Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2011 Results

Completes Newbuilding Program


NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (Nasdaq:EGLE) today announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

For the Third Quarter:

  • Net reported loss of $5.9 million or $0.09 per share (based on a weighted average of 62,652,724 diluted shares outstanding for the quarter), compared to net income of $8.2 million, or $0.13 per share, for the comparable quarter in 2010.
  • Net revenues of $80.3 million, an increase of 10% compared to $72.8 million for the comparable quarter in 2010. Gross time charter and freight revenues increased 10% to $84.0 million, compared to only time charter revenues of $76.4 million for the comparable quarter in 2010.
  • EBITDA, as adjusted for exceptional items under the terms of the Company's credit agreement, was $25,931,089 for the third quarter of 2011, compared with $41,129,782 for the third quarter of 2010.
  • Fleet utilization rate of 99.4%.
  • Took delivery of four newbuilding vessels, Owl, Petrel, Puffin, and Roadrunner.

Completed sale of Heron, 2001-built Supramax.

Subsequent Events:

  • Took delivery of the Sandpiper, the last vessel of our newbuilding program.

Sophocles N. Zoullas, Chairman and CEO, commented, "With the delivery of the Sandpiper, we have now successfully completed our newbuilding program. Eagle Bulk's fleet totals 45 vessels, with an average age of only 4.4 years, making it one of the largest and youngest Supramax fleets in the world.

"Going forward, the highly favorable operating characteristics of our fully-built Supramax fleet, together with strong commercial relationships in key global trading markets, should position our assets for relative outperformance in a challenging market." 

Results of Operations for the three-month period ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

For the third quarter of 2011, the Company reported a net loss of $5,872,211 or $0.09 per share, based on a weighted average of 62,652,724 diluted shares outstanding. In the comparable third quarter of 2010, the Company reported net income of $8,226,153 or $0.13 per share, based on a weighted average of 62,442,046 diluted shares outstanding.

The Company's revenues were earned from time and voyage charters. Gross revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 2011 were $83,987,828, an increase of 10% from $76,410,067 recorded in the comparable quarter in 2010. The increase in gross revenues is attributable to voyage charter revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 2011 of $19,218,936, compared to $3,738,973 in the comparable quarter in 2010, and operation of a larger fleet offset by lower charter rates. Gross revenues recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, include an amount of $1,267,242 and $1,388,101, respectively, relating to the non-cash amortization of fair value below contract value of time charters acquired. Brokerage commissions incurred on revenues earned in the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were $3,664,459 and $3,584,484, respectively. Net revenues during the quarter ended September 30, 2011, increased 10% to $80,323,369 from $72,825,583 in the comparable quarter in 2010.

Total operating expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 were $72,507,439 compared with $51,248,337 recorded in the third quarter of 2010. The Company operated 44 vessels in the third quarter of 2011 compared with 38 vessels in the corresponding quarter in 2010. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increase in voyage expenses, charter hire expenses and operating a larger fleet size which includes increases in vessels crew cost, general and administrative expenses and vessel depreciation expense.

EBITDA, adjusted for exceptional items under the terms of the Company's credit agreement, decreased to $25,931,089 for the third quarter of 2011, compared with $41,129,782 for the third quarter of 2010. (Please see below for a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income/loss).

Results of Operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company reported net loss of $13,120,770 or $0.21 per share, based on a weighted average of 62,595,165 diluted shares outstanding. In the comparable period of 2010, the Company reported net income of $23,811,709 or $0.38 per share, based on a weighted average of 62,392,441 diluted shares outstanding.

The Company's revenues were earned from time and voyage charters. Gross revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 were $255,505,905, an increase of 26% from $202,834,935 recorded in the comparable period in 2010. The increase in gross revenues is attributable to voyage charter revenues in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 of $63,426,973, compared to $3,738,973 in the comparable nine-month period in 2010, and operation of a larger fleet offset by lower charter rates. Gross revenues recorded in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, include an amount of $3,833,571 and $3,424,205, respectively, relating to the non-cash amortization of fair value below contract value of time charters acquired. Brokerage commissions incurred on revenues earned in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were $12,084,373 and $10,152,787, respectively. Net revenues during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, increased 26% to $243,421,532 from $192,682,148 in the comparable period in 2010.

Total operating expenses were $220,906,297 in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 compared to $131,874,254 recorded in the same period of 2010. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increase in voyage expenses, charter hire expenses and operating a larger fleet size which includes increases in vessels crew cost, insurance cost, general and administrative expenses and vessel depreciation expense. General and administrative expenses include a $6,586,900 allowance for bad debts related to amounts receivable from Korea Lines Corporation who have filed for protective receivership and have received South Korea court approval for rehabilitation.

