for 
international shipping will be integral to achieve the overall ambition.  These regulations could cause us to 
incur additional substantial expenses. At MEPC 77, the Member States agreed to initiate the revision of 
the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG emissions from ships, recognizing the need to strengthen 
the ambition during the revision process. In July 2023, MEPC 80 adopted a revised strategy, which includes 
an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping 
around or close to 2050, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero greenhouse 
gas fuels by 2030, as well as i). reducing the total annual greenhouse gas emissions from international 
shipping by at least 20%, striving for 30%, by 2030, compared to 2008; and ii). reducing the total annual 
greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by at least 70%, striving for 80%, by 2040, compared 
to 2008. 

The EU made a unilateral commitment to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions from its member states 
from 20% of 1990 levels by 2020. The EU also committed to reduce its emissions by 20% under the Kyoto 
Protocol’s  second  period  from  2013  to  2020.   Starting  in  January  2018,  large  ships  over  5,000  gross 
tonnage calling at EU ports are required to collect and publish data on carbon dioxide emissions and other 
information.  Under  the  European  Climate  Law,  the  EU  committed  to  reduce  its  net  greenhouse  gas 
emissions by at least 55% by 2030 through its “Fit-for-55” legislation package.  As part of this initiative, 
regulations relating to the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime sector in the European 
Union’s carbon market are also forthcoming. 

Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, the EU, the U.S. or 
other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at the international level to succeed the  Kyoto 
Protocol  or  Paris  Agreement,  that  restricts  emissions  of  greenhouse  gases  could  require  us  to  make 
significant financial expenditures which we cannot predict with certainty at this time. Even in the absence 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
of climate control legislation, our business may be indirectly affected to the extent that climate change may 
result in sea level changes or certain weather events. 

Vessel Security Regulations 

Since  the  terrorist  attacks  of  September  11,  2001  in  the  United  States,  there  have  been  a  variety  of 
initiatives intended to enhance vessel security such as the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 
2002 (“MTSA”). To implement certain portions of the MTSA, the USCG issued regulations requiring the 
implementation  of  certain  security  requirements  aboard  vessels  operating  in  waters  subject  to  the 
jurisdiction of the United States and at certain ports and facilities, some of which are regulated by the EPA. 

Similarly, Chapter XI-2 of the SOLAS Convention imposes detailed security obligations on vessels and port 
authorities and mandates compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (“the ISPS 
Code”). The ISPS Code is designed to enhance the security of ports and ships against terrorism. To trade 
internationally, a vessel must attain an International Ship Security Certificate (“ISSC”) from a recognized 
security organization approved by the vessel’s flag state. Ships operating without a valid certificate may be 
detained, expelled from, or refused entry at port until they obtain an ISSC.  The various requirements, some 
of  which  are  found  in  the  SOLAS  Convention, include,  for  example,  on-board  installation  of  automatic 
identification systems to provide a means for the automatic transmission of safety-related information from 
among  similarly  equipped  ships  and  shore  stations,  including  information  on  a  ship’s  identity,  position, 
course, speed and navigational status; on-board installation of ship security alert systems, which do not 
sound on the vessel but only alert the authorities on shore; the development of vessel security plans; ship 
identification  number  to  be  permanently  marked  on  a  vessel’s  hull;  a  continuous  synopsis  record  kept 
onboard showing a vessel's history including the name of the ship, the state whose flag the ship is entitled 
to fly, the date on which the ship was registered with that state, the ship's identification number, the port at 
which  the  ship  is  registered  and  the  name  of  the  registered  owner(s)  and  their  registered  address; 
and compliance with flag state security certification requirements. 

The USCG regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. 
vessels  from  MTSA  vessel  security  measures,  provided  such  vessels  have  on  board  a  valid  ISSC  that 
attests to the vessel’s compliance with the SOLAS Convention security requirements and the ISPS Code. 
Future security measures could have a significant financial impact on us.  We intend to comply with the 
various security measures addressed by MTSA, the SOLAS Convention and the ISPS Code. The cost of 
vessel security measures has also been affected by the escalation in the frequency of acts of piracy against 
ships, notably off the coast of Somalia, including the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea area.  Substantial loss 
of  revenue  and  other  costs  may  be  incurred  as  a  result  of  detention  of  a  vessel  or  additional  security 
measures, and the risk of uninsured losses could significantly affect our business. Costs are incurred in 
taking  additional  security  measures  in  accordance  with  Best  Management  Practices  to  Deter  Piracy, 
notably those contained in the BMP5 industry standard. 

Inspection by Flag administration and Classification Societies 

The flag represents the nationality of the ship, showing that it’s under the control of the registered country 
and must comply with international and maritime law of it. The flag is required to take measures to ensure 
safety at sea and should verify that ships under its authority, conform relevant international standards, in 
regard to construction, design, equipment and manning of ships, through on board physical inspections. 

The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized 
by  its  country  of  registry.  The  classification  society  certifies  that  a  vessel  is  safe  and  seaworthy  in 
accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and SOLAS. 
Most  insurance  underwriters  make  it  a  condition  for  insurance  coverage  and  lending  that  a  vessel  be 
certified  “in  class”  by  a  classification  society  which  is  a  member  of  the  International  Association  of 
Classification Societies, the IACS.  The IACS has adopted harmonized Common Structural Rules, or “the 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rules”, which apply to oil tankers and bulk carriers contracted for construction on or after July 1, 2015.  The 
Rules attempt to create a level of consistency between IACS Societies.  All of our vessels are certified as 
being “in class” by all the applicable Classification Societies (e.g., American Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd's 
Register of Shipping). 

A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys, drydockings and special surveys. In lieu of 
a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery 
would  be  surveyed  periodically  over  a  five-year  period.  Every  vessel  should  have  a  minimum  of  two 
examinations of the outside of a vessel's bottom and related items during each five-year special survey 
period. One such examination is to be carried out in conjunction with the Special Periodical Survey. In all 
cases, the interval between any two such examinations is not to exceed 36 months. In all cases, the interval 
between any two such examinations is not to exceed 36 months. If any vessel does not maintain its class 
and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey, drydocking or special survey, the vessel will be unable 
to carry  cargo  between ports  and  will  be  unemployable and uninsurable which could cause us  to  be  in 
violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements. Any such inability to carry cargo or be employed, or 
any such violation of covenants, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results 
of operations. 

Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance 

General 

The operation of any cargo vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, physical damage, collision, 
property  loss,  cargo  loss  or  damage  and  business  interruption  due to political  circumstances  in  foreign 
countries, piracy incidents, hostilities and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility 
of  marine  disaster,  including  oil  spills  and  other  environmental  mishaps,  and  the  liabilities  arising  from 
owning  and  operating  vessels  in  international  trade.  OPA,  which  imposes  virtually  unlimited  liability 
upon shipowners,  operators  and bareboat  charterers  of any  vessel  trading  in  the  exclusive  economic 
zone of the United States for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has made liability insurance 
more  expensive  for shipowners  and  operators  trading  in  the United  States  market. We  carry  insurance 
coverage as customary in the shipping industry. However, not all risks can be insured, specific claims may 
be rejected, and we might not be always able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates. 

While we maintain hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance, protection and indemnity cover and 
freight, demurrage and defense cover for our operating fleet in amounts that we believe to be prudent to 
cover  normal risks  in our  operations,  we  may  not  be  able to achieve  or maintain  this  level  of  coverage 
throughout  a  vessel's  useful  life.  Furthermore,  while  we  believe  that  our  present  insurance  coverage  is 
adequate, not all risks can be insured, and there can be no guarantee that any specific claim will be paid, 
or that we will always be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates. 

Hull & Machinery and War Risks Insurance 

We maintain marine hull and machinery and war risks insurance, which cover, among other marine risks, 
the risk of actual or constructive total loss, for all of our vessels. Our vessels are each covered up to at 
least  fair  market  value  with  deductibles  ranging  to  a  maximum  of  $100,000  per  vessel  per  incident  for 
Panamax, Kamsarmax and Post-Panamax vessels and $150,000 per vessel per incident for Capesize and 
Newcastlemax vessels. 

Protection and Indemnity Insurance 

Protection and indemnity insurance is provided by mutual protection and indemnity associations, or “P&I 
Associations,” and covers our third-party liabilities in connection with our shipping activities. This includes 
third-party liability and other related expenses of injury or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, 

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
loss  or  damage  to  cargo,  claims  arising  from  collisions  with  other  vessels,  damage  to  other  third-party 
property,  pollution  arising  from  oil  or  other  substances,  and  salvage,  towing  and  other  related  costs, 
including  wreck  removal.  Protection  and  indemnity  insurance  is  a  form  of  mutual  indemnity  insurance, 
extended by protection and indemnity mutual associations, or “clubs.” 

Our current protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution is $1 billion per vessel per incident. 
The 13 P&I Associations that comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the world’s 
commercial  tonnage  and  have  entered  into  a  pooling  agreement  to  reinsure  each association’s 
liabilities. The  International  Group’s  website  states  that  the  Pool  provides  a  mechanism  for  sharing  all 
claims in excess of US$10 million up to, currently, approximately US$8.2 billion.  As a member of a P&I 
Association,  which  is  a  member  of  the  International  Group,  we  are  subject  to  calls  payable  to  the 
associations based on our claim records as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual 
associations  and  members  of  the shipping  pool  of  P&I  Associations  comprising  the  International 
Group.   Our  vessels  may  be  subject  to  supplemental  calls  which  are  based  on  estimates  of  premium 
income and anticipated and paid claims. Such estimates are adjusted each year by the Board of Directors 
of the P&I Association until the closing of the relevant policy year, which generally occurs within three years 
from the end of the policy year. Supplemental calls, if any, are expensed when they are announced and 
according to the period they relate to.  

C. 

Organizational structure 

Diana Shipping Inc. is the sole owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the subsidiaries listed 
in Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report. 

D. 

Property, plants and equipment 

Since October 8, 2010, DSS owns the land and the building where we have our principal corporate offices 
in Athens, Greece. In addition, in December 2014, DSS acquired a plot of land jointly with two other related 
entities from unrelated individuals and in November 2021 acquired an additional part of this land owned by 
one of our related parties. On July 6, 2023, the Company purchased the remaining 1/3 from Alpha Sigma 
Shipping Corp, a related party company, for the purchase price of $1.2 million and became its sole owner. 
In 2024, we purchased two additional plots of land from unrelated third parties for an aggregate amount of 
approximately $1.9 million. All plots of land are in the same area as our principal offices. Other than this 
interest  in  real  property,  our  only  material  properties  are  the  vessels  in  our  fleet,  owned  and  bareboat 
chartered-in.  

Item 4A.  Unresolved Staff Comments 

None. 

Item 5. 

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects 

The  following  management's  discussion  and  analysis  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  our  historical 
consolidated financial statements and their notes included elsewhere in this annual report. This discussion 
contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial 
performance.  Our  actual  results  may  differ  materially  from  those  anticipated  in  these  forward-looking 
statements as a result of certain factors, such as those set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and 
elsewhere in this annual report. 

A.  Operating results 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations 

We believe that our results of operations are affected by the following factors: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

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

Ownership days are the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our 
fleet  has  been  owned  by  us. Ownership  days  are  an  indicator  of  the  size of  our  fleet  over  a 
period  and  affect  both  the  amount  of  revenues  and  the  amount  of  expenses  that  we  record 
during a period.  

Available days are the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that 
our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades 
or special surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels for 
such events. 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 are the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days 
that  our  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.  

(5)  We calculate 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  for  such 
events.  

(6) 

Time  charter  equivalent  rates,  or  TCE  rates,  are  defined  as  our  time  charter  revenues  less 
voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period, 
which  is  consistent  with  industry  standards.  Voyage  expenses  include  port  charges,  bunker 
(fuel)  expenses,  canal  charges  and  commissions.  TCE  rate  is  a  non-GAAP  measure,  and 
management  believes  it  is  useful  to  investors  because  it  is  a  standard  shipping  industry 
performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time 
charters  with  daily  earnings  generated  by  vessels  on  voyage  charters,  because  charter  hire 
rates  for  vessels  on  voyage  charters  are  generally  not  expressed  in  per  day  amounts  while 
charter hire rates for vessels on time charters are generally expressed in such amounts. 

(7)  Daily  vessel  operating  expenses,  which  include  crew  wages  and  related  costs,  the  cost  of 
insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable 
stores,  tonnage  taxes  and  other  miscellaneous  expenses,  are  calculated  by  dividing  vessel 
operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period. 

The following table reflects such factors for the periods indicated: 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Fleet Data: 
Average number of vessels (1) 
Number of vessels at year-end 
Weighted average age of vessels at year-end (in years)  
Ownership days (2)  
Available days (3)  
Operating days (4)  
Fleet utilization (5)  

As of and for the 
Year Ended December 31, 
2022 

2023 

2021 

41.1 
40.0 
10.5 
14,986 
14,867 
14,824 
99.7% 

35.4 
42.0 
10.2 
12,924 
12,449 
12,306 
98.9% 

36.6 
33.0 
10.4 
13,359 
13,239 
13,116 
99.1% 

Average Daily Results: 
Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate (6)  
Daily vessel operating expenses (7)  

$ 

16,713  $ 
5,704 

22,735  $ 
5,574 

15,759 
5,596 

The following table reflects the calculation of our TCE rates for the periods presented: 

Time charter revenues  

Less: voyage expenses  

Time charter equivalent revenues  

Available days  

Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate  

Time Charter Revenues 

Year Ended December 31, 
2022 

2021 

2023 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for TCE rates, which 
are expressed in U.S. dollars, and available days) 

262,098  $ 

289,972  $ 

214,203 

(13,621) 

(6,942) 

(5,570) 

248,477  $ 

283,030  $ 

208,633 

14,867 

16,713  $ 

12,449 

22,735  $ 

13,239 

15,759 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Our revenues are driven primarily by the number of vessels in our fleet, the number of days during which 
our vessels operate and the amount of daily charter hire rates that our vessels earn under charters, which, 
in turn, are affected by a number of factors, including: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the duration of our charters; 

our decisions relating to vessel acquisitions and disposals; 

the amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels; 

the amount of time that our vessels spend in drydock undergoing repairs; 

•  maintenance and upgrade work; 

• 

• 

the age, condition and specifications of our vessels; 

levels of supply and demand in the dry bulk shipping industry. 

Vessels operating on time charters for a certain period of time provide more predictable cash flows over 
that  period  of  time  but  can  yield  lower  profit  margins  than  vessels  operating  in  the  spot  charter  market 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
during periods characterized by favorable market conditions. Vessels operating in the spot charter market 
generate  revenues  that  are  less  predictable  but  may  enable  their  owners  to  capture  increased  profit 
margins during periods of improvements in charter rates although their owners would be exposed to the 
risk of declining charter rates, which may have a materially adverse impact on financial performance. As 
we employ vessels on period charters, future spot charter rates may be higher or lower than the rates at 
which  we  have  employed  our  vessels  on  period  charters.  Our  time  charter  agreements  subject  us  to 
counterparty risk. In depressed market conditions, charterers may seek to renegotiate the terms of their 
existing charter parties or avoid their obligations under those contracts. Should a counterparty fail to honor 
their obligations under agreements with us, we could sustain significant losses which could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Revenues derived 
from  time  charter  agreements  in  2023  decreased  compared  to  previous  years,  due  to  the  significant 
decrease in charter rates, despite the increase in the size of our fleet, evident in the increase of the average 
number of vessels. In 2024, the average number of vessels will decrease, as currently our fleet consists of 
41 vessels of which 39 vessels in operation, owned and chartered-in, and two under construction, and we 
have agreed to sell one of our vessels. As a result, although we have observed that the time charter rates 
have increased since the beginning of 2024, we expect our revenues in 2024 to decrease compared to 
2023.  

Voyage Expenses 

We incur voyage expenses that mainly include commissions because all of our vessels are employed under 
time charters that require the charterer to bear voyage expenses such as bunkers (fuel oil), port and canal 
charges. Although the charterer bears the cost of bunkers, we also have bunker gain or loss deriving from 
the price differences of bunkers. When a vessel is delivered to a charterer, bunkers are purchased by the 
charterer and sold back to us on the redelivery of the vessel. Bunker gain, or loss, results when a vessel 
is redelivered by her charterer and delivered to the next charterer at different bunker prices, or quantities. 

We  currently  pay  commissions  ranging  from  4.75% to 5.00%  of the total  daily  charter  hire  rate  of  each 
charter  to  unaffiliated  ship  brokers,  in-house  brokers  associated  with  the  charterers,  depending  on  the 
number of brokers involved with arranging the charter. In addition, we pay a commission to DWM and to 
DSS for those vessels for which they provide commercial management services. The commissions paid to 
DSS are eliminated from our consolidated financial statements as intercompany transactions. For 2024, 
we expect our voyage expenses to decrease compared to 2023, due to the expected decrease in revenues. 
The effect of bunker prices cannot be determined, as a gain or loss from bunkers results mainly from the 
difference in the value of bunkers paid by the Company when the vessel is redelivered to the Company 
from the charterer under the vessel’s previous time charter agreement and the value of bunkers sold by 
the Company when the vessel is delivered to a new charterer. 

Vessel Operating Expenses 

Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating 
to repairs and maintenance, the cost of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes, environmental plan 
costs  and  HSQ  and  vetting.  Our  vessel  operating  expenses  generally  represent  fixed  costs.  Vessel 
operating expenses have increased since 2021 due to the increase in ownership days. For 2024, we expect 
our operating expenses to decrease compared to 2023, as a result of the average decrease of the size of 
the fleet compared to 2023. 

Vessel Depreciation  

The cost of our vessels is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each vessel. 
Depreciation is based on the cost of the vessel less its estimated salvage value. We estimate the useful 
life of our dry bulk vessels to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard, which we believe 
is common in the dry bulk shipping industry. Furthermore, we estimate the salvage values of our vessels 

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
based on historical average prices of the cost of the light-weight ton of vessels being scrapped. Effective 
July 1, 2023, the Company changed its estimated scrap rate of its vessels from $250 per lightweight ton to 
$400 per lightweight ton, calculated based on the average demolition prices in different markets, during the 
last 15 years. During 2022, we took delivery of ten vessels and sold one and in 2023, we took delivery of 
one vessel and sold three. Following these transactions vessel depreciation has increased since 2021. For 
2024, we expect depreciation expense to decrease due to the increase of the scrap rate in 2023 and the 
decrease in the number of vessels in our fleet as in 2024 we have sold one vessel and we have agreed to 
sell another one. 

General and Administrative Expenses 

We incur general and administrative expenses which include our onshore related expenses such as payroll 
expenses  of  employees,  executive  officers,  directors  and  consultants,  compensation  cost  of  restricted 
stock  awarded  to  senior  management  and  non-executive  directors,  traveling,  promotional  and  other 
expenses of the public company, such as legal and professional expenses and other general expenses. 
During the last three years, our general and administrative expenses are increasing, especially in 2023, 
mainly due to payroll costs and donations. For 2024, we expect our general and administrative expenses 
to increase, due to anticipated increases in payroll and other office expenses. General and administrative 
expenses are not affected by the size of the fleet. However, they are affected by the exchange rate of Euro 
to US Dollars, as about half of our administrative expenses are in Euro.  

Interest and Finance Costs 

We incur interest expense and financing costs in connection with vessel-specific debt, senior unsecured 
bond and finance liabilities. As of December 31, 2023 our aggregate debt amounted to $517.0 million and 
our finance liabilities amounted to $133.3 million. During 2023, we replaced LIBOR, being the reference 
rate to calculate interest expense in our loan facilities having a floating rate, with term SOFR through loan 
refinancings and one loan modification. Interest rates, which have been increasing since the beginning of 
2022, continued to increase in 2023 and in combination with the increased average debt outstanding in 
2023, interest costs increased significantly. For 2024, we expect interest and finance costs to remain at the 
same levels with 2023, as we do not expect interest rates to increase, while debt outstanding is expected 
to decrease.  

We manage our exposure in interest rates, by maintaining a mix of financing under agreements with floating 
and fixed interest rates. More specifically, during 2022, we refinanced part of our loans having a floating 
interest rate, with sale and leaseback transactions with fixed rates. Also, in 2023, we entered into an interest 
rate swap for 30% of our $100 million loan facility with DNB, dated June 26, 2023, under which we pay 
fixed  interest  and  receive floating.  Through these agreements  and  our  bond,  also bearing fixed  interest 
rate, we manage part of our exposure in interest rates caused by the remaining agreements which bear 
floating interest rates. 

Lack of Historical Operating Data for Vessels before Their Acquisition 

Although vessels are generally acquired free of charter, we have acquired (and may in the future acquire) 
some vessels with time charters. It is rare in the shipping industry for the last charterer of the vessel in the 
hands of the seller to continue as the first charterer of the vessel in the hands of the buyer. In most cases, 
when a vessel is under time charter and the buyer wishes to assume that charter, the vessel cannot be 
acquired without the charterer’s consent and the buyer entering into a separate direct agreement (called a 
“novation agreement”) with the charterer to assume the charter. The purchase of a vessel itself does not 
transfer  the  charter  because  it  is  a  separate  service  agreement  between  the  vessel  owner  and  the 
charterer. 

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Where we identify any intangible assets or liabilities associated with the acquisition of a vessel, we record 
all  identified  assets  or  liabilities  at  fair value.  Fair  value  is  determined by  reference to market  data.  We 
value any asset or liability arising from the market value of the time charters assumed when a vessel is 
acquired. The amount to be recorded as an asset or liability at the date of vessel delivery is based on the 
difference  between  the  current  fair  market  value  of  the  charter  and  the  net  present  value  of  future 
contractual cash flows.  When the present value of the time charter assumed is greater than the current 
fair market value of such charter, the difference is recorded as prepaid charter revenue.  When the opposite 
situation occurs, any difference, capped to the vessel’s fair value on a charter-free basis, is recorded as 
deferred revenue.  Such assets and liabilities, respectively, are amortized as a reduction of, or an increase 
in, revenue over the period of the time charter assumed. 

When we purchase a vessel and assume or renegotiate a related time charter, among others, we must 
take the following steps before the vessel will be ready to commence operations: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

obtain the charterer’s consent to us as the new owner; 

obtain the charterer’s consent to a new technical manager; 

in some cases, obtain the charterer’s consent to a new flag for the vessel; 

arrange for a new crew for the vessel, and where the vessel is on charter, in some cases, the 
crew must be approved by the charterer; 

replace all hired equipment on board, such as gas cylinders and communication equipment; 

negotiate  and  enter  into  new  insurance  contracts  for  the  vessel  through  our  own  insurance 
brokers; 

register the vessel under a flag state and perform the related inspections in order to obtain new 
trading certificates from the flag state; 

implement a new planned maintenance program for the vessel; and 

ensure that the new technical manager obtains new certificates for compliance with the safety 
and vessel security regulations of the flag state. 

When we charter a vessel pursuant to a long-term time charter agreement with varying rates, we recognize 
revenue on a straight-line basis, equal to the average revenue during the term of the charter.  

The following discussion is intended to help you understand how acquisitions of vessels affect our business 
and results of operations. 

Our business is mainly comprised of the following elements: 

• 

employment and operation of our vessels; and 

•  management of the financial, general and administrative elements involved in the conduct of 

our business and ownership of our vessels. 

The employment and operation of our vessels mainly require the following components: 

• 

vessel maintenance and repair; 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

crew selection and training; 

vessel spares and stores supply; 

contingency response planning; 

onboard safety procedures auditing; 

accounting; 

vessel insurance arrangement; 

vessel chartering; 

vessel security training and security response plans (ISPS); 

obtaining of ISM certification and audit for each vessel within the six months of taking over a 
vessel; 

vessel hiring management; 

vessel surveying; and 

vessel performance monitoring. 

The management of financial, general and administrative elements involved in the conduct of our business 
and ownership of our vessels mainly requires the following components: 

•  management of our financial resources, including banking relationships, i.e., administration of 

bank loans and bank accounts; 

•  management of our accounting system and records and financial reporting; 

• 

administration of the legal and regulatory requirements affecting our business and assets; and 

•  management of the relationships with our service providers and customers. 

The principal factors that affect our profitability, cash flows and shareholders’ return on investment include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

rates and periods of charter hire; 

levels of vessel operating expenses; 

depreciation expenses; 

financing costs; 

the effects of COVID-19; 

the war in the Ukraine;  

inflation, and  

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
• 

fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. 

Results of Operations 

Year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 

Time charter revenues. Time charter revenues decreased by $27.9 million, or 9.6%, to $262.1 million in 
2023, compared to $290.0 million in 2022. The decrease in time charter revenues was due to decreased 
average  time  charter  rates,  which  decreased  our  TCE  rate  to  $16,713  in  2023  from  $22,735  in  2022, 
representing a 26% decrease. This decrease was partly offset by increased operating days during 2023, 
as  compared  to  last  year.  Operating  days  in  2023  were  14,824  compared  to  12,306  in  2022,  mainly 
resulting from the acquisition of eight Ultramax vessels in the fourth quarter of 2022 and one more in first 
quarter of 2023. 

Voyage  expenses.  Voyage  expenses  increased  by  $6.7  million,  or  97%,  to  $13.6  million  in  2023  as 
compared to $6.9 in 2022. This increase was mainly due to the decreased gain on bunkers amounting to 
$0.5 million in 2023 compared to $8.1 million in 2022. The gain on bunkers was mainly due to the difference 
in the price of bunkers paid by the Company to the charterers on the redelivery of the vessels from the 
charterers under the previous charter party agreement and the price of bunkers paid by charterers to the 
Company on the delivery of the same vessels to their charterers under new charter party agreements. This 
decrease was partially counterbalanced due to decreased commissions, which is the main part of voyage 
expenses, and which in 2023 decreased to $13.3 million compared to $14.4 million in 2022.  

Vessel operating expenses. Vessel operating expenses increased by $13.5 million, or 19%, to $85.5 million 
in  2023  compared  to  $72.0  million  in  2022.  The  increase  in  operating  expenses  is  attributable  to  the 
increase in ownership days in 2023, as a result of the acquisition of eight Ultramax vessels in the fourth 
quarter of 2022 and one more in first quarter of 2023. Operating expenses also increased due to increased 
crew  costs,  insurances, spares and other  consumables.  Total  daily  operating expenses were $5,704 in 
2023 compared to $5,574 in 2022.  

Depreciation  and  amortization  of  deferred  charges. Depreciation  and  amortization  of  deferred  charges 
increased by $6.5 million, or 15%, to $49.8 million in 2023, compared to $43.3 million in 2022. This increase 
was due to the acquisition of nine vessels, as noted above. This increase was partially offset due to the 
fact that, effective July 1, 2023, the Company changed its estimated scrap rate of its vessels from $250 
per lightweight ton to $400 and the sale of vessel Boston in the fourth quarter of 2023. A further decrease 
incurred due to decreased amortization of deferred cost as a result of the drydock cost incurred for seven 
vessels having drydock surveys in 2023 and twelve in 2022. 

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $3.6 million, or 
12%,  to  $33.0  million  in  2023  compared  to  $29.4  million  in  2022.  The  increase  was  mainly  due  to  the 
increased payroll costs and travelling expenses. A further increase by $0.6 million was attributed to donations. 

Management fees to related party. Management fees to a related party increased by $0.8 million, or 160% 
to $1.3 million in 2023 compared to $0.5 million in 2022. The increase was attributable to increased average 
number of vessels managed by DWM in 2023 compared to 2022, due to the acquisition of three Ultramax 
vessels  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2022  and  one  more  in  first  quarter  of  2023,  whose  management  was 
assigned to DWM.  

Gain on sale of vessels. Gain on sale of vessels increased by $2.4 million, or 83%, to $5.3 million which 
resulted from the sale of vessels Aliki, Melia and Boston in 2023 compared to $2.9 million in 2022 which 
resulted from the sale of Baltimore in 2022. 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insurance recoveries. Insurance recoveries amounted to null balance in 2023, compared to $1.8 million in 
2022 which consisted of amounts received from our insurers for claims covered under the insurance policies 
during 2022.  

Interest expense and finance costs.    Interest expense and finance costs increased by $21.9 or 80% to 
$49.3 million in 2023 compared to $27.4 million in 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to increased 
average outstanding balance of debt and finance liabilities in 2023, resulting from the refinances performed. 
A  further  increase  was  also  derived  from  increased  average  interest  rates  resulting  from  our  loan 
agreements, having a variable interest rate. In 2023, the weighted average interest rate of our secured loan 
agreements was 7.3% compared to 3.8% in 2022. 

Interest and other income. Interest and other income increased by $5.5 million, or 204%, to $8.2 million in 
2023 compared to $2.7 million in 2022. The increase is mainly attributable to increased  deposit rates in 
2023 compared to 2022.  

Loss on extinguishment of debt. In 2023, loss on extinguishment of debt increased by $0.3, or 75% to $0.7 
million and consisted of the prepayment in full of six loan agreements refinanced by other banks. In 2022, 
loss on extinguishment of debt amounted to $0.4 million and consisted of financing costs written off as a 
result of the early prepayment of the outstanding balances of loans attributed to one vessel sold and three 
vessels refinanced in sale and leaseback transactions in 2022.  

Loss on derivatives. Loss on derivates amounted to $0.4 million in 2023 and represents the fair value of 
an interest rate swap dated July 6, 2023 in which the Company entered into with DNB. The notional amount 
of the agreement is $30 million and the Company pays a fixed rate of 4.268% and receives floating under 
term SOFR. 

Gain on related party Investments. Gain on related party Investments amounted to $1.5 million in 2023, 
compared to $0.6 million in 2022. On October 17, 2023, the Company realized a gain of $1.7 million which 
derived from the conversion of 9,793 of the 10,000 Series C Preferred shares of OceanPal to 3,649,474 
common shares of OceanPal, having a fair value of $9.2 million, based on the closing price of OceanPal’s 
common  shares  on  the  date  of  conversion.  This  gain  was  the  difference  between  the  book  value  of 
OceanPal’s Series C Preferred shares and the fair value of the converted common shares and was partially 
offset by an unrealized loss of $1.0 million, resulting from the measurement of OceanPal’s common shares 
at fair value on December 31, 2023, based on the closing price of the shares on that date. Additionally, the 
Company distributed to its shareholders as a noncash dividend, its 13,157 Series D Preferred Shares of 
OceanPal,  which  resulted  in  gain  of  $0.8  million.  The  gain  of  $0.6  million  in  2022  represents  the  gain 
recognized upon the distribution of 25,000 Convertible Series D Preferred Shares of OceanPal Inc. as a 
noncash dividend to the Company's shareholders, being the difference between the carrying value and the 
fair value of the Series D Preferred Shares on the date of the dividend declaration. 

Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary. Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary amounted to $0.8 million in 
2023 and represents the gain from the Company’s 25% interest in Bergen Ultra measured at fair value on 
the date of its deconsolidation from the Company’s financial statements. 

Unrealized gain on equity securities. Unrealized gain on equity securities amounted to $2.8 million in 2023 
and resulted from the measurement of equity securities, having a book value of $17.9 million, at fair value 
of $20.7 million on December 31, 2023, determined through Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. 

Unrealized gain on warrants. Unrealized gain on warrants amounted $1.6 million in 2023, which resulted 
from the fair value adjustment as of December 31, 2023 of the value of the 22,613,070 warrants issued on 
December 14, 2023.  

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain/(loss) from equity method investments. In 2023, loss from equity method investments, amounted to 
$0.3 million, compared to a gain of $0.9 million in 2022  The loss in 2023 is attributed to a loss of $0.7 
million from our 45.45% interest in Windward, which was partly offset by a gain of $0.2 million from our 
50% interest in DWM, and a gain of $0.2 million from our 25% interest in Bergen. The gain in the prior year 
derived from our 50% interest in DWM. 

Year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 

For a discussion of the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, 
please refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in our Annual Report on Form 20-
F, for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 27, 2023. 

B. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

We  finance  our  capital  requirements  with  cash  flow  from  operations,  equity  contributions  from 
shareholders, long-term bank debt, finance liabilities and senior unsecured bonds. Our main uses of funds 
have been capital expenditures for the acquisition and construction of new vessels, expenditures incurred 
in  connection  with  ensuring  that  our  vessels  comply  with  international  and  regulatory  standards, 
repayments of bank loans, repurchase of our common stock and payment of dividends.  

As  of  December  31,  2023  and  2022,  working  capital,  which  is  current  assets  minus  current  liabilities, 
including the current portion of long-term debt and finance liabilities, amounted to $97.1 million and $9.0 
million, respectively. The increase in working capital is mainly due to increased cash and cash equivalents 
and our investment in equity securities amounting to $20.7 million, which did not exist in the prior year. In 
addition, the Company’s current portion of long-term debt decreased compared to last year as in 2022, 
current  portion  of  long-term  debt  included  a balloon  of  $43.8  million  under  one of  our  loan agreements 
which was refinanced in 2023. 

Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, was $121.6 million as of December 31, 2023 and 
$97.4  million  as  of  December  31,  2022.  Restricted  cash  mainly  consists  of  the  minimum  liquidity 
requirements under our loan facilities. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, restricted cash amounted to 
$20.0 million and $21.0 million, respectively. We consider highly liquid investments such as time deposits, 
certificates of deposit and their equivalents with an original maturity of up to about three months to be cash 
equivalents. Time deposits with maturity above three months are removed from cash and cash equivalents 
and are separately presented as time deposits. As of December 31, 2023, the time deposits above three 
months amounted to $40.0 million, compared to $46.5 million as of December 31, 2022. Cash and cash 
equivalents are primarily held in U.S. dollars. 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $88.5 million, or 56%. In 2023, net cash provided 
by  operating  activities  was  $70.4 million  compared  to  net  cash  provided  by  operating  activities  of 
$158.9 million in 2022. This decrease in cash from operating activities was mainly attributable to decreased 
revenues  as  a  result  of  decreased  average  time  charter  rates  compared  to  2022.  Cash  provided  by 
operating  activities  was  also  affected  by  our  investment  in  equity  securities  acquired  in  2023  for  $17.9 
million. This decrease was partly offset by decreased dry-docking costs incurred for seven vessels in 2023 
compared to twelve vessels in 2022.  

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities 

Net cash provided by investing activities was $24.9 million for 2023, which consists of $29.7 million paid 
for vessel acquisitions and improvements due to new regulations; $36.6 million of proceeds from the sale 
of three vessels in 2023; $10.5 million paid to acquire investments in Windward and Cohen; $1.0 million 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
cash divested from deconsolidation of Bergen Ultra; decreased investment by $6.5 million in time deposits 
with maturity  above  three  months;$25.2  million  proceeds  from  convertible  loan  with  limited  partnership; 
$0.2 million paid to acquire other assets; and $2.0 million relating to the acquisition of equipment. 

Net cash used in investing activities was $273.1 million for 2022, which consists of $230.3 million paid for 
vessel acquisitions and improvements due to new regulations; $4.4 million of proceeds from the sale of 
one vessel in 2022; $46.5 million investment in time deposits with maturity above three months; and $0.7 
million relating to the acquisition of equipment. 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 

Net cash used in financing activities was $71.1 million for 2023, which consists of $57.7 million proceeds 
from issuance of long term debt and finance liabilities; $79.8 million of indebtedness and finance liabilities 
that we repaid; $5.8 million and $41.4 million of cash dividends paid on our preferred and common stock, 
respectively; and $1.8 million of finance costs paid in relation to new loan agreements. 

Net  cash  provided  by  financing  activities  was  $84.9  million  for  2022,  which  consists  of  $275.1  million 
proceeds from issuance of long term debt and finance liabilities; $102.8 million of indebtedness and finance 
liabilities that we repaid; $5.8 million and $79.8 million of cash dividends paid on our preferred and common 
stock, respectively; $3.8 million paid for repurchase of common stock; $5.3 million proceeds from issuance 
of common stock; and $3.3 million of finance costs paid in relation to new loan agreements and finance 
liabilities. 

For a detailed discussion of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended 
December 31, 2021 please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - B. Liquidity and 
Capital Resources” included in our 2022 Annual Report filed on Form 20-F with the SEC on  March 27, 
2023. 

Capital Expenditures 

We make capital expenditures in connection with vessel acquisitions and constructions, which we finance 
with  cash  from  operations,  debt  under  loan  facilities  at  terms  acceptable  to  us,  sale  and  leaseback 
agreements and with funds from equity issuances.   

As of the date of this annual report, we have entered into two agreements for the construction of two 81,200 
dwt methanol dual fuel new-building Kamsarmax dry bulk vessels, for $46 million each. The vessels are 
expected to be delivered to the Company by the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028 respectively. 
On February 15, 2024, we paid an aggregate amount of $16.1 million, representing 17.5% of the purchase 
price of both vessels. Additionally, we have committed to contribute Euro 50 million to Windward for the 
construction of four CSOVs, with deliveries scheduled to occur between the third quarter of 2025 and the 
fourth quarter of 2026. As of the date of this report, we have paid an aggregate of Euro 24.3 million, or 
$26.1 million. We also expect to incur capital expenditures when our vessels undergo surveys. This process 
of recertification may require us to reposition these vessels from a discharging port to shipyard facilities, 
which will reduce our operating days during the period. We may also incur capital expenditures for vessel 
improvements to meet new regulations. In the next twelve months, we will require capital to fund ongoing 
operations, debt service, the payment of our preferred dividends and the payment of our bareboat charters.  

As of the date of this annual report, we have contracted revenues covering around 71% of our ownership 
days in 2024, in time charter agreements having an average time charter rate in excess of our break-even 
rate as of December 31, 2023, and we have also fixed around 12% of our ownerships days in 2025. We 
believe that contracted and anticipated revenues will result in internally generated cash flows and together 
with available cash and cash equivalents, which as of December 31, 2023 amounted to $101.6 million and 
having additional investments in time deposits of $40.0 million which mature in 2024, will be sufficient to 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
fund  such  capital  requirements.  Should  time  charter  rates  remain  at  current  levels  as  our  time  charter 
agreements are due for renewal during the year, we believe that we will be able to have sufficient funds to 
cover our capital expenditures in the long-term. We may also incur additional debt to finance part of the 
construction cost of our methanol vessels on order. 

Long-term Debt and Finance Liabilities 

As of December 31, 2023, we had $517.0 million of long term debt outstanding under our facilities and 
Bond, under the agreements described below. 

Secured Term Loans 

On January 4, 2017, we drew down $57.24 million, under a secured loan agreement with the Export-Import 
Bank  of  China,  dated  January  7,  2016,  to  finance  part  of  the  construction  cost  of  San  Francisco  and 
Newport News, both delivered on January 4, 2017. The loan is payable in equal quarterly instalments of 
about $1.0 million each, the last of which is payable by January 4, 2032. On July 19, 2023, we amended 
the terms of the loan to replace LIBOR with term SOFR and the margin was increased from 2.3% to 2.45%. 

On September 30, 2022, we entered into a $200 million loan agreement to finance the acquisition price of 
9 Ultramax vessels. The Company drew down $197.2 million under the loan, in tranches for each vessel 
on their delivery to the Company but prepaid $21.9 million in December 2022 due to a vessel sale and 
leaseback transaction. The loan is repayable in equal quarterly instalments of an aggregate amount of $3.7 
million, and a balloon of $100.9 million payable together with the last instalment on October 11, 2027. The 
loan bears interest at term SOFR plus a margin of 2.25%. 

On  April  12,  2023,  we  entered  into  a  $100  million  term  loan  facility  with  Danish  Ship  Finance  A/S  to 
refinance an aggregate of $75.2 million outstanding balance under existing loans with BNP Paribas and 
working  capital.  The loan  is  repayable in twenty  equal  consecutive quarterly instalments  of  $3.3 million 
each and a balloon of $34 million payable together with the last instalment on April 19, 2028, and bears 
interest at term SOFR plus a margin of 2.2%. 

On June 20,  2023, the Company entered  into  a  $22.5 million  loan agreement  with  Nordea  to refinance 
$20.9  million  outstanding  balance  of  an  existing  loan.  The  new  loan  is  repayable  in  equal  quarterly 
instalments of about $1.1 million and bears interest at term SOFR plus a margin of 2.25%. The loan matures 
on June 27, 2028. 

On June 26, 2023, we entered into a $100 million loan agreement with DNB Bank ASA, or DNB, to refinance 
an aggregate of $68.7 million outstanding balance under existing loans with ABN AMRO Bank N.V, and 
for  working  capital  purposes.  The  loan  is  repayable  in  equal  quarterly  instalments  of  $3.8  million  until 
December  27,  2029,  and  bears  term  SOFR  plus  a  margin  of  2.2%,  subject  to  sustainability  margin 
adjustment. Additionally, the loan is subject to a margin reset, according to which the borrowers and the 
lenders will enter into discussions to agree on a new margin. Unless the parties agree on a new margin, 
the loan will be mandatorily repayable on June 27, 2027. As part of the loan agreement, on July 6, 2023, 
we  entered  into  an  interest  rate  swap  with  DNB  for  a  notional  amount  of  $30  million  and  quarterly 
amortization of $1.2 million. Under the interest rate swap, we pay a fixed rate of 4.268% and receive floating 
under term SOFR. The swap has a termination date on December 27, 2029, and a mandatory break on 
June 27, 2027, which is the margin reset date of the loan, according to which the swap will be terminated 
if the loan is prepaid. As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate swap was a liability having a fair value of 
$0.4 million. 

Under  the  secured  term  loans  outstanding  as  of  December  31,  2023,  33  vessels  of  our  fleet  were 
mortgaged with first preferred or priority ship mortgages. Additional securities required by the banks include 
first priority assignment of all earnings, insurances, first assignment of time charter contracts with duration 

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
that  exceeds  a  certain  period,  pledge  over  the  shares  of  the  borrowers,  manager’s  undertaking  and 
subordination and requisition compensation and either a corporate guarantee by Diana Shipping Inc. (the 
“Guarantor”) or a guarantee by the ship owning companies (where applicable), financial covenants, as well 
as operating account assignments. The lenders may also require additional security in the future in the 
event  the  borrowers  breach  certain  covenants  under  the  loan  agreements.  The  secured  term  loans 
generally  include  restrictions  as  to  changes  in  management  and  ownership  of  the  vessels,  additional 
indebtedness, as well as minimum requirements regarding hull cover ratio and minimum liquidity per vessel 
owned  by  the  borrowers,  or  the  Guarantor,  maintained  in  the  bank  accounts  of  the  borrowers,  or  the 
Guarantor. Furthermore, the secured term loans contain cross default provisions and additionally we are 
not permitted to pay any dividends following the occurrence of an event of default.  

As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, and the date of this annual report, we were in compliance with all of 
our loan covenants. 

Senior Unsecured Bond due 2026 

On June 22, 2021, the Company issued a $125 million senior unsecured bond maturing in June 2026. The 
bond ranks ahead of subordinated capital and ranks the same with all other senior unsecured obligations 
of  the  Company  other  than  obligations  which  are  mandatorily  preferred  by  law.  Entities  affiliated  with 
executive officers and directors of the Company purchased an aggregate of $21 million principal amount 
of the  bond.  The  bond  bears  interest  at  a  US  Dollar  fixed-rate  coupon  of 8.375%  and  is  payable semi-
annually in arrears in June and December of each year. The bond is callable in whole or in part in June 
2024 at a price equal to 103.35% of nominal value; between June 2025 to December 2025 at a price equal 
to 101.675% of nominal value and after December 2025 at a price equal to 100% of nominal value. On 
June  29,  2023,  we  repurchased  $5.9  million  nominal  value  of  the  bond  and  recognized  a  loss  of  $0.2 
million. The bond includes financial and other covenants and is trading at Oslo Stock Exchange under the 
ticker symbol “DIASH02”.  

Finance Liabilities 

On March 29, 2022, we entered into a $50 million sale and leaseback agreement with an unaffiliated third 
party, for a period of ten years, under which we pay hire, monthly in advance and we have the option to 
repurchase the vessel after the end of the third year of the charter period, or each year thereafter, until the 
termination  of  the  lease,  at specific  prices,  subject  to  irrevocable  and  written  notice  to  the  owner.  If  not 
repurchased earlier, we have the obligation to repurchase the vessel for $16.4 million, on the expiration of 
the lease on the tenth year.  

On August 17, 2022, we entered into two sale and leaseback agreements with two unaffiliated Japanese 
third parties, for an aggregate amount of $66.4 million, for a period of eight years, each, under which we 
pay hire, monthly in advance, and we have the option to purchase the vessels at the end of the third year 
of  each  vessel's  bareboat  charter  period,  or  each  year  thereafter,  until  the  termination  of  the  lease,  at 
specific prices, subject to irrevocable and written notice to the owner. If not repurchased earlier, we have 
the  obligation  to  repurchase  the  vessels for  $13.0 million,  each,  on the  expiration  of  each lease on  the 
eighth year. 

On  December  6,  2022,  we  entered  into  a  sale  and  leaseback  agreement  for  $29.9  million  with  an 
unaffiliated third party, for a period of ten years, under which we pay hire, monthly in advance, and we have 
the  option  to  repurchase  the  vessel  after  the  end  of  the  third  year  of  the  charter  period,  or  each  year 
thereafter, until the termination of the lease, at specific prices, subject to irrevocable and written notice to 
the owner. If not repurchased earlier, we have the obligation to repurchase the vessel for $8.1 million, on 
the expiration of the lease on the tenth year. 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies 

On March 30, 2023, we entered into a corporate guarantee with Nordea under which we guaranteed the 
performance  by Bergen Ultra,  an  equity  method investee  owning  one dry  bulk  carrier,  of  its  obligations 
under a loan agreement with the bank maturing on March 30, 2028. The Company considers the likelihood 
of  having  to  make any  payments  under  the  guarantee  to  be  remote,  as  the  loan is  also secured by an 
account pledge by Bergen, first preferred mortgage on the vessel, a first priority general assignment of the 
earnings, insurances and requisition compensation of the vessel, a charter party assignment, a partnership 
interests  security  deed,  and  a  manager’s  undertaking.  As  of  December  31,  2023,  the  loan  had  an 
outstanding balance of $14.8 million.  

C. 

Research and development, patents and licenses 

We incur from time to time expenditures relating to inspections for acquiring new vessels that meet our 
standards. Such expenditures are insignificant and they are expensed as they incur. 

D. 

Trend information 

Demand for dry bulk vessel services is influenced by global financial conditions. Global financial markets 
and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile. Our results of operations depend primarily 
on charter hire rates that we are able to realize, and the demand for dry bulk vessel services. The Baltic 
Dry Index, or the BDI, has long been viewed as the main benchmark to monitor the movements of the dry 
bulk vessel charter market and the performance of the entire dry bulk shipping market. In 2023, the BDI 
ranged from a low of 530 to a high of 3,346 and closed at 1,714 on April 2, 2024. Although there can be no 
assurance that the dry bulk charter market will not decline further, as of the date of this annual report, we 
have fixed about 62% of our fleet ownership days in 2024 at rates above our break-even rate. Nevertheless, 
our  revenues  and  results  of  operations  in  2024  will  be  subject  to  demand  for  our  services,  the  level  of 
inflation, market disruptions and interest rates. Demand for our dry bulk oceangoing vessels is dependent 
upon economic growth in the world’s economies, seasonal and regional changes in demand and changes 
to the capacity of the global dry bulk fleet and the sources and supply for dry bulk cargo transported by 
sea.  Continued  adverse  economic,  political  or  social  conditions  or  other  developments  could  further 
negatively impact charter rates and therefore have a material adverse effect on our business and results 
of operations. 

E. 

Critical Accounting Estimates 

The  discussion  and  analysis  of  our  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  are  based  upon  our 
consolidated  financial  statements,  which  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  U.S.  GAAP.  The 
preparation  of  those  financial  statements  requires  us  to  make  estimates  and  judgments  that  affect  the 
reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities,  revenues  and  expenses  and  related  disclosure  of  contingent 
assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates 
under different assumptions and conditions. 

Impairment of Vessels 

Long-lived  assets  are reviewed  for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in circumstances  (such  as 
market conditions, obsolesce or damage to the asset, potential sales and other business plans) indicate 
that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When the estimate of undiscounted projected 
net operating cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of an asset over 
its remaining useful life and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount, the Company evaluates 
the asset for impairment loss. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset, 
determined mainly by third party valuations.  

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For vessels, we calculate undiscounted projected net operating cash flows by considering the historical 
and  estimated  vessels’  performance  and  utilization  with  the  significant  assumption  being  future  charter 
rates for the unfixed days, using the most recent 10-year average of historical 1 year time charter rates 
available  for  each  type of  vessel  over  the  remaining  estimated  life of  each vessel,  net  of  commissions. 
Historical  ten-year  blended  average  one-year  time  charter  rates  are  in  line  with  the  Company’s  overall 
chartering strategy, they reflect the full operating history of vessels of the same type and particulars with 
the Company’s operating fleet and they cover at least a full business cycle, where applicable. When the 
10-year average of historical 1 year time charter rates is not available for a type of vessels, the Company 
uses  the  average  of  historical  1  year  time  charter  rates  of  the  available  period.  The  historical  ten-year 
average rate used in 2023 to calculate undiscounted projected net operating cash flow was $12,775 for 
Panamax,  Kamsarmax  and  Post-Panamax  vessels,  $16,608  for  Ultramax  vessels  and  $16,115  for  our 
Capesize  and  Newcastlmax  vessels,  compared  to  $12,431,  16,876  and  $16,128,  respectively  in  2022. 
Other assumptions used in developing estimates of future undiscounted cash flow are the  charter rates 
calculated for the fixed days using the fixed charter rate of each vessel from existing time charters, the 
expected outflows for scheduled vessels’ maintenance; vessel operating expenses; fleet utilization, and 
the vessels’ residual value if sold for scrap. Assumptions are in line with our historical performance and our 
expectations for future fleet utilization under our current fleet deployment strategy. The difference between 
the carrying amount of the vessel plus unamortized deferred costs and their fair value is recognized in the 
Company's accounts as impairment loss. Although no impairment loss was identified or recorded in 2023, 
according  to  our  assessment,  the  carrying  value  plus  unamortized  deferred  cost  of  vessels  for  which 
impairment indicators existed as of December 31, 2023, was $378.2 million. 

Historically,  the  market  values  of  vessels  have  experienced  volatility,  which  from  time  to  time  may  be 
substantial.  As a result, the charter-free market value of certain of our vessels may have declined below 
those  vessels’  carrying  value  plus  unamortized  deferred  cost,  even  though  we  would  not  impair  those 
vessels’  carrying  value  under  our  accounting  impairment  policy.    Based  on:  (i)  the  carrying  value  plus 
unamortized  deferred  cost  of  each of  our vessels  as  of  December  31,  2023 and 2022  and  (ii)  what  we 
believe the charter-free market value of each of our vessels was as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the 
aggregate  carrying  value  of  12  and  17  of  the  vessels  in  our  fleet  as  of  December  31,  2023  and  2022, 
respectively,  exceeded  their  aggregate  charter-free  market  value  by approximately  $49  million  and $83 
million, respectively, as noted in the table below.  This aggregate difference represents the approximate 
analysis of the amount by which we believe we would have to reduce our net income or increase our loss 
if we sold all of such vessels at December 31, 2023 and 2022, on a charter-free basis, on industry standard 
terms, in cash transactions, and to a willing buyer where we were not under any compulsion to sell, and 
where the buyer was not under any compulsion to buy. For purposes of this calculation, we have assumed 
that these 12 and 17 vessels would be sold at a price that reflects our estimate of their charter-free market 
values as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. 

82 

 
 
 
Vessel 

1  Alcmene 
2  Aliki 
3  Amphitrite 
4  Artemis 
5  Astarte 
6  Atalandi 
7  Boston 
8  Crystalia 
9  Electra 

10  G.P. Zafirakis 
11  Houston 
12  Ismene 
13  Leto 
14  Los Angeles 
15  Maera 
16  Maia 
17  Medusa 
18  Melia 
19  Myrsini 
20  Myrto 
21  New Orleans 
22  New York 
23  Newport News 
24  P.S. Palios 
25  Phaidra 
26  Philadelphia 
27  Polymnia 
28  San Francisco 
29  Santa Barbara 
30  Seattle 
31  Selina 
32  Semirio 
33  LEONIDAS P.C. 
34  Florida 
35  DSI Pyxis 
36  DSI Pollux 
37  DSI Phoenix 
38  DSI Polaris 
39  DSI Andromeda 
40  DSI Aquila 
41  DSI Pegasus 
42  DSI Altair 
43  DSI Aquarius 

Total  

Dwt 
93,193 
180,235 
98,697 
76,942 
81,513 
77,529 
177,828 
77,525 
87,150 
179,492 
177,729 
77,901 
81,297 
206,104 
75,403 
82,193 
82,194 
76,225 
82,117 
82,131 
180,960 
177,773 
208,021 
179,134 
87,146 
206,040 
98,704 
208,006 
179,426 
179,362 
75,700 
174,261 
82,165 
182,063 
60,362 
60,446 
60,456 
60,404 
60,309 
60,309 
60,508 
60,309 
60,309 
4,915,571 

Year Built 
2010 
2005 
2012 
2006 
2013 
2014 
2007 
2014 
2013 
2014 
2009 
2013 
2010 
2012 
2013 
2009 
2010 
2005 
2010 
2013 
2015 
2010 
2017 
2013 
2013 
2012 
2012 
2017 
2015 
2011 
2010 
2007 
2011 
2022 
2018 
2015 
2017 
2018 
2016 
2015 
2015 
2016 
2016 

Carrying Value plus unamortized 
deferred cost  
(in millions of US dollars) 

2023 

2022 

 9.6   
 -  
 14.0   
 11.0   
 18.0   
 15.7   
 -   
 15.4   
 14.1   
 22.1   
 18.4   
 11.7   
 12.9   
 23.5   
 11.7   
 12.4   
 12.4   
 -   
 14.2   
 17.8   
 31.6   
 14.0   
 40.5   
 35.3 * 
 13.5   
 24.2   
 14.2   
 40.6   
 34.8 * 
 21.3   
 9.1   
 16.1   
 20.8 * 
 57.0   
 35.6 * 
 29.9 * 
 32.7 * 
 36.2 * 
 31.8 * 
 29.9 * 
 28.8 * 
 31.3 * 
 31.0 * 
 915  

 10.1   
 13.0   
 14.7   
 11.9   
 19.1   
 16.4   
 18.2 * 
 16.1   
 14.9   
 23.0   
 19.4   
 10.6   
 13.7   
 24.8   
 12.3   
 13.4   
 13.1   
 10.8   
 15.1   
 18.9   
 33.1 * 
 14.5   
 42.4 * 
 37.4 * 
 13.0   
 25.5   
 15.0   
 42.5 * 
 36.4 * 
 22.6   
 9.3   
 17.6 * 
 21.7 * 
 59.1 * 
 36.1 * 
 31.4 * 
 34.3 * 
 36.9 * 
 33.3 * 
 31.5 * 
 30.3 * 
 32.5 * 
 -   
 966  

_______________________________ 
*Indicates dry bulk vessels for which we believe, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the charter-free market value 
was lower than the vessel’s carrying value plus unamortized deferred cost. We believe that the aggregate carrying 
value  plus  unamortized  deferred  cost  of  these  vessels  exceeded  their  aggregate  charter-free  market  value  by 
approximately $49 million and $83 million, respectively.  

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Our  estimates  of  charter-free  market  value  assume  that  our  vessels  were  all  in  good  and  seaworthy 
condition without need for repair and if inspected would be certified in class without notations of any kind. 
Our estimates are based on information available from various industry sources, including:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

reports  by  industry  analysts  and  data  providers that  focus on  our  industry  and  related  dynamics 
affecting vessel values;  

news and industry reports of similar vessel sales;  

offers that we may have received from potential purchasers of our vessels; and  

vessel  sale  prices  and  values  of  which  we  are  aware  through  both  formal  and  informal 
communications  with  shipowners,  shipbrokers,  industry  analysts  and  various  other  shipping 
industry participants and observers. 

As  we obtain  information  from  various  industry and  other  sources,  our estimates of charter-free  market 
value are inherently uncertain. In addition, vessel values are highly volatile; as such, our estimates may 
not be indicative of the current or future charter-free market value of our vessels or prices that we could 
achieve if we were to sell them.  We also refer you to the risk factor in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk 
Factors” entitled “The market values of our vessels could decline, which could limit the amount of funds 
that we can borrow and could trigger breaches of certain financial covenants contained in our loan facilities, 
which could adversely affect our operating results, and we may incur a loss if we sell vessels following a 
decline  in  their  market  values”  and  the  discussion  under  the  heading  "Item  4.  Information  on  the 
Company—B. Business Overview–Vessel Prices.” 

Our impairment test exercise is sensitive to variances in the time charter rates. Our current analysis, which 
also  involved  a  sensitivity  analysis  by  assigning  possible  alternative  values  to  this  significant  input, 
indicated that time charter rates would need to be reduced by 11% to result in impairment of individual 
long-lived assets with indication of impairment. However, there can be no assurance as to how long charter 
rates and vessel values will remain at their current levels. If charter rates decrease and remain depressed 
for  some  time,  it  could  adversely  affect  our  revenue  and  profitability  and  future  assessments  of  vessel 
impairment. 

A comparison of the average estimated daily time charter equivalent rate used in our impairment analysis 
with the average “break-even rate” for each major class of vessels is presented below:  

Ultramax 
Panamax/Kamsarmax/Post-Panamax 
Capesize/Newcastlemax 

Average estimated daily time 
charter equivalent rate used 
$16,608 
$12,775 
$16,115 

Average break-even  
rate 
$12,195 
              $9,314 
$11,721 

84 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It should be noted that as of December 31, 2023, twelve of our vessels, having indication of impairment, 
would be affected by a reduction in time charter rates below the average break-even rate. Additionally, the 
use of the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year average blended rates would not have any effect on the Company’s 
impairment analysis and as such on the Company’s results of operations: 

Vessel type 

Ultramax 
Panamax/Kamsarmax/Post-
Panamax 
Capesize/Newcastlemax 

1-year 
(period) 

$15,131 

$13,536 
$15,623 

Impairment 
charge 
(in USD 
million) 

- 

- 
- 

Impairment 
charge 
(in USD 
million) 

- 

- 
- 

Impairment 
charge 
(in USD 
million) 

- 

- 
- 

5-year 
(period) 

$17,191 

$15,652 
$17,974 

3-year 
(period) 

$20,740 

$18,618 
$19,900 

Item 6. 

Directors, Senior Management and Employees 

A. 

Directors and Senior Management 

Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our directors and executive officers. Our Board of 
Directors  consists  of  eleven  members  and  is  elected  annually  on  a  staggered  basis,  and  each  director 
elected holds office for a three-year term and until his or her successor is elected and has qualified, except 
in the event of such director’s death, resignation, removal or the earlier termination of his or her term of 
office. Officers are appointed from time to time by our board of directors and hold office until a successor 
is appointed or their employment is terminated. 

Name 
Semiramis Paliou 
Simeon Palios 
Anastasios Margaronis 
Ioannis Zafirakis 

Konstantinos Psaltis 
Kyriacos Riris 
Apostolos Kontoyannis 
Konstantinos Fotiadis  
Eleftherios Papatrifon  
Simon Frank Peter Morecroft 
Jane Sih Ho Chao 
Maria Dede 
Margarita Veniou 

   Age 

Position 

49     Class III Director and Chief Executive Officer  
82     Class I Director and Chairman 
68     Class I Director and President 
52     Class I Director, Chief Financial Officer, Chief 

Strategy Officer, Treasurer and Secretary 

85     Class II Director 
74     Class II Director 
75     Class III Director 
73     Class III Director 
54    Class II Director 
65    Class II Director 
48    Class I Director 
51    Chief Accounting Officer 
45    Chief Corporate Development, Governance & 

Communications Officer 

Maria Christina Tsemani 

45    Chief People Officer 

The term of our Class I directors expires in 2024, the term of our Class II directors expires in 2025, and the 
term of our Class III directors expires in 2026.  

Mr. Eleftherios Papatrifon served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company until February 2023, when he 
was appointed as Class II Director and member of the Executive Committee on February 22, 2023 to serve 
until the next scheduled election for Class II directors. 

85 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Jane Chao was appointed as a Class I Director on February 22, 2023 to serve until the next scheduled 
election for Class I directors. 

The business address of each officer and director is the address of our principal executive offices, which 
are located at Pendelis 16, 175 64 Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece. 

Biographical information with respect to each of our directors and executive officers is set forth below. 

Semiramis  Paliou  has  served  as  a  Director  of  Diana  Shipping  Inc.  since  March  2015,  and  as  the 
Company’s  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Chairperson  of  the  Executive  Committee  and  member  of  the 
Sustainability  Committee  since  March  2021.  Ms.  Paliou  has  been  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Diana 
Shipping Services S.A. since March 2021. She also serves as a Director of OceanPal Inc. since April 2021 
and as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee of OceanPal Inc. since 
November 2021. Ms. Paliou is the Chairperson of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association 
(HELMEPA),  a  position she  has  held  since June  2020,  while she joined its  board  of  directors  in March 
2018. As of July 2023, she serves as Chairperson of INTERMEPA. She is also a member of the board of 
directors  of  the  UK  P&I  Club  since  November  2020,  member  of  the  Union  of  Greek  Shipowners  since 
February 2022 and member of the Global Maritime Forum since April 2022. She is Vice-Chairperson of the 
Greek committee of Det Norske Veritas, a member of the Greek committee of Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, Bureau 
Veritas, American Bureau of Shipping and Hellenic War Risks 

Ms. Paliou has over 20 years of experience in shipping operations, technical management and crewing. 
She began her career at Lloyd’s Register of Shipping where she worked as a trainee ship surveyor from 
1996  to  1998.  She  was then  employed  by  Diana  Shipping  Agencies  S.A.  From  2007  to  2010  she  was 
employed as a Director and President of Alpha Sigma Shipping Corp. From February 2010 to November 
2015, she was the Head of the Operations, Technical and Crew department of Diana Shipping Services 
S.A. From November 2015 to October 2016, she served as Vice-President of the same company. From 
November  2016  to  the  end  of  July  2018,  she  served  as  Managing  Director  and  Head of  the  Technical, 
Operations, Crew and Supply department of Unitized Ocean Transport Limited. From November 2018 to 
February  2020,  she  worked  as  Chief  Operating  Officer  of  Performance  Shipping  Inc.  (ex.  Diana 
Containerships Inc.). From October 2019 until February 2021, Ms. Paliou served as Deputy Chief Executive 
Officer  of  Diana  Shipping  Inc.  She  also  served  as  member  of  the  Executive  Committee  and  the  Chief 
Operating Officer of the Company from August 2018 until February 2021.  

Ms. Paliou obtained her BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London and her MSc in 
Naval  Architecture  from  University  College,  London.  She  completed  courses  in  “Finance  for  Senior 
Executives”,  in  “Authentic  Leader  Development”  and  a  certificate  program  on  “Sustainable  Business 
Strategy” all at Harvard Business School. Ms. Paliou is also the daughter of Simeon Palios, the Company’s 
Chairman. 

Simeon  P.  Palios  has  served  as  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Diana  Shipping  Inc.  since 
February  2005  and  a  Director  of  the  Company  since  March  1999.  He  served  as  the  Company’s  Chief 
Executive Officer from February 2005 until February 2021. Mr. Palios also serves as the President of Diana 
Shipping Services S.A. which was formed in 1986.  Mr. Palios has experience in the shipping industry since 
1969 and expertise in technical and operational issues. He has served as an ensign in the Greek Navy for 
the  inspection  of  passenger  boats  on  behalf  of Ministry  of Merchant  Marine  and is  qualified  as a naval 
architect  and  marine  engineer.  Mr.  Palios  was  the  founder  of  Diana  Shipping  Agencies  S.A.,  where  he 
served as Managing Director until November 2004, having the overall responsibility for its activities. From 
January 13, 2010 until February 28, 2022, Mr. Palios also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors 
of Performance Shipping Inc. (ex. Diana Containerships Inc.) and as Chief Executive Officer until October 
2020. 

86 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Palios is a member of various leading classification societies worldwide and he is a member of the 
board  of  directors  of  the  United  Kingdom  Freight  Demurrage  and  Defense  Association  Limited.  Since 
October 7, 2015, Mr. Palios has served as President of the Association “Friends of Biomedical Research 
Foundation,  Academy  of  Athens”.  He  holds  a  bachelor's  degree  in  Marine  Engineering  from  Durham 
University. 

Anastasios C. Margaronis has served as President and a Director of Diana Shipping Inc. since February 
2005.  He  is  also  member  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Company.  Mr.  Margaronis  is  the  Deputy 
President  of  Diana  Shipping  Services  S.A.,  where  he  also  serves  as  a  Director  and  Secretary.  Mr. 
Margaronis has experience in the shipping industry, including in ship finance and insurance, since 1980. 
Prior to February 21, 2005, Mr. Margaronis was employed by Diana Shipping Agencies S.A. in 1979 and 
performed on our behalf the services he now performs as President. He joined Diana Shipping Agencies 
S.A. in 1979 and has been responsible for overseeing our vessels’ insurance matters, including hull and 
machinery, protection and indemnity and war risks insurances. From January 2010 to February 2020, he 
served as Director and President of Performance Shipping Inc. (ex. Diana Containerships Inc.). 

In  addition,  Mr.  Margaronis  is  a  member  of  the  Greek  National  Committee  of  the  American  Bureau  of 
Shipping. He has also been on the Members’ Committee of the Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association 
Limited  since  October  2022.  From  October  2005  to  October  2019,  he  was  a  member  of  the  board  of 
directors of the United Kingdom Mutual Steam Ship Assurance Association (Europe) Limited.  

He  holds  a  bachelor's  degree  in  Economics  from  the  University  of  Warwick  and  a  master's  of  science 
degree in Maritime Law from the Wales Institute of Science and Technology. 

Ioannis Zafirakis has served as a Director and Secretary of Diana Shipping Inc. since February 2005 and 
Chief Financial Officer (Interim Chief Financial Officer until February 2021) and Treasurer since February 
2020  and  he  is  also  the  Chief  Strategy  Officer  of  the  Company.  Mr.  Zafirakis  is  also  member  of  the 
Executive Committee of the Company. Mr. Zafirakis has held various executive positions such as Chief 
Operating  Officer,  Executive  Vice-President  and  Vice-President.  In  addition,  Mr.  Zafirakis  is  the  Chief 
Financial Officer of Diana Shipping Services S.A., where he also serves as Director and Treasurer. Also, 
he  has  served  as  a  Director  of  OceanPal  Inc.  since  April  2021.  He  has  also  served  as  the  President, 
Secretary and Interim Chief Financial Officer of OceanPal Inc. from November 2021 to April 2023. He is 
also member of the Executive Committee of OceanPal Inc.  

