Tuesday, March 03, 2009
DryShips Announces Update on Sale and Purchase Activities
ATHENS, GREECE--(Marketwire - March 3, 2009) - DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS) (the "Company" or "DryShips"), a global provider of marine transportation services for drybulk cargoes and off-shore contract drilling oil services, announced today the following updates with regards to the recent sales and purchase transactions:
M/V Paragon
DryShips previously entered into an agreement to sell the M/V Paragon, a 1995 built 71,259 dwt Panamax drybulk carrier, for a sale price of approximately $61 million and has reached an agreement with the buyers whereby the price will be reduced to $30.80 million. Delivery of the vessel took place earlier today and DryShips expects to recognize a gain of approximately $2.4 million which will be recognized in the first quarter of 2009.
M/V La Jolla
DryShips previously entered into an agreement to sell the M/V La Jolla, a 1997 built Panamax drybulk carrier, for a sale price of $66 million and has agreed to settle its dispute with the buyers in connection with buyers' failure to take delivery under the relevant Memorandum of Agreement. Under the settlement agreement, DryShips has agreed to retain the vessel and has received aggregate compensation in the amount of $9 million in respect of the cancellation.
M/V Toro
DryShips previously entered into an agreement with Samsun Logix Corporation, or Samsun, the buyers of the M/V Toro, a 1995 built 73,034 dwt Panamax drybulk carrier, to sell the vessel at a reduced price of $36 million. The buyers were obligated to remit an additional deposit of $1.5 million. The Company received notice from Samsun that it filed for receivership. Following Samsun's failure to pay the additional deposit, DryShips has commenced arbitration proceedings against Samsun claiming compensation for the difference between the current market price and the original contract price of $63.4 million pursuant to the terms of the agreement with Samsun.
About DryShips Inc.
DryShips Inc., based in Greece, is an owner and operator of drybulk carriers that operate worldwide. As of the day of this release, DryShips owns a fleet of 42 drybulk carriers comprising 7 Capesize, 28 Panamax, 2 Supramax and 5 newbuilding drybulk vessels with a combined deadweight tonnage of about 3.4 million tons, 2 ultra deep water semisubmersible drilling rigs and 2 ultra deep water newbuilding drillships. DryShips Inc.'s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market where trades under the symbol "DRYS." Visit our website at www.dryships.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although DryShips Inc. believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, DryShips Inc. cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including changes in charterhire rates and vessel values, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydocking, changes in DryShips Inc.'s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents and political events or acts by terrorists. Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by DryShips Inc. with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investor Relations / Media:
Nicolas Bornozis
Capital Link, Inc. (New York)
Tel. 212-661-7566
E-mail: dryships@capitallink.com
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