Baltic Handysize News

Takes Delivery of Genco Spirit. Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE: GNK) today announced that it has taken delivery of the Genco Spirit, a 34,432 dwt Handysize newbuilding. The Genco Spirit is the final vessel to be delivered to the Company under Genco's agreement previously announced on June 9, 2010 to acquire five Handysize vessels from companies within the Metrostar group of companies. The Genco Spirit was delivered to its charterer, Cargill International S.A., to commence a time charter for 34.5 to 37.5 months. The rate for the time charter will be linked to the Baltic Handysize Index (BHSI), incorporating a floor of $8,500 and a ceiling of $13,500 daily, with a 50% profit sharing arrangement to apply to any amount above the ceiling.

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE: GNK) today announced that it has taken delivery of the Genco Avra, a 35,000 dwt Handysize newbuilding. The Genco Avra is the third of five vessels to be delivered to the Company under Genco's agreement previously announced on June 9, 2010 to acquire five Handysize vessels from companies within the Metrostar group of companies. The Genco Avra is expected to be delivered to its charterer, Cargill International S.A., on or about May 14, 2011 to commence a spot market-related time charter for 34.5 to 37.5 months.

DUBLIN, IRELAND, Mar 15, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --TBS International plc (NASDAQ: TBSI) announced today its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010. Joseph E. "The TBS results for the fourth quarter 2010 reflect the ongoing downward pressure on dry cargo freight rates that have continued into the first quarter of 2011, as evidenced by the Baltic Dry Indices. "The Baltic Dry Index ('BDI') which was at 2,446 on September 30, 2010 descended to 1,773 on December 24th (the last reporting date in 2010) and was at 1,559 on March 14, 2011.

Baltic Trading Limited (NYSE: BALT), a drybulk company focused on the spot charter market, announced that it has taken delivery of the Baltic Breeze, a Handysize newbuilding. The Baltic Breeze is the final vessel to be delivered to the company under Baltic Trading's agreement previously announced on June 9, 2010 to acquire three Handysize vessels from companies within the Metrostar group of companies. The company has signed a novation agreement for the vessel's current time charter with Cargill International S.A., for an initial duration of 45.5 to 50.5 months and a minimum expiration of August 2014. The rate for the spot market-related time charter will be based on 115% of the average of the daily rates of the Baltic Handysize Index (BHSI), as reflected in daily reports.

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) announced that it has taken delivery of the Genco Bourgogne, a 2010-built Supramax vessel, and the Genco Bay, a 2010-built Handysize vessel. The Genco Bourgogne is the ninth vessel to be delivered to the company under its agreement previously announced on June 25, 2010 to acquire 13 Supramax vessels from Setaf SAS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bourbon SA. The Genco Bay is the is the second of five vessels to be delivered to the company under its agreement previously announced on June 9, 2010 to acquire five Handysize vessels from companies within the Metrostar group of companies. The company…

Conditions on the dry cargo freight market were generally steadier for Capesizes on Wednesday, with the Baltic Cape Index posted at an unchanged 2,171, brokers said. Atlantic Panamax rates rose further and brokers said conditions were also slowly improving for owners in the East for later May positions. The South African sector remained firm. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) gained two points to 1,611 and the Baltic Panamax Index rose 10 points to 1,522, while the Baltic Handysize Index fell three points to 1,150.