DryShips Inc. Reports Financial and Operating Results for the Second Quarter 2010


ATHENS, GREECE--(Marketwire - July 28, 2010) - DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS), or the Company, a global provider of marine transportation services for drybulk cargoes and offshore oil deepwater drilling, today announced its unaudited financial and operating results for the second quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2010.

Second Quarter 2010 Financial Highlights

--  For the second quarter of 2010, the Company reported net income of
    $8.7 million, or $0.02 basic and diluted earnings per share. Included
    in the second quarter 2010 results are various items, totaling $71.7
    million, or $0.28 per share which are described below. Excluding these
    items, net income amounted to $80.4 million or $0.30 per share.

    --  Included in the second quarter 2010 results are non-cash
        amortization of debt issuance costs, including those relating to
        our convertible senior notes, totaling $7.9 million, or $0.03 per
        share.

    --  Included in the second quarter 2010 results are losses incurred on
        our interest rate swaps, amounting to $63.8 million, or $0.25 per
        share.

--  Basic earnings per share for the second quarter of 2010 includes a
    non-cash accrual for the cumulative payment-in-kind dividends on the
    Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, amounting to $2.5 million,
    which reduces the income available to common shareholders. Basic
    earnings per share is calculated as net income less accrued dividends
    on preferred stock divided by weighted average number of common shares
    outstanding.

--  The Company reported adjusted EBITDA of $152.3 million for the second
    quarter of 2010 as compared to $74.2 million in the same period in
    2009. For the first half of 2010 adjusted EBITDA rose to $268.8 million
    compared to $24.5 million in the first half of 2009.

George Economou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented:

"We are pleased to report another quarter of solid operational results with both the drybulk and drilling segments performing as per expectations. The semi-submersibles continued to perform at close to 100% earnings efficiency and maintained a good safety record. During the second quarter, we were opportunistic and reopened the previously issued senior convertible notes raising an additional $240 million, further strengthening the balance sheet. With $864 million in liquidity, we retain the flexibility to make the necessary payments for the drillships until financing is arranged or for vessel acquisitions as opportunities arise. The dry cargo freight market was relatively strong in the first half of 2010, with Panamaxes averaging $30,155 per day. In July, dry bulk freight rates have dropped significantly from the level seen earlier in the second quarter as, among other factors, steel mills undergo maintenance and overbuilt steel inventories are run down. DryShips is insulated from this seasonality as our drybulk carriers are almost 100% fixed for remaining 2010 and 82% for 2011. This seasonal slowdown in the market is expected to be short lived as long-term fundamentals of the drybulk market remain strong. If on the other hand this downturn is prolonged we will be poised to take advantage of opportunities that will arise.

"The moratorium imposed on all deepwater drilling in the US Gulf of Mexico is expected to be a short term negative for the industry as some rigs may move out of the region and compete for business elsewhere. However, in the medium to long term the resulting emphasis on modern equipment and safety measures is expected to be a positive development for the industry overall. While it's early to authoritatively say what the actual regulations will be one expected result will be a focus on newer equipment. With four state of the art sixth generation drill ships, we believe that any new safety regulations will be advantageous for us. There are several older units in the mid and deep water segments and it can be expected that customers may want to replace these older units with more capable modern units from the ultra deepwater fleet. Furthermore, we expect that customers drilling in sensitive areas such as offshore Greenland or in the North Sea or in the Canadian Arctic will insist on having two drillships to drill a well instead of one as is the case now, effectively doubling rig demand from that particular well. Furthermore, with a stricter inspection and safety regime we would expect that the time taken to drill the same well will be effectively longer than what it is now. An increase in operating costs as a result of higher insurance premiums, more training or inspections, is also expected.

"It is important to note that although the US Gulf of Mexico is an important area for deep and ultra deepwater drilling it isn't the only area for growth. West Africa and Brazil remain prolific in terms of discoveries and we are now seeing drilling in many new areas such as East Africa, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Red Sea, India and the rest of the Asia-Pacific.

"Ocean Rig is an experienced ultra deepwater rig operator that has drilled in harsh weather and sensitive environments with almost 10 years of experience. We have drilled 79 deep and ultra deepwater wells in 11 locations for 16 clients. We comply with the safety standards required to operate in the Norwegian North Sea, which are some of the strictest in the world. The long-term prospects of the ultra deepwater sector remain bright and we remain committed to the sector."

Financial Review: 2010 Second Quarter

The Company recorded net income of $8.7 million, or $0.02 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010, as compared to a net income of $51.5 million, or $0.24 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009. Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined and reconciled later in this press release, was $152.3 million for the second quarter of 2010 as compared to $74.2 million for the same period in 2009.

