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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
Registration No. 333-174053
PROSPECTUS
 
 
14,250,000 Shares
 
(DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC LOGO)
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Diana Containerships Inc. is offering 14,250,000 shares of its common stock. Each share of common stock sold in this offering includes preferred stock purchase rights that trade with the common stock.
 
We are a Marshall Islands corporation with our principal office in Athens, Greece. Our common shares are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “DCIX.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on June 9, 2011 was $7.95 per share.
 
Diana Shipping Inc. has agreed to purchase approximately $20.0 million of our common stock in a concurrent private placement at the public offering price. As part of this offering, the underwriters are selling an aggregate of 1,625,000 shares of our common stock to, or to entities affiliated with, certain of our executives, directors and principal stockholders and certain members of their families at the public offering price.
 
 
 
 
Investing in our common shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15 of this prospectus.
 
                 
    Per Share
    Total
 
   
   
 
Public offering price
  $ 7.50     $ 106,875,000.00  
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)
  $ 0.375     $ 4,734,375.00  
Proceeds, before expenses, to us(1)
  $ 7.125     $ 102,140,625.00  
 
 
(1)  The underwriters have agreed to sell an aggregate of 1,625,000 shares of our common stock to, or to entities affiliated with, certain of our executives, directors and principal stockholders and certain members of their families, at the public offering price. The underwriters will not receive any underwriting discount on the sale of such shares.
 
We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,137,500 shares of common stock from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount if the underwriters sell more than 14,250,000 shares of common stock in this offering.
 
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful and complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about June 15, 2011.
 
 
Wells Fargo Securities BofA Merrill Lynch Jefferies
 
BB&T Capital Markets Morgan Keegan Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
 
Dahlman Rose & Company DnB NOR Markets RS Platou Markets
 
Prospectus dated June 9, 2011.


 

 
 
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You may rely on the information contained in this prospectus. Neither we nor any of the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide information different from that contained in this prospectus. When you make a decision about whether to invest in our common stock, you should not rely upon any information other than the information in this prospectus. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor sale of common stock means that information contained in this prospectus is correct after the date of this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy these shares of common stock in any circumstances under which the offer of solicitation is unlawful.


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SUMMARY
 
This summary highlights selected information disclosed in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus. It is not complete and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you and to your investment decision. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, by the documents summarized in this prospectus and by the financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. You should carefully read this entire prospectus and should consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” before deciding to invest in our common shares.
 
We use the term TEU in describing the size of containerships. TEU is a standard measure of a containership’s cargo-carrying capacity used in the container shipping sector. It means the space that would be occupied by a container having the International Organization for Standardization’s standard external dimensions, the length of which is 20 feet, the height of which is 8.5 feet and the width of which is 8.0 feet. Deadweight tons, or dwt, expressed in metric tons, each of which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, refers to the maximum weight of cargo and supplies that a vessel can carry. As used throughout this prospectus, the term “ton” refers to metric ton, unless otherwise indicated.
 
The information presented in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. Unless we specify otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” refer to Diana Containerships Inc. and its subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” in this prospectus are to, and amounts are presented in, U.S. dollars.
 
Except where we or the content otherwise indicate, the information in this prospectus assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option described on the cover page of this prospectus and assumes that common stock sold in this offering is sold at $7.95 per share, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on June 9, 2011.
 
Overview
 
Diana Containerships, Inc. was incorporated in the Marshall Islands on January 7, 2010, at what we believe to have been a low period of the containership cycle, to capitalize on what we perceived to be a long-term opportunity in the sector. Our objective is to build a global containership business by making acquisitions that are accretive to our dividends per share. The two vessels that we own today are chartered to A.P. Møller-Maersk A/S, or Maersk, and CSAV Valparaiso, or CSAV, two leading container lines. Furthermore, we have contracted to acquire one 4,206 TEU containership, the MV Maersk Madrid, which we expect will be delivered to us on or about June 13, 2011 and two 4,714 TEU containerships, the MV Maersk Malacca and MV Maersk Merlion, which we expect will be delivered to us on or about June 21 and June 14, 2011, respectively. Each of these three vessels will be chartered to Maersk upon their delivery to us. We refer to these five vessels as our Initial Fleet. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol DCIX.
 
We were founded by and share senior executives and a technical and commercial manager with Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), or Diana Shipping or our Founder, a leading global provider of transportation services for drybulk cargoes. Diana Shipping was formed near the bottom of the drybulk cycle in 1999 with an initial fleet of six newbuilding vessels, which has since grown to 25 vessels as a result of acquisitions throughout the cycle. We believe that our management’s experience building Diana Shipping throughout the drybulk shipping cycle has positioned us to replicate that success during a similar period in the containership sector. As of the date of this prospectus, Diana Shipping owns 666,818 common shares, or approximately 10.9% of our outstanding common stock, and plans to purchase $20 million of stock in a private placement concurrently with this offering at the public offering price. In addition, our management owns an additional 718,191 common shares. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering and the concurrent private placement, together with cash on hand, to repay in full our existing term loan facility, to fund a portion of the acquisition cost of the three containerships that we have agreed to acquire from Maersk, and for additional containership acquisitions and/or general corporate purposes, including working capital.
 
In order to enhance returns, we plan to focus on vessels ranging from 2,500 TEU to 7,500 TEU because we believe that the current containership orderbook composition, matched with global GDP growth, creates a favorable multi-year dynamic of supply and demand for these mid-sized containerships. We will


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also focus on secondhand vessels and re-sale newbuildings because they will contribute to our cash flows immediately. In line with our existing fleet, we will favor sister-ships as we believe that they increase our operating efficiency and profitability. As industry dynamics change, we might opportunistically acquire containerships outside of these parameters in order to increase dividends per share.
 
Commencing with the second quarter of 2011, we intend to declare a variable quarterly dividend each February, May, August and November substantially equal to approximately 70% of our available cash from operations during the previous quarter after the payment of cash expenses. The remaining available cash from operations is expected to be used for reserves for scheduled drydockings, intermediate and special surveys and other purposes as our board of directors may from time to time determine are required, after taking into account contingent liabilities, the terms of any credit facility, our growth strategy and other cash needs and the requirements of Marshall Islands law.
 
We have an existing term loan facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA. This facility, together with available cash of the company, is available to us to fund the balance of the acquisition costs of the additional vessels that we have agreed to acquire. We will use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering, together with cash on hand, to repay in full and terminate this facility and following the completion of this offering will have no outstanding debt. In addition to the above we are currently in discussions with lenders regarding a $150 million revolving credit facility, which we refer to as our Credit Facility.
 
Market Opportunity
 
We believe that the following factors create opportunities for us to successfully execute our business plan and grow our business:
 
Containerized Trade Volumes Have Recovered
 
Since the 1960s, when containers were first used as a means of shipping goods, containerized trade has benefited disproportionally from macroeconomic trends such as the migration of manufacturing to low cost labor markets and the integration of developing economies into international trade. From 1979 to 2010, containerized trade, as measured by world container port throughput, has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. In 2010, global containerized trade recovered from the 2009 economic recession, with cargo volumes exceeding 2008 levels and container port throughput increasing by 13.6%.
 
World Container Port Throughput 1990 to 2010
(Million TEU)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry


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Attractive Containership Supply Fundamentals
 
We believe that the current containership supply environment supports our target vessel sizes and chartering strategy. Resulting from a combination of delays, cancellations and virtually no new orders in 2009, the current orderbook for all sizes of containerships, as measured by aggregate TEU capacity, stands at 28.5% of the existing fleet, as compared to its peak of 59.2% in mid-2008. Of the containerships currently on order, the majority are allocated to very large containerships and other vessel classes outside of our targeted 2,500 TEU to 7,500 TEU range. We believe that the cascading effect of the increased supply of larger containerships will have a positive effect on our fleet, as we believe that this will create additional demand for larger feeder ships. Finally, we believe that factors such as slow steaming could effectively reduce the capacity of the global containership fleet.
 
Containership Orderbook by Size and Scheduled Delivery Year — March 31, 2011
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
Industry Dynamics Support Our Acquisition Strategy
 
We believe that the recent financial crisis and dislocation of the containership sector has created an opportunity to acquire vessels at historically attractive prices, employ them in a manner that will be accretive to dividends per share and provide attractive returns on capital. We are focused on pursuing investments primarily in containerships between 2,500 and 7,500 TEUs. We feel that this targeted range provides supply-demand fundamentals that are better than in other containership segments. Furthermore, we believe that this targeted range provides a more attractive balance between asset values and charterhire. Prices for newbuilding and secondhand containerships in the size range we are targeting to invest in are below their 10-year historical averages and the rates at which we currently believe that we can employ these vessels should provide attractive returns to our investors. Over time, we expect that asset prices and charterhire will increase and that we will continue to be able to make acquisitions that meet our investment criteria.
 
Our Fleet
 
Our Approach to Fleet Development
 
We own two and have contracted to acquire three containerships ranging in size from 3,426 to 4,714 TEU. In addition to the favorable supply dynamics mentioned above, we believe that the vessel classes we are targeting are best positioned to benefit from the improving fundamentals in the


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containership sector. We believe that these vessels possess the versatility to serve a variety of trade routes, ranging from the critical East-West trade lanes to the fast growing Intra-Asia lanes, thereby mitigating changes in regional demand patterns. In addition, vessels in this size range we are targeting will be able to fit through the expanded Panama Canal, which is expected to open in 2014. We believe that the composition of the orderbook, with its heavy concentration on very large containerships, will further increase demand for our vessels, as container line companies will require larger feeder ships to better serve their customers. We will also focus on secondhand vessels and re-sale newbuildings as they will contribute to our cash flows immediately. Our objective is to expand our fleet with selective acquisitions of mid-sized containerships; however, as industry dynamics change, we might choose to make acquisitions of containerships outside of our initial size range if they exceed our return threshold and increase shareholder value. A key criterion of any vessel acquisition will be that it be accretive to our dividend per share assuming permanent equity financing.
 
Fleet Summary
 
Set forth below is summary information concerning our fleet as of May 31, 2011, after giving effect to the purchase of the three containerships we have contracted to acquire.
 
                                   
                    Delivery
       
Vessel   Sister-
  Gross Rate
      Date
  Redelivery Date to
   
BUILT   TEU   Ships*   (USD Per Day)   Charterer   to Charterer   Owners**   Notes
 
 
Container Vessels
 
SAGITTA
  A
  $ 16,000

$22,000
      A.P. Moller -
Maersk A/S
  June 30, 2010

May 15, 2011
  May 15, 2011

March 15, 2013 —
   
2010
  3,426                         June 15, 2013   1
 
 
CENTAURUS
  A   $ 20,000
      CSAV
Valparaiso
  Sept. 4, 2010   July 21, 2012 —
Oct. 19, 2012
   
2010
  3,426                              
 
 
MAERSK MALACCA   B   $ 21,450       A.P. Moller -
Maersk A/S
  June 21, 2011   May 7, 2013-
Aug. 5, 2013
 
2, 3
1990
  4,714                              
 
 
MAERSK MERLION   B   $ 21,450       A.P. Moller -
Maersk A/S
  June 14, 2011   April 30, 2013
July 29, 2013
 
2, 3
1990
  4,714                              
 
 
MAERSK MADRID     $ 21,450       A.P. Moller -
Maersk A/S
  June 13, 2011   April 29, 2013
July 28, 2013
 
2, 3
1989
  4,206                              
 
 
 
 
* Each container vessel is a “sister-ship”, or closely similar, to other container vessels that have the same letter.
 
** Charterers’ optional period to redeliver the vessel to owners. Charterers have the right to add the off hire days, if any, and therefore the optional period may be extended.
 
(1) The charterers has the option to employ the vessel for a further 11-13 month period. The optional period, if exercised, must be declared on or before December 15, 2012, and can only commence on May 1, 2013 at a gross daily rate of $30,000.
 
(2) The charterer has the option to employ the vessel for a further 12 month period plus or minus 45 days at a gross daily rate of $25,000.
 
(3) Expected delivery date. The aggregate purchase price of the three vessels that we have agreed to acquire is $70.5 million, 10% of which has already been paid by the Company.
 
We believe that there is an ample supply of suitable vessels for acquisition. We have recently identified two additional 1996-built containerships of approximately 3,500 TEU capacity, and we are currently in discussions to acquire them. We expect that these vessels would be delivered with a time charter back to the seller, which we consider a reputable charterer, at a gross daily charter rate of $23,000


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for a period of approximately 36 months. We would expect to take delivery of the vessels between July and August of 2011. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in completing the acquisition of these two additional vessels or entering into charters with the seller on the terms set forth above or at all.
 
Our Founder
 
One of our key strengths is our relationship with Diana Shipping and its affiliates, including its wholly-owned subsidiary Diana Shipping Services S.A., which we refer to as DSS, or our Manager. We believe that Diana Shipping’s record of success, its size and scale, its reputation in the shipping industry and its commitment to corporate governance and transparency make us a stronger company than our size may indicate.
 
Diana Shipping was the founder of Diana Containerships, providing our initial capital in 2010. As a result of the April 2010 private placement of equity and a distribution of a portion of its Diana Containerships shares to the shareholders of Diana Shipping, Diana Shipping owns approximately 10.9% of our outstanding common stock and plans to purchase $20 million of stock in a private placement concurrently with this offering at the public offering price. In addition, our management owns an additional 718,191 common shares, or approximately 11.8% of our outstanding common stock.
 
Experience and Responsibilities
 
Our management team is responsible for the strategic management of our company, including the development of our business plan and overall vision for our operations. Strategic management also involves, among other things, locating, purchasing, financing and selling vessels. Our management team is led by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Symeon Palios, who founded the predecessors of Diana Shipping and DSS in 1972. Mr. Palios has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Diana Shipping since 2005 and as a director since 1999. Mr. Anastasios Margaronis, our President and a director, also serves as President and as a director of Diana Shipping and has been employed by the Diana Shipping group of companies since 1979. Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis, our Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and a director, serves as Executive Vice President and Secretary of Diana Shipping and has been employed by the Diana Shipping group of companies since 1997. Mr. Andreas Michalopoulos, our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, has held these same offices with Diana Shipping since 2006.
 
Our management team has experience in multiple sectors of the international shipping industry, including the containership sector, and a proven track record of strategic growth beginning with the formation of the Diana Shipping group of companies in 1972. Our management team is responsible for identifying assets for acquisition and for the operation of our business in order to build our fleet and effectively manage our growth. Since 1981, our Founder has purchased, operated or sold 18 secondhand and newbuilding containerships and multi-purpose vessels that were capable of transporting containers, including the five vessels in our Initial Fleet.
 
Arrangements with Our Founder
 
Because we share senior executives with Diana Shipping and because we employ DSS to provide us administrative support and commercial and technical management, we have entered into a non-competition agreement with Diana Shipping. Accordingly, the parties have agreed that, during the term of any vessel agreements we enter into with DSS, and for six months thereafter, we will not acquire or charter any vessel, or otherwise operate in, the drybulk sector and Diana Shipping will not acquire or charter any vessel, or otherwise operate in, the containership sector. We believe that this enables us to bring to bear the expertise of senior management and DSS, while clearly delineating how to pursue opportunities in the respective sectors. We believe that we will be able to grow faster than similarly sized and capitalized competitors because of our relationship with DSS.
 
We have entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with DSS, pursuant to which DSS provides administrative services to us. DSS also provides commercial and technical vessel management


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services to us through separate vessel management agreements between DSS and each of our vessel-owning subsidiaries. We believe that, as the subsidiary of a public company, DSS provides us with a particularly high degree of transparency. We believe that our Administrative Services Agreement provides us economies of scale and services at prices not achieved by other similarly sized containership companies. We intend to take advantage of these cost efficiencies to produce higher returns on our vessels and greater cash available for distribution to our shareholders.
 
Our Dividend Policy
 
We currently intend to declare a variable quarterly dividend each February, May, August and November substantially equal to approximately 70% of our available cash from operations during the previous quarter after the payment of cash expenses. The remaining available cash from operations is expected to be used for reserves for scheduled drydockings, intermediate and special surveys and other purposes as our board of directors may from time to time determine are required, after taking into account contingent liabilities, the terms of any credit facility, our growth strategy and other cash needs and the requirements of Marshall Islands law. In times when we have debt outstanding, we intend to limit our dividend per share to the amount that we would have been able to pay if we were financed entirely with equity as described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Dividend Policy.” We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to repay our outstanding debt. Upon completion of the offering, we expect to have no debt.
 
We expect to declare our first quarterly dividend in August 2011. Because the closing of the acquisitions of the three currently-contracted vessels is expected to occur in June 2011, investors should not annualize our first dividend as a means of determining the yield or annual dividend payment. We expect that the dividend payable in November will reflect a full quarter’s operations of our entire Initial Fleet, as well as a partial contribution from any other vessels delivered during that quarter.
 
Our Competitive Strengths
 
We believe that we have a number of strengths that will provide us with a sustainable competitive advantage in the containership sector:
 
Experienced Management Team
 
Our management team has an average of 22 years of experience each in all aspects of the shipping industry, with our Chief Executive Officer having over 40 years’ experience, including significant experience with fleets operating in both the containership and drybulk sectors through all market cycles. Collectively, since 1972, DSS and its predecessors have managed more than 100 vessels in the drybulk and containership sectors, and over the last 30 years they have owned and/or operated 18 secondhand and newbuilding containerships and multi-purpose vessels that were capable of transporting containers, including the five vessels in our Initial fleet. Our executive officers also serve as the executive officers of Diana Shipping, which, since going public in 2005, has provided to shareholders a total return of 17.2% compared with a total return of the S&P 500 of 11.8% over the same period. We believe that the experience and reputation of our management team will enable us to attract customers, obtain repeat employment opportunities and gain access to acquisition and financing opportunities to grow our Company and generate strong financial returns.
 
Financial Flexibility to Pursue Acquisitions
 
We are currently in discussions with lenders regarding a $150 million revolving credit facility. We believe that our low leverage, liquidity and access to bank financing and the capital markets position us with ship brokers, financial institutions and shipyards as a favored purchaser of quality containerships and will allow us to make additional near-term accretive acquisitions during a period when both newbuilding and high-quality secondhand vessel values remain below their historical 10-year averages.


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Over the longer term, as vessel values and charter rates increase, we expect to continue to negotiate acquisitions that are consistent with our investment criteria, and we are confident in our ability to access the capital and banking markets. During the last six years, our management team, on behalf of our Founder, has raised more than $1 billion of capital from the equity markets and entered into credit facilities with various international banking institutions for more than $500 million. We believe that these financings are indicative of the strong relationships we, through our management and Founder, enjoy with the financial and investment communities.
 
Relationships with Top Charterers
 
Our Founder and management team have established relationships with several of the top charterers in the shipping industry including CSAV, CMA CGM S.A., China Open Shipping Company, or Cosco, Hamburg Südamerikanische Dampfschifffahrts-Gesellschaft KG, Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd., Maersk, MSC Shipping S.A. and P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Limited (which has merged with Maersk). We believe that these relationships, matched with our Manager’s vetting process, will allow us to selectively charter our vessels at attractive rates.
 
Highly Successful and Reputable Fleet Manager Provides High-Quality, Cost Efficient Operations
 
We believe that the resources and reputation of our Manager as a safe and reliable technical manager provide us with favorable charter opportunities with well established charterers, as shippers’ demands for reliable, on-time services increase with globalization. We believe that employing our Manager as our technical manager provides us with a competitive advantage over other containership operators of a similar size by allowing us to more closely monitor our operations and to offer higher quality performance, reliability and efficiency in the maintenance of our vessels. Additionally, we expect to benefit from economies of scale not usually realized by operators of our size and to realize the benefits through reduced costs and higher distributable cash flow. Our Manager is a subsidiary of a publicly traded company, which we believe increases transparency and allows us to operate under high standards of corporate governance. With approximately 70 shore-based personnel in Athens, Greece and over 600 offshore employees, our Manager oversees the technical supervision, such as repairs, maintenance and inspections, safety and quality, crewing and training, as well as supply provisioning, of over 25 vessels on the water, consisting of drybulk carriers and our containerships, and two newbuilding vessels under construction. Pursuant to each vessel management agreement, our Manager receives a commission of 1% of the gross charterhire and freight earned by the vessel and a technical management fee of $15,000 per vessel per month for employed vessels and will receive $20,000 per vessel per month for laid-up vessels, if any. We have also agreed to pay our Manager a monthly fee of $10,000 for administrative services.
 
Business Strategy
 
To Acquire High Quality Containerships Throughout the Shipping Cycle
 
We will seek to provide attractive returns to our investors by continuing to make accretive acquisitions of high quality containerships in the secondhand market, including from shipyards and lending institutions. We believe that, currently, the containership sector provides attractive acquisition opportunities as asset values remain below 10-year averages and will continue to present attractive opportunities through the cycle. Over time, we expect that asset prices and charterhire will increase and that we will continue to make acquisitions that meet our investment criteria. Because members of our senior management team have successfully navigated previous market cycles, we believe that we have the experience and discipline to capitalize on market movements. In addition, we are not affected by issues currently impacting certain other containership companies, such as high leverage and the purchase of vessels at prices significantly above historical averages. We will initially focus on vessels ranging from 2,500 TEU to 7,500 TEU because we believe that the current orderbook composition, coupled with global GDP growth, creates a favorable multi-year dynamic of supply and demand for these


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mid-sized containerships. As industry dynamics change, we might opportunistically acquire containerships outside of this range as well as enter into newbuilding contracts with shipyards on terms that meet our acquisition criteria.
 
Strategically Deploy Our Vessels in Order to Optimize the Opportunities in the Time Charter Market
 
We intend to actively monitor market conditions, charter rates and vessel operating expenses in order to selectively employ vessels as market conditions warrant. We initially intend to enter into short- and medium-term time charters to allow our shareholders to benefit from what we believe to be an improving charter rate environment. Depending on market conditions, in the future we might enter into long-term time charters at rates that compare favorably to historical averages, shielding us from charter rates decreases and cyclical fluctuations. We believe that maintaining staggered charter maturities will provide us with the flexibility to capitalize on favorable market conditions, while providing us with a base of strong, visible cash flows.
 
Maintain a Strong Balance Sheet
 
We have a strong balance sheet and we will employ a portion of the proceeds of this offering to repay our outstanding debt. As a result, we will have greater availability under our credit lines for future acquisitions and our low debt levels should allow us to generate free cash to fund operations and pay dividends. In the future, we expect to draw funds on a short-term basis under our credit lines to fund vessel acquisitions. We intend to repay our acquisition related debt from time to time with the net proceeds of subsequent equity issuances. We believe that maintaining a strong balance sheet will continue to provide us with the flexibility to capitalize on vessel purchase opportunities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, based on prevailing conditions and our outlook for the containership market, we might consider incurring further indebtedness in the future to enhance returns to our shareholders.
 
Provide an Attractive Yield to Shareholders Through Quarterly Dividends
 
We currently intend to declare a variable quarterly dividend each February, May, August and November substantially equal to approximately 70% of our available cash from operations during the previous quarter after the payment of cash expenses. The remaining available cash from operations is expected to be used for reserves for scheduled drydockings, intermediate and special surveys and other purposes as our board of directors may from time to time determine are required, after taking into account contingent liabilities, the terms of any credit facility, our growth strategy and other cash needs and the requirements of Marshall Islands law. While we expect to declare a quarterly dividend in August 2011 in respect of a partial fleet’s operations, we expect to declare our first full quarterly distribution in November 2011, which will reflect a full quarter’s operations of our entire Initial Fleet, as well as a partial contribution from any other vessels delivered during that quarter. Our board of directors may review and amend our dividend policy from time to time, in light of our plans for future growth and other factors.
 
Maintain Low Cost, Highly Efficient and Reliable Operations
 
We operate as an efficient and reliable owner of containerships as a result of the experience of our Manager. DSS currently manages a fleet of 14 Panamax, one Post-Panamax, eight Capesize drybulk carriers, the two Panamax containerships in our fleet and two drybulk carrier newbuildings for which it provides supervisory services. We believe that we will benefit from economies of scale in maintenance, supply and crewing of our vessels, as well in purchasing lubricants and spare parts. We further believe that we can build on the reputation of our Manager for safe vessel operations, and we intend to comply with rigorous international health, safety and environmental protection regulations.
 


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SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following table sets forth our summary consolidated financial data and other operating data. The summary consolidated financial data in the table as of December 31, 2010 and for the period from January 7, 2010 (inception date) to December 31, 2010 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The summary consolidated financial data in the table as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and for the period from January 7, 2010 (inception date) to March 31, 2010 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements. The following data should be read in conjunction with Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”, the consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
                         
                For the period from
 
    For the period from
          January 7, 2010
 
    January 7, 2010 (inception
    For the three months
    (inception date) to
 
    date) to December 31, 2010     ended March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010  
    (in U.S. dollars, except for share data)  
 
Income Statement Data:
                       
Time charter revenues
  $ 5,734,716     $ 3,240,000        
Voyage expenses
    266,967       116,100        
Vessel operating expenses
    2,884,610       954,222        
Depreciation
    1,453,877       723,771        
Management fees
    203,000       90,000        
General and administrative expenses
    3,523,986       851,316       236,533  
Foreign currency (gains)/losses
    (1,043,563 )     6,015       149  
                         
Operating income/(loss)
  $ (1,554,161 )   $ 498,576     $ (236,682 )
                         
Interest and finance costs
    (511,291 )     (263,550 )      
Interest income
    64,091       21,803        
                         
Net income/(loss)
  $ (2,001,361 )   $ 256,829     $ (236,682 )
                         
Earnings/(loss) per common share, basic and diluted
  $ (0.45 )   $ 0.04     $ (473.36 )
Weighted average number of common shares, basic and diluted
    4,449,431       6,106,161       500  
                         
 


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            As of and for
            the period from
    As of and for the period
      January 7, 2010
    from January 7, 2010
  As of and for the
  (inception date) to
    (inception date) to
  three months ended
  March 31, 2010
    December 31, 2010   March 31, 2011   (Cash Flow Data Only)*
    (in U.S. dollars, except operations data)
 
Balance Sheet Data:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 11,098,284     $ 31,811,827          
Total current assets
    12,376,014       32,601,617          
Vessels’ net book value
    92,077,309       91,353,538          
Total assets
    105,349,169       125,528,755          
Total current liabilities
    2,428,676       3,966,530          
Other non-current liabilities
    181,684       181,684          
Long-term debt (including current portion)
    19,489,633       39,080,846          
                         
Total stockholders’ equity
    84,610,714       85,064,310          
                         
Cash Flow Data:
                       
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities
  $ (186,525 )   $ 1,830,343        
Net cash used in investing activities
    (93,531,186 )            
Net cash provided by financing activities
    103,764,596       18,883,200       50,000,500  
Fleet Data:
                       
Average number of vessels(1)
    1.0       2.0          
Number of vessels at end of period
    2.0       2.0          
Weighted average age of fleet at end of period (in years)
    0.6       0.8          
Ownership days(2)
    361       180          
Available days(3)
    361       180          
Operating days(4)
    352       180          
Fleet utilization(5)
    97.5 %     100 %        
Average Daily Results:
                       
Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate(6)
  $ 15,146     $ 17,355          
Daily vessel operating expenses(7)
    7,991       5,301          
 
 
* We did not have any operating vessels as of March 31, 2010
 
(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 the period.
 
(2) Ownership days are the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.
 
(3) Available days are the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to 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.

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(4) Operating days are the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our 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.
 
(5) We calculate 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.
 
(6) Time charter equivalent rates, or TCE rates, are defined as our time charter revenues less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. Voyage expenses include port charges, bunker (fuel) expenses, canal charges and commissions. TCE rate is a non-GAAP measure, and is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter hire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts while charter hire rates for vessels on time charters are generally expressed in such amounts. The following table reflects the calculation of our TCE rates for the periods presented.
 
                 
    For the period from
       
    January 7, 2010 (inception
    For the three months
 
    date) to December 31, 2010     ended March 31, 2011  
    (in U.S. dollars, except for available days)  
 
Time charter revenues
  $ 5,734,716     $ 3,240,000  
Less: voyage expenses
    (266,967 )     (116,100 )
                 
Time charter equivalent revenues
  $ 5,467,749     $ 3,123,900  
                 
Available days
    361       180  
Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate
  $ 15,146     $ 17,355  
 
(7) Daily vessel operating expenses, which include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses, are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.


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THE OFFERING
 
This summary highlights information contained in this prospectus. Before investing in our common shares, you should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and related notes, for a more complete understanding of our business and this offering.
 
Issuer
Diana Containerships Inc.
 
Common Shares Offered By Us 14,250,000 common shares
 
Offering Price Per Share $7.50
 
Over-Allotment Option 2,137,500 common shares
 
Common Shares to be Issued in the Concurrent Private Placement
2,666,667 common shares to Diana Shipping for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $20.0 million.
 
Common Shares Outstanding After This Offering and the Concurrent Private Placement(1)(2)
An estimated 23,022,828 common shares, or 25,160,328 common shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full in this offering.
 
Use of Proceeds The net proceeds from the sale of the common shares are expected to be approximately $101.4 million ($116.7 million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering and the concurrent private placement, together with cash on hand, to repay in full our existing term loan facility, to fund a portion of the acquisition costs of three containership vessels that we have agreed to acquire from Maersk, and for additional containership acquisitions and/or general corporate purposes, including working capital. See “Use of Proceeds.”
 
Dividends We currently intend to declare a variable quarterly dividend each February, May, August and November substantially equal to approximately 70% of our available cash from operations during the previous quarter after the payment of cash expenses. The remaining available cash from operations is expected to be used for reserves for scheduled drydockings, intermediate and special surveys and other purposes as our board of directors may from time to time determine are required, after taking into account contingent liabilities, the terms of any credit facility, our growth strategy and other cash needs and the requirements of Marshall Islands law.
 
We expect to declare our first quarterly dividend in August 2011. Because the closing of the acquisitions of the three currently-contracted vessels is expected to occur in June 2011, investors should not annualize our first dividend as a means of determining the yield or annual dividend payment. We expect that the dividend payable in November will reflect a full quarter’s operations of our entire Initial Fleet, as well as a partial contribution from any other vessels delivered during that quarter.


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In times when we have debt outstanding, we intend to limit our dividends per share to the amount that we would have been able to pay if we were financed entirely with equity as described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Dividend Policy”. Our board of directors may review and amend our dividend policy from time to time, in light of our plans for future growth and other factors.
 
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights We have entered into a stockholders rights agreement dated August 2, 2010, or the Stockholders Rights Agreement, with Mellon Investor Services LLC as Rights Agent. Pursuant to this Stockholders Rights Agreement, each share of our common stock includes one right, which we refer to as a Right, that entitles the holder to purchase from us a unit consisting of one one-thousandth of a share of our preferred stock at an exercise price specified in the Stockholders Rights Agreement, subject to specified adjustments. Until a Right is exercised, the holder of a Right will have no rights to vote or receive dividends or any other stockholder rights. See “Description of Capital Stock — Preferred Stock Purchase Rights” for further details.
 
Voting Rights Under Marshall Islands law and our bylaws, each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote.
 
Tax Considerations Under current Marshall Islands law, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains, and no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders.
 
We will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation on our U.S.-source shipping income if we satisfy certain requirements. See “Taxation.”
 
Listing Our common shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “DCIX.”
 
Risk Factors You should consider carefully all of the information set forth in this prospectus and, in particular, you should evaluate the risks described under “Risk Factors.”
 
Insider Participation As part of this offering, the underwriters are selling an aggregate of 1,625,000 shares of our common stock to, or to entities affiliated with, certain of our executives, directors and principal stockholders, including Symeon Palios, Anastasios Margaronis, Ioannis Zafirakis, Andreas Michalopoulos and certain members of their families, at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
 
Conflicts of Interest Certain affiliates of DnB NOR Markets, Inc., an underwriter in this offering, will receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering in connection with the repayment in full of our secured term loan facility with them. See “Use of Proceeds.” Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, Rule 5121. As DnB NOR Markets, Inc. is not primarily responsible for managing this offering, pursuant to Rule 5121,


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the appointment of a qualified independent underwriter is not necessary. DnB NOR Markets, Inc. will not confirm sales of the securities to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior written approval of the customer.
 
 
(1) Does not include 392,198 common shares issued or reserved for issuance under our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, of which the Company expects to issue 53,333 restricted shares to our executive officers after the closing of this offering.
 
(2) Pursuant to our amended and restated articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 500 million common shares and 25 million preferred shares, each with a par value of $0.01 per share.


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RISK FACTORS
 
You should carefully consider the following information about risks, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making an investment in our common shares. If any of the circumstances or events described below actually arises or occurs, our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends could be materially adversely affected. In any such case, the market price of our common shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
 
Industry Specific Risk Factors
 
The Containership Sector is Cyclical and Volatile, with Charter Hire Rates and Profitability at Reduced Levels, and the Recent Global Economic Recession has Resulted in Decreased Demand for Container Shipping.
 
Our growth will generally depend on continued growth in world and regional demand for containership services, and the global economic slowdown in 2008 resulted in decreased demand for containerships and a related decrease in charter rates that have not fully recovered.
 
The ocean-going containership sector is both cyclical and volatile in terms of charter hire rates and profitability. Containership charter rates peaked in 2005 and generally stayed strong until the middle of 2008, when the effects of the recent economic crisis began to affect global container trade. At the end of 2009, rates had fallen significantly to below the late 2001 ten-year lows. According to Drewry, in 2010 and 2011 containership charter rates have improved, although such improvement may not be sustainable and rates remain below long-term averages and could decline again. Fluctuations in charter rates result from changes in the supply and demand for ship capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the major products internationally transported by containerships. The factors affecting the supply and demand for containerships and supply and demand for products shipped in containers are outside of our control, and the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions are unpredictable.
 
The factors that influence demand for containership capacity include:
 
  •  supply and demand for products suitable for shipping in containers;
 
  •  changes in global production of products transported by containerships;
 
  •  the distance container cargo products are to be moved by sea;
 
  •  the globalization of manufacturing;
 
  •  global and regional economic and political conditions;
 
  •  developments in international trade;
 
  •  changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns, including changes in the distances over which container cargoes are transported;
 
  •  environmental and other regulatory developments;
 
  •  currency exchange rates; and
 
  •  weather.
 
The factors that influence the supply of containership capacity include:
 
  •  the number of newbuilding deliveries;
 
  •  the scrapping rate of older containerships;
 
  •  containership owner access to capital to finance the construction of newbuildings;
 
  •  the price of steel and other raw materials;


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  •  changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful life of containerships;
 
  •  the number of containerships that are sailing at reduced speed, or slow-steaming, to conserve fuel;
 
  •  the number of containerships that are out of service; and
 
  •  port congestion and canal closures.
 
Our ability to employ any containerships that we acquire will depend upon, among other things, the then-current state of the containership market. If the containership market is in a period of sustained depression, we may be unable to operate our vessels profitably.
 
Liner Companies, which are the Most Significant Charterers of Containerships, have been Placed Under Significant Financial Pressure, Thereby Increasing Our Charter Counterparty Risk.
 
The decline in global trade due to the economic slowdown has resulted in a significant decline in demand for the seaborne transportation of products in containers, including for exports from China to Europe and the United States. Consequently, the cargo volumes and freight rates achieved by liner companies, which charter containerships from ship owners like us, had declined, adversely affecting their profitability, until considerable improvement in 2010 and 2011 year-to-date. The financial challenges faced by liner companies, some of which announced efforts to obtain third party aid and restructure their obligations, reduced demand for containership charters. The combination of the current surplus of containership capacity and the expected increase in the size of the world containership fleet over the next several years may make it difficult to secure substitute employment for our containerships if our counterparties fail to perform their obligations under the currently arranged time charters, and any new charter arrangements we are able to secure may be at lower rates.
 
We will be Dependent upon a Limited Number of Customers in a Consolidating Industry for a Large Part of Our Revenues. the Loss of These Customers could Adversely Affect Our Financial Performance.
 
One of our vessels, the MV Centaurus, is employed on a time charter to CSAV, and the MV Sagitta and the three secondhand vessels we have contracted to acquire are employed on time charters (or will be employed upon their delivery to us from their respective seller) with Maersk.
 
Should charterhire for containerships improve, we will seek to charter a greater portion of our containerships pursuant to medium- and long-term fixed-rate time charters with leading liner companies, and we may remain dependent upon a limited number of liner operators. In addition, in recent years there have been significant examples of consolidation in the containership sector; at present, there are over 500 liner companies (although a large number of these are small niche operators), but according to Drewry, the top 10 and top 20 companies, including subsidiaries, accounted for approximately 54% and 73.2% of global liner capacity, respectively, as of March 2011. Financial difficulties in the industry may accelerate the trend towards consolidation, although since the major acquisitions of P&O Nedlloyd and CP Ships five years ago, activity in this area has been relatively quiet. The cessation of business with liner companies to which our vessels are chartered or their failure to fulfill their obligations under the charters for our containerships could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, as well as our cash flows.
 
An Over-Supply of Containership Capacity may Lead to a Further Reduction in Charter Rates, which may Limit Our Ability to Operate Our Vessels Profitably.
 
While the size of the containership orderbook has declined over the last 12 months, newbuilding containerships with an aggregate capacity of 4.1 million TEU were on order, representing 28.5% of the total fleet capacity as of March 31, 2011, according to Drewry. The size of the orderbook when compared to the fleet is small relative to historical levels and will result in the increase in the size of the world containership fleet over the next few years. However, the orderbook remains heavily skewed towards


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ships of at least 8,000 TEU in size. An over-supply of containership capacity, combined with a decline in the demand for containerships, may result in a further reduction of charter hire rates. If such a reduction continues in the future, we may only be able to charter our fleet for reduced rates or unprofitable rates or we may not be able to charter our containerships at all.
 
