Star Bulk Rights Offering Enables Newbuilding Orders

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. announce successful completion of their previously announced $75 million backstopped equity rights offering and concurrent private placement.

Due to the level of participation by existing shareholders, back stop providers were issued the minimum amounts under their purchase commitments and the total gross proceeds of this capital raising transaction increased to approximately $80.1 million.

The Company has agreed to use the net proceeds from this offering to enhance liquidity and to partially fund the purchase price of our previously announced newbuilding program, which consists of contracts for the construction of two fuel‐efficient 180,000 dwt Capesize drybulk carriers and two fuel‐efficient 60,000 dwt Ultramax dry bulk carriers.

Spyros Capralos, President and CEO of Star Bulk, commented: “This is a milestone for Star Bulk that has allowed us to enter into newbuilding orders to expand our fleet with modern fuel efficient ships at very attractive prices. The offering validates the confidence from our existing shareholders and new investors in the Company and our strategy. We are pleased to welcome Oaktree Capital Management and Monarch Alternative Capital to our group of new shareholders. We believe that our strategy will enable us to create value for our shareholders.”

www.starbulk.com