Excel Maritime Carriers an owner and operator of dry bulk carriers and a provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes, announced today that the Board of Directors has increased the Company’s minimum annualized dividend guidance to $1.60 and has set the 2008 minimum annualized dividend guidance to $1.20. This guidance would result in a minimum quarterly dividend of $0.40 per common share beginning with the dividend declared for the second quarter of 2008.