From June 1997 to February 2005, Mr. Zafirakis was employed by Diana Shipping Agencies S.A., where 
he held a number of positions in finance and accounting. From January 2010 to February 2020, he also 
served as Director and Secretary of Performance Shipping Inc. (ex. Diana Containerships Inc.), where he 
held various executive positions such as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer.  

Mr. Zafirakis is a member of the Business Advisory Committee of the Shipping Programs of ALBA Graduate 
Business School at The American College of Greece. In 2024, Mr. Zafirakis attended and completed the 
Advanced  Management  Programme  at  INSEAD  Business  School  in  Singapore.  Mr.  Zafirakis  has  also 
obtained  a  certificate  in  “Blockchain  Economics:  An  Introduction  to  Cryptocurrencies”  from  Panteion 
University of Social and Political Sciences in Greece. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Studies 
from City University Business School in London and a master's degree in International Transport from the 
University of Wales in Cardiff. 

Eleftherios (Lefteris) A. Papatrifon has served as a Director and a member of the Executive Committee 
of Diana Shipping Inc. since February 2023. Prior to this appointment, he served as Chief Operating Officer 
of the Company from March 2021 to February 2023. Mr. Papatrifon also serves as a Director of OceanPal 
Inc.  and  a  member  of  its  Executive  Committee,  positions  he  has  held  since  November  2021.  From 
November 2021 to January 2023, he served as Chief Executive Officer of OceanPal Inc.  

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior to joining Diana Shipping Inc., he was Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder and Director of Quintana 
Shipping Ltd, a provider of dry bulk shipping services, from 2010 until the company’s successful sale of 
assets and consequent liquidation in 2017. Previously, for a period of approximately six years, he served 
as  the  Chief  Financial  Officer  and  Director  of  Excel  Maritime  Carriers Ltd.  Prior  to  that,  Mr. Papatrifon 
served for approximately 15 years in a number of corporate finance and asset management positions, both 
in the USA and in Greece.  

Mr. Papatrifon holds undergraduate (BBA) and graduate (MBA) degrees from Baruch College (CUNY). He 
is also a member of the CFA Institute and a CFA charterholder. 

Konstantinos Psaltis has served as a Director of Diana Shipping Inc. since March 2005, the Chairman of 
its Nominating Committee since May 2015 and a member of its Compensation Committee since May 2017. 
Mr.  Psaltis  serves  also  as  President  of  Ormos  Compania  Naviera  S.A.,  a  company  that  specializes  in 
operating and managing multipurpose container vessels, where from 1981 to 2006, he held the position of 
Managing Director. Prior to joining Ormos Compania Naviera S.A., Mr. Psaltis simultaneously served as a 
technical  manager  in  the  textile  manufacturing  industry  and  as  a  shareholder  of  shipping  companies 
managed by M.J. Lemos. From 1961 to 1964, he served as ensign in the Royal Hellenic Navy.  

He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Technische Hochschule Reutlingen & Wuppertal and 
a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Tubingen University in Germany. 

Kyriacos Riris has served as a Director of Diana Shipping Inc. since March 2015 and a member of its 
Nominating Committee since May 2015. From May 2022, he is also the Chairman of the Audit Committee 
of the Company.  

Commencing in 1998, Mr. Riris served in a series of positions in PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Greece, 
including Senior Partner, Managing Partner of the Audit and the Advisory/Consulting Lines of Service. From 
2009 to 2014, Mr. Riris served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), 
Greece. Prior to its merger with PwC, Mr. Riris was employed at Grant Thornton, Greece, where in 1984 
he  became  a  Partner.  From  1976  to  1982,  Mr.  Riris  was  employed  at  Arthur  Young,  Greece.  Since 
November  2018,  Mr.  Riris  has  served  as  Chairman  of  Titan  Cement  International  S.A.,  a  Belgian 
corporation, while he is currently the Vice Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit and the 
Risk Committee of the Group. 

Mr.  Riris  holds  a  degree  from  Birmingham  Polytechnic  (presently  Birmingham  City  University)  and 
completed his professional qualifications with the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) 
in the UK in 1975, becoming a Fellow of the Association of Certified Accountants in 1985. 

Apostolos Kontoyannis is a Director, the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee and a member of 
the Audit Committee of Diana Shipping Inc., positions he has held since March 2005. Since March 2021, 
Mr. Kontoyannis also serves as the Chairperson of the Sustainability Committee of the Company.  

Mr.  Kontoyannis  has  over  40  years  of  experience  in  shipping  finance  and  currently  serves  as  financial 
consultant to various shipping companies. He was employed by Chase Manhattan Bank N.A. in Frankfurt 
(Corporate  Bank),  London  (Head  of  Shipping  Finance  South  Western  European  Region)  and  Piraeus 
(Manager, Ship Finance Group) from 1975 to 1987.  

Mr. Kontoyannis holds a bachelor's degree in Finance and Marketing and a master's degree in Business 
Administration and Finance from Boston University. 

Konstantinos Fotiadis has served as a Director of Diana Shipping Inc. since 2017.  Mr. Fotiadis served 
as an independent Director and as the Chairman of the Audit Committee of Performance Shipping Inc. (ex. 

88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diana Containerships Inc.) from the completion of Performance Shipping Inc. (ex. Diana Containerships 
Inc.)’s private offering until February 2011. From 1990 until 1994, Mr. Fotiadis served as the President and 
Managing Director of Reckitt & Colman (Greece), part of the British multinational Reckitt & Colman plc, 
manufacturers of household, cosmetics and health care products. From 1981 until its acquisition in 1989 
by  Reckitt  &  Colman  plc,  Mr.  Fotiadis  was  a  General  Manager  at  Dr.  Michalis  S.A.,  a  Greek  company 
manufacturing and marketing cosmetics and health care products. From 1978 until 1981, Mr. Fotiadis held 
positions with Esso Chemicals Ltd. and Avrassoglou S.A. Mr. Fotiadis has also been active as a business 
consultant and real estate developer. 

Mr.  Fotiadis  holds  a  degree  in  Economics  from  Technische  Universitaet  Berlin  and  in  Business 
Administration from Freie Universitaet Berlin. 

Simon Morecroft has served as a Director of Diana Shipping Inc. since May 2022. He also serves as a 
Director of Enarxis Ltd, a shipping consultancy company. Mr. Morecroft spent his career in the shipbroking 
industry  as  a  Sale  and  Purchase  broker.  He  joined  Braemar  Shipbrokers  Ltd  (now  Braemar  ACM 
Shipbroking) in 1983 becoming a director in 1986 and remained on the board until his retirement in August 
2021.  During  this  time  Braemar  grew  from  a  boutique  broking  operation  into  one  of  the  world’s  most 
successful fully integrated shipbroking companies with a listing on the London Stock Exchange. 

Mr. Morecroft graduated from Oxford University in 1980 with a Masters in PPE.  

Jane Chao has served as a Director of Diana Shipping Inc. since February 2023. She also serves as a 
director of Wah Kwong Shipping Holdings Limited, a position she has held since 2008. Ms. Chao is the 
managing director of Wah Kwong China Investment which includes residential and commercial properties 
as well as hospitality businesses in Shanghai and Wuxi. Ms. Chao has founded her own art consultancy 
company Galerie Huit and lifestyle gallery Maison Huit in 2009 and recently, the non-profit Chao-Lee Art 
Foundation in 2022.  

Ms.  Chao  has  also  served  as  a  Council  Member  for  Changing  Young  Lives  Foundation  helping 
underprivileged children in Hong Kong and China from 2014 to 2020. 

Maria Dede is the Chief Accounting Officer of Diana Shipping Inc., a position she has held since September 
2005. Since Mach 2020, she also serves as the Finance Manager and Chief Accounting Officer of Diana 
Shipping Services S.A. In 2000, Ms. Dede joined the Athens branch of Arthur Andersen, which merged 
with Ernst and Young (Hellas) in 2002, where she served as an external auditor of shipping companies 
until 2005. From 1996 to 2000 Ms. Dede was employed by Venus Enterprises S.A., a ship-management 
company, where she held a number of positions primarily in accounting and supplies. 

Ms. Dede holds a Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies from the University of Piraeus, a Master’s degree 
in Business Administration from the ALBA Graduate Business School and a Master’s degree in Auditing 
and Accounting from the Greek Institute of Chartered Accountants. 

Margarita  Veniou  has  served  as  the  Chief  Corporate  Development,  Governance  &  Communications 
Officer of Diana Shipping Inc. since July 2022. From September 2004 until June 2022, she served in the 
Corporate  Planning  &  Governance  Department  of  Diana  Shipping  Inc.,  holding  various  positions  as 
Associate,  Officer  and  Manager.    Ms.  Veniou  is  also  the  Corporate  Development,  Governance  & 
Communications Manager of Diana Shipping Services S.A., a position she has held since 2022, and from 
2004 to 2022 she held various other positions at Diana Shipping Services S.A. In addition, since November 
2021, Ms. Veniou has served as the Chief Corporate Development & Governance Officer of OceanPal Inc. 
and she has also served as the company’s Board Secretary since April 2023. She is the General Manager 
of Steamship Shipbroking Enterprises Inc., a position she has held since April 2014.  

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
From  January  2010  to  February  2020,  Ms.  Veniou  also  held  the  position  of  Corporate  Planning  & 
Governance Officer of Performance Shipping Inc. (ex. Diana Containerships Inc.). 

Ms. Veniou holds a bachelor's degree in Maritime Studies and a master's degree in Maritime Economics 
&  Policy  from  the  University  of  Piraeus,  Greece.  She  completed  the  Sustainability  Leadership  and 
Corporate  Responsibility  course  at  the  London  Business  School  and  has  obtained  the  Certification  in 
Shipping Derivatives from the Athens University of Economics and Business. Ms. Veniou is also a member 
of WISTA Hellas and ISO 14001 certified by Lloyd’s Register. 

Maria-Christina  Tsemani  has  served  as  the  Company’s  Chief  People  Officer  since  July  2022.  Ms. 
Tsemani  also  serves  as  HR  Manager  of  Diana  Shipping  Services  S.A.,  a  position  she  has  held  since 
October 2020.  

Ms. Tsemani has over 20 years of experience in HR positions with multinational companies and institutional 
bodies. Before joining Diana Shipping, Ms. Tsemani was People Acquisition and Development Manager of 
Vodafone Greece.  During  her  career  in  Vodafone from  2008 to 2020,  she held  various other  positions, 
including Senior HR Business Partner and Organizational Effectiveness and Reward Manager. From 2004 
to 2008, Ms. Tsemani worked as a Senior HR Consultant in PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). From 2001 
to 2004, she served as Project Manager in the European Commission, based in Luxembourg.  

Ms.  Tsemani  holds a  bachelor’s degree  in Mathematical  Sciences  and a  master’s  of  science degree in 
Applied Statistics from the University of Oxford, UK.  

B. 

Compensation 

Aggregate executive compensation (including amounts paid to Steamship) for 2023 was $6.6 million. Since 
June 1, 2010, Steamship, a related party, as described in "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party 
Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions" has provided to us brokerage services. Under the Brokerage 
Services  Agreements  in  effect  during  2023,  fees  for  2023  amounted  to  $3.9  million  and  we  also  paid 
commissions  for  vessel  sales  and  purchases  amounting to  $0.9 million.  We  consider  fees  under  these 
agreements to be part of our executive compensation due to the affiliation with Steamship.  

Non-employee directors receive annual  compensation  in the  amount  of  $52,000 plus reimbursement  of 
out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, each director serving as chairman of a committee receives additional 
annual compensation of $26,000, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses with the exception of the 
chairman of the audit and compensation committee who receive annual compensation of $40,000. Each 
director  serving  as  member  of  a  committee  receives  additional  annual  compensation  of  $13,000,  plus 
reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses with the exception of the member of the audit committee who 
receives annual compensation of $26,000, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. In 2023, fees 
and expenses of our non-executive directors amounted to $0.5 million. 

We do not have a retirement plan for our officers or directors.  

Equity Incentive Plan 

In November 2014, our board of directors approved, and the Company adopted the 2014 Equity Incentive 
Plan for 5,000,000 shares of common stock, amended on May 31, 2018 to increase the shares of common 
stock to 13,000,000 and further amended on January 8, 2021, referred to as “the Plan”, to increase the 
number  of  shares  of  common  stock  available  for  the  issuance  of  equity  awards  by  20  million  shares. 
Currently, 11,144,759 shares remain reserved for issuance under the Plan.  

Under the Plan, the Company’s employees, officers and directors are entitled to receive options to acquire 
the  Company’s  common  stock.    The  Plan  is  administered  by  the  Compensation  Committee  of  the 

90 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company’s Board of Directors, or such other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board. 
Under  the  terms  of  the  Plan,  the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors  is  able to  grant  (a)  non-qualified  stock 
options, (b) stock appreciation rights, (c) restricted stock, (d) restricted stock units, (e) unrestricted stock, 
(f) other equity-based or equity-related awards, (g) dividend equivalents and (h) cash awards. No options 
or stock appreciation rights can be exercisable subsequent to the tenth anniversary of the date on which 
such  Award  was  granted.  Under  the  Plan,  the  Administrator  may  waive  or  modify  the  application  of 
forfeiture of awards of restricted stock and performance shares in connection with cessation of service with 
the Company. No Awards may be granted under the Plan following the tenth anniversary of the date on 
which the Plan was adopted by the Board (i.e., January 8, 2031). 

During 2023 and as of the date of this annual report, our board of directors awarded an aggregate amount 
of 1,750,000 shares and 2,300,000 shares, respectively of restricted common stock, of which 1,487,500 
shares and 1,955,000 shares, respectively were awarded to senior management, and 262,500 shares and 
345,000 shares, respectively, were awarded to non-employee directors. All restricted shares vest ratably 
over  three  years,  The  restricted  shares  are  subject  to  forfeiture  until  they  become  vested.  Unless  they 
forfeit, grantees have the right to vote, to receive and retain all dividends paid and to exercise all other 
rights, powers and privileges of a holder of shares.  

In 2023, compensation costs relating to the aggregate amount of restricted stock awards amounted to $9.9 
million. 

C. 

Board Practices 

We  have  established  an  Audit  Committee,  comprised  of  two  board  members,  which  is  responsible  for 
reviewing  our  accounting  controls,  recommending  to  the  board  of  directors  the  engagement  of  our 
independent  auditors,  and  pre-approving  audit  and  audit-related  services  and  fees.    Each  member  has 
been determined by our board of directors to be “independent” under the rules of the NYSE and the rules 
and  regulations  of  the  SEC.  As  directed  by  its  written  charter,  the  Audit  Committee  is  responsible  for 
appointing, and overseeing the work of the independent auditors, including reviewing and approving their 
engagement  letter  and  all  fees  paid  to  our  auditors,  reviewing  the  adequacy  and  effectiveness  of  the 
Company's accounting and internal control procedures and reading and discussing with management and 
the independent auditors the annual audited financial statements. The members of the Audit Committee 
are  Mr. Kyriacos  Riris  (chairman  and  financial  expert)  and  Mr. Apostolos  Kontoyannis  (member  and 
financial expert). 

We have established a Compensation Committee comprised of two members, which, as directed by its 
written charter, is responsible for setting the compensation of executive officers of the Company, reviewing 
the Company’s incentive and equity-based compensation plans, and reviewing and approving employment 
and severance agreements. The members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Apostolos Kontoyannis 
(chairman) and Mr. Konstantinos Psaltis (member). 

We have established a Nominating Committee comprised of two members, which, as directed by its written 
charter, is responsible for identifying, evaluating and making recommendations to the board of directors 
concerning individuals for selections as director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders or 
to  otherwise  fill  board  of  director  vacancies.  The  members  of  the  Nominating  Committee  are 
Mr. Konstantinos Psaltis (chairman) and Mr. Kyriacos Riris (member). 

We have established a Sustainability Committee as of February 18, 2021, comprised of Ms. Semiramis 
Paliou (member) and Mr. Apostolos Kontoyannis (Chairman)  which, as directed by its written charter, is 
responsible for Identifying, evaluating and making recommendations to the Board with respect to significant 
policies  and  performance  on  matters  relating  to  sustainability,  including  environmental  risks  and 
opportunities, social responsibility and impact and the health and safety of all of our stakeholders. 

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We  have  established  an  Executive  Committee  comprised  of  the  four  directors,  Ms.  Semiramis  Paliou 
(Chairperson), Mr. Anastasios Margaronis (member), Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis (member), and Mr. Eleftherios 
Papatrifon  (member).  The  Executive  Committee  has,  to  the  extent  permitted  by  law,  the  powers  of  the 
Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Company. 

We  also  maintain  directors’  and  officers’  insurance,  pursuant  to  which  we  provide  insurance  coverage 
against certain liabilities to which our directors and officers may be subject, including liability incurred under 
U.S.  securities law. Our executive  directors  have  employment  agreements,  which,  if terminated  without 
cause, entitle them to continue receiving their basic salary through the date of the agreement’s expiration. 

Clawback Policy 

In December 2023, our Board of Directors adopted a policy regarding the recovery of erroneously awarded 
compensation (“Clawback Policy”) in accordance with the applicable rules of NYSE and Section 10D and 
Rule 10D-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In the event we are required to prepare 
an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under 
U.S. securities laws or otherwise erroneous data or if we determine there has been a significant misconduct 
that causes material financial, operational or reputational harm, we shall be entitled to recover a portion or 
all of any incentive-based compensation, if any, provided to certain executives who, during a three-year 
period  preceding  the  date  on  which  an  accounting  restatement  is  required,  received  incentive 
compensation  based  on  the  erroneous  financial  data  that  exceeds  the  amount  of  incentive-based 
compensation the executive would have received based on the restatement. 

Our  Clawback  Policy  shall  be  administered  by  our  Compensation  Committee  who  has  the  authority,  in 
accordance with the applicable laws, rules and regulations, to interpret and make determinations necessary 
for the administration of the Clawback Policy, and may forego recovery in certain instances, including if it 
determines that recovery would be impracticable.  

D. 

Employees 

We crew our vessels primarily with Greek officers and Filipino officers and seamen and may also employ 
seamen from Poland, Romania and Ukraine. DSS and DWM are responsible for identifying the appropriate 
officers  and  seamen  mainly  through  crewing  agencies.  The  crewing  agencies  handle  each  seaman's 
training, travel and payroll. The management companies ensure that all our seamen have the qualifications 
and licenses required to comply with international regulations and shipping conventions. Additionally, our 
seafaring  employees  perform  most  commissioning  work  and  supervise  work  at  shipyards  and  drydock 
facilities. We typically man our vessels with more crew members than are required by the country of the 
vessel's flag in order to allow for the performance of routine maintenance duties. 

The  following  table  presents  the  number  of  shoreside  personnel  employed  by  DSS  and  the  number  of 
seafaring  personnel  employed  by  our  vessel-owning  subsidiaries  as  of  December  31,  2023,  2022  and 
2021.  

Shoreside 
Seafaring 
Total 

2023 

Year Ended December 31, 
2022 

2021 

112 
906 
1,018 

113   
907   
1,020   

111 
708 
819 

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E. 

Share Ownership 

With respect to the total amount of common shares, Series B Preferred Shares, Series C Preferred Shares 
and Series D Preferred Shares owned by our officers and directors, individually and as a group, see “Item 
7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders.” 

Disclosure of Registrant's Action to Recover Erroneously Awarded 

F. 
Compensation 

Not applicable. 

Item 7. 

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions  

A. 

Major Shareholders 

The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of our common stock of which we are aware 
as of the date of this annual report, for (i) beneficial owners of five percent or more of our common stock 
and  (ii) our  officers  and  directors,  individually  and  as  a  group.  All  of  our  shareholders,  including  the 
shareholders listed in this table, are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held. 

Title of Class 
Common Stock,  
par value $0.01 

Identity of Person or Group 

   Semiramis Paliou (1) 
  Anastasios Margaronis (2) 
  Sea Trade Holdings Inc. (3) 

Number of 
Shares Owned 
23,750,097 
12,114,535 
19,165,545 

   All other officers and directors as a group (4) 

12,316,914 

Percent of 
Class 

*

19.8% 
10.1% 
16.0% 

10.3% 

* Based on 119,962,917 common shares outstanding as of April 1, 2024.  

(1) 

Mrs. Semiramis Paliou indirectly may be deemed to beneficially own 19.8% beneficially owned 
through Tuscany Shipping Corp., or Tuscany, and through 4 Sweet Dreams S.A., as the result 
of her ability to control the vote and disposition of such entities. The shares include 5,427,977 
shares  of  common  stock  issuable  to  Semiramis  Paliou  upon  exercise  of  3,527,501  warrants 
distributed on December 14, 2023. As of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, Mrs. Semiramis 
Paliou  owned  indirectly  17.8%,  18.9%  and  20.3%,  respectively,  of  our  outstanding  common 
stock. Additionally, Mrs. Paliou owns, through Tuscany, 10,675 shares of Series C Preferred 
Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 400 shares of Series D Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 
per share. The Series C Preferred Stock vote with our common shares and each share of the 
Series C Preferred Stock entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a 
vote of the common stockholders of the Company.   Each share of Series D Preferred Stock 
shall entitle the holder thereof to two hundred thousand (200,000) votes on all matters submitted 
to a vote of the stockholders of the Company, provided however, that, notwithstanding any other 
provision of the Series D Preferred Stock statement of designation, to the extent that the total 
number of votes one or more holders of Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to vote (including 
any voting power of such holders derived from Series D Preferred Stock, shares of Common 
Stock or any other voting security of the Company issued and outstanding as of the date hereof 
or that may be issued in the future) on any matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of the 
Company would exceed 36.0% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast on such matter, 
the total number of votes that holders of Series D Preferred Stock may exercise derived from 
the Series D Preferred Stock together with Common Shares and any other voting securities of 

93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
the Company beneficially owned by such holder, shall be reduced to 36% of the total number 
of votes that may be cast on such matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

Mr. Anastasios  Margaronis,  our  President  and  a  member  of  our  board  of  directors  may  be 
deemed to beneficially own Anamar Investments Inc. and Coronis Investments Inc. as the result 
of his ability to control the vote and disposition of such entities, for an aggregate of 12,114,535 
shares.  These  shares  include  2,758,710  shares  of  common  stock  issuable  to  Anastasios 
Margaronis upon exercise of 1,792,814 warrants distributed on December 14, 2023. 

This information is derived from a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on  February 12, 2024, 
adjusting the percentage figure based on the common shares issued and outstanding as of the 
date of this report. The shares include 4,422,817 shares of common stock issuable to Sea Trade 
Holdings Inc. upon the exercise of 2,948,545 warrants distributed on December 14, 2023. 

 Ms. Semiramis  Paliou  and  Mr. Anastasios  Margaronis  are  our  only  directors  or  officers  that 
beneficially own 5% or more of our outstanding common stock. Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis may be 
deemed  to  beneficially  own  3,089,992  shares,  or  2.6%  of  our  outstanding  common  stock, 
beneficially  owned  through  Abra  Marinvest  Inc.;  and  Mr.  Simeon  Palios  may  be  deemed  to 
beneficially  own  5,017,536  shares,  or  4.2%  of  our  outstanding  common  stock,  beneficially 
owned  through  Taracan  Investments  S.A.  and  Limon  Compania  Financiera  S.A.  All  other 
officers and directors each own less than 1% of our outstanding common stock.  

As of April 1, 2024, we had 83 shareholders of record, 65 of which were located in the United States and 
held an aggregate of 105,578,632 of our common shares, representing 88.01% of our outstanding common 
shares. However, one of the U.S. shareholders of record is CEDE & CO., a nominee of The Depository 
Trust Company, which held 104,663,529 of our common shares as of that date. Accordingly, we believe 
that the shares held by CEDE & CO. include common shares beneficially owned by both holders in the 
United States and non-U.S. beneficial owners. We are not aware of any arrangements the operation of 
which may at a subsequent date result in our change of control. 

Holders  of  the  Series  B  Preferred  Shares  generally  have  no  voting  rights  except  (1)  in  respect  of 
amendments to the Articles of Incorporation which would adversely alter the preferences, powers or rights 
of  the  Series  B  Preferred  Shares  or  (2)  in  the  event  that  we  propose  to  issue  any  parity  stock  if  the 
cumulative dividends payable on outstanding Preferred Stock are in arrears or any senior stock.  However, 
if and whenever dividends payable on the Series B Preferred Shares are in arrears for six or more quarterly 
periods, whether or not consecutive, holders of Series B Preferred Shares (voting together as a class with 
all  other  classes  or  series  of  parity  stock  upon  which  like  voting  rights  have  been  conferred  and  are 
exercisable) will be entitled to elect one additional director to serve on our board of directors until such time 
as all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Shares have been paid in full. 

B. 

Related Party Transactions 

OceanPal Inc., or OceanPal 

Since November 2021, we own 500,000 of OceanPal’s Series B Preferred Shares. As of October 17, 2023 
we own 207 shares of OceanPal’s Series C Convertible Preferred Shares issued to us in the OceanPal 
spin-off. Series B Preferred Shares entitle the holder to 2,000 votes on all matters submitted to vote of the 
stockholders of the Company, provided however, that the total number of votes shall not exceed 34% of 
the total number of votes, provided further, that the total number of votes entitled to vote, including common 
stock or any other voting security, would not exceed 49% of the total number of votes.  

Series  C  Preferred  Shares  do  not  have  voting  rights  unless  related  to  amendments  of  the  Articles  of 
Incorporation that adversely alter the preference, powers or rights of the Series C Preferred Shares or to 

94 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
issue Parity Stock or create or issue Senior Stock. Series C Preferred Shares have become convertible 
into common stock at the Company’s option since the first anniversary of the issue date, at a conversion 
price  equal  to  the  lesser  of  $6.5  and  the  10-trading  day  trailing  VWAP  of  OceanPal’s  common  shares, 
subject  to  adjustments.  Additionally,  Series  C  Preferred  Shares  have  a  cumulative  preferred  dividend 
accruing  at  the  rate  of  8%  per  annum,  payable  in  cash  or,  at  OceanPal’s  election,  in  kind  and  has  a 
liquidation preference equal to the stated value of $10,000.  

On September 20, 2022, we acquired 25,000 Series D Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share, as 
part  of  the  consideration  provided  to  us  for  the  acquisition  of  Baltimore,  which  was  sold  to  OceanPal, 
pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement dated June 13, 2022, for $22.0 million. On December 15, 2022, 
we  distributed  the  Series  D  Preferred  Shares  as  non-cash  dividend  to  our  shareholders  of  record  on 
November 28, 2022.  

On  February  8,  2023,  we  acquired  13,157  of  OceanPal’s  Series  D  Preferred  Shares  as  part  of  the 
consideration  provided  to  us  for  the  acquisition  of  Melia,  which  was  sold  to  OceanPal,  pursuant  to  a 
Memorandum of Agreement dated February 1, 2023, for $14.0 million. On June 9, 2023, we distributed the 
Series D Preferred Shares as a non-cash dividend to our shareholders of record on April 24, 2023. 

Dividend income from the OceanPal preferred shares during 2023 amounted to $0.8 million. 

OceanPal Inc. Non-Competition Agreement 

We have entered into a non-competition agreement with OceanPal Inc. ("OceanPal"), dated November 2, 
2021, pursuant to which we granted to OceanPal (i) a right of first refusal over any opportunity available to 
us  (or  any  of  our  subsidiaries)  to  acquire  or  charter-in  any  dry  bulk  vessel  that  is  larger  than  70,000 
deadweight  tons  and  that  was  built  prior  to  2006  and  (ii)  a  right  of  first  refusal  over  any  employment 
opportunity for a dry bulk vessel pursuant to a spot market charter presented or available to us with respect 
to  any  vessel  owned  or  chartered  in,  directly  or  indirectly,  by  us.  The  non-competition  agreement  also 
prohibits  us  and  OceanPal  from  soliciting  each  other's  employees.  The  terms  of  the  non-competition 
agreement provide that it will terminate on the date that (i) our ownership of OceanPal’s equity securities 
represents less than 10% of total outstanding voting power and (ii) we and OceanPal share no common 
executive officers. 

OceanPal Inc. Right of First Refusal 

On November 2, 2021 we entered into a right of first refusal agreement with OceanPal Inc. pursuant to 
which we granted OceanPal Inc. a right of first refusal over six drybulk carriers owned by us, as of the date 
of the agreement, and identified in the agreement. Pursuant to this right of first refusal, OceanPal Inc. has 
the right, but not the obligation, to purchase one or all of the six identified vessels from us when and if we 
make a determination to sell one or more of the vessels at a price equal to the fair market value of each 
vessel at the time of sale, as determined by the average of two independent shipbroker valuations from 
brokers mutually agreeable to us and OceanPal Inc. If OceanPal Inc. does not exercise its right to purchase 
a vessel, we have the right to sell the vessel to any third party for a period of three months from the date 
notified OceanPal Inc. of our intent to sell the vessel. As of the date of the annual report, OceanPal has 
acquired two of the six vessels and three vessels were sold to third parties. 

Series D Preferred Stock 

In June 2021, we issued 400 shares of its newly-designated Series D Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per 
share,  to  Tuscany  Shipping  Corp.,  an  entity  controlled  by  its  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Mrs.  Semiramis 
Paliou, for an aggregate purchase price of $360,000. The Series D Preferred Stock has no dividend or 
liquidation rights.  Each share of Series D Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to two hundred 
thousand (200,000) votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company, provided 

95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of Series D Preferred Stock statement of designation, 
to the extent that the total number of votes one or more holders of Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to 
vote (including any voting power of such holders derived from Series D Preferred Stock, shares of Common 
Stock or any other voting security of the Company issued and outstanding as of the date hereof or that 
may  be  issued  in the  future)  on  any  matter  submitted  to  a  vote  of  stockholders  of  the  Company  would 
exceed 36.0% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast on such matter, the total number of votes that 
holders of Series D Preferred Stock may exercise derived from the Series D Preferred Stock together with 
Common Shares and any other voting securities of the Company beneficially owned by such holder, shall 
be reduced to 36% of the total number of votes that may be cast on such matter submitted to a vote of 
stockholders. The Series D Preferred Stock is transferable only to the holder’s immediate family members 
and to affiliated persons. The issuance of shares of Series D Preferred Stock to Tuscany Shipping Corp. 
was approved by an independent committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, which received a 
fairness opinion from an independent third party that the transaction was fair from a financial point of view 
to the Company. 

Series C Preferred Stock 

In January 2019, we issued 10,675 shares of newly-designated Series C Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 
per share, to an affiliate of our Chairman, Mr. Simeon Palios. In September 2020, the Series C Preferred 
Shares  were  transferred  from  an  affiliate  of  Mr.  Simeon  Palios  to  an  affiliate  of  the  Company’s  Chief 
Executive Officer, Mrs. Semiramis Paliou. The Series C Preferred Stock vote with the common shares of 
the Company, and each share entitles the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote 
of the stockholders of the Company. The Series C Preferred Stock has no dividend or liquidation rights and 
cannot be transferred without the consent of the Company except to the holder’s affiliates and immediate 
family members. The issuance of shares of Series C Preferred Stock was approved by an independent 
committee of the Board of Directors, which received a fairness opinion from an independent third party that 
the transaction was fair from a financial point of view to the Issuer.  

Steamship Shipbroking Enterprises Inc. 

Steamship, an affiliated entity that was controlled by our Chairman of the Board, Mr. Simeon Palios until 
January 15, 2023 and our CEO Ms. Semiramis Paliou thereafter, provides to us brokerage services for an 
annual fee pursuant to a Brokerage Services Agreement. In 2023, brokerage fees amounted to $3.9 million 
and we paid an additional amount of $0.9 million for commissions on the sale and purchases of vessels. 
The terms of this relationship are currently governed by a Brokerage Services Agreement dated February 
23, 2024 due to expire on December 31, 2024. 

Altair Travel Agency S.A. 

Altair  Travel  Agency  S.A.,  or  Altair,  an  affiliated  entity  that  is  controlled  by  our  Chairman  of  the  Board, 
Mr. Simeon Palios and CEO Ms. Semiramis Paliou provides us with travel related services. Travel related 
expenses in 2023, amounted to $2.5 million.   

Diana Wilhelmsen Management Limited 

Diana Wilhelmsen Management Limited, or DWM, is a 50/50 joint venture which provides management 
services  to  certain  vessels  in  our  fleet  for  a  fixed  monthly  fee  and  commercial  services  charged  as  a 
percentage  of  the  vessels’  gross  revenues.  Management  fees  in  2023  amounted  to  $1.3  million, 
commissions on revenues amounted to $0.4 million. 

Bergen Ultra 

Bergen Ultra, or Bergen, is a limited partnership which owns a dry bulk carrier. One of our subsidiaries, 

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Diana  General  Partner  Inc.,  owns  3%  of  the  partnership  and  acts  as  the  General  Partner  and  another 
subsidiary, Komi Shipping Company Inc., owns 22% of the partnership. The remaining partnership interests 
are owned by unaffiliated parties. On March 30, 2023, we entered into a corporate guarantee with Nordea 
to  secure  Bergen’s  obligations  under  a  $15.4  million  loan  facility.  We  have  also  entered  into  an 
administrative  service  agreement  under  which  DSS  provides  administrative  services  to  Bergen  for  an 
annual fee of $15 and a commission agreement under which the Company is paid a commission of 0.8% 
per  annum,  on  the  outstanding  balance  of  the  loan,  as  compensation  for  the  guarantee  it  provided  to 
Nordea. During 2023, income from administrative fees amounted to $10,192 and we received $61,267 as 
payment for the guarantee commission. 

