Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of December 2006
Commission File Number: 001-32458
DIANA SHIPPING INC.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Diana Shipping Inc.
Pendelis 16
175 64 Palaio Faliro
Athens, Greece
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [ X ] Form 40-F [ ]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)7: ___
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 ]
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): ________.
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
Attached to this Report on Form 6-K as Exhibit 1 is a press release
issued by Diana Shipping Inc. (the "Company") on December 1, 2006 announcing
that the Company has taken delivery of a Capsize bulk carrier, expanding its
fleet to 15 vessels.
Exhibit 1
Corporate Contact:
Ioannis Zafirakis
Director and Vice-President
Telephone: + 30-210-9470100
izafirakis@dianashippinginc.com
For Immediate Release
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Investor and Media Relations:
Edward Nebb
Euro RSCG Magnet
Telephone: + 1-212-367-6848
ed.nebb@eurorscg.com
DIANA SHIPPING INC. TAKES DELIVERY OF CAPESIZE
BULK CARRIER, EXPANDING FLEET TO 15 VESSELS
ATHENS, GREECE, December 1, 2006 - Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), a global
shipping transportation company specializing in dry bulk cargoes, today
announced that on November 28 the Company took delivery of the newly-built
Sideris GS, a 174,186 dwt Capesize dry bulk carrier, built by Shanghai
Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.
The vessel, as previously announced, is chartered to BHP Billiton Marketing AG
for a four-year period with a one year extension at the charterer's option. The
gross charter rate for the initial 47 to 49 month period will be: $46,000 during
the first year; $43,000 during the second year; $39,000 during the third year
and $36,000 during the fourth year. The charterer has the option to employ the
vessel for a further 11-13 month period at a daily charter rate of $48,500. The
charter commenced on December 1, 2006.
With the delivery of the Sideris GS, Diana Shipping has increased its fleet to
fifteen vessels (thirteen Panamax dry bulk carriers and two Capesize dry bulk
carriers). In addition the combined deadweight of the fleet has increased to
approximately 1,312,419 tons and the weighted average age has decreased to 3.6
years.
About the Company
Diana Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services.
The Company specializes in transporting dry bulk cargoes, including such
commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide
shipping routes. Diana Shipping Inc. priced its initial public offering of
common stock on March 17, 2005.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Matters discussed in this press release 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 statements concerning plans, objectives,
goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and
other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.
The 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. The words
"believe," "except," "anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project,"
"plan," "potential," "will," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various
assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions,
including without limitation, our management's examination of historical
operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from
third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when
made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant
uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and
are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish
these expectations, beliefs or projections.
In addition to these important factors other important factors that, in our
view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in
the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and
currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates
and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity, changes in
our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs,
the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes
in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory
authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general
domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of
shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessel breakdowns and
instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and
other risks and uncertainties.
# # #
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.
DIANA SHIPPING INC.
(registrant)
Dated: December 1, 2006 By: /s/ Anastassis Margaronis
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Anastassis Margaronis
President
SK 23159 0002 726721