Star Bulk Takes Delivery of Capesize Vessel; Expands Its Operational Fleet to Thirteen Vessels


ATHENS, GREECE--(Marketwire - October 1, 2008) - Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: SBLK) announced today that it has taken delivery of the Star Ypsilon, a Capesize bulk carrier of approximately 150,940 dwt, built in 1991 in Japan. The vessel is chartered for about 3 years at charter rates significantly higher than current market levels.

With the delivery of Star Ypsilon, Star Bulk's operational fleet currently consists of thirteen dry bulk carriers, plus the Company has a definitive agreement to sell its oldest vessel, Star Iota, a Panamax vessel. The contracted fleet operating days under time charter in 2008, 2009 and 2010 is currently 100%, 90% and 69%, respectively.

Akis Tsirigakis, President and CEO of Star Bulk, commented: "We are pleased to have taken delivery of the Star Ypsilon a vessel with a period time charter at significantly higher rates than current market levels. Of particular significance is the fact that the contracted revenue over three years exceeds the purchase price of the vessel. Our strategy of significant forward coverage provides a visible and secure revenue stream which counteracts charter rate volatility."

Fleet Table:
                                                         Time
                               Year    Time Charter    Charter
Vessel Name   Type     DWT     Built    Expiry (1)     Rate (2)
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
Capesize Fleet
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
Star Alpha  Capesize   175,075  1992 Jul 5-Oct 5, 2009 $  47,500
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
Star Beta   Capesize   174,691  1993 Feb 12-May 2,2010 $ 106,500
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
                                     Mar 1-Mar 31,2009 $ 100,000
                                         Mar 2010      $  69,000
Star Sigma  Capesize   184,400  1991     Mar 2011      $  63,000
                                       Mar-Aug 2012    $  57,000
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
                                         Jul 2009      $ 112,600
Star        Capesize   150,940  1991     Jul 2010      $  93,300
 Ypsilon                                 Jul 2011      $  74,100
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
Supramax Fleet
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
                                     Jan 4-Feb 14,2009 $  28,500
                                          Feb 2010     $  45,000
Star Gamma  Supramax    53,098  2002      Feb 2011     $  38,000
                                        Jan-Mar 2012   $  31,000
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
Star Delta  Supramax    52,434  2000 Feb 7-May 7, 2009 $  25,800
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
                                       Dec 15, '08-
Star                                    Mar 15, '09    $  25,550
 Epsilon    Supramax    52,402  2001 Feb 2014-May 2014 $  32,400
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
                                         May 2008      $  65,000
Star Zeta   Supramax    52,994  2003 Apr 2011-Jul 2011 $  42,500
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
                                         April 2-
Star Theta  Supramax    52,425  2003   Jun 16, 2009    $  32,500
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
                                         Aug 24-
Star Kappa  Supramax    52,055  2001   Nov 23, 2010    $  47,800
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
Star
 Omicron    Supramax    53,489  2005   Feb - May 2011  $  43,000
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
                                         Mar 2009      $  55,900
Star Cosmo  Supramax    52,247  2005     Mar 2010      $  41,900
                                         Mar 2011      $  27,900
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
Sold Vessels --
 To be Delivered
 to Buyers
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
Star Iota(3) Panamax    78,585  1983 Mar 7-Apr 17,2009 $  18,000
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------
Grand Total       13 1,184,835
            -------- --------- ----- ----------------- ---------

(1) Range represents the earliest and latest expiry dates allowed by
    the charter party. Charterers have the right to add off-hire days, if
    any, which occurred during the charter period.
(2) Represents the gross daily rate
(3) Star Iota is expected to be delivered to its new owners in
    September / October 2008

About Star Bulk

Star Bulk is a global shipping company providing worldwide seaborne transportation solutions in the dry bulk sector. Star Bulk's vessels transport major bulks, which include iron ore, coal and grain and minor bulks such as bauxite, fertilizers and steel products. Star Bulk was incorporated in the Marshall Islands on December 13, 2006 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece. Its common stock and warrants trade on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbols "SBLK" and "SBLKW" respectively. Currently, Star Bulk has an operating fleet of thirteen dry bulk carriers, plus definitive agreements to sell its Panamax dry bulk carrier. The total fleet consists of four Capesize, one Panamax and eight Supramax dry bulk vessels with an average age of approximately 10 years and a combined cargo carrying capacity of 1,184,835 deadweight tons.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: (1) the delivery and operation of assets of Star Bulk; (2) Star Bulk's future operating or financial results; (3) future, pending or recent acquisitions, business strategy, areas of possible expansion, and expected capital spending or operating expenses; (4) drybulk market trends, including charter rates and factors affecting vessel supply and demand; and (5) other statements identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "may," or words of similar meaning.

Such forward looking statements are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, Star Bulk's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in their records and other data available from third parties. Although Star Bulk 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 their control, Star Bulk cannot assure you that Star Bulk will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the failure of a seller to deliver one or more vessels, 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 Star Bulk's 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. Additional factors that could cause Star Bulk's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Star Bulk's Registration Statement on Form F-1/F-4 and reports on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and Star Bulk disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this communication.

Contact Information: Contacts: Company: George Syllantavos CFO Star Bulk Carriers Corp. Aethrion Center, Suite B-34 40 Ag. Konstantinou Maroussi 15124 Athens, Greece E-mail: ir@starbulk.com www.starbulk.com Investor Relations / Financial Media: Nicolas Bornozis President Capital Link, Inc. 230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536 New York, NY 10169 Tel. (212) 661-7566 E-mail: nbornozis@capitallink.com www.capitallink.com

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