FORM 6-K


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549



                        Report of Foreign Private Issuer
                      Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                           For the month of March 2005


                           EXCEL MARITIME CARRIERS LTD
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                             67 Akti Miaouli Street
                                  18537 Piraeus
                                     Greece
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

                              Form 20-F [X]  Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                                 Yes [_]  No [X]





INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT

Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the Memorandum of Agreement with
respect to the acquisition of MV IDC 2, to be renamed MV Attractive, by Excel
Maritime Carriers Ltd. (the "Company"). Information furnished on this Report of
Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No.
333-120259) and any related prospectus, as supplemented, including the Company's
Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, on November 5, 2004.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Company files annual reports on Form 20-F (File No. 1-10137) and periodic
reports on Form 6-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.




SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                          EXCEL MARITIME CARRIERS LTD.
                                  (registrant)



Dated:  March 16, 2005                   By: /s/ Christopher J. Georgakis
                                            ----------------------------
                                                Christopher J. Georgakis
                                                President and
                                                Chief Executive Officer

02545.0001 #555857