Michael Zolotas News

NewLead Holdings Ltd. has today renewed the Contract of Affreightment (the "CoA") for one of its bitumen tanker vessels, the MT Katerina L for an additional twelve month period, for the transportation of a minimum of 49,600 metric tons of bitumen over 16 voyages, or, at the Charterer's option, up to a maximum of 74,400 metric tons of bitumen over 24 voyages. The first shipment is scheduled to commence at the beginning of January 2016. The Katerina L will be trading in the Mediterranean area between all the major refineries, on the basis of the Vessel's relevant oil major approvals. In 2015, the Katerina L performed 15 voyages and transported 45,669 metric tons of bitumen in the Mediterranean area, (the initial term of the first CoA was only for 31,000 metric tons of bitumen).

NewLead Holdings Ltd. announced yesterday that it entered into a time charter contract for one of its dry bulk Eco-type Handysize vessels, the Newlead Castellano, for two consecutive voyages, anticipated to be completed by the end of November 2015, at a gross charter-out rate of US $7,000 per day less a 6.25% commission paid to third parties. The Newlead Castellano is a 2013-built dry bulk Eco-type Handysize vessel of 35,542 dwt and is one of the three dry bulk Eco-type Handysize vessels that were delivered to NewLead's fleet in 2014. Since the beginning of 2015, the Newlead Castellano has completed three time charter contracts and has transported 125,995 tons of dry bulk cargo. The vessel's utilization in 2015 up until today is 95%.

NewLead Holdings Ltd.announced today a review of the commercial performance of one of its bitumen tanker vessels, the MT Nepheli since the vessel was delivered to NewLead's fleet. The Nepheli is a 2009-built bitumen tanker vessel of 3,416 dwt and is one of the five bitumen tanker vessels that were delivered to NewLead's fleet in the fourth quarter of 2014. When NewLead took delivery of the Nepheli in November 2014, the vessel was already chartered-out on a time charter agreement for one year at a net rate of US $6,700 per day. The time charter contract was concluded at the end of July 2015 and from delivery of the vessel to NewLead until such time, 82,473.76 tons of asphalt were transported.

NewLead Holdings Ltd.announced today a review of the commercial competency of one of its bitumen tanker vessels, the MT Sofia since the vessel was delivered to NewLead's fleet. The Sofia is a 2008-built bitumen tanker vessel of 2,888 dwt and is one of the five bitumen tanker vessels that were delivered to NewLead's fleet during the fourth quarter of 2014. Since the end of November 2014, when NewLead took delivery of the Sofia, the vessel has been trading in the spot market under consecutive voyages. Previously, the Sofia has completed twelve different voyage charter agreements and fifteen different voyages and has transported approximately 29,175 metric tons of bitumen.

NewLead Holdings Ltd. announced yesterday that Antonios Bertsos has resigned as Chief Financial Officer of the Company in order to pursue other career opportunities. Antonios Bertsos will remain with the Company until the end of June 2015 to ensure a smooth transition. Michael Zolotas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NewLead, stated, "I would like to thank Antonis for his contribution to NewLead."

NewLead Holdings Ltd. has entered into a time charter contract with for one of its recently delivered bitumen tanker vessels, the Ioli, for a minimum of one year. The vessel has already been delivered to the charterer that has the option to extend the time charter contract for up to four additional one year periods. The Ioli is a 2009-built bitumen tanker vessel of 3,396 dwt and is one of the five bitumen tanker vessels that were recently delivered to NewLead's fleet. NewLead has approximately 48.58% and 38.05% of its operating days covered for 2015 for its dry bulk and tanker vessels…

NewLead Holdings Ltd. announced today that it has entered into a Contract of Affreightment for one of its dry bulk vessels, the Panamax Newlead Markela, for the transportation, anticipated to be completed within a twelve month period, of approximately 704,000 tons of aggregates over eleven consecutive voyages. The Newlead Markela will be trading in the Arabian Gulf and the first shipment is scheduled to commence during March 2015. Mr. Michael Zolotas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NewLead, stated, "We have succeeded in securing solid employment of the Newlead Markela for the year 2015 while the dry bulk market is at historical lows.

NewLead Holdings Ltd. announced today that it has entered into its first Contract of Affreightment for one of its bitumen tankers vessels, the Katerina L, for the transportation, within a ten month period, of a minimum of 31,000 tons of bitumen over ten voyages, or, at the Charterer's option, up to a maximum of 49,600 tons of bitumen over 16 voyages. The first shipment is scheduled to commence by the end of February 2015. The Katerina L will be trading in the Mediterranean and United Arab Emirates areas between all the major refineries in the respective areas. Katerina L has secured employment for a minimum of 100 and a maximum of 300 days in 2015, depending on the respective trading routes. Mr.