A Decrease in the Level of China’s Export of Goods or an Increase in Trade Protectionism could have a Material Adverse Impact on Our Charterers’ Business and, in Turn, could Cause a Material Adverse Impact on Our Results of Operations, Financial Condition and Cash Flows.
 
China exports considerably more goods than it imports. Our containerships may be deployed on routes involving containerized trade in and out of emerging markets, and our charterers’ container shipping and business revenue may be derived from the shipment of goods from the Asia Pacific region to various overseas export markets including the United States and Europe. Any reduction in or hindrance to the output of China-based exporters could have a material adverse effect on the growth rate of China’s exports and on our charterers’ business. For instance, the government of China has recently implemented economic policies aimed at increasing domestic consumption of Chinese-made goods. This may have the effect of reducing the supply of goods available for export and may, in turn, result in a decrease of demand for container shipping. Additionally, though in China there is an increasing level of autonomy and a gradual shift in emphasis to a “market economy” and enterprise reform, many of the reforms, particularly some limited price reforms that result in the prices for certain commodities being principally determined by market forces, are unprecedented or experimental and may be subject to revision, change or abolition. The level of imports to and exports from China could be adversely affected by changes to these economic reforms by the Chinese government, as well as by changes in political, economic and social conditions or other relevant policies of the Chinese government.
 
Our operations expose us to the risk that increased trade protectionism will adversely affect our business. Specifically, increasing trade protectionism in the markets that our charterers serve has caused and may continue to cause an increase in: (i) the cost of goods exported from China, (ii) the length of time required to deliver goods from China and (iii) the risks associated with exporting goods from China, as well as a decrease in the quantity of goods to be shipped.
 
Any increased trade barriers or restrictions on trade, especially trade with China, would have an adverse impact on our charterers’ business, operating results and financial condition and could thereby affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase the number of their time charters with us. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
 
The State of Global Financial Markets and Economic Conditions may Adversely Impact Our Ability to Obtain Financing on Acceptable Terms, which may Hinder or Prevent us from Expanding Our Business.
 
Global financial markets and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile. During the economic downturn that began in 2008, the debt and equity capital markets were severely distressed. These issues, along with significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk and weak economic conditions have made, and will likely continue to make, it difficult to obtain financing. A weak state of global financial markets and economic conditions might adversely impact our ability to issue additional equity at prices that will not be dilutive to our existing shareholders or preclude us from issuing equity at all.
 
Also, as a result of concerns about the stability of financial markets generally and the solvency of counterparties specifically, the cost of obtaining money from the credit markets has increased as many lenders have increased interest rates, enacted tighter lending standards, refused to refinance existing debt at all or on terms similar to current debt and reduced, and in some cases ceased, to provide funding to borrowers. Due to these factors, we cannot be certain that financing will be available if needed and to the extent required, on acceptable terms. If financing is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to meet our obligations as they come due or we may be unable


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to enhance our existing business, complete acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities as they arise.
 
The Earthquake and Resulting Tsunami and Nuclear Power Plant Crisis that Struck Japan in March 2011 could, in The Near Term, Reduce Container Volumes to and from Areas of Japan, Including Tokyo, which could Result in Reductions in Prevailing Charter Rates.
 
The March 2011 earthquake in Japan and resulting tsunami have caused a nuclear power plant located in Japan to fail and emit radiation. Although the full effect of these disasters, both on the Japanese and global economies, is not currently known, a number of liner companies have restricted vessels from calling on ports in Tokyo and Northern Japan. In addition, authorities in other countries, including China and the United States, have begun screening containerships that have visited Japan or nearby waters for nuclear radiation, causing delays and reduced attractiveness of any contaminated vessels for subsequent employment. These disasters will for some period of time result in reduced container volumes to and from Japan, which has the world’s third largest economy, and could potentially result in reduced charter rates. In addition, there can be no assurances that our vessels trading in the Pacific will not be impacted by the possible effects of spreading radiation.
 
Changes in the Economic and Political Environment in China and Policies Adopted by the Government to Regulate its Economy may have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in such respects as structure, government involvement, level of development, growth rate, capital reinvestment, allocation of resources, rate of inflation and balance of payments position. Prior to 1978, the Chinese economy was a planned economy. Since 1978, increasing emphasis has been placed on the utilization of market forces in the development of the Chinese economy. Annual and five-year State Plans are adopted by the Chinese government in connection with the development of the economy. Although state-owned enterprises still account for a substantial portion of the Chinese industrial output, in general, the Chinese government is reducing the level of direct control that it exercises over the economy through State Plans and other measures. There is an increasing level of freedom and autonomy in areas such as allocation of resources, production, pricing and management and a gradual shift in emphasis to a “market economy” and enterprise reform. Limited price reforms were undertaken, with the result that prices for certain commodities are principally determined by market forces. Many of the reforms are unprecedented or experimental and may be subject to revision, change or abolition based upon the outcome of such experiments. If the Chinese government does not continue to pursue a policy of economic reform, the level of imports to and exports from China could be adversely affected by changes to these economic reforms by the Chinese government, as well as by changes in political, economic and social conditions or other relevant policies of the Chinese government, such as changes in laws, regulations or export and import restrictions, all of which could, adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
 
Vessel Values may Fluctuate which may Adversely Affect Our Financial Condition, Result in the Incurrence of a Loss Upon Disposal of a Vessel or Increase the Cost of Acquiring Additional Vessels.
 
Vessel values may fluctuate due to a number of different factors, including: general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry; competition from other shipping companies; the types and sizes of available vessels; the availability of other modes of transportation; increases in the supply of vessel capacity; the cost of newbuildings; governmental or other regulations; prevailing freight rates, which are the rates paid to the shipowner by the charterer under a voyage charter, usually calculated either per ton loaded or as a lump sum amount; and the need to upgrade secondhand and previously owned vessels as a result of charterer requirements, technological advances in vessel design or equipment or otherwise. In addition, as vessels grow older, they generally decline in value. Due to the


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cyclical nature of the containership market, if for any reason we sell any of our owned vessels at a time when prices are depressed, we could incur a loss and our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition could be adversely affected. Moreover, if the book value of a vessel is impaired due to unfavorable market conditions we may incur a loss that could adversely affect our operating results.
 
Conversely, if vessel values are elevated at a time when we wish to acquire additional vessels, the cost of acquisition may increase and this could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.
 
The Containership Sector is Highly Competitive, and we may be Unable to Compete Successfully for Charters with Established Companies or New Entrants that may have Greater Resources and Access to Capital, which may have a Material Adverse Affect on us.
 
The containership sector is a highly competitive industry that is capital intensive and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of whom may have greater resources and access to capital than we have. Competition among vessel owners for the seaborne transportation of semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products can be intense and depends on the charter rate, location, size, age, condition and the acceptability of the vessel and its operators to charterers. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, many of our competitors with greater resources and access to capital than we have could operate larger fleets than we may operate and thus be able to offer lower charter rates or higher quality vessels than we are able to offer. If this were to occur, we may be unable to retain or attract new charterers on attractive terms or at all, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
 
An Increase in Operating Costs could Adversely Affect Our Cash Flows and Financial Condition.
 
Vessel operating expenses include the costs of crew, provisions, deck and engine stores, lube oil, bunkers, insurance and maintenance and repairs, which depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Some of these costs, primarily relating to insurance and enhanced security measures implemented after September 11, 2001 and as a result of a recent increase in the frequency of acts of piracy, have been increasing. If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and can be substantial. Increases in any of these costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
 
Fuel, or Bunker Prices, may Adversely Affect Profits.
 
While we generally do not bear the cost of fuel, or bunkers, for vessels operating on time charters, fuel is a significant factor in negotiating charter rates. As a result, an increase in the price of fuel beyond our expectations may adversely affect our profitability at the time of charter negotiation. Fuel is also a significant, if not the largest, expense in our shipping operations when vessels are under voyage charter. The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control, including geopolitical developments, supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and environmental concerns.
 
Further, fuel may become much more expensive in the future, which may reduce the profitability and competitiveness of our business versus other forms of transportation, such as truck or rail.
 
Increased Inspection Procedures, Tighter Import and Export Controls and New Security Regulations could Increase Costs and Cause Disruption of Our Business.
 
The international containership sector is subject to additional security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin, destination and trans-shipment points. These security procedures can result in cargo seizure, delays in the loading, offloading, trans-shipment, or delivery of


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containers and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against exporters or importers and, in some cases, carriers.
 
Since the events of September 11, 2001, U.S. authorities have significantly increased the levels of inspection for all imported containers. Government investment in non-intrusive container scanning technology has grown, and there is interest in electronic monitoring technology, including so-called “e-seals” and “smart” containers that would enable remote, centralized monitoring of containers during shipment to identify tampering with or opening of the containers, along with potentially measuring other characteristics such as temperature, air pressure, motion, chemicals, biological agents and radiation.
 
It is unclear what changes, if any, to the existing security procedures will ultimately be proposed or implemented, or how any such changes will affect the containership sector. These changes have the potential to impose additional financial and legal obligations on carriers and, in certain cases, to render the shipment of certain types of goods by container uneconomical or impractical. These additional costs could reduce the volume of goods shipped in containers, resulting in a decreased demand for containerships. In addition, it is unclear what financial costs any new security procedures might create for containership owners and operators. Any additional costs or a decrease in container volumes could have an adverse impact on our ability to attract customers and therefore have an adverse impact on our ability to operate our vessels profitably.
 
Compliance with Safety and Other Vessel Requirements Imposed by Classification Societies may be Very Costly and may Adversely Affect our Business.
 
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention.
 
A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. If any vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey or special survey, the vessel will be unable to trade between ports and will be unemployable. This could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
 
We are Subject to Regulation and Liability Under Environmental Laws that could Require Significant Expenditures and Affect Our Cash Flows and Net Income.
 
Our business and the operations of our containerships will be materially affected by environmental regulation in the form of international conventions, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which our containerships operate, as well as in the country or countries of their registration, including those governing the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of oil spills and other contamination, air emissions (including greenhouse gases), water discharges and ballast water management. Because such conventions, laws, and regulations are often revised, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with such requirements or the impact thereof on the re-sale price or useful life of any containership that we own or will acquire. Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and which may materially adversely affect our operations. For example, the cost of compliance with any new emissions regulation that may be adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change may be substantial or we may face substantial taxes on bunkers. Additionally, we cannot predict the cost of compliance with any new regulation that may be promulgated by the United States as a result of the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
 
In addition, we are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses, certificates, approvals and financial assurances with respect to our operations.


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Our failure to maintain necessary permits, licenses, certificates, approvals or financial assurances could require us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend operation of one or more of the vessels in our fleet, or lead to the invalidation or reduction of our insurance coverage. Many environmental requirements are designed to reduce the risk of pollution, such as oil spills, and our compliance with these requirements can be costly.
 
Environmental requirements can also affect the re-sale value or useful lives of our vessels, require a reduction in cargo capacity, ship modifications or operational changes or restrictions, lead to decreased availability of insurance coverage for environmental matters or result in the denial of access to certain jurisdictional waters or ports, or detention in certain ports. Under local, national and foreign laws, as well as international treaties and conventions, we could incur material liabilities, including cleanup obligations and natural resource damages, in the event that there is a release of petroleum or other hazardous materials from our vessels or otherwise in connection with our operations. We could also become subject to personal injury or property damage claims relating to the release of hazardous materials associated with our existing or historic operations. Violations of, or liabilities under, environmental requirements can result in substantial penalties, fines and other sanctions, including in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels.
 
The operation of our containerships will also be affected by the requirements set forth in the International Maritime Organization’s International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention, or the ISM Code. The ISM Code requires ship-owners and bareboat charterers, which are charterers under a bareboat charter agreement1( whereby no crew or provisions are included as part of the charter agreement, to develop and maintain an extensive “Safety Management System” that includes the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. Failure to comply with the ISM Code may subject us to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected ships and may result in denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
 
In addition, in complying with existing environmental laws and regulations and those that may be adopted, we may incur significant costs in meeting new maintenance and inspection requirements and new restrictions on air emissions from our containerships, in developing contingency arrangements for potential spills and in obtaining insurance coverage. Government regulation of vessels, particularly in the areas of safety and environmental requirements, can be expected to become stricter in the future and require us to incur significant capital expenditures on our vessels to keep them in compliance, or even to scrap or sell certain vessels altogether. Substantial violations of applicable requirements or a catastrophic release of bunker fuel from one of our containerships could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
We may be Unable to Attract and Retain Qualified, Skilled Employees or Crew Necessary to Operate Our Business.
 
Our success will depend in large part on our ability and the ability of our Manager to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified personnel. In crewing our vessels, we require technically skilled employees with specialized training who can perform physically demanding work. Competition to attract and retain qualified crew members is intense. If we are not able to increase our rates to compensate for any crew cost increases, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Any inability we, or our Manager, experience in the future to hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees could impair our ability to manage, maintain and grow our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
 
((1) Bareboat charter : Also known as a “demise charter” is a contract or hire of a ship under which the shipowner is usually paid a fixed amount of charter hire rate for a certain period of time during which the charterer is responsible for the operating costs and voyage costs of the vessel as well as arranging for crewing.


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Labor Interruptions could Disrupt Our Business.
 
Our vessels are manned by masters, officers and crews that are employed by our vessel-owning subsidiaries. If not resolved in a timely and cost-effective manner, industrial action or other labor unrest could prevent or hinder our operations from being carried out normally and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
Our Vessels may Suffer Damage Due to the Inherent Operational Risks of the Seaborne Transportation Industry and We may Experience Unexpected Drydocking Costs, which may Adversely Affect our Business and Financial Condition.
 
Our vessels and their cargoes may be at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as:
 
  •  marine disasters,
 
  •  bad weather,
 
  •  business interruptions caused by mechanical failures,
 
  •  grounding, fire, explosions and collisions,
 
  •  human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events.
 
These hazards may result in death or injury to persons, loss of revenues or property, environmental damage, higher insurance rates, damage to our customer relationships, delay or rerouting. If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We may have to pay drydocking costs that our insurance does not cover in full. The loss of earnings while these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease our earnings. In addition, space at drydocking facilities is sometimes limited and not all drydocking facilities are conveniently located. We may be unable to find space at a suitable drydocking facility or our vessels may be forced to travel to a drydocking facility that is not conveniently located relative to our vessels’ positions. The loss of earnings while these vessels are forced to wait for space or to steam to more distant drydocking facilities would decrease our earnings. The involvement of our vessels in an environmental disaster may also harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator.
 
World Events could Affect our Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
Terrorist attacks such as those in New York on September 11, 2001, in London on July 7, 2005, and in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, and the continuing response of the United States and others to these attacks, as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks around the world, continues to cause uncertainty in the world’s financial markets and may affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Continuing conflicts and recent developments in the Middle East, including Egypt, and North Africa, including Libya, and the presence of United States and other armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed conflict around the world, which may contribute to further economic instability in the global financial markets. These uncertainties could also adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. In the past, political conflicts have also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our operating results, revenues and costs.
 
Acts of Piracy on Ocean-Going Vessels have Recently Increased in Frequency, which could Adversely Affect Our Business.
 
Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea and in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Throughout 2008 the frequency of piracy incidents increased significantly, and continued at a relatively high level during 2010, particularly


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in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia, with drybulk vessels and tankers particularly vulnerable to such attacks. In November 2008, the Sirius Star, a tanker vessel not affiliated with us, was captured by pirates in the Indian Ocean while carrying crude oil estimated to be worth $100 million, and was released in January 2009 upon a ransom payment of $3 million. In April 2009, the “Maersk Alabama,” a 17,000-ton containership not affiliated with us, was seized by Somali pirates. The ship was later released. If these piracy attacks result in regions in which our vessels are deployed being characterized as “war risk” zones by insurers, as the Gulf of Aden temporarily was in May 2008, or Joint War Committee “war and strikes” listed areas, premiums payable for such coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. In addition, crew costs, including due to employing onboard security guards, could increase in such circumstances. Although we believe we are, we may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, any detention hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against the vessels we plan to acquire, or an increase in cost, or unavailability, of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
If Our Vessels Call on Ports Located in Countries that are Subject to Restrictions Imposed by the U.S. or Other Governments, that could Adversely Affect our Reputation and the Market for Our Common Stock.
 
Although we intend to comply with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that we will maintain such compliance, particularly as the scope of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations. The U.S. sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in their application, as they do not all apply to the same covered persons or proscribe the same activities, and such sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be amended or strengthened over time. Specifically, we intend to comply with all applicable sanctions against Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria, and any other countries identified by the U.S. Department of State as state sponsors of terrorism. In 2010, the U.S. enacted the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act, or CISADA, which expanded the scope of the former Iran Sanctions Act. Among other things, CISADA expands the application of the prohibitions to non-U.S. companies and introduces limits on the ability of companies and persons to do business or trade with Iran when such activities relate to the investment, supply or export of refined petroleum or petroleum products. Any violation of such restrictions could result in fines or other penalties and could result in some investors deciding, or being required, not to invest, in our company. Additionally, some investors may decide not to invest in our company simply because we do business with companies that do business in sanctioned countries. Moreover, our charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of actions that do not involve us or our vessels, and those violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation. Investor perception of the value of our common stock may also be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in these and surrounding countries.
 
Depending on the Outcome of a Government Investigation of Container Liner Companies Related to Potential Antitrust Violations, Our Growth, Operating Results and Our Ability to Charter Our Vessels may be Reduced.
 
The European Commission is conducting investigations of certain major container liner companies related to potential violations of European Union antitrust rules. Although we have no basis for assessing the outcome of these investigations, it is possible that financial and legal obligations may be imposed on one or more companies. If imposed on current or future customers, such obligations may render it less likely that they enter into or renew time charters for our containerships, which could reduce our growth opportunities and harm our business, operating results, financial condition and ability to pay dividends. Similarly, any significant financial penalties arising from these or similar investigations could reduce the ability of current or future customers to make charter payments to us, which likewise could harm our business, operating results, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.


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Governments could Requisition Our Vessels During a Period of War or Emergency, Resulting in Loss of Earnings.
 
A government of a vessel’s registry could requisition for title or seize the vessels we plan to acquire. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. A government could also requisition our vessels for hire. Requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes the charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during a period of war or emergency. Government requisition of one or more of our vessels could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
 
The Smuggling of Drugs or Other Contraband onto Our Vessels may Lead to Governmental Claims Against Us.
 
We expect that our vessels will call in ports in areas where smugglers attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. To the extent our vessels are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel and whether with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental or other regulatory claims which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
 
Maritime Claimants could Arrest the Vessels We Plan to Acquire, which would Interrupt Our Business.
 
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against that vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lien holder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could interrupt our business or require us to pay large sums of funds to have the arrest lifted, which would have a negative effect on our cash flows.
 
In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the “sister-ship” theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel which is subject to the claimant’s maritime lien and any “associated” vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert “sister-ship” liability against one vessel in the fleet we plan to acquire for claims relating to another of our ships.
 
There is a Lack of Historical Operating History Provided with Vessels Acquisitions and Profitable Operation of the Vessels will Depend on Our Skill and Expertise.
 
Consistent with shipping industry practice, other than inspection of the physical condition of the vessels and examinations of classification society records, neither we nor our Manager will conduct any historical financial due diligence process when we acquire vessels. Accordingly, neither we nor our Manager has obtained the historical operating data for the vessels we have acquired from the sellers because that information is not material to our decision to make acquisitions, nor do we believe it would be helpful to potential investors in assessing our business or profitability. Most vessels are sold under a standardized agreement, which, among other things, provides the buyer with the right to inspect the vessel and the vessel’s classification society records. The standard agreement does not give the buyer the right to inspect, or receive copies of, the historical operating data of the vessel. Prior to the delivery of a purchased vessel, the seller typically removes from the vessel all records, including past financial records and accounts related to the vessel. In addition, the technical management agreement between the seller’s technical manager and the seller is automatically terminated and the vessel’s trading certificates are revoked by its flag state following a change in ownership.
 
Consistent with shipping industry practice, we treat the acquisition of a vessel (whether acquired with or without charter) as the acquisition of an asset rather than a business. Although vessels are generally acquired free of charter, in the future we may acquire some vessels with time charters. Where a


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vessel has been under a voyage charter, the vessel is delivered to the buyer free of charter, and it is rare in the shipping industry for the last charterer of the vessel in the hands of the seller to continue as the first charterer of the vessel in the hands of the buyer. In most cases, when a vessel is under time charter and the buyer wishes to assume that charter, the vessel cannot be acquired without the charterer’s consent and the buyer’s entering into a separate direct agreement with the charterer to assume the charter. The purchase of a vessel itself does not transfer the charter, because it is a separate service agreement between the vessel owner and the charterer.
 
Due to the differences between the prior owners of these vessels and the Company with respect to the routes we expect to operate, our future customers, the cargoes we expect to carry, the freight rates and charter hire rates we will charge in the future and the costs we expect to incur in operating our vessels, we believe that our operating results will be significantly different from the operating results of the vessels while owned by the prior owners. Profitable operation of the vessels will depend on our skill and expertise. If we are unable to operate the vessels profitably, it may have an adverse affect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
Company Specific Risk Factors
 
Our Growth in the Future Depends on Our Ability to Successfully Charter Our Vessels, for which We will Face Substantial Competition.
 
The process of obtaining new long-term time charters is highly competitive and generally involves an intensive screening process and competitive bids, and often extends for several months. Containership charters are awarded based upon a variety of factors relating to the vessel operator, including:
 
  •  shipping industry relationships and reputation for customer service and safety;
 
  •  containership experience and quality of ship operations (including cost effectiveness);
 
  •  quality and experience of seafaring crew;
 
  •  the ability to finance containerships at competitive rates and financial stability generally;
 
  •  relationships with shipyards and the ability to get suitable berths;
 
  •  construction management experience, including the ability to obtain on-time delivery of new ships according to customer specifications;
 
  •  willingness to accept operational risks pursuant to the charter, such as allowing termination of the charter for force majeure events; and
 
  •  competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price.
 
We expect substantial competition for providing new containership service from a number of experienced companies, including state-sponsored entities and major shipping companies. Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we do, and can therefore operate larger fleets and may be able to offer better charter rates. As a result of these factors, we may be unable to obtain new customers on a profitable basis, if at all, which will impede our ability to establish our operations and implement our growth successfully.
 
Furthermore, if our vessels become available for employment under new time charters during periods when charter rates are at depressed levels, we may have to employ our containerships at depressed charter rates, if we are able to secure employment for our vessels at all, which would lead to reduced or volatile earnings. Future charter rates may not be at a level that will enable us to operate our containerships profitably to allow us to implement our growth strategy successfully, pay dividends or repay our debt.


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If We Cannot Complete the Purchase of the Two Containerships that We have Identified, We may Use a Portion of the Proceeds of this Offering in Ways with which You may not Agree.
 
We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds of this public offering and the concurrent private placement, together with cash on hand, to acquire two 1996-built containerships each of approximately 3,500 TEU capacity that we have identified and are currently in discussions to acquire. If we fail to reach acceptable terms with the third party sellers of these vessels, or if the sellers fail to deliver the vessels to us after reaching agreement, our management will have discretion to apply the portion of the proceeds of this offering that we would have used to purchase those vessels to acquire other vessels or for general corporate purposes with which you may not agree. We will not escrow the proceeds from this offering and will not return the proceeds of this offering to you if we do not reach acceptable terms with the sellers or fail to take delivery of the vessels. It may take a substantial period of time before we can locate and purchase other suitable vessels and generate sufficient revenue to pay dividends. During this period, the portion of the proceeds of this offering originally planned for the acquisition of additional vessels will be invested on a short-term basis and, therefore, may not yield returns comparable to what those vessels might have earned.
 
We cannot Assure You That Our Board of Directors will Declare Dividends.
 
We currently intend to declare a variable quarterly dividend each February, May, August and November substantially equal to approximately 70% of our available cash from operations during the previous quarter after the payment of cash expenses. The remaining available cash from operations is expected to be used for reserves for scheduled drydockings, intermediate and special surveys and other purposes as our board of directors may from time to time determine are required, after taking into account contingent liabilities, the terms of any credit facility, our growth strategy and other cash needs and the requirements of Marshall Islands law.
 
The declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will always be subject to the discretion of our board of directors. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and availability, our ability to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by our growth strategy and provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends. The international containership sector is highly volatile, and we cannot predict with certainty the amount of cash, if any, that will be available for distribution as dividends in any period. Also, there may be a high degree of variability from period to period in the amount of cash that is available for the payment of dividends.
 
We may incur expenses or liabilities or be subject to other circumstances in the future that reduce or eliminate the amount of cash that we have available for distribution as dividends, including as a result of the risks described in this section of the prospectus. Our growth strategy contemplates that we will finance the acquisition of additional vessels through a combination of short-term debt and equity financing on terms acceptable to us. If financing is not available to us on acceptable terms, our board of directors may determine to finance or refinance acquisitions with cash from operations, which would reduce or even eliminate the amount of cash available for the payment of dividends.
 
Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares) or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. In addition, any credit facilities that we may enter into in the future may include restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.
 
We are a Recently Organized Corporation with a Limited Operating History and Accordingly You will have a Very Limited Basis on which to Evaluate Our Ability to Achieve Our Business Objectives.
 
We are a recently organized corporation with limited operating results to date. Therefore, our ability to execute our business strategy is dependent upon the success of our management team and obtaining additional financing through debt or an offering of our securities. Because we have a limited


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operating history, you will have very limited information upon which to evaluate our ability to operate our vessels profitably and acquire or make new investments, including but not limited to acquisitions of containerships. If we are unable to continue to employ our vessels, we may not generate any operating revenues, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
 
We may be Unable to Locate Suitable Vessels which would Adversely Affect Our Ability to Operate Our Business.
 
We intend to further grow our fleet through selective acquisitions. Our business strategy is dependent on identifying and purchasing suitable vessels. Changing market and regulatory conditions may limit the availability of suitable vessels because of customer preferences or because they are not or will not be compliant with existing or future rules, regulations and conventions. Additional vessels of the age and quality we desire may not be available for purchase at prices we are prepared to pay or at delivery times acceptable to us, and we may not be able to dispose of vessels at reasonable prices, if at all. If we are unable to purchase and dispose of vessels at reasonable prices in accordance with our business strategy or in response to changing market and regulatory conditions, our business would be adversely affected.
 
Our Purchasing and Operating Secondhand Vessels may Result in Increased Operating Costs and Vessels Off-Hire, which could Adversely Affect our Earnings.
 
Our current business strategy includes growth through the acquisition of previously owned vessels. While we will typically inspect second-hand vessels before purchase, this does not provide us with the same knowledge about their condition that we would have had if these vessels had been built for and operated exclusively by us. Accordingly, we may not discover defects or other problems with such vessels before purchase. Any such hidden defects or problems, when detected, may be expensive to repair, and if not detected, may result in accidents or other incidents for which we may become liable to third parties. In addition, when purchasing secondhand vessels, we do not receive the benefit of any builder warranties if the vessels we buy are older than one year.
 
In general, the costs to maintain a vessel in good operating condition increase with the age of the vessel. Older vessels are typically less fuel efficient than more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine technology. Potential charterers may also choose not to charter older vessels. Governmental regulations, safety and other equipment standards related to the age of vessels may require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment to some of our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which these vessels may engage. We cannot assure you that, as our vessels age, market conditions will justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives. As a result, regulations and standards could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
We may not be Able to Implement our Growth Successfully.
 
Our business plan is to identify and acquire suitable vessels at favorable prices and trade our vessels on short-, medium- or long-term charters. Our business plan will therefore depend upon our ability to identify and acquire suitable vessels to grow our fleet in the future and successfully employ our vessels.
 
Growing any business by acquisition presents numerous risks, including undisclosed liabilities and obligations, difficulty obtaining additional qualified personnel and managing relationships with customers and suppliers. In addition, competition from other companies, many of which may have significantly greater financial resources than do we, may reduce our acquisition opportunities or cause us to pay higher prices. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in executing our plans to establish and grow our business or that we will not incur significant expenses and losses in connection with these plans. Our failure to effectively identify, purchase, develop and integrate any vessels could impede our ability to establish our operations or implement our growth successfully. Our acquisition


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growth strategy exposes us to risks that may harm our business, financial condition and operating results, including risks that we may:
 
  •  fail to realize anticipated benefits, such as cost savings or cash flow enhancements;
 
  •  incur or assume unanticipated liabilities, losses or costs associated with any vessels or businesses acquired, particularly if any vessel we acquire proves not to be in good condition;
 
  •  be unable to hire, train or retain qualified shore and seafaring personnel to manage and operate our growing business and fleet;
 
  •  decrease our liquidity by using a significant portion of available cash or borrowing capacity to finance acquisitions;
 
  •  significantly increase our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance acquisitions; or
 
  •  incur other significant charges, such as impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, asset devaluation or restructuring charges.
 
We have Acquired Re-Sale Newbuilding Vessels in the Past and We may in the Future Agree to Acquire Additional Newbuilding Vessels, and Any Delay in the Delivery of Vessels Under Contract could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.
 
We have acquired re-sale newbuilding vessels in the past. As we grow our fleet in the future, we may acquire additional newbuildings. The completion and delivery of newbuildings could be delayed because of, among other things:
 
  •  quality or engineering problems;
 
  •  changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory organization standards;
 
  •  work stoppages or other labor disturbances at the shipyard;
 
  •  bankruptcy of or other financial crisis involving the shipyard;
 
  •  a backlog of orders at the shipyard;
 
  •  political, social or economic disturbances;
 
  •  weather interference or a catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake or fire;
 
  •  requests for changes to the original vessel specifications;
 
  •  shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials, such as steel;
 
  •  an inability to finance the constructions of the vessels; or
 
  •  an inability to obtain requisite permits or approvals.
 
If the seller of any newbuilding vessel we have contracted to purchase is not able to deliver the vessel to us as agreed, or if we cancel a purchase agreement because a seller has not met his obligations, it may result in a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
 
The Failure of Our Counterparties to Meet Their Obligations to us Under Any Vessel Purchase Agreements or Time Charter Agreements could Cause us to Suffer Losses or Otherwise Adversely Affect our Business.
 
Currently, our vessels are employed on time charters with minimum remaining durations between 15 and 24 months. Generally, we intend to selectively employ our vessels under short-, medium- or long-term time charters. The ability and willingness of each of our counterparties to perform its obligations under a vessel purchase agreement or time charter agreement with us will depend on a


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number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, the condition of the containership market and the overall financial condition of the counterparty. If the seller of a vessel fails to deliver a vessel to us as agreed, or if we cancel a purchase agreement because a seller has not met its obligations, this may have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, in depressed market conditions, there have been reports of charterers renegotiating their charters or defaulting on their obligations under charters and our future customers may fail to pay charterhire or attempt to renegotiate charter rates. If our future charterers fail to meet their obligations to us or attempt to renegotiate our future charter agreements, we could sustain significant losses which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
Increased Competition in Technological Innovation could Reduce the Demand for the Vessels We Plan to Acquire and Our Ability to Successfully Implement Our Business Strategy.
 
The charter hire rates and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors including the vessel’s efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Efficiency includes speed, fuel economy and the ability to be loaded and unloaded quickly. Flexibility includes the ability to enter harbors, utilize related docking facilities and pass through canals and straits. Physical life is related to the original design and construction, maintenance and the impact of the stress of operations. If new containerships are built that are more efficient or flexible or have longer physical lives than our vessels, competition from these more technologically advanced containerships could adversely affect the amount of charter hire payments we receive for our vessels or our ability to charter our vessels at all.
 
Our Executive Officers and Directors will not Devote All of Their Time to Our Business, which may Hinder Our Ability to Operate Successfully.
 
Our executive officers and directors will be involved in other business activities, such as the operation of Diana Shipping with which they have certain employment agreements, which may result in their spending less time than is appropriate or necessary to manage our business successfully. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
 
Diana Shipping and the Company’s Management Currently Own a Significant Portion of Our Outstanding Common Shares, which may Limit Your Ability to Influence our Actions.
 
Diana Shipping currently owns approximately 10.9% of our outstanding common stock (14.5% after the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement of $20 million of our common shares, or 2,666,667 shares, to Diana Shipping, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option), and our executive officers collectively own approximately 11.8% of our outstanding common stock (9.6% after the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement of $20 million of our common shares to Diana Shipping, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option). Accordingly, Diana Shipping and our management have the power to exert considerable influence over our actions, including the election of directors, the adoption or amendment of provisions in our articles of incorporation and possible mergers or other significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination. This concentration of ownership could also discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which could in turn have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares. So long as Diana Shipping and our management continue to own a significant amount of our equity, even though such amount represents less than 50% of our voting power, they will continue to be able to exercise considerable influence over our decisions.


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Diana Shipping will not Provide any Guarantee of the Performance of Our Obligations nor will You have Any Recourse Against Diana Shipping should You Seek to Enforce a Claim Against us.
 
Diana Shipping currently owns approximately 10.9% of our common stock (14.5% after the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement of $20 million of our common shares, or 2,666,667 shares, to Diana Shipping, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option), but will not provide any guarantee of the performance of our obligations. Further, you will have no recourse against Diana Shipping should you seek to enforce a claim against us.
 
The Fiduciary Duties of Our Officers and Directors may Conflict with Those of the Officers and Directors of Diana Shipping and/or its Affiliates.
 
Our officers and directors have fiduciary duties to manage our business in a manner beneficial to us and our shareholders. However, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer also serve as executive officers and/or directors of Diana Shipping. As a result, these individuals have fiduciary duties to manage the business of Diana Shipping and its affiliates in a manner beneficial to such entities and their shareholders. Consequently, these officers and directors may encounter situations in which their fiduciary obligations to Diana Shipping and us are in conflict. Although Diana Shipping is contractually restricted from competing with us in the containership sector, there may be other business opportunities for which Diana Shipping may compete with us such as hiring employees, acquiring other businesses, or entering into joint ventures, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, we are contractually restricted from competing with Diana Shipping in the drybulk carrier sector, which limits our ability to expand our operations.
 
We are Dependent on Our Manager to Assist us in Operating Our Business, and Our Business will be Harmed if Our Manager Fails to Assist us Effectively.
 
We have entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with Diana Shipping Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diana Shipping, whom we refer to as DSS or the Manager, whereby DSS provides us with administrative services, commercial and technical vessel management services, including chartering, vessel maintenance, crewing, purchasing, shipyard supervision, insurance and financial services. Our operational success and ability to execute our growth strategy will depend significantly upon the satisfactory performance of these services. Our business will be harmed if our Manager fails to perform these services satisfactorily, if it stops providing these services to us for any reason or if it terminates the Administrative Services Agreement, as it is entitled to do under certain circumstances. While we are able to terminate the Administrative Services Agreement upon the approval of our board of directors, upon any termination of the Administrative Services Agreement, we may lose our ability to benefit from economies of scale in purchasing supplies and other advantages that we believe our relationship with DSS will provide.
 
If DSS suffers material damage to its reputation or relationships, it may harm our ability to:
 
  •  acquire new vessels;
 
  •  enter into new charters for our vessels;
 
  •  obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms; or
 
  •  maintain satisfactory relationships with charterers, suppliers and other third parties.
 
If our ability to do any of the things described above is impaired, it would undermine our ability to establish our operations and implement our growth successfully.


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Our Ability to Obtain Additional Debt Financing in the Future may be Dependent on the Performance of Our Then Existing Charters and the Creditworthiness of our Charterers.
 
The actual or perceived credit quality of our charterers, and any defaults by them, may materially affect our ability to obtain the additional capital resources that we will require to purchase additional vessels in the future or may significantly increase our costs of obtaining such capital. Our inability to obtain additional financing at all or at a higher than anticipated cost may materially affect our results of operation and our ability to implement our business strategy.
 
We may be Unable to Attract and Retain Key Management Personnel and other Employees in the Shipping Industry, which may Negatively Impact the Effectiveness of Our Management and Results of Operations.
 
Our success depends to a significant extent upon the abilities and efforts of our management team. Our success will depend upon our ability to retain key members of our management team and to hire new members as may be necessary. The loss of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business prospects and financial condition. Difficulty in hiring and retaining replacement personnel could adversely affect our business, results of operations and ability to pay dividends. We do not intend to maintain “key man” life insurance on any of our officers or other members of our management team.
 
If Our Insurance is Insufficient to Cover Losses that may Occur to the Vessels we Plan to Acquire or Result from Our Operations Due to the Inherent Operational Risks of the Shipping Industry, it could Adversely Affect our Financial Condition.
 
The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks, any of which could increase our costs or lower our revenues. These risks include the possibility of:
 
  •  marine disaster;
 
  •  environmental accidents;
 
  •  cargo and property losses or damage;
 
  •  business interruptions caused by mechanical failure, human error, political action in various countries, war, labor strikes, or adverse weather conditions; and
 
  •  loss of revenue during vessel off-hire periods.
 
Under the vessel management agreements, our manager is responsible for procuring and paying for insurance for our vessels. Our insurance policies contain standard limitations, exclusions and deductibles. The policies insure against those risks that the shipping industry commonly insures against, which are hull and machinery, protection and indemnity and war risk. The Manager currently maintains hull and machinery coverage in an amount at least equal to the vessels’ purchase price. The Manager maintains an amount of protection and indemnity insurance that is at least equal to the standard industry level of coverage. We cannot assure you that the Manager will be able to procure adequate insurance coverage for our fleet in the future or that our insurers will pay any particular claim.
 