EBITDA, adjusted for exceptional items under the terms of the Company's credit agreement, decreased by 32% to $78,863,461 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from $115,737,376 for the same period in 2010. (Please see below for a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income/loss).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, was $37,107,799 and $85,798,578, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to lower rates on charter renewals and increased operational costs.

Net cash used in investing activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, was $134,649,768, compared to $245,555,691 during the corresponding nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. Investing activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 related primarily to making progress payments and incurring related vessel construction expenses for the newbuilding vessels, of which seven and twelve delivered during the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net cash used in financing activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, was $4,305,717, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $217,549,637 during the corresponding nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. Financing activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, primarily involved borrowings of $223,494,867 from our revolving credit facility.  

As of September 30, 2011, our cash balance was $27,273,994, compared to a cash balance of $129,121,680 at December 31, 2010. In addition, our Restricted cash balance include $276,056, for collateralizing letters of credit relating to our office leases and $1,645,804 which collateralize for our derivatives position as of September 30, 2011.

At September 30, 2011, the Company's debt consisted of $1,129,478,741 in net borrowings under the amended Revolving Credit Facility. These borrowings consisted of $1,120,115,801 for the 44 vessels currently in operation and $9,362,940 to fund the Company's newbuilding program.

On September 26, 2011, the Company entered into a Sixth Amendatory and Commercial Framework Implementation Agreement (the "Sixth Amendment") to its Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 19, 2007.  The Commercial Framework Agreement expires on April 30, 2012.

Among other provisions, the Sixth Amendment suspends the Company's compliance with the Minimum Adjusted Net Worth covenant until April 30, 2012. It also suspends compliance with the Minimum Liquidity covenant until January 30, 2012; from January 31, 2012 until March 30, 2012, the Minimum Liquidity covenant is reduced to $500,000 multiplied by the number of vessels owned; and from March 31 until April 29, 2012 the Company is required to maintain cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $27,000,000 and thereafter in the amount of $36,000,000. Until April 30, 2012, the calculation of Minimum Liquidity covenant includes undrawn facility amounts as cash and cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2011 the undrawn amount is $21,875,735. The Sixth Amendment requires the Company to obtain the lenders' consent for additional vessel dispositions during the commercial framework period, and to make reasonable efforts to meet certain reporting requirements to the lenders.

Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA represents operating earnings before extraordinary items, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and income taxes, if any. EBITDA is included because it is used by certain investors to measure a company's financial performance. EBITDA is not an item recognized by GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for net income, cash flow from operating activities and other operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA is presented to provide additional information with respect to the Company's ability to satisfy its obligations including debt service, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. While EBITDA is frequently used as a measure of operating results and the ability to meet debt service requirements, the definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.

The following table is a reconciliation of net income, as reflected in the consolidated statements of operations, to the Credit Agreement EBITDA:

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September
30, 2011
September
30, 2010
September
30, 2011
September
30, 2010
Net Income (loss) $(5,872,211) $ 8,226,153 $(13,120,770) $ 23,811,709
Interest Expense 12,390,455 13,432,885 35,399,362 37,217,625
Depreciation and Amortization 18,660,293 17,193,853 53,459,509 46,437,290
Amortization of fair value below contract value of time charter acquired (1,267,242) (1,388,101) (3,833,571) (3,424,205)
EBITDA 23,911,295 37,464,790 71,904,530 104,042,419
Adjustments for Exceptional Items:        
Non-cash Compensation Expense (1) 2,019,794 3,664,992 6,958,931 11,694,957
Credit Agreement EBITDA $ 25,931,089 $ 41,129,782 $ 78,863,461 $ 115,737,376
         
(1) Stock based compensation related to stock options and restricted stock units.      

Capital Expenditures and Drydocking

Our capital expenditures relate to the purchase of vessels and capital improvements to our vessels which are expected to enhance the revenue earning capabilities and safety of these vessels.

We may incur additional capital expenditures from time to time related to our acquired vessels. As of September 30, 2011, our fleet consists of 44 vessels which are currently operational and one newbuilding vessels which have been contracted for construction. 

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, the Company's other major capital expenditures include funding the Company's maintenance program of regularly scheduled drydocking necessary to preserve the quality of our vessels as well as to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. Although the Company has some flexibility regarding the timing of its dry docking, the costs are relatively predictable. Management anticipates that vessels are to be drydocked every two and a half years. Funding of these requirements is anticipated to be met with cash from operations. We anticipate that this process of recertification will require us to reposition these vessels from a discharge port to shipyard facilities, which will reduce our available days and operating days during that period.