NewLead Holdings Ltd. has succeeded in growing the fleet of the Company from two to ten vessels in less than one year following its growth strategy and delivering on its commitments. NewLead's fleet has been entirely transformed to include younger, flexible in size, fuel-efficient vessels with an anticipated substantially longer employment lifetime and revenue capacity. Today, NewLead controls a fleet of ten vessels, five dry-bulk and five tanker vessels, with an average fleet age of 7.4 years. At the beginning of 2014, NewLead controlled a fleet of two dry-bulk vessels with an average fleet age of 17.84 years. NewLead succeeded in taking delivery of three modern…

NewLead Holdings Ltd. announced today that it recently added five bitumen tanker vessels to its fleet. The Company has expanded its fleet to 10 vessels in less than a year while performing on its strategy to capitalize on opportunities that arise in the market. NewLead completed the acquisition of three bitumen tankers, the "Captain Nikolas I", the "Nepheli" and the "Sofia", for a purchase price of approximately $21.0 million, to be paid through a combination of equity and debt financing. The other two bitumen tankers, the "Ioli" and the "Katerina L", were added to NewLead's fleet following two separate bareboat/leasing agreements. The…

NewLead Holdings Ltd. announced that it recently added five bitumen tanker vessels, expanding its fleet to 10 vessels in less than a year while performing on its strategy to capitalize on opportunities that arise in the market. NewLead completed the acquisition of three bitumen tankers, the Captain Nikolas I, the Nepheli and the Sofia, for a purchase price of approximately $21 million, to be paid through a combination of equity and debt financing. The other two bitumen tankers, the Ioli and the Katerina L, were added to NewLead's fleet following two separate bareboat/leasing agreements. The company has the option to purchase the last…

NewLead Holdings Ltd. announced today that it has entered into a time charter contract for the recently delivered Handysize vessel, the "Newlead Castellano". The Newlead Castellano has been chartered-out at a gross rate of $9,500 per day, minus a 6.25% commission payable to third parties, for a minimum of three and a maximum of five months. This employment is anticipated to generate approximately $855,000 of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the time charter. The Newlead Castellano is a 2013-built dry-bulk eco-type Handysize vessel of 35,542 dwt and is the third modern eco-type Handysize vessel to be delivered to NewLead's owned fleet in 2014.

NewLead Holdings Ltd.announced today that the "Newlead Castellano", a 2013-built dry-bulk eco-type Handysize vessel of 35,542 dwt, was delivered to NewLead's owned fleet on September 16, 2014. The Newlead Castellano is trading on the spot market and is expected to generate approximately $1.7 million EBITDA per year assuming $1.73 million yearly operating expenses. The Newlead Castellano is the third modern eco-type Handysize vessel to be delivered to NewLead's owned fleet since January 2014. NewLead had agreed to acquire this vessel for a purchase price of $19.5 million in December 2013, as previously announced. The other two Handysize vessels…

NewLead Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: NEWL) said that "Newlead Albion", a 2012-built dry-bulk eco-type Handysize vessel of 32,318 dwt, was delivered to NewLead's fleet on Monday, May 19, 2014. The Newlead Albion is trading on the spot market and is expected to generate $2.0 million EBITDA per year assuming $1.73 million yearly OPEX. The Newlead Albion is one of the two eco-type vessels that the Company agreed to acquire in March 2014, as previously announced, for a total acquisition price of $37.0 million, $18.5 million each.

NewLead Holdings Ltd announced today that it has previously signed a term sheet with a leading financial institution to provide 75% debt financing for two second-hand Panamax vessels for a total of $35 million. The two vessels are expected to be delivered to NewLead's fleet within the next three months, subject to the receipt of the necessary financing for the balance of the purchase price. NewLead Holdings Ltd. is an international, vertically integrated shipping and commodity company that manages product tankers and dry bulk vessels. NewLead currently owns two dry bulk vessels and has agreements to acquire three eco-type Handysize dry bulk vessels, one of which is a newbuilding. NewLead owns a wash plant and a mine in Kentucky, USA.

NewLead Holdings Ltd. announced that it has executed definitive agreements for the acquisition of two eco-type 31,800 dwt, Handysize bulk carriers built in 2012 for a total acquisition price of $37 million. The two eco-type vessels are expected to be delivered in NewLead by the end of June and July this year. Upon completion of this acquisition, NewLead will own five dry-bulk vessels, consisting of three Handysize and two Panamax vessels. The company expects to finance the acquisition of the two vessels through the combination of proceeds from its recent preferred shares issuance along with the 75% debt financing, as previously announced.

Greece-based NewLead Holdings Ltd. NewLead Holdings Ltd. ("NewLead")  announce that it has entered into an agreement with Piraeus Bank S.A. ("Piraeus Bank") to proceed with the sale of the two tanker vessels, Hiona and Hiotissa, for an aggregate amount of $57.0 million and to convert, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions precedent by the Company, $18.1 million debt into 22.1 million shares of NewLead's common stock. As a result of this transaction, NewLead will be released from all obligations under the Piraeus Bank credit facility. These transactions are expected to occur in the third quarter of 2012 and are subject to certain conditions.

NewLead Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: NEWL), an international, vertically integrated shipping company, today announced that on May 10, 2011 it acquired the 2003-built, 34,682 dwt, Handysize dry bulk vessel, Newlead Prosperity, for a total consideration of $24.5 million. The Newlead Prosperity was initially delivered under a bareboat charter during Q4 2010. The charter period ended May 10, 2011. Mr. Michael Zolotas, president and chief executive officer of NewLead, stated, "Newlead Prosperity is the first Handysize dry bulk vessel in our operational fleet.

Grandunion, Inc., a company controlled by Michael Zolotas and Nicholas Fistes, announced that it has entered into a letter of intent with Aries Maritime Transport Limited (NASDAQ:RAMS) that contemplates, among other things, the acquisition of three Capesize drybulk carriers with an approximate net asset value of $36m in exchange for 15,977,778 newly issued shares of Aries, and a change of control of the company's Board of Directors. Upon closing the transaction, Fistes would serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Zolotas would serve as member of the Board and President of the company. Grandunion would also designate the Chief Financial Officer of the company and four out of seven members of the Board (including Fistes and Zolotas).