We Expect to Continue to Operate Substantially Outside the United States, which will Expose Us to Political and Governmental Instability, which could Harm Our Operations.
 
We expect that our operations will continue to be primarily conducted outside the United States and may be adversely affected by changing or adverse political and governmental conditions in the countries where our vessels are flagged or registered and in the regions where we otherwise engage in business. Any disruption caused by these factors may interfere with the operation of our vessels, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Past political efforts to disrupt shipping in these regions, particularly in the Arabian Gulf, have included attacks on ships and mining of waterways. In addition, terrorist attacks outside this region, such as the attacks that occurred against targets in the United States on September 11, 2001, Spain on March 11, 2004, London on July 7, 2005,


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Mumbai on November 26, 2008 and continuing hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Middle East and the world may lead to additional armed conflicts or to further acts of terrorism and civil disturbance in the United States and elsewhere. Any such attacks or disturbances may disrupt our business, increase vessel operating costs, including insurance costs, and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Our operations may also be adversely affected by expropriation of vessels, taxes, regulation, tariffs, trade embargoes, economic sanctions or a disruption of or limit to trading activities or other adverse events or circumstances in or affecting the countries and regions where we operate or where we may operate in the future.
 
We Generate All of Our Revenues in Dollars and Incur a Portion of Our Expenses in Other Currencies, and Therefore Exchange Rate Fluctuations could have an Adverse Impact on Our Results of Operations.
 
We generate all of our revenues in dollars and incur a portion of our expenses in currencies other than the dollar. This difference could lead to fluctuations in net income due to changes in the value of the dollar relative to the other currencies, in particular the Euro. Expenses incurred in foreign currencies against which the dollar falls in value can increase, decreasing our revenues. Further declines in the value of the dollar could lead to higher expenses payable by us.
 
We may have to Pay Tax on United States Source Income, which would Reduce Our Earnings.
 
Under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code, 50% of the gross shipping income of a vessel owning or chartering corporation, such as us and our subsidiaries, that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States may be subject to a 4% United States federal income tax without allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
We intend to take the position that we qualify for this statutory tax exemption for U.S. federal income tax return reporting purposes. However, there are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption after the offering and thereby become subject to U.S. federal income tax on our U.S.-source shipping income. For example, in certain circumstances we may no longer qualify for exemption under Code Section 883 for a particular taxable year if shareholders with a five percent or greater interest in our common shares owned, in the aggregate, 50% or more of our outstanding common shares for more than half the days during the taxable year. Due to the factual nature of the issues involved, there can be no assurances on our tax-exempt status.
 
If we are not entitled to exemption under Section 883 for any taxable year, we would be subject for those years to an effective 2% United States federal income tax on the shipping income we derive during the year which is attributable to the transport of cargoes to or from the United States. The imposition of this taxation would have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our shareholders.
 
We may be Treated as a “Passive Foreign Investment Company,” which could have Certain Adverse U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders.
 
A foreign corporation will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income” or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation’s assets produce or are held for the production of those types of “passive income.” For purposes of these tests, cash will be treated as an asset held for the production of passive income. For purposes of these tests, “passive income” generally includes dividends, interest, and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than those received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.” U.S. holders of stock in a PFIC


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are subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their stock in the PFIC.
 
Whether we will be treated as a PFIC will depend upon our method of operation. In this regard, we intend to treat the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from time or voyage chartering activities as services income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, we believe that any income from time or voyage chartering activities will not constitute “passive income,” and any assets that we may own and operate in connection with the production of that income will not constitute passive assets. However, any gross income that we derive or are deemed to have derived from bareboat chartering activities will be treated as rental income and thus will constitute “passive income,” and any assets that we may own and operate in connection with the production of that income will constitute passive assets. There is substantial legal authority supporting this position consisting of case law and Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, it should be noted that there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court of law will accept our position with regard to our status from time to time as a PFIC, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are or have been a PFIC for a particular taxable year.
 
If we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, U.S. holders of our common stock will face certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and information reporting obligations. Under the PFIC rules, unless such U.S. holders make certain elections available under the Code (which elections could themselves have certain adverse consequences for such U.S. holders, as discussed below under “Taxation”), such U.S. holders would be liable to pay U.S. federal income tax at the then prevailing income tax rates on ordinary income plus interest upon excess distributions and upon any gain from the disposition of our common stock, as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over such U.S. holder’s holding period for such common stock. See “Taxation — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences” for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our common stock if we are or were to be treated as a PFIC.
 
We may be Subject to Increased Premium Payments, or Calls, because We Obtain Some of Our Insurance Through Protection and Indemnity Associations.
 
We may be subject to increased premium payments, or calls, in amounts based on our claim records as well as the claim records of other members of the protection and indemnity associations in the International Group, which is comprised of 13 mutual protection and indemnity associations and insures approximately 90% of the world’s commercial tonnage and through which we receive insurance coverage for tort liability, including pollution-related liability, as well as actual claims. Amounts we may be required to pay as a result of such calls will be unavailable for other purposes.
 
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
 
We may be Unable to Maintain Our Listing on the Nasdaq Global Market, which would Adversely Affect the Value of Our Common Shares and make it more Difficult for You to Monetize Your Investment.
 
Nasdaq Global Market and each national securities exchange have certain corporate governance requirements that must be met in order for us to maintain our listing. If we qualify for listing and subsequently fail to meet the relevant corporate governance requirements, our common shares could be delisted, which would make it harder for you to monetize your investment in our common shares and would cause the value of your investment to decline.


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If the Share Price of Our Common Shares Fluctuates After this Offering, You could Lose a Significant Part of Your Investment.
 
The market price of our common shares may be influenced by many factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the other risks described under “— Risk Factors Related to Our Common Shares” and the following:
 
  •  the failure of securities analysts to publish research about us after this offering, or analysts making changes in their financial estimates;
 
  •  announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions or capital commitments;
 
  •  variations in quarterly operating results;
 
  •  general economic conditions;
 
  •  terrorist or piracy acts;
 
  •  future sales of our common shares or other securities; and
 
  •  investors’ perception of us and the international containership sector.
 
As a result of these factors, investors in our common shares may not be able to resell their common shares at or above the initial offering price. These broad market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of our common shares, regardless of our operating performance.
 
Investor Confidence may be Adversely Impacted if We are Unable to Comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
As a public reporting company, we have become subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which will require us to include in our annual report on Form 20-F our management’s report on, and assessment of, the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, which requirement we expect will first apply to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Because we outsource accounting and other services to our Manager, our management and our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to also assess the design and operating effectiveness of our Manager’s internal controls over financial reporting. If we or our Manager fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting, we will not be in compliance with all of the requirements imposed by Section 404. Any failure to comply with Section 404 could result in an adverse perception of the Company in the financial marketplace.
 
Future Offerings of Debt Securities and Amounts Outstanding Under Current and Future Credit Facilities or Other Borrowings, which would Rank Senior to Our Common Stock upon our Liquidation, and Future Offerings of Equity Securities, which would Dilute Our Existing Stockholders, may Adversely Affect the Market Value of Common Stock.
 
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by borrowing under credit facilities, making offerings of debt or additional offerings of equity securities, including commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior or subordinated notes and classes of preferred stock. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and preferred stock and lenders with respect to our credit facilities and other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market value of our common stock, or both. Our preferred stock, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend payments that would limit amounts available for distribution to holders of our common stock. Because our decision to borrow under credit facilities or issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our


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control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future indebtedness or offering of securities. Therefore, holders of our common stock bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market value of our common stock and diluting their share holdings in us or that in the event of bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, all or substantially all of our assets will be distributed to holders of our debt securities or preferred stocks or lenders with respect to our credit facilities and other borrowings.
 
Future Sales of Our Common Stock could have an Adverse Effect on Our Share Price.
 
As of the date of this prospectus, we have 6,106,161 shares of common stock outstanding. We are offering 14,250,000 common shares in this offering or up to 16,387,500 common shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Additionally, we may in the future issue additional securities. We may also issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock, in connection with the hiring of personnel, future acquisitions, future private placements of our securities or other business purposes. The potential issuance of such additional shares of common stock will result in the dilution of the ownership interests of our existing shareholders and may create downward pressure on the trading price, if any, of our common stock.
 
In addition, our officers, directors and Diana Shipping have entered into a 90-day lock-up agreement with respect to its common stock. Such common stock will also be deemed to be “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may not be transferred unless such common stock has been registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration is available. Upon satisfaction of certain conditions, Rule 144 permits the sale of certain amounts of restricted securities one year following the date of acquisition of the restricted securities from us. As shares of common stock become eligible for sale under Rule 144, the volume of sales of common stock on applicable securities markets may increase, which could reduce the market value of our common stock. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and Jefferies & Company, Inc., at any time and without notice, may waive the provisions of the foregoing lock-up agreement. If the restrictions under the lock-up agreement are waived, such common stock will be available for sale into the market, which could reduce the market value for common stock.
 
Three other shareholders have reported owning an aggregate of 1,628,330 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 26.7% of our issued and outstanding common shares prior to this offering, that are freely transferable without restrictions under the Securities Act. These holders have not agreed to any lock-up restrictions or other agreements restricting the transfer of these shares. Accordingly, all or some of these shares may be sold by these shareholders at any time, which may significantly reduce the price at which you are able to sell shares of our common stock that you purchased in this offering. See “Security Ownership of Beneficial Owners and Management.”
 
We are a Holding Company, and We will Depend on the Ability of Our Current and Future Subsidiaries to Distribute Funds to Us in Order to Satisfy Our Financial Obligations or to Make Dividend Payments.
 
We are a holding company, and our current and future subsidiaries, which will all be wholly-owned by us, either directly or indirectly, will conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We will have no significant assets other than the equity interests in our wholly-owned subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to satisfy our financial obligations and to pay dividends, if any, to our shareholders will depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us. In turn, the ability of our subsidiaries to make dividend payments to us will depend on them having profits available for distribution and, to the extent that we are unable to obtain dividends from our subsidiaries, this will limit the discretion of our board of directors to pay or recommend the payment of dividends. Also, our subsidiaries are limited by Marshall Islands law which generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares) or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend.


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Because We are a Foreign Corporation, You may not have the Same Rights or Protections that a Shareholder in a United States Corporation may have.
 
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate law and may make it more difficult for our shareholders to protect their interests. Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws and the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or BCA. The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the law of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in certain U.S. jurisdictions and there have been few judicial cases in the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. Shareholder rights may differ as well. While the BCA does specifically incorporate the non-statutory law, or judicial case law, of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction. Therefore, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests as a shareholder in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling stockholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a United States jurisdiction.
 
Future Sales of Our Common Stock could Cause the Market Price of Our Common Stock to Decline.
 
The market price of our common stock could decline due to sales of a large number of shares in the market, including sales of shares by our large shareholders, or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales could also make it more difficult or impossible for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate to raise funds through future offerings of shares of our common stock. We have entered into a registration rights agreement with Diana Shipping that will entitle it to have all the shares of our common stock that it owns following this offering registered for re-sale in the public market under the Securities Act and expect to enter into a registration rights agreement with Diana Shipping in connection with the concurrent private placement.
 
As a Key Component of our Business Strategy, We Intend to Issue Additional Shares of Common Stock or Other Securities to Finance Our Growth. These Issuances, which would Generally not be Subject to Shareholder Approval, may Lower Your Ownership Interests and may Depress the Market Price of Our Common Stock.
 
As a key component of our business strategy, we plan to finance potential future expansions of our fleet in large part with equity financing. Pursuant to our amended and restated articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 500 million common shares and 25 million preferred shares, each with a par value of $0.01 per share. Therefore, subject to the rules of the Nasdaq Global Market that are applicable to us, we plan to issue additional shares of common stock, and other equity securities of equal or senior rank, without shareholder approval, in a number of circumstances from time to time.
 
The issuance by us of additional shares of common stock or other equity securities of equal or senior rank will have the following effects:
 
  •  our existing shareholders’ proportionate ownership interest in us may decrease;
 
  •  the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding share may be diminished;
 
  •  the market price of our common stock may decline; and
 
  •  the amount of cash available for dividends payable on our common stock, if any, may decrease.
 
In addition, if we issue shares of our common stock in a future offering at a price per share lower than the price per share in this offering, it will be dilutive to purchasers of our common stock in this offering.


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It may not be Possible for Our Investors to Enforce U.S. Judgments Against Us.
 
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for United States shareholders to serve process within the United States upon us or to enforce judgment upon us for civil liabilities in United States courts. In addition, you should not assume that courts in the countries in which we are incorporated or where our assets are located (1) would enforce judgments of United States courts obtained in actions against us based upon the civil liability provisions of applicable United States federal and state securities laws or (2) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us based upon these laws.
 
Prior to This Offering, There has not been a Large Public Float for Our Common Stock.
 
Prior to this offering, there has not been a large public float for our common stock. We cannot make any prediction as to the effect, if any, that sales of common stock or the availability of common stock for sale will have on the market price of our common stock. The market price of our common stock could decline because of the sale of a large number of shares of our common stock or the perception that such sales could occur. These factors could also make it more difficult to raise funds through future offerings of common stock. Even though several of our officers and our Founder, Diana Shipping, have agreed not to sell their shares for a period of 90 days after the date of this offering, there are other substantial shareholders of the Company that are not subject to such “lock-up” arrangements. See “Security Ownership of Beneficial Owners and Management.”
 
Anti-takeover Provisions in Our Organizational Documents could make it Difficult for Our Shareholders to Replace or Remove Our Current Board of Directors or have the Effect of Discouraging, Delaying or Preventing a Merger or Acquisition, which could Adversely Affect the Value of Our Securities.
 
Several provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it difficult for our shareholders to change the composition of our board of directors in any one year, preventing them from changing the composition of management. In addition, the same provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that shareholders may consider favorable.
 
These provisions include:
 
  •  authorizing our board of directors to issue “blank check” preferred stock without shareholder approval;
 
  •  providing for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms;
 
  •  prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;
 
  •  authorizing the removal of directors only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding common shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
 
  •  limiting the persons who may call special meetings of shareholders; and
 
  •  establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by shareholders at shareholder meetings.
 
In addition, we have entered into a stockholders rights agreement pursuant to which our board of directors may cause the substantial dilution of any person that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our board of directors.
 
These anti-takeover provisions, including provisions of our stockholders rights agreement, could substantially impede the ability of shareholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a result, may adversely affect the value of our securities, if any, and the ability of shareholders to realize any potential change of control premium.


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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements.” All statements in this document that are not statements of historical fact or present facts or conditions are forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements may be identified by the use of predictive, future-tense or forward-looking terminology, such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,” “potential,” “may,” “should,” “expect” or similar terms and includes assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events.
 
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, such matters as:
 
  •  our future operating or financial results;
 
  •  statements about pending or recent acquisitions, business strategy and expected capital spending or operating expenses;
 
  •  statements about shipping industry trends, including charter hire rates and factors affecting supply and demand;
 
  •  our ability to obtain additional financing;
 
  •  expectations regarding the availability of vessel acquisitions; and
 
  •  anticipating developments with respect to litigation.
 
Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in the forward-looking statements included herein. The reasons for this include the risks, uncertainties and factors described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors.”
 
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
 
We are a Marshall Islands company and our principal administrative offices are located outside the United States in Athens, Greece. A majority of our directors, officers and the experts named in this prospectus reside outside the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of our directors, officers and experts are located outside of the United States. As a result, you may have difficulty serving legal process within the United States upon us or any of these persons. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside the United States, judgments you may obtain in United States courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of United States federal or state securities laws.
 
Furthermore, there is substantial doubt that the courts of the Marshall Islands or Greece would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on United States federal or state securities laws.


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USE OF PROCEEDS
 
The net proceeds from the sale of the common shares in this offering and the concurrent private placement to Diana Shipping are expected to be approximately $121.4 million ($136.7 million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
 
We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering and the concurrent private placement of shares to Diana Shipping, together with cash on hand, to repay in full our existing secured term loan facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA, to fund a portion of the acquisition costs of the three containerships that we have agreed to acquire from Maersk, and for additional containership acquisitions, and/or general corporate purposes, including working capital. Our existing secured term loan facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA that will be repaid with a portion of the net proceeds of this offering, bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.60% per annum, and has a scheduled maturity in 2013 and 2017, respectively, for each tranche. This secured term loan facility will be terminated following its repayment in full. DnB NOR Bank ASA is an affiliate of DnB NOR Markets, Inc. See “Conflicts of Interest” for further information.


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DIVIDEND POLICY
 
We currently intend to declare a variable quarterly dividend each February, May, August and November substantially equal to approximately 70% of our available cash from operations during the previous quarter after the payment of cash expenses. The remaining available cash from operations is expected to be used for reserves for scheduled drydockings, intermediate and special surveys and other purposes as our board of directors may from time to time determine are required, after taking into account contingent liabilities, the terms of any credit facility, our growth strategy and other cash needs and the requirements of Marshall Islands law.
 
We expect to declare our first quarterly dividend in August 2011. Because the closing of the acquisitions of the three currently-contracted vessels is expected to occur in June 2011, investors should not annualize our first dividend as a means of determining the yield or annual dividend payment. We expect that the dividend payable in November will reflect a full quarter’s operations of our entire Initial Fleet, as well as a partial contribution from any other vessels delivered during that quarter.
 
We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common shares in the past and there can be no assurance that dividends will be paid in the future. The actual timing and amount of dividend payments, if any, will be determined by our board of directors and could be affected by various factors, including our cash earnings, financial condition and cash requirements, the loss of a vessel, the acquisition of one or more vessels, required capital expenditures, reserves established by our board of directors, increased or unanticipated expenses, a change in our dividend policy, additional borrowings or future issuances of securities, many of which will be beyond our control. We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to satisfy our financial obligations and to make dividend payments. In addition, any credit facilities that we may enter into in the future may include restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.
 
Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus, or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend.
 
In addition, we may incur expenses or liabilities, including extraordinary expenses, decreases in revenues, including as a result of unanticipated off-hire days or loss of a vessel, or increased cash needs that could reduce or eliminate the amount of cash that we have available for distribution as dividends. The containership sector is cyclical and volatile. We cannot predict with accuracy the amount of cash flows our operations will generate in any given period. Factors beyond our control may affect the charter market for our vessels and our charterers’ ability to satisfy their contractual obligations to us, and we cannot assure you that dividends will actually be declared or paid in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be able to pay regular quarterly dividends, and our ability to pay dividends will be subject to the limitations set forth above and in the section of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors.”
 
In times when we have debt outstanding, we intend to limit our dividends per share to the amount that we would have been able to pay if we were financed entirely with equity. Our board of directors may review and amend our dividend policy from time to time, in light of our plans for future growth and other factors.


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CAPITALIZATION
 
The following unaudited table sets forth our capitalization at March 31, 2011, on an actual basis, as adjusted to give effect to: (a) the drawdown on May 6, 2011 of $65.0 million under our facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA dated May 4, 2011 and the repayment of approximately $39.3 million of our debt (including scheduled quarterly installments of $0.6 million in total), and (b) the 10% advance paid in April 2011 amounting to approximately $7.1 million in respect of the three Maersk containerships that we expect to be delivered in June 2011, and as further adjusted to give effect to (i) the issuance and sale of our common shares in this offering (including underwriting discounts and commissions of 5% and estimated offering expenses of $700,000 payable by us), including the sale of $20 million of our common shares to Diana Shipping in a concurrent private placement at the public offering price, (ii) the repayment of $65.0 million under our loan facility, and (iii) payment of the balance of the purchase price, or $63.5 million, for the acquisition of the three Maersk containerships.
 
You should read this table together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
                         
    As of March 31, 2011
            As Further
    Actual   As Adjusted   Adjusted(1)
        (in U.S. dollars)    
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 31,811,827     $ 50,421,827 (2)   $ 43,412,455 (2)
Debt (principal balance, secured and guaranteed)
    39,340,000       65,000,000        
Stockholders’ equity
                       
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued actual, as adjusted and as further adjusted
                 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 6,106,161 shares issued and outstanding actual, 6,106,161 shares issued and outstanding as adjusted, and 23,022,828 shares issued and outstanding as further adjusted
    61,062       61,062       230,228  
Additional paid-in capital
    86,747,780       86,747,780       208,019,241  
Accumulated deficit
    (1,744,532 )     (1,744,532 )     (1,744,532 )
                         
Total stockholders’ equity
  $ 85,064,310     $ 85,064,310     $ 206,504,937  
                         
Total capitalization
  $ 124,404,310     $ 150,064,310     $ 206,504,937  
                         
 
Except as disclosed herein, there have been no material changes to our consolidated capitalization since March 31, 2011, as adjusted.
 
(1) Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
 
(2) Excludes an arrangement fee of $382,500 on the credit facility that we entered into on May 4, 2011.


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HISTORICAL PRICE INFORMATION FOR OUR COMMON SHARES
 
Our common shares have traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “DCIX” since January 19, 2011. From January 3, 2011 through January 19, 2011, our shares traded on a “when-issued” basis on Nasdaq Global Market. Prior to that time, our shares were privately-held and were not publicly traded. The table below sets forth the high and low closing prices for each of the periods indicated for the common shares.
 
The high and low closing prices for our common shares, by quarter, in 2011 were as follows:
 
                 
For the period from January 19, 2011 to
  Low   High
 
March 31, 2011
  $ 11.74     $ 12.99  
 
The high and low closing prices for our common shares, by month, since the shares began trading were as follows:
 
                 
For the month ended:
  Low   High
 
January 19, 2011 to January 31, 2011
  $ 12.50     $ 12.99  
February 2011
    12.02       12.65  
March 2011
    11.74       12.65  
April 2011
    12.49       13.15  
May 2011
    10.27       12.95  
June 1 through June 9, 2011
    7.95       9.55  


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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial data and other operating data. The selected consolidated financial data in the table as of December 31, 2010 and for the period from January 7, 2010 (inception date) to December 31, 2010 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The selected consolidated financial data in the table as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and for the period from January 7, 2010 (inception date) to March 31, 2010 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements. The following data should be read in conjunction with Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”, the consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
                         
                For the period from
 
    For the period from
          January 7, 2010
 
    January 7, 2010 (inception
    For the three months
    (inception date) to
 
    date) to December 31, 2010     ended March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010  
    (in U.S. dollars, except for share data)  
 
Income Statement Data:
                       
Time charter revenues
  $ 5,734,716     $ 3,240,000        
Voyage expenses
    266,967       116,100        
Vessel operating expenses
    2,884,610       954,222        
Depreciation
    1,453,877       723,771        
Management fees
    203,000       90,000        
General and administrative expenses
    3,523,986       851,316       236,533  
Foreign currency (gains)/losses
    (1,043,563 )     6,015       149  
                         
Operating income/(loss)
  $ (1,554,161 )   $ 498,576     $ (236,682 )
                         
Interest and finance costs
    (511,291 )     (263,550 )      
Interest income
    64,091       21,803        
                         
Net income/(loss)
  $ (2,001,361 )   $ 256,829     $ (236,682 )
                         
Earnings/(loss) per common share, basic and diluted
  $ (0.45 )   $ 0.04     $ (473.36 )
Weighted average number of common shares, basic and diluted
    4,449,431       6,106,161       500  
                         
 


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            As of and for
            the period from
    As of and for the period from
      January 7, 2010
    January 7, 2010
  As of and for the three
  (inception date) to
    (inception date) to
  months ended
  March 31, 2010
    December 31, 2010   March 31, 2011   (Cash Flow Data Only)*
    (in U.S. dollars, except operations data)
 
Balance Sheet Data:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 11,098,284     $ 31,811,827          
Total current assets
    12,376,014       32,601,617          
Vessels’ net book value
    92,077,309       91,353,538          
Total assets
    105,349,169       125,528,755          
Total current liabilities
    2,428,676       3,966,530          
Other non-current liabilities
    181,684       181,684          
Long-term debt (including current portion)
    19,489,633       39,080,846          
                         
Total stockholders’ equity
    84,610,714       85,064,310          
                         
Cash Flow Data:
                       
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities
  $ (186,525 )   $ 1,830,343        
Net cash used in investing activities
    (93,531,186 )            
Net cash provided by financing activities
    103,764,596       18,883,200       50,000,500  
Fleet Data:
                       
Average number of vessels(1)
    1.0       2.0          
Number of vessels at end of period
    2.0       2.0          
Weighted average age of fleet at end of period (in years)
    0.6       0.8          
Ownership days(2)
    361       180          
Available days(3)
    361       180          
Operating days(4)
    352       180          
Fleet utilization(5)
    97.5 %     100 %        
Average Daily Results:
                       
Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate(6)
  $ 15,146     $ 17,355          
Daily vessel operating expenses(7)
    7,991       5,301          
 
 
* We did not have any operating vessels as of March 31, 2010
 
(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 the period.
 
(2) Ownership days are the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.
 
(3) Available days are the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special

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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.
 
(4) Operating days are the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our 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.
 
(5) We calculate 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.
 
(6) Time charter equivalent rates, or TCE rates, are defined as our time charter revenues less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. Voyage expenses include port charges, bunker (fuel) expenses, canal charges and commissions. TCE rate is a non-GAAP measure, and is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter hire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts while charter hire rates for vessels on time charters are generally expressed in such amounts. The following table reflects the calculation of our TCE rates for the periods presented.
 
                 
    For the period from
       
    January 7, 2010
       
    (inception
    For the three months
 
    date) to December 31,
    ended
 
    2010     March 31, 2011  
    (in U.S. dollars, except for available days)  
 
Time charter revenues
  $ 5,734,716     $ 3,240,000  
Less: voyage expenses
    (266,967 )     (116,100 )
                 
Time charter equivalent revenues
  $ 5,467,749     $ 3,123,900  
                 
Available days
    361       180  
Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate
  $ 15,146     $ 17,355  
 
(7) Daily vessel operating expenses, which include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses, are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.


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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
You should read the following discussion and analysis together with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion includes forward-looking statements which, although based on assumptions that we consider reasonable, are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or conditions to differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of those risks and uncertainties, read the sections entitled “Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.”
 
Overview
 
We were incorporated on January 7, 2010 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. We were formed to acquire containerships engaged in the seaborne transportation of finished consumer and industrial products. We received net proceeds from the private offering of approximately $85.3 million. Following the acquisition of the two vessels in our initial fleet and the drawdown of $40.0 million under our secured loan facility, we have applied approximately 62% of the net proceeds of the private offering to a Permitted Purpose, as defined in our amended and restated by-laws. The first two vessels in our Initial Fleet are employed on time charter with expirations in March to June of 2013 for the vessel Sagitta and July to October 2012 for the vessel Centaurus. Our Initial Fleet includes three more Containerships that we have contracted to acquire, MV Maersk Madrid (4,206 TEU), the MV Maersk Malacca (4,714 TEU) and the MV Maersk Merlion (4,714 TEU), each of which will be chartered to Maersk upon their delivery to us. In order to maximize returns, we plan to focus on vessels ranging from 2,500 TEU to 7,500 TEU because we believe that the current containership orderbook composition, matched with global GDP growth, creates a favorable multi-year dynamic of supply and demand for these mid-sized containerships. We will also focus on secondhand vessels and re-sale newbuildings because they will contribute to our cash flows immediately. In line with our existing fleet, we will favor sister-ships as we believe that they increase our operating efficiency and profitability margins. As industry dynamics change, we might opportunistically acquire containerships outside of these parameters in order to increase dividends per share. Please read “Summary — Market Opportunity” and “Summary — Business Strategy.”
 
Vessel Management
 
DSS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diana Shipping, provides commercial and technical management services for our vessels under separate vessel management agreements with our vessel owning subsidiaries. Commercial management includes, among other things, negotiating charters for vessels, monitoring the performance of vessels under charter, and managing our relationships with charterers, obtaining insurance coverage for our vessels, as well as supervision of the technical management of the vessels. Technical management includes managing day-to-day vessel operations, performing general vessel maintenance, ensuring regulatory and classification society compliance, supervising the maintenance and general efficiency of vessels, arranging the hire of qualified officers and crew, arranging and supervising drydocking and repairs, arranging for the purchase of supplies, spare parts and new equipment for vessels, appointing supervisors and technical consultants and providing technical support. Our Manager also provides to us accounting, administrative, financial reporting and other services necessary for the operation of our business.
 
Results of Operations
 
Our revenues consist of revenues from time charters. We believe that the important measures for analyzing our future results of the operations consist of the following:
 
  •  Ownership Days.  We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of


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  the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.
 
  •  Available Days.  We define available days as the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to 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.  We define operating days as the number of our available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our 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.  We calculate 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.
 
  •  Time Charter Equivalent (TCE) rates.  We define TCE rates as our voyage and time charter revenues less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. TCE rate, a non-GAAP measure, is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter hire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts while charter hire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts.
 
  •  Daily Operating Expenses.  We define daily operating expenses as total vessel operating expenses, which include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance and vessel registry, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes, regulatory fees and other miscellaneous expenses divided by total ownership days.
 
We believe these metrics will be helpful in comparing our future operating performance from period to period as well as to that of our competitors; however, other shipping companies may not define the above metrics in the same manner.
 
Period charters refer to both time and bareboat charters. Vessels operating on time charters for a certain period of time provide more predictable cash flows over that period of time, but can yield lower profit margins than vessels operating in the spot charter market during periods characterized by favorable market conditions. Vessels operating in the spot charter market generate revenues that are less predictable but may enable their owners to capture increased profit margins during periods of improvements in charter rates although their owners would be exposed to the risk of declining charter rates, which may have a materially adverse impact on financial performance. As we employ vessels on period charters, future spot charter rates may be higher or lower than the rates at which we have employed our vessels on period charters.
 
Company History
 
In April 2010, we completed the sale of an aggregate of 5,892,330 common shares in a private offering under Rule 144A, Regulation S and Regulation D under the Securities Act pursuant to the initial purchaser/placement agreement, dated March 29, 2010, by and between us and FBR Capital Markets & Co., including 290,000 common shares issued pursuant to the exercise of FBR Capital Markets & Co.’s option to purchase additional shares, with aggregate net proceeds of $85.3 million.


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In May 2010, we issued a total of 213,331 restricted common shares to our executive officers pursuant to our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan and related restricted stock grant award agreements. Of these shares, 106,669 shares have vested and the remaining shares vest ratably over the remaining two years.
 
On June 1, 2010, we terminated the existing Consultancy Agreements with companies controlled by each of the executive officers and the services that were previously provided to the Company by the consultants are provided by DSS under the Administrative Services Agreement. DSS has appointed Diana Enterprises Inc., a related party, as broker to assist it in providing services to the Company pursuant to the Broker Services Agreement, dated June 1, 2010.
 
On June 8, 2010, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries Likiep Shipping Company Inc. and Orangina Inc., entered into memoranda of agreement to purchase two newbuilding containerships, identified as Hull 558 (named Sagitta) and Hull 559 (named Centaurus), from a third-party seller, each with a carrying capacity of approximately 3,400 TEU for a purchase price of Euro 37,300,000 per ship (or $45.7 million and $47.2 million, respectively, excluding any predelivery expenses). We took delivery of the vessel Sagitta on June 29, 2010. We took delivery of the Centaurus on July 9, 2010.
 
On July 7, 2010, we entered into a term loan agreement with DnB NOR Bank ASA for an amount of up to $40.0 million to finance part of the acquisition cost of the vessels Sagitta and Centaurus. In July 2010, we drew down $10.0 million per vessel in connection with the acquisition of the two newbuilding containerships and the remaining $20.0 million was drawn down in February 2011. Please see “— Liquidity and Capital Resources,” below.
 
In November 2010, we completed a registered exchange offer in which 2,558,997 common shares sold in the private offering were exchanged for the same number of common shares that were registered with the SEC, in accordance with the terms of the registration rights agreement related to the April 2010 private placement. For further information, see the Company’s registration statement on Form F-4 (Registration No. 333-169974) filed with the Commission on October 15, 2010. Under the registration rights agreement, we have agreed, under certain circumstances, to register additional common shares sold in the private offering for re-sale.
 
In December 2010, we applied for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market. Our shares became available to trade on January 3, 2011 on a “when issued basis” and our common shares became available for trading on January 19, 2011, on a “regular way” basis under the symbol “DCIX”.
 
On April 13, 2011, through our newly-established subsidiaries Ebon Shipping Company Inc. (“Ebon”), Mili Shipping Company Inc. (“Mili”) and Ralik Shipping Company Inc. (“Ralik”), we entered into three Memoranda of Agreement (Ralik with Maersk Line UK Ltd., and Mili and Ebon with A.P. Moller Singapore Pte. Ltd.) for the purchase of three Panamax container vessels, the MV “Maersk Merlion”, the MV “Maersk Malacca” and the MV “Maersk Madrid”, respectively. The MV “Maersk Madrid” is a 1989-built vessel of 4,206 TEU capacity. The purchase price for the MV “Maersk Madrid” is $22.5 million. The MV “Maersk Malacca” and MV “Maersk Merlion” are both 1990-built vessels of 4,714 TEU capacity each. The purchase price for the MV “Maersk Malacca” and MV “Maersk Merlion” is $24.0 million each. On April 18, 2011, we paid to the Sellers 10% of the vessels’ price amounting to $2.4 million for each of the MV “Maersk Malacca” and MV “Maersk Merlion” and $2.25 million for the MV “Maersk Madrid”. The remaining consideration shall be paid upon delivery of the vessels. The expected date of delivery from their previous owners to us for all three vessels is June 2011. Each of the three vessels is chartered to A.P. Møller-Maersk A/S for a period of minimum twenty-four (24) months plus or minus forty-five (45) days at a daily rate of $21,450 less a 2.25% commission. The charterer has the option to employ each vessel for a further twelve (12) month period plus or minus forty-five (45) days, at a daily rate of $25,000 less a 2.25% commission starting twenty-four (24) months after delivery of the vessel to the charterer. Each charter will commence on or about the day of that vessel’s delivery to us.
 
On May 4, 2011, through certain wholly-owned subsidiaries, we entered into a loan agreement with DnB NOR Bank ASA for a maximum amount of $85.0 million in order to refinance the outstanding balance of the loan facility dated July 7, 2010, to partly finance the cost of the three Panamax container


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vessels that we have agreed to acquire and for working capital. The loan will be made available in two tranches. Tranche 1 shall be the lesser of 65% of the market value of the vessels Sagitta and Centaurus and $65.0 million and tranche 2 shall be the lesser of 35% of the market value of the three Panamax container vessels mentioned above and $20.0 million. Tranche 1 was drawn in a single drawdown and tranche 2 will be available for drawing in three drawdowns until July 31, 2011. Tranche 1 shall be repaid in 24 consecutive quarterly installments of $1.1 million each, plus a balloon installment of $37.6 million to be paid together with the last installment. Tranche 2 shall be repaid in 8 consecutive quarterly installments of $2.5 million each. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.6% per annum. We paid $382,500 of arrangement fees on signing of the agreement and on May 6, 2011, we drew down $65.0 million of Tranche 1, with which we repaid the then-outstanding balance of indebtedness under our secured term loan facility entered into on July 7, 2010 (amounting to $38.7 million plus interest). We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to repay and terminate this loan facility. Upon completion of this offering, we expect to have no debt.
 
Lack of Historical Operating Data for Vessels before their Acquisition
 
Consistent with shipping industry practice, other than inspection of the physical condition of the vessels and examinations of classification society records, there is no historical financial due diligence process when we acquire vessels. Accordingly, we will not obtain the historical operating data for the vessels from the sellers because that information is not material to our decision to make acquisitions, nor do we believe it would be helpful to potential investors in our common shares in assessing our business or profitability. Most vessels are sold under a standardized agreement, which, among other things, provides the buyer with the right to inspect the vessel and the vessel’s classification society records. The standard agreement does not give the buyer the right to inspect, or receive copies of, the historical operating data of the vessel. Prior to the delivery of a purchased vessel, the seller typically removes from the vessel all records, including past financial records and accounts related to the vessel. In addition, the technical management agreement between the seller’s technical manager and the seller is automatically terminated and the vessel’s trading certificates are revoked by its flag state following a change in ownership.
 
Consistent with shipping industry practice, we treat the acquisition of a vessel (whether acquired with or without charter) as the acquisition of an asset rather than a business. Although vessels are generally acquired free of charter, we may, in the future, acquire vessels with existing time charters. Where a vessel has been under a voyage charter, the vessel is delivered to the buyer free of charter, and it is rare in the shipping industry for the last charterer of the vessel in the hands of the seller to continue as the first charterer of the vessel in the hands of the buyer. In most cases, when a vessel is under time charter and the buyer wishes to assume that charter, the vessel cannot be acquired without the charterer’s consent and the buyer’s entering into a separate direct agreement with the charterer to assume the charter. The purchase of a vessel itself does not transfer the charter, because it is a separate service agreement between the vessel owner and the charterer.
 
When we purchase a vessel and assume or renegotiate a related time charter, we must take the following steps before the vessel will be ready to commence operations:
 
  •  obtain the charterer’s consent to us as the new owner;
 
  •  obtain the charterer’s consent to a new technical manager;
 
  •  obtain the charterer’s consent to a new flag for the vessel;
 
  •  arrange for a new crew for the vessel;
 
  •  replace all hired equipment on board, such as gas cylinders and communication equipment;
 
  •  negotiate and enter into new insurance contracts for the vessel through our own insurance brokers;
 
  •  register the vessel under a flag state and perform the related inspections in order to obtain new trading certificates from the flag state;


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  •  implement a new planned maintenance program for the vessel; and
 
  •  ensure that the new technical manager obtains new certificates for compliance with the safety and vessel security regulations of the flag state.
 