Real Estate Acquisition 

In July 2023 we purchased the remaining 1/3 interest in a parcel of land that the Company did not already 
own from Alpha Sigma Shipping Corp, a related party company, for the purchase price of $1.2 million and 
became the sole owner of the parcel.  Please see Item 4.(D), Property, plants and equipment. 

C. 

Interests of Experts and Counsel  

Not Applicable. 

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Item 8. 

Financial information 

A. 

Consolidated statements and other financial information 

See “Item 18. Financial Statements.” 

Legal Proceedings 

We have not been involved in any legal proceedings which may have, or have had, a significant effect on 
our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity, nor are we aware of any proceedings that 
are pending or threatened which may have a significant effect on our business, financial position, results 
of  operations  or  liquidity.  From  time  to  time,  we  may  be  subject  to  legal  proceedings  and  claims  in  the 
ordinary course of business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. We expect that these 
claims  would  be  covered by  insurance,  subject to customary  deductibles.  Those  claims,  even  if  lacking 
merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.  

Dividend Policy 

Our board of directors reviews and amends our dividend policy from time to time in light of our business 
plans  and  other  factors. In  order  to  position  us  to  take  advantage  of  market  opportunities  in  a  then-
deteriorating  market,  our  board  of  directors,  beginning  with  the  fourth  quarter  of  2008,  suspended  our 
common stock dividend. As a result of improving market conditions in 2021, our board of directors elected 
to declare quarterly dividends with respect to the third quarter of 2021 and for each quarter thereafter, until 
the  first  quarter  of  2024  and  two  special  noncash  dividends,  as  described  in  Item  4A.  History  and 
development of the Company.  

The declaration and payment of dividends will always be subject to the discretion of our board of directors. 
The  timing  and  amount  of  any  dividends  declared  will  depend  on,  among  other  things,  our  earnings, 
financial condition and cash requirements and availability, our ability to obtain debt and equity financing on 
acceptable terms as contemplated by our growth strategy and provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting 
the payment of dividends. In addition, other external factors, such as our lenders imposing restrictions on 
our  ability  to  pay  dividends  under  the  terms  of  our  loan  facilities,  may  limit  our  ability  to  pay 
dividends.  Further, under the terms of our loan agreements, we may not be permitted to pay dividends 
that would result in an event of default or if an event of default has occurred and is continuing. 

Marshall  Islands  law  generally  prohibits  the  payment  of  dividends  other  than  from  surplus  or  when  a 
company is insolvent or if the payment of the dividend would render the company insolvent. Also, our loan 
facilities and Bond prohibit the payment of dividends should an event of default arise.  

We believe that, under current law, any dividends that we have paid and may pay in the future from earnings 
and profits constitute “qualified dividend income” and as such are generally subject to a 20% United States 
federal income tax rate with respect to non-corporate United States shareholders. Distributions in excess 
of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of a United 
States shareholder’s tax basis in its common stock on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital 
gain.  Please  see  the  section  of  this  annual  report  entitled  “Taxation”  under  Item  10.E  for  additional 
information relating to the tax treatment of our dividend payments. 

Cumulative dividends on our Series B Preferred Shares are payable on each January 15, April 15, July 15 
and October 15, when, as and if declared by our board of directors or any authorized committee thereof 
out  of  legally  available  funds  for  such  purpose.  The  dividend  rate  for  our  Series  B  Preferred  Shares  is 
8.875% per annum per $25.00 of liquidation preference per share (equal to $2.21875 per annum per share) 
and is not subject to adjustment. Since February 14, 2019, we may redeem, in whole or from time to time 

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in part, the Series B Preferred Shares at a redemption price of $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to 
all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of redemption, whether or not declared. 

Marshall Islands law provides that we may pay dividends on and redeem the Series B Preferred Shares 
only to the extent that assets are legally available for such purposes. Legally available assets generally are 
limited to our surplus, which essentially represents our retained earnings and the excess of consideration 
received by us for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares. In addition, under Marshall Islands 
law we may not pay dividends on or redeem Series B Preferred Shares if we are insolvent or would be 
rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend or the making of such redemption. 

B. 

Significant Changes 

There  have  been  no  significant  changes  since  the  date  of the  annual  consolidated financial  statements 
included in this annual report, other than those described in Note 17 “Subsequent events” of our annual 
consolidated financial statements. 

Item 9. 

The Offer and Listing 

A. 

Offer and Listing Details 

The trading market for  shares  of  our  common  stock is  the  NYSE,  on  which our shares trade  under the 
symbol “DSX”.  

Our Series B Preferred Stock has traded on the NYSE under the symbol “DSXPRB” since February 21, 
2014.  

Our Warrants to Purchase Common Stock, expiring on or about December 14, 2026, have traded on the 
NYSE under the symbol “DSX WS” since December 14, 2023. 

B. 

Plan of distribution 

Not Applicable. 

C. 

Markets 

Our common shares have traded on the NYSE since March 23, 2005 under the symbol “DSX,” our Series 
B Preferred Stock has traded on the NYSE under the symbol "DSXPRB" since February 21, 2014 and our 
Warrants have traded on the NYSE under the symbol “DSX WS” since December 14, 2023. Since February 
1, 2022, our 8.375% Senior Unsecured Bond due 2026 commenced trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange, 
under the symbol "DIASH02." 

D. 

Selling Shareholders 

Not Applicable. 

E. 

Dilution 

Not Applicable. 

F. 

Expenses of the Issue 

Not Applicable. 

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Item 10.  Additional Information 

A. 

Share capital 

Not Applicable. 

B. 

Memorandum and articles of association 

Our current amended and restated articles of incorporation are filed as exhibit 1.1 hereto, and our current 
amended and restated bylaws are filed as exhibit 1.2 hereto. The information contained in these exhibits 
is incorporated by reference herein. 

Information  regarding  the  rights,  preferences  and  restrictions  attaching  to  each  class  of  our  shares  is 
described  in  Exhibit 2.8  to  this  annual  report  titled  “Description  of  Securities  Registered  Pursuant  to 
Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.”  

Stockholders Rights Agreement 

On February  2,  2024,  we entered  into  an  Amended and Restated  Stockholders  Rights  Agreement  with 
Computershare  Trust  Company,  N.A.,  as  Rights  Agent,  to  amend  and  restate  the  Stockholders  Rights 
Agreement, dated January 15, 2016. 

Under the Amended and Restated Stockholders Rights Agreement, we declared a dividend payable of one 
preferred  stock  purchase  right,  or  Right,  for  each  share  of  common  stock  outstanding  at  the  close  of 
business  on  January  26,  2016.  Each Right  entitles the  registered  holder  to purchase  from  us one one-
thousandth of a share of Series A participating preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, at an exercise 
price of $25.00 per share. The Rights will separate from the common stock and become exercisable only 
if a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common stock (including through 
entry  into  certain  derivative  positions)  in  a  transaction  not  approved  by  our  Board  of  Directors.  In  that 
situation, each holder of a Right (other than the acquiring person, whose Rights will become void and will 
not be exercisable) will have the right to purchase, upon payment of the exercise price, a number of shares 
of our common stock having a then-current market value equal to twice the exercise price. In addition, if 
the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination after an acquiring person acquires 
15% or more of our common stock, each holder of the Right will thereafter have the right to purchase, upon 
payment of the exercise price, a number of shares of common stock of the acquiring person having a then-
current market value equal to twice the exercise price. The acquiring person will not be entitled to exercise 
these Rights.  Under the Amended and Restated Stockholders Rights Agreement's terms, it will expire on 
February 1, 2034. A copy of the Amended and Restated Stockholders Rights Agreement and a summary 
of its terms are contained in the Form 8-A12B filed with the SEC on January 15, 2016, with file number 
001-32458, as amended on February 2, 2024. 

C. 

Material contracts 

Attached as exhibits to this annual report are the contracts we consider to be both material and not entered 
into in the ordinary course of business, which (i) are to be performed in whole or in part on or after the filing 
date of this annual report or (ii) were entered into not more than two years before the filing date of this 
annual report.  Other than these agreements, we have no material contracts, other than contracts entered 
into in the ordinary course of business, to which the Company or any member of the group is a party. A 
description of these is included in our description of our agreements generally: we refer you to Item 5.B for 
a discussion of our loan facilities. 

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D. 

Exchange Controls 

Under  Marshall  Islands,  Panamanian,  Cypriot  and  Greek  law,  there  are currently  no  restrictions  on  the 
export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls or restrictions that affect the remittance of 
dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our securities. 

E. 

Taxation 

In the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, the following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and 
U.S. federal  income  tax  considerations  of  the  ownership  and  disposition  by  a  U.S. Holder  and  a  Non-
U.S. Holder, each as defined below, of the common stock. This discussion does not purport to deal with 
the  tax  consequences  of  owning  common  stock  to  all  categories  of  investors,  some  of  which,  such  as 
dealers in securities or commodities, financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, 
U.S. expatriates, persons liable for the alternative minimum tax, persons who hold common stock as part 
of  a  straddle,  hedge,  conversion  transaction  or  integrated  investment,  U.S. Holders  whose  functional 
currency is not the United States dollar, persons required to recognize income for U.S. federal income tax 
purposes  no  later  than  when  such  income  is  reported  on  an  “applicable  financial  statement,”  investors 
subject to the “base erosion and anti-avoidance” tax  and investors that own, actually or under applicable 
constructive ownership rules, 10% or more of the Company’s common stock, may be subject to special 
rules.  This  discussion  deals  only  with  holders  who  hold  the  common  stock  as  a  capital  asset.  You  are 
encouraged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences arising in your own 
particular situation under U.S. federal, state, local or foreign law of the ownership of common stock. 

Marshall Islands Tax Considerations 

The Company is incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Under current Marshall Islands law, the company is 
not subject to tax on income or capital gains, and no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon 
payments of dividends by us to our shareholders.  

United States Federal Income Taxation 

The  following  discussion  is  based  upon  the  provisions  of  the  U.S.  Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1986,  as 
amended  (the  “Code”),  existing  and  proposed  U.S.  Treasury  Department  regulations,  (the  “Treasury 
Regulations”),  administrative  rulings,  pronouncements  and  judicial  decisions,  all  as  of  the  date  of  this 
Annual Report.  This discussion assumes that we do not have an office or other fixed place of business in 
the United States. Unless the context otherwise requires, the reference to Company below shall be meant 
to refer to both the Company and its vessel-owning and operating subsidiaries. 

Taxation of the Company’s Shipping Income 

In General 

The Company anticipates that it will derive substantially all of its gross income from the use and operation 
of  vessels  in  international  commerce  and  that  this  income  will  principally  consist  of  freights  from  the 
transportation  of  cargoes,  hire  or  lease  from  time  or  voyage  charters  and  the  performance  of  services 
directly related thereto, which the Company refers to as “Shipping Income.”  

Shipping Income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and 
end,  in  the  United  States  will  be  considered  to  be  50%  derived  from  sources  within  the  United  States. 
Shipping  Income  attributable  to  transportation  that  both  begins  and  ends  in  the  United  States  will  be 
considered to be 100% derived from sources within the United States. The Company is not permitted by 
law  to  engage  in  transportation that  gives rise to  100%  U.S. source  Shipping  Income.  Shipping Income 
attributable to  transportation  exclusively  between  non-U.S. ports  will  be  considered to be  100%  derived 

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from sources outside the United States. Shipping Income derived from sources outside the United States 
will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. 

Based upon the Company’s anticipated shipping operations, the Company’s vessels will operate in various 
parts of the world, including to or from U.S. ports. Unless exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under 
Section 883  of  the  Code,  the  Company  will  be  subject  to  U.S. federal  income  taxation,  in  the  manner 
discussed below, to the extent its Shipping Income is considered derived from sources within the United 
States. 

In  the  year  ended  December  31,  2023,  approximately  2.4%  of  the  Company’s  shipping  income  was 
attributable to the transportation of cargoes either to or from a U.S. port. Accordingly, approximately 1.2% 
of  the  Company’s  shipping  income  would  be  treated  as  derived  from  U.S. sources  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2023. In the absence of exemption from U.S. federal income tax under Section 883 of the 
Code, the Company would have been subject to a 4% tax on its gross U.S. source Shipping Income, equal 
to $0.1 for the year ended December 31, 2023. 

Application of Exemption under Section 883 of the Code 

Under the relevant provisions of Section 883 of the Code and the final Treasury Regulations promulgated 
thereunder,  a  foreign  corporation  will  be  exempt  from  U.S. federal  income  taxation  on  its  U.S. source 
Shipping Income if: 

(1) 

It is organized in a qualified foreign country which, as defined, is one that grants an equivalent 
exemption from tax to corporations organized in the United States in respect of the Shipping 
Income for which exemption is being claimed under Section 883 of the Code, or the “Country of 
Organization Requirement”; and 

(2) 

It can satisfy any one of the following two stock ownership requirements: 

• 

• 

more  than  50%  of  its  stock,  in  terms  of  value,  is  beneficially  owned  by  qualified 
shareholders  which,  as  defined,  includes  individuals  who  are  residents  of  a  qualified 
foreign country, or the “50% Ownership Test”; or 
its stock is “primarily and regularly” traded on an established securities market located 
in the United States or a qualified foreign country, or the “Publicly Traded Test”. 

The U.S. Treasury Department has recognized the Marshall Islands, Panama and Cyprus the countries of 
incorporation of each of the Company and its subsidiaries that earns Shipping Income, as a qualified foreign 
country.  Accordingly,  the  Company  and  each  of  the  subsidiaries  satisfy  the  Country  of  Organization 
Requirement.   

For  the  2023  taxable  year,  the  Company  believes  that  it  is  unlikely  that  the  50%  Ownership  Test  was 
satisfied.  Therefore,  the  eligibility  of  the  Company  and  each  subsidiary  to  qualify  for  exemption  under 
Section 883  of the  Code  is  wholly  dependent  upon  the  Company’s  ability  to  satisfy the  Publicly  Traded 
Test.   

Under  the  Treasury  Regulations,  stock  of  a  foreign  corporation  is  considered  “primarily  traded”  on  an 
established  securities  market  in  a  country  if  the  number  of  shares  of  each  class  of  stock  that  is  traded 
during the taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares 
in each such  class  that  is  traded  during that  year  on  established securities markets  in any  other  single 
country.  The Company’s common stock  was “primarily traded” on the NYSE during the 2023 taxable year. 

Under the Treasury Regulations, the Company’s common stock will be considered to be “regularly traded” 
on the NYSE if: (1) more than 50% of its common stock, by voting power and total value, is listed on the 

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NYSE, referred to as the “Listing Threshold”, (2) its common stock is traded on the NYSE, other than in 
minimal  quantities,  on  at  least  60 days  during  the  taxable  year  (or  one-sixth  of  the  days  during  a  short 
taxable year), which is referred to as the “Trading Frequency Test”; and (3) the aggregate number of shares 
of its common stock traded on the NYSE during the taxable year is at least 10% of the average number of 
shares of its common stock outstanding during such taxable year (as appropriately adjusted in the case of 
a short taxable year), which is referred to as the “Trading Volume Test”.  The Trading Frequency Test and 
Trading Volume Test are deemed to be satisfied under the Treasury Regulations if the Company’s common 
stock is regularly quoted by dealers making a market in the common stock. 

The Company believes that its common stock has satisfied the Listing Threshold, as well as the Trading 
Frequency Test and Trading Volume Tests, during the 2023 taxable year. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Treasury Regulations provide, in pertinent part, that stock of a foreign 
corporation  will  not  be  considered  to  be  “regularly  traded”  on  an  established  securities  market  for  any 
taxable year during which 50% or more of such stock is owned, actually or constructively under specified 
stock  attribution  rules,  on  more  than  half  the  days  during  the  taxable  year  by  persons,  or  “5% 
Shareholders”,  who  each  own  5%  or  more  of  the  value  of  such  stock,  or  the  “5%  Override  Rule.”   For 
purposes  of  determining  the  persons  who  are  5%  Shareholders,  a  foreign  corporation  may  rely  on 
Schedules 13D and 13G filings with the SEC. 

Based on Schedules 13D and 13G filings, during the 2023 taxable year, less than 50% of the Company’s 
common stock was owned by 5% Shareholders. Therefore, the Company believes that it is not subject to 
the 5% Override Rule and thus has satisfied the Publicly Traded Test for the 2023 taxable year.  However, 
there can  be  no  assurance  that the  Company will  continue to satisfy the  Publicly  Traded Test  in future 
taxable  years. For  example,  the  Company  could  be  subject  to  the  5%  Override  Rule  if  another  5% 
Shareholder in combination with the Company’s existing 5% Shareholders were to own 50% or more of 
the Company’s common stock.  In such a case, the Company would be subject to the 5% Override Rule 
unless it  could establish that,  among  the  shares  of the common  stock  owned by the  5%  Shareholders, 
sufficient shares are owned by qualified shareholders, for purposes of Section 883 of the Code, to preclude 
non-qualified shareholders from owning 50% or more of the Company’s common stock for more than half 
the number of days during the taxable year.  The requirements of establishing this exception to the 5% 
Override Rule are onerous and there is no assurance the Company will be able to satisfy them. 

Based  on  the  foregoing,  the  Company  believes  that  it  satisfied  the  Publicly  Traded  Test  and  therefore 
believes that it was exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 883 of the Code, during the 2023 
taxable year and intends to take this position on its 2023 U.S. federal income tax returns. 

Taxation in Absence of Exemption Under Section 883 of the Code 

To  the  extent  the  benefits  of  Section  883  of  the  Code  are  unavailable  with respect  to  any  item  of  U.S. 
source Shipping Income, the Company and each of its subsidiaries would be subject to a 4% tax imposed 
on such income by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without the benefit of deductions, which is 
referred to as the “4% Gross Basis Tax Regime”. Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more 
than 50% of the Company’s Shipping Income would be treated as being derived from U.S. sources, the 
maximum effective rate of U.S. federal income tax on the Company’s Shipping Income would never exceed 
2% under the 4% Gross Basis Tax Regime. 

Based  on  its  U.S.  source  Shipping  Income  for  the  2023  taxable  year  and  in  the  absence  of  exemption 
under Section 883 of the Code, the Company would be subject to $0.1 of U.S. federal income tax under 
the 4% Gross Basis Tax Regime. 

The 4% Gross Basis Tax Regime would not apply to U.S. source Shipping Income to the extent considered 
to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.  In the absence of exemption 

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under Section 883 of the Code, such “effectively connected” U.S. source Shipping Income, net of applicable 
deductions, would be subject to U.S. federal income tax currently imposed at a rate of 21%.  In addition, 
earnings  “effectively  connected”  with  the  conduct  of  such  U.S.  trade  or  business,  as  determined  after 
allowance for certain adjustments, and certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of 
the U.S. trade or business may be subject to U.S. federal branch profits tax imposed at a rate of 30%.  The 
Company’s U.S. source Shipping Income would be considered “effectively connected” with the conduct of 
a U.S. trade or business only if: (1) the Company has, or is considered to have, a fixed place or business 
in the United States involved in the earning of Shipping Income; and (2) substantially all of the Company’s 
U.S. source Shipping Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation, such as the operation of 
a vessel that followed a published schedule with repeated sailings at regular intervals between the same 
points for voyages that begin or end in the United States, or, in the case of income from the chartering of 
a vessel, is attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States.  We do not intend to have, or 
permit  circumstances  that  would result  in  having  a vessel  operating  to the United  States  on  a  regularly 
scheduled basis.  Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of our shipping operations and other 
activities, we believe that none of our U.S. source Shipping Income will be effectively connected with the 
conduct of a U.S. trade or business. 

Gain on Sale of Vessels 

Regardless of whether we qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code, we will not be subject to 
U.S.  federal  income  taxation  with  respect  to  gain  realized  on  a  sale  of  a  vessel,  provided  the  sale  is 
considered to occur outside of the United States under U.S. federal income tax principles.  In general, a 
sale of a vessel will be considered to occur outside of the United States for this purpose if title to the vessel, 
and risk of loss with respect to the vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States.  It is expected 
that any sale of a vessel by us will be considered to occur outside of the United States. 

United States Taxation of U.S. Holders 

The  following  is  a  discussion  of  the  material  U.S.  federal  income  tax  considerations  relevant  to  an 
investment decision by a U.S. Holder, as defined below, with respect to our common stock. This discussion 
does  not  purport  to  deal  with  the  tax  consequences  of  owning  our  common  stock  to  all  categories  of 
investors,  some of  which may  be  subject to  special  rules. You  are  encouraged  to consult  your  own tax 
advisors  concerning  the  overall  tax  consequences  arising  in  your  own  particular  situation  under  U.S. 
federal, state, local or foreign law of the ownership of our common stock. 

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock that (i) is a U.S. 
citizen or resident, a U.S. corporation or other U.S. entity taxable as a corporation, an estate, the income 
of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if (a) a court within 
the  United  States  is  able to  exercise  primary jurisdiction  over the  administration  of  the trust  and one or 
more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) it has an election 
in  place  to  be  treated  as  a  United  States  person;  and  (ii)  owns  the  common  stock  as  a  capital  asset, 
generally, for investment purposes. 

If  a  partnership holds  our common  stock, the  tax  treatment  of  a  partner will  generally  depend  upon the 
status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding 
our common stock, you are encouraged to consult your own tax advisor on this issue. 

Distributions 

Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies below, any distributions made by the 
Company with respect to its common stock to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends, which may 
be  taxable  as  ordinary  income  or  “qualified  dividend  income”  as  described  in  more  detail  below,  to  the 
extent of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal 

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income tax principles. Distributions in excess of the Company’s earnings and profits will be treated first as 
a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in his common stock on a dollar-
for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because the Company is not a U.S. corporation, U.S. Holders 
that are corporations will generally not be entitled to claim a dividends-received deduction with respect to 
any distributions they receive from the Company. 

Dividends paid to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, trust, or estate, referred to herein as a “U.S. Non-
Corporate  Holder,”  will  generally  be  treated  as  “qualified  dividend  income”  that  is  taxable  to  Holders  at 
preferential U.S. federal income tax rates, provided that (1) the common stock is readily tradable on an 
established securities market in the United States (such as the NYSE on which the common stock is listed); 
(2) the Company is not a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately 
preceding taxable year (which the Company does not believe it is, has been or will be); (3) the U.S. Non-
Corporate Holder has owned the common stock for more than 60 days in the 121-day period beginning 
60 days before the date on which the common stock becomes ex-dividend; and (4) the U.S. Non-Corporate 
Holder is not under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make payments with 
respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.  There is no assurance that any dividends 
paid on our common stock will be eligible for these preferential rates in the hands of a U.S. Non-Corporate 
Holder. Any dividends paid by the Company which are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed 
as  ordinary  income  to  a  U.S.  Non-Corporate  Holder.  Special  rules  may  apply  to  any  “extraordinary 
dividend,” generally, a dividend paid by us in an amount which is equal to or in excess of ten percent of a 
U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis, or fair market value in certain circumstances, in a share of our common 
stock.  If  we  pay  an  “extraordinary  dividend”  on  our  common  stock  that  is  treated  as  “qualified  dividend 
income,” then any loss derived by a U.S. Individual Holder from the sale or exchange of such common 
stock will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend. 

Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock 

Subject to the discussion of the PFIC rules below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or 
loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of the Company’s common stock in an amount equal to 
the  difference  between  the  amount  realized  by  the  U.S.  Holder  from  such  sale,  exchange  or  other 
disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such stock. Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term 
capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the common stock is greater than one year at the 
time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Long-term capital gain of a U.S. Non-Corporate Holder is 
taxable  at  preferential  U.S.  Federal  income  tax  rates.  A  U.S.  Holder’s  ability  to deduct  capital  losses  is 
subject to certain limitations. 

PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences 

Special  U.S.  federal  income  tax  rules  apply  to  a  U.S.  Holder  that  holds  stock  in  a  foreign  corporation 
classified as a passive foreign investment company, or a “PFIC”, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In 
general, the Company will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in 
which such Holder held the Company’s common stock, either: 

• 

• 

at least 75% of the Company’s gross income for such taxable year consists of passive 
income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and rents derived other than in the 
active conduct of a rental business), or 

at least 50% of the average value of the assets held by the corporation during such 
taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, such passive income. 

For purposes of determining whether the Company is a PFIC, the Company will be treated as earning and 
owning its proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of any of its subsidiary corporations 
in which it owns at least 25% of the value of the subsidiary’s stock. Income earned, or deemed earned, by 

105 

 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
the  Company  in  connection  with  the  performance  of  services  would  not  constitute  passive  income. By 
contrast, rental income would generally constitute passive income unless the Company is treated under 
specific rules as deriving its rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business. 

Based on the Company’s current operations and future projections, the Company does not believe that it 
is,  nor  does  it  expect  to  become,  a  PFIC  with  respect  to  any  taxable  year. Although  there  is  no  legal 
authority directly on point, the Company’s belief is based principally on the position that, for purposes of 
determining  whether  the  Company  is  a  PFIC,  the  gross  income  the  Company  derives  or  is  deemed  to 
derive from the  time  chartering  and  voyage  chartering activities of  its  wholly-owned subsidiaries should 
constitute services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, the Company believes that such 
income  does  not  constitute  passive  income,  and  the  assets  that  the  Company  or  its  wholly-owned 
subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular, the vessels, 
do  not  constitute  assets  that  produce  or  are  held  for  the  production  of  passive  income for  purposes  of 
determining whether the Company is a PFIC.  The Company believes there is substantial legal authority 
supporting its position consisting of case law and Internal Revenue Service, or the “IRS”, pronouncements 
concerning  the  characterization  of  income  derived  from  time  charters  and  voyage  charters  as  services 
income for other tax purposes. However, there is also authority which characterizes time charter income 
as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes.  It should be noted that in the absence 
of any legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing PFICs, the IRS or a court 
could  disagree  with  this  position. In  addition,  although  the  Company  intends  to  conduct  its  affairs  in  a 
manner to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, there can be no assurance 
that the nature of its operations will not change in the future. 

As discussed more fully below, if the Company were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. 
Holder  would  be  subject  to  different  U.S.  federal  income  taxation  rules  depending  on  whether  the  U.S. 
Holder makes an election to treat the Company as a “Qualified Electing Fund,” which election is referred 
to as a “QEF Election.” As discussed below, as an alternative to making a QEF Election, a U.S. Holder 
should be able to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to the common stock, which election is 
referred to as a “Mark-to-Market Election”. If the Company were to be treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder 
would be required to file with respect to taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2013 IRS Form 
8621 to report certain information regarding the Company. 

Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election 

If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF Election, which U.S. Holder is referred to as an “Electing Holder”, the 
Electing  Holder  must  report  each  year  for  U.S.  federal  income  tax  purposes  his  pro  rata  share  of  the 
Company’s ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if any, for the Company’s taxable year that ends with or 
within the taxable year of the Electing Holder, regardless of whether or not distributions were received by 
the Electing Holder from the Company. The Electing Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock will 
be  increased  to  reflect  amounts  included  in the  Electing  Holder’s  income.   Distributions  received  by  an 
Electing Holder that had been previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the adjusted tax 
basis in the common stock and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder would generally 
recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common stock. 

Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Mark-to-Market Election 

Alternatively, if the Company were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as anticipated, the 
common stock is treated as “marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a Mark-to-Market 
Election with respect to the Company’s common stock. If that election is made, the U.S. Holder generally 
would include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the 
common  stock  at  the  end  of  the  taxable  year  over  such  Holder’s  adjusted  tax  basis  in  the  common 
stock. The U.S. Holder would also be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. 
Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock over its fair market value at the end of the taxable year, 

106 

 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the Mark-to-Market 
Election. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in his common stock would be adjusted to reflect any such income or 
loss  amount. Gain  realized  on  the  sale,  exchange  or  other  disposition  of  the  common  stock  would  be 
treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common 
stock would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market 
gains previously included by the U.S. Holder. 

Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF Election or Mark-to-Market Election 

Finally, if the Company were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder who does not 
make  either  a QEF Election  or  a Mark-to-Market  Election for  that  year, whom  is  referred to  as a “Non-
Electing Holder”, would be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules with respect to (1) any excess 
distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on the common stock 
in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder 
in  the  three  (3)  preceding  taxable  years,  or,  if  shorter,  the Non-Electing  Holder’s  holding  period  for  the 
common  stock),  and  (2) any  gain  realized  on  the  sale,  exchange  or  other  disposition  of  the  common 
stock. Under these special rules: 

• 

• 

• 

the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holder’s 
aggregate holding period for the common stock; 
the  amount  allocated  to  the  current  taxable  year  and  any  taxable  years  before  the 
Company became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income; and 
the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the 
highest  rate  of  tax  in  effect  for  the  applicable  class  of  taxpayer  for  that  year,  and  an 
interest charge for the deemed tax  deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to 
the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year. 

These penalties would not apply to a pension or profit sharing trust or other tax-exempt organization that 
did not borrow funds or otherwise utilize leverage in connection with its acquisition of the common stock.  If 
a Non-Electing Holder who is an individual dies while owning the common stock, such Holder’s successor 
generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such stock. 

U.S. Federal Income Taxation of “Non-U.S. Holders” 

A beneficial owner of our common stock that is not a U.S. Holder (other than a partnership) is referred to 
herein as a “Non-U.S. Holder.” 

Dividends on Common Stock 

Non-U.S.  Holders  generally  will  not  be  subject  to  U.S.  federal  income  or  withholding  tax  on  dividends 
received from us with respect to our common stock, unless that income is effectively connected with the 
Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to 
the benefits of a U.S. income tax treaty with respect to those dividends, that income is taxable in the United 
States only if attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United 
States. 

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Stock 

Non-U.S.  Holders  generally  will  not  be  subject  to  U.S.  federal  income  or  withholding  tax  on  any  gain 
realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock, unless: 

• 

the  gain  is  effectively  connected  with  the  Non-U.S.  Holder’s  conduct  of  a  trade  or 
business in the United States. If the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of a U.S. 

107 

 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
income tax treaty with respect to that gain, the gain is taxable in the United States only 
if attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the 
United States; or 

• 

the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or 
more during the taxable year of disposition and other conditions are met. 

If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the 
income  from  our  common  stock,  including  dividends  and  the  gain  from  the  sale,  exchange  or  other 
disposition  of  the  common  stock,  that  is  effectively  connected  with  the  conduct  of  that  U.S.  trade  or 
business  will  generally  be  subject  to  U.S.  federal  income  tax  in  the  same  manner  as  discussed  in  the 
previous section relating to the taxation of U.S. Holders. In addition, in the case of a corporate Non-U.S. 
Holder, such Holder’s earnings and profits that are attributable to the effectively connected income, subject 
to certain adjustments, may be subject to an additional U.S. federal branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or 
at a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable U.S. income tax treaty. 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting 

In general, dividend payments, or other taxable distributions, made within the United States to a holder will 
be subject to U.S. federal information reporting requirements. Such payments will also be subject to U.S. 
federal “backup withholding” if paid to a non-corporate U.S. holder who: 

• 
• 

• 

fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; 
is notified by the IRS that he has failed to report all interest or dividends required to be 
shown on his U.S. federal income tax returns; or 
in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. 

Non-U.S.  Holders  may  be  required  to  establish  their  exemption  from  information  reporting  and  backup 
withholding by certifying their status on an applicable IRS Form W-8. 

If a holder sells his common stock to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment of the proceeds is 
subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless the holder establishes an exemption. If 
a holder sells his common stock through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are 
paid to the holder outside the United States, then information reporting and backup withholding generally 
will not apply to that payment. However, information reporting requirements, but not backup withholding, 
will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, including a payment made to a holder outside the United States, 
if the holder sells his common stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is a U.S. person or has some 
other contacts with the United States. 

Backup  withholding  is  not  an  additional  tax. Rather,  a  taxpayer  generally  may  obtain  a  refund  of  any 
amounts  withheld  under  backup  withholding  rules  that  exceed  the  taxpayer’s  U.S.  federal  income  tax 
liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS. 

U.S. Holders who are individuals (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury Regulations, certain 
U.S. entities) who hold “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code) are 
required to file  IRS  Form  8938  with  information  relating to  the  asset for  each taxable year  in  which the 
aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $75,000 at any time during the taxable year or $50,000 on the 
last  day  of  the  taxable  year  (or  such  higher  dollar  amount  as  prescribed  by  applicable  Treasury 
Regulations).  Specified foreign financial assets would include, among other assets, our common stock, 
unless the common stock is held through an account maintained with a U.S. financial institution. Substantial 
penalties  apply  to  any  failure  to  timely  file  IRS  Form  8938,  unless  the  failure  is  shown  to  be  due  to 
reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. Additionally, in the event a U.S. Holder who is an individual 
(and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury regulations, a U.S. entity)  that is required to file IRS 

108 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
Form  8938  does  not  file  such  form,  the  statute  of  limitations  on  the  assessment  and  collection  of  U.S. 
federal income taxes of such holder for the related tax year may not close until three (3) years after the 
date that the required information is filed. 