Drydocking costs incurred are amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the period through the date the next drydocking for those vessels are scheduled to occur. One vessel was drydocked in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The following table represents certain information about the estimated costs for anticipated vessel drydockings in the next four quarters, along with the anticipated off-hire days: 

     
Quarter Ending Off-hire Days(1) Projected Costs(2)
December 31, 2011 22 $0.55 million
March 31, 2012 22 $0.55 million
June 30, 2012 44 $1.10 million
September 30, 2012 -- --
     
(1) Actual duration of drydocking will vary based on the condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors.
(2) Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed.

Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data:

The following table summarizes the Company's selected consolidated financial and other data for the periods indicated below. 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
   
   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
  September
30, 2011
September
30, 2010
September
30, 2011
September
30, 2010
         
         
Revenues, net of commissions $80,323,369 $72,825,583  $243,421,532 $192,682,148
         
Voyage expenses 11,995,164 1,438,521 35,941,960 1,438,521
Vessel expenses 22,000,678 19,075,233 62,763,849 50,605,567
Charter hire expenses 11,058,796 2,837,980 38,013,289 2,837,980
Depreciation and amortization 18,660,293 17,193,853 53,459,509 46,437,290
General and administrative expenses 8,283,432 10,993,761 30,218,614 30,845,907
Loss (gain) from sale of vessel 509,076 (291,011) 509,076 (291,011)
Total operating expenses 72,507,439 51,248,337 220,906,297 131,874,254
         
Operating income 7,815,930 21,577,246 22,515,235 60,807,894
         
Interest expense 12,390,455 13,432,885 35,399,362 37,217,625
Interest income (35,796) (81,792) (122,930) (221,440)
Other expense 1,333,482 359,573
Total other expense, net 13,688,141 13,351,093 35,636,005 36,996,185
         
Net income (loss) $(5,872,211) $8,226,153 $(13,120,770) $23,811,709
         
Weighted average shares outstanding :        
Basic 62,652,724 62,224,675 62,595,165 62,163,617
Diluted 62,652,724 62,442,046 62,595,165 62,392,441
 
Per share amounts:
       
Basic net income (loss) $(0.09) $0.13 $(0.21) $0.38

Fleet Operating Data

     
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
2011
September 30,
2010
September 30,
2011
September 30,
2010
Ownership Days 3,938 3,510 11,168 9,462
Chartered-in under operating lease Days 582 140 2,240 140
Available Days 4,489 3,628 13,336 9,520
Operating Days 4,464 3,623 13,243 9,480
Fleet Utilization 99.4% 99.9% 99.3% 99.6%
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS      
       
   September 30,
2011 (
unaudited)
  December 31,
2010
ASSETS:      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $27,273,994   $129,121,680
Accounts receivable 22,482,466   14,366,495
Prepaid expenses 3,658,581   3,459,721
Inventories 8,277,696   3,190,052
Fair value above contract value of time charters acquired 573,428   594,611
Total current assets 62,266,165   150,732,559
Noncurrent assets:      
Vessels and vessel improvements, at cost, net of accumulated
depreciation of $220,746,446 and $176,824,438, respectively
 
1,762,282,000
   
1,509,798,249
Advances for vessel construction 22,292,800   191,477,225
Other fixed assets, net of accumulated amortization of $274,224 and $153,375,  
 respectively
 
642,287
   
420,204
Restricted cash 1,921,860   19,790,341
Deferred drydock costs 3,319,881   4,217,071
Deferred financing costs 12,928,468   16,458,496
Fair value above contract value of time charters acquired 3,182,070   3,608,812
Other assets and accounts receivable, net of allowance 4,160,020   70,001
Total noncurrent assets 1,810,729,386   1,745,840,399
Total assets $1,872,995,551   $1,896,572,958
       
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $9,398,653   $6,089,273
Accrued interest 4,640,699   6,651,554
Other accrued liabilities 14,560,107   5,850,474
Deferred revenue and fair value below contract value of time charters acquired 6,009,310   5,705,326
Unearned revenue 5,857,686   6,091,332
Fair value of derivative instruments 505,647   127,758
Total current liabilities 40,972,102   30,515,717
Noncurrent liabilities:      
Long-term debt 1,129,478,741   1,151,354,476
Deferred revenue and fair value below contract value of time charters acquired 18,914,504   23,480,740
Fair value of derivative instruments 13,444,552   22,135,507
Total noncurrent liabilities 1,161,837,797   1,196,970,723
Total liabilities 1,202,809,899   1,227,486,440
Commitment and contingencies      
Stockholders' equity:      
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued  
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 62,663,821 shares issued  and outstanding  
626,638
   