The following discussion is intended to help you understand how acquisitions of vessels affect our business and results of operations.
 
Our business is comprised of the following main elements:
 
  •  acquisition and disposition of vessels;
 
  •  employment and operation of our vessels; and
 
  •  management of the financial, general and administrative elements involved in the conduct of our business and ownership of our vessels.
 
The employment and operation of our vessels require the following main components:
 
  •  vessel maintenance and repair;
 
  •  crew selection and training;
 
  •  vessel spares and stores supply;
 
  •  contingency response planning;
 
  •  on board safety procedures auditing;
 
  •  accounting;
 
  •  vessel insurance arrangement;
 
  •  vessel chartering;
 
  •  vessel hire management;
 
  •  vessel surveying; and
 
  •  vessel performance monitoring.
 
The management of financial, general and administrative elements involved in the conduct of our business and ownership of vessels, which is provided to us pursuant to our Administrative Services Agreement with DSS, requires the following main components:
 
  •  management of our financial resources, including banking relationships, i.e., administration of bank loans and bank accounts;
 
  •  management of our accounting system and records and financial reporting;
 
  •  administration of the legal and regulatory requirements affecting our business and assets; and
 
  •  management of the relationships with our service providers and customers.
 
The principal factors that may affect our profitability, cash flows and shareholders’ return on investment include:
 
  •  rates and periods of charterhire;
 
  •  levels of vessel operating expenses;
 
  •  depreciation expenses;
 
  •  financing costs; and
 
  •  fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
 
See “Risk Factors” for additional factors that may affect our business.


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Revenues
 
Voyage Revenues
 
Voyage revenues are driven primarily by the number of vessels in our fleet, the number of voyage days and the amount of daily charter hire that our vessels earn under charters.
 
Time Charter Equivalent (TCE)
 
A standard maritime industry performance measure used to evaluate performance is the daily time charter equivalent, or daily TCE. Daily TCE revenues are voyage revenues minus voyage expenses divided by the number of available days during 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 a charterer under a time charter, as well as commissions. We believe that the daily TCE neutralizes the variability created by unique costs associated with particular voyages or the employment of vessels on time charter or on the spot market and presents a more accurate representation of the revenues generated by our vessels.
 
Vessel Operating Expenses
 
Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance and vessel registry, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes, regulatory fees and other miscellaneous expenses. Other factors beyond our control, some of which may affect the shipping industry in general, including, for instance, developments relating to market prices for crew wages and insurance, may also cause these expenses to increase. In conjunction with our senior executive officers, our Manager has established an operating expense budget for each vessel and performs the day-to-day management of our vessels under separate management agreements with our vessel-owning subsidiaries. We monitor the performance of our Manager by comparing actual vessel operating expenses with the operating expense budget for each vessel. For the remainder of 2011, and after taking into account the delivery of our three vessels from Maersk in June 2011, we expect our vessel operating expenses to average approximately $7,700 per vessel per day. We are responsible for the costs of any deviations from the budgeted amounts.
 
Depreciation
 
We depreciate our vessels on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives which we estimate to be 30 years from the date of their initial delivery from the shipyard. Depreciation is based on the cost less the estimated residual scrap values, calculated at $200 to $350 per lightweight ton, depending on the age of the vessels and market conditions.
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
We incur general and administrative expenses, including our onshore related expenses such as legal and professional expenses. Certain of our general and administrative expenses are provided for under our Administrative Services Agreement with DSS and the Broker Services Agreement between DSS and Diana Enterprises. We expect general and administrative expenses to reflect the costs associated with running a public company including board of director costs, director and officer insurance, investor relations, registrar and transfer agent fees and increased legal and accounting costs related to our compliance with public reporting obligations and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 


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Results of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 Compared to the Period from January 7, 2010 (Inception Date) to March 31, 2010
 
We took delivery of the two vessels that we currently operate in June and July 2010, and therefore did not generate any revenue or incur any vessel operating expenses, depreciation or management fees during the first quarter of 2010.
 
Net Income / Loss.  Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 amounted to $0.3 million, which mainly resulted from operating our two vessels Sagitta and Centaurus and expenses related to becoming a public company. This compared to net losses of $0.2 million for the period from January 7, 2010 to March 31, 2010, which included general and administrative expenses for executive management fees.
 
Time Charter Revenues.  Time charter revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2011 amounted to $3.2 million, representing our gross charter revenues derived from the time charter contracts of our vessels Sagitta and Centaurus.
 
Voyage Expenses.  Voyage expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 amounted to $0.1 million, representing commissions paid to third party brokers and to DSS on our gross charter hire pursuant to the time charter agreements with our charterers and our vessel management agreements with DSS.
 
Vessel Operating Expenses.  Vessel operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 amounted to $1.0 million and mainly consist of crew wages and related costs, consumables and stores insurances, and repairs and maintenance,
 
Depreciation.  Depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2011 amounted to $0.7 million and represents the depreciation expense of the two containerships Sagitta and Centaurus, according to our related policy.
 
Management Fees.  Management fees for the three months ended March 31, 2011 amounted to $0.1 million and consist of fees charged by DSS pursuant to the vessel management agreements that we, through our vessel-owning subsidiaries, entered into in June 2010 for the provision of commercial and technical management services for the vessels in our fleet.
 
General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased by $0.7 million, or 350%, to $0.9 million compared to $0.2 million for the period from January 7, 2010 to March 31, 2010, mainly due to compensation cost on restricted stock awards pursuant to our equity incentive plan and fees relating to running a public company such as audit, non-executive directors’ compensation listing and legal fees.
 
Interest and Finance Costs.  Interest and finance costs for the three months ended March 31, 2011 amounted to $0.3 million and consist of the interest expense relating to our outstanding debt during the period, commitment commissions and other loan fees and expenses.
 
Interest Income.  Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 amounted to $0.02 million and consist of interest income received on deposits of cash and cash equivalents.
 
Period from January 7, 2010 (Inception Date) to December 31, 2010
 
Net Loss.  Net loss for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 amounted to $2.0 million and included expenses for establishing the Company and beginning operations. As we took delivery of the two vessels that we currently operate in June and July 2010, our results from operations during the period were not sufficient to cover our expenses for establishing the Company.
 
Time Charter Revenues.  Time charter revenues for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 amounted to $5.7 million, representing revenues of our containership vessels Sagitta and Centaurus


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starting from their delivery to us in late June and early July, respectively, when they were delivered to the charterers.
 
Voyage Expenses.  Voyage expenses for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 amounted to $0.3 million, mainly representing commissions paid to third party brokers and to DSS on our gross charterhire pursuant to our vessel management agreements and expenses for bunkers.
 
Vessel Operating Expenses.  Vessel operating expenses for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 amounted to $2.9 million and mainly consist of expenses for the initial supply of our containerships Sagitta and Centaurus, consisting of all other expenses for operating the vessels from their delivery to us until year-end, such as crew wages and related costs, consumables and stores, insurances, and repairs and maintenance.
 
Depreciation.  Depreciation for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 amounted to $1.5 million and represents the depreciation expense of our containerships from their delivery to us until year-end.
 
Management Fees.  Management fees amounted to $0.2 million and consist of fees payable to DSS pursuant to the vessel management agreements that we, through our vessel-owning subsidiaries, entered into in June 2010 for the provision of commercial and technical management services for the vessels in our fleet.
 
General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 amounted to $3.5 million and mainly consist of consultancy fees, brokerage services fees, compensation cost on restricted stock awards, legal fees and audit fees.
 
Foreign Currency Gains.  Foreign currency gains for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 amounted to $1.0 million and mainly consist of gains from the exchange of U.S Dollars to Euro in June and July 2010, with respect to the acquisition of the two newbuildings Sagitta and Centaurus.
 
Interest and Finance Costs.  Interest and finance costs for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 amounted to $0.5 million and consist of the interest expense relating to our outstanding debt during the period, commitment fees and other loan fees and expenses.
 
Interest Income.  Interest income for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 amounted to $0.1 million and consists of interest income received on deposits of cash and cash equivalents.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our working capital requirements relate to the acquisition and operation of our fleet. We applied a portion of the net proceeds of the private offering of approximately $85.3 million, which includes consideration of $50.0 million from Diana Shipping’s investment in our common shares and approximately $40.0 million of indebtedness under our secured loan agreement we entered into with DnB NOR Bank ASA on July 7, 2010, to fund part of the acquisition cost of the two newbuilding containerships in our Initial Fleet. Currently, we have agreed to acquire three additional vessels for which we paid an aggregate amount of $7.1 million with cash on hand. We also drew down $65.0 million under our loan agreement we entered into with DnB NOR Bank ASA on May 4, 2011 and repaid our then outstanding debt of $38.7 million plus interest. We expect to repay the current outstanding indebtedness and to fund part of the acquisition cost of the three vessels we have agreed to acquire with proceeds from this offering. Following the completion of this offering we will have no outstanding debt. Our operating cash flow is generated from charters on our vessels, through our subsidiaries. We expect that our proceeds from operations will be sufficient to fund our working capital requirements. We intend to finance our future growth with future debt and equity offerings as deemed appropriate by our management and board of directors.


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Working capital, which is current assets minus current liabilities, including the current portion of long-term debt, amounted to $28.6 million at March 31, 2011. We anticipate that internally generated cash flow will be sufficient to fund the operations of our fleet, including our working capital requirements.
 
Credit Facility
 
On July 7, 2010, we entered into a secured term loan facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA for up to $40.0 million to partially finance the acquisition of the two vessels in our Initial Fleet. The loan was available in two advances for each vessel with each advance not exceeding the lower of $10.0 million and 25% of the market value of the relevant ship and was available until July 31, 2011. Each advance was repayable in 24 quarterly installments of $165,000 plus one final balloon installment of $6.04 million to be paid together with the last installment. The loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.40% per annum plus any mandatory additional cost of funds. We also paid commitment fees of 0.96% per annum on the undrawn portion of the loan until February 4, 2011. The loan was secured by, among other things, a first preferred mortgage over each of the two vessels and first priority assignments over interest bearing accounts with DnB NOR Bank ASA for each vessel.
 
On May 4, 2011, through certain wholly-owned subsidiaries, we entered into a loan agreement with DnB NOR Bank ASA for a maximum amount of $85.0 million in order to refinance the outstanding balance of the loan facility dated July 7, 2010, to partly finance the cost of the three Panamax container vessels that we have agreed to acquire and for general working capital. The loan will be made available in two tranches. Tranche 1 shall be the lesser of 65% of the market value of the vessels Sagitta and Centaurus and $65.0 million and tranche 2 shall be the lesser of 35% of the market value of the three Panamax container vessels mentioned above and $20.0 million. Tranche 1 was drawn in a single drawdown and tranche 2 will be available for drawing in three drawdowns until July 31, 2011. Tranche 1 shall be repaid in 24 consecutive quarterly installments of $1.1 million each, plus a balloon installment of $37.6 million to be paid together with the last installment. Tranche 2 shall be repaid in 8 consecutive quarterly installments of $2.5 million each. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.6% per annum. We paid $382,500 of arrangement fees on signing of the agreement and on May 6, 2011, we drew down $65.0 million with which we repaid the then-outstanding balance of indebtedness under our secured term loan facility entered into on July 7, 2010 (amounting to $38.7 million plus interest).
 
The loan is secured with a first priority mortgage on each of the vessels, a first priority assignment of the time charters, a first priority assignment of the earnings, insurances and requisition compensation of the vessels, a first priority assignment of any charter, or other employment contracts exceeding 12 months, and an unconditional, irrevocable guarantee from Diana Containerships. The lender also requires the market values of the mortgaged ships to cover 125% of the aggregate outstanding balance of the loan. The loan also includes restrictions as to changes in management, ownership, additional indebtedness, a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 70%, minimum liquidity of 4% of the funded debt. We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to repay and terminate this loan facility. Upon completion of the offering, we expect to have no debt. See “Description of Indebtedness.”
 
Cash Flow
 
Cash and cash equivalents increased to $31.8 million as of March 31, 2011 compared to $11.1 million as of December 31, 2010. We consider highly liquid investments such as time deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held in U.S. dollars.
 
Net Cash Provided by / Used in Operating Activities
 
Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 amounted to $1.8 million and represents net cash generated from the ordinary course of business of our two containerships Sagitta and Centaurus.


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Net cash used in operating activities in the period from inception to December 31, 2010 amounted to $0.2 million and represents payments of operating and general and administrative expenses for starting up and running the Company.
 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
Net cash used in investing activities for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 was $93.5 million and represents the acquisition cost of our newbuilding containerships Sagitta and Centaurus including additional pre-delivery expenses.
 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
 
Net cash provided by financing activities was $18.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011, which consists of $20.0 million proceeds from long-term debt; $0.3 million that we paid for loan repayment; and $0.8 million of additional restricted cash required under our loan facility. Net cash provided by financing activities in the period from inception to March 31, 2010 was $50.0 million, representing contributions from shareholders for share capital increase.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities for the period from inception to December 31, 2010 was $103.8 million and consists of $85.3 million of the net proceeds received from the offering of 5,892,330 common shares in a private transaction, of which $50.0 million was invested by Diana Shipping; $20.0 million of loan proceeds we received from our facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA of which $0.3 million were repaid according to the related repayment schedule; $0.8 million of cash restricted by our loan facility; and $0.4 million of finance costs we paid relating to the loan facility.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
At December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011 we had $19.7 and $39.3 million of principal balance outstanding, respectively, under our loan agreement with DnB NOR Bank ASA, which we entered into on July 7, 2010, in connection with the acquisition of the two vessels in our fleet and is subject to interest rate fluctuations. Total interest incurred under our loan facility in the period January 7, 2010 (inception date) to December 31, 2010 amounted to $0.3 million and for the three months ended March 31, 2011 amounted to $0.2 million. For the period ended December 31, 2010 the weighted average interest rate was 2.82% and the respective interest rates ranged from 2.69% to 2.93% including margins. An average increase of 1% in 2010 interest rates would have resulted in interest expenses of $0.4 million, instead of $0.3 million, an increase of 33%. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the weighted average interest rate was 2.70% and the respective interest rates ranged from 2.69% to 2.71%. An average interest rate increase of 1% for the three months ended March 31, 2011, would have resulted in interest expense of $0.3 million, an increase of 50%.
 
Currently, we have $65.0 million of principal balance outstanding under our refinancing loan facility entered into on May 4, 2011. We may incur additional debt in the future. We expect to manage any exposure in interest rates through our regular operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.
 
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
 
We generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars. However, we incur some of our expenses in other currencies, primarily the Euro. For accounting purposes, expenses incurred in Euros are converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of each transaction. The amount and frequency of some of these expenses (such as vessel repairs, supplies and stores) may fluctuate from period to period. In addition, the purchase price of the two newbuilding containerships Sagitta and Centaurus was in Euros. In this respect, in June and July 2010 we entered into transactions to convert U.S. dollars to


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Euro. The result of these transactions was a gain from exchange differences of approximately $1.1 million, which is separately reflected in our 2010 consolidated statement of operations. Since approximately 2002, the dollar has depreciated against the Euro. Depreciation in the value of the dollar relative to other currencies increases the dollar cost to us of paying such expenses. The portion of our expenses incurred in other currencies could increase in the future, which could expand our exposure to losses arising from currency fluctuations.
 
While we have not mitigated the risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations through the use of financial derivatives, we may determine to employ such instruments from time to time in the future in order to minimize this risk. Our use of financial derivatives would involve certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedged position could exceed the nominal amount invested in the instrument and the risk that the counterparty to the derivative transaction may be unable or unwilling to satisfy its contractual obligations, which could have an adverse effect on our results. Currently, we do not consider the risk from exchange rate fluctuations to be material for our results of operations and therefore, we are not engaged in derivative instruments to hedge part of those expenses.
 
Capital Expenditures
 
Our future capital expenditures relate to the purchase of containerships. We acquired two newbuilding containerships, Hull 558 (named Sagitta) and Hull 559 (named Centaurus), for a purchase price of Euro 37.3 million per ship (or $45.7 million and $47.2 million, respectively, excluding any predelivery expenses). We financed approximately $40.0 million of the aggregate purchase price for the two vessels with our secured loan agreement, which we entered into with DnB NOR Bank ASA on July 7, 2010 and the remaining amount with the net proceeds of the private offering. We have also agreed to acquire three containerships, Maersk Merlion, Maersk Malacca and Maersk Madrid for the purchase price of $24.0 million for the first two and $22.5 million for the third. On April 18, 2011 we paid an aggregate amount of $7.1 million representing a 10% advance for these vessels with cash on hands. The balance of the purchase price will be paid on the vessels delivery which is expected in June 2011. We expect to pay part of the acquisition cost of these containerships with cash on hand and with our refinanced loan facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA, which we entered into on May 4, 2011.
 
Inflation
 
Our management does not consider inflation to be a significant risk to direct expenses in the current and foreseeable economic environment.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of the date of this prospectus, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Plan of Operation
 
We believe that our current reserves will satisfy our cash requirements during 2011. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering and the concurrent private placement to partly finance the acquisition of the three containerships that we have agreed to acquire from Maersk, for additional containership acquisitions and general corporate purposes, including working capital. A portion of the net proceeds, together with cash on hand, will be used to repay in full and terminate our existing loan facility. We do not believe it will be necessary in the year after the closing of this offering to raise additional funds to meet expenditures for operating our business.


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Contractual Obligations
 
The following table presents our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2011 as adjusted to reflect (i) the memoranda of agreement for the acquisition of the three Panamax container vessels Maersk Madrid, Maersk Merlion and Maersk Malacca contracted in April 2011 and, (ii) the increase in the fees under the Broker Services Agreement to $1.3 million after this offering.
 
                                         
    Payments due by period  
                      More than
    Total
 
Obligations
  1 year     2-3 years     4-5 years     5 years     Amount  
    (In thousands of U.S. dollars)  
 
Administrative Services Agreement(1)
  $ 1,257     $ 2,600     $ 1,517     $     $ 5,374  
Memoranda of Agreement(2)
    70,500                         70,500  
Long Term Debt(3)
    2,765       5,612       5,612       25,351       39,340  
                                         
Total
  $ 74,522     $ 8,212     $ 7,129     $ 25,351     $ 115,214  
                                         
 
 
(1) On June 1, 2010, we terminated our existing Consultancy Agreements with companies controlled by our executive officers and the services that were previously provided to us by the consultants are provided by DSS under the Administrative Services Agreement. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, we pay DSS a monthly fee of $10,000 for administrative services. DSS has appointed Diana Enterprises Inc., a related party controlled by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Mr. Symeon Palios, as broker to assist it in providing services to the Company pursuant to the Broker Services Agreement, dated June 1, 2010, for an annual fee of $1.04 million, which will increase to $1.3 million after this offering . We reimburse this cost to DSS pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement. We have also issued an aggregate of 213,331 restricted common shares of a fair value of $3.2 million, pursuant to our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan and related restricted stock grant award agreements, of which 106,669 shares have vested (fair value of $1.6 million) and the remaining shares will vest ratably over two years.
 
(2) On April 13, 2011, we through our newly-established subsidiaries Ebon Shipping Company Inc., Mili Shipping Company Inc. and Ralik Shipping Company Inc. entered into three Memoranda of Agreement for the purchase of three Panamax container vessels, the MV Maersk Merlion, the MV Maersk Malacca and the MV Maersk Madrid, respectively. The purchase price for the MV Maersk Madrid is $22.5 million and the price for the MV Maersk Malacca and the MV Maersk Merlion is $24 million each. On April 18, 2011, we paid to the Sellers 10% of the vessels’ price amounting to $2.4 million for each of the MV Maersk Malacca and MV Maersk Merlion and $2.25 million for the MV Maersk Madrid. The remaining consideration will be paid upon delivery of the vessels. The expected dates of delivery from their previous owners for all three vessels are in June 2011. We expect to finance these vessels with the loan facility we entered on May 4, 2011, described below.
 
(3) On July 7, 2010, we, through our wholly owned subsidiaries Likiep Shipping Company Inc. and Orangina Inc., entered into a loan agreement with DnB NOR Bank ASA to finance part of the acquisition cost of the vessels Sagitta and Centaurus, for an amount of up to $40.0 million. On July 9, 2010, we drew down two advances of $10.0 million each, and in February 2011, we drew down the balance of the loan amounting to $20.0 million. On May 4, 2011, we refinanced this loan agreement to increase the amount to $85.0 million and to add as borrowers our wholly owned subsidiaries Ebon Shipping Company Inc., Mili Shipping Company Inc. and Ralik Shipping Company Inc. The loan will be made available in two tranches. Tranche 1 shall be the lesser of 65% of the market value of the vessels Sagitta and Centaurus and $65.0 million and tranche 2 shall be the lesser of 35% of the market value of the three Panamax container vessels mentioned above and $20.0 million. Tranche 1 was drawn in a single drawdown and Tranche 2 will be available for drawing in three drawdowns until July 31, 2011. Tranche 1 shall be repaid in 24 consecutive quarterly installments of $1.1 million each, plus a balloon installment of $37.6 million to be paid together with the last installment. Tranche 2 shall be repaid in 8 consecutive quarterly installments of $2.5 million


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each. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.6% per annum. We paid $382,500 of arrangement fees on signing of the agreement. On May 6, 2011, we drew down $65.0 million, with which we repaid the then-outstanding balance of indebtedness under the secured term loan facility entered into on July 7, 2010 (amounting to $38.7 million plus interest). The table does not include interest we pay under this loan facility, which is based on LIBOR plus a margin and any mandatory loan cost.
 
The table above does not include any amounts relating to the Administrative Services Agreement and the vessel management agreements which we have entered into with DSS, discussed under section “Business — Vessel management agreements,” on the basis that such agreements are for a non-specific term and may be terminated by either party at no cost with three months’ notice.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.
 
Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments of uncertainties and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have described below what we believe will be our most critical accounting policies when we acquire and operate vessels, because they generally involve a comparatively higher degree of judgment in their application.
 
Accounts Receivable, Trade
 
Accounts receivable, trade, at each balance sheet date, include receivables from charterers for hire net of a provision for doubtful accounts. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts will be assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts.
 
Accounting for Revenues and Expenses
 
Revenues are generated from charter agreements that we have entered into for our vessels and may enter into in the future. Charter agreements with the same charterer are accounted for as separate agreements according to the terms and conditions of each agreement. Revenues are recorded when they become fixed and determinable. Revenues from time charter agreements providing for varying annual rates over their term will be accounted for on a straight line basis. Income representing ballast bonus payments in connection with the repositioning of a vessel by the charterer to the vessel owner will be recognized in the period earned. Deferred revenue will include cash received prior to the balance sheet date for which all criteria for recognition as revenue would not be met, including any deferred revenue resulting from charter agreements providing for varying annual rates, which will be accounted for on a straight line basis. Deferred revenue also may include the unamortized balance of liabilities associated with the acquisition of secondhand vessels with time charters attached, acquired at values below fair market value at the date the acquisition agreement is consummated.
 
Voyage expenses, primarily consisting of port, canal and bunker expenses that are unique to a particular charter, are paid for by the charterer under time charter arrangements or by the Company under voyage charter arrangements, except for commissions, which are always paid for by the Company, regardless of charter type. All voyage and vessel operating expenses are expensed as incurred, except for commissions. Commissions are deferred over the related voyage charter period to the extent revenue is deferred since commissions are earned as revenues are earned.


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Depreciation
 
We have recorded the value of our vessels at their cost (which includes acquisition costs directly attributable to the vessel and expenditures made to prepare the vessel for her initial voyage) less accumulated depreciation. We depreciate our containership vessels on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, estimated to be 30 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard which we believe is also consistent with that of other shipping companies. Secondhand vessels are depreciated from the date of their acquisition through their remaining estimated useful life. Depreciation is based on costs less the estimated salvage value. Furthermore, we estimate the salvage values of our vessels to be $200 to $350 per light-weight ton depending on the vessels age and market conditions. A decrease in the useful life of a containership or in her salvage value would have the effect of increasing the annual depreciation charge. When regulations place limitations on the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, the vessel’s useful life is adjusted at the date such regulations are adopted.
 
Deferred Drydock Cost
 
Our vessels are required to be drydocked approximately every 30 to 36 months for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels are operating. We capitalize the costs associated with drydockings consisting of the actual costs incurred at the yard and parts used in the drydockings as they occur and amortize these costs on a straight-line basis over the period between drydockings. Unamortized drydocking costs of vessels that are sold are written off and included in the calculation of the resulting gain or loss in the year of the vessel’s sale. Costs capitalized as part of the drydocking include actual costs incurred at the yard and parts used in the drydocking. We believe that these criteria are consistent with industry practice and that our policy of capitalization reflects the economics and market values of the vessels. One of the vessels in our current fleet is scheduled for drydocking in April 2014, and four of the five vessels in our current fleet are not scheduled for drydocking until 2015.
 
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
 
We evaluate the carrying amounts (primarily for vessels and related drydock costs) and periods over which our long-lived assets are depreciated to determine if events have occurred which would require modification to their carrying values or useful lives. When the estimate of undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of the asset is less than its carrying amount, we should evaluate the asset for an impairment loss. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. We determine the fair value of our assets based on management estimates and assumptions and by making use of available market data and taking into consideration third party valuations. In evaluating useful lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, management reviews certain indicators of potential impairment, such as undiscounted projected operating cash flows, vessel sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions. The current economic and market conditions, including the significant disruptions in the global credit markets, are having broad effects on participants in a wide variety of industries.
 
We determine undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for each vessel and compare them to the vessel’s carrying value. The projected net operating cash flows are determined by considering the charter revenues from existing charters for the fixed fleet days and an estimated daily time charter equivalent for the unfixed days (based on the most recent ten-year blended (for modern and older vessels) average historical one-year time charter rates available for each type of vessel) over the remaining estimated life of each vessel net of brokerage commissions, expected outflows for scheduled vessels’ maintenance and vessel operating expenses assuming an average annual inflation rate of 3%. Effective fleet utilization is assumed at 98%, taking into account the period(s) each vessel is expected to undergo her scheduled maintenance (drydocking and special surveys), as well as an estimate of 1% off hire days each year, assumptions in line with our expectations for future fleet utilization under our current fleet deployment strategy.


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Share Based Payment
 
According to Code 718 “Compensation — Stock Compensation” of the Accounting Standards Codification, we are required to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions). That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award — the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. Employee share purchase plans will not result in recognition of compensation cost if certain conditions are met. We initially measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award or liability instrument based on its current fair value; the fair value of that award or liability instrument is re-measured subsequently at each reporting date through the settlement date. Changes in fair value during the requisite service period are recognized as compensation cost over that period with the exception of awards granted in the form of restricted shares which are measured at their grant date fair value and are not subsequently re measured. The grant-date fair value of employee share options and similar instruments are estimated using option-pricing models adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments (unless observable market prices for the same or similar instruments are available). If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost is recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification.


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THE INTERNATIONAL CONTAINERSHIP SECTOR
 
The information and data in this section relating to the international containership sector has been provided by Drewry Shipping Consultants (Drewry) and is taken from Drewry databases and other sources available in the public domain. Drewry has advised us that it accurately describes the international containership sector, subject to the availability and reliability of the data supporting the statistical and graphical information presented. Drewry’s methodologies for collecting information and data, and therefore the information discussed in this section, may differ from those of other sources, and do not reflect all or even necessarily a comprehensive set of the actual transactions occurring in the containership sector.
 
Introduction
 
The seaborne transportation industry is an important link in international trade, with ocean-going vessels representing an efficient, and often the only, method of transporting large volumes of basic commodities and finished products. Dry cargo includes drybulk cargo, container cargo and non-container cargo.
 
Drybulk cargo is cargo that is shipped in large quantities and can easily be stowed in a single hold with little risk of cargo damage. Drybulk cargo is generally categorized as either major drybulk or minor drybulk. Major drybulk cargo constitutes the vast majority of drybulk cargo by weight, and includes, among other things, iron ore, coal and grain. Minor drybulk cargo includes products such as agricultural products (other than grain), mineral cargoes, cement, forest products and steel products and represents the balance of the drybulk industry.
 
Container cargo is shipped in 20- or 40-foot containers and includes a wide variety of finished products. Non-container cargo includes other dry cargoes which cannot be shipped in a container due to size, weight or handling requirements, such as large manufacturing equipment or large industrial vehicles.
 
The balance of seaborne trade involves the transport of liquids or gases in tanker vessels and includes products such as oil, refined oil products and chemicals.


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The following table presents the breakdown of global seaborne trade by type of cargo in 2000 and 2010.
 
World Seaborne Trade: 2000 & 2010(1)
 
                                                   
    Trade — Million Tons   CAGR(1) %   % Total Trade
    2000   2010   2000-10   2000   2010
 
Liquid Cargo
                                                 
Crude Oil
    2,079         2,276         0.91         32.1         25.9    
Refined Petroleum Products
    602         875         3.81         9.3         10.0    
Liquid Chemicals
    128         214         5.28         2.0         2.4    
Liquefied Gases
    168         261         4.54         2.6         3.0    
Total Liquid Cargo
    2,977         3,627         1.99         46.0         41.3    
Total Dry Cargo
    3,491         5,155         3.98         54.0         58.7    
Dry Bulk
                                                 
Coal
    539         915         5.43         8.3         10.4    
Iron Ore
    489         1,004         7.46         7.6         11.4    
Grain
    221         242         0.91         3.4         2.8    
Total Major Bulks
    1,249         2,161         5.63         19.3         24.6    
Minor Bulks
    901         1.018         1.23         13.9         11.6    
Other
                                                 
Container Cargo
    620         1,366         8.21         9.6         15.6    
General Cargo
    720         610         −1.64         11.1         6.9    
Total Seaborne Trade
    6,468         8,782         3.11         100.0         100.0    
 
 
(1) Compound annual growth rate.
 
Source: Drewry
 
In 2010, approximately 8.8 billion tons of cargo of all types was transported by sea, of which 5.28 billion tons were dry cargo and 3.6 billion tons were liquids. Collectively, in the period 2000 to 2010 the CAGR in world seaborne trade was 3.1%. However, as the figures in the table below indicate, there is considerable variation by sector in the rate of growth, with containers being the fastest growing sector by a significant margin during this period (although global container volumes declined by over 9% year-on-year in 2009).


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Seaborne Trade Growth Rates: 2000 to 2010
(CAGR — %)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
Container Shipping
 
Container shipping was first introduced in the 1950s and since the late 1960s has become the most common method for transporting many industrial and consumer products by sea. Container shipping is performed by container shipping companies who operate frequent scheduled or liner services, similar to a passenger airline, with pre-determined port calls, using a number of owned or chartered vessels of a particular size in each service to achieve an appropriate frequency and utilization level.
 
Container shipping occupies an increasingly important position in world trade and it is the fastest growing sector of international shipping, benefiting from a shift in cargo transport towards unitization as well as from changes in world trade. Historically, this growth has been sustained by general increases in world trade, increased global sourcing and manufacturing and continuing penetration of the general cargo market. Some major container shipping companies have also shown a trend to charter an increased percentage of their fleets from third party owners on competitive long-term charters as opposed to purchasing vessels outright.
 
Container shipping has a number of advantages compared with other shipping methods, including:
 
Less Cargo Handling.  Containers provide a secure environment for cargo. The contents of a container, once loaded into the container, are not directly handled until they reach their final destination. Using other shipping methods, cargo may be loaded and discharged several times, resulting in a greater risk of breakage and loss.
 
Efficient Port Turnaround.  With specialized cranes and other terminal equipment, containerships can be loaded and unloaded in significantly less time and at lower cost than other cargo vessels.
 
Highly Developed Intermodal Network.  Onshore movement of containerized cargo, from points of origin, around container ports, staging or storage areas and to final destinations, benefits from the physical integration of the container with other transportation equipment such as road chassis, railcars and other means of hauling the standard-sized containers. A sophisticated port and intermodal industry has developed to support container transportation.


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Reduced Shipping Time.  Containerships can travel at speeds of up to 25 knots per hour, even in rough seas, thereby transporting cargo over long distances in relatively short periods of time. This speed reduces transit time and facilitates the timeliness of regular scheduled port calls, compared to general cargo shipping. However, since 2008, due to higher fuel prices and the negative effects of the global recession, most operators are deploying more ships on single voyages which has ultimately increased overall round voyage times and changed shippers’ supply chains. Many post-Panamax vessels are now sailing at under 20 knots on backhaul routes as part of global slow-steaming strategies to reduce costs. This has also had a positive environmental effect in helping to reduce ship emissions.
 
The containers used in maritime transportation are steel boxes of standard dimensions. The standard unit of measure of volume or capacity in container shipping is the 20-foot equivalent unit or TEU, representing a container which is 20 feet long and typically 8.5 feet high and 8 feet wide. A 40-foot long container is equivalent to two TEU. There are specialized containers of both sizes to carry refrigerated perishables or frozen products as well as tank containers that carry liquids such as liquefied gases, spirits or chemicals. 40-foot high cube containers have become much more prevalent in recent years since shippers can load more lightweight consumer goods from Asia in a single container, thus reducing overall costs. A container shipment begins at the shipper’s premises with the delivery of an empty container. Once the container has been filled with cargo, it is transported by truck, rail or barge to a container port, where it is loaded onto a containership. The container is shipped either directly to the destination port or through an intermediate port where it is transferred to another vessel, an activity referred to as trans-shipment. When the container arrives at its destination port, it is off-loaded and delivered to the receiver’s premises by truck, rail or barge.
 
Containership Demand
 
In 2010, approximately 1.37 billion tons of containerized cargo was transported by sea, comprising 15.6% of all seaborne trade by weight. However, as the chart below indicates, the rate of growth slowed tremendously in 2008 and 2009 as the world economy weakened, only to recover strongly in 2010.
 
World Container Cargo (Million Tons): 1997 to 2010
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry


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In 2009 the volume of container trade contracted for the first time in history, due to the severity of the worldwide recession. For the year as a whole the volume of global container trade was about 9.5% below that of the corresponding period in 2008, which was itself low by historical standards. As a result of declining volume and falling rates global carrier revenues for 2009 were approximately 35% below those of 2008. However, based on provisional data for 2010, global container trade has recovered in the wake of renewed growth in the world economy.
 
Global container trade has increased every year since the introduction of long-haul containerized shipping routes in the late 1960s, with the exception of 2009. This momentum is primarily driven by the growth of economic output and consumption, increases in global sourcing and changes in patterns of world trade. Therefore, container trade growth is in part dependent on levels of economic growth and regional/national gross domestic product, or GDP. GDP serves as the best indicator of prospective container volumes, although the drastic events of 2008/09 prove that the link between GDP growth and container growth is not as strong as it was.
 
Inexpensive and reliable containerized transport has facilitated manufacturing and distribution processes that have accompanied globalization, allowing manufacturing to move away from traditionally high-cost production areas, such as Japan, Western Europe and North America, to lower-cost production areas, such as China, Vietnam and other parts of South East Asia. There has been little or no impact on the quality of the distribution process to the primary consumer markets. As an illustration of the relative low cost of containerized transportation, many technologically advanced countries are exporting component parts for assembly in other countries and re-importing the finished products. Manufacturers have also focused more on “just-in-time” delivery methods, which are facilitated by the fast transit times and frequent, reliable services offered by container line operators and the intermodal industry. However, the increased incidence of slow steaming has meant that reliability has become more important than speed to market.
 
In addition to the effect of general economic conditions, there are several structural factors that also impact global container trade, including:
 
  •  Increases in world trade;
 
  •  Increases in global sourcing and manufacturing; and
 
  •  Continuing penetration by containerization of traditional shipping sectors, such as bulk and refrigerated cargo markets.
 
Operators have shifted away from traditional methods of transporting general cargo and refrigerated perishables towards containerization, as more ports around the world introduce container handling technology and as container shipping productivity becomes more widely recognized. More traditional bulk cargoes such as grains and soya bean gravitate towards containerization modes when pricing differentials dictate.
 
The high growth rate in the container market has outpaced investment in port and canal infrastructure leading to congestion in some parts of the transportation chain. Congestion increases ships’ time in transit and reduces overall efficiency. Finally, as the largest containerships are deployed in the major trade routes, incremental tonnage is required to feed cargo to these mother ships from ports that either do not have the volume or the infrastructure to serve very large vessels directly. Congestion and increasing trans-shipment absorbs additional ship capacity but does not add any growth to the overall container market.
 
World container port throughput, a measure of the level of activity of the container shipping industry, is made up of three different traffic streams: loaded containers, empty containers and trans-shipment containers (full and empty). The following chart shows world container trade in terms of both loaded and empty container movements through ports globally.
 
In the period from 2000 to 2010, port movements of loaded containers more than doubled from just over 200 million TEU in 2000 to 540 million TEU in 2010.


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World Container Port Throughput
1990 to 2010
(Million TEU)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
Regionally, the Far East and South East Asia markets accounted for 52% of global port throughput in 2010, compared with the other major markets of Western Europe and North America, which accounted for 24% of global throughput. Collectively, these four regions accounted for 76% of all container port throughput in 2010. Regional trends in container port throughput in the period from 2000 to 2010 are shown in the table below.
 