Included in the second quarter 2010 results are various items totaling $71.7 million, or $0.28 per share, which are described at the beginning of this press release. Excluding these items, our adjusted net income amounts to $80.4 million, or $0.30 per share.

Basic earnings per share, as defined earlier in this press release, for the second quarter of 2010 includes a non-cash accrual for the cumulative payment-in-kind dividends on the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, amounting to $2.5 million, which reduces the income available to common shareholders.

For the drybulk carrier segment, net voyage revenues (voyage revenues minus voyage expenses) increased by $8.9 million to $108.8 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010, as compared to $99.9 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009. For the offshore drilling segment, revenues from drilling contracts amounted to $109.0 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010 as compared to $100.6 million for the same period in 2009.

Total vessel and rig operating expenses and total depreciation and amortization decreased to $46.7 million and $48.3 million, respectively, for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010 from $51.4 million and $48.7 million, respectively, for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009. Total general and administrative expenses declined to $16.8 million in the second quarter of 2010 from $21.9 million during the comparative period in 2009.

Interest and finance costs, net of interest income, was relatively stable at $24.1 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010, compared to $22.1 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009.

Recent Events

--  George Economou, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
    appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer for the Company's
    fully-owned subsidiary Ocean Rig UDW, following the resignation of
    David Mullen.

Fleet List

The table below describes our drybulk fleet profile as of July 21, 2010


                      Year                  Gross rate Redelivery
                      Built    DWT     Type   Per day   Earliest   Latest

Fixed rate employment
---------------------
Capesize:
Alameda                 2001 170,662 Capesize $  21,000    Feb-11    May-11
Brisbane                1995 151,066 Capesize $  25,000    Dec-11    Apr-12
Capri                   2001 172,579 Capesize $  61,000    Apr-18    Jun-18
Flecha                  2004 170,012 Capesize $  55,000    Jul-18    Nov-18
Manasota                2004 171,061 Capesize $  67,000    Feb-13    Apr-13
Mystic                  2008 170,040 Capesize $  52,310    Aug-18    Dec-18
Samsara                 1996 150,393 Capesize $  57,000    Dec-11    Apr-12

Panamax:
Avoca                   2004  76,629  Panamax $  45,500    Sep-13    Dec-13
Bargara                 2002  74,832  Panamax $  43,750    May-12    Jul-12
Capitola                2001  74,816  Panamax $  39,500    Jun-13    Aug-13
Catalina                2005  74,432  Panamax $  40,000    Jun-13    Aug-13
Conquistador            2000  75,607  Panamax $  17,750    Aug-11    Nov-11
Coronado                2000  75,706  Panamax $  18,250    Sep-11    Nov-11
Ecola                   2001  73,925  Panamax $  43,500    Jun-12    Aug-12
La Jolla                1997  72,126  Panamax $  14,750    Aug-11    Nov-11
Levanto                 2001  73,931  Panamax $  16,800    Sep-11    Nov-11
Ligari                  2004  75,583  Panamax $  55,500    Jun-12    Aug-12
Maganari                2001  75,941  Panamax $  14,500    Jul-11    Sep-11
Majorca                 2005  74,747  Panamax $  43,750    Jun-12    Aug-12
Marbella                2000  72,561  Panamax $  14,750    Aug-11    Nov-11
Mendocino               2002  76,623  Panamax $  56,500    Jun-12    Sep-12
Ocean Crystal           1999  73,688  Panamax $  15,000    Aug-11    Nov-11
Oliva                   2009  75,208  Panamax $  17,850    Oct-11    Dec-11
Oregon                  2002  74,204  Panamax $  16,350    Aug-11    Oct-11
Padre                   2004  73,601  Panamax $  46,500    Sep-12    Dec-12
Positano                2000  73,288  Panamax $  42,500    Sep-13    Dec-13
Primera                 1998  72,495  Panamax $  18,250*   Dec-10    Dec-10
Rapallo                 2009  75,123  Panamax $  15,400    Aug-11    Oct-11
Redondo                 2000  74,716  Panamax $  34,500    Apr-13    Jun-13
Saldanha                2004  75,707  Panamax $  52,500    Jun-12    Sep-12
Samatan                 2001  74,823  Panamax $  39,500    May-13    Jul-13
Sonoma                  2001  74,786  Panamax $  19,300    Sep-11    Nov-11
Sorrento                2004  76,633  Panamax $  17,300    Sep-11    Dec-11
Toro                    1995  73,035  Panamax $  16,750    May-11    Jul-11
Xanadu                  1999  72,270  Panamax $  39,750    Jul-13    Sep-13


