Dry Bulk Charter for Diana Shipping

Diana Shipping Inc. announces a time charter contract with Cargill for its dry bulk carrier 'M/V Protefs'

Diana Shipping Inc.a shipping company specializing in the ownership and operation of dry bulk vessels, announcee that it has entered into a time charter contract with Cargill International S.A., Geneva, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, for one of its Panamax dry bulk carriers, the m/v "Protefs, at a gross charter rate of US$9,000 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period of minimum twenty-four (24) months to maximum twenty-nine (29) months. The charter is expected to commence in mid-August 2012.

This employment of the Protefs a 73,630 dwt Panamax dry bulk vessel built in 2004, is  anticipated to generate approximately US$6.5 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the charter.

Diana Shipping Inc.'s fleet currently consists of 28 dry bulk carriers (17 Panamax, 1 Post-Panamax, 8 Capesize and 2 Newcastlemax), as well as 2 new-building Ice Class dry bulk Panamax vessels expected to be delivered to the Company during the fourth quarter of 2013