Containership Port Throughput including Empty Containers and Trans-shipments
(Million TEU)
 
                                                                                                               
    2000   2001   2002   2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   2009   2010
 
North America
    30.9         31.2         34.2         37.5         40.8         44.6         47.0         47.9         45.8         39.9         44.8    
Western Europe
    51.7         52.8         57.7         63.4         70.7         75.6         81.4         91.1         91.7         78.8         86.7    
North Europe
    31.7         32.0         34.5         37.5         41.9         46.0         50.0         55.7         56.4         46.7         52.1    
South Europe
    19.9         20.8         23.3         25.9         28.8         29.6         31.5         35.3         35.4         32.0         34.6    
Asia
    71.7         75.2         87.6         105.4         124.7         138.0         157.3         180.3         193.7         178.3         206.2    
South East Asia
    34.4         36.9         41.1         45.7         51.6         54.9         59.9         67.4         71.1         65.7         74.6    
Mid-East
    11.1         12.3         13.7         16.0         19.8         22.4         24.5         28.4         31.9         31.1         34.2    
Latin America
    17.9         18.8         19.2         21.4         24.7         28.0         31.8         35.3         37.6         33.6         38.0    
Caribbean/Central America
    9.9         10.4         10.4         11.5         12.9         14.2         16.1         18.1         19.2         17.9         20.1    
South America
    8.0         8.4         8.8         9.9         11.8         13.8         15.8         17.1         18.4         15.7         17.9    
Oceania
    5.0         5.3         6.0         6.5         7.3         7.5         7.9         8.6         9.4         8.8         9.6    
South Asia
    5.5         5.9         6.6         7.3         8.5         9.8         11.5         13.6         14.7         14.1         16.3    
Africa
    7.4         7.6         8.5         10.3         11.4         13.9         15.8         17.9         20.6         20.6         22.4    
Eastern Europe
    1.1         1.5         1.9         2.4         3.2         4.3         5.4         7.2         8.0         5.1         6.7    
World
    236.6         247.5         276.6         316.0         363.0         399.0         442.6         497.6         524.5         475.0         539.5    
 
 
Source: Drewry


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Main Container Routes
 
There are three core, or arterial, trade routes in the container shipping industry: the Transpacific, Transatlantic and Asia-Europe routes. These routes are often referred to as the East/West trades. Trade along these routes is primarily driven by United States and European consumer demand for products made in Asia. The size of trade between Asia and the Mid-East is also nearly as large as that on the Transatlantic and should be considered as a major East-West route on which carriers can deploy post-Panamax vessels. Supporting these core routes are the North/South routes and a network of regional routes, of which the largest is the Intra-Asia market. Other regional routes include the Europe/Mediterranean, Caribbean/United States, Europe/South America, Asia/Australia and North America/South America routes.
 
Main Container Routes
 
(MAP)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
Different routes are usually served by vessels of different sizes as determined by the size of the trade, required service frequency and physical constraints of the ports visited.
 
The East/West routes are higher volume and longer than the regional routes and, as a result, are generally served by the larger containerships known as Panamax, Post-Panamax and Large/Very Large. The North/South trade routes are generally served by the smaller Handysize, intermediate and Panamax containerships. However, in recent years where capacity has out-stripped demand, carriers have deployed much larger vessels in some of these smaller or regional trades. Regional routes are generally served by Feeder and Handysize containerships. The following table shows the trade routes on which different sizes of containerships are likely to be suitable to trade:
 
Containerships — Typical Deployment by Size Category
 
                                                             
                        Large/Very
Trade Route
  Feeder
  Handysize
  Intermediate
  Panamax
  Post-Panamax
  Large
TEU
  <1,000   1,000-1,999   2,000-2,999   3,000-4,999   5,000-7,999   8,000+
 
East/West Routes
                        X         X         X         X    
Intra-Asia
    X         X         X         X                        
North/South Routes
    X         X         X         X                        
Intra-Regional Routes
    X         X         X                                  
 
 
Source: Drewry


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The chart below shows the growth, in volume, of the three East/West trades from 2001 to 2010. These trades constitute approximately 30% of global volume.
 
East/West Container Trade Routes: 2001 to 2010 — Eastbound
(Thousand TEU)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
East/West Container Trade Routes: 2001 to 2010 — Westbound
(Thousand TEU)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry


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The process of globalization, China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001 and the subsequent boom in cheap manufacturing have fueled global economic development and demand. As a result, almost all trade routes with the Far East have experienced significant annual growth in container traffic since 2001, with the exception of 2009.
 
There are difference in volumes between the front haul and backhaul trades, meaning the volume moved eastbound and westbound to and from its point of origin, with the imbalance being as much as three-to-one in the dominant direction. For the backhaul Mid-East to Asia route, this can reach as high as four-to-one. Container traffic is unbalanced on many global trade routes and in some cases the gap is widening. While continued growth in the front haul direction is encouraging, the imbalance impacts supply, the level and pace of newbuilding and ocean freight rates in the backhaul trades. Empty re-positioning costs of containers for ocean carriers are also considerable. The reason for the imbalance in backhaul trades is the divide between export-dominated and import-dominant countries for containerized goods, which is largely related to the shift of manufacturing to low cost countries.
 
Containership Supply
 
Containerships are typically “cellular,” which means they are equipped with metal guide rails to allow for rapid loading and unloading, and provide for more secure carriage. Partly cellular containerships include roll-on/roll-off vessels or “ro-ro” ships and multipurpose ships which can carry a variety of cargo including containers. Containerships may be “geared,” which means they are equipped with cranes for loading and unloading containers, and thus do not need to rely on port cranes. Geared containerships are typically 2,500 TEU and smaller. All large containerships are fully cellular and call at ports with adequate shore-based loading and unloading equipment and facilities. Ships range in size from vessels able to carry less than 500 TEU, to those with capacity in excess of 12,000 TEU. The main categories of ship are broadly as follows:
 
  •  Large & Very Large:  Ships with a capacity of 8,000 TEU or greater, which are restricted to employment on a small number of routes.
 
  •  Post-Panamax:  Ships with a capacity of 5,000 to 7,999 TEU, so-called because of their inability to trade through the existing Panama Canal due to dimension restrictions. However, there are plans to widen the existing Panama Canal, with completion scheduled in 2014, which will allow ships up to 12,000 TEU to transit the waterway.
 
  •  Panamax:  Ships with a capacity between 3,000 to 4,999 TEU, which is the maximum size that the Panama Canal can currently handle.
 
  •  Intermediate:  In this category the ships range in size between 2,000 and 2,999 TEU and are generally able to trade on all routes.
 
  •  Handysize:  Smaller ships with capacities ranging in size from 1,000 to 1,999 TEU, for use in regional trades.
 
  •  Feeder:  Ships of less than 1,000 TEU, which are normally employed as feeder vessels for trades to and from hub ports.
 
While new investment in the container shipping industry has tended to concentrate on building gearless vessels for the larger trade routes as port infrastructure improves, geared vessels are still very important for regional trade lanes and areas such as West Africa, the eastern coast of South America and certain Asian regions, including Indonesia, where port infrastructure may be poor or, in some cases, non-existent.
 
In March 2011, the world fleet of fully cellular containerships consisted of 4,984 vessels totaling 14.28 million TEU in nominal capacity. These figures exclude multipurpose and ro-ro vessels with container carrying capability.


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World Cellular Containership Fleet by Size March 31, 2011
 
                               
    Size   No.   TEU
    (TEU)       (Thousand)
 
Feeder
    <1,000         1,228         739    
Handysize
    1,000-1,999         1,273         1,807    
Intermediate
    2,000-2,999         703         1,786    
Panamax
    3,000-4,999         921         3,706    
Post Panamax
    5,000-7,999         541         3,227    
Large
    8,000-9,999         248         2,122    
Very Large
    10,000+         70         888    
      Total         4,984         14,275    
                         
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
The fleet has grown rapidly to meet the increases in trade rising from just under 5 million TEU at the end of 2000 to 14.28 million TEU at the end of March 2011.
 
Development of World Container Fleet Capacity: 2000 to 2011
(Million TEU — End of Period)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry


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The non-weighted average age of all containerships currently in service is approximately 10 years, as of March 31, 2011.
 
Container Fleet Age Profile: March 31, 2011
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
In tandem with the growth in size of the overall fleet there have also been steady increases in ship size. The average size of containerships in service in 1997 was 1,590 TEU, but by March 2011 the average size had increased to 2,864 TEU. It will continue to rise due to the number of large-sized containerships on order. Indeed, the average size of containership on order as of March 31, 2011 was 6,537 TEU.
 
Furthermore, in the last couple of years there has been a dramatic jump in the size of the largest vessel in service, as the following chart indicates.


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The Containership Fleet — Single Largest Vessel in Service
(TEU)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
In March 2011, the containership newbuilding orderbook in terms of TEU size was 4.07 million TEU, equivalent to 28.5% of the existing cellular containership fleet.
 
Containership Orderbook by Size, March 31, 2011
 
                                   
                        Orderbook
   
                Capacity (Thousand
      Percent Existing
   
Size Category
  TEU   Number of Vessels       TEU)       Fleet    
 
Very Large
  10,000+     155         2,014         226.9    
Large
  8,000-9,999     96         812         38.3    
Post Panamax
  5,000-7,999     67         438         13.6    
Panamax
  3,000-4,999     132         553         14.9    
Intermediate
  2,000-2,999     36         94         5.3    
Handysize
  1,000-1,999     94         122         6.8    
Feeder
  < 1,000     42         32         4.4    
Total
        622         4,066         28.5    
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
The size of the orderbook built up rapidly in the period 2006 to 2008, when strong freight rates and robust demand on the key arterial east-west routes encouraged high levels of new ordering. Since then, however, with a combination of deliveries, orderbook cancellations and conversions, and a total absence of new orders in 2009, the size of the total orderbook has substantially contracted. In the last few months a few major operators have started to come back into the market and placed orders with Asian yards.
 
Most major containership operators have concentrated on investments in large and very large containerships (8,000+ TEU) and this sector alone currently accounts for a third of all current containership orders, measured by capacity.
 
Since reaching a peak in late 2008, very few new orders have been placed and the containership orderbook has declined somewhat in size due to a combination of deliveries of vessels and cancellations. It is impossible to determine exactly how many vessels have been cancelled since the downturn in the


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market, although it would appear that perhaps as much as 15% of the orderbook at its peak has already been cancelled.
 
It is evident that the original peak for deliveries which was scheduled for 2010-11 is being flattened out and extended out towards 2012-14 as owners have negotiated considerable delays with Asian yards. As such, deliveries from the current orderbook will be spread out over a much longer period of time.
 
Containership Orderbook by Size and Scheduled Delivery Year — March 31, 2011
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
Most of the large and very large containerships are being built in South Korean shipyards, which currently account for approximately two-thirds of the containerships on order.
 
Not all of the vessels on order, especially those for delivery in 2011 and beyond, will have financing in place and in the current climate securing funding is proving difficult for many shipowners. Delays in accessing funding may contribute to ships being delayed beyond scheduled delivery dates.
 
Containership Orderbook by Country of Build — March 31, 2011
(Based on TEU)
 
(PIE CHART)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
Apart from the lack of funding, some of the orders which have been placed have been at “greenfield” yards — that is, shipyard facilities which have yet to be constructed and become operational. Some of these yards are also finding it difficult to secure funds to commence the construction of the actual shipyard,


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another possible cause of delays in the delivery of new ships. Scheduled deliveries based on the orderbook as of January 1, 2008, 2009 and 2010. 2010 actual deliveries may be subject to late reports.
 
Containerships: Scheduled vs. Actual Deliveries (‘000 TEU)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
The extent to which delays in deliveries have already occurred can be seen by comparing scheduled and actual deliveries in the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. As can be seen in the chart above, delays in delivery increased dramatically in 2009, with only 1.1 million TEU of the 2.0 million TEU due to be delivered in 2009 being delivered by the end of the year. In effect, almost 50% of the new container tonnage which was scheduled to be delivered in 2009 was delivered late. The data for 2010 indicates a similar picture.
 
Slow Steaming
 
Excess shipping capacity and rising fuel prices have prompted operators in the container sector to reduce vessel operating speeds and thus reduce fuel costs, while at the same time requiring more ships to provide the same level of shipping capacity on a particular route. The impact of reducing sailing speeds on the number of days required to complete a round voyage on the three main routes is shown below.
 
Vessel Sailing Times
(Sailing Days — Round Voyage)
 
                                         
    Vessel Speed
 
Route
    24.0 Knots         20.1 Knots         23.0 Knots         17.7 Knots    
Asia-Europe
    36.5         43.5                    
Trans-Pacific
                    23.4         30.4    
Trans-Atlantic
                    23.4         30.4    
Typical No of Vessels Deployed
    8         9         5         6    
 
 
Source: Drewry


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A typical Asia — Europe string would comprise eight 8,000 TEU vessels operating at design speeds of 24 knots. By reducing the sailing speed of the vessels to 20 knots a further ship would be required to provide the same level of service. While this has the effect of absorbing additional shipping capacity, it also reduces fuel costs, as ships use less fuel when sailing at slower speeds. The exact savings will depend on the level of speed reduction and the prevailing fuel price, but based on current fuel prices, an 8,000 TEU vessel operating Asia- Europe would reduce the round trip fuel cost by approximately 30%, if it reduced sailing speeds from 24 to 20 knots.
 
Global Alliances
 
Alliances are generally agreements that cover vessel sharing and operational matters such as the use of certain terminals, where carriers can take advantage of favorable terms for berthing. Often the alliance will implement a best ship policy, whereby members pool vessel resources to deploy the best appropriately-sized vessels in the same service. There are currently three main global alliances:
 
  •  Grand Alliance.  This alliance comprises Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), Hapag-Lloyd, and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK).
 
  •  New World Alliance.  This alliance comprises Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), Hyundai Merchant Marine and American President Line (APL). It operates within the Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic and Asia-Europe trades.
 
  •  CKYH Alliance.  This alliance comprises Cosco, K Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin. It also operates within the Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic and Asia-Europe trades.
 
While these are official alliances, there are now more agreements, if not necessarily formal alliances, between carriers who were once independent. For example, Evergreen has recently coordinated certain services with China Shipping, and MSC/CMACGM and Maersk operate a number of joint string voyages in the Trans-Pacific. Also, there may be instances where outsiders cooperate with a more formal alliance. For example, Zim has contributed services to certain Grand Alliance loop voyages. Such cooperative agreements are often motivated by a desire to share costs and jointly fill cargo capacity to more efficiently operate single string voyages.
 
Container Freight Rates
 
The following chart shows the average container freight rate per TEU on the core East/West trade lanes: Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic, and Asia-Europe. Terminal handling charges and intermodal rates, where applicable, are included.


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Container Rates for East/West Routes: 2000 to 2010(1)
($/TEU)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
(1) Provisional
 
Source: Drewry
 
Freight rates for specialized cargo, including refrigerated products, normally carry a premium due to increased costs of transportation and more expensive equipment such as temperature-controlled containers. Many surcharges, including fuel, congestion, currency adjustment, peak-season and heavyweight are standard practice in the industry and these are normally paid in addition to the basic port-to-port ocean freight.
 
Average Container Rates for East/West Routes: 2000 to 2010
(US$/TEU)
 
                     
    $/TEU   Change Year-over-Year
 
2000
    1,421         2.6   %
2001
    1,269         −10.7   %
2002
    1,155         −9.0   %
2003
    1,352         17.1   %
2004
    1,456         7.5   %
2005
    1,495         2.7   %
2006
    1,405         −6.0   %
2007
    1,435         2.1   %
2008
    1,580         10.1   %
2009
    1,146         −27.5   %
2010
    1,450         26.5   %
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
Containership Time Charter Rates
 
The same factors that drive freight rates also affect charter rates. The growth in demand for container shipping and the increasing trend among major container operators to charter-in tonnage have generally increased demand pressure and over time have caused an increase in time charter rates. The


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following chart indicates annual average charter rates for representative containerships from 2002 to January 2011.
 
One Year Time Charter Rates for Geared/Gearless Containerships 2002 to 2011
(US$ per Day)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
One Year Containership Time Charter Rates 2000 to 2011
(Period Averages US$ per Day)
 
                               
TEU
  1,500 Geared   2,500 Geared   3,500 Gearless
 
2000
    11,625         17,869         24,025    
2001
    9,475         13,938         19,325    
2002
    7,188         10,326         14,431    
2003
    11,741         17,833         23,666    
2004
    20,200         26,500         31,575    
2005
    25,125         35,250         38,875    
2006
    15,400         22,700         27,125    
2007
    14,175         25,325         29,975    
2008
    12,950         20,400         26,450    
2009
    4,800         5,575         6,375    
2010
    6,650         8,850         12,475    
March 2011
    11,000         14,700         18,900    
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
With some exceptions, time charter rates for all vessel sizes increased steadily from 2002 into 2005, in some cases rising by as much as 50.0%, as charter markets experienced significant growth. Demand for vessels was largely spurred on by growth in the volume of exports from China. In 2006, time charter rates weakened due to supply rising faster than demand and also market perception. This trend continued in 2007 and 2008, and in 2009 rates fell even farther due to rising supply and very weak demand.
 
With the recovery in demand in 2010 and 2011 year-to-date charter rates across most sizes have improved from the lows of 2009, although in a historical context they still remain poor.


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Containership Newbuilding Prices
 
Newbuilding prices have risen steadily since 2002, due to a shortage in newbuilding capacity during a period of high ordering and increased shipbuilders’ costs as a result of rising raw material prices, mainly steel. However, since the second half of 2008 weak market conditions significantly slowed new ordering to the point that virtually no new orders were placed for containerships in 2009. Given the lack of new orders it is very difficult to assess the trend in newbuilding although all the evidence suggests that prices weakened substantially in 2009, before staging a modest recovery in 2010, as indicated by the figures in the table below.
 
Containership Newbuilding Prices: 2000 to 2011
(End Period US$ Millions)
 
                                                                                 
TEU
  500*       1,000*       1,500*       2,000       2,500       3,500       5,500       6,500    
 
DWT
    8,000         13,500         22,000         29,000         35,000         40-45,000         65-70,000         75,000    
2000
    9.4         17.6         23.1         28.5         33.5         39.0         57.0         67.1    
2001
    9.9         17.6         23.0         29.4         34.9         41.0         60.3         69.9    
2002
    9.5         15.6         20.8         25.6         29.3         33.8         52.3         63.5    
2003
    12.9         17.0         22.6         28.1         32.5         36.9         55.8         66.5    
2004
    18.0         22.0         31.1         34.9         43.4         50.3         74.3         86.0    
2005
    18.5         24.5         36.4         41.9         49.5         55.9         87.4         101.1    
2006
    15.8         22.6         34.4         40.3         47.3         54.4         85.0         97.6    
2007
    16.0         23.8         34.0         40.0         44.9         57.9         85.0         97.4    
2008
    16.0         27.3         34.0         40.0         55.0         63.8         76.0         97.0    
2009
    10.0         15.4         23.5         31.5         35.0         38.0         71.0         76.0    
2010
    10.3         16.9         24.0         31.5         35.0         38.6         68.6         74.8    
March 2011
    12.0         22.0         28.5         32.5         40.0         47.0         75.0         80.0    
 
 
* Geared Vessels, all Others Gearless
Source: Drewry
 
Containership Newbuilding Prices 2000 to 2011
(US$ Millions):
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry


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Containership Secondhand Prices
 
Vessel values are primarily driven by supply and demand for vessels. During extended periods of high demand, as evidenced by high charter rates, vessel values tend to appreciate and vice versa. However, vessel values are also influenced by age and specification and by the replacement cost (newbuilding price) in the case of vessels up to five years old. The following chart indicates average secondhand prices for containerships in the period from 2000 to March 2011.
 
Containership Secondhand Prices: 2000 to 2011
(US$ Millions)
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
 
Source: Drewry
 
Values for younger vessels tend to fluctuate on a percentage, if not on a nominal, basis less than values for older vessels. This is attributed to the finite life of vessels which makes the price of younger vessels with a commensurably longer remaining economic life less susceptible to the level of prevailing and expected charter rates, while prices of older vessels are influenced more since their remaining economic life is limited.
 
Vessels are usually sold through specialized brokers who report transactions to the maritime transportation industry on a regular basis. The sale and purchase market for vessels is therefore transparent and liquid, with a large number of vessels changing hands on an annual basis.
 
With the rise in freight rates in the period 2005-2008 secondhand values for containerships also increased for all major ship sizes. However, when demand fell in 2008, rates and values went into a steep decline. Since then there have been very few reported secondhand sales and the estimation of secondhand value is very difficult. Nevertheless, the number of vessels sold in 2010/early 2011 indicates that the market picked up and this has been reflected by a slight upward movement in prices.


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BUSINESS
 
Overview
 
We were incorporated in the Marshall Islands on January 7, 2010, at what we believe to have been a low period of the containership cycle, to capitalize on what we perceived to be a long-term opportunity in the sector. Our objective is to build a global containership business by making acquisitions that are accretive to our dividends per share. The two vessels that we own today are chartered to Maersk and CSAV, two leading container lines. Furthermore, we have contracted to acquire one 4,206 TEU containership, the MV Maersk Madrid, which we expect will be delivered to us on or about June 13, 2011, and two 4,714 TEU containerships, the MV Maersk Malacca and MV Maersk Merlion which we expect will be delivered to us on or about June 21 and June 14, 2011, respectively. Each of these three vessels will be chartered to Maersk upon their delivery to us. We refer to these five vessels as our Initial Fleet. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol DCIX.
 
We were founded by and share senior executives and a technical and commercial manager with Diana Shipping, a leading global provider of transportation services for drybulk cargoes. Diana Shipping was formed near the bottom of the drybulk cycle in 1999 with an initial fleet of six newbuilding vessels, which has since grown to 25 vessels as a result of acquisitions throughout the cycle. We believe that our management’s experience building Diana Shipping throughout the drybulk shipping cycle has positioned us to replicate that success during a similar period in the containership sector. As of the date of this prospectus, Diana Shipping owns 666,818 common shares, or approximately 10.9% of our outstanding common stock, and plans to purchase $20 million of stock in a private placement concurrently with this offering at the public offering price. In addition, our management owns an additional 718,191 common shares. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering and the concurrent private placement, together with cash on hand, to repay in full our existing term loan facility, to fund a portion of the acquisition costs of the three containerships that we have agreed to acquire from Maersk, and for additional containership acquisitions and/or general corporate purposes, including working capital.
 
In order to enhance returns, we plan to focus on vessels ranging from 2,500 TEU to 7,500 TEU because we believe that the current containership orderbook composition, matched with global GDP growth, creates a favorable multi-year dynamic of supply and demand for these mid-sized containerships. We will also focus on secondhand vessels and re-sale newbuildings because they will contribute to our cash flows immediately. In line with our existing fleet, we will favor sister-ships as we believe that they increase our operating efficiency and profitability. As industry dynamics change, we might opportunistically acquire containerships outside of these parameters in order to increase dividends per share.
 
Commencing with the second quarter of 2011, we intend to declare a variable quarterly dividend each February, May, August and November substantially equal to approximately 70% of our available cash from operations during the previous quarter after the payment of cash expenses. The remaining available cash from operations is expected to be used for reserves for scheduled drydockings, intermediate and special surveys and other purposes as our board of directors may from time to time determine are required, after taking into account contingent liabilities, the terms of any credit facility, our growth strategy and other cash needs and the requirements of Marshall Islands law.
 
We have an existing term loan facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA. This facility is available to us to fund the balance of the acquisition costs of the additional vessels that we have agreed to acquire. We will use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering, together with cash on hand, to repay this facility in full and following the completion of this offering will terminate this facility and have no outstanding debt. In addition to the above we are currently in discussions with lenders regarding a $150 million revolving credit facility, which we refer to as our Credit Facility.


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Our Fleet
 
Our Approach to Fleet Development
 
We own two and have contracted to acquire three containerships ranging in size from 3,426 to 4,714 TEU. In addition to the favorable supply dynamics mentioned above, we believe that the vessel classes we are targeting are best positioned to benefit from the improving fundamentals in the containership sector. We believe that these vessels possess the versatility to serve a variety of trade routes, ranging from the critical East-West trade lanes to the fast growing Intra-Asia lanes, thereby mitigating changes in regional demand patterns. In addition, vessels in this size range we are targeting will be able to fit through the expanded Panama Canal, which is expected to open in 2014. We believe that the composition of the orderbook, with its heavy concentration on very large containerships, will further increase demand for our vessels, as container line companies will require larger feeder ships to better serve their customers. We will also focus on secondhand vessels and re-sale newbuildings as they will contribute to our cash flows immediately. Our objective is to expand our fleet with selective acquisitions of mid-sized containerships; however, as industry dynamics change, we might choose to make acquisitions of containerships outside of our initial size range if they exceed our return threshold and increase shareholder value. A key criterion of any vessel acquisition will be that it be accretive to our dividend per share assuming permanent equity financing.
 
Fleet Summary
 
Set forth below is summary information concerning our fleet as of May 31, 2011, after giving effect to the purchase of the three containerships we have contracted to acquire.
 
                                   
                    Delivery
       
Vessel   Sister-
  Gross Rate
      Date
  Redelivery Date to
   
BUILT   TEU   Ships*   (USD Per Day)   Charterer   to Charterer   Owners**   Notes
 
 
Container Vessels
 
SAGITTA
  A
  $ 16,000

$22,000
      A.P. Moller -
Maersk A/S
  June 30, 2010

May 15, 2011
  May 15, 2011

March 15, 2013 —
   
2010
  3,426                         June 15, 2013   1
 
 
CENTAURUS
  A   $ 20,000
      CSAV
Valparaiso
  Sept. 4, 2010   July 21, 2012 —
Oct. 19, 2012
   
2010
  3,426                              
 
 
MAERSK MALACCA   B   $ 21,450       A.P. Moller -
Maersk A/S
  June 21, 2011   May 7, 2013 —
Aug. 5, 2013
 
2, 3
1990
  4,714                              
 
 
MAERSK MERLION   B   $ 21,450       A.P. Moller -
Maersk A/S
  June 14, 2011   April 30, 2013
July 29, 2013
 
2, 3
1990
  4,714                              
 
 
MAERSK MADRID     $ 21,450       A.P. Moller -
Maersk A/S
  June 13, 2011   April 29, 2013
July 28, 2013
 
2, 3
1989
  4,206                              
 
 
 
 
* Each container vessel is a “sister-ship”, or closely similar, to other container vessels that have the same letter.
 
** Charterers’ optional period to redeliver the vessel to owners. Charterers have the right to add the off hire days, if any, and therefore the optional period may be extended.
 
(1) The charterers has the option to employ the vessel for a further 11-13 month period. The optional period, if exercised, must be declared on or before December 15, 2012, and can only commence on May 1, 2013 at a gross daily rate of $30,000.
 
(2) The charterer has the option to employ the vessel for further 12 months period plus or minus 45 days at a gross daily rate of $25,000.
 
(3) Expected delivery date. The aggregate purchase price of the three vessels that we have agreed to acquire is $70.5 million, 10% of which has already been paid by the Company.


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We have also identified two additional 1996-built containerships of approximately 3,500 TEU capacity, and we are currently in discussions to acquire them. We expect that these vessels will be delivered with a time charter back to the seller, which we consider a reputable charterer at a gross daily charter rate of $23,000 for a period of approximately 36 months. We expect to take delivery of the vessels between July and August of 2011. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in completing the acquisition of these two additional vessels or entering into charters with the seller on the terms set forth above or at all.
 
Our Founder
 
One of our key strengths is our relationship with Diana Shipping and its affiliates, including its wholly-owned subsidiary Diana Shipping Services S.A., which we refer to as DSS, or our Manager. We believe that Diana Shipping’s record of success, its size and scale, its reputation in the shipping industry and its commitment to corporate governance and transparency make us a stronger company than our size may indicate.
 
Diana Shipping was the founder of Diana Containerships, providing our initial capital in 2010. As a result of the April 2010 private placement of equity and a distribution of a portion of its Diana Containerships shares to the shareholders of Diana Shipping, Diana Shipping owns approximately 10.9% of our outstanding common stock and plans to purchase $20 million of stock in a private placement concurrently with this offering at the public offering price. In addition, our management owns an additional 718,191 common shares or approximately 11.8% of our outstanding common stock.
 
Experience and Responsibilities
 
Our management team is responsible for the strategic management of our company, including the development of our business plan and overall vision for our operations. Strategic management also involves, among other things, locating, purchasing, financing and selling vessels. Our management team is led by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Symeon Palios, who founded the predecessors of Diana Shipping and DSS in 1972. Mr. Palios has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Diana Shipping since 2005 and as a director since 1999. Mr. Anastasios Margaronis, our President and a director, also serves as President and as a director of Diana Shipping and has been employed by the Diana Shipping group of companies since 1979. Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis, our Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and a director, serves as Executive Vice President and Secretary of Diana Shipping and has been employed by the Diana Shipping group of companies since 1997. Mr. Andreas Michalopoulos, our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, has held these same offices with Diana Shipping since 2006.
 
Our management team has experience in multiple sectors of the international shipping industry, including the containership sector, and a proven track record of strategic growth beginning with the formation of the Diana Shipping group of companies in 1972. Our management team is responsible for identifying assets for acquisition and for the operation of our business in order to build our fleet and effectively manage our growth. Since 1981, our Founder has purchased, operated or sold 18 secondhand and newbuilding containerships and multi-purpose vessels that were capable of transporting containers, including the five vessels in our Initial Fleet.
 
Our Competitive Strengths
 
We believe that we have a number of strengths that will provide us with a sustainable competitive advantage in the containership sector:
 
Experienced Management Team
 
Our management team has an average of 22 years of experience each in all aspects of the shipping industry, with our Chief Executive Officer having over 40 years’ experience, including significant experience with fleets operating in both the containership and drybulk sectors through all market cycles. Collectively, since 1972, DSS and its predecessors have managed more than 100 vessels in the drybulk and containership sectors, and over the last 30 years they have owned and/or operated 18 secondhand


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and newbuilding containerships and multi-purpose vessels that were capable of transporting containers, including the five vessels in our Initial Fleet. Our executive officers also serve as the executive officers of Diana Shipping, which, since going public in 2005, has provided to shareholders a total return of 17.2% compared with a total return of the S&P 500 of 11.8% over the same period. We believe that the experience and reputation of our management team will enable us to attract customers, obtain repeat employment opportunities and gain access to acquisition and financing opportunities to grow our Company and generate strong financial returns.
 
Financial Flexibility to Pursue Acquisitions
 
We are currently in discussions with lenders regarding a $ 150 million revolving credit facility. We believe that our low leverage, liquidity and access to bank financing and the capital markets position us with ship brokers, financial institutions and shipyards as a favored purchaser of quality containerships and will allow us to make additional near-term accretive acquisitions during a period when both newbuilding and high-quality secondhand vessel values remain below their historical 10-year averages. Over the longer term, as vessel values and charter rates increase, we expect to continue to negotiate acquisitions that are consistent with our investment criteria, and we are confident in our ability to access the capital and banking markets. During the last six years, our management team, on behalf of our Founder, has raised more than $1 billion of capital from the equity markets and entered into credit facilities with various international banking institutions for more than $500 million. We believe that these financings are indicative of the strong relationships we, through our management and Founder, enjoy with the financial and investment communities.
 
Relationships with Top Charterers
 
Our Founder and management team have established relationships with several of the top charterers in the shipping industry including CSAV, CMA CGM S.A., China Open Shipping Company, or Cosco, Hamburg Südamerikanische Dampfschifffahrts-Gesellschaft KG, Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd., Maersk, MSC Shipping S.A. and P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Limited (which has merged with Maersk). We believe that these relationships, matched with our Manager’s vetting process, will allow us to selectively charter our vessels at attractive rates.
 
Highly Successful and Reputable Fleet Manager Provides High-Quality, Cost Efficient Operations
 
We believe that the resources and reputation of our Manager as a safe and reliable technical manager provide us with favorable charter opportunities with well established charterers, as shippers’ demands for reliable, on-time services increase with globalization. We believe that employing our Manager as our technical manager provides us with a competitive advantage over other containership operators of a similar size by allowing us to more closely monitor our operations and to offer higher quality performance, reliability and efficiency in the maintenance of our vessels. Additionally, we expect to benefit from economies of scale not usually realized by operators of our size and to realize the benefits through reduced costs and higher distributable cash flow. Our Manager is a subsidiary of a publicly traded company, which we believe increases transparency and allows us to operate under high standards of corporate governance. With approximately 70 shore-based personnel in Athens, Greece and over 600 offshore employees, our Manager oversees the technical supervision, such as repairs, maintenance and inspections, safety and quality, crewing and training, as well as supply provisioning, of over 25 vessels on the water, consisting of drybulk carriers and our containerships, and two newbuilding vessels under construction. Pursuant to each vessel management agreement, our Manager receives a commission of 1% of the gross charterhire and freight earned by the vessel and a technical management fee of $15,000 per vessel per month for employed vessels and will receive $20,000 per vessel per month for laid-up vessels, if any.


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Business Strategy
 
To Acquire High Quality Containerships Throughout the Shipping Cycle
 
We will seek to provide attractive returns to our investors by continuing to make accretive acquisitions of high quality containerships in the secondhand market, including from shipyards and lending institutions. We believe that, currently, the containership sector provides attractive acquisition opportunities as asset values remain below 10-year averages and will continue to present attractive opportunities through the cycle. Over time, we expect that asset prices and charterhire will increase and that we will continue to make acquisitions that meet our investment criteria. Because members of our senior management team have successfully navigated previous market cycles, we believe that we have the experience and discipline to capitalize on market movements. In addition, we are not affected by issues currently impacting certain other containership companies, such as high leverage and the purchase of vessels at prices significantly above historical averages. We will initially focus on vessels ranging from 2,500 TEU to 7,500 TEU because we believe that the current orderbook composition, coupled with global GDP growth, creates a favorable multi-year dynamic of supply and demand for these mid-sized containerships. As industry dynamics change, we might opportunistically acquire containerships outside of this range as well as enter into newbuilding contracts with shipyards on terms that meet our acquisition criteria.
 
Strategically Deploy Our Vessels in Order to Optimize the Opportunities in the Time Charter Market
 
We intend to actively monitor market conditions, charter rates and vessel operating expenses in order to selectively employ vessels as market conditions warrant. We initially intend to enter into short- and medium-term time charters to allow our shareholders to benefit from what we believe to be an improving charter rate environment. Depending on market conditions, in the future we might enter into long-term time charters at rates that compare favorably to historical averages, shielding us from charter rates decreases and cyclical fluctuations. We believe that maintaining staggered charter maturities will provide us with the flexibility to capitalize on favorable market conditions, while providing us with a base of strong, visible cash flows.
 
Maintain a Strong Balance Sheet
 
We have a strong balance sheet and we will employ a portion of the proceeds of this offering to repay our outstanding debt. As a result, we will have greater availability under our credit lines for future acquisitions and our low debt levels should allow us to generate free cash to fund operations and pay dividends. In the future, we expect to draw funds on a short-term basis under our credit lines to fund vessel acquisitions. We intend to repay our acquisition related debt from time to time with the net proceeds of subsequent equity issuances. We believe that maintaining a strong balance sheet will continue to provide us with the flexibility to capitalize on vessel purchase opportunities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, based on prevailing conditions and our outlook for the containership market, we might consider incurring further indebtedness in the future to enhance returns to our shareholders.
 
Provide an Attractive Yield to Shareholders Through Quarterly Dividends
 
We currently intend to declare a variable quarterly dividend each February, May, August and November substantially equal to approximately 70% of our available cash from operations during the previous quarter after the payment of cash expenses. The remaining available cash from operations is expected to be used for reserves for scheduled drydockings, intermediate and special surveys and other purposes as our board of directors may from time to time determine are required, after taking into account contingent liabilities, the terms of any credit facility, our growth strategy and other cash needs and the requirements of Marshall Islands law. While we expect to declare a quarterly dividend in August 2011 in respect of a partial fleet’s operations, we expect to declare our first full quarterly distribution in


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November 2011, which will reflect a full quarter’s operations of our entire Initial Fleet, as well as a partial contribution from any other vessels delivered during that quarter. Our board of directors may review and amend our dividend policy from time to time, in light of our plans for future growth and other factors.
 
Maintain Low Cost, Highly Efficient and Reliable Operations
 
We operate as an efficient and reliable owner of containerships as a result of the experience of our Manager. DSS currently manages a fleet of 14 Panamax, one Post-Panamax, eight Capesize drybulk carriers, the two Panamax containerships in our fleet and two drybulk carrier newbuildings for which it provides supervisory services. We believe that we will benefit from economies of scale in maintenance, supply and crewing of our vessels, as well in purchasing lubricants and spare parts. We further believe that we can build on the reputation of our Manager for safe vessel operations, and we intend to comply with rigorous international health, safety and environmental protection regulations.
 
Our Arrangements with Our Affiliates
 
Our Manager
 
DSS performs commercial and technical management services for our vessels. DSS also manages Diana Shipping’s drybulk carrier fleet with a combined cargo carrying capacity of approximately 2.9 million dwt, including two vessels under construction with deliveries expected in the second and third quarter of 2012. Commercial management includes, among other things, negotiating charters for vessels, monitoring the performance of vessels under charter, managing our relationships with charterers, obtaining insurance coverage for our vessels, as well as supervision of the technical management of the vessels. Technical management includes managing day-to-day vessel operations, performing general vessel maintenance, ensuring regulatory and classification society compliance, supervising the maintenance and general efficiency of vessels, arranging the hire of qualified officers and crew, arranging and supervising drydocking and repairs, arranging for the purchase of supplies, spare parts and new equipment for vessels, appointing supervisors and technical consultants and providing technical support. Our Manager also provides to us accounting, administrative, financial reporting and other services necessary for the operation of our business. We actively monitor the performance of our Manager. We believe that the fees and commissions we pay under the Administrative Services Agreement, Broker Services Agreement and Vessel Management Agreements are consistent with fees and commissions charged by third party managers and are consistent with fees and commissions charged by DSS to Diana Shipping. Please see “— Administrative Services Agreement,” “— Broker Services Agreement” and “— Vessel Management Agreements.”
 