625,604
Additional paid‑in capital 743,779,073   738,251,158
Retained earnings (net of accumulated dividends declared of $262,118,388 as of  
 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)
 
(60,775,507)
   
(47,654,737)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (13,444,552)   (22,135,507)
  Total stockholders' equity 670,185,652   669,086,518
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,872,995,551   $1,896,572,958
     
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
   
  Nine Months Ended  
  September 30,
2011
  September 30,
2010
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income (loss) $(13,120,770)   $23,811,709
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Items included in net income not affecting cash flows:      
Depreciation 51,014,334   44,151,616
Amortization of deferred drydocking costs 2,445,175   2,285,674
Amortization of deferred financing costs 3,014,720   2,246,917
Amortization of fair value below contract value of time charter acquired (3,833,571)   (3,424,205)
Loss (Gain) from sale of vessel 509,076   (291,011)
Unrealized gain from forward freight agreements, net 377,889  
Allowance for accounts receivable 6,586,900  
Non‑cash compensation expense 6,958,931   11,694,957
Drydocking expenditures (2,074,115)   (1,505,520)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable (16,264,471)   (4,028,033)
Other assets (2,528,419)   (60,582)
Prepaid expenses (198,860)   85,783
Inventories (5,087,644)   (884,234)
Accounts payable 3,309,380   612,861
Accrued interest (2,495,987)   (3,739,062)
Accrued expenses 8,709,633   11,630,204
Deferred revenue 19,244   (262,098)
Unearned revenue (233,646)   3,473,602
Net cash provided by operating activities 37,107,799   85,798,578
       
 Cash flows from investing activities:      
Vessels and vessel improvements and advances for vessel construction (155,686,543)   (266,422,482)
Purchase of other fixed assets (342,932)   (188,993)
Proceeds from sale of vessel 22,511,226   21,055,784
Changes in restricted cash (1,131,519)  
Net cash used in investing activities (134,649,768)   (245,555,691)
       
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Bank borrowings   223,494,867
Repayment of bank debt (21,875,735)  
Changes in restricted cash 19,000,000   (5,500,000)
Cash used to settle net share equity awards (1,429,982)   (445,230)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (4,305,717)   217,549,637
       
Net (decrease) increase in cash (101,847,686)   57,792,524
Cash at beginning of period 129,121,680   71,344,773
Cash at end of period $27,273,994   $129,137,297

The following table represents certain information about the Company's revenue earning charters on its operating fleet:

         
Vessel Year
Built
Dwt Time Charter Expiration (1) Daily Time
Charter Hire Rate
Avocet  2010 53,462 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Bittern  2009 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Canary  2009 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Cardinal  2004 55,362 Dec 2012 to Feb 2013 Index(3)
Condor(4) 2001 50,296 Oct 2011 $14,500
Crane  2010 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Crested Eagle 2009 55,989 Dec 2011 to Feb 2012 $13,300
Crowned Eagle  2008 55,940 Aug 2012 to Oct 2012 $14,000
Egret Bulker 2010 57,809 Oct 2012 to Feb 2013 $17,650(5)
Falcon  2001 50,296 Dec 2011 to Mar 2012 $14,000
Gannet Bulker 2010 57,809 Jan 2013 to July 2013 $17,650(5)
Golden Eagle  2010 55,989 Nov 2011 to Jan 2012 $15,750
Goldeneye(6) 2002 52,421 Nov 2011 to Dec 2011 $17,000
Grebe Bulker 2010 57,809 Feb 2013 to Jun 2013 $17,650(5)
Harrier(4) 2001 50,296 Oct 2011 $12,500
Hawk I  2001 50,296 Nov 2011 to Jan 2012 $13,500
Ibis Bulker 2010 57,775 Mar 2013 to Jul 2013 $17,650(5)
Imperial Eagle  2010 55,989 Nov 2012 to Feb 2013 Index(3)
Jaeger  2004 52,248 Nov 2012 to Jan 2013 Index(3)
Jay 2010 57,802 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Kestrel I  2004 50,326 Aug 2012 to Oct 2012 Index
Kingfisher 2010 57,776 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Kite  1997 47,195 Nov 2011 $12,000
Kittiwake 2002 53,146 Jan 2012 to Mar 2012 $14,950
Martin 2010 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Merlin(4) 2001 50,296 Oct 2011 Voyage
 Nighthawk 2011 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
 Oriole 2011 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
 Osprey I  2002 50,206 Dec 2011 to Mar 2012 $14,000
 Owl 2011 57,809 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Petrel 2011 57,809 Jul 2014 to Nov 2014 $17,650(5)
Puffin 2011 57,809 May 2014 to Sep 2014 $17,650(5)
Peregrine 2001 50,913 Nov 2011 to Feb 2012 $12,650
Redwing(4) 2007 53,411 Oct 2011 $15,250
Roadrunner(7) 2011 57,809 Nov 2011 Voyage
Shrike 2003 53,343 Jan 2012 to Mar 2012 $14,500
Skua  2003 53,350 Dec 2011 to Feb 2012 $14,500
Sparrow  2000 48,225 Nov 2011 to Feb 2012 $13,500
Stellar Eagle(4) 2009 55,989 Oct 2011 $15,500
Tern  2003 50,200 Dec 2011 $14,000
Thrasher  2010 53,360 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Thrush  2011 53,297 Jan 2012 to Apr 2012 $15,500
Woodstar  2008 53,390 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
Wren  2008 53,349 Dec 2018/Apr 2019 $17,000(2)
 