Supramax:
Pachino                 2002  51,201 Supramax $  20,250    Sep-10    Feb-11
Paros I                 2003  51,201 Supramax $  27,135    Oct-11    May-12


Newbuildings

Panamax 1               2011  76,000  Panamax
Panamax 2               2012  76,000  Panamax


* Based on a synthetic time charter





                            Summary Operating Data (unaudited)

                  (Dollars in thousands, except average daily results)

                                    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                         June 30,            June 30,
                                    ------------------  ------------------
                                      2009      2010      2009      2010
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
Average number of vessels(1)            37.3      37.0      37.5      37.3
Total voyage days for vessels(2)       3,358     3,330     6,633     6,644
Total calendar days for vessels(3)     3,394     3,367     6,785     6,751
Fleet utilization(4)                    99.0%     98.9%     97.8%     98.4%
Time charter equivalent(5)          $ 29,752  $ 32,659  $ 28,458  $ 32,455
Vessel operating expenses
 (daily)(6)                         $  5,266  $  4,849  $  5,317  $  5,271

(1) Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.

(2) Total voyage days for fleet are the total days the vessels were in our possession for the relevant period net of off hire days.

(3) Calendar days are the total number of days the vessels were in our possession for the relevant period including off hire days.

(4) Fleet utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels were available for revenue generating voyage days, and is determined by dividing voyage days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.

(5) Time charter equivalent, or TCE, is a measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel on a per voyage basis. Our method of calculating TCE is consistent with industry standards and is determined by dividing voyage revenues (net of voyage expenses) by voyage days for the relevant time period. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by the charterer under a time charter contract, as well as commissions. TCE is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods.

                                    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                         June 30,            June 30,
                                    ------------------  ------------------
                                      2009      2010      2009      2010
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
Voyage revenues                      106,866   115,266   204,468   229,169
Voyage expenses                       (6,959)   (6,511)  (15,705)  (13,537)
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
Time charter equivalent revenues      99,907   108,755   188,763   215,632
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------
Total voyage days for fleet            3,358     3,330     6,633     6,644
Time charter equivalent TCE           29,752    32,659    28,458    32,455

(6) Daily vessel operating expenses, which includes crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance, maintenance and repairs is calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period.

                           Financial Statements

        Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Expressed in Thousands
 of U.S. Dollars
 except for share and      Three Months Ended          Six Months Ended
 per share data)                June 30,                   June 30,
                        ------------------------  ------------------------
                            2009         2010         2009         2010
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------

REVENUES:
Voyage revenues         $   106,866  $   115,266  $   204,468  $   229,169
Revenues from drilling
 contracts                  100,642      108,972      196,680      189,228
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                            207,508      224,238      401,148      418,397

EXPENSES:
Voyage expenses               6,959        6,510       15,705       13,537
Vessel operating
 expenses                    17,873       16,327       36,078       35,586
Drilling rigs operating
 expenses                    33,556       30,408       65,839       59,508
Depreciation and
 amortization                48,736       48,324       97,153       95,482
Loss (gain) on sale of
 assets                           6          430       (2,432)     (10,254)
Loss on contract
 cancellations, net          44,764            -      211,416            -
General and
 administrative
 expenses                    21,929       16,823       43,420       44,011
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------

Operating income /
 (loss)                      33,685      105,416      (66,031)     180,527

OTHER INCOME /
 (EXPENSES):
Interest and finance
 costs, net of interest
 income                     (22,097)     (24,101)     (48,654)     (47,781)
Gain / (loss) on
 interest rate swaps         51,576      (63,790)      60,294      (98,427)
Other, net                   (2,074)      (1,481)        (535)      (7,209)
Income taxes                 (3,453)      (7,361)      (6,354)     (11,938)
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Total other income /
 (expenses), net             23,952      (96,733)       4,751     (165,355)
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------

Net income / (loss)          57,637        8,683      (61,280)      15,172

Net income attributable
 to Non controlling
 interests                   (6,115)           -       (6,115)           -
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------

Net  income / (loss)
 attributable
 to Dryships Inc.
 common stockholders    $    51,522  $     8,683  $   (67,395) $    15,172
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

Earnings/(loss) per
 common share, basic    $      0.24  $      0.02  $     (0.41) $      0.03
Weighted average number
 of shares, basic       216,344,623  255,199,773  163,011,168  255,012,737