Administrative Services Agreement
 
On April 6, 2010, we entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with DSS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diana Shipping, whereby DSS provides to us accounting, administrative, financial reporting and other services necessary for the operation of our business. We actively monitor the performance of our Manager. We have agreed to pay our Manager a monthly fee of $10,000 for these administrative services. The initial term of the agreement is for a period of one year and will automatically renew for successive twelve month periods unless the agreement is terminated as provided therein. The agreement may be terminated by the Company (i) upon thirty days’ written notice to the Manager; (ii) if the Manager materially breaches the agreement and such breach is not resolved within ninety days; (iii) if the Manager has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere with respect to a crime and such occurrence is materially injurious to the Company; (iv) if the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding common shares elect to terminate the agreement; (v) if the Manager commits fraud, gross negligence or commits an act of willful misconduct, and the Company is materially injured thereby; (vi) if the Manager becomes insolvent; or (vi) if there is a “change of control” (as defined therein) of the Manager. The Administrative Services Agreement may be terminated by the Manager (i) after the expiration of the initial term, with six months’ notice to the Company; (ii) if the Company


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materially breaches the agreement and such breach is not resolved within ninety days; or (iii) at any time upon the earlier to occur of (a) the occurrence of a change of control of the Company; (b) the Manager’s receipt of written notice from the Company that a change of control will occur until sixty (60) days after the later of (1) the occurrence of such a change of control or (2) the Manager’s receipt of the written notice in the preceding clause (b). If the Company has knowledge that a change of control of the Company will occur, the Company is required to give prompt written notice thereof to the Manager.
 
Broker Services Agreement
 
On June 1, 2010, we terminated our existing Consultancy Agreements with companies controlled by each of the executive officers and that services that were previously provided to the Company by the consultants are provided by DSS under the Administrative Services Agreement. DSS has appointed Diana Enterprises Inc., a related party controlled by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Mr. Symeon Palios, as broker to assist it in providing these services to the Company pursuant to the Broker Services Agreement, dated June 1, 2010. Pursuant to the agreement, DSS is obligated to pay a commission to Diana Enterprises in the amount of $260,000 per quarter for a term of five years. The commission shall increase to $325,000 per quarter following the completion of this public offering. DSS may pay additional commissions with respect to a transaction as the same may be agreed in writing. In the event that Diana Enterprises terminates the agreement within six months following a Change of Control (as defined in the agreement), Diana Enterprises shall be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to three years’ annual commission.
 
Vessel Management Agreements
 
DSS also provides commercial and technical management services for our vessels under separate vessel management agreements with our vessel owning subsidiaries. The vessel management agreements continue unless terminated by either party giving three months’ written notice; provided that we may terminate the agreement without such notice upon payment to the Manager of a fee equal to the average management fees paid to the Manager over during the last three full months immediately preceding such termination. Commercial management includes, among other things, negotiating charters for vessels, monitoring the performance of vessels under charter, and managing our relationships with charterers, obtaining insurance coverage for our vessels, as well as supervision of the technical management of the vessels. Technical management includes managing day-to-day vessel operations, performing general vessel maintenance, ensuring regulatory and classification society compliance, supervising the maintenance and general efficiency of vessels, arranging the hire of qualified officers and crew, arranging and supervising drydocking and repairs, arranging for the purchase of supplies, spare parts and new equipment for vessels, appointing supervisors and technical consultants and providing technical support. Pursuant to each vessel management agreement, DSS receives a commission of 1% of the gross charterhire and freight earned by the vessel and a technical management fee of $15,000 per vessel per month for employed vessels and will receive $20,000 per vessel per month for laid-up vessels, if any. We do not expect to pay management fees for vessels that may be employed under bareboat charters in the future. We may, from time to time, request additional services offered by our Manager, in which case we expect we will pay fees in accordance with industry practice for these services.
 
Non-Competition Agreement
 
We and Diana Shipping have entered into a non-competition agreement whereby we have agreed that, during the term of the Administrative Services Agreement and any vessel management agreements we enter into with DSS, and for six months thereafter, we will not acquire or charter any vessel, or otherwise operate in, the drybulk sector and Diana Shipping will not acquire or charter any vessel, or otherwise operate in, the containership sector.


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Potential Conflicts of Interest
 
Our officers and directors have fiduciary duties to manage our business in a manner beneficial to us and our shareholders. However, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer also serve as executive officers and/or directors of Diana Shipping. As a result, these individuals have fiduciary duties to manage the business of Diana Shipping and its affiliates in a manner beneficial to such entities and their shareholders. Consequently, these officers and directors may encounter situations in which their fiduciary obligations to Diana Shipping and us are in conflict. Although Diana Shipping is contractually restricted from competing with us in the containership sector, there may be other business opportunities for which Diana Shipping may compete with us such as hiring employees, acquiring other businesses, or entering into joint ventures, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, we are contractually restricted from competing with Diana Shipping in the drybulk carrier sector, which limits our ability to expand our operations.
 
Corporate Structure
 
We are a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on January 7, 2010. Each of our vessels is owned by separate wholly-owned subsidiaries.
 
We maintain our principal executive offices at Pendelis 16, 175 64 Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece. Our telephone number at that address is 011 30 210 947 0000. Our office space is provided to us by DSS pursuant to our Administrative Services Agreement with DSS.
 
Crewing and Employees
 
We currently have no employees. DSS, through the Broker Services Agreement with Diana Enterprises and through the Administrative Services Agreement is responsible to provide our executive officers and other services to us and through the Vessel Management Agreements is responsible for recruiting, either directly or through a technical manager or a crew manager, the senior officers and all other crew members for the vessels in our fleet. DSS has the responsibility to ensure that all seamen have the qualifications and licenses required to comply with international regulations and shipping conventions, and that the vessels are manned by experienced and competent and trained personnel. DSS is also responsible for ensuring that seafarers’ wages and terms of employment conform to international standards or to general collective bargaining agreement to allow unrestricted worldwide trading of the vessels.
 
Competition
 
We operate in markets that are highly competitive and based primarily on supply and demand. Generally, we compete for charters based upon price, customer relationships, operating expertise, professional reputation and size, age and condition of the vessel. Competition for providing containership services comes from a number of shipping companies.
 
The containership sector of the international shipping industry is characterized by the significant time necessary to develop the operating expertise and professional reputation necessary to obtain and retain customers and, in the past a relative scarcity of secondhand containerships, which necessitated reliance on newbuildings which can take a number of years to complete. We intend to focus on mid-sized TEU capacity containerships ranging from 2,500 to 7,500 TEU, which we believe have fared better than smaller vessels during global downturns in the containership sector. We believe larger containerships, even older containerships if well maintained, provide us with increased flexibility and more stable cash flows than smaller TEU capacity containerships.


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Our Customers
 
Our customers include national, regional and international companies, such as Maersk and CSAV. We believe that developing strong relationships with the end users of our services allows us to better satisfy their needs with appropriate and capable vessels. A prospective charterer’s financial condition, creditworthiness, reliability and track record are important factors in negotiating our vessels’ employment.
 
Environmental and Other Regulations
 
Government regulation significantly affects the ownership and operation of our vessels. We are subject to international conventions and treaties, and, in the countries in which our vessels may operate or are registered, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the countries in which our vessels may operate or are registered relating to safety and health and environmental protection, including the storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination and liability for damage to natural resources. Compliance with such laws, regulations and other requirements entails significant expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of certain operating procedures.
 
A variety of governmental and private entities subject our vessels to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include the local port authorities, (applicable national authorities such as the U.S. Coast Guard and harbor masters), classification societies, flag state administrations (countries of registry) and charterers. Some of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates or approvals for the operation of our vessels. Our failure to maintain necessary permits, licenses, certificates, approvals or financial assurances could require us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend operation of one or more of the vessels in our fleet, or lead to the invalidation or reduction of our insurance coverage.
 
In recent periods, heightened levels of environmental and operational safety concerns among insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers have led to greater inspection and safety requirements on all vessels and may accelerate the scrapping of older vessels throughout the shipping industry. Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to the stricter environmental standards. We believe that the operation of our vessels will be in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that our vessels will have all material permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations necessary for the conduct of our operations. However, because such laws and regulations are frequently changed and may impose increasingly strict requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these requirements, or the impact of these requirements on the re-sale value or useful lives of our vessels. In addition, a future serious marine incident, such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, that results in significant oil pollution or otherwise causes significant adverse environmental impact could result in additional legislation or regulation that could negatively affect our profitability.
 
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
 
The IMO, the United Nations agency for maritime safety and the prevention of pollution, has adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, or MARPOL, which has been updated through various amendments. MARPOL establishes environmental standards relating to oil leakage or spilling, garbage management, sewage, air emissions, handling and disposal of noxious liquids and the handling of harmful substances in packaged forms. For example, Annex III of MARPOL regulates the transportation of packaged dangerous goods (marine pollutants) and includes standards on packing, marking, labeling, documentation, stowage, quantity limitations and pollution prevention.


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Air Emissions
 
In September 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution from ships. Effective May 2005, Annex VI sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from all commercial vessel exhausts and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances (such as halons and chlorofluorocarbons), emissions of volatile organic compounds from cargo tanks, and the shipboard incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could require the installation of expensive emission control systems and adversely affect our business, cash flows, results of operations and financial condition. In October 2008, the IMO adopted amendments to Annex VI regarding emissions of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and ozone-depleting substances, which amendments entered into force on July 1, 2010. The amended Annex VI will reduce air pollution from vessels by, among other things, (i) implementing a progressive reduction of sulfur oxide, emissions from ships, by reducing the sulfur fuel cap with the global sulfur cap reduced initially to 3.50% (from the current cap of 4.50%), effective from January 1, 2012, then progressively to 0.50%, effective from January 1, 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018; and (ii) establishing new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for new marine engines, depending on their date of installation. U.S. air emissions standards are now equivalent to these amended Annex VI requirements. More stringent emission controls may be required in designated Emission Control Areas, such as the area extending 200 nautical miles from the Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Coast of the United States and Canada and the Hawaiian Islands. We may incur costs to comply with these amended Annex VI standards.
 
Safety Management System Requirements
 
The IMO also adopted the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, and the International Convention on Load Lines, or LL, which impose a variety of standards that regulate the design and operational features of ships. The IMO periodically revises the SOLAS and LL standards.
 
Our operations are also subject to environmental standards and requirements contained in the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or ISM Code, promulgated by the IMO under SOLAS. The ISM Code requires the party with operational control of a vessel to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. We rely upon the safety management system that we and our technical manager implements for compliance with the ISM Code. The failure of a ship owner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
 
The ISM Code requires that vessel operators also obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel’s management with code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. We believe that we have all material requisite documents of compliance for our offices and safety management certificates for all of our vessels for which such certificates are required by the ISM Code. We will renew these documents of compliance and safety management certificates as required.
 
Noncompliance with the ISM Code and other IMO regulations may subject the shipowner or bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to decreases in, or invalidation of, available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. The U.S. Coast Guard and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code by the applicable deadlines will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports, as the case may be.


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Pollution Control and Liability Requirements
 
IMO has negotiated international conventions that impose pollution control and liability in international waters and the territorial waters of the signatory nations to such conventions. For example, many countries have ratified and follow the liability plan adopted by the IMO and set out in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, or the CLC, although the United States is not a party. Under this convention and depending on whether the country in which the damage results is a party to the 1992 Protocol to the CLC, a vessel’s registered owner is strictly liable, subject to certain defenses, for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil. The limits on liability outlined in the 1992 Protocol use the International Monetary Fund currency unit of Special Drawing Rights, or SDR. The right to limit liability is forfeited under the CLC where the spill is caused by the shipowner’s actual fault and under the 1992 Protocol where the spill is caused by the shipowner’s intentional or reckless conduct. Vessels trading with states that are parties to these conventions must provide evidence of insurance covering the liability of the owner. In jurisdictions where the CLC has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to that of the CLC. We believe that our protection and indemnity insurance will cover the liability under the plan adopted by the IMO.
 
The IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or the Bunker Convention, to impose strict liability on ship owners for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention, which became effective on November 21, 2008, requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross tons to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims of 1976, as amended). With respect to non-ratifying states, liability for spills or releases of oil carried as fuel in ship’s bunkers typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.
 
In addition, IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, or BWM, in February 2004. BWM’s implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits. BWM will not become effective until 12 months after it has been adopted by 30 states, the combined merchant fleets of which represent not less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping. To date, there has not been sufficient adoption of this standard for it to take force. However, the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee passed a resolution in March 2010 encouraging the ratification of the Convention and calling upon those countries that have already ratified to encourage the installation of ballast water management systems. If ballast water treatment requirements become mandatory, the cost of compliance could increase for ocean carriers.
 
The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations. It is impossible to predict what additional regulations, if any, may be passed by the IMO and what effect, if any, such regulations might have on our operations.
 
U.S. Regulations
 
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade in the United States, its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in U.S. waters, which includes the U.S. territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The United States has also enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil, whether on land or at sea. Although OPA is primarily directed at oil tankers (which are not operated by us), it also


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applies to non-tanker ships, including containerships, with respect to the fuel oil, or bunkers, used to power such ships. CERCLA also applies to our operations.
 
Under OPA, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels. OPA defines these other damages broadly to include:
 
  •  natural resources damage and related assessment costs;
 
  •  real and personal property damage;
 
  •  net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees and other lost revenues;
 
  •  lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to property or natural resources damage; and
 
  •  net cost of public services necessitated by a spill response, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards, and loss of subsistence use of natural resources.
 
Effective July 31, 2009, the U.S. Coast Guard adjusted the limits of OPA liability for non-tank vessels to the greater of $1,000 per gross ton or $0.85 million per non-tank vessel that is over 3,000 gross tons (subject to possible adjustment for inflation), and we expect our fleet will be composed of such vessels. CERCLA, which applies to owners and operators of vessels, contains a similar liability regime and provides for cleanup, removal and natural resource damages. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5 million for vessels carrying a hazardous substance as cargo and the greater of $300 per gross ton or $0.5 million for any other vessel. These OPA and CERCLA limits of liability do not apply if an incident was directly caused by violation of applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulations or by a responsible party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, or if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and assist in connection with oil removal activities.
 
OPA and the U.S. Coast Guard also require owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the limit of their potential liability under OPA and CERCLA.
 
We maintain pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1 billion per incident for each of our vessels. If the damages from a catastrophic spill were to exceed our insurance coverage, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
The U.S. Clean Water Act, or CWA, prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in U.S. navigable waters unless authorized by a duly-issued permit or exemption, and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges. The CWA also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA and CERCLA.
 
The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, regulates the discharge of ballast water and other substances in U.S. waters under the CWA. Effective February 6, 2009, EPA regulations require vessels 79 feet in length or longer (other than commercial fishing and recreational vessels) to comply with a Vessel General Permit authorizing ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the operation of vessels. The Vessel General Permit imposes technology and water-quality based non-numeric effluent limits for certain types of discharges and establishes specific inspection, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements to ensure the effluent limits are met. However, because of a March 2011 settlement, the EPA has agreed to establish numeric concentration-based effluent limits by November 2012. Further, as one of the conditions of the Vessel General Permit, permittees must comply with all U.S. Coast Guard mandatory ballast water requirements. U.S. Coast Guard regulates ballast water under the National Invasive Species Act by requiring mandatory saltwater flushing, but it does not currently impose numeric limits. However, the U.S. Coast Guard proposed a rule that, if finalized as


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proposed, will implement more stringent ballast water requirements in two phases. Phase one would become effective in January 2012 and reflects the mandatory concentration limits of the IMO’s BWM Convention discussed above. Phase two would become effective in January 2016 and could establish a standard that is 1,000 times more stringent than the phase one standard.
 
European Union Regulations
 
In October 2009, the European Union amended a directive to impose criminal sanctions for illicit ship-source discharges of polluting substances, including minor discharges, if committed with intent, recklessly or with serious negligence and the discharges individually or in the aggregate result in deterioration of the quality of water. Criminal liability for pollution may result in substantial penalties or fines and increased civil liability claims.
 
Greenhouse Gas Regulation
 
The IMO is evaluating mandatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, which may include market-based instruments or a carbon tax. The European Union has indicated that it intends to propose an expansion of the existing European Union emissions trading scheme to include emissions of greenhouse gases from marine vessels. In the United States, the EPA has issued a finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public health and safety and has been petitioned, and had been threatened with a potential lawsuit, by the California Attorney General to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from ocean-going vessels. In addition, climate change initiatives are being considered in the U.S. Congress. Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, EU, the U.S. or other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at the international level to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to make significant financial expenditures that we cannot predict with certainty at this time.
 
Vessel Security Regulations
 
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there has been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or the MTSA, came into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to SOLAS created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new chapter became effective in July 2004 and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, or the ISPS Code. The ISPS Code is designed to protect ports and international shipping against terrorism. After July 1, 2004, to trade internationally, a vessel must attain an International Ship Security Certificate from a recognized security organization approved by the vessel’s flag state. Among the various requirements are:
 
  •  on-board installation of automatic identification systems to provide a means for the automatic transmission of safety-related information from among similarly equipped ships and shore stations, including information on a ship’s identity, position, course, speed and navigational status;
 
  •  on-board installation of ship security alert systems, which do not sound on the vessel but only alert the authorities on shore;
 
  •  the development of vessel security plans;
 
  •  ship identification number to be permanently marked on a vessel’s hull;
 
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  registered with that state, the ship’s identification number, the port at which the ship is registered and the name of the registered owner(s) and their registered address; and
 
  •  compliance with flag state security certification requirements.
 
The U.S. Coast Guard regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt from MTSA vessel security measures non-U.S. vessels that have on board, as of July 1, 2004, a valid International Ship Security Certificate attesting to the vessel’s compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. We intend to implement the various security measures addressed by the MTSA, SOLAS and the ISPS Code.
 
Inspection by Classification Societies
 
Every oceangoing vessel must be “classed” by a classification society. The classification society certifies that the vessel is “in class,” signifying that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the rules of the classification society and complies with applicable rules and regulations of the vessel’s country of registry and the international conventions of which that country is a member. In addition, where surveys are required by international conventions and corresponding laws and ordinances of a flag state, the classification society will undertake them on application or by official order, acting on behalf of the authorities concerned.
 
The classification society also undertakes on request other surveys and checks that are required by regulations and requirements of the flag state. These surveys are subject to agreements made in each individual case and/or to the regulations of the country concerned.
 
For maintenance of the class certification, regular and extraordinary surveys of hull, machinery, including the electrical plant, and any special equipment classed are required to be performed as follows:
 
  •  Annual Surveys:  For seagoing ships, annual surveys are conducted for the hull and the machinery, including the electrical plant, and where applicable for special equipment classed, at intervals of 12 months from the date of commencement of the class period indicated in the certificate.
 
  •  Intermediate Surveys:  Extended annual surveys are referred to as intermediate surveys and typically are conducted two and one-half years after commissioning and each class renewal. Intermediate surveys may be carried out on the occasion of the second or third annual survey.
 
  •  Class Renewal Surveys:  Class renewal surveys, also known as special surveys, are carried out for the ship’s hull, machinery, including the electrical plant, and for any special equipment classed, at the intervals indicated by the character of classification for the hull. At the special survey, the vessel is thoroughly examined, including audio-gauging to determine the thickness of the steel structures. Should the thickness be found to be less than class requirements, the classification society would prescribe steel renewals. The classification society may grant a one-year grace period for completion of the special survey. Substantial amounts of money may have to be spent for steel renewals to pass a special survey if the vessel experiences excessive wear and tear. In lieu of the special survey every four or five years, depending on whether a grace period was granted, a shipowner has the option of arranging with the classification society for the vessel’s hull or machinery to be on a continuous survey cycle, in which every part of the vessel would be surveyed within a five-year cycle. Upon a shipowner’s request, the surveys required for class renewal may be split according to an agreed schedule to extend over the entire period of class. This process is referred to as continuous class renewal.
 
All areas subject to survey as defined by the classification society are required to be surveyed at least once per class period, unless shorter intervals between surveys are prescribed elsewhere. The period between two subsequent surveys of each area must not exceed five years.
 
Vessels have their underwater parts inspected every 30 to 36 months. Depending on the vessel’s age and other factors, this inspection can often be done afloat with minimal disruption to the vessel’s


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commercial deployment. However, vessels are required to be drydocked, meaning physically removed from the water, for inspection and related repairs at least once every five years from delivery. If any defects are found, the classification surveyor will issue a recommendation which must be rectified by the ship owner within prescribed time limits.
 
Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage that a vessel be certified as “in class” by a classification society which is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies. All new and secondhand vessels that we purchase must be certified prior to their delivery under our standard agreements.
 
100% Container Screening
 
The United States signed into law the 9/11 Commission Act on August 3, 2007. The Act requires that all containers destined to the United States be scanned by x-ray machines before leaving port. This new requirement for 100% scanning is set to take effect in 2014. Ports that ship to the United States will likely have to install new x-ray machines and make infrastructure changes in order to accommodate the screening requirements. Such implementation requirements may change which ports are able to ship to the United States and shipping companies may incur significant increased costs. It is impossible to predict how this requirement will affect the industry as a whole, but changes and additional costs can be reasonably expected.
 
Risk of Loss and Insurance Coverage
 
General
 
The operation of any containership vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. OPA, which imposes virtually unlimited liability upon owners, operators and demise charterers of vessels trading in the United States exclusive economic zone for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has made liability insurance more expensive for ship owners and operators trading in the United States market.
 
While we plan to maintain hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance, protection and indemnity cover, increased value insurance and freight, demurrage and defense cover for our vessels that we acquire in amounts that we believe to be prudent to cover normal risks in our operations, we may not be able to achieve or maintain this level of coverage throughout a vessel’s useful life. Furthermore, while we plan to procure adequate insurance coverage, not all risks can be insured, and there can be no guarantee that any specific claim will be paid, or that we will always be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates.
 
Hull and Machinery and War Risks Insurance
 
We plan to maintain for any vessels we acquire marine hull and machinery and war risks insurance, which would cover the risk of actual or constructive total loss. We expect that any vessels we acquire would be covered up to at least fair market value with deductibles which vary according to the size and value of the vessel. We also plan to maintain increased value coverage for any vessels we acquire. Under this increased value coverage, in the event of total loss of a vessel, we would be entitled to recover amounts not recoverable under our hull and machinery policy due to under-insurance.
 
Protection and Indemnity Insurance
 
Protection and indemnity insurance is generally provided by mutual protection and indemnity associations, or P&I Associations, which insure our third party liabilities in connection with our shipping


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activities. This includes third-party liability and other related expenses resulting from the injury or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, the loss or damage to cargo, claims arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third-party property, pollution arising from oil or other substances and salvage, towing and other related costs, including wreck removal. Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual indemnity insurance, extended by protection and indemnity mutual associations, or “clubs.”
 
We procure protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution in the amount of $1 billion per vessel per incident. The 13 P&I Associations that comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the world’s commercial tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to reinsure each association’s liabilities. As a member of a P&I Association which is a member of the International Group, we are subject to calls payable to the associations based on the group’s claim records as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual associations and members of the pool of P&I Associations comprising the International Group. Supplemental calls are made by the P&I Association based on estimates of premium income and anticipated and paid claims and such estimates are adjusted each year by the Board of Directors of the P&I Association until the closing of the relevant policy year, which generally occurs within three years from the end of the policy year. The Standard Steamship Owners’ Protection & Indemnity Association (Bermuda) Limited, the P&I Association in which the Company’s vessels are entered, did not charge any supplemental calls for the 2007/08, 2008/09, or 2009/10 policy years. The Company does not know whether any supplemental calls will be charged in respect of 2010/11 or 2011/12, which are the first two years in which the Company’s vessels were entered with the P&I Association. To the extent we experience supplemental calls; our policy is to expense such amounts.
 
Properties
 
We have no material properties other than our vessels.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
We have not been involved in any legal proceedings which may have, or have had a significant effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity, nor are we aware of any proceedings that are pending or threatened which may have a significant effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. We expect that these claims would be covered by insurance, subject to customary deductibles. Those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.
 
Exchange Controls
 
Under Republic of the Marshall Islands law, there are currently no restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls or restrictions that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our common stock.


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MANAGEMENT
 
Directors and Senior Management
 
Set forth below are the names and positions of our directors and executive officers. Our board of directors is elected annually on a staggered basis, and each director elected holds office for a three year term. Our officers are appointed from time to time by the respective board of directors and hold office until a successor is elected.
 
All of our executive officers are also executive officers of Diana Shipping.
 
             
Name
 
Age
 
Position
 
Symeon Palios
    70     Class III Director, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
Anastasios Margaronis
    55     Class II Director and President
Ioannis Zafirakis
    39     Class I Director, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
Andreas Michalopoulos
    40     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Giannakis Evangelou
    66     Class III Director
Antonios Karavias
    69     Class I Director
Nikolaos Petmezas
    62     Class III Director
Reidar Brekke
    50     Class II Director
 
Biographical information concerning the directors and executive officers listed above is set forth below. The term of our Class I directors expires in 2011, the term of our Class II directors expires in 2012 and the term of our Class III directors expires in 2013.
 
Symeon Palios has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman since January 13, 2010 and has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Diana Shipping since February 21, 2005 and as a Director of that company since March 9, 1999. Mr. Palios also serves as an employee of DSS. Prior to November 12, 2004, Mr. Palios was the Managing Director of Diana Shipping Agencies S.A. and performed on our behalf the services he now performs as Chief Executive Officer. Since 1972, when he formed Diana Shipping Agencies, Mr. Palios has had the overall responsibility of our activities. Mr. Palios has 40 years’ experience in the shipping industry and expertise in technical and operational issues. He has served as an ensign in the Greek Navy for the inspection of passenger boats on behalf of Ministry of Merchant Marine and is qualified as a naval architect and engineer. Mr. Palios is a member of various leading classification societies worldwide and he is a member of the board of directors of the United Kingdom Freight Demurrage and Defense Association Limited. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Durham University.
 
Anastasios Margaronis has served as our Director and President since January 13, 2010 and has served in these positions with Diana Shipping since February 21, 2005. Mr. Margaronis also serves as an employee of DSS. Prior to February 21, 2005, Mr. Margaronis was employed by Diana Shipping Agencies S.A. and performed on our behalf the services he now performs as President. He joined Diana Shipping Agencies in 1979 and has been responsible for overseeing our insurance matters, including hull and machinery, protection and indemnity and war risks cover. Mr. Margaronis has 31 years of experience in shipping, including in ship finance and insurance. He is a member of the Greek National Committee of the American Bureau of Shipping and a member of the board of directors of the United Kingdom Mutual Steam Ship Assurance Association (Bermuda) Limited. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Warwick and a master’s of science degree in Maritime Law from the Wales Institute of Science and Technology.
 
Ioannis Zafirakis has served as our Director, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary since January 13, 2010 and has served as Director and Executive Vice President and Secretary of Diana Shipping since February 14, 2008, as the Vice President and Secretary of that company since February 21, 2005 and as a director of that company since March 9, 1999. Mr. Zafirakis also serves as an employee of DSS. Prior to February 21, 2005, Mr. Zafirakis was employed by Diana Shipping Agencies S.A. and performed on the behalf of Diana Shipping the services he now performs as Executive Vice


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President of that company. He joined Diana Shipping Agencies S.A. in 1997 where he held a number of positions in its finance and accounting department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from City University Business School in London and a master’s degree in International Transport from the University of Wales in Cardiff.
 
Andreas Michalopoulos has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since January 13, 2010 and has served in these positions with Diana Shipping since March 8, 2006. Mr. Michalopoulos started his career in 1993 where he joined Merrill Lynch Private Banking in Paris. In 1995, he became an International Corporate Auditor with Nestle SA based in Vevey, Switzerland and moved in 1998 to the position of Trade Marketing and Merchandising Manager. From 2000 to 2002, he worked for McKinsey and Company in Paris, France as an Associate Generalist Consultant before joining from 2002 to 2005, a major Greek Pharmaceutical Group with U.S. R&D activity as a Vice President International Business Development and Member of the Executive Committee. From 2005 to 2006, he joined Diana Shipping Agencies as a Project Manager. Mr. Michalopoulos has graduated from Paris IX Dauphine University with Honors in 1993 obtaining a MSc in Economics and a master’s degree in Management Sciences specialized in Finance. In 1995, he also obtained a master’s degree in business administration from Imperial College, University of London. Mr. Andreas Michalopoulos is married to the youngest daughter of Mr. Symeon Palios.
 
Giannakis (John) Evangelou has served as an independent Director and as the Chairman of our Audit Committee since February 2011. Mr. Evangelou retired from Ernst & Young (Hellas), which he joined as a partner in 1998, on June 30, 2010. During his 12 years at Ernst & Young, he acted as Transaction Support leader for Greece and a number of countries in Southeast Europe including Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. In addition to his normal duties as a partner John held the position of Quality and Risk Management leader for Transaction Advisory Services responsible for a sub-area comprising 18 countries spanning from Poland and the Baltic in the North to Cyprus and Malta in the South. From 1986 through 1997, Mr. Evangelou held the position of Group Finance director at Manley Hopkins Group, a Marine Services Group of Companies. From 1991 through 1997, Mr. Evangelou served as Chief Accounting Officer for Global Ocean Carriers, a shipping company that was listed on a U.S. stock exchange during that time. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Evangelou was an independent consultant and a member of the team that prepared Royal Olympic Cruises for its listing on Nasdaq. From 1974 through 1986, Mr. Evangelou was a partner of Moore Stephens P.C. Additionally, Mr. Evangelou is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a member of the Institute of Certified Accountants — Auditors of Greece.
 
Antonios Karavias has served as an independent Director and as the Chairman of our Compensation Committee and member of our Audit Committee since the completion of the private offering. Since 2007 Mr. Karavias has served as an Independent Advisor to the Management of Société Générale Bank and Trust and Marfin Egnatia Bank. Previously, Mr. Karavias was with Alpha Bank from 1999 to 2006 as a Deputy Manager of Private Banking and with Merrill Lynch as a Vice President from 1980 to 1999. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in Economics from Pace University.
 
Nikolaos Petmezas has served as an independent Director and as a member of our Compensation Committee since the completion of the private offering. Mr. Petmezas has served since 2001 as the Chief Executive Officer of Maersk-Svitzer-Wijsmuller B.V. and, prior to its acquisition by Maersk, as a Partner and as Chief Executive Officer of Wijsmuller Shipping Company B.V. He has also served since 1989 as the Chief Executive Officer of N.G. Petmezas Shipping and Trading, S.A., and since 1984 as the Chief Executive Officer of Shipcare Technical Services Shipping Co. LTD. Since 1995 Mr. Petmezas has served as well as the Managing Director of Kongsberg Gruppen A.S. (Hellenic Office) and, from 1984 to 1995, as the Managing Director of Kongsberg Vaapenfabrik A.S. (Hellenic Branch Office). Mr. Petmezas served on the Board of Directors of Neorion Shipyards, in Syros, Greece from 1989 to 1992. Mr. Petmezas began his career in shipping in 1977, holding sales positions at Austin & Pickersgill Ltd. and British Shipbuilders Corporation until 1983. Mr. Petmezas has been an Advisor at Westinghouse Electric and Northrop Grumman since 1983 and a Honorary Consul under the General Consulate of Sri Lanka in


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Greece since 1995. Mr. Petmezas holds degrees in Law and in Political Sciences and Economics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and an LL.M. in Shipping Law from London University.
 
Reidar Brekke has served as an independent Director since June 1, 2010. Mr. Brekke has been an advisor and deal-maker in the international energy and transportation sector for the last 15 years. He founded Energy Capital Services Inc., or ECS, Inc., in March 2008 which provides strategic and financial advisory services to international shipping and energy related companies. In addition, he served as President of ECS Inc., a shipping and energy industry consulting and advisory services company, from March 2008 to December 2009. Previously, he served as Manager of Poten Capital Services LLC, a registered broker-dealer specializing in the maritime sector, from 2003 to January 2008. Prior to 2003, Mr. Brekke was Chief Financial Officer, then President and Chief Operating Officer, of SynchroNet Marine, a logistics service provider to the global container transportation industry. From 1994 to 2000, he held several senior positions with American Marin Advisors, including Fund Manager of American Shipping Fund I LLC, and Chief Financial Officer of its broker-dealer subsidiary. Prior to this, Mr. Brekke was an Advisor for the Norwegian Trade Commission in New York & Oslo, Norway, and a financial advisor in Norway. Mr. Brekke graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1986 and in 1990 he obtained a MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno. He has been an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs — Center for Energy, Marine Transportation and Public Policy, and is currently on the board of directors of three privately-held companies involved in container logistics, container leasing and drybulk shipping.
 
Actions by Our Board of Directors
 
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that vessel acquisitions and disposals from or to a related party and long term time charter employment with any charterer that is a related party will require the unanimous approval of the independent members of our Board of Directors and that all other material related party transactions shall be subject to the approval of a majority of the independent members of the Board of Directors.
 
Compensation of Directors and Senior Management
 
The members of our senior management are compensated through their affiliation with Diana Enterprises and its respective Broker Services Agreement with DSS. The commission payable by our Manager to Diana Enterprises (for which we reimburse our Manager) was approximately $0.6 million in 2010. The annual fee of $1.04 million we pay to Diana Enterprises will increase to $1.3 million following this offering. Until the second anniversary of the completion of the private offering, any increase in these amounts is subject to the approval of the independent members of our Board of Directors. Diana Enterprises is a related party controlled by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Mr. Symeon Palios.
 
Our non-executive directors receive annual compensation in the aggregate amount of $40,000 plus reimbursement of their out-of-pocket expenses incurred while attending any meeting of the board of directors or any board committee. In addition, a committee chairman receives an additional $20,000 annually, and other committee members receive an additional $10,000. We do not have a retirement plan for our officers or directors.
 
Committees of the Board of Directors
 
We have established an audit committee comprised of two independent members of our board of directors, who are responsible for reviewing our accounting controls and recommending to the board of directors the engagement of our outside auditors. Our audit committee is responsible for reviewing all related party transactions for potential conflicts of interest and all related party transactions will be subject to the approval of the audit committee. Mr. Giannakis (John) Evangelou serves as the Chairman of the audit committee, and Mr. Antonios Kalavrias serves as a member of our audit committee. We


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believe that Mr. Evangelou qualifies as an audit committee financial expert; as such term is defined under Securities and Exchange Commission rules. We have established a compensation committee comprised of two independent directors which is responsible for recommending to the board of directors our senior executive officers’ compensation and benefits. Mr. Antonios Karavias serves as the Chairman of the compensation committee and Mr. Nikolaos Petmezas serves as a member of our compensation committee. We have also established an executive committee comprised of three directors, Mr. Symeon Palios, Mr. Anastasios Margaronis and Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis. The executive committee is responsible for the overall management of our business.
 
Exemptions from Certain Corporate Governance Requirements of Nasdaq.
 
We have certified to Nasdaq that our corporate governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Therefore, we are exempt from many of Nasdaq’s corporate governance practices other than the requirements regarding the disclosure of a going concern audit opinion, submission of a listing agreement, notification to Nasdaq of non-compliance with Nasdaq corporate governance practices, prohibition on disparate reduction or restriction of shareholder voting rights, and the establishment of an audit committee satisfying Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(3) and ensuring that such audit committee’s members meet the independence requirement of Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(ii). The practices we follow in lieu of Nasdaq’s corporate governance rules applicable to U.S. domestic issuers are as follows:
 
  •  As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to have an audit committee comprised of at least three members. Our audit committee is comprised of two members.
 
  •  As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to adopt a formal written charter or board resolution addressing the nominations process. We do not have a nominations committee, nor have we adopted a board resolution addressing the nominations process.
 
  •  As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to hold regularly scheduled board meetings at which only independent directors are present.
 
  •  In lieu of obtaining shareholder approval prior to the issuance of designated securities, we will comply with provisions of the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, which allows the Board of Directors to approve share issuances.
 
  •  As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to solicit proxies or provide proxy statements to Nasdaq pursuant to Nasdaq corporate governance rules or Marshall Islands law. Consistent with Marshall Islands law and as provided in our bylaws, we will notify our shareholders of meetings between 15 and 60 days before the meeting. This notification will contain, among other things, information regarding business to be transacted at the meeting. In addition, our bylaws provide that shareholders must give us between 150 and 180 days advance notice to properly introduce any business at a meeting of shareholders.
 
Other than as noted above, we are in compliance with all other Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
 
2010 Equity Incentive Plan
 
We have adopted an equity incentive plan, which we refer to as the plan, under which directors, officers, employees, consultants and service providers of us and our subsidiaries and affiliates will be eligible to receive options to acquire common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and unrestricted common stock. We have issued or reserved for issuance a total of 392,198 common shares under the plan, subject to adjustment for changes in capitalization as provided in the plan. The plan will be administered by our compensation committee, or such other committee of our board of directors as may be designated by the board to administer the plan. We have issued a total of 213,331 restricted shares under the plan to our executive officers of which 106,669 shares have vested.


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Following this offering we expect to issue an additional 53,333 restricted common shares to our executive officers under the plan, 25% of which will vest upon the grant of such shares, and the remainder will vest ratably over three years from their date of grant.
 
Under the terms of the plan, stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the plan will have an exercise price per common share equal to the fair market value of a common share on the date of grant, unless otherwise specifically provided in an award agreement, but in no event will the exercise price be less than the greater of (i) the fair market value of a common share on the date of grant and (ii) the par value of one share of common stock. Options and stock appreciation rights will be exercisable at times and under conditions as determined by the plan administrator, but in no event will they be exercisable later than ten years from the date of grant.
 