Changes in Global Tax Laws  

Long-standing  international  tax  initiatives  that  determine  each  country’s  jurisdiction  to  tax  cross-border 
international trade and profits are evolving as a result of, among other things, initiatives such as the Anti-
Tax  Avoidance  Directives,  as  well  as  the  Base  Erosion  and  Profit  Shifting  reporting  requirements, 
mandated  and/or  recommended  by  the  EU,  G8,  G20  and  Organization  for  Economic  Cooperation  and 
Development, including the imposition of a minimum global effective tax rate for multinational businesses 
regardless of the jurisdiction of operation and where profits are generated (Pillar Two). As these and other 
tax laws and related regulations change (including changes in the interpretation, approach and guidance 
of tax authorities), our financial results could be materially impacted. Given the unpredictability of these 
possible changes and their potential interdependency, it is difficult to assess whether the overall effect of 
such potential tax changes would be cumulatively positive or negative for our earnings and cash flow, but 
such changes could adversely affect our financial results. 

On December 12, 2022, the European Union member states agreed to implement the OECD’s Pillar Two 
global corporate minimum tax rate of 15% on companies with revenues of at least €750 million effective 
from 2024. Various countries have either adopted implementing legislation or are in the process of drafting 
such  legislation.  Any  new  tax  law  in  a jurisdiction  where  we conduct  business  or  pay  tax could have a 
negative effect on our company. 

F. 

Dividends and paying agents 

Not Applicable. 

G. 

Statement by experts 

Not Applicable. 

H. 

Documents on display 

We file reports and other information with the SEC. These materials, including this annual report and the 
accompanying exhibits are available from the SEC’s website http://www.sec.gov.  

I. 

Subsidiary information 

Not Applicable. 

J. 

Annual Report to Security Holders 

We intend to submit any annual report provided to security holders in electronic format as an exhibit to a 
current report on Form 6-K.  

Item 11.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

Interest Rates 

We  are  exposed  to  market risks  associated  with  changes in interest rates  relating to our  loan facilities, 
according to which we were paying interest at LIBOR plus a margin until June 30, 2023 and since then we 

109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
pay term SOFR plus a margin. Increases in interest rates could affect our results of operations. An increase 
of  1%  in the  interest rates  of our  loan facilities bearing a  variable interest  rate during  2023,  could have 
increased our interest cost from $29.6 million to $33.6 million.  

We  will  continue  to  have  debt  outstanding,  which  could  impact  our  results  of  operations  and  financial 
condition. We manage our exposure in interest rates, by maintaining a mix of financing under agreements 
with floating and fixed interest rates. More specifically, during 2022, we refinanced part of our loans having 
a floating interest rate, with sale and leaseback transactions with fixed rates. Also, in 2023, we entered into 
an interest rate swap for 30% of our $100 million loan facility with DNB, dated June 26, 2023, under which 
we pay  fixed  interest  and  receive floating.  Through  these agreements  and our  bond,  also bearing  fixed 
interest rate, we manage part of our exposure in interest rates caused by the remaining agreements which 
bear floating interest rates. 

As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, and as of the date of this annual report, we did not and have 
not designated any financial instruments as accounting hedging instruments.  

Currency and Exchange Rates 

We generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but currently incur less than half of our operating expenses 
(around 29% in 2023 and around 32% in 2022) and about half of our general and administrative expenses 
(around 44% in 2023 and around 45% in 2022) in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Euro. 
For  accounting  purposes,  including  throughout  this  annual  report,  expenses  incurred  in  Euros  are 
converted  into  U.S.  dollars  at the  exchange  rate prevailing  on  the  date  of  each transaction.  Because a 
significant portion of our expenses are incurred in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, our expenses may 
from time to time increase relative to our revenues as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly 
between  the  U.S.  dollar  and  the  Euro,  which  could  affect  our  results  of  operations  in  future  periods. 
Currently,  we  do  not  consider  the  risk  from  exchange  rate  fluctuations  to  be  material  for  our  results  of 
operations,  as  during  2023  and  2022,  these  non-US  dollar  expenses  represented  15%  and  12%, 
respectively  of  our  revenues  and  therefore,  we  are  not  engaged  in  extensive  derivative  instruments  to 
hedge a considerable part of those expenses.  

While we historically have not mitigated the risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations through the use 
of financial derivatives, we may determine to employ such instruments from time to time in the future in 
order to minimize this risk. Our use of financial derivatives would involve certain risks, including the risk 
that losses on a hedged position could exceed the nominal amount invested in the instrument and the risk 
that  the  counterparty  to  the  derivative  transaction  may  be  unable  or  unwilling  to  satisfy  its  contractual 
obligations, which could have an adverse effect on our results.  

Item 12.  Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities 

Not Applicable. 

110 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II 

Item 13.  Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies 

None. 

Item 14.  Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use 
of Proceeds 

None. 

Item 15.  Controls and Procedures 

a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures  

Management,  including  our  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer,  has  conducted  an 
evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) 
and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based 
upon  that  evaluation,  our  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  have  concluded  that  our 
disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the 
Company in the reports that it files or submits to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, 
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. 

b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

Management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  adequate  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control 
over  financial  reporting  is  a process  designed  under  the  supervision  of  the  Company’s  Chief  Executive 
Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial 
reporting  and  the  preparation  of  the  Company’s  financial  statements  for  external  reporting  purposes  in 
accordance with U.S. GAAP. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies 
and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance  of  records  that,  in reasonable detail,  accurately  and 
fairly  reflect  the  transactions  and  dispositions  of  the  assets  of  the  company;  (ii)  provide  reasonable 
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in 
accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in 
accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the 
company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Management has conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued 
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based 
on  this  assessment,  management  has  determined  that  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2023 is effective. 

The registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this annual report 
containing  the  disclosure  required  by  this  Item  15  has  issued  an  attestation  report  on  management's 
assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. 

111 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
c)  Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  

The attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting issued by the registered 
public accounting firm that audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements, Ernst Young (Hellas) 
Certified Auditors Accountants S.A., appears on page F-4 of the financial statements filed as part of this 
annual report. 

d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

None. 

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, does not expect 
that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and 
all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not 
absolute,  assurance  that  the  control  system’s  objectives  will  be  met.  Further,  because  of  the  inherent 
limitations  in  all  control  systems,  no  evaluation  of  controls  can  provide  absolute  assurance  that 
misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, 
within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in 
decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls 
can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or 
by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain 
assumptions  about  the  likelihood  of  future  events,  and  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  any  design  will 
succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of 
controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures. 

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert 

Our Board of Directors has determined that both the members of our Audit Committee, Mr. Kyriacos Riris 
and  Mr.  Apostolos  Kontoyannis,  qualify  as  “Audit  Committee  financial  experts”  and  that  they  are  both 
considered to be “independent” according to SEC rules. 

Item 16B. Code of Ethics 

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to officers, directors, employees and agents. Our code of 
ethics is posted on our website, http://www.dianashippinginc.com, under “About Us—Code of Ethics” and 
is filed as Exhibit 11.1 to this Annual Report. Copies of our code of ethics are available in print, free of 
charge, upon request to Diana Shipping Inc., Pendelis 16, 175 64 Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece. We intend 
to  satisfy  any  disclosure  requirements  regarding  any  amendment  to,  or  waiver  from,  a  provision  of  this 
code of ethics by posting such information on our website. 

Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

a) Audit Fees 

Our principal accountants, Ernst and Young (Hellas), Certified Auditors Accountants S.A., have billed us 
for audit services. Audit fees in 2023 and 2022 amounted to € 383,250 and € 383,250, or approximately 
$416,000 and $437,000, respectively, and relate to audit services provided in connection with timely AS 
4105  reviews,  the  audit  of  our  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  audit  of  internal  control  over 
financial reporting.  

112 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
b) Audit-Related Fees 

Audit related fees during 2023 amounted to € 22,050, as compared to € 71,288 in 2022 and relate to audit 
services provided in connection with the Company’s filings with the SEC.  

c) Tax Fees 

During  2023  and  2022,  we  received  services  for  which  fees  amounted  to  $11,025  and  $10,500, 
respectively, for the calculation of Earnings and Profits of the Company. 

d) All Other Fees 

None. 

e) Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures  

Our  Audit  Committee  is  responsible  for  the  appointment,  replacement,  compensation,  evaluation  and 
oversight of the work of our independent auditors. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee pre-
approves the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditors in order to assure that 
they do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Company. The Audit Committee has adopted a 
policy  which  sets  forth  the  procedures  and  the  conditions  pursuant  to  which  services  proposed  to  be 
performed by the independent auditors may be pre-approved. 

f) Audit Work Performed by Other than Principal Accountant if Greater than 50% 

Not applicable. 

Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees 

Our Audit Committee consists of two independent members of our Board of Directors. Otherwise, our Audit 
Committee  conforms  to  each  other  requirement  applicable  to  audit  committees  as  required  by  the 
applicable listing standards of the NYSE. 

Item  16E.  Purchases  of  Equity  Securities  by  the  Issuer  and  Affiliated 
Purchasers 

On May 23, 2014, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase plan for up to 
$100 million of the Company’s common shares. The plan does not have an expiration date. During 2023, 
we did not repurchase any shares of common stock and as of December 31, 2023 and the date of this 
report, there is an outstanding value of about $66.3 million of common shares that can be repurchased 
under the plan.  

Item 16F.  Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant 

Not applicable. 

113 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 16G.  Corporate Governance 

Overview 

Pursuant to an exception for foreign private issuers, we, as a Marshall Islands company, are not required 
to comply  with  the  corporate  governance  practices followed  by  U.S.  companies under the  NYSE  listing 
standards.  We believe that our established practices in the area of corporate governance are in line with 
the spirit of the NYSE standards and provide adequate protection to our shareholders.  In fact, we have 
voluntarily adopted NYSE required practices, such as (a) having a majority of independent directors, (b) 
establishing  audit, compensation,  sustainability  and  nominating  committees and (c)  adopting  a Code of 
Ethics.  The significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the NYSE standards 
are set forth below.  

Executive Sessions 

The  NYSE  requires  that  non-management  directors  meet  regularly  in  executive  sessions  without 
management.  The NYSE also requires that all independent directors meet in an executive session at least 
once a year.  As permitted under Marshall Islands law and our bylaws, our non-management directors do 
not  regularly  hold  executive  sessions  without  management  and  we  do  not  expect  them  to  do  so  in  the 
future. 

Audit Committee 

The NYSE requires, among other things, that a company have an audit committee with a minimum of three 
members.  Our Audit Committee consists of two independent members of our Board of Directors. Our Audit 
Committee  conforms  to  every  other  requirement  applicable  to  audit  committees  set  forth  in  the  listing 
standards of the NYSE. 

Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plans 

The NYSE requires listed companies to obtain prior shareholder approval to adopt or materially revise any 
equity compensation plan. As permitted under Marshall Islands law and our amended and restated bylaws, 
we do  not  need  prior  shareholder  approval to  adopt  or revise equity  compensation  plans,  including  our 
equity incentive plan. 

Corporate Governance Guidelines 

The NYSE requires companies to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines.  The guidelines 
must address, among other things: director qualification standards, director responsibilities, director access 
to  management  and  independent  advisers,  director  compensation,  director  orientation  and  continuing 
education, management succession and an annual performance evaluation.  We are not required to adopt 
such guidelines under Marshall Islands law and we have not adopted such guidelines.   

Share Issuances 

In lieu of obtaining shareholder approval prior to the issuance of designated securities, we will comply with 
provisions  of  the  Marshall  Islands  Business  Corporations  Act,  which  allows  the  Board  of  Directors  to 
approve share issuances. Additionally, the NYSE restricts the issuance of super voting stock such as our 
Series  C  Preferred  Shares.    However,  pursuant  to  313.00  of  Section  3  of  the  NYSE  Listed  Company 
Manual, the NYSE will accept any action or issuance relating to the voting rights structure of a non-U.S. 
company  that  is  in  compliance  with  the  NYSE’s  requirements  for  domestic  companies  or  that  is  not 
prohibited by the company's home country law. We are not subject to such restrictions under our home 
country, Marshall Islands, law. 

114 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure 

Not applicable. 

Item 16I. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections 

Not applicable. 

Item 16J. Insider Trading Policies  

Pursuant to applicable SEC transition guidance, the disclosure required by Item 16J will be applicable to 
us beginning in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. 

Item 16K. Cybersecurity  

Risk management and strategy 

We have security measures in place to mitigate the risk of cybersecurity threats affecting our technology 
environment  and  our  business.  In  2023,  the  Company  successfully  achieved  ISO  27001  certification, 
demonstrating that our Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets the rigorous requirements 
of  this  internationally  recognized  standard.  The  Company's  security  team  regularly  conducts  significant 
internal  changes,  and  the  underlying  controls  of  our  cyber  risk  management  program  are  now  formally 
aligned with ISO 27001.  

Cybersecurity training is carried out on a company-wide basis to all employees and seafarers while online 
performance cybersecurity is delivered to our crew monthly. To help build cultural awareness of these risks 
within the Company, additional phishing campaigns have been implemented within the organization which 
have  motivated  the  staff  to  react,  helping  to  enhance  awareness  of  these  risks  and  mitigate  their 
occurrence.  The  security  team  have  further  enhanced  our  processes  and  increased  our  defenses  by 
implementing  a  cybersecurity  testing  program,  carried  out  on  a  yearly  basis  by  external  consultants. 
Penetration testing was also carried out in parallel during 2023. A centralized monitoring system, powered 
by  Microsoft's  cloud-based  Security  Information  and  Event  Management  (SIEM)  solution,  is  in  place 
throughout  the  year.  This  system  aggregates  security  data  from  various  sources,  uses  built-in  artificial 
intelligence to detect and investigate threats, and enables our security team to respond to incidents rapidly. 
We  have  also  created  a  comprehensive  Business  Continuity  and  Disaster  Recovery  plan  to  ensure 
business resilience and minimize potential disruptions.  

to  staff 

For the year 2024, the security team has planned a comprehensive collaboration with a third-party company 
to enhance our cybersecurity awareness and training initiatives. This partnership includes the design and 
implementation  of  a  multi-faceted  approach 
training,  encompassing  synchronous  and 
asynchronous  security  awareness  sessions,  custom-tailored  phishing  campaigns  and  the  creation  of 
informative cybersecurity awareness newsletters to keep our staff up to date on the latest best practices 
and emerging risks. Furthermore, the collaboration will focus on the customization and digitalization of our 
vessels' cybersecurity awareness program, ensuring that our seafarers maintain a robust security posture 
while at sea.] We will continue to acquire relevant tools to support the identification of third-party risks and 
further  strengthen our  defense.  In  parallel  to  these security  measures,  our  Company  has  established a 
Data Management Platform over Microsoft Azure Technologies, to act as a centralized and secure source 
of  truth  for  our  operations.  The  Data  Management  Platform  was  integrated  with  our  core  systems  and 
implementation of key reports was initiated. The goal for 2024 is to build Financial and Operational reports 

115 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
that will enable better, faster and more accurate monitoring of Company activities and improve decision 
making  and  productivity.  To  further  support  this  transition,  relevant  personnel  will  be  digitally  upskilled, 
while  being  provided  with  the  necessary  tools  to  help  them  make  better  decisions,  ensuring  greater 
productivity  and  enhancing  vessel  efficiency.  We  are  committed  to  enhance  and  enrich  our  operational 
excellence through our external 3rd parties’ inspections and audits (PSC-Vetting inspections Audits). We 
openly  share  our  results  and  “lessons  learnt”  within  the  industry  and  organizations,  we  compare  and 
benchmark our performance and we continuously improve our safety footprint. 

Governance 

Our board of directors considers cybersecurity risk as part of its risk oversight function and has delegated 
the  day-to-day  oversight  of  cybersecurity  and  other  technology  risks  to the  Cyber  Security  Officer.  The 
Cyber Security Officer is responsible for assessing and managing cybersecurity threats and for reporting 
cybersecurity  updates,  including  updates  on  monitoring  strategies  and  efforts  to  prevent  cybersecurity 
threats, to the board of directors on a quarterly basis or more often as needed. 

The audit  committee receives  regular reports from management  on  our cybersecurity risks.  In addition, 
management updates the audit committee, as necessary, regarding any material cybersecurity incidents, 
as  well  as  any  incidents  with  lesser  impact  potential.  The  audit  committee  reviews  the  Company's 
cybersecurity  risks  and  assess’  the  steps  that  management  has  taken  to  protect  against  threats  to  the 
Company's information systems and security. 

Our  board  of  directors  oversees  the  Company’s  cybersecurity  risk  exposures  and  the  steps  taken  by 
management to monitor and mitigate cybersecurity risks. The board of directors ensures allocation and 
prioritization of resources and overall strategic direction for cybersecurity and ensures alignment with the 
Company’s overall strategy. 

Cybersecurity Threats 

During the year ended December 31, 2023 and until the date of this annual report, we did not identify any 
cybersecurity threats that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our business 
strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. For more information about the cybersecurity risks we 
face, please see Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — “A cyber-attack could materially disrupt our 
business.” 

116 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART III 

Item 17.  Financial Statements 

See Item 18. 

Item 18.  Financial Statements 

The financial statements required by this Item 18 are filed as a part of this annual report beginning on page 
F-1.  

Item 19.  Exhibits 

Exhibit 
Number 
1.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Diana Shipping Inc. (originally known as Diana 

Description 

Shipping Investment Corp.) (1) 

1.2   Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company (2) 
1.3  Equity Distribution Agreement between Diana Shipping Inc. and Maxim Group LLC. dated April 23, 

2021 (21)  

1.4  Amendment No.1 to Equity Distribution Agreement between Diana Shipping Inc. and Maxim Group 

LLC. dated July 7, 2021 (23)  

2.1   Form of Common Share Certificate (13) 
2.2   Form of Series B Preferred Stock Certificate (16) 
2.3   Statement  of  Designation  of  the  8.875%  Series  B  Cumulative  Redeemable  Perpetual  Preferred 

Shares of the Company (3) 

2.4   Statement of Designations of the Series A Participating Preferred Stock of the Company (4) 
2.5   Base  Indenture,  dated  May  28,  2015,  by  and  between  the  Company  and  Deutsche  Bank  Trust 

Company Americas (5) 

2.6  First  Supplemental  Indenture  to  the  Base  Indenture,  dated  May  28,  2015,  by  and  between  the 
Company  and  Deutsche  Bank  Trust  Company  Americas,  as  trustee,  relating  to  the  Company's 
8.500% Senior Notes due 2020 (6) 

2.7   Statement of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of Series C Preferred Stock of the 

Company (18) 

2.8  Description of Securities** 
2.9  Amended and Restated Statement of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of Series D 

Preferred Stock of the Company (22) 

2.10  Warrant  Agreement  dated  December  14,  2023,  between  Computershare  Inc.,  and  its  affiliate, 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and the Registrant (including the form of the Warrants) (27) 

4.1   Amended and Restated Stockholders Rights Agreement dated January 15, 2016 (7) 
4.2   2014 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective January 8, 2021) (24) 
4.3   Form of Technical Manager Purchase Option Agreement (8) 
4.4   Form of Management Agreement (9) 
4.5   Loan Agreement with Bremer Landesbank dated October 22, 2009 (17) 
4.6   Loan  Agreement  with the  Export-Import  Bank  of  China  and  DnB  Nor  Bank  ASA  dated October  2, 

2010 (17) 

4.7   Loan Agreement with Emporiki Bank of Greece S.A., dated September 13, 2011 (14) 

117 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
4.8   First Supplemental Agreement, by and between Bikar Shipping Company Inc., Diana Shipping Inc., 

DSS and Emporiki Bank of Greece S.A., dated December 11, 2012 (13) 

4.9  Second Supplemental Agreement, by and between Bikar Shipping Company Inc., Diana Shipping 
Inc., DSS and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, dated December 13, 2012 (13) 
4.10  Loan  Agreement,  dated  May  24,  2013,  by  and  among  Erikub  Shipping  Company  Inc.,  Wotho 

Shipping Company Inc., DNB Bank ASA, and Export-Import Bank of China (11) 

4.11  Loan Agreement, dated January 9, 2014, by and among Taka Shipping Company Inc., Fayo Shipping 

Company Inc., and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (11) 

4.12  Loan Agreement, dated December 18, 2014, by and among Weno Shipping Company Inc., Pulap 

Shipping Company Inc., the Banks and Financial Institutions listed therein and BNP Paribas (12) 

4.13  Loan  Agreement,  dated  March  17,  2015,  by  and  among  Knox  Shipping  Company  Inc.,  Bokak 
Shipping  Company  Inc.,  Jemo  Shipping  Company  Inc.,  Guam  Shipping  Company  Inc.,  Palau 
Shipping Company Inc., Makur Shipping Company Inc., Mandaringina Inc., Vesta Commercial, S.A., 
the Banks and Financial Institutions listed therein, Nordea Bank Finland Plc and Nordea Bank AB, 
London Branch (12) 

4.14  Administrative Services Agreement, dated October 1, 2013, by and between Diana Shipping Inc. and 

Diana Shipping Services S.A. (11) 

4.15  Amended and Restated Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013, by and between 

Diana Shipping Inc. and Diana Containerships Inc. (renamed to Performance Shipping Inc.) (11) 

4.16  Loan Agreement with ABN AMRO Bank N.V., dated March 26, 2015 (13) 
4.17  Loan Agreement with Danish Ship Finance, dated April 29, 2015 (13) 
4.18  Joint Venture and Subscription Agreement with Wilhelmsen Ship Management, dated January 16, 

2015 (13) 

4.19  Loan Agreement with BNP Paribas, dated July 22, 2015 (13) 
4.20  Loan Agreement with ING Bank N.V., dated September 30, 2015 (13) 
4.21  Loan Agreement with The Export-Import Bank of China, dated January 7, 2016 (13) 
4.22  Loan Agreement with ABN AMRO Bank N.V., dated March 29, 2016 (15) 
4.23  Brokerage Services Agreement, dated April 1, 2016, by and between Diana Shipping Inc. and Diana 

Enterprises Inc. (15) 

4.24  Loan Agreement with DNB Bank ASA and The Export-Import Bank of China, dated May 10, 2016 

(15) 

4.25  Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated May 20, 2013, by and between Diana Shipping Inc., 
Eluk Shipping Company Inc. and Diana Containerships Inc. (renamed to Performance Shipping Inc.), 
dated September 12, 2016 (15) 

4.26  Waiver Letter from Commonwealth Bank of Australia dated January 13, 2017 (15) 
4.27  Amendment to Loan Agreement dated October 2, 2010 with the Export-Import Bank of China and 

DnB Nor Bank ASA, dated February 15, 2017 (15) 

4.28  Brokerage  Services  Agreement,  dated  April  1,  2019,  by  and  between  Diana  Shipping  Inc.  and 

Steamship Shipbroking Enterprises Inc. (formerly Diana Enterprises Inc.) (20) 

4.29  Fifth Amendment to  Loan  Agreement,  dated  May  20,  2013,  by  and between Diana Shipping  Inc., 
Kapa  Shipping  Company  Inc.  and  Diana  Containerships  Inc.  (renamed  to  Performance  Shipping 
Inc.), dated May 30, 2017 (19) 

4.30  Intercreditor  Agreement  with  Diana  Containerships  Inc.  (renamed  to  Performance  Shipping  Inc.), 

dated June 30, 2017 (19) 

4.31  Subordinated  Facility  Agreement  by  and  between  Diana  Containerships  Inc.  (renamed  to 

Performance Shipping Inc.) and Diana Shipping Inc., dated June 30, 2017 (19) 

4.32  Amendment to Loan Agreement dated October 2, 2010 with the Export-Import Bank of China and 

DnB Nor Bank ASA, dated May 18, 2017 (19) 

4.33  Loan Agreement dated July 2018 with BNP Paribas (20) 
4.34  Summary for Diana Shipping Inc. listing prospectus dated as of December 31, 2018 in respect of 

9.50% USD 100,000,000 Senior Unsecured Callable Bond Issue 2018/2023 (20) 

4.35  Securities  Note  dated  as  of  December  3,  2018,  in  respect  of  9.50%  USD  100,000,000  Senior 

Unsecured Callable Bond Issue 2018/2023 (20) 

118 

 
 
4.36  Registration Document dated as of December 3, 2018, in respect of 9.50% USD 100,000,000 Senior 

Unsecured Callable Bond Issue 2018/2023 (20) 

4.37  Loan Agreement dated March 2019 with DNB Bank ASA (20) 
4.38  Loan Agreement dated June 2019 with ABN AMRO Bank N.V.(24) 
4.39  Third Amendment Agreement dated December 2020 with DNB Bank ASA (24) 
4.40  Loan Agreement dated May 2020 with ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (24) 
4.41  Loan Agreement dated May 2020 with Nordea Bank Abp, filial i Norge(24) 
4.42  Loan Agreement dated June 2020 with BNP Paribas(24) 
4.43  Brokerage Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and between Diana Shipping Inc. and Diana 

Enterprises Inc(24) 

4.44  Loan Agreement dated May 2021 with ABN AMRO Bank N.V (25) 
4.45: Nordea Supplemental Agreement dated July, 29, 2021(26) 
4.46: Nordea Loan Agreement dated September 30, 2022(26) 
4.47: Right of First Refusal Agreement with OceanPal Inc.(26) 
4.48: Amended and Restated Contribution and Conveyance Agreement with OceanPal Inc.(26) 
4.49: Loan Agreement dated April 12, 2023 with Danish Ship Finance A/S** 
4.50: Loan Agreement dated June 26, 2023 with DNB Bank ASA** 
4.51: Loan Agreement dated June 20, 2023 with Nordea Bank ABP** 
4.52: Amended and Restatement Deed re Secured Loan Agreement, dated July 19, 2023** 
4.53: Brokerage Services Agreement, dated February 23, 2024** 
8.1  Subsidiaries of the Company** 
11.1  Amended Code of Ethics (20) 
12.1  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer** 
12.2  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer** 
13.1  Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant 

to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002** 

13.2  Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant 

to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002** 

15.1  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm** 
97.1  Policy Regarding the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation**. 
101  The following materials from the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended 
December 31, 2023, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated 
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the 
years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 
Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021; (iv) Consolidated Statements of 
Stockholders'  Equity  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2023,  2022  and  2021;  (v)  Consolidated 
Statements  of  Cash  Flows  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2023,  2022  and  2021;  and  (v)  the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

104  Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) 

**  Filed herewith. 

(1)  Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Form 6-K filed on November 15, 2023. 
(2)  Filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company's Form 6-K filed on November 15, 2023. 
(3)  Filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Form 8-A filed on February 13, 2014. 
(4)  Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 8-A12B/A filed on January 15, 2016. 
(5)   Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 6-K filed on May 28, 2015. 
(6)   Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 6-K filed on May 28, 2015. 
(7)   Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 8-A12B/A filed on February 2, 2024. 
(8)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement (File No. 123052) on March 1, 2005. 
(9)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Amended Registration Statement (File No. 123052) on March 

15, 2005. 
(10)   Reserved. 

119 

 
 
 
 
 
 
(11)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 20-F on March 27, 2014.  
(12)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 20-F on March 25, 2015.  
(13)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 20-F on March 28, 2016.  
(14)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 20-F on April 20, 2012.  
(15)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 20-F on February 17, 2017. 
(16)   Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 8-A12B filed on February 13, 2014. 
(17)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 20-F on March 31, 2011. 
(18)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on February 6, 2019. 
(19)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 20-F on March 16, 2018. 
(20)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 20-F on March 12, 2019. 
(21)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on April 23, 2021. 
(22)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on September 8, 2023. 
(23)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on July 31, 2021. 
(24)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 20-F on March 12, 2021. 
(25)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Form F-3 filed on June 4, 2021. 
(26)   Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 20-F on March 27, 2023. 
(27)  Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on December 14, 2023. 

120 

 
 
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly 
caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf. 

SIGNATURES 

DIANA SHIPPING INC. 

/s/ Ioannis Zafirakis  
Ioannis Zafirakis 
Chief Financial Officer  
Dated: April 4, 2024

121 

 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

  Page 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 1457) ..................  

  F-2 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ................................................  

  F-4 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022  ...................................  

  F-6 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 
2021 ..................................................................................................................................  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 
2023, 2022 and 2021 .........................................................................................................  

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 
2023, 2022 and 2021 .........................................................................................................  

F-7 

F-8 

F-9 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 
and 2021 ...........................................................................................................................  

  F-11 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements......................................................................  

  F-13 

F-1 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Diana Shipping Inc. 

Opinion on the Financial Statements 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Diana Shipping Inc. (the Company) 
as  of  December  31,  2023  and  2022,  the  related  consolidated  statements  of  income,  comprehensive 
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 
2023,  and  the  related  notes (collectively  referred  to  as  the  “consolidated  financial  statements”).  In  our 
opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position 
of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for 
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted 
accounting principles. 

We  also  have  audited,  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight 
Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 
31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee 
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated April 4, 
2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

Basis for Opinion 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to 
express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting 
firm  registered  with  the  PCAOB  and  are  required  to  be  independent  with  respect  to  the  Company  in 
accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities 
and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that 
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are 
free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to 
assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and 
performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, 
evidence  regarding  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements.  Our  audits  also  included 
evaluating  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as  well  as 
evaluating  the  overall  presentation  of  the  financial  statements.  We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a 
reasonable basis for our opinion. 

Critical Audit Matter 

The  critical  audit  matter  communicated  below  is  a  matter  arising  from  the  current  period  audit  of  the 
financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and 
that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our 
especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter 
does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we 
are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit 
matter or on the accounts or disclosure to which it relates.

F-2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description 
of the 
matter 

Recoverability assessment of vessels held and used 

At  December  31,  2023,  the  carrying  value  of  the  Company’s  vessels  plus 
unamortized deferred costs was $ 915,470 thousands. As discussed in Note 2 (l) to 
the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the  Company  evaluates  its  vessels  for 
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying 
value  of  a  vessel  plus  unamortized  deferred  costs  may  not  be  recoverable  in 
accordance with the guidance in ASC 360 – Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 
360”).  If  indicators  of  impairment  exist,  management  analyzes  the  future 
undiscounted  net  operating  cash  flows  expected  to  be  generated  throughout  the 
remaining  useful  life  of  each  vessel  and  compares  it  to  the  carrying  value  of  the 
vessel  plus  unamortized  deferred  costs.  Where  a  vessel’s  carrying  value  plus 
unamortized  deferred  costs  exceeds  the  undiscounted  net  operating  cash  flows, 
management will recognize an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying 
value plus unamortized deferred costs over the fair value of the vessel.  

Auditing  management’s  recoverability  assessment  was  complex  given 
the 
judgement  and  estimation  uncertainty  involved  in  determining  the  future  charter 
rates  for  non-contracted  revenue  days  used  in  forecasting  undiscounted  net 
operating cash flows. These rates are subjective as they involve the development 
and use of assumptions about the dry-bulk shipping market through the end of the 
useful  lives of  the vessels.  This  assumption  is  forward  looking  and subject  to the 
inherent unpredictability of future global economic and market conditions. 

How we 
addressed 
the matter 
in our audit 

We obtained an understanding of the Company’s impairment process, evaluated the 
design, and tested the operating effectiveness of the controls over the Company’s 
recoverability assessment of vessels held and used, including the determination of 
future charter rates for non-contracted revenue days. 

the 
We  evaluated  management’s  recoverability  assessment  by  comparing 
methodology and model used for each vessel against the accounting guidance in 
ASC 360. To test management’s undiscounted net operating cash flow forecasts, 
our procedures included, among others, comparing the future vessel charter rates 
for non-contracted revenue days with external data such as available market data 
from various analysts and recent economic and industry changes, and internal data 
such as historical charter rates for the vessels.  In addition, we performed sensitivity 
analyses to assess the impact of changes to future charter rates for non-contracted 
revenue  days  in  the  determination  of  the  future  undiscounted  net  operating  cash 
flows.  We  tested  the  completeness  and  accuracy  of  the  data  used  within  the 
forecasts.  We assessed the adequacy of the Company’s disclosures in Note 2 (l) to 
the consolidated financial statements. 

/s/ Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A. 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2004. 

Athens, Greece  
April 4, 2024 

F-3 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Diana Shipping Inc. 

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

We have audited Diana Shipping Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, 
based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control—Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of 
Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (2013  framework)  (the  COSO  criteria).  In  our 
opinion, Diana Shipping Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control 
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria. 

We  also  have  audited,  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight 
Board  (United  States) (PCAOB),  the  consolidated  balance sheets  of  the Company  as  of  December  31, 
2023  and  2022,  the  related  consolidated  statements  of  income,  comprehensive  income,  stockholders’ 
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related 
notes and our report dated April 4, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

Basis for Opinion 

The  Company’s  management  is  responsible  for  maintaining  effective  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in 
the  accompanying  Management’s  Annual  Report  on  Internal  Control  over  Financial  Reporting.  Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on 
our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent 
with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules 
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we 
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over 
financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. 

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the 
risk  that  a  material  weakness  exists,  testing  and  evaluating  the  design  and  operating  effectiveness  of 
internal  control  based  on  the  assessed  risk,  and  performing  such  other  procedures  as  we  considered 
necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.  

F-4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  to  provide  reasonable 
assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for 
external  purposes  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  A  company’s  internal 
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance 
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the 
assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to 
permit  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles, 
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations 
of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention 
or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have 
a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect 
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk 
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance 
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

/s/ Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A. 

