Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd (NYSE: EXM), an owner and operator of dry bulk carriers and a provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes, announced its operating and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009. • Net income was $118.0 million or $2.57 per weighted average diluted share compared to $35.1 million or $1.76 per weighted average diluted share in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of approximately 236.2%. The results for the first quarter of 2009 include a non-cash item of $6.7 million relating to the unrealized gain from the valuation of interest rate swaps and $0.1 million gain on sale of a vessel.