The plan administrator may grant shares of restricted stock and awards of restricted stock units subject to vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as determined by the plan administrator in accordance with the terms of the plan. Following the vesting of a restricted stock unit, the award recipient will be paid an amount equal to the number of restricted stock units that then vest multiplied by the fair market value of a common share on the date of vesting, which payment may be paid in the form of cash or common shares or a combination of both, as determined by the plan administrator. The plan administrator may grant dividend equivalents with respect to grants of restricted stock units.
 
Adjustments may be made to outstanding awards in the event of a corporate transaction or change in capitalization or other extraordinary event. In the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the plan), unless otherwise provided by the plan administrator in an award agreement, awards then outstanding will become fully vested and exercisable in full.
 
Our board of directors may amend the plan and may amend outstanding awards, provided that no such amendment may be made that would materially impair any rights, or materially increase any obligations, of a grantee under an outstanding award without the consent of such grantee. Shareholder approval of plan amendments will be required under certain circumstances. Unless terminated earlier by our board of directors, the plan will expire ten years from the date the plan is adopted. The plan administrator may cancel any award and amend any outstanding award agreement except no such amendment shall be made without shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the outstanding award.


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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
In April 2010, we issued in a private offering an aggregate of 3,333,333 common shares to Diana Shipping, which amounted to approximately 57% of our outstanding common shares, in exchange for $50.0 million. Diana Shipping distributed 2,667,015 of these shares to its shareholders as a dividend. Prior to the completion of this offering, Diana Shipping owns approximately 10.9% of our outstanding shares.
 
For a description of our Administrative Services Agreement with Diana Shipping Services S.A., relating to the provision of administrative services to us, please see “Business — Administrative Services Agreement.”
 
For a description of the Vessel Management Agreements between our wholly owned subsidiaries and Diana Shipping Services S.A. relating to the provision of management services for our vessels, please see “Business — Vessel Management Agreements.”
 
For a description of the Broker Services Agreement by and between DSS and Diana Enterprises Inc., a related party controlled by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Mr. Symeon Palios, please see “Business — Broker Services Agreement.”
 
For a description of our registration rights agreements between us, FBR Capital Markets & Co. and Diana Shipping dated April 6, 2010, and between us and Diana Shipping that we entered into in connection with Diana Shipping’s purchase of $20.0 million of our stock in a private placement currently with this offering, please see “Registration Rights.”


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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial owners of more than five percent of our common shares and of our officers and directors as a group as of the date of this prospectus. All of our shareholders, including the shareholders listed in this table, are entitled to one vote for each common share held.
 
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules. In computing percentage ownership of each person, common shares subject to options held by that person that are currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date of this prospectus, are deemed to be beneficially owned by that person. These shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
 
                                                 
          Shares to be Beneficially
    Shares to be Beneficially
 
          Owned After Offering
    Owned After Offering
 
    Shares Beneficially
    and Concurrent
    and Concurrent
 
    Owned Prior to Offering
    Private Placement
    Private Placement
 
    and Concurrent
    Assuming No Exercise of
    Assuming Exercise in
 
    Private Placement     Over-Allotment Option     Full of Over-Allotment Option  
Identity of person or group
  Number     Percentage     Number     Percentage     Number     Percentage  
 
Diana Shipping Inc. 
    666,818       10.9 %     3,333,485       14.5 %     3,333,485       13.2 %
FBR Capital Markets PT, Inc.(7)
    709,220       11.6 %     709,220       3.1 %     709,220       2.8 %
Barclays Bank Plc
    554,500       9.1 %     554,500       2.4 %     554,500       2.2 %
FBR Capital Markets & Co.(7)
    364,610       6.0 %     364,610       1.6 %     364,610       1.4 %
Symeon Palios
    556,006 (1)(2)     9.1 %     1,756,006 (1)(3)     7.6 %     1,756,006 (1)(3)     7.0 %
Anastasios Margaronis
    77,098 (1)(4)     1.3 %     177,098 (1)(4)     *     177,098 (1)(4)     *
Ioannis Zafirakis
    41,891 (1)(5)     *     141,891 (1)(5)     *     141,891 (1)(5)     *
Andreas Michalopoulos
    43,196 (1)(6)     *     143,196 (1)(6)     *     143,196 (1)(6)     *
All directors and officers, as a group 718,191
    11.8 %     2,218,191       9.6 %     2,218,191       8.8 %
 
 
(1) Of these shares, an aggregate of 106,669 shares have vested and the remaining shares vest ratably over a two year period.
 
(2) Of these shares, Mr. Palios may be deemed to beneficially own 76,190, 154,970 and 309,941 of these common shares through Taracan Investments S.A., Corozal Compania Naviera S.A. and Ironwood Trading Corp., respectively, companies of which he is the controlling person.
 
(3) Of these shares, Mr. Palios may be deemed to beneficially own 76,190, 154,970, 309,941 and 1,200,000 of these common shares through Taracan Investments S.A., Corozal Compania Naviera S.A., Ironwood Trading Corp. and Limon Compania Financiera S.A., respectively, companies of which he is the controlling person.
 
(4) Mr. Margaronis may be deemed to beneficially own 66,165 of these common shares through Weever S.A., a company of which he is the controlling person.
 
 
(5) Mr. Zafirakis may be deemed to beneficially own 34,886 of these common shares through D&G S.A., a company of which he is the controlling person.
 
 
(6) Mr. Michalopoulos may be deemed to beneficially own 36,090 of these common shares through Love Boat S.A., a company of which he is the controlling person.
 
 
(7) Based on the Schedule 13G filed on February 11, 2011.
 
Less than 1%.


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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
The following is a description of the material terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws. Because the following is a summary, it does not contain all information that you may find useful. For more complete information, you should read our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws, copies of which may be obtained from us as set forth under “Available Information.”
 
Purpose
 
Our purpose, as stated in our amended and restated articles of incorporation, is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the Business Corporations Act of the Marshall Islands (the “BCA”). Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws do not impose any limitations on the ownership rights of our shareholders.
 
Authorized Capitalization
 
Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 500 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 6,106,161 shares are issued and outstanding, and 25 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which no shares are issued and outstanding.
 
Common Stock
 
Each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive ratably all dividends, if any, declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends. Upon our dissolution or liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution. Except as provided below under “— Preemptive Rights,” holders of common stock do not have conversion, exchange, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock which we may issue in the future.
 
Preferred Stock
 
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the terms and rights of that series, including:
 
  •  the designation of the series;
 
  •  the number of shares of the series;
 
  •  the preferences and relative, participating, option or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series; and
 
  •  the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series.
 
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
 
We have entered into a stockholders rights agreement dated August 2, 2010, or the Stockholders Rights Agreement, with Mellon Investor Services LLC as Rights Agent. Pursuant to this Stockholders


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Rights Agreement, each share of our common stock includes one right, which we refer to as a Right that entitles the holder to purchase from us a unit consisting of one one-thousandth of a share of our preferred stock at an exercise price specified in the Stockholders Rights Agreement, subject to specified adjustments. Until a Right is exercised, the holder of a Right will have no rights to vote or receive dividends or any other stockholder rights.
 
The Rights may have anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our board of directors. As a result, the overall effect of the Rights may be to render more difficult or discourage any attempt to acquire us. Because our board of directors can approve a redemption of the Rights or a permitted offer, the Rights should not interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors.
 
We have summarized the material terms and conditions of the Stockholders Rights Agreement and the related Rights below.
 
Detachment of the Rights
 
The Rights are attached to all certificates representing our currently outstanding common stock and will attach to all common stock certificates we issue prior to the Rights distribution date that we describe below. The Rights are not exercisable until after the Rights distribution date and will expire at the close of business on the tenth anniversary date of the adoption of the Rights plan, unless we redeem or exchange them earlier as we describe below. The Rights will separate from the common stock and a Rights distribution date would occur, subject to specified exceptions, on the earlier of the following two dates:
 
  •  the 10th day after public announcement that a person or group has acquired ownership of 15% or more of the Company’s common stock or
 
  •  the 10th business day (or such later date as determined by the Company’s board of directors) after a person or group announces a tender or exchange offer which would result in that person or group holding 15% or more of the Company’s common stock.
 
“Acquiring person” is generally defined in the Stockholders Rights Agreement as any person, together with all affiliates or associates, who beneficially owns 15% or more of the Company’s common stock. However, Diana Shipping Inc. is excluded from the definition of “acquiring person.” In addition, persons who beneficially own 15% or more of the Company’s common stock on the effective date of the Stockholders Rights Agreement are excluded from the definition of “acquiring person” until such time as they acquire additional shares in excess of 1% of the Company’s then outstanding common stock as specified in the Stockholders Rights Agreement for purposes of the Rights, and therefore until such time, their ownership cannot trigger the Rights. Specified “inadvertent” owners that would otherwise become an acquiring person, including those who would have this designation as a result of repurchases of common stock by us, will not become acquiring persons as a result of those transactions.
 
Our board of directors may defer the Rights distribution date in some circumstances, and some inadvertent acquisitions will not result in a person becoming an acquiring person if the person promptly divests itself of a sufficient number of shares of common stock.
 
Until the Rights distribution date:
 
  •  our common stock certificates will evidence the Rights, and the Rights will be transferable only with those certificates; and
 
  •  any new common stock will be issued with Rights and new certificates will contain a notation incorporating the Stockholders Rights Agreement by reference.
 
As soon as practicable after the Rights distribution date, the Rights Agent will mail certificates representing the Rights to holders of record of common stock at the close of business on that date. After the Rights distribution date, only separate Rights certificates will represent the Rights.


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We will not issue Rights with any shares of common stock we issue after the Rights distribution date, except as our board of directors may otherwise determine.
 
Flip-In Event
 
A “flip-in event” will occur under the Stockholders Rights Agreement when a person becomes an acquiring person other than pursuant to certain kinds of permitted offers. An offer is permitted under the Stockholders Rights Agreement if a person will become an acquiring person pursuant to a merger or other acquisition agreement that has been approved by our board of directors prior to that person becoming an acquiring person.
 
If a flip-in event occurs and we have not previously redeemed the Rights as described under the heading “Redemption of Rights” below or, if the acquiring person acquires less than 50% of our outstanding common stock and we do not exchange the Rights as described under the heading “Exchange of Rights” below, each Right, other than any Right that has become void, as we describe below, will become exercisable at the time it is no longer redeemable for the number of shares of common stock, or, in some cases, cash, property or other of our securities, having a current market price equal to two times the exercise price of such Right.
 
When a flip-in event occurs, all Rights that then are, or in some circumstances that were, beneficially owned by or transferred to an acquiring person or specified related parties will become void in the circumstances the Stockholders Rights Agreement specifies.
 
Flip-Over Event
 
A “flip-over event” will occur under the Stockholders Rights Agreement when, at any time after a person has become an acquiring person:
 
  •  we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction, other than specified mergers that follow a permitted offer of the type we describe above; or
 
  •  50% or more of our assets or earning power is sold or transferred.
 
If a flip-over event occurs, each holder of a Right, other than any Right that has become void as we describe under the heading “Flip-In Event” above, will have the right to receive the number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which has a current market price equal to two times the exercise price of such Right.
 
Anti-dilution
 
The number of outstanding Rights associated with our common stock is subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or subdivision, combination or reclassification of our common stock occurring prior to the Rights distribution date. With some exceptions, the Stockholders Rights Agreement will not require us to adjust the exercise price of the Rights until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the exercise price. It also will not require us to issue fractional shares of our preferred stock that are not integral multiples of one-thousandth of a share, and, instead we may make a cash adjustment based on the market price of the common stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
 
Redemption of Rights
 
At any time until the date on which the occurrence of a flip-in event is first publicly announced, we may order redemption of the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price of $0.01 per Right. The redemption price is subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring before the date of redemption. At our option, we may pay that redemption price in cash or shares of common stock. The Rights are not exercisable after a flip-in event if they are timely redeemed by us or until ten days following the first public announcement of a flip-in event. If our board of


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directors timely orders the redemption of the Rights, the Rights will terminate on the effectiveness of that action.
 
Exchange of Rights
 
We may, at our option, exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by an acquiring person or an affiliate or an associate of an acquiring person, which have become void), in whole or in part. The exchange will be at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per Right, subject to specified adjustments at any time after the occurrence of a flip-in event and prior to any person other than us or our existing stockholders becoming the beneficial owner of 50% or more of our outstanding common stock for the purposes of the Stockholders Rights Agreement.
 
Amendment of Terms of Rights
 
During the time the Rights are redeemable, we may amend any of the provisions of the Stockholders Rights Agreement, other than by decreasing the redemption price. Once the Rights cease to be redeemable, we generally may amend the provisions of the Stockholders Rights Agreement, other than to decrease the redemption price, only as follows:
 
  •  to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
 
  •  to make changes that do not materially adversely affect the interests of holders of Rights, excluding the interests of any acquiring person; or
 
  •  to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Stockholders Rights Agreement, except that we cannot lengthen the time period governing redemption or lengthen any time period that protects, enhances or clarifies the benefits of holders of Rights other than an acquiring person.
 
Preemptive Rights
 
Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our shareholders have the right, including Diana Shipping, to purchase, at the same price per share as new investors, such additional shares of our common stock in order to maintain their respective beneficial ownership percentages in the event we issue further equity, other than pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, prior to the completion of an initial public offering.
 
Directors
 
Our directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote. There is no provision for cumulative voting.
 
Our board of directors must consist of at least three members. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide that the board of directors may only change the number of directors by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire board. Directors are elected annually on a staggered basis, and each shall serve for a three year term and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, except in the event of his death, resignation, removal, or the earlier termination of his term of office. Our board of directors has the authority to fix the amounts which shall be payable to the members of the board of directors for attendance at any meeting or for services rendered to us.
 
Shareholder Meetings
 
Under our amended and restated bylaws annual shareholder meetings will be held at a time and place selected by our board of directors. The meetings may be held in or outside of the Marshall Islands. Special meetings may be called for any purpose or purposes at any time by a majority of our board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors or an officer of the Company who is also a director. Our board of directors may set a record date between 15 and 60 days before the date of any meeting to


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determine the shareholders that will be eligible to receive notice and vote at the meeting. Shareholders of record holding at least one-third of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at such meetings, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at all meetings of shareholders.
 
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment
 
Under the BCA, our shareholders have the right to dissent from various corporate actions, including any merger or consolidation sale of all or substantially all of our assets not made in the usual course of our business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares. In the event of any further amendment of our amended and restated articles of incorporation a shareholder also has the right to dissent and receive payment for his or her shares if the amendment alters certain rights in respect of those shares. The dissenting shareholder must follow the procedures set forth in the BCA to receive payment. In the event that we and any dissenting shareholder fail to agree on a price for the shares, the BCA procedures involve, among other things, the institution of proceedings in the high court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or in any appropriate court in any jurisdiction in which the company’s shares are primarily traded on a local or national securities exchange.
 
Shareholders’ Derivative Actions
 
Under the BCA, any of our shareholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the shareholder bringing the action is a holder of common stock both at the time the derivative action is commenced and at the time of the transaction to which the action relates.
 
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
 
The BCA authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors and officers to corporations and their shareholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties.
 
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that certain individuals, including our directors and officers, are entitled to be indemnified by us to the extent authorized by the BCA, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. We shall have the power to pay in advance expenses a director or officer incurred while defending a civil or criminal proceeding, subject to certain conditions. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.
 
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
 
There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.
 
Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of our Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
 
Several provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions, which are summarized below, are intended to avoid costly takeover


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battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of our board of directors to maximize shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these anti-takeover provisions, which are summarized below, could also discourage, delay or prevent (1) the merger or acquisition of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise that a shareholder may consider in its best interest and (2) the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
 
Blank Check Preferred Stock
 
Under the terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our board of directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to 25 million shares of blank check preferred stock. Our board of directors may issue shares of preferred stock on terms calculated to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or the removal of our management.
 
Classified Board of Directors
 
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide for the division of our board of directors into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered, three-year terms. Approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. This classified board provision could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our shares or attempting to obtain control of us. It could also delay shareholders who do not agree with the policies of our board of directors from removing a majority of our board of directors for two years.
 
Election and Removal of Directors
 
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our amended and restated bylaws require parties other than the board of directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation also provide that our directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote for those directors. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
 
Limited Actions by Shareholders
 
Under the BCA, our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders must be effected at an annual or special meeting of shareholders or by the unanimous written consent of our shareholders. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that, unless otherwise prescribed by law, only a majority of our board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors or an officer of the Company who is also a director may call special meetings of our shareholders, and the business transacted at the special meeting is limited to the purposes stated in the notice. Accordingly, a shareholder may be prevented from calling a special meeting for shareholder consideration of a proposal over the opposition of our board of directors and shareholder consideration of a proposal may be delayed until the next annual meeting.
 
Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations
 
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary. Generally, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 150 days nor more than 180 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. Our amended and restated bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder’s notice. These provisions


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may impede shareholders’ ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of shareholders or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of shareholders.
 
Transfer Agent
 
The registrar and transfer agent for the common stock is BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.
 
Description of Certain Indebtedness
 
On July 7, 2010, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries we entered into a secured term loan facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA for up to $40.0 million to partially finance the acquisition of the two vessels in our Initial Fleet. The loan was available in two advances for each vessel with each advance not exceeding the lower of $10.0 million and 25% of the market value of the relevant ship and is available until July 31, 2011. Each advance was repayable in 24 quarterly installments of $165,000 plus one final balloon installment of $6.04 million to be paid together with the last installment. The loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.40% per annum plus any mandatory additional cost of funds. We also paid commitment fees of 0.96% per annum on the undrawn portion until February 2011. The loan was secured by, among other things, a first preferred mortgage over each of the two vessels and first priority assignments over interest bearing accounts with DnB NOR Bank ASA for each vessel.
 
On May 4, 2011, through certain wholly-owned subsidiaries, we entered into a loan agreement with DnB NOR Bank ASA for a maximum amount of $85.0 million in order to refinance the outstanding balance of the loan facility dated July 7, 2010, to partly finance the cost of the three Panamax container vessels that we have agreed to acquire and for general working capital. The loan will be made available in two tranches. Tranche 1 shall be the lesser of 65% of the market value of the vessels Sagitta and Centaurus and $65.0 million and tranche 2 shall be the lesser of 35% of the market value of the three Panamax container vessels mentioned above and $20.0 million. Tranche 1 was drawn in a single drawdown and Tranche 2 will be available for drawing in three drawdowns until July 31, 2011. Tranche 1 shall be repaid in 24 consecutive quarterly installments of $1.1 million each, plus a balloon installment of $37.6 million to be paid together with the last installment. Tranche 2 shall be repaid in 8 consecutive quarterly installments of $2.5 million each. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.6% per annum. We paid $382,500 of arrangement fees on signing of the agreement and on May 6, 2011, we drew down $65.0 million, with which we repaid the then-outstanding balance of indebtedness under our secured term loan facility entered into on July 7, 2010 (amounting to $38.7 million plus interest). We have not drawn on Tranche 2.
 
The loan is secured with a first priority mortgage on each of the vessels, a first priority assignment of the time charters, a first priority assignment of the earnings, insurances and requisition compensation of the vessels, a first priority assignment of any charter, or other employment contracts exceeding 12 months, and an unconditional, irrevocable guarantee from Diana Containerships. The lender also requires the market values of the mortgaged ships to cover 125% of the aggregate outstanding balance of the loan. The loan also includes restrictions as to changes in management, ownership, additional indebtedness, a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 70%, minimum liquidity of 4% of the funded debt.
 
We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to repay and terminate this loan facility. Upon completion of the offering, we expect to have no debt.


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REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS
 
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws and by the BCA. The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. While the BCA also provides that it is to be interpreted according to the laws of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the BCA in the Republic of The Marshall Islands and we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as courts in the United States. Thus, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a United States jurisdiction which has developed a substantial body of case law. The following table provides a comparison between the statutory provisions of the BCA and the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to shareholders’ rights.
 
     
Marshall Islands   Delaware
 
Shareholder Meetings
     
Held at a time and place as designated in the bylaws.   May be held at such time or place as designated in the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, or if not so designated, as determined by the board of directors.
     
Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the articles of incorporation or by the bylaws.   Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws.
     
May be held within or without the Marshall Islands.   May be held within or without Delaware.
     
Notice:   Notice:
•   Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and, unless it is an annual meeting, indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting.
 
•   Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any.
•   A copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given personally or sent by mail not less than 15 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
 
•   Written notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
 
Shareholders’ Voting Rights
     
Any action required to be taken by a meeting of shareholders may be taken without meeting if consent is in writing and is signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote.   Any action required to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent for such action is in writing and is signed by shareholders having not fewer than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
     
Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.   Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.


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Marshall Islands   Delaware
 
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, a majority of shares entitled to vote constitutes a quorum. In no event shall a quorum consist of fewer than one-third of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting.   For stock corporations, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the number of shares required to constitute a quorum but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of shares entitled to vote at a meeting. In the absence of such specifications, a majority of shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum.
     
When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.   When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.
     
The articles of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.   The certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
     
Any two or more domestic corporations may merge into a single corporation if approved by the board and if authorized by a majority vote of the holders of outstanding shares at a shareholder meeting.   Any two or more corporations existing under the laws of the state may merge into a single corporation pursuant to a board resolution and upon the majority vote by shareholders of each constituent corporation at an annual or special meeting.
     
Any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of a corporation, if not made in the corporation’s usual or regular course of business, once approved by the board, shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the shares of those entitled to vote at a shareholder meeting.   Every corporation may at any meeting of the board sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property and assets as its board deems expedient and for the best interests of the corporation when so authorized by a resolution adopted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote.
     
Any domestic corporation owning at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of another domestic corporation may merge such other corporation into itself without the authorization of the shareholders of any corporation.   Any corporation owning at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of another corporation may merge the other corporation into itself and assume all of its obligations without the vote or consent of shareholders; however, in case the parent corporation is not the surviving corporation, the proposed merger shall be approved by a majority of the outstanding stock of the parent corporation entitled to vote at a duly called shareholder meeting.
     
Any mortgage, pledge of or creation of a security interest in all or any part of the corporate property may be authorized without the vote or consent of the shareholders, unless otherwise provided for in the articles of incorporation.   Any mortgage or pledge of a corporation’s property and assets may be authorized without the vote or consent of shareholders, except to the extent that the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides.
 
Directors
     
The board of directors must consist of at least one member.   The board of directors must consist of at least one member.

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Marshall Islands   Delaware
 
The number of board members may be changed by an amendment to the bylaws, by the shareholders, or by action of the board under the specific provisions of a bylaw.   The number of board members shall be fixed by, or in a manner provided by, the bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number shall be made only by an amendment to the certificate of incorporation.
     
If the board is authorized to change the number of directors, it can only do so by a majority of the entire board and so long as no decrease in the number shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.   If the number of directors is fixed by the certificate of incorporation, a change in the number shall be made only by an amendment of the certificate.
     
Removal:   Removal:
     
•   Any or all of the directors may be removed for cause by vote of the shareholders.
 
•   Any or all of the directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides.
     
•   If the articles of incorporation or the bylaws so provide, any or all of the directors may be removed without cause by vote of the shareholders.
 
•   In the case of a classified board, shareholders may effect removal of any or all directors only for cause.
 
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal
     
Shareholders have a right to dissent from any plan of merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all assets not made in the usual course of business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares.   Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a corporation in a merger or consolidation, subject to limited exceptions, such as a merger or consolidation of corporations listed on a national securities exchange in which listed stock is the offered consideration.
A holder of any adversely affected shares who does not vote on or consent in writing to an amendment to the articles of incorporation has the right to dissent and to receive payment for such shares if the amendment:    
     
•   Alters or abolishes any preferential right of any outstanding shares having preference; or
   
     
•   Creates, alters, or abolishes any provision or right in respect to the redemption of any outstanding shares; or
   
     
•   Alters or abolishes any preemptive right of such holder to acquire shares or other securities; or
   
     
•   Excludes or limits the right of such holder to vote on any matter, except as such right may be limited by the voting rights given to new shares then being authorized of any existing or new class.
   

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Marshall Islands   Delaware
 
Shareholder’s Derivative Actions
     
An action may be brought in the right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by a holder of shares or of voting trust certificates or of a beneficial interest in such shares or certificates. It shall be made to appear that the plaintiff is such a holder at the time of bringing the action and that he was such a holder at the time of the transaction of which he complains, or that his shares or his interest therein devolved upon him by operation of law.   In any derivative suit instituted by a shareholder of a corporation, it shall be averred in the complaint that the plaintiff was a shareholder of the corporation at the time of the transaction of which he complains or that such shareholder’s stock thereafter devolved upon such shareholder by operation of law.
     
A complaint shall set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to secure the initiation of such action by the board or the reasons for not making such effort.   Other requirements regarding derivative suits have been created by judicial decision, including that a shareholder may not bring a derivative suit unless he or she first demands that the corporation sue on its own behalf and that demand is refused (unless it is shown that such demand would have been futile).
Such action shall not be discontinued, compromised or settled, without the approval of the High Court of the Republic of The Marshall Islands.    
     
Reasonable expenses including attorney’s fees may be awarded if the action is successful.    
     
A corporation may require a plaintiff bringing a derivative suit to give security for reasonable expenses if the plaintiff owns less than 5% of any class of stock and the shares have a value of less than $50,000.    
 

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SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
Upon the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement of $20 million of our common shares, or 2,666,667 shares, to Diana Shipping, we will have 23,022,828 shares of common stock outstanding, or 25,160,328 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full. Of these shares, 17,471,152 shares, or 19,608,652 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, will be freely transferable in the United States without restriction under the Securities Act, except for any shares acquired by our “affiliates” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
 
Immediately after the closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement of $20 million of our common shares, or 2,666,667 shares, Diana Shipping and our directors and executive officers will continue to own 24.1% of our common shares, or 22.1% of our common shares if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, which were acquired in private transactions not involving a public offering, and these shares will therefore be treated as “restricted securities” for purposes of Rule 144. Restricted securities may not be resold except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or under an exemption from those registration requirements, such as the exemptions provided by Rule 144, Regulation S and other exemptions under the Securities Act. The restricted securities held by Diana Shipping and our directors and executive officers will also be subject to certain lock-up restrictions described below.
 
Three other shareholders have reported owning an aggregate of 1,628,330 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 26.7% of our issued and outstanding common shares prior to this offering, that are freely transferable without restrictions under the Securities Act. These holders have not agreed to any lock-up restrictions or other agreements restricting the transfer of these shares. Accordingly, all or some of these shares may be sold by these shareholders at any time, which may significantly reduce the price at which you are able to sell shares of our common stock that you purchased in this offering. See “Security Ownership of Beneficial Owners and Management.”
 
In general, under Rule 144, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated), who is not an affiliate of ours and has not been one of our affiliates at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than an affiliate, is entitled to sell his, her or its shares without registration and without complying with the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. In addition, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, if we have been a public reporting company under the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned our restricted shares for at least six months, is entitled to sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act, subject to certain restrictions. Persons who are our affiliates may sell within any three-month period a number of restricted shares that does not exceed the greater of the following:
 
  •  1% of the total number of common stock then outstanding; or
 
  •  The average weekly trading volume of common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.
 
Sales under Rule 144 also are subject to the availability of current public information about us and, in the case of sales by affiliates, certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements.
 
We, our directors, our named executive officers and Diana Shipping have agreed that for a period beginning on the date of this offering until 90 days thereafter subject to certain other exceptions, we will not, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Jefferies & Company, Inc.:
 
  •  offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer, directly or indirectly, any of our equity securities or any securities convertible into or


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  exercisable or exchangeable for our equity securities, or, in the case of Diana Containerships, file any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any of the foregoing; or
 
  •  enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of our equity securities, whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of shares of our common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.
 
As a result of these lock-up agreements and rules of the Securities Act, the restricted shares will be available for sale in the public market, subject to certain volume and other restrictions, as mentioned above, as follows:
 
         
    Number of Shares
   
Date
  Eligible for Sale(1)   Comment
 
Date of prospectus
  None   Shares locked up and not eligible for sale freely or under Rule 144
90 days from date of prospectus(2)
  1,385,009(3)   Lock-up released; shares eligible for sale under Rule 144
 
 
(1) Excludes an aggregate of 53,133 restricted common shares that we expect to issue to our executive officers pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan following the closing of this offering.
 
(2) Assumes that the lock-up period will not be extended or waived in accordance with the terms of the lock-up agreement and that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.
 
(3) Without giving effect to an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares to be issued to our management in this offering or to the 2,666,667 shares to be issued in the concurrent private placement to Diana Shipping.


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REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
Registration Rights Agreements
 
We have entered into a registration rights agreement, dated April 6, 2010, with FBR Capital Markets & Co. and Diana Shipping Inc. The registration rights agreement covers the shares sold in the April 2010 private offering, including shares purchased by Diana Shipping Inc., plus any additional shares of common stock issued in respect thereof whether by stock dividend, stock distribution, stock split, or otherwise.
 
In connection with Diana Shipping’s purchase of $20.0 million of shares, or 2,666,667 shares, in a private placement concurrently with this offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Diana Shipping covering the common shares purchased by Diana Shipping in the concurrent private placement. Pursuant to the terms of this registration rights agreement, Diana Shipping shall have the same rights, and shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, as Diana Shipping has with respect to its 666,818 shares of common stock held immediately prior to this offering under the April 2010 registration rights agreement to which it is a party.
 
On October 19, 2010, we commenced a registered exchange offer for 2,558,997 common shares pursuant to the registration rights agreement, which was completed on November 18, 2010. In addition, in January 2011, Diana Shipping distributed 2,667,015 of our common shares it owned to its shareholders.
 
Re-sale Registration Statement
 
Under the April 2010 registration rights agreement, upon completion of the exchange offer if any of the holders shall so request in connection with any offering or sale of the Registrable Shares (as defined therein), we have agreed to cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as practicable after such determination, date or request (but in no event later than the date that is 60 days after the date of such request), one re-sale Registration Statement on Form F-1 or such other form under the Securities Act then available to the Company providing for the re-sale of the outstanding Registrable Shares pursuant to Rule 415 from time to time by the holders. Currently, the remaining Registrable Shares under the April 2010 registration rights agreement are the 666,818 shares of our common stock still owned by Diana Shipping and 5,884 additional shares that were not exchanged by their holders in the exchange offer. Diana Shipping has agreed to not request the filing of a re-sale Registration Statement for any of the shares it owns, or will own immediately following the offering and concurrent private placement, for at least 90 days after the completion of this offering. We have agreed to use our reasonable efforts to cause such re-sale registration statement to be declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as practicable after the initial filing thereof and to remain effective, subject to applicable black-out provisions, until the earlier of (A) such time as all Registrable Shares covered thereby have been sold in accordance with the intended distribution of such Registrable Shares, (B) there are no Registrable Shares outstanding or (C) the first anniversary of the effective date of such re-sale registration statement (subject to extension under certain circumstances) and the condition that the Registrable Shares have been transferred to an unrestricted CUSIP and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Global Market, or on an alternative trading system with the Registrable Shares qualified under the applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws of all fifty (50) states); provided, however, that if we have an effective re-sale registration statement on Form F-1 (or other form then available to the Company) under the Securities Act and become eligible to use Form F-3 or such other short-form registration statement form under the Securities Act, we may, upon thirty (30) business days’ prior written notice to all holders, register any Registrable Shares registered but not yet distributed under the effective re-sale registration statement on such a short-form shelf registration statement and, once the short-form shelf registration statement is declared effective, withdraw the previous registration statement and, if permitted, transfer the filing fees from the previous registration statement (such transfer pursuant to Rule 429, if applicable) unless any holder registered under the initial re-sale registration statement notifies the Company within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the Company notice that it intends to file a new registration statement that withdrawal of the initial re-sale registration statement would interfere with its distribution of Registrable Shares already in progress, in which case,


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the Company shall delay the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement and termination of the then-effective initial re-sale registration statement for a period of not less than thirty (30) days from the date that the Company receives the notice from such holders requesting a delay. Any shelf registration statement shall provide for the re-sale from time to time, subject to certain conditions, and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available (including, without limitation, an underwritten offering, a direct sale to purchasers or a sale through brokers or agents, which may include sales over the internet) by the holders of any and all Registrable Shares. We are not obligated to maintain the effectiveness of any shelf registration statement beyond the first anniversary of the effective date of the initial re-sale registration statement (subject to extension as provided in the agreement and the condition that the Registrable Shares have been transferred to an unrestricted CUSIP and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Global Market, or on an alternative trading system with the Registrable Shares qualified under the applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws of all fifty (50) states).
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will be permitted, under limited circumstances, to suspend the use, from time to time, of the prospectus that is part of the registration statement filed pursuant to the registration rights agreements (and therefore suspend sales under the registration statement) for certain periods, referred to as “blackout periods,” if, among other things, any of the following occurs:
 
(a) the representative of the underwriters of an underwritten offering of primary shares by us has advised us that the sale of shares of our common stock under the registration statement would have a material adverse effect on such underwritten offering of primary shares;
 
(b) a majority of the independent members of our board of directors determines in good faith that (1) the offer or sale of any shares of our common stock under the registration statement would materially impede, delay or interfere with any proposed financing, offer or sale of securities, acquisition, merger, tender offer, business combination, corporate reorganization or other significant transaction involving us; (2) after the advice of counsel, the sale of the shares covered by the registration statement would require disclosure of non-public material information not otherwise required to be disclosed under applicable law; and (3) either (x) we have a bona fide business purpose for preserving the confidentiality of the proposed transaction or information, (y) disclosure would have a material adverse effect on us or our ability to consummate the proposed transaction, or (z) the proposed transaction renders us unable to comply with SEC requirements, in each case under circumstances that would make it impracticable or inadvisable to cause the registration statement to become effective or promptly amend or supplement the registration statement, as applicable; or
 
(c) a majority of the independent members of our board of directors determines in good faith, after the advice of counsel, that we are required by law, rule or regulation, or that it is in our best interests, to supplement the registration statement or file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement in order to incorporate information into the registration statement for the purpose of (1) including in the registration statement any prospectus required under Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (2) reflecting in the prospectus included in the registration statement any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or of the most-recent post-effective amendment) that, individually or in the aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth in the prospectus; or (3) including in the prospectus included in the registration statement any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information.
 
The cumulative blackout periods in any rolling 12-month period commencing on the closing of the offering may not exceed an aggregate of 90 days and, furthermore, may not exceed 60 days in any rolling 90-day period.
 
In addition to this limited ability to suspend use of the registration statement, until we are eligible to incorporate by reference into the registration statement our annual and current reports that will be filed after the effectiveness of our registration statement, we will be required to amend or supplement the registration statement to include our quarterly and annual financial information and other developments


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material to us. Therefore, sales under the registration statement will be suspended until the amendment or supplement, as the case may be, is filed and effective.
 
We will bear certain expenses incident to our registration obligations upon exercise of these registration rights, including the payment of federal securities law and state blue sky registration fees, except that we will not bear any brokers’ or underwriters’ discounts and commissions or transfer taxes relating to sales of shares of our common stock. We have agreed to indemnify each selling stockholder for certain violations of federal or state securities laws in connection with any registration statement in which such selling stockholder sells its shares of our common stock pursuant to these registration rights. Each selling stockholder will in turn agree to indemnify us for federal or state securities law violations that occur in reliance upon written information it provides for us in the registration statement.


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TAXATION
 
The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to an investment decision by a U.S. Holder and a Non-U.S. Holder, each as defined below, with respect to the common stock. This discussion does not purport to deal with the tax consequences of owning common stock to all categories of investors, some of which, such as dealers in securities or commodities, financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons liable for the alternative minimum tax, persons who hold common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or integrated investment, U.S. Holders whose functional currency is not the United States dollar and investors that own, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, 10% or more of the Company’s common stock, may be subject to special rules. This discussion deals only with holders who purchase common stock in this offering and hold the common stock as a capital asset. You are encouraged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences arising in your own particular situation under U.S. federal, state, local or foreign law of the ownership of common stock.
 
Marshall Islands Tax Considerations
 
In the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, the following are the material Marshall Islands tax consequences of the Company’s activities to the Company and its shareholders of the common stock. The Company is incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Under current Marshall Islands law, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains, and no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders.
 
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
 
In the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, the Company’s U.S. counsel, the following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Company of its activities and to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S Holders, each as defined below, of the common stock. The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax matters is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
 
Taxation of Operating Income: In General
 
The following discussion addresses the U.S. federal income taxation of our operating income if we are engaged in the international operation of vessels.
 
Unless exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under the rules discussed below, a foreign corporation is subject to U.S. federal income taxation in respect of any income that is derived from the use of vessels, from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use on a time, voyage or bareboat charter basis, from the participation in a pool, partnership, strategic alliance, joint operating agreement, code sharing arrangements or other joint venture it directly or indirectly owns or participates in that generates such income, or from the performance of services directly related to those uses, which we refer to as “shipping income,” to the extent that the shipping income is derived from sources within the United States. For these purposes, 50% of shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States constitutes income from sources within the United States, which we refer to as “U.S.-source shipping income.”
 
Shipping income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States. We are not permitted by law to engage in transportation that produces income which is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States.


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Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Shipping income derived from sources outside the United States will not be subject to any U.S. federal income tax.
 
Exemption of Operating Income from U.S. Federal Income Taxation
 
Under Section 883 of the Code, we will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation on our U.S.-source shipping income if:
 
  •  we are organized in a foreign country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to corporations organized in the United States (“U.S. corporations”); and
 
either:
 
  •  more than 50% of the value of our common stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by “qualified shareholders,” as described in more detail below, which we refer to as the “50% Ownership Test,” or
 
  •  our common stock is “primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market” in a country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to U.S. corporations or in the United States, which we refer to as the “Publicly-Traded Test.”
 