Athens, Greece 
April 4, 2024 

F-5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
DIANA SHIPPING INC.  
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
December 31, 2023 and 2022 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except for share and per share data) 

2023 

2022 

ASSETS 
Current Assets 
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 2(e)) 
Time deposits (Note 2(e)) 
Accounts receivable, trade (Note 2(f)) 
Due from related parties (Note 4) 
Inventories (Note 2(g)) 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 
Investments in equity securities (Note 5(b)) 
Fair value of derivatives 

Total Current Assets 

Fixed Assets: 
Advances for vessel acquisitions (Note 6) 
Vessels, net (Note 6) 
Property and equipment, net (Note 7) 

Total fixed assets 
Other Noncurrent Assets 
Restricted cash, non-current (Note 8) 
Due from related parties, non-current (Note 4) 
Equity method investments (Note 4) 
Investments in related party (Note 5(a)) 
Other non-current assets 
Deferred costs 

Total Non-current Assets 
Total Assets 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Current Liabilities 
Current portion of long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs (Note 8) 
Current portion of finance liabilities, net of deferred financing costs (Note 9) 
Accounts payable 
Due to related parties (Note 3) 
Accrued liabilities 
Deferred revenue 

Total Current Liabilities 

Non-current Liabilities 
Long-term debt, net of current portion and deferred financing costs (Note 8) 
Finance liabilities, net of current portion and deferred financing costs (Note 9) 
Fair value of derivatives 
Warrant liability (Note 11(g)) 
Other non-current liabilities 

Total Noncurrent Liabilities 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) 
Stockholders' Equity 
Preferred stock (Note 11) 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 and 200,000,000 shares authorized and 
113,065,725 and 102,653,619 issued and outstanding on December 31, 2023 and 2022, 
respectively (Note 11) 
Additional paid in capital 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 
Accumulated deficit 

Total Stockholders' Equity 
 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

101,592  $ 
40,000   
5,870   
149   
5,056   
8,696   
20,729   
129   

182,221 

-   
900,192   
24,282   

924,474 

20,000   
319   
15,769   
8,318   
31   
15,278   

984,189 
1,166,410  $ 

49,512  $ 
9,221   
9,663   
759   
12,416   
3,563   
85,134   

461,131   
122,908   
568   
6,332   
1,316   
592,255   
-   

26   

1,131 
1,101,425   
308   
(613,869)   
489,021   
1,166,410  $ 

76,428 
46,500 
6,126 
216 
4,545 
6,749 
- 
- 
140,564 

24,123 
949,616 
22,963 
996,702 

21,000 
- 
506 
7,744 
101 
16,302 
1,042,355 
1,182,919 

91,495 
8,802 
11,242 
136 
12,134 
7,758 
131,567 

431,016 
132,129 
- 
- 
879 
564,024 
- 

26 

1,027 
1,061,015 
253 
(574,993) 
487,328 
1,182,919 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except for share and per share data) 

REVENUES: 
Time charter revenues 
OPERATING EXPENSES 
Voyage expenses (Note 12) 
Vessel operating expenses 
Depreciation and amortization of deferred charges  
General and administrative expenses 
Management fees to a related party (Note 4(a)) 

Gain on sale of vessels (Note 6) 

Insurance recoveries 

Other operating (income)/loss 

  Operating income, total 

OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES): 

2023 

2022 

2021 

$ 

262,098  $ 

289,972  $ 

214,203 

13,621   
85,486   
49,785   
32,968   
1,313   

(5,323)  

-   

(1,464)  

85,712  $ 

6,942   
72,033   
43,326   
29,367   
511   

(2,850)  

(1,789)  

(265)  

5,570 
74,756 
40,492 
29,192 
1,432 

(1,360) 

- 

603 

142,697  $ 

63,518 

$ 

Interest expense and finance costs (Note 13) 

(49,331)  

(27,419)  

(20,239) 

Interest and other income 

Loss on derivative instruments (Note 8) 

Loss on extinguishment of debt (Note 8) 

Gain on spin-off of OceanPal Inc. 

Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary (Note 4(b)) 

Gain on related party investments (Note 5(a)) 

Unrealized gain on equity securities (Note 5(b)) 

Unrealized gain on warrants (Note 11 (g)) 

Gain/(loss) from equity method investments (Note 4) 

Total other expenses, net 

Net income 

Dividends on series B preferred shares (Notes 11(b) and 
14) 

Net income attributable to common stockholders 

Earnings per common share, basic (Note 14) 

Earnings per common share, diluted (Note 14) 

Weighted average number of common shares 
outstanding, basic (Note 14) 

Weighted average number of common shares 
outstanding, diluted (Note 14) 

8,170   

(439)  

(748)  

-   

844   

1,502   

2,813   

1,583   

(262)  

2,737   

-   

(435)  

-   

-   

589   

-   

-   

894   

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(35,868)  $ 

(23,634)  $ 

49,844  $ 

119,063  $ 

(5,769)  

(5,769)  

44,075  $ 

113,294  $ 

0.44  $ 

0.42  $ 

1.42  $ 

1.36  $ 

176 

- 

(980) 

15,252 

- 
- 

- 

- 

(333) 

(6,124) 

57,394 

(5,769) 

51,625 

0.64 

0.61 

100,166,629   

80,061,040   

81,121,781 

101,877,142   

83,318,901   

84,856,840 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars) 

  Net income 
Other comprehensive income - Defined benefit plan 
Comprehensive income 

$ 

$ 

2023 

2022 

2021 

49,844 $ 

55  

49,899 $ 

119,063 $ 

182  

119,245 $ 

57,394 
2 
57,396 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC.  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except for share data) 

Preferred Stock 
Series B 

Preferred Stock 
Series C 

Preferred Stock 
Series D 

  # of Shares 

Par 
Valu
e 

# of 
Shares 

Par 
Valu
e 

# of 
Shares 

Par 
Valu
e 

Common Stock 

# of Shares 

Par 
Value 

Additional 
Paid-in 
Capital 

Other 
Comprehe
nsive 
Income 

Accumulat
ed Deficit 

Total  
Equity 

BALANCE, 
December 31, 2020 
  Net income 

Issuance of Series 
D Preferred Stock 
(Note 11(d)) 
Issuance of 
restricted stock and 
compensation cost 
Stock repurchased 
(Note 11(h)) 
and retired (Note 
11(e)) 
Dividends on series 
B preferred stock 
(Note 11(b)) 
Dividends on 
common stock 
(Note 11(f)) 
OceanPal Inc. 
spinoff (Note 11(g)) 

Other 
comprehensive 
income 
BALANCE, 
December 31, 2021 

2,600,000  $  26   
-   
-  - 

10,675  $ 
-  - 

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

2,600,000  $  26   

10,675  $ 

  Net income 

-   

-   

-   

Issuance of 
restricted stock and 
compensation cost 
(Note 11(h)) 
Stock repurchased 
and retired (Note 
11(e)) 
Issuance of 
common stock  
(Note 11(e)) 
Issuance of 
common stock for 
vessel acquisitions  
(Notes 6 and 11(e))   
Dividends on series 
B preferred stock  
(Note 11(b)) 
Dividends on 
common stock 
(Note 11(f)) 

  Dividends in kind  

(Note 11(g)) 

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   

-  
-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   

-  $ 
-  - 

400   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

400  $ 

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   

-  
-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   

89,275,002  $ 
-  - 

893  $  1,020,164  $ 
-  - 

-  - 

69  $ 
-  - 

(592,582)  $ 
57,394   

428,570 
57,394 

-   

-   

254   

8,260,000   

83   

7,359   

(12,862,744)  

(129)  

(45,240)  

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

254 

7,442 

(45,369) 

(5,769)  

(5,769) 

(8,820)  

(8,820) 

(40,509)  

(40,509) 

2   

-   

2 

84,672,258  $ 

847  $ 

982,537  $ 

71  $ 

(590,286)  $ 

393,195 

-   

-   

-   

-   

119,063   

119,063 

1,470,000   

15   

9,267   

(820,000)  

(8)  

(3,791)  

877,581   

9   

5,313   

16,453,780   

164   

67,689   

-   

-   
-   

-   

-   
-   

-   

-   
-   

F-9 

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   

-   

-   

-   

9,282 

(3,799) 

5,322 

-   

67,853 

(5,769)  

(5,769) 

(79,812)  
(18,189)  

(79,812) 
(18,189) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other 
comprehensive 
income 
BALANCE, 
December 31, 2022 
  Net income 

Issuance of 
restricted stock and 
compensation cost 
(Note 11(h)) 
Issuance of 
common stock 
(Note 11(e)) 
Issuance of 
common stock for 
vessel acquisitions 
(Notes 6 and 11(e))   
Dividends on series 
B preferred stock 
(Note 11(b)) 
Dividends on 
common stock 
(Note 11(f)) 
  Warrants (Note 
11(g)) 
  Dividends in kind 
(Note 11(g)) 
Other 
comprehensive 
income 
BALANCE, 
December 31, 2023 

-   
-   
2,600,000  $  26   

-   

10,675  $ 

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   
-   
2,600,000  $  26   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   

10,675  $ 

-   
-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   
-   

-   
400  $ 

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   
400  $ 

-   
-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   
-   

-   

-   

-   

102,653,619  $  1,027  $  1,061,015  $ 

182   
253  $ 

-   

(574,993)  $ 

182 
487,328 

-   

-   

-   

-   

49,844   

49,844 

1,750,000   

18   

9,920   

6,628,493   

66   

22,780   

2,033,613   

20   

7,710   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   

113,065,725  $  1,131  $  1,101,425  $ 

-   

-   

-   

-   

-   
-   
-   

-   

-   

9,938 

22,846 

-   

7,730 

(5,769)  

(5,769) 

(64,276)  
(7,914)  
(10,761)  

(64,276) 
(7,914) 
(10,761) 

55   
308  $ 

-   

(613,869)  $ 

55 
489,021 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC.  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars) 

 Cash Flows from Operating Activities:  
  Net income 

Adjustments  to  reconcile  net  income  to  cash  provided  by 
operating activities 

    Depreciation and amortization of deferred charges 
    Amortization of debt issuance costs (Note 13) 
    Compensation cost on restricted stock (Note 11(h)) 
    Provision for credit loss 
    Dividend income (Note 5(a)) 
    Pension and other postretirement benefits 
    Loss on derivative instruments (Note 8) 
    Gain on sale of vessels (Notes 6) 
    Gain on related parties investments (Note 5(a)) 
    Loss on extinguishment of debt (Note 8) 
    Gain on OceanPal spinoff  
    Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary (Note 4 (b)) 
    Gain / (Loss) from equity method investments (Note 4) 
    Unrealized gain on equity securities (Note 5(b)) 
    Unrealized gain on warrants (Note 11(g)) 
  (Increase) / Decrease 
    Accounts receivable, trade 
    Due from related parties 

Inventories 

    Prepaid expenses and other assets 
    Other non-current assets 

Investments in equity securities 

  Increase / (Decrease)  
    Accounts payable, trade and other 
    Due to related parties 
    Accrued liabilities 
    Deferred revenue  
    Other non-current liabilities 

  Drydock cost 

 Cash Flows from Investing Activities:  

Payments to acquire vessels and vessel improvements (Notes 
6 and 4(b)) 

  Proceeds from sale of vessels, net of expenses (Note 6) 
  Payments to acquire investments (Note 4) 
  Time deposits 
  Payments to joint ventures 
  Payments to acquire other assets (Note 4(b)) 
  Cash divested from deconsolidation (Note 4(b)) 

Proceeds  from  convertible  loan  with  limited  partnership  (Note 
4(b)) 

  Payments to acquire property, furniture and fixtures (Note 7) 

Net Cash Provided By/(Used in) Investing Activities 
 Cash Flows from Financing Activities:  

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt and finance liabilities 
(Notes 8 and 9) 

  Proceeds from issuance of common stock (Note 11(e)) 
  Payments for issuance of common stock (Note 11(e)) 
  Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net of expenses 
  Payments of dividends, preferred stock (Note 11(b)) 
  Payments of dividends, common stock (Note 11(f)) 
  Payments for repurchase of common stock 
  Payments of financing costs (Notes 8 and 9) 

Repayments  of  long-term  debt  and  finance  liabilities  (Notes  8 
and 9) 

2023 

2022 

2021 

$ 

49,844  $ 

119,063  $ 

57,394 

49,785 
2,620 
9,938 
- 
(3) 
55 
439 
(5,323) 
(1,502) 
748 
- 
(844) 
262 
(2,813) 
(1,583) 

256 
(252) 
(511) 
(1,950) 
70 
(17,916) 

(1,761) 
(57) 
282 
(4,195) 
437 

(5,646) 

43,326 
2,286 
9,282 
133 
(100) 
182 
- 
(2,850) 
(589) 
435 
- 
- 
(894) 
- 
- 

(3,427) 
736 
1,768 
(1,265) 
(16) 

1,465 
(72) 
3,956 
2,026 
(218) 

(16,368) 

(29,732) 
36,560 
(10,595) 
6,500 
- 
(216) 
(771) 

25,189 
(2,006) 

(230,302) 
4,372 
- 
(46,500) 
- 
- 
- 

- 
(667) 

$ 

24,929  $ 

(273,097)  $ 

57,696 
- 
(79) 
- 
(5,769) 
(41,427) 
- 
(1,724) 

275,133 
5,266 
- 
- 
(5,769) 
(79,812) 
(3,799) 
(3,302) 

40,492 
1,865 
7,442 
300 
(69) 
2 
- 
(1,360) 
- 
980 
(15,252) 
- 
333 
- 
- 

1,568 
(56) 
(1,581) 
1,759 
(1,177) 

1,219 
154 
(2,610) 
2,890 
(57) 

(4,531) 

89,705 

(17,393) 
33,731 
- 
- 
(375) 
- 
(1,000) 

- 
(1,600) 

13,363 

101,279 
- 
- 
254 
(5,769) 
(8,820) 
(45,369) 
(7,594) 

(79,842) 

(102,839) 

(93,170) 

F-11 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 

$ 

70,380  $ 

158,859  $ 

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Provided by/(Used In) Financing Activities 

$ 

(71,145)  $ 

84,878  $ 

(59,189) 

Cash,  Cash  Equivalents  and  Restricted  Cash,  Period 
Increase/(Decrease) 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Beginning 
Balance 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Ending 
Balance 

24,164 

(29,360) 

43,879 

97,428 

126,788 

82,909 

$ 

121,592  $ 

97,428  $ 

126,788 

RECONCILIATION OF CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH 
  Cash and cash equivalents 
  Restricted cash, non-current 
  Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Total 

101,592  $ 
20,000 
121,592  $ 

$ 

$ 

76,428 
21,000 
97,428  $ 

110,288 
16,500 
126,788 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION 

  Non-cash acquisition of assets (Note 6) 

$ 

7,809  $ 

136,038 

  Non-cash debt assumed 
  Non-cash Finance Liability 
  Stock issued in noncash financing activities (Note 6) 
  Non-cash investments acquired (Notes 6 and 5(a)) 
  Noncash dividend (Note 11(f) and 11(g)) 
  Transfer to Investments 
  Interest paid 

- 
- 
7,809 
10,000 
41,521 
- 

$ 

46,473  $ 

20,571 
47,782 
67,909 
- 
- 
1,370 
21,306 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
441 
19,608 

F-12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

1.  Basis of Presentation and General Information  

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Diana Shipping Inc., or DSI, 
and its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries  (collectively,  the  “Company”).  DSI  was  formed  on March 8,  1999,  as 
Diana  Shipping  Investment  Corp.,  under  the  laws  of  the  Republic  of  Liberia.  In  February  2005,  the 
Company’s  articles  of  incorporation  were  amended.  Under  the  amended  articles  of  incorporation,  the 
Company  was  renamed  Diana  Shipping  Inc.  and  was  re-domiciled  from  the  Republic  of  Liberia  to  the 
Republic of the Marshall Islands. 

The Company is engaged in the ocean transportation of dry bulk cargoes worldwide through the ownership 
and bareboat  charter  in of  dry  bulk  carrier  vessels.  The  Company  operates its  own  fleet through Diana 
Shipping Services S.A. (or “DSS”), a wholly owned subsidiary and through Diana Wilhelmsen Management 
Limited,  or  DWM,  a  50%  owned  joint  venture  (Note  4(a)).  The  fees  paid  to  DSS  are  eliminated  in 
consolidation.  

2.  Significant Accounting Policies 

a) 
Principles  of  Consolidation:  The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been 
prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include the accounts of 
Diana Shipping Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have 
been  eliminated  upon  consolidation.  Under  Accounting  Standards  Codification 
(“ASC”)  810 
“Consolidation”, the Company consolidates entities in which it has a controlling financial interest, by first 
considering if an entity meets the definition of a variable interest entity ("VIE") for which the Company is 
deemed to be the primary beneficiary under the VIE model, or if the Company controls an entity through a 
majority  of  voting  interest  based  on  the  voting  interest  model.  The  Company  evaluates  financial 
instruments, service contracts, and other arrangements to determine if any variable interests relating to an 
entity exist. For entities in which the Company has a variable interest, the Company determines if the entity 
is a VIE by considering whether the entity’s equity investment at risk is sufficient to finance its activities 
without additional subordinated financial support and whether the entity’s at-risk equity holders have the 
characteristics of a controlling financial interest. In performing the analysis of whether the Company is the 
primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Company considers whether it individually has the power to direct the 
activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s performance and also has the obligation to 
absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If 
the Company holds a variable interest in an entity that previously was not a VIE, it reconsiders whether the 
entity has become a VIE.  

b) 
Use  of  Estimates:  The  preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  U.S. 
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that 
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at 
the  date  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses 
during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

c) 
Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss): The Company separately presents certain transactions, 
which are recorded directly as components of stockholders’ equity. Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) 
is presented in a separate statement. 

d) 
Foreign Currency Translation: The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar because 
the Company’s vessels operate in international shipping markets, and therefore primarily transact business 
in U.S. dollars. The Company’s accounting records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Transactions involving 
other currencies during the year are converted into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the 

F-13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

time of the transactions. At the balance sheet dates, monetary assets and liabilities which are denominated 
in  other  currencies  are  translated  into  U.S.  dollars  at  the  year-end  exchange  rates.  Resulting  gains  or 
losses  are  included  in  other  operating  (income)/loss  in  the  accompanying  consolidated  statements  of 
operations.  

e) 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Time Deposits: The Company considers highly liquid investments 
such as time deposits, certificates of deposit and their equivalents with an original maturity of up to about 
three months to be cash equivalents. Time deposits with maturity above three months are removed from 
cash and cash equivalents and are separately presented as time deposits. Restricted cash consists mainly 
of cash deposits required to be maintained at all times under the Company’s loan facilities (Note 8). As of 
December 31, 2023 and 2022, accrued interest income amounted to $1,206 and $578, respectively and is 
included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. 

f) 
Accounts Receivable, Trade: The amount shown as accounts receivable, trade, at each balance 
sheet  date,  includes  receivables  from  charterers  for  hire  from  lease  agreements,  net  of  provisions  for 
doubtful accounts, if any. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed 
individually for purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. As of December 
31, 2023 and 2022 there was no provision for doubtful accounts. The Company does not recognize interest 
income on trade receivables as all balances are settled within a year. 

g) 
Inventories:  Inventories  consist  of  lubricants  and  victualling  which  are  stated,  on  a  consistent 
basis, at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the 
ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. 
When  evidence  exists  that  the  net  realizable  value  of  inventory  is  lower  than  its  cost,  the  difference  is 
recognized as a loss in earnings in the period in which it occurs. Cost is determined by the first in, first out 
method. Amounts removed from inventory are also determined by the first in first out method. Inventories 
may also consist of bunkers, when on the balance sheet date, a vessel is without employment. Bunkers, if 
any, are also stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and cost is determined by the first in, first 
out method.  

Vessel  Cost:  Vessels  are  stated  at  cost  which  consists  of  the  contract  price  and  any  material 
h) 
expenses  incurred  upon  acquisition  or  during  construction.  Expenditures  for  conversions  and  major 
improvements are also capitalized when they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or 
improve  the  efficiency  or  safety  of  the  vessels;  otherwise,  these  amounts  are  charged  to  expense  as 
incurred. Interest cost incurred during the assets' construction periods that theoretically could have been 
avoided if expenditure for the assets had not been made is also capitalized. The capitalization rate, applied 
on accumulated expenditures for the vessel, is based on interest rates applicable to outstanding borrowings 
of the period. 

i)  
Vessels held for sale: The Company classifies assets as being held for sale when the respective 
criteria are met. Long-lived assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale are measured at the lower 
of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. These assets are not depreciated once they meet 
the criteria to be held for sale. The fair value less cost to sell of an asset held for sale is assessed at each 
reporting period it remains classified as held for sale. When the plan to sell an asset changes, the asset is 
reclassified as held and used, measured at the lower of its carrying amount before it was recorded as held 
for sale, adjusted for depreciation, and the asset’s fair value at the date of the decision not to sell. 

j) 
Sale and leaseback: In accordance with ASC 842-40 in a sale-leaseback transaction where the 
sale of an asset and leaseback of the same asset by the seller is involved, the Company, as seller-lessee, 
should firstly determine whether the transfer of an asset shall be accounted for as a sale under ASC 606. 

F-14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

For a sale to have occurred, the control of the asset would need to be transferred to the buyer and the 
buyer  would  need  to  obtain  substantially  all  the  benefits  from  the  use  of  the  asset.    As  per  the 
aforementioned guidance, sale and leaseback transactions, which include an obligation for the Company, 
as seller-lessee, to repurchase the asset, or other situations where the leaseback would be classified as a 
finance lease, are determined to be failed sales under ASC 842-40. Consequently, the Company does not 
derecognize the asset from its balance sheet and accounts for any amounts received under the sale and 
leaseback agreement as a financing arrangement. 

k) 
Property and equipment: The Company owns the land and building where its offices are located. 
The Company also owns part of a plot acquired for office use (Note 7). Land is stated at cost and it is not 
subject  to  depreciation.  The  building  has  an  estimated  useful  life  of  55  years  with  no  residual  value. 
Furniture,  office  equipment  and  vehicles  have  a  useful  life  of  5  years,  except  for  a  car  owned  by  the 
Company, which has a useful life of 10 years. Computer software and hardware have a useful life of three 
years. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis. 

l) 
Impairment  of  Long-Lived  Assets:  Long-lived  assets  are  reviewed  for  impairment  whenever 
events  or  changes  in  circumstances  (such  as  market  conditions,  obsolesce  or  damage  to  the  asset, 
potential  sales  and  other  business  plans)  indicate  that  the  carrying  amount  of  an  asset  may  not  be 
recoverable.  When  the  estimate  of  undiscounted  projected  net  operating  cash  flows,  excluding  interest 
charges, expected to be generated by the use of an asset over its remaining useful life and its eventual 
disposition  is  less  than  its  carrying  amount,  the  Company  evaluates  the  asset  for  impairment  loss. 
Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset, determined mainly by third 
party valuations.  

For vessels, the Company calculates undiscounted projected net operating cash flows by considering the 
historical and estimated vessels’ performance and utilization with the significant assumption being future 
charter rates for the unfixed days, using the most recent 10-year average of historical 1 year time charter 
rates available for each type of vessel over the remaining estimated life of each vessel, net of commissions. 
Historical  ten-year  blended  average  one-year  time  charter  rates  are  in  line  with  the  Company’s  overall 
chartering strategy, they reflect the full operating history of vessels of the same type and particulars with 
the Company’s operating fleet and they cover at least a full business cycle, where applicable. When the 
10-year average of historical 1 year time charter rates is not available for a type of vessels, the Company 
uses the average of historical 1 year time charter rates of the available period. Other assumptions used in 
developing estimates of future undiscounted cash flow are charter rates calculated for the fixed days using 
the  fixed  charter  rate  of  each  vessel  from  existing  time  charters,  the  expected  outflows  for  scheduled 
vessels’ maintenance; vessel operating expenses; fleet utilization, and the vessels’ residual value if sold 
for scrap.  Assumptions are in line with the Company’s historical performance and its expectations for future 
fleet  utilization  under  its  current  fleet  deployment  strategy.  This  calculation  is  then  compared  with  the 
vessels’ net book value plus unamortized deferred costs. The difference between the carrying amount of 
the vessel plus unamortized deferred costs and their fair value is recognized in the Company's accounts 
as impairment loss. 

The Company’s impairment assessment did not result in the recognition of impairment on any vessel and 
therefore no impairment loss was identified or recorded in 2023, 2022 and 2021. 

For property and equipment, the Company determines undiscounted projected net operating cash flows 
by  considering  an  estimated  monthly  rent  the  Company  would  have  to  pay  in  order  to  lease  a  similar 
property, during the useful life of the building. No impairment loss was identified or recorded for 2023, 2022 
and 2021 and the Company has not identified any other facts or circumstances that would require the write 
down of the value of its land or building in the near future. 

F-15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

m) 
Vessel Depreciation: Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated 
useful life of the vessels, after considering the estimated salvage (scrap) value.  Each vessel’s salvage 
value is equal to the product of its lightweight tonnage and estimated scrap rate. Management estimates 
the useful life of the Company’s vessels to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. 
Second-hand vessels are depreciated from the date of their acquisition through their remaining estimated 
useful life. When regulations place limitations over the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, its 
remaining  useful  life  is  adjusted  at  the  date  such  regulations  are  adopted.  Effective  July 1,  2023,  the 
Company  changed  its  estimated  scrap  rate  of  its  vessels  from  $250  per  lightweight  ton  to  $400  per 
lightweight ton, calculated based on the average demolition prices in different markets, during the last 15 
years. For the period from July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023, this increase in vessels’ salvage values 
resulted  in  decreased  depreciation  expense,  increased  operating  income  and  increased  net  income  by 
$3,773 and increased earnings per share, basic and diluted, by $0.04. 

n) 
Deferred  Costs:  The  Company  follows  the  deferral  method  of  accounting  for  dry-docking  and 
special survey costs whereby actual costs incurred are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over 
the period through the date the next survey is scheduled to become due. Unamortized deferred costs of 
vessels that are sold or impaired are written off and included in the calculation of the resulting gain or loss 
in the year of the vessel’s sale (Note 6) or impairment. 

o) 
Financing Costs: Fees paid for obtaining finance liabilities, fees paid to lenders for obtaining new 
loans, new bonds, or refinancing existing ones accounted as loan modification, are deferred and recorded 
as a  contra  to  debt. Other fees  paid for  obtaining  loan facilities not  used  at the  balance sheet  date are 
deferred. Fees relating to drawn loan facilities are amortized to interest and finance costs over the life of 
the  related  debt  using  the  effective  interest  method  and  fees  incurred  for  loan facilities  not  used at  the 
balance  sheet  date  are  amortized  using  the  straight-line  method  according  to  their  availability  terms. 
Unamortized fees relating to loans or bonds repaid or repurchased or refinanced as debt extinguishment 
are  written  off  in  the  period  the  repayment,  prepayment,  repurchase  or  extinguishment  is  made  and 
included in the determination of gain/loss on debt extinguishment. Loan commitment fees are expensed in 
the period incurred, unless they relate to loans obtained to finance vessels under construction, in which 
case, they are capitalized to the vessels’ cost. 

Concentration  of  Credit  Risk:  Financial  instruments,  which potentially  subject  the  Company  to 
p) 
significant  concentrations  of  credit  risk,  consist  principally  of  cash  and  trade  accounts  receivable.  The 
Company  places  its  temporary  cash  investments,  consisting  mostly  of  deposits,  with  various  qualified 
financial  institutions  and  performs  periodic  evaluations  of  the  relative  credit  standing  of  those  financial 
institutions that are considered in the Company’s investment strategy. The Company limits its credit risk 
with accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and 
generally  does  not  require  collateral  for  its  accounts  receivable  and  does  not  have  any  agreements  to 
mitigate credit risk. 

q) 
Accounting  for  Revenues  and  Expenses:  Revenues  are  generated  from  time  charter 
agreements which contain a lease as they meet the criteria of a lease under ASC 842. Agreements with 
the  same  charterer  are  accounted  for  as  separate  agreements  according  to  their  specific  terms  and 
conditions. All agreements contain a minimum non-cancellable period and an extension period at the option 
of the charterer. Each lease term is assessed at the inception of that lease. Under a time charter agreement, 
the charterer pays a daily hire for the use of the vessel and reimburses the owner for hold cleanings, extra 
insurance premiums for navigating in restricted areas and damages caused by the charterers. Revenues 
from time charter agreements providing for varying annual rates are accounted for as operating leases and 

F-16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

thus recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable rental periods of such agreements, as 
service is performed. The charterer pays to third parties port, canal and bunkers consumed during the term 
of the time charter agreement, unless they are for the account of the owner, in which case, they are included 
in  voyage  expenses.  Voyage  expenses  also  include  commissions  on  time  charter  revenue  (paid  to the 
charterers,  the  brokers  and  the  managers)  and  gain  or  loss  from  bunkers  resulting  mainly  from  the 
difference in the value of bunkers paid by the Company when the vessel is redelivered to the Company 
from the charterer under the vessel’s previous time charter agreement and the value of bunkers sold by 
the Company when the vessel is delivered to a new charterer (Note 12). Under a time charter agreement, 
the owner pays for the operation and the maintenance of the vessel, including crew, insurance, spares and 
repairs, which are recognized in operating expenses. The Company, as lessor, has elected not to allocate 
the  consideration  in  the  agreement  to  the  separate  lease  and  non-lease  components  (operation  and 
maintenance of the vessel) as their timing and pattern of transfer to the charterer, as the lessee, are the 
same and the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. 
Additionally,  the  lease  component  is  considered  the  predominant  component,  as  the  Company  has 
assessed that more  value  is  ascribed to the  vessel  rather  than  to the  services provided under the time 
charter contracts. In time charter agreements apart from the agreed hire rate, the Company may be entitled 
to an additional income, such as ballast bonus. Ballast bonus is paid by charterers for repositioning the 
vessel. The Company analyzes terms of each contract to assess  whether income from ballast bonus is 
accounted together with the lease component over the duration of the charter or as service component 
under  ASC  606.  Deferred  revenue  includes  cash  received  prior  to  the  balance  sheet  date  for  which  all 
criteria to recognize as revenue have not been met. 

Repairs and Maintenance: All repair and maintenance expenses including underwater inspection 
r) 
expenses are expensed in the year incurred. Such costs are included in vessel operating expenses in the 
accompanying consolidated statements of operations. 

Earnings / (loss) per Common Share: Basic earnings / (loss) per common share are computed 
s) 
by  dividing  net  income  /  (loss)  available  to  common  stockholders  by  the  weighted  average  number  of 
common  shares  outstanding  during  the  year.  Shares  issuable  at  little  or  no  cash  consideration  upon 
satisfaction  of  certain  conditions,  are  considered  outstanding  and  included  in  the  computation  of  basic 
earnings/(loss) per share as of the date that all necessary conditions have been satisfied. Diluted earnings 
per common share, reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue 
common stock were exercised.  

t) 
Segmental Reporting: The Company engages in the operation of dry-bulk vessels which has been 
identified  as  one  reportable  segment.  The  operation  of  the  vessels  is  the  main  source  of  revenue 
generation, the services provided by the vessels are similar and they all operate under the same economic 
environment. Additionally, the vessels do not operate in specific geographic areas, as they trade worldwide; 
they do not trade in specific trade routes, as their trading (route and cargo) is dictated by the charterers; 
and the Company does not evaluate the operating results for each type of dry bulk vessels (i.e. Panamax, 
Capesize etc.) for the purpose of making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. 

u) 
Fair Value Measurements: The Company classifies and discloses its assets and liabilities carried 
at fair value in one of the following categories: Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical 
assets or liabilities; Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated 
by market data; Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. 

v) 
Share  Based  Payments:  The  Company  issues  restricted  share  awards  which are measured  at 
their grant date fair value and are not subsequently re-measured.  That cost is recognized over the period 
during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award—the requisite service 

F-17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

period (usually the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which 
employees  do  not  render  the  requisite  service  unless  the  board  of  directors  determines  otherwise. 
Forfeitures of awards are accounted for when and if they occur. If an equity award is modified after the 
grant date, incremental compensation cost will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair 
value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification.  

Equity method investments: Investments in common stock in entities over which the Company 
w) 
exercises  significant  influence  but  does  not  exercise  control  are  accounted  for  by  the  equity  method  of 
accounting.  Under  this  method,  the  Company  records  such  an  investment  at  cost  (or  fair  value  if  a 
consequence of deconsolidation) and adjusts the carrying amount for its share of the earnings or losses of 
the entity subsequent to the date of investment and reports the recognized earnings or losses in income. 
Dividends received, if any, reduce the carrying amount of the investment and are recorded as receivable 
on  dividend  declaration.  When  the  carrying  value  of  an  equity  method  investment  is  reduced  to  zero 
because of losses, the Company does not provide for additional losses unless it is committed to provide 
further  financial  support  to  the  investee.  The  Company  also  evaluates  whether  a  loss  in  value  of  an 
investment that is other than a temporary decline should be recognized. Evidence of a loss in value might 
include absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to 
sustain an earnings capacity that would justify the carrying amount of the investment. For equity method 
investments  that  the  Company  has  elected  to  account  for  using  the  fair  value  option,  all  subsequent 
changes in fair value are included in gain/loss on related party investments. 

x) 
Going concern: Management evaluates, at each reporting period, whether there are conditions or 
events that raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one 
year from the date the financial statements are issued. 

y) 
Shares  repurchased  and  retired:  The  Company’s  shares  repurchased  for  retirement,  are 
immediately cancelled and the Company’s share capital is accordingly reduced. Any excess of the cost of 
the shares over their par value is allocated in additional paid-in capital, in accordance with ASC 505-30-
30, Treasury Stock.  