(1) The date range provided represents the earliest and latest date on which the charterer may redeliver the vessel to the Company upon the termination of the charter. The time charter hire rates presented are gross daily charter rates before brokerage commissions, ranging from 1.25% to 6.25%, to third party ship brokers.
(2) Up to December 2015 with 100% profit share between $17,000 to $21,000 and 50% profit share thereafter, from January 2016 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019 with 50% profit share above $17,000.
(3) Index, an average of the trailing Baltic Supramax Index. 
(4) Upon conclusion of the previous time charter the vessel will commence a short term time charter for up to six months.
(5) With a 50% profit share over $20,000 per day. The charterer has an option to extend the charter by 2 periods of 11 to 13 months each.
(6) Upon conclusion of the previous time charter the vessel will commence an index based for 11 to 14 months charter.
(7) Upon conclusion of the previous time charter the vessel will commence into a long-term time charter with expiration in October 2014 to December 2014 at a daily charter rate of $17,650 with a 50% profit share over $20,000 per day. The charterer has an option to extend the charter by 2 periods of 11 to 13 months each.

As of September 30, 2011, the following table represents certain information about the Company's newbuilding vessel being constructed and its expected employment upon delivery:

           
Vessel  Dwt Year
Built
(1)
Time Charter
Employment
Expiration
(2)
Daily
Time
Charter
Hire
Rate
(3)
Profit Share
Sandpiper (4) 58,000 2011 Jul 2014 to Nov 2014  $17,650 50% over
$20,000
   
(1) Vessel was delivered on October 19, 2011.   
(2) The date range represents the earliest and latest date on which the charterer may redeliver the vessel to the Company upon the termination of the charter. 
(3) The time charter hire rate presented is the gross daily charter rate before brokerage commissions. 
(4) The charterer has an option to extend the charter by two periods of 11 to 13 months each.

Glossary of Terms:

Ownership days: The Company defines ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in its fleet has been owned. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of the fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that is recorded during a period.

Chartered-in under operating lease days: The Company defines chartered-in under operating lease days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which the Company chartered-in vessels.

Available days: The Company defines available days as the number of ownership days less the aggregate number of days that its vessels are off-hire due to vessel familiarization upon acquisition, scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.

Operating days: The Company defines operating days as the number of its available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that the vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

Fleet utilization: The Company calculates fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades, special surveys or vessel positioning. Our fleet continues to perform at very high utilization rates.

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, members of Eagle Bulk's senior management team will host a teleconference and webcast on Tuesday, November 8th, to discuss these results.

To participate in the teleconference, investors and analysts are invited to call 866-203-2528 in the U.S., or 617-213-8847 outside of the U.S., and reference participant code 56185303. A simultaneous webcast of the call, including a slide presentation for interested investors and others, may be accessed by visiting http://www.eagleships.com.

A replay will be available following the call until 11:59 PM ET on November 15, 2011. To access the replay, call 888-286-8010 in the U.S., or 617-801-6888 outside of the U.S., and reference passcode 98813289.

About Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. is a Marshall Islands corporation headquartered in New York. The Company is a leading global owner of Supramax dry bulk vessels that range in size from 50,000 to 60,000 deadweight tons and transport a broad range of major and minor bulk cargoes, including iron ore, coal, grain, cement and fertilizer, along worldwide shipping routes.

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 Eagle Bulk Shipping 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, Eagle Bulk Shipping 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 charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydocking, changes in our vessel operating expenses, including dry-docking and insurance costs, or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from 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 Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Visit our website at www.eagleships.com



            

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