Earnings/(loss) per
 common share, diluted  $      0.24  $      0.02  $     (0.41) $      0.03
Weighted average number
 of shares, diluted     216,344,623  255,199,773  163,011,168  255,012,737





              Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                  December 31,   June 30,
(Expressed in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)              2009         2010
                                                  ------------ ------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents                       $    693,169 $    394,002
  Restricted cash                                      350,833      470,187
  Trade accounts receivable, net                        66,681       51,251
  Other current assets                                  69,967       74,136
                                                  ------------ ------------
  Total current assets                               1,180,650      989,576
                                                  ------------ ------------

FIXED ASSETS, NET:
  Advances for assets under construction and
   acquisitions                                      1,174,693    1,670,452
  Vessels, net                                       2,058,329    1,969,307
  Drilling rigs, machinery and equipment, net        1,329,641    1,280,300
                                                  ------------ ------------
  Total fixed assets, net                            4,562,663    4,920,059
                                                  ------------ ------------

OTHER NON CURRENT ASSETS:
  Other non-current assets                              55,775       73,410
                                                  ------------ ------------
  Total non current assets                              55,775       73,410
                                                  ------------ ------------
  Total assets                                       5,799,088    5,983,045
                                                  ============ ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Current portion of long-term debt                  1,698,692    1,625,576
  Other current liabilities                            197,331      196,729
                                                  ------------ ------------
  Total current liabilities                          1,896,023    1,822,305
                                                  ------------ ------------

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES
 Long-term debt, net of current portion                985,992    1,095,400
 Other non-current liabilities                         112,438      183,123
                                                  ------------ ------------
Total non current liabilities                        1,098,430    1,278,523
                                                  ------------ ------------

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                                -            -

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Total stockholders' equity                         2,804,635    2,882,217
                                                  ------------ ------------
  Total liabilities and stockholders equity       $  5,799,088 $  5,983,045
                                                  ============ ============

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and gains or losses on interest rate swaps. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operations, as determined by United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, and our calculation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is included herein because it is a basis upon which the Company measures its operations and efficiency. Adjusted EBITDA is also used by our lenders as a measure of our compliance with certain covenants contained in our loan agreements and because the Company believes that it presents useful information to investors regarding a company's ability to service and/or incur indebtedness.

The following table reconciles net income to Adjusted EBITDA:

              Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                      Three     Three     Six       Six
                                     Months    Months    Months    Months
                                      Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended
                                    June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)                2009      2010      2009      2010
                                    --------  --------- --------  ---------
Net income / (loss)                   51,522      8,683  (67,395)    15,172

Add: Net interest expense             22,097     24,101   48,654     47,781
Add: Depreciation and amortization    48,736     48,324   97,153     95,482
Add: Income taxes                      3,453      7,361    6,354     11,938
Add: Loss (gain) on interest rate
 swaps                               (51,576)    63,790  (60,294)    98,427

                                    --------  --------- --------  ---------
Adjusted EBITDA                       74,232    152,259   24,472    268,800
                                    ========  ========= ========  =========

Conference Call and Webcast: Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. EDT

As announced, the Company's management team will host a conference call, on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to discuss the Company's financial results.

Conference Call Details

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1(866) 819-7111 (from the US), 0(800) 953-0329 (from the UK) or +(44) (0) 1452 542 301 (from outside the US). Please quote "DryShips."

A replay of the conference call will be available until August 5, 2010. The United States replay number is 1(866) 247-4222; from the UK 0(800) 953-1533; the standard international replay number is (+44) (0) 1452 550 000 and the access code required for the replay is: 2133051#.

A replay of the conference call will also be available on the Company's website at www.dryships.com under the Investor Relations section.

Slides and Audio Webcast

There will also be a simultaneous live webcast over the Internet, through the DryShips Inc. website (www.dryships.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

About DryShips Inc.

DryShips Inc., based in Greece, is an owner and operator of drybulk carriers and offshore oil deep water drilling that operate worldwide. As of the day of this release, DryShips owns a fleet of 39 drybulk carriers (including newbuildings) comprising seven Capesize carriers, 30 Panamax carriers and two Supramax carriers, with a combined deadweight tonnage of over 3.5 million tons, two ultra deep water semisubmersible drilling rigs and four ultra deep water newbuilding drillships.

DryShips Inc.'s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market where it trades under the symbol "DRYS."

Visit the Company's website at www.dryships.com

Forward-Looking Statement

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 we believe 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, we 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 our operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking 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.

Contact Information: Investor Relations / Media: Nicolas Bornozis Capital Link, Inc. (New York) Tel. 212-661-7566 E-mail: dryships@capitallink.com

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