Financial Instruments, credit losses: At each reporting date, the Company evaluates its financial 
z) 
assets individually for credit losses and presents such assets in the net amount expected to be collected 
on such financial asset. When financial assets present similar risk characteristics, these are evaluated on 
a  collective  basis.  When  developing  an  estimate  of  expected  credit  losses,  the  Company  considers 
available information relevant to assessing the collectability of cash flows such as internal information, past 
events,  current  conditions  and  reasonable  and  supportable  forecasts.  As  of  December  31,  2021,  the 
Company  assessed  the  financial  condition  of  DWM,  changed  its  estimate  on  the  recoverability  of  its 
receivable due from DWM relating to the fine paid by the Company on behalf of DWM (Notes 4(a)) and 
determined  that  part  of  the  amount  may  not  be  recoverable.  As  a  result,  the  Company  recorded  as  of 
December 31, 2021, an allowance for credit losses amounting to $300, based on probability of default as 
there  was  no  previous  loss  record.  The  allowance  for  credit  losses  was  included  in  other  operating 
(income)/loss in the 2021 accompanying consolidated statements of income. The allowance was reversed 
in 2022 as the full amount was recovered and its reversal is included in other operating (income)/loss” in 
the  2022  accompanying  consolidated  statements  of  operations.  No  credit  losses  were  identified  and 
recorded in 2023 and 2022. 

aa) 
Financial  Instruments,  Investments-Equity  Securities,  Recognition  and  Measurement:  The 
Company  initially  recognizes  equity  securities  at  the  transaction  price.  Equity  Investments  with  readily 
determinable fair values are subsequently measured at fair value through net income. Unrealized holding 
gains  and  losses  for  these  securities  are  recorded  in  earnings.  According  to  ASC  321-10-35-2,  the 

F-18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

Company has elected to measure equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, that do not 
qualify for the practical expedient in ASC 820 Fair Value Measurement to estimate fair value using the NAV 
per share (or its equivalent), at its cost minus impairment, if any. If the Company identifies observable price 
changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer, it shall measure 
equity securities at fair value as of the date that the observable transaction occurred. The Company shall 
continue to apply this measurement until the investment does not qualify to be measured in accordance 
with  this  paragraph.  At  each  reporting  period,  the  Company  reassesses  whether  an  equity  investment 
without a readily determinable fair value qualifies to be measured in accordance with this paragraph. The 
Company may subsequently elect to measure equity securities at fair value and the election to measure 
securities at fair value shall be irrevocable. Any resulting gains or losses on the securities for which that 
election is made shall be recorded in earnings at the time of the election. At each reporting period, the 
Company also evaluates indicators such as the investee’s performance and its ability to continue as going 
concern  and  market  conditions,  to  determine  whether  an  investment  is  impaired  in  which  case,  the 
Company will estimate the fair value of the investment to determine the amount of the impairment loss. 

ab) 
Non-monetary transactions and spinoffs: Non-monetary transactions are recorded based on the 
fair values of the assets (or services) involved unless the fair value of neither the asset received, nor the 
asset relinquished is determinable within reasonable limits. Also, under ASC 845-10-30-10 Nonmonetary 
Transactions, Overall, Initial Measurement, Nonreciprocal Transfers with Owners and ASC 505-60 Spinoffs 
and Reverse Spinoffs, if the pro-rata spinoff of a consolidated subsidiary or equity method investee does 
not meet the definition of a business under ASC 805, the nonreciprocal transfer of nonmonetary assets is 
accounted for at fair value, if the fair value of the nonmonetary asset distributed is objectively measurable 
and  would  be  clearly  realizable  to  the  distributing  entity  in  an  outright  sale  at  or  near  the  time  of  the 
distribution, and the spinor recognizes a gain or loss for the difference between the fair value and book 
value of the spinee. A transaction is considered pro rata if each owner receives an ownership interest in 
the transferee in proportion to its existing ownership interest in the transferor (even if the transferor retains 
an ownership interest in the transferee). In accordance with ASC 805 Business Combinations: Clarifying 
the Definition of a Business, if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets distributed in a spinoff 
are concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, then the spinoff of a 
consolidated  subsidiary  does  not  meet  the  definition  of  a  business.  Other  nonreciprocal  transfers  of 
nonmonetary assets to owners are accounted for at fair value if the fair value of the nonmonetary asset 
distributed is objectively measurable and would be clearly realizable to the distributing entity in an outright 
sale at or near the time of the distribution. 

ac) 
Contracts in entity’s equity: Under ASC 815-40 contracts that require settlement in shares are 
considered equity instruments, unless an event that is not in the entity’s control would require net cash 
settlement.  Additionally,  the  entity  should  have  sufficient  authorized  and  unissued  shares,  the  contract 
contains an explicit share limit, there is no requirement to net cash settle the contract in the event the entity 
fails  to make  timely filings  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (SEC)  and  there  are  no cash 
settled top-off or make-whole provisions. The Company follows the provision of ASC 480 “Distinguishing 
Liabilities from Equity” and ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” to determine the classification of certain 
freestanding financial instruments as permanent equity, temporary equity or liability. The Company, when 
assessing the accounting of the warrants and the pre-funded warrants, takes into consideration ASC 480 
to determine whether the warrants and the pre-funded warrants should be classified as permanent equity 
instead of temporary equity or liability. The Company further analyses the key features of the warrants and 
the pre-funded warrants and examines whether these fall under the definition of a derivative according to 
ASC 815 applicable guidance or whether certain of these features affect the classification. In cases when 
derivative accounting is deemed inappropriate, no bifurcation of these features is performed. 

F-19 

 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

ad)  Guarantees:  Guarantees  issued  by  the  Company,  excluding  those  that  guarantee  its  own 
performance, are recognized at fair value at the time the guarantees are issued, or upon deconsolidation 
of  a  subsidiary.  A  liability  for  the  fair  value  of  the  obligation  undertaken  in  issuing  the  guarantee  is 
recognized. If it becomes probable that the Company will have to perform under a guarantee (Note 10(c)), 
the Company will recognize an additional liability if the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. 
The recognition  of  fair  value  is  not  required  for certain  guarantees  such  as the  parent's  guarantee  of  a 
subsidiary's debt to a third party. For those guarantees excluded from the above guidance requiring the 
fair value recognition provision of the liability, financial statement disclosures of such items are made. 

3. 

Transactions with related parties 

a) 
Altair Travel Agency S.A. (“Altair”): The Company uses the services of an affiliated travel agent, 
Altair, which is controlled by the Company’s Chairman of the Board Mr. Palios and the Company’s CEO 
Mrs. Semiramis Paliou. Travel expenses for 2023, 2022 and 2021 amounted to $2,525, $2,644 and $2,210, 
respectively,  and  are  mainly  included  in  vessel  operating  expenses  and  general  and  administrative 
expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, an 
amount of $62 and $136, respectively, was payable to Altair and is included in “Due to related parties” in 
the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  

b) 
Steamship Shipbroking Enterprises Inc. or Steamship: Steamship is a company controlled by 
the Company’s CEO Mrs. Semiramis Paliou and provides brokerage services to DSI for a fixed monthly 
fee plus commission on the sale of vessels, pursuant to a Brokerage Services Agreement. For 2023, 2022 
and 2021 brokerage fees amounted to $3,900, $3,309 and $3,309, respectively, and are included in general 
and administrative  expenses  in the  accompanying  consolidated  statements  of  income.  For  2023,  2022, 
and 2021, commissions to Steamship amounted to $906, $1,219 and $712, respectively and are included 
in gain on the sale of vessels, vessel cost and equity method investments. As of December 31, 2023 and 
2022, an amount of $697 and $0, respectively, was due to Steamship.  

4. 

Equity Method Investments 

a) 
Diana Wilhelmsen Management Limited, or DWM: DWM is a joint venture between Diana Ship 
Management Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of DSI, and Wilhelmsen Ship Management Holding AS, an 
unaffiliated third party, each holding 50% of DWM. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the investment in 
DWM  amounted  to  $734  and  $506  and  is  included  in  equity  method  investments  in the  accompanying 
consolidated balance sheets. In 2023 and 2022, the investment in DWM resulted in a gain of $228, and 
$894, respectively, and in 2021, resulted in a loss of $333, included in loss from equity method investments 
in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. 

From October 8, 2019 until May 24, 2021, DSS outsourced the management of certain vessels to DWM 
for  which  DSS  was  paying  a  fixed  monthly  fee  per  vessel  and  a  percentage  of  those  vessels’  gross 
revenues.  On  May  24,  2021,  the  management  of  the  same  vessels  was  transferred  to  DWM  directly, 
whereas the vessel owning companies of these vessels entered into new management agreements with 
DWM under which they pay a fixed monthly fee and a percentage of their gross revenues. Management 
fees  to  DWM  in  2023,  2022  and  2021  amounted  to  $1,313,  $511  and  $1,432,  respectively,  and  are 
separately presented as management fees to related party in the accompanying consolidated statements 
of income. Additionally, in 2023 and 2022, the Company paid to DWM management fees amounting to $19 
and  $272,  respectively,  included  in  advances  for  vessel  acquisitions  and  vessels,  net,  relating  to  the 
management of four Ultramax vessels the Company assigned to DWM with new management agreements 
and incurred during the predelivery period of the vessels. Commissions for 2023, 2022 and 2021 amounted 
to $390, $162 and $200, respectively, and are included in voyage expenses (Note 12). As of December 

F-20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

31, 2023 and 2022, there was an amount of $25 and $216 due from DWM, included in due from related 
parties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  

b) 
Bergen Ultra LP, or Bergen: Bergen is a limited partnership which was established for the purpose 
of acquiring, owning, chartering and/or operating a vessel. Bergen was a wholly owned subsidiary of Diana, 
which  on  February  14,  2023,  signed  a  Memorandum  of  Agreement  to  acquire  for  $27,900,  from  an 
unrelated third-party an Ultramax dry bulk vessel, delivered on April 10, 2023. On March 30, 2023, Bergen 
entered into a loan agreement with Nordea for a $15,400 loan to finance part of the purchase price of the 
vessel.  On  the  same  date,  the  Company  entered  into  a  corporate  guarantee  with  Nordea  to  secure 
Bergen’s  obligations  under  the  loan.  On  April  28,  2023,  the  Company  entered  into  (i)  an  investment 
agreement with an unrelated third party to acquire 75% of the limited partnership interests, for $11,025; (ii) 
an amended limited partnership agreement under which the Company acts as the General Partner of the 
partnership through its wholly owned subsidiary Diana General Partner Inc.; (iii) an administrative service 
agreement under which DSS provides administrative services to Bergen for an annual fee of $15; (iv) a 
commission  agreement  under  which  the  Company  is  paid  a  commission  of  0.8%  per  annum,  on  the 
outstanding  balance  of  the  loan,  as  compensation  for  the  guarantee  it  provided  to  Nordea  and  (v)  a 
convertible loan agreement for $27,900 plus other expenses, with Bergen under which Bergen would have 
to repay all expenditures made by the Company for the acquisition of the vessel. Pursuant to the terms of 
the  convertible  loan,  on  April  28,  2023,  the  Company  received  from  Bergen  $25,189  in  cash  while  an 
amount  of  $3,675  was  converted  into  partnership  interests  in  Bergen,  representing  25%  of  the  total 
partnership interests. 

Upon the provisions of the amended partnership agreement, the general partner irrevocably delegated the 
authority  to  Bergen’s  board  of  directors  to  have  the  power  to  oversee  and  direct  the  operations, 
management and policies of Bergen. The Company evaluated its variable interests in Bergen under ASC 
810 and concluded that Bergen is a VIE and that the Company does not individually have the power to 
direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the partnership’s performance. From April 28, 
2023  the  Company  no  longer  retains  the  power  to  control  the  board  of  directors.  As  of  the  same  date, 
Bergen has been considered as an affiliate entity and not as a controlled subsidiary of the Company. The 
Company  accounted  for  the  deconsolidation  of  Bergen  in  accordance  with  ASC  610  and  the  retained 
noncontrolling interest of 25% was accounted for under the equity method due to the Company’s significant 
influence over Bergen. 

On the date of deconsolidation, the Company measured the fair value of the retained noncontrolling interest 
at $4,519 through Level 2 inputs of the fair value hierarchy. The Company in order to calculate the fair 
value of its 25% interest in accordance with ASC 610, took into consideration the fair value of the distinct 
assets and liabilities of Bergen on the date of the deconsolidation. This resulted in gain on deconsolidation 
amounting to $844, separately presented in the accompanying 2023 consolidated statement of income, 
being the difference between the fair value of the retained noncontrolling interest plus the carrying value 
the liabilities assumed by Bergen and the carrying value of the assets derecognized. 

For 2023, the investment in Bergen resulted in gain of $181 and is included in loss from equity method 
investments in the 2023 accompanying consolidated statement of income. As of December 31, 2023, the 
investment  in  Bergen  amounted  to  $4,700  and  is  included  in  equity  method  investments  in  the 
accompanying  2023  consolidated  balance  sheet.  Also,  for  2023,  income  from  management  fees  from 
Bergen amounted to $10, included in time charter revenues and income from the commission paid on the 
loan  guarantee  amounted  to  $28,  included  in  interest  and  other  income  in  the  2023  accompanying 
consolidated  statement  of  income.  As  of  December  31,  2023,  there  was  an  amount  of  $443  due  from 
Bergen included in due from related parties, current and non-current. 

F-21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

c) 
Windward Offshore GmbH, or Windward: On November 7, 2023, the Company through its wholly 
owned subsidiary Diana Energize Inc., or Diana Energize, entered into a joint venture agreement, with two 
unrelated companies to form Windward Offshore GmbH & Co. KG or Windward, based in Germany, for the 
purpose of establishing and operating an offshore wind vessel company with the aim of becoming a leading 
provider  of  service  vessels  to  the  growing  offshore  wind  industry  and  acquire  certain  vessels.  Diana 
Energize agreed to contribute 25,000,000 Euro, being 45.45% of the limited partnership’s capital and as of 
December  31,  2023,  the  investment  amounted  to  $10,063  mainly  consisting  of  advances  to  fund  the 
construction of two vessels and working capital. For 2023, the investment in Windward resulted in a loss 
of $671 and is included in loss from equity method investments in the 2023 accompanying consolidated 
statement of income. 

d) 
Cohen Global Maritime Inc., or Cohen: On September 12, 2023, the Company through its wholly 
owned subsidiary Cebu Shipping Company Inc., or Cebu, acquired 24% of Cohen, a company  organized 
in  the  Republic  of  the  Philippines  for  the  purpose  of  engaging  in  the  manning  agency  business.  As  of 
December 31, 2023, the Company’s investment in Cohen amounted to $272, consisting of advances paid 
to acquire the license required to engage in the manning agency business. 

5. 

Investments in related parties and other 

a) 
OceanPal Inc., or OceanPal: As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company was the holder 
of 500,000 Series B Preferred Shares and 207 and 10,000, respectively, of Series C Convertible Preferred 
Shares of OceanPal.  

Series  B  preferred  shares  entitle  the  holder  to  2,000  votes  on  all  matters  submitted  to  vote  of  the 
stockholders of the Company, provided however, that the total number of votes shall not exceed 34% of 
the total number of votes, provided further, that the total number of votes entitled to vote, including common 
stock or any other voting security, would not exceed 49% of the total number of votes. Series B Preferred 
Shares have no dividend or distribution rights. 

Series  C  preferred  shares  do  not  have  voting  rights  unless  related  to  amendments  of  the  Articles  of 
Incorporation that adversely alter the preference, powers or rights of the Series C Preferred Shares or to 
issue Parity Stock or create or issue Senior Stock. Series C preferred shares have a liquidation preference 
equal  to  the  stated  value  of  $1,000  and  are  convertible  into  common  stock  at  the  Company’s  option 
commencing upon the first anniversary of the issue date, at a conversion price equal to the lesser of $6.5 
and the 10-trading day trailing VWAP of OceanPal’s common shares, subject to adjustments. Dividends 
on  each  share  of  Series  C  Preferred  Shares  are  cumulative  and  accrue  at  the  rate  of  8%  per  annum. 
Dividends are payable in cash or, at OceanPal’s election, in kind. 

On October 17, 2023, the Company converted 9,793 of the 10,000 Series C Preferred shares of OceanPal 
to 3,649,474 common shares, having a fair value of $9,160 determined through Level 1 inputs of the fair 
value hierarchy, based on the closing price of OceanPal’s common shares on the date of conversion. Upon 
conversion the Company realized a gain  of $1,742, being the difference between the book value of the 
9,793 Series C Preferred shares and the fair value of the common shares acquired and is included in gain 
on  related  party  investments,  separately  presented  in  the  accompanying  consolidated  statements  of 
income. Following the conversion, the Company is the beneficial owner of 49% of the outstanding common 
stock of OceanPal and since the shares are listed at NASDAQ, the Company elected to account for its 
common stock ownership in OceanPal at fair value.  

As  of  December  31,  2023,  the  Company’s  investment  in  the  common  stock  of  OceanPal  amounted  to 
$8,138, being the fair value of OceanPal’s common shares on that date, determined through Level 1 inputs 

F-22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

of the fair value hierarchy, and the Company recorded an unrealized loss on investment of $1,022, included 
in gain on related party investments, separately presented in the accompanying consolidated statements 
of income. 

As the Company applied the fair value option to its investment in the common shares of OceanPal that 
would otherwise be accounted for under the equity method of accounting, it also applied fair value to all of 
its financial interests in OceanPal, being the Series B preferred shares and Series C preferred shares which 
until then, the Company applied the guidance for equity securities without readily determinable fair values. 
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s investment in Series B preferred shares and Series C 
preferred  shares,  amounted  to  $180  and  $7,744,  respectively,  including  $3  and  $169,  respectively, 
dividends  receivable  on  the  Series  C  preferred  shares,  and  are  separately  presented  in  investments  in 
related parties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023, the Company 
recorded a gain of $21, presented in gain on related party Investments, being the difference between the 
book  value  of  the  investments  and  the  fair  value  determined  through  Level  3  inputs  of  the  fair  value 
hierarchy, by using the income approach, taking into account the present value of the future cash flows, 
the holder of shares would expect to receive from holding the equity instrument. 

On  September  20,  2022,  the  Company  acquired  25,000  OceanPal  Cumulative  Convertible  Series  D 
Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share, as part of the consideration provided to the Company for the 
sale of Baltimore to OceanPal, pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement dated June 13, 2022 (Note 6). 
Similarly, on February 8, 2023, the Company acquired 13,157 shares of OceanPal Series D Cumulative 
Convertible Preferred Shares, as part of the consideration provided to the Company for sale of Melia to 
OceanPal, pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement dated February 1, 2023 (Note 6). 

Series D preferred shares were convertible into common stock at the holder’s option, at a conversion price 
equal to the 10-trading day trailing VWAP of OceanPal’s common shares, provided however that the holder 
would not beneficially own greater than 49% of OceanPal’s outstanding shares of common stock. Series 
D preferred shares have no voting rights; dividends were cumulative, accruing at the rate of 7% per annum, 
payable in cash or, at OceanPal’s election, in PIK shares (Series D Preferred shares issued to the holder 
in lieu of cash dividends); and they had a liquidation preference equal $1,000 per share.  

On the date of issuance, the Company measured its investments on Series D preferred shares at their fair 
value and elected to subsequently measure such investments in accordance with paragraph ASC 321-10-
35-2 (Note 2(aa)). The fair value of Series D Preferred Shares was determined by taking into consideration 
a third-party valuation which was based on the income approach, taking into account the present value of 
the future cash flows the Company expects to receive from holding the equity instrument.  

On  December  15,  2022,  the  Company  distributed  the  25,000  Series  D  Preferred  Shares  as  non-cash 
dividend to its shareholders of record on November 28, 2022. The shareholders had the option to receive 
Series  D  Preferred  Shares  or  common  shares  of  OceanPal  at  the  conversion  rate  determined  before 
distribution  according  to  the  terms  of  the  designation  statement.  The  Company  accounted  for  the 
transaction as a nonreciprocal transfer with its owners in accordance with ASC 845 and measured their 
fair  value  on  the  date  of  declaration  at  $18,189.  The  fair  value  of  the  Series  D  Preferred  Shares  was 
determined by using the income approach, taking into account the present value of the future cash flows, 
the holder of shares would expect to receive from holding the equity instrument. This resulted in gain of 
$589, being the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the investment and is separately 
presented as Gain on related party investments in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. 

On June 9, 2023, the Company distributed the 13,157 Series D Preferred Shares as a non-cash dividend 
to  its  shareholders  of  record  on  April  24,  2023.  The  Company  accounted  for  the  transaction  as  a 

F-23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

nonreciprocal  transfer  with  its  owners  in  accordance  with  ASC  845  and  measured the  fair  value  of  the 
preferred shares on the date of declaration at $10,761. The fair value of the Series D Preferred Shares 
was determined by using the income approach, taking into account the present value of the future cash 
flows, the holder of shares would expect to receive from holding the equity instrument. This resulted in gain 
of  $761,  being  the  difference  between  the  fair  value  and  the  carrying  value  of  the  investment  and  is 
separately  presented  as  gain  on  related  party  investment  in  the  2023  accompanying  consolidated 
statement of income. 

For 2023, 2022 and 2021, dividend income from the Series C and Series D OceanPal preferred shares 
amounted to $801, $917 and $69, respectively, included in interest and other income in the accompanying 
consolidated statements of income. 

b) 
Investment in equity securities: During 2023, the Company acquired equity securities of an entity 
listed in the NYSE which as of December 31, 2023 had a fair value of $20,729. The equity securities were 
initially recorded at cost amounting to $17,916 and measured subsequently at fair value, since their fair 
values were readily determinable, determined through Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The securities 
are considered marketable securities that are available to be converted into cash to fund current operations 
and classified in current assets in the accompanying 2023 consolidated balance sheet. Unrealized gain on 
the investment amounted to $2,813 and is separately presented in unrealized gain on equity securities in 
the accompanying consolidated statements of income. 

6. 

Advances for vessel acquisitions and Vessels, net 

Vessel Acquisitions 

On July 15, 2021 the Company agreed to acquire from an unaffiliated third party, the 2011 built Kamsarmax 
dry  bulk  vessel  Leonidas  P.C.,  for  a  purchase  price  of  $22,000,  delivered  on  February  16,  2022.  The 
Company incurred $927 of additional predelivery expenses. 

On December 3, 2021, the Company agreed to acquire from an unaffiliated third party, the Capesize dry 
bulk vessel Florida, for a purchase price of $59,275, delivered on March 29, 2022. The Company incurred 
$1,504 of additional predelivery expenses. 

On August 10, 2022, the Company entered into a master agreement with Sea Trade Holdings Inc. (or “Sea 
Trade”), an unaffiliated third party, to acquire nine Ultramax vessels for an aggregate purchase price of 
$330,000, of which $220,000 would be paid in cash and $110,000 through an aggregate of 18,487,393 
newly issued common shares of the Company, issuable on the delivery of each vessel. In the fourth quarter 
of 2022, the Company took delivery of eight vessels for $195,810 in cash and 16,453,780 newly issued 
common shares having a fair value of $67,909 (Notes 11 and 16). The Company also incurred $4,364 of 
additional predelivery expenses.  

On January 30, 2023, the Company took delivery of the ninth vessel for $23,955 in cash and 2,033,613 
newly issued common shares, having a fair value of $7,809. Part of the purchase price of the vessel and 
additional  predelivery  expenses  were  already  paid  in  2022  and  presented  as  of  December  31,  2022  in 
advances for vessel acquisitions in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The Company incurred 
$555 of additional predelivery expenses. 

The value of the shares issued in 2022 and in 2023, was determined through Level 1 inputs of the fair value 
hierarchy based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance which was 
the date of delivery of each vessel.  

F-24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

On February 14, 2023, the Company signed a Memorandum of Agreement to acquire from an unaffiliated 
third-party an Ultramax dry bulk vessel for a purchase price of $27,900. On April 28, 2023, the vessel’s 
ship owning company was deconsolidated from the Company’s financial statements due to the Company’s 
loss of control described in note 4(b) and the net book value of the vessel amounting to $27,908 is included 
in both vessel acquisitions and vessel disposals.  

Vessel Disposals 

On June 13, 2022, the Company  sold to OceanPal, the vessel Baltimore, for a sale price of $22,000  of 
which $4,400 in cash and $17,600 in 25,000 newly issued OceanPal Series D Preferred Shares  (Note 
5(a)). On the date of the agreement, the vessel was classified as held for sale according to the provisions 
of  ASC  360,  as  all  criteria  required  for  this  classification  were  met,  at  carrying  value  of  $16,722  and 
unamortized deferred costs of $41, measured at the lower of carrying value and fair value (sale price) less 
costs to sell. The vessel was delivered to OceanPal on September 20, 2022 and the sale resulted in gain 
amounting to $2,850, included in gain on sale of vessels in the accompanying consolidated statements of 
income. 

On  January  23,  2023,  the  Company  sold to  an  unrelated  third  party  the  vessel  Aliki  for  a  sale  price  of 
$15,080  and on  February  1,  2023,  the Company, sold to  OceanPal  the  vessel  Melia  for  a sale price of 
$14,000, of which $4,000 in cash and $10,000 in 13,157 newly issued OceanPal Series D Preferred Shares 
(Note 5(a)). On the date of the agreements, the vessels, having an aggregate carrying value of $23,198 
and unamortized deferred costs of $405 were classified as held for sale, measured at carrying value which 
was  the  lower  of  their  carrying  value  and  fair  value  (sale  price)  less  costs  to  sell.  Both  vessels  were 
delivered to their new owners on February 8, 2023. The sale of the vessels resulted in gain amounting to 
$4,995, included in gain on sale of vessels in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. 

On October 5, 2023, the Company sold to an unrelated third party the vessel Boston for a sale price of 
$17,998. The vessel was delivered to the buyer on December 6, 2023 and the sale of the vessel resulted 
in gain of $328, included in gain on sale of vessels in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. 

The amounts reflected in Vessels, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are analyzed as 
follows: 

  Vessel Cost 

Accumulated 
Depreciation 

Net Book 
Value 

  Balance, December 31, 2021 
- Additions for vessel acquisitions and improvements 
- Additions for improvements reclassified from other non-
current assets 
- Vessel disposals 
- Depreciation for the year 
  Balance, December 31, 2022 
- Additions for vessel acquisitions and improvements 
- Vessel disposals 
- Vessel disposal due to deconsolidation of subsidiary (Note 
4(b)) 
- Depreciation for the year 
  Balance, December 31, 2023 

$ 

$ 

$ 

810,429  $ 
358,504   
1,370   
(29,175)   
-   
1,141,128  $ 
61,682   
(60,655)   
(27,908)   
-   
1,114,247  $ 

(166,979) $ 
-   
-   
12,453   
(36,986)   
(191,512) $ 
-   
21,688   
-   
(44,231)   
(214,055) $ 

643,450 
358,504 
1,370 
(16,722) 
(36,986) 
949,616 
61,682 
(38,967) 
(27,908) 
(44,231) 
900,192 

F-25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

Additions for vessel improvements mainly relate to the implementation of ballast water treatment and other 
works necessary for the vessels to comply with new regulations and be able to navigate to additional ports. 
As of December 31, 2022, an amount of $1,370 was reclassified to Vessels, net from other non-current 
assets  and related  to  ballast  water  treatment  equipment  paid  in  a  previous  period  but  delivered  on  the 
vessels during the year ended December 31, 2022. 

7.  Property and Equipment, net 

The Company owns the land and building of its principal corporate offices in Athens, Greece and a plot of 
a land  of  which  on  July  6,  2023,  DSS  purchased 1/3  from  Alpha  Sigma  Shipping  Corp,  a  related  party 
company,  for  the  purchase  price  of  $1,208  and  became  its  sole  owner.  Other  assets  consist  of  office 
furniture and equipment, computer software and hardware and vehicles. The amount reflected in “Property 
and equipment, net” is analyzed as follows: 

  Balance, December 31, 2021 
- Additions in property and equipment 
- Depreciation for the year 
  Balance, December 31, 2022 
- Additions in property and equipment 
- Depreciation for the year 
  Balance, December 31, 2023 

8. 

Long-term debt 

Property and 
Equipment 

Accumulated 
Depreciation 

Net Book 
Value 

$ 

$ 

$ 

28,269  $ 
667   
-   
28,936  $ 
2,006   
-   
30,942  $ 

(5,427) $ 
-    
(546)    
(5,973) $ 
-   
(687)   
(6,660) $ 

22,842 
667 
(546) 
22,963 
2,006 
(687) 
24,282 

The amount  of  long-term  debt  shown  in  the  accompanying  consolidated balance  sheets  is  analyzed  as 
follows: 

2023 

2022 

Senior unsecured bond 
Secured long-term debt 

Total long-term debt 

Less: Deferred financing costs   

Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs 

Less: Current long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs, 
current 

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities 

Senior Unsecured Bond:  

119,100   
397,857 

516,957  $ 
(6,314) 

510,643  $ 

(49,512)  

461,131  $ 

125,000 
405,120 

530,120 
(7,609) 

522,511 

(91,495) 

431,016 

$ 

$ 

$ 

On June 22, 2021, the Company issued a $125,000 senior unsecured bond maturing in June 2026. The 
bond ranks ahead of subordinated capital and ranks the same with all other senior unsecured obligations 
of  the  Company  other  than  obligations  which  are  mandatorily  preferred  by  law.  Entities  affiliated  with 
executive officers and directors of the Company purchased an aggregate of $21,000 principal amount of 
the bond. The bond bears interest at a US Dollar fixed-rate coupon of 8.375% and is payable semi-annually 
in arrears in June and December of each year. The bond is callable in whole or in part in June 2024 at a 
price  equal  to  103.35%  of  nominal  value;  between  June  2025  to  December  2025  at  a  price  equal  to 
101.675% of nominal value and after December 2025 at a price equal to 100% of nominal value. On June 

F-26 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

29,  2023,  the  Company repurchased  $5,900  nominal  value  of  the  bond  for  $5,851.  In this  respect,  the 
Company  recognized  an  amount  of  $159  as  loss  on  debt  extinguishment,  representing  the  difference 
between the reacquisition price of $5,851 and the net carrying amount of the debt being extinguished of 
$5,900 less deferred financing fees of $208. The bond includes financial and other covenants and is trading 
at Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “DIASH02”.  

Secured Term Loans: 

Under the secured term loans outstanding as of December 31, 2023, 33 vessels of the Company’s fleet 
are  mortgaged  with  first  preferred  or  priority  ship  mortgages,  having  an  aggregate  carrying  value  of 
$699,014.  Additional  securities  required  by  the  banks  include  first  priority  assignment  of  all  earnings, 
insurances, first assignment of time charter contracts that exceed a certain period, pledge over the shares 
of  the  borrowers,  manager’s  undertaking  and  subordination  and  requisition  compensation  and  either  a 
corporate  guarantee  by  DSI  (the  “Guarantor”)  or  a  guarantee  by  the  ship  owning  companies  (where 
applicable), financial covenants, as well as operating account assignments. The lenders may also require 
additional  security  in  the  future  in  the  event  the  borrowers  breach  certain  covenants  under  the  loan 
agreements.  The  secured  term  loans  generally  include  restrictions  as  to  changes  in  management  and 
ownership of the vessels, additional indebtedness, as well as minimum requirements regarding hull cover 
ratio and minimum liquidity per vessel owned by the borrowers, or the Guarantor, maintained in the bank 
accounts of the borrowers, or the Guarantor.  

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, minimum cash deposits required to be maintained at all times under 
the Company’s loan facilities, amounted to $20,000 and $21,000, respectively and are included in restricted 
cash, non-current in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Furthermore, the secured term loans 
contain  cross  default  provisions  and  additionally  the  Company  is  not  permitted  to  pay  any  dividends 
following the occurrence of an event of default. In 2023 and 2022 , the weighted average interest rate of 
the secured term loans was 7.3% and 3.8%, respectively. 

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had the following agreements with banks, either as a 
borrower or as a guarantor, to guarantee the loans of its subsidiaries: 

BNP Paribas (“BNP”): On December 19, 2014, the Company drew down $53,500 under a secured loan 
agreement, to finance part of the acquisition cost of the G. P. Zafirakis and the P. S. Palios maturing on 
November 30, 2021. The agreement was refinanced on June 29, 2020, to extend the maturity to May 19, 
2024. The loan was repayable in equal semi-annual instalments of approximately $1,574 and a balloon of 
$23,596 payable together with the last instalment. The refinanced loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin 
of 2.5%.  

On July 16, 2018, the Company drew down $75,000 under a secured loan agreement with BNP. The loan 
was  repayable  in  consecutive  quarterly  instalments  of  $1,562.5  and  a  balloon  instalment  of  $43,750 
payable together with the last instalment on July 17, 2023. The loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin 
of 2.3%.  

In April 2023, both loans were refinanced through a new loan facility with Danish  Ship Finance and the 
outstanding balance of both loans, amounting to $75,193 was prepaid in full and the Company recorded a 
loss on debt extinguishment amounting to $107. 

Nordea Bank AB, London Branch (“Nordea”): On March 19, 2015, the Company drew down $93,080 
under a secured loan agreement, maturing on March 19, 2021. The loan agreement was amended on May 
7, 2020, and supplemented on July 29, 2021, with an additional borrowing of $460. In July 2022 and in 

F-27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

February 2023, the Company prepaid an amount of $4,786 and $8,134, respectively, following the sale of 
vessels. On June 20, 2023, the Company entered into a new loan agreement with Nordea to refinance the 
outstanding  balance  of  the  existing  loan  amounting  to  $20,934.  On  June  27,  2023,  the  Company  drew 
down  $22,500  and  prepaid  in  full  the  outstanding  balance  of  $20,934  and  recorded  a  loss  on  debt 
extinguishment  amounting  to  $220.  The  new  loan  is  repayable  in  twenty  equal  quarterly  instalments  of 
$1,125 and bears interest at term SOFR plus a margin of 2.25%. The loan matures on June 27, 2028. 

On September 30, 2022, the Company entered into a $200 million loan agreement to finance the acquisition 
price of 9 Ultramax vessels. The Company drew down $197,236 under the loan, in tranches for each vessel 
on their delivery to the Company but prepaid $21,937 in December 2022 due to a vessel sale and leaseback 
transaction. The loan is repayable in equal quarterly instalments of an aggregate amount of $3,719, and a 
balloon of $100,912 payable together with the last instalment on October 11, 2027. The loan bears interest 
at term SOFR plus a margin of 2.25%. Loan fees amounted to $2,069 presented as contra to debt and 
commitment fees amounted to $191, included in interest expense and finance costs in the accompanying 
2022 consolidated statement of income.  

ABN AMRO Bank N.V., or ABN: On May 22, 2020, the Company signed a term loan facility with ABN, in 
the  amount  of  $52,885  to  combine  two  loans  outstanding  with  ABN.  Tranche  A  was  repayable  in 
consecutive quarterly instalments of $800 each and a balloon instalment of $9,000 payable together with 
the last instalment on June 28, 2024. The tranche bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25%. Tranche 
B was repayable in equal consecutive quarterly instalments of about $994 each and a balloon of $13,391 
payable together with the last instalment on June 28, 2024, and bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 
2.4%.  

On May 20, 2021, the Company, drew down $91,000 under a secured sustainability linked loan facility with 
ABN AMRO Bank N.V, dated May 14, 2021, which was used to refinance existing loans. In August 2022, 
the Company prepaid $30,791 due to vessel sale and leaseback transactions and since then, the loan was 
repayable  in  quarterly  instalments  of  $1,980  and  a  balloon  of  $13,553  payable  together  with  the  last 
instalment, on May 20, 2026. The loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.15% per annum, which 
could  be  adjusted  annually  by  maximum  10  basis  points  upwards  or  downwards,  subject  to  the 
performance under certain sustainability KPIs. 

On June 26, 2023, the Company prepaid in full both loans amounting to $68,677, which were refinanced 
under  a  new  loan  agreement  with  DNB  Bank  ASA  and  the  Company  recorded  a  loss  on  debt 
extinguishment amounting to $237. 

Export-Import Bank of China: On January 4, 2017, the Company drew down $57,240 under a secured 
loan  agreement,  which  is  repayable  in  equal  quarterly  instalments  of  $954,  each,  until  its  maturity  on 
January 4, 2032 and bears interest at term SOFR plus a margin of 2.45%. 

DNB Bank ASA or DNB: On March 14, 2019, the Company drew down $19,000 under a secured loan 
agreement,  which  is  repayable  in  consecutive  quarterly  instalments  of  $477.3  and  a  balloon  of  $9,454 
payable together with the last instalment on March 14, 2024. The loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin 
of 2.4%. On March 14, 2023, the outstanding balance of the loan amounting to $11,841 was prepaid in full 
and the Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment amounting to $25. 

On June 26, 2023, the Company entered into a $100,000 loan agreement which was drawn on June 27, 
2023,  to refinance  the  outstanding  balance  of  the  ABN  loans  mentioned  above  and  for  working capital 
purposes. The loan is repayable in 26 equal quarterly instalments of $3,846 until December 27, 2029, and 
bears term SOFR plus a margin of 2.2%, subject to sustainability margin adjustment. Additionally, the loan 

F-28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

is subject to a margin reset, according to which the borrowers and the lenders will enter into discussions 
to agree on a new margin. Unless the parties agree on a new margin, the loan will be mandatorily repayable 
on June 27, 2027. As part of the loan agreement, on July 6, 2023, the Company entered into an interest 
rate  swap  with  DNB  for  a  notional  amount  of  $30,000,  being  30%  of  the  loan  amount  and  quarterly 
amortization  of  $1,154.  Under  the  interest  rate  swap,  the  Company  pays  a  fixed  rate  of  4.268%  and 
receives floating under term SOFR, has a trade date on June 27, 2023, and termination date on December 
27, 2029, and also has a mandatory break on June 27, 2027, the margin reset date of the loan, according 
to which the swap will be terminated if the loan is prepaid. As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of the 
interest  rate  swap  amounted  to  $439  and  is  separately  presented  in  current  assets  and  non-current 
liabilities,  amounting  to  $129  and  $568  respectively,  in  the  2023  accompanying  consolidated  balance 
sheet. Loss from the interest rate swap amounted to $439 and is separately presented as loss on derivative 
instruments in the 2023 consolidated statement of income. 

Danish Ship Finance A/S or Danish: On April 12, 2023, the Company signed a term loan facility with 
Danish, for $100,000 to refinance the outstanding balance of the Company’s loans with DNB Bank ASA 
and  BNP,  mentioned  above  and  working  capital.  On  April  18  and  19,  2023,  the  Company  drew  down 
$100,000  which  is  repayable  in  twenty  equal  consecutive  quarterly  instalments  of  $3,301  each  and  a 
balloon of $33,972 payable together with the last instalment on April 19, 2028, and bears interest at term 
SOFR plus a margin of 2.2%.  

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company was in compliance with all of its loan covenants. 

As of December 31, 2023, the maturities of the Company’s bond and debt facilities throughout their term, 
are shown in the table below and do not include the related debt issuance costs. 

Period 
Year 1 
Year 2 
Year 3 
Year 4 
Year 5 
Year 6 and thereafter 

Total 

9. 

Finance Liabilities 

Principal Repayment 

51,783 
51,783 
170,883 
152,696 
62,026 
27,786 

516,957 

$ 

$ 

The amount of finance liabilities shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is analyzed as 
follows: 

Finance liabilities 
Less: Deferred financing costs   

  December 31, 2023    December 31, 2022 
142,370 
(1,439) 

133,337   
(1,208) 

Finance liabilities, net of deferred financing costs 

Less: Current finance liabilities, net of deferred financing costs, 
current 

Finance liabilities, excluding current maturities 

$ 

$ 

132,129  $ 

(9,221)  

122,908  $ 

140,931 

(8,802) 

132,129 

F-29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

On March 29, 2022, the Company sold Florida to an unrelated third party for $50,000 (Note 6) and leased 
back the vessel under a bareboat agreement, for a period of ten years, under which the Company pays 
hire, monthly in advance. Under the bareboat charter, the Company has the option to repurchase the vessel 
after the  end  of  the third  year  of  the  charter  period,  or  each  year thereafter,  until  the termination of the 
lease, at specific prices, subject to irrevocable and written notice to the owner. If not repurchased earlier, 
the Company has the obligation to repurchase the vessel for $16,350, on the expiration of the lease on the 
tenth year.  

On August 17, 2022, the Company entered into two sale and leaseback agreements with two unaffiliated 
Japanese  third  parties  for  New  Orleans  and  Santa  Barbara,  for  an  aggregate  amount  of  $66,400.  The 
vessels were delivered to their buyers on September 8, 2022 and September 12, 2022, respectively and 
the Company chartered in both vessels under bareboat charter parties for a period of eight years, each, 
and has purchase options beginning at the end of the third year of each vessel's bareboat charter period, 
or  each  year  thereafter,  until  the  termination  of  the  lease,  at  specific  prices,  subject  to  irrevocable  and 
written notice to the owner. If not repurchased earlier, the Company has the obligation to repurchase the 
vessels for $13,000, each, on the expiration of each lease on the eighth year. 

On December 6, 2022, the Company sold DSI Andromeda to an unrelated third party for $29,850 (Note 6) 
and  leased  back  the  vessel  under  a  bareboat  agreement,  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  under  which  the 
Company  pays  hire,  monthly  in  advance.  Under  the  bareboat  charter,  the  Company  has  the  option  to 
repurchase the vessel after the end of the third year of the charter period, or each year thereafter, until the 
termination  of  the  lease,  at specific  prices,  subject  to  irrevocable  and  written  notice to  the  owner.  If  not 
repurchased earlier, the Company has the obligation to repurchase the vessel for $8,050, on the expiration 
of the lease on the tenth year. 

Under the bareboat charter parties, the Company is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the 
vessels and the owner of the vessels shall not retain any control, possession, or command of the vessel 
during the charter period. 

The Company determined that, under ACS 842-40 Sale and Leaseback Transactions, the transactions are 
failed  sales  and  consequently  the  assets  were  not  derecognized  from  the  financial  statements  and  the 
proceeds from the sale of the vessels were accounted for as financial liabilities. As of December 31, 2023, 
the weighted average remaining lease term of the above lease agreements was 7.70 years, the average 
interest  rate  was  4.83%  and  the  sublease  income  during  2023  was  $34,560,  included  in  time  charter 
revenues. 

As of December 31, 2023, and throughout the term of the leases, the Company has annual finance liabilities 
as shown in the table below:   

Period 
Year 1 
Year 2 
Year 3 
Year 4 
Year 5 
Year 6 and thereafter 

Total 

Principal Repayment 
9,437 
9,808 
10,224 
10,661 
11,151 
82,056 

133,337 

$ 

$ 

F-30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

10.  Commitments and Contingencies 

a)  Various claims, suits, and complaints, including those involving government regulations and product 
liability, arise in the ordinary course of the shipping business. In addition, losses may arise from disputes 
with  charterers,  agents,  insurance  and  other  claims  with  suppliers  relating  to  the  operations  of  the 
Company’s  vessels.  The  Company  accrues  for  the  cost  of  environmental  and  other  liabilities  when 
management becomes aware that a liability is probable and is able to reasonably estimate the probable 
exposure. The Company’s vessels are covered for pollution in the amount of $1 billion per vessel per 
incident, by the P&I Association in which the Company’s vessels are entered. In 2022, the Company 
recorded a gain of $1,789 from insurance recoveries received from its insurers for claims covered under 
its insurance policies, which is separately presented as insurance recoveries in the accompanying 2022 
consolidated statement of operations. 

b)  Pursuant to the sale and lease back agreements signed between the Company and its counterparties, 
the Company has purchase obligations to repurchase the vessels Florida, Santa Barbara, New Orleans 
and DSI Andromeda upon expiration of their lease contracts, as described in Note 9. 

c)  On March 30, 2023, the Company entered into a corporate guarantee with Nordea under which the 
Company guarantees the performance by Bergen of all of its obligations under the loan until the maturity 
of the loan on March 30, 2028 (Note 4 (b)). The Company considers the likelihood of having to make 
any payments under the guarantee to be remote, as the loan is also secured by an account pledge by 
Bergen,  first  preferred  mortgage  on  the  vessel,  a  first  priority  general  assignment  of  the  earnings, 
insurances  and  requisition  compensation  of  the  vessel,  a  charter  party  assignment,  a  partnership 
interests  security  deed,  and  a  manager’s  undertaking.  Accordingly,  as  of  December  31,  2023,  the 
Company  did  not  record  a  provision  for  losses  under  the  guarantee  of  Bergen’s  loan  amounting  to 
$14,778 on that date. 

d)  As  of  December  31,  2023,  the  Company’s  vessels,  owned  and  chartered-in,  were  fixed  under  time 
charter  agreements,  considered  operating  leases.  The  minimum  contractual  gross  charter  revenue 
expected to be generated from fixed and non-cancelable time charter contracts existing as of December 
31, 2023 and until their expiration was as follows: 

Period 
Year 1 
Year 2 
Year 3 
Year 4 
   Total 

Amount 

127,297 
24,629 
9,454 
725 
162,105 

$ 

$ 

11.  Capital Stock and Changes in Capital Accounts 

Preferred stock: As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company’s authorized preferred stock 
a) 
consists of 50,000,000 shares and 25,000,000 shares, respectively (all in registered form), par value $0.01 
per share, of which 1,000,000 shares are designated as Series A Participating Preferred Shares, 5,000,000 
shares are designated as Series B Preferred Shares, 10,675 shares are designated as Series C Preferred 
Shares and 400 shares are designated as Series D Preferred Shares. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, 
the Company had zero Series A Participating Preferred Shares issued and outstanding. 

F-31 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

b) 
Series  B  Preferred  Stock:  As  of  December  31,  2023,  and  2022,  the  Company  had  2,600,000 
Series B Preferred Shares issued and outstanding with par value $0.01 per share, at $25.00 per share and 
with liquidation preference at $25.00 per share. Holders of Series B Preferred Shares have no voting rights 
other  than  the  ability,  subject  to  certain  exceptions,  to  elect  one  director  if  dividends  for  six  quarterly 
dividend  periods  (whether  or  not  consecutive)  are  in  arrears  and  certain  other  limited  protective  voting 
rights. Also, holders of Series B Preferred Shares rank prior to the holders of common shares with respect 
to dividends, distributions and payments upon liquidation and are subordinated to all of the existing and 
future indebtedness. 

Dividends on the Series B Preferred Shares are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable 
on the 15th day of January, April, July and October of each year at the dividend rate of 8.875% per annum, 
or  $2.21875  per  share  per  annum.  In  2023,  2022  and  2021,  dividends  on  Series  B  Preferred  Shares 
amounted  to  $5,769,  $5,769  and  $5,769,  respectively.  Since  February  14,  2019,  the  Company  may 
redeem, in whole or in part, the Series B Preferred Shares at a redemption price of $25.00 per share plus 
an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of redemption, whether or 
not declared.   

c) 
Series C Preferred Stock: As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company had 10,675 shares 
of Series C Preferred Stock, issued and outstanding, with par value $0.01 per share, owned by an affiliate 
of its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Semiramis Paliou. The Series C Preferred Stock votes with the common 
shares of the Company, and each share entitles the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted 
to a vote of the shareholders of the Company. The Series C Preferred Stock has no dividend or liquidation 
rights and cannot be transferred without the consent of the Company except to the holder’s affiliates and 
immediate family members. 

d) 
Series D Preferred Stock: As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company had 400 shares of 
Series D Preferred Stock, issued and outstanding, with par value $0.01 per share, owned by an affiliate of 
its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Semiramis Paliou. The Series D Preferred Stock is not redeemable and 
has no dividend or liquidation rights. The Series D Preferred Stock vote with the common shares of the 
Company,  and  each  share of  the  Series  D  Preferred  Stock  entitles the  holder  thereof to up  to  200,000 
votes,  on  all  matters  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  stockholders  of  the  Company, provided  however, that, 
notwithstanding any other provision of the Series D Preferred Stock  statement of designation, to the extent 
that the total number of votes one or more holders of Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to vote (including 
any voting power of such holders derived from Series D Preferred Stock, shares of Common Stock or any 
other voting security of the Company issued and outstanding as of the date hereof or that may be issued 
in the future) on any matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company would exceed 36.0% of 
the total number of votes eligible to be cast on such matter, the total number of votes that holders of Series 
D Preferred Stock may exercise derived from the Series D Preferred Stock together with Common Shares 
and any other voting securities of the Company beneficially owned by such holder, shall be reduced to 
36% of the total number of votes that may be cast on such matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. 

Issuance and Repurchase of Common Shares: In February 2021, the Company repurchased in 
e) 
a tender offer 6,000,000 shares at the price of $2.50 per share. In August 2021, the Company repurchased, 
in another tender offer, 3,333,333 shares, at a price of $4.50 per share and in December 2021, repurchased 
3,529,411 shares at a price of $4.25 per share. The aggregate cost of the share repurchases was $45,369, 
including  expenses.  In  2022,  the  Company  issued  under  its  ATM  program  877,581  shares  of  common 
stock,  at  an  average  price  of  $6.27  per  share  and  received  net  proceeds  of  $5,322.  During  2022,  the 
Company  repurchased  under  its  share  repurchase  program  820,000  shares  of  common  stock,  at  an 
average price of $4.56 per share, for an aggregate cost of $3,799, including expenses. In addition, in the 
fourth  quarter  of  2022,  the  Company  issued  16,453,780  common  shares  to  Sea  Trade  (Note  6),  upon 

F-32 

 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

exercise by Sea Trade of the eight out of nine warrants mentioned in (i) below, for the acquisition of eight 
vessels,  at  an  average  price  of  $4.13.  On  January  30,  2023,  the  Company  issued  2,033,613  common 
shares, at $3.84, to Sea Trade upon exercise by Sea Trade of  a warrant it held for the acquisition of a 
vessel  (Note  6).  The  Company did not  receive  any  proceeds  from  the  exercise  of  the  warrants  by  Sea 
Trade and the exercise price of the shares issued was included in the price of the vessels acquired. 

Dividend on Common Stock: On March 21, 2022, the Company paid a dividend on its common 
f) 
stock of $0.20 per share, to its shareholders of record as of March 9, 2022. On June 17, 2022, the Company 
paid a dividend on its common stock of $0.25 per share, to its shareholders of record as of June 6, 2022. 
On  August  19,  2022,  the  Company  paid  a  dividend  on  its  common  stock  of  $0.275  per  share,  to  its 
shareholders of record as of August 8, 2022. On December 15, 2022, the Company paid a dividend on its 
common stock of $0.175 per share, to its shareholders of record as of November 28, 2022. During 2022, 
the Company paid total cash dividends on common stock amounting to $79,812. 

On March 20, 2023, the Company paid a dividend of $0.15 per share, or $15,965, to its shareholders of 
record as of March 13, 2023. On July 10, 2023, the Company distributed a dividend of $0.15 per share to 
all shareholders of record as of June 12, 2023, and paid $12,424 in cash to its shareholders who elected 
to receive cash and distributed 965,044 newly issued common shares to its shareholders who elected to 
receive  shares.  On  September  8,  2023,  the  Company  distributed  a  dividend  of  $0.15  per  share  to  all 
shareholders of record as of August 14, 2023, and paid $13,041 in cash to its shareholders who elected to 
receive  cash  and  distributed  831,672  newly  issued  common  shares  to  its  shareholders  who  elected  to 
receive  shares.  On  December  4,  2023,  the  Company  distributed  a  dividend  of  $0.15  per  share  to  all 
shareholders of record as of November 27, 2023 in the form of common stock and distributed 4,831,777 
newly issued common shares. 

g) 
Dividend in Kind: On November 29, 2021, the Company distributed to its shareholders of record 
on November 3, 2021, the common stock of OceanPal, acquired in a spin-off, amounting to $40,509. On 
December 15, 2022, the Company distributed the Company’s investment in the Series D Preferred Shares 
of OceanPal in the form of a stock dividend amounting to $18,189, or $0.18 per share, to its shareholders 
of record as of November 28, 2022. On June 9, 2023, the Company distributed the Company’s investment 
in the Series D Preferred Shares of OceanPal in the form of a stock dividend amounting  to $10,761, or 
$0.10 per share, to its shareholders of record as of April 24, 2023 (Notes 5(a)).  

On December  14,  2023,  the  Company  distributed  22,613,070 warrants to its  shareholders  of record  on 
December 6, 2023. Holders received one warrant for every five shares of issued and outstanding shares 
of common stock held as of the record date (rounded down to the nearest whole number for any fractional 
warrant. Each Warrant entitle the Holder to purchase, at the Holder’s sole and exclusive election, at the 
exercise price of $4 per warrant, one share of common stock plus a bonus share fraction. A bonus share 
fraction entitles a Holder to receive an additional half of a share of common stock for each warrant exercised 
without payment of any additional exercise price. If all warrants were exercised as of December 31, 2023, 
the Company would have issued 33,919,605 common shares with a fair value of $100,741 and would have 
received  $90,452  of  proceeds.  The  warrants  were  measured  on  the  date  of  distribution  at  fair  value, 
determined through level 1 account hierarchy, being the opening price of the warrants on the NYSE on the 
date of distribution as they are listed under the ticker DSX_W. The value of the warrants was measured at 
$7,914, or $0.35 per warrant and was recorded as liability under the terms of ASC 480. As of December 
31, 2023, the warrant liability was remeasured at fair value and recorded at $6,332, resulting in a gain of 
$1,583 separately presented in the 2023 consolidated statement of income as unrealized gain on warrants. 
As of December 31, 2023, no warrants had been exercised. 

F-33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

Incentive  Plan:  As  of  December  31,  2023,  13,444,759  shares  remained  reserved  for  issuance 

h) 
according to the Company’s incentive plan. 

Restricted stock in 2023, 2022 and 2021 is analyzed as follows: 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 
Granted 
Vested 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 
Granted 
Vested 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2022 
Granted 
Vested 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2023 

  Number of Shares    Weighted Average 
Grant Date Price 
2.95 
2.85 
3.20 
2.83 
4.15 
2.86 
3.07 
4.54 
3.05 
3.45 

2,423,012 $ 
8,260,000   
(1,168,363)   
9,514,649 $ 
1,470,000   
(3,118,060)   
7,866,589 $ 
1,750,000  
(2,822,753)  
6,793,836 $ 

The  fair  value  of  the  restricted  shares  has  been  determined  with  reference  to  the  closing  price  of  the 
Company’s  stock  on  the  date  such  awards  were  approved  by  the  Company’s  board  of  directors.  The 
aggregate  compensation  cost  is  recognized  ratably  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  income  over  the 
respective vesting periods. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, compensation cost amounted to $9,938, $9,282 and 
$7,442,  respectively,  and  is  included  in  general  and  administrative  expenses  in  the  accompanying 
consolidated statements of income. 

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the total unrecognized cost relating to restricted share awards was 
$14,880 and $16,873, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the weighted-average period over which the 
total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized is expected to be recognized is 
1.95 years. 

i) 
Warrants:  On  August  11,  2022,  the  Company  issued  nine  warrants  to  Sea  Trade  (Note  6)  that 
permitted the holder to purchase from the Company 18,487,393, at $0.01 per share, each exercisable on 
the delivery of each vessel from Sea Trade to the Company. The warrants would expire and no longer be 
exercisable upon the earlier of the termination date of each memorandum of agreement and the date before 
the delivery date of a vessel if a registration statement had not been declared effective. The holder of the 
warrants would not be considered a shareholder prior to the issuance of the shares. As of December 31, 
2022, there was only one warrant not exercised by Sea Trade, which was exercised on January 30, 2023, 
upon delivery of the ninth Ultramax vessel (Note 6). The Company did not receive any proceeds from the 
exercise of the warrants by Sea Trade and the exercise price of the shares issued was included in the price 
of the vessels acquired. 

12.  Voyage expenses 

The amounts in the accompanying consolidated statements of income are analyzed as follows: 

F-34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

Commissions 
Gain from bunkers 
Port expenses and other 
  Total  

13. 

Interest and Finance Costs 

2023 

2022 

2021 

13,331 $ 
(474)  
764  
13,621 $ 

14,412 $ 
(8,100)  
630  
6,942 $ 

10,794 
(5,955) 
731 
5,570 

$ 

$ 

The amounts in the accompanying consolidated statements of income are analyzed as follows: 

Interest expense, debt 
Finance liabilities interest expense 

Amortization of debt and finance liabilities issuance  
costs 
Loan and other expenses 

Interest expense and finance costs 

2023 

2022 

2021 

39,617 $ 
6,786  

2,620  
308  
49,331 $ 

21,983 $ 
2,735  

2,286  
415 
27,419 $ 

18,067 
- 

1,865 
307 
20,239 

$ 

$ 

14.  Earnings per Share 

All common shares issued (including the restricted shares issued under the Company’s incentive plans) 
are  the  Company’s  common  stock  and  have  equal  rights  to  vote  and  participate  in  dividends.  The 
calculation of basic earnings per share does not treat the non-vested shares (not considered participating 
securities) as outstanding until the time/service-based vesting restriction has lapsed. The dilutive effect on 
unexercised  warrants (Note  11(g)) that  are  in-the-money,  is  computed  using  the  treasury  stock method 
which assumes that the proceeds upon exercise of these warrants are used to purchase common shares 
at the average market price for the period. Incremental shares are the number of shares assumed issued 
under the treasury stock method weighted for the periods the non-vested shares were outstanding. In 2023, 
2022  and  2021,  there  were  1,710,513,  3,257,861,  and  3,735,059  incremental  shares,  respectively, 
included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation.  

F-35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

Net income attributable to common stockholders is adjusted by the dividends on Series B Preferred Stock. 
Net income attributable to common stockholders is further adjusted by the unrealized gain on  warrants as 
of December 31, 2023 to calculate the diluted earnings per share. 

2023 

2022 

2021 

Net income 
Dividends on series B preferred shares 
Net income attributable to common stockholders  $ 

$ 

49,844  $ 
(5,769)  
44,075  $ 

119,063  $ 
(5,769)  
113,294  $ 

57,394 
(5,769) 
51,625 

Weighted average number of common shares, basic 

  100,166,629 

80,061,040 

81,121,781 

Earnings per share, basic 

Net income 
Dividends on series B preferred shares 
Unrealized gain on warrants 
Adjusted net income attributable to common 
stockholders 

$ 

$ 

$ 

0.44  $ 

1.42  $ 

0.64 

49,844  $ 
(5,769)  
(1,583) 

119,063  $ 
(5,769)  
- 

57,394 
(5,769) 
- 

42,492  $ 

113,294  $ 

51,625 

Weighted average number of common shares, basic 
Incremental shares  

  100,166,629 
1,710,513 

80,061,040 
3,257,861 

81,121,781 
3,735,059 

Weighted average number of common shares, diluted     101,877,142 

83,318,901 

84,856,840 

Earnings per share, diluted 

$ 

0.42  $ 

1.36  $ 

0.61 

15. 

Income Taxes 

Under  the  laws  of  the  countries  of  the  companies’  incorporation  and  /  or  vessels’  registration,  the 
companies are not subject to tax on international shipping income; however, they are subject to registration 
and tonnage taxes, which are included in vessel operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated 
statements of operations. 

The vessel-owning companies with vessels that have called on the United States are obliged to file tax 
returns with the Internal Revenue Service. However, pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of the United 
States, U.S. source income from the international operations of ships is generally exempt from U.S. tax. 
The applicable tax is 50% of 4% of U.S.-related gross transportation income unless an exemption applies. 
The Company and each of its subsidiaries expects it qualifies for this statutory tax exemption for the 2023, 
2022 and 2021 taxable years, and the Company takes this position for United States federal income tax 
return reporting purposes. 

16.  Financial Instruments and Fair Value Disclosures 

Interest rate risk and concentration of credit risk 

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, 
consist  principally  of  cash  and  trade  accounts  receivable.  The  ability  and  willingness  of  each  of  the 
Company’s counterparties to perform their obligations under a contract depend upon a number of factors 
that are beyond the Company’s control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, 
the  state  of  the  capital  markets,  the  condition  of  the  shipping  industry  and  charter  hire  rates. The 

F-36 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

Company’s credit risk with financial institutions is limited as it has temporary cash investments, consisting 
mostly of deposits, placed with various qualified financial institutions and performs periodic evaluations of 
the relative credit standing of those financial institutions. The Company limits its credit risk with accounts 
receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and by receiving 
payments  of  hire  in  advance.  The  Company,  generally,  does  not  require  collateral  for  its  accounts 
receivable and does not have any agreements to mitigate credit risk.  

In 2023, 2022 and 2021, charterers that individually accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s time 
charter revenues were as follows: 

Charterer 
Cargill International SA 
Koch Shipping PTE LTD. Singapore 

*Less than 10% 

2023 

2022 

2021 

13% 
* 

19% 
15%  

* 

10% 

The Company is exposed to interest rate fluctuations associated with its variable rate borrowings. On July 
6, 2023, the company entered into an interest rate swap with DNB (Notes 8 and 13) to manage part of such 
exposure. 

Fair value of assets and liabilities 

The  carrying  values  of  financial  assets  reflected  in  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheet 
approximate their respective fair values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The 
fair value of long-term bank loans with variable interest rates approximates the recorded values, generally 
due to their variable interest rates.  

Fair value measurements disclosed 

As of December 31, 2023, the Bond having a fixed interest rate and a carrying value of $119,100 (Note 8) 
had a fair value of $118,505 determined through the Level 1 input of the fair value hierarchy as defined in 
FASB guidance for Fair Value Measurements. 

On  September  20,  2022,  the  Company  acquired  25,000  Series  D  Preferred  Shares  of  OceanPal  at 
$17,600, determined by taking into consideration a third-party valuation which was based on the income 
approach, taking into account the present value of the future cash flows the Company expects to receive 
from holding the equity instrument.  

On December 15, 2022, the Company distributed the Series D Preferred Shares as non-cash dividend and 
measured their fair value on the date of declaration at $18,189. Their fair value was determined by using 
the income approach, taking into account the present value of the future cash flows, the holder of shares 
would expect to receive from holding the equity instrument which resulted in gain of $589. 

On February 8, 2023, the Company acquired 13,157 shares of OceanPal Series D Preferred Shares, as 
part of the consideration provided to the Company for sale of Melia to OceanPal, at $10,000, taking into 
consideration  a  third-party  valuation  which was  based on the  income  approach, taking  into  account  the 
present value of the future cash flows the Company expects to receive from holding the equity instrument. 

On June  9,  2023,  the  Company  distributed the Series  D  Preferred  Shares as a  non-cash  dividend  and 
measured their fair value on the date of declaration at $10,761. The fair value was determined by using 

F-37 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

the income approach, taking into account the present value of the future cash flows, the holder of shares 
would expect to receive from holding the equity instrument which resulted in gain of $761. 

Other Fair value measurements  

Description (in thousands of US Dollars) 
Non-recurring fair value measurements 
Long-lived assets held for use 
Total non-recurring fair value measurements 

Assets 
Recurring fair value measurements 
Investments in equity securities 
Investments in related party 
Interest rate swap, asset 
Total recurring fair value measurements 

Non-recurring fair value measurements 
Equity method investments 
Long-lived assets held for use 
Total non-recurring fair value measurements 

Liabilities 
Recurring fair value measurements 
Interest rate swap, liability 
Warrant liability 
Total recurring fair value measurements 

17.  Subsequent Events 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

December 31, 
2022 

Quoted Prices 
in Active 
Markets 
(Level 1) 

67,909  $ 
67,909   

67,909   
67,909   

December 31, 
2023 

Quoted Prices 
in Active 
Markets 
(Level 1) 

Significant 
Other 
Observable 
Inputs (Level 2) 

Significant 
Other 
Observable 
Inputs (Level 3) 

20,729   
8,315   
129   
29,173  $ 

4,519  $  
7,809   
12,328  $ 

20,729  $  
8,138   

28,867  $ 

$ 

7,809   
7,809  $ 

$   

129   
129  $ 

4,519  $   
-   
4,519   

568   
6,332   
6,900   

6,332   
6,332   

568   

568   

177 

177 

- 

- 

a)  Exercise of warrants: Since January 4, 2024 and until April 1, 2024, holders of warrants exercised 
3,051,471 warrants under which 4,597,192 shares of common stock were issued and the proceeds 
from the exercise of warrants amounted to $12,206. 

b)  Series  B  Preferred  Stock  Dividends:  On  January  15,  2024,  the  Company  paid  a  quarterly 
dividend  on  its  series  B  preferred  stock,  amounting  to  $0.5546875  per  share,  or  $1,442,  to  its 
stockholders of record as of January 12, 2024. 

c)  Acquisition  of  property:  On  January  18,  2024,  the  Company  acquired  from  unaffiliated  third 
parties a plot of land for the purchase price of Euro 310,000 to be utilized for corporate purposes. 
On March 6, 2024, the Company acquired from unaffiliated third parties another plot of land for the 
purchase price of Euro 1,300,000. 

F-38 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIANA SHIPPING INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
December 31, 2023 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share, per share data, unless otherwise stated) 

d)  Sale of Vessel Artemis: On January 19, 2024, the Company, through a wholly owned subsidiary, 
entered into an agreement with an unrelated third party to sell the vessel Artemis for the sale price 
of $12,990. The vessel was delivered to the new owners on March 5, 2024. 

e)  Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs): On January 24, 2024, Diana Energize Inc. 
increased  its  equity  commitment  to  Euro  50  million,  being  approximately  45.87%  of  the  limited 
partnership’s capital (Note 4 (c)). 

f)  Methanol  Dual  Fuel  New-Building  Kamsarmax  Dry  Bulk  Vessels:  On  February  8,  2024,  the 
Company signed an agreement to order through Marubeni Corporation or its guaranteed nominee, 
an  unaffiliated  third  party,  two  81,200  dwt  methanol  dual  fuel  new-building  Kamsarmax  dry  bulk 
vessels, for a purchase price of $46,000 each, built at Tsuneishi Group (Zhoushan) Shipbuilding 
Inc., China. The vessels are expected to be delivered to the Company by the second half of 2027 
and the first half of 2028 respectively. On February 15, 2024, the Company paid the first instalment, 
amounted $8,050 for each vessel, representing the 17.5% of the contract price.  

g)  Sale of Vessel Houston: On February 22, 2024, the Company, through a wholly owned subsidiary, 
entered into an agreement with an unrelated third party to sell the vessel Houston for the sale price 
of $23,300, with delivery to the new owners latest by September 16, 2024. 

h)  Common Stock Dividend: On February 23, 2024, the Company declared a cash dividend on its 
common stock of $0.075 per share, based on the Company’s results of operations during the fourth 
quarter  ended  December  31,  2023.  The  cash  dividend  was  paid  on  March  12,  2024,  to  all 
shareholders of record as of March 5, 2024.  

F-39