The Marshall Islands, the jurisdiction where we are incorporated, grant an “equivalent exemption” to U.S. corporations. We anticipate that any of our shipholding subsidiaries will be incorporated in a jurisdiction that provides an “equivalent exemption” to U.S. corporations. Therefore, we will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation with respect to our U.S.-source shipping income if either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test is met.
 
Prior to this offering, and after this offering, we do not currently anticipate a circumstance under which we would be able to satisfy the 50% Ownership Test. Our ability to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test is discussed below.
 
The regulations under Section 883 provide, in pertinent part, that shares of a foreign corporation will be considered to be “primarily traded” on an established securities market in a country if the number of shares of each class of shares that are traded during any taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such class that are traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country. Our common shares, which constitute our sole class of issued and outstanding shares, are “primarily traded” on the Nasdaq Global Market.
 
Under the regulations, stock of a foreign corporation will be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market if one or more classes of stock representing more than 50% of the outstanding stock, by both total combined voting power of all classes of shares entitled to vote and total value, are listed on such market, to which we refer as the “listing threshold.” Since our common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, we expect to satisfy the listing threshold.
 
It is further required that with respect to each class of shares relied upon to meet the listing threshold, (i) such class of shares is traded on the market, other than in minimal quantities, on at least 60 days during the taxable year or one-sixth of the days in a short taxable year; and (ii) the aggregate number of shares of such class of shares traded on such market during the taxable year is at least 10% of the average number of shares of such class of shares outstanding during such year or as appropriately adjusted in the case of a short taxable year. Even if these tests are not satisfied, the regulations provide that such trading frequency and trading volume tests will be deemed satisfied if, as is expected to be the case with our common shares, such class of shares is traded on an established securities market in the United States and such shares are regularly quoted by dealers making a market in such shares.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the regulations provide, in pertinent part, that a class of shares will not be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market for any taxable year in


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which 50% or more of the vote and value of the outstanding shares of such class are owned, actually or constructively under specified share attribution rules, on more than half the days during the taxable year by persons who each own 5% or more of the vote and value of such class of outstanding shares, to which we refer as the “5 Percent Override Rule.”
 
For purposes of being able to determine the persons who actually or constructively own 5% or more of the vote and value of our common stock, or “5% Shareholders,” the regulations permit us to rely on those persons that are identified on Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as owning 5% or more of our common stock. The regulations further provide that an investment company which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, will not be treated as a 5% Shareholder for such purposes.
 
In the event the 5 Percent Override Rule is triggered, the regulations provide that the 5 Percent Override Rule will nevertheless not apply if we can establish that within the group of 5% Shareholders, there are sufficient qualified shareholders for purposes of Section 883 to preclude non-qualified shareholders in such group from owning 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the number of days during the taxable year.
 
We currently satisfy and anticipate that after the offering is completed, we will continue to be able to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test and will not be subject to the 5 Percent Override Rule. However, there are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of the Section 883 exemption. For example, there is a risk that we could no longer qualify for exemption under Code section 883 for a particular taxable year if shareholders with a five percent or greater interest in the common shares were to own 50% or more of our outstanding common shares on more than half the days of the taxable year. In such case, we would have to satisfy certain substantiation requirements regarding the identity of our shareholders in order to qualify for the Code Section 883 exemption. These requirements are onerous and there can be no assurance that we would be able to satisfy them.
 
Taxation in Absence of Exemption
 
To the extent the benefits of Section 883 of the Code are unavailable, our U.S.-source shipping income, to the extent not considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, as described below, would be subject to a 4% tax imposed by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without the benefit of deductions. Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more than 50% of our shipping income would be treated as being derived from U.S. sources, the maximum effective rate of U.S. federal income tax on our shipping income would never exceed 2% under the 4% gross basis tax regime.
 
To the extent the benefits of the Section 883 of the Code exemption are unavailable and our U.S.-source shipping income is considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, as described below, any such “effectively connected” U.S.-source shipping income, net of applicable deductions, would be subject to the U.S. federal corporate income tax currently imposed at rates of up to 35%. In addition, we may be subject to an additional 30% “branch profits” tax on earnings effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, as determined after allowance for certain adjustments, and on certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of our U.S. trade or business.
 
Our U.S.-source shipping income would be considered “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business only if:
 
  •  we have, or are considered to have, a fixed place of business in the United States involved in the earning of shipping income; and
 
  •  substantially all of our U.S.-source shipping income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation, such as the operation of a vessel that follows a published schedule with repeated sailings at regular intervals between the same points for voyages that begin or end in the


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  United States (or, in the case of income from the bareboat chartering of a vessel, is attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States).
 
We do not anticipate that we will have any vessel operating to or from the United States on a regularly scheduled basis. Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of our shipping operations and other activities, we do not anticipate that any of our U.S.-source shipping income will be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
 
United States Federal Income Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels
 
Regardless of whether we qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code, we will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation with respect to gain realized on a sale of a vessel, provided the sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under U.S. federal income tax principles. In general, a sale of a vessel will be considered to occur outside of the United States for this purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of loss with respect to the vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States. It is expected that any sale of a vessel by us will be considered to occur outside of the United States.
 
United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
 
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of common stock that is an individual U.S. citizen or resident, a U.S. corporation or other U.S. entity taxable as a corporation, an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
 
If a partnership holds the common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding the common stock, you are encouraged to consult your tax advisor.
 
Distributions
 
Subject to the discussion of the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules below, distributions made by us with respect to our common stock (other than certain pro-rata distributions of our common stock) to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or “qualified dividend income” as described in more detail below, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in his common stock on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because we are not a United States corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations will not be entitled to claim a dividends-received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us. Dividends paid with respect to our common stock will generally be treated as income from sources outside the United States and will generally constitute “passive category income” or, in the case of certain types of U.S. Holders, “general category income” for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
 
Dividends paid on our common stock to a U.S. Holder who is an individual, trust or estate, which we refer to as a U.S. Individual Holder, will generally be treated as “qualified dividend income” that is taxable to such U.S. Individual Holders at preferential tax rates (through taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2012) provided that (1) the common stock is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the Nasdaq Global Market, on which our common stock is traded); (2) we are not a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (as discussed below); (3) the U.S. Individual Holder has held the common stock for more than 60 days in the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common stock becomes ex-dividend; and (4) the U.S. Individual Holder is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.


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There is no assurance that any dividends paid on our common stock through 2012 will be eligible for these preferential rates in the hands of a U.S. Individual Holder, although, as described above, they are highly likely to be so eligible. Legislation has been previously introduced in the U.S. Congress which, if enacted in its present form, would preclude our dividends from qualifying for such preferential rates prospectively from the date of enactment. Further, in the absence of legislation extending the term of the preferential tax rates for qualified dividend income, all dividends received by a taxpayer in tax years beginning on January 1, 2013 or later will be taxed at ordinary graduated tax rates. Any distributions out of earnings and profits we pay which are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a U.S. Individual Holder.
 
Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend,” generally, a dividend paid by us in an amount which is equal to or in excess of ten percent of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis (or fair market value in certain circumstances) in a share of our common stock. If we pay an “extraordinary dividend” on our common stock that is treated as “qualified dividend income,” then any loss derived by a U.S. Individual Holder from the sale or exchange of such common stock will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.
 
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock
 
Subject to the discussion of the PFIC rules below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such stock. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common stock generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost less any prior return of capital. Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition and will generally be treated as U.S.-source income or loss, as applicable, for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. A U.S. Holder’s ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
 
PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences
 
Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that holds stock in a foreign corporation classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which such U.S. Holder held our common stock, either:
 
  •  at least 75% of our gross income for such taxable year consists of passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and rents derived other than in the active conduct of a rental business), which we refer to as the income test; or
 
  •  at least 50% of the average value of our assets during such taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income, which we refer to as the asset test.
 
For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, cash will be treated as an asset which is held for the production of passive income. In addition, we will be treated as earning and owning our proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of any of our subsidiary corporations in which we own at least 25% of the value of the subsidiary’s stock. Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection with the performance of services would not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income would generally constitute “passive income” unless we were treated under specific rules as deriving our rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business.
 
Our status as a PFIC will depend upon the operations of our vessels. Therefore, we can give no assurances as to whether we will be a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. In making the determination as to whether we are a PFIC, we intend to treat the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from the time chartering and voyage chartering activities of us or any of our wholly owned subsidiaries as services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, in the opinion of Seward &


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Kissel LLP, such income should not constitute passive income, and the assets that we or our wholly owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, should not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. There is substantial legal authority supporting this position consisting of case law and IRS pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. In the absence of any legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing PFICs, the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, or a court could disagree with the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP. On the other hand, any income we derive from bareboat chartering activities will likely be treated as passive income for purposes of the income test. Likewise, any assets utilized in the performance of bareboat chartering activities will likely be treated as generating passive income for purposes of the asset test.
 
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a “Qualified Electing Fund,” which election we refer to as a “QEF election” or a “mark-to-market” election. For taxable years beginning on or after March 18, 2010, a U.S. Holder of shares in a PFIC will be required to file an annual information return containing information regarding the PFIC as required by applicable Treasury regulations.
 
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election.  If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election, which U.S. Holder we refer to as an “Electing Holder,” the Electing Holder must report each year for U.S. federal income tax purposes his pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and our net capital gain, if any, for our taxable year that ends with or within the taxable year of the Electing Holder, regardless of whether or not distributions were received from us by the Electing Holder. The Electing Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that had been previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the adjusted tax basis in the common stock and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. A U.S. Holder would make a QEF election with respect to any year that we are a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with his U.S. federal income tax return. After the end of each taxable year, we will determine whether we were a PFIC for such taxable year. If we determine or otherwise become aware that we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we will provide each U.S. Holder with all necessary information (including a PFIC Annual Information Statement) in order to allow such holder to make a QEF election for such taxable year.
 
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a “Mark-to-Market” Election.  Alternatively, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we anticipate will continue to be the case after this offering, our shares are treated as “marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to our common shares, provided the U.S. Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and related Treasury regulations. If that election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common shares at the end of the taxable year over such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares. The U.S. Holder would also be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in his common shares would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount. Gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common shares would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included by the U.S. Holder.
 
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election.  Finally, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder who has not timely made a QEF or


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mark-to-market election for the first taxable year in which it holds our common stock and during which we are treated as PFIC, whom we refer to as a “Non-Electing Holder,” would be subject to special rules with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on our common stock in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holder’s holding period for the common stock), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. Under these special rules:
 
  •  the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably to each day over the Non-Electing Holders’ aggregate holding period for the common stock;
 
  •  the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income; and
 
  •  the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.
 
These adverse tax consequence would not apply to a pension or profit sharing trust or other tax-exempt organization that did not borrow funds or otherwise utilize leverage in connection with its acquisition of our common stock. In addition, if a Non-Electing Holder who is an individual dies while owning our common stock, such holder’s successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such common stock.
 
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
 
A beneficial owner of our common stock (other than a partnership or entity treated as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes) that is not a U.S. Holder is referred to herein as a “Non-U.S. Holder.”
 
Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on dividends received from us with respect to our common stock, unless that income is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. In general, if the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of certain U.S. income tax treaties with respect to those dividends, that income is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States.
 
Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock, unless:
 
  •  the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. In general, if the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of certain income tax treaties with respect to that gain, that gain is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States; or
 
  •  the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of disposition and other conditions are met.
 
If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the income from the common stock, including dividends and the gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the stock, that is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business will generally be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as discussed in the previous section relating to the taxation of U.S. Holders. In addition, if you are a corporate Non-U.S. Holder, your earnings and profits that are attributable to the effectively connected income, which are subject to certain adjustments, may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or at a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.


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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
 
In general, dividend payments, or other taxable distributions, made within the United States to you will be subject to information reporting requirements. Such payments will also be subject to backup withholding tax if you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder and you:
 
  •  fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
 
  •  are notified by the IRS that you have failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on your U.S. federal income tax returns; or
 
  •  in certain circumstances, fail to comply with applicable certification requirements.
 
Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying their status on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or W-8IMY, as applicable.
 
If you sell your common stock through a U.S. office or broker, the payment of the proceeds is subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless you certify that you are a non-U.S. person, under penalties of perjury, or you otherwise establish an exemption. If you sell your common stock through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are paid to you outside the United States then information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to that payment. However, U.S. information reporting requirements, but not backup withholding, will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made to you outside the United States, if you sell your common stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is a U.S. person or has certain other contacts with the United States (unless you certify that you are a non-U.S. person, under penalty of perjury, or you otherwise establish an exemption).
 
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, you generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed your U.S. federal income tax liability by timely filing a refund claim with the IRS.


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UNDERWRITING
 
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, and the underwriters, for whom Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Jefferies & Company, Inc., acting as joint-book running managers and representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, the respective numbers of shares of common stock appearing opposite their names below:
 
         
Underwriter
  Number of Shares  
 
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
    3,800,000  
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
    3,800,000  
Jefferies & Company, Inc.
    3,800,000  
BB&T Capital Markets, a division of Scott & Stringfellow, LLC
    570,000  
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
    570,000  
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
    427,500  
Dahlman Rose & Company, LLC
    427,500  
DnB NOR Markets, Inc.
    427,500  
RS Platou Markets AS
    427,500  
         
Total
    14,250,000  
         
 
All of the shares to be purchased by the underwriters will be purchased from us.
 
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters are subject to various conditions, including approval of legal matters by counsel. The shares of common stock are offered by the underwriters, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer and to reject orders in whole or in part.
 
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus if any are purchased, other than those shares covered by the over-allotment option described below. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
 
The underwriters have agreed to sell an aggregate of 1,625,000 shares of our common stock to, or to entities affiliated with, certain of our executives, directors and principal stockholders, including Symeon Palios, Anastasios Margaronis, Ioannis Zafirakis, Andreas Michalopoulos and certain members of their families, at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters will not receive any underwriting discount on the sale of such shares.
 
RS Platou Markets AS is not a U.S. registered broker-dealer and, pursuant to the underwriting agreement, will effect offers and sales solely outside of the United States or within the United States to the extent permitted by Rule 15a-6 under the Exchange Act and in compliance with state securities laws.
 
Over-Allotment Option
 
We have granted a 30-day option to the underwriters to purchase up to a total of 2,137,500 additional shares of our common stock from us at the initial public offering price per share less the underwriting discounts and commissions per share, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and less any dividends or distributions declared, paid or payable on the shares that the underwriters have agreed to purchase from us but that are not payable on such additional shares, to cover over-allotment, if any. If the underwriters exercise this option in whole or in part, then the underwriters will be severally committed, subject to the conditions described in the underwriting agreement, to purchase the additional shares of our common stock in proportion to their respective commitments set forth in the prior table.


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Discounts and Commissions
 
Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession of not more than $0.225 per share. After the initial offering, the public offering price and concession to dealers may be changed.
 
The following table summarizes the underwriting discounts and commissions and the proceeds, before expenses, payable to us, both on a per share basis and in total, assuming either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option:
 
                         
          Total  
          Without
       
    Per Share     Option(1)     With Option(1)  
 
Public offering price
  $ 7.50     $ 106,875,000.00     $ 122,906,250.00  
Underwriting discounts and commissions
  $ 0.375     $ 4,734,375.00     $ 5,535,937.50  
Proceeds, before expenses, to us
  $ 7.125     $ 102,140,625.00     $ 117,370,312.50  
 
 
(1)    The underwriters will not receive any underwriting discount on the sale of an aggregate of 1,625,000 shares of our common stock our common stock to, or to entities affiliated with, certain of our executives, directors and principal stockholders, including Symeon Palios, Anastasios Margaronis, Ioannis Zafirakis, Andreas Michalopoulos and certain members of their families.
 
We estimate that the expenses of this offering payable by us, not including underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $700,000. Diana Shipping Inc. has agreed to purchase approximately $20.0 million of our common shares in a concurrent private placement at the public offering price, for which the underwriters will not receive any underwriting discounts and commissions.
 
Indemnification of Underwriters
 
The underwriting agreement provides that we will indemnify the underwriters against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
 
Lock-Up Agreements
 
We, Diana Shipping and all of our directors and officers have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, that, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and Jefferies & Company, Inc., as representatives of a group of underwriters, we and they will not, during the period beginning on and including the date of this prospectus through and including the date that is the 90th day after the date of this prospectus, directly or indirectly:
 
  •  issue (in the case of us), offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of our common stock, preferred stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or other capital stock (whether owned as of the date of the underwriting agreement or acquired during the lock-up period);
 
  •  in the case of us, file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any shares of our common stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or other capital stock; or
 
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  common stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or other capital stock,
 
whether any transaction in any of the foregoing bullet points is to be settled by delivery of our common stock, other capital stock, other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing. Moreover, if:
 
(1) during the last 17 days of the lock-up period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to us occurs; or
 
(2) prior to the expiration of the lock-up period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the lock-up period,
 
the lock-up period will be extended and the restrictions imposed will continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as the case may be, unless Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Jefferies & Company, Inc. waive, in writing, such extension.
 
Subject to certain exceptions detailed in the underwriting agreement, through the 35th day following the lock-up period, the parties bound by the lock-up will not engage in any transaction prohibited by the lock-up agreement, unless they first give notice to us and we give written confirmation of our approval to proceed with such transaction. Furthermore, the parties bound by the lock-up agreement may not make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration under the 1933 Act, of any shares of our common stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock or other capital stock, and we may, with respect to any common stock or other capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock or other capital stock owned or held (of record or beneficially) by such parties, cause the transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the lock-up period (as the same may be extended as described above).
 
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Jefferies & Company, Inc. may, in their sole discretion and at any time or from time to time, without notice, release all or any portion of the shares or other securities subject to the lock-up agreements. Any determination to release any shares or other securities subject to the lock-up agreements would be based on a number of factors at the time of determination, which may include the market price of the common stock, the liquidity of the trading market for the common stock, general market conditions, the number of shares or other securities proposed to be sold or otherwise transferred and the timing, purpose and terms of the proposed sale or other transfer.
 
Stabilization
 
In order to facilitate this offering of our common stock, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of our common stock. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more shares of common stock than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares of common stock available for purchase by the underwriters under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing common stock in the open market. In determining the source of common stock to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters may consider, among other things, the market price of common stock compared to the price payable under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also sell shares of common stock in excess of the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of common stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open


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market after the date of pricing of this offering that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.
 
As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, common stock in the open market to stabilize the price of our common stock, so long as stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. The underwriting syndicate may also reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing common stock in this offering if the underwriting syndicate repurchases previously distributed common stock to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the common stock.
 
The foregoing transactions, if commenced, may raise or maintain the market price of our common stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the common stock.
 
The foregoing transactions, if commenced, may be effected on the Nasdaq Global Market or otherwise. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in any of these transactions and these transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time without notice. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of the effect that the transactions described above, if commenced, may have on the market price of our common stock.
 
Relationships
 
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory services, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. For example, an affiliate of DnB NOR Markets, Inc. has an existing term loan facility with the Company. This term loan will be repaid in full at the closing of this offering and then terminated.
 
Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us and our affiliates, for which they have received or will receive customary fees and expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the issuer. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
 
Sales Outside the United States
 
No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the common stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus or any other material relating to us or the common stock in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither of this prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the common stock may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.
 
Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell common stock offered by this prospectus in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where they are permitted to do so. In that regard, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC may arrange to sell shares in certain jurisdictions


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through an affiliate, Wells Fargo Securities International Limited, or WFSIL. WFSIL is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company and an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. WFSIL is a U.K. incorporated investment firm regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Wells Fargo Securities is the trade name for certain corporate and investment banking services of Wells Fargo & Company and its affiliates, including Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and WFSIL.
 
European Economic Area
 
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”) an offer to the public of any shares of common stock which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus (the “Shares”) may not be made in that Relevant Member State except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any Shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:
 
(a) to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;
 
(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000; and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;
 
(c) to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters; or
 
(d) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,
 
provided that no such offer of Shares shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any underwriter of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
 
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any Shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any Shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.
 
United Kingdom
 
This prospectus and any other material in relation to the shares described herein is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospective Directive (“qualified investors”) that also (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, or the Order, (ii) who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order or (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The shares are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to purchase or otherwise acquire such shares will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. This offering memorandum and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other person in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus or any of its contents.
 
The distribution of this prospectus in the United Kingdom to anyone not falling within the above categories is not permitted and may contravene the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000. No person falling outside those categories should treat this prospectus as constituting a promotion to him, or act on it for any purposes whatever. Recipients of this prospectus are advised that we, the


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underwriters and any other person that communicates this prospectus are not, as a result solely of communicating this prospectus, acting for or advising them and are not responsible for providing recipients of this prospectus with the protections which would be given to those who are clients of any aforementioned entities that is subject to the Financial Services Authority Rules.
 
France
 
The prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or replacement thereto) have not been approved either by the Autorité des marchés financiers or by the competent authority of another State that is a contracting party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des marchés financiers; no security has been offered or sold and will be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France within the meaning of Article L. 411-1 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier except to permitted investors, or Permitted Investors, consisting of persons licensed to provide the investment service of portfolio management for the account of third parties, qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) acting for their own account and/or a limited circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs) acting for their own account, with “qualified investors” and “limited circle of investors” having the meaning ascribed to them in Articles L. 411-2, D. 411-1, D. 411-2, D. 411-4, D. 744-1, D. 754-1 and D. 764-1 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier; none of this prospectus or any other materials related to the offer or information contained therein relating to our securities has been released, issued or distributed to the public in France except to Permitted Investors; and the direct or indirect re-sale to the public in France of any securities acquired by any Permitted Investors may be made only as provided by Articles L. 411-1, L. 411-2, L. 412-1 and L. 621-8 to L. 621-8-3 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier and applicable regulations thereunder.
 
Notice to the Residents of Germany
 
This document has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements for a securities or sales prospectus under the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz), the German Sales Prospectus Act (Verkaufsprospektgesetz), or the German Investment Act (Investmentgesetz). Neither the German Federal Financial Services Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht — BaFin) nor any other German authority has been notified of the intention to distribute the securities in Germany. Consequently, the securities may not be distributed in Germany by way of public offering, public advertisement or in any similar manner and this document and any other document relating to the offering, as well as information or statements contained therein, may not be supplied to the public in Germany or used in connection with any offer for subscription of the securities to the public in Germany or any other means of public marketing. The securities are being offered and sold in Germany only to qualified investors which are referred to in Section 3, paragraph 2 no. 1, in connection with Section 2, no. 6, of the German Securities Prospectus Act. This document is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.
 
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
 
The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
 
Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the


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Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.
 
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
 
This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their re-sale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
 
 
Certain affiliates of DnB NOR Markets, Inc., an underwriter in this offering, will receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering in connection with repaying in full our secured term loan facility with them. See “Use of Proceeds.” Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121. As DnB NOR Markets, Inc. is not primarily responsible for managing this offering, pursuant to Rule 5121, the appointment of a qualified independent underwriter is not necessary. DnB NOR Markets, Inc. will not confirm sales of the securities to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior written approval of the customer.


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OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
We estimate the expenses in connection with the distribution of our common shares in this offering, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, will be as set forth in the table below. We will be responsible for paying the following expenses associated with this offering.
 
         
SEC Registration Fee
  $ 20,355.70  
Printing and Engraving Expenses
    100,000  
Legal Fees and Expenses
    200,000  
Accountants’ Fees and Expenses
    165,000  
Nasdaq Global Market Listing Fee
    10,000  
FINRA Fee
    17,750  
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses
    25,000  
Transfer Agent’s Fees and Expenses
    10,000  
Miscellaneous Costs
    151,894.30  
         
Total
  $ 700,000  
         
 
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR
SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
We have filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the common stock offered by this prospectus. For the purposes of this section, the term “registration statement” means the original registration statement and any and all amendments, including the schedules and exhibits to the original registration statement or any amendment. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement we filed. Although we believe that we have accurately summarized the material terms of documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement, you should read those exhibits for a complete statement of their provisions. The registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1 (800) SEC-0330, and you may obtain copies at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at its principal office in Washington, D.C. 20549. The SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC.
 
We will furnish holders of common shares with annual reports containing audited financial statements and a report by our independent public accountants, and intend to make available quarterly reports containing selected unaudited financial data for the first three quarters of each fiscal year. The audited financial statements will be prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and those reports will include a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section for the relevant periods. As a “foreign private issuer,” we will be exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders, but, will be required to furnish those proxy statements to shareholders under Nasdaq Global Market rules. Those proxy statements are not expected to conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. In addition, as a “foreign private issuer,” we will be exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to short swing profit reporting and liability.


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LEGAL MATTERS
 
Certain legal matters in connection with the sale of the shares of common stock offered hereby, including the legality thereof, are being passed upon for us by Seward & Kissel LLP, New York, New York, and for the underwriters by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York.
 
EXPERTS
 
The consolidated financial statements of Diana Containerships Inc. at December 31, 2010 and for the period then ended included in this prospectus and Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A., independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
The sections in this prospectus titled “Summary — Market Opportunity”, “Risk Factors” and “The International Containership Sector” have been reviewed by Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd. which has confirmed to us that such sections accurately describe the international containership market, subject to the availability and reliability of the data supporting the statistical information presented in this prospectus.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
 
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
         
    Page
    F-2  
    F-3  
    F-4  
    F-5  
    F-6  
    F-7  
    F-18  
    F-19  
    F-20  
    F-21  
    F-22  


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Diana Containerships Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Diana Containerships Inc. as of December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated statement of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the period from January 7, 2010 (date of inception) through December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Diana Containerships Inc. at December 31, 2010 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from January 7, 2010 to December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
/s/ Ernst & Young (Hellas)
Certified Auditors Accountants S.A.
 
May 9, 2011
Athens, Greece


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Table of Contents

         
    (Expressed in U.S. Dollars -
 
    except for share data)  
 
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 11,098,284  
Accounts receivable, trade
    37,429  
Due from related party (Note 3)
    397,853  
Inventories
    623,643  
Prepaid expenses
    218,805  
         
Total current assets
    12,376,014  
         
FIXED ASSETS:
       
Vessels (Note 4)
    93,531,186  
Accumulated depreciation (Note 4)
    (1,453,877 )
         
Vessels’ Net book value
    92,077,309  
         
Total fixed assets
    92,077,309  
         
Deferred financing costs
    109,046  
Restricted cash (Note 5)
    786,800  
         
Total assets
  $ 105,349,169  
         
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
       
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 5)
  $ 1,361,538  
Accounts payable, trade and other
    436,251  
Accrued liabilities
    585,456  
Other current liabilities
    45,431  
         
Total current liabilities
    2,428,676  
         
Long-term debt, net of current portion (Note 5)
    18,128,095  
Other non-current liabilities
    181,684  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
     
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
       
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
     
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 6,106,161 issued and outstanding (Note 8)
    61,062  
Additional paid-in capital (Note 8)
    86,551,013  
Accumulated deficit
    (2,001,361 )
         
Total stockholders’ equity
    84,610,714  
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 105,349,169  
         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
 
 
         
    (Expressed in U.S. Dollars —
 
    except for share data)  
REVENUES:
       
Time charter revenues
  $ 5,734,716  
EXPENSES:
       
Voyage expenses (Note 9)
    266,967  
Vessel operating expenses (Note 9)
    2,884,610  
Depreciation (Note 4)
    1,453,877  
Management fees (Note 3)
    203,000  
General and administrative expenses (Notes 3 and 7)
    3,523,986  
Foreign currency gains
    (1,043,563 )
         
Operating loss
  $ (1,554,161 )
         
OTHER INCOME/(LOSS)
       
Interest and finance costs (Note 10)
  $ (511,291 )
Interest income
    64,091  
         
Other loss
    (447,200 )
         
Net loss
  $ (2,001,361 )
         
Loss per common share, basic and diluted (Note 11)
  $ (0.45 )
         
Weighted average number of common shares, basic and diluted
    4,449,431  
         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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Table of Contents

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
 
 
                                                 
         
Common Stock
    Additional
             
    Comprehensive
    # of
    Par
    Paid-in
    Accumulated
       
   
Loss
   
Shares
   
Value
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
    (Expressed in U.S. Dollars — except for share data)  
 
- Net loss
  $ (2,001,361 )         $     $     $ (2,001,361 )   $ (2,001,361 )
- Issuance of common stock at $1.0 per share
            500       5       495             500  
- Issuance of common stock at $15.0 per share, net of issuance costs
            5,892,330       58,924       85,221,972             85,280,896  
- Issuance of restricted common stock, at $15.0 per share
            213,331       2,133       1,328,546             1,330,679  
                                                 
Comprehensive Loss
  $ (2,001,361 )                                        
                                                 
BALANCE, December 31, 2010
            6,106,161     $ 61,062     $ 86,551,013     $ (2,001,361 )   $ 84,610,714  
                                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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Table of Contents

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
 
 
         
    (Expressed in U.S. Dollars)  
 
Net loss
  $ (2,001,361 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
       
Depreciation
    1,453,877  
Amortization of financing costs
    110,587  
Foreign exchange gains
    (1,051,399 )
Compensation cost on restricted stock awards
    1,330,679  
Increases in:
       
Accounts receivable, trade
    (37,429 )
Due from related party
    (397,853 )
Inventories
    (623,643 )
Prepaid Expenses
    (218,805 )
Increases in:
       
Accounts payable, trade and other
    436,251  
Accrued liabilities
    585,456  
Other current liabilities
    45,431  
Other non-current liabilities
    181,684  
         
Net Cash used in Operating Activities
    (186,525 )
         
Cash Flows used in Investing Activities:
       
Vessel acquisitions and other vessel costs
    (93,531,186 )
         
Net Cash used in Investing Activities
    (93,531,186 )
         
Cash Flows provided by Financing Activities:
       
Proceeds from long term debt
    20,000,000  
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs
    85,281,396  
Payments of financing costs
    (400,000 )
Changes in restricted cash
    (786,800 )
Payments of long term debt
    (330,000 )
         
Net Cash provided by Financing Activities
    103,764,596  
         
Effects of exchange rates on cash
    1,051,399  
         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    11,098,284  
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 11,098,284  
         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
       
Cash paid during the period for:
       
Interest payments
  $ 154,633  
         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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Table of Contents

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
1.  General Information
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Diana Containerships Inc. (“DCI”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). Diana Containerships Inc. was incorporated on January 7, 2010 under the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands for the purpose of engaging in any lawful act or activity under the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act. In April 2010, the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws were amended. Under the amended articles of incorporation, the Company’s authorized share capital increased from 500 common shares to 500.0 million of common shares at par value $0.01 and 25.0 million of preferred shares at par value $0.01. On April 6, 2010, the Company completed a private offering under rule 144A and Regulation S and Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the net proceeds of which amounted to $85,280,896. A controlling ownership interest of 54.6% over DCI’s common stock was acquired by Diana Shipping Inc. (“DSI”) in this private offering.
 
On October 15, 2010, DCI filed a registration statement on Form F-4 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, to register an aggregate of 2,558,997 common shares sold previously in the private offering. On October 19, 2010 the registration statement was declared effective. On January 19, 2011, and following DSI’s decision to effect for a partial spin-off of 80% of its interest in DCI through a distribution to DSI’s shareholders, DCI began “regular way” trading on the Nasdaq Global Market.
 
The Company is engaged in the seaborne transportation industry through the ownership and operation of containerships and is the sole owner of all outstanding shares of the following subsidiaries, each incorporated in the Marshall Islands:
 
(a) Likiep Shipping Company Inc. (“Likiep”), owner of the Marshall Islands flag, 3,426 TEU capacity container vessel, “Sagitta”, which was built and delivered on June 29, 2010 (Note 4).
 
(b) Orangina Inc. (“Orangina”), owner of the Marshall Islands flag, 3,426 TEU capacity container vessel, “Centaurus”, which was built and delivered on July 9, 2010 (Note 4).
 
(c) Lemongina Inc. (“Lemongina”), a newly established wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As at December 31, 2010, Lemongina did not have any operations.
 
During the period ended December 31, 2010, two charterers have accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues as follows:
 
         
    December 31,
Charterer
 
2010
 
A
    51 %
B
    41 %
 
2.  Significant Accounting Policies
 
(a) Preparation of financial statements:  The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include the accounts of Diana Containerships Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries referred to in Note 1 above. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
 
(b) Use of Estimates:  The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and


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Table of Contents

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
(c) Other Comprehensive Income:  The Company follows the provisions of Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) 220, “Comprehensive Income”, which requires separate presentation of certain transactions, which are recorded directly as components of stockholders’ equity. The Company has no such transactions which affect comprehensive income/(loss) and, accordingly for the period ended December 31, 2010, comprehensive loss equals net loss.
 
(d) Foreign Currency Translation:  The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. Dollar because the Company operates its vessels in international shipping markets, and therefore, primarily transacts business in U.S. Dollars. The Company’s books of accounts are maintained in U.S. Dollars. Transactions involving other currencies during the period presented are converted into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities which are denominated in other currencies are translated into U.S. Dollars at the period-end exchange rates. Resulting gains or losses are reflected separately in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
 
(e) Cash and Cash Equivalents:  The Company considers highly liquid investments such as time deposits, certificates of deposit and their equivalents with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
(f) Restricted Cash:  Restricted cash includes minimum cash deposits required to be maintained under the Company’s borrowing arrangement.
 
(g) Accounts Receivable, Trade:  The account includes receivables from charterers for hire, freight and demurrage billings. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. No provision for doubtful accounts has been made as of December 31, 2010.
 
(h) Inventories:  Inventories consist of lubricants and victualling which are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first in, first out method. Inventories may also consist of bunkers when the vessel operates under freight charter or when on the balance sheet date a vessel has been redelivered by its previous charterers and has not yet been delivered to new charterers, or remains idle. Bunkers are also stated at the lower of cost or market and cost is determined by the first in, first out method.
 
(i) Vessel Cost:  Vessels are stated at cost which consists of the contract price and costs incurred upon acquisition or delivery of a vessel from a shipyard. Subsequent expenditures for conversions and major improvements are also capitalized when they appreciably extend the life, increase the earnings capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels; otherwise these amounts are charged to expense as incurred.
 
(j) Vessel Depreciation:  The Company depreciates containership vessels on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, estimated to be 30 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Second-hand vessels are depreciated from the date of their acquisition through their remaining estimated useful life. Depreciation is based on costs less the estimated residual scrap value, which is assessed at $200 per light-weight ton. A decrease in the useful life of a containership or in its residual scrap value would have the effect of increasing the annual depreciation charge. When regulations place limitations on the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, the vessel’s useful life is adjusted at the date such regulations are adopted.


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Table of Contents

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
(k) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:  The Company follows ASC 360-10-40 “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. The Company reviews vessels for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a vessel may not be recoverable. In evaluating useful lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, management reviews certain indicators of potential impairment, such as undiscounted projected operating cash flows, vessel sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions. When the estimate of future undiscounted net operating cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of the vessel over its remaining useful life and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount, the Company evaluates the vessel for impairment loss. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the vessel. The fair value of the vessel is determined based on management estimates and assumptions and by making use of available market data and third party valuations.
 
Containership market conditions, charter rates and vessel values at the balance sheet date did not provide for any impairment indications for the Company’s vessels. Furthermore the Company did not identify any other facts or circumstances that would require the write down of vessel values at December 31, 2010.
 
(l) Accounting for Revenues and Expenses:  Revenues are generated from time charter agreements. Time charter agreements with the same charterer are accounted for as separate agreements according to the terms and conditions of each agreement. Time charter revenues are recorded over the term of the charter as service is provided. Revenues from time charter agreements providing for varying annual rates over their term are accounted for on a straight line basis. Deferred revenue, if any, includes cash received prior to the balance sheet date for which all criteria to recognise as revenue have not been met, including any deferred revenue resulting from charter agreements providing for varying annual rates, which are accounted for on a straight line basis. Deferred revenue also may include the unamortized balance of the liability associated with the acquisition of second hand vessels with time charters attached, acquired at values below fair market value at the date the acquisition agreement is consummated.
 
Voyage expenses, primarily consisting of port, canal and bunker expenses that are unique to a particular charter, are paid for by the charterer under time charter arrangements or by the Company under voyage charter arrangements, except for commissions, which are always paid for by the Company, regardless of charter type. All voyage and vessel operating expenses are expensed as incurred, except for commissions. Commissions are deferred over the related voyage charter period to the extent revenue has been deferred since commissions are due as the Company’s revenues are earned.
 
(m) Loss per Common Share:  Basic losses per common share are computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised.
 
(n) Accounting for Dry-Docking Costs:  The Company follows the deferral method of accounting for dry-docking costs whereby actual costs incurred are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period through the date the next dry-docking will be scheduled to become due. Unamortized dry-docking costs of vessels that are sold are written off and included in the calculation of the resulting gain or loss in the year of the vessel’s sale.
 
(o) Financing Costs:  Fees paid to lenders for obtaining new loans or refinancing existing ones are deferred and recorded as a contra to debt. Other fees paid for obtaining loan facilities not used at the balance sheet date are capitalized as deferred financing costs. Fees are amortized to interest and finance


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Table of Contents

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
costs over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method and, for the fees relating to loan facilities not used at the balance sheet date, according to the loan availability terms. Unamortized fees relating to loans repaid or refinanced as debt extinguishment are expensed as interest and finance costs in the period the repayment or extinguishment is made. Loan commitment fees are charged to expense in the period incurred.
 
(p) Repairs and Maintenance:  All repair and maintenance expenses including underwater inspection expenses are expensed in the period incurred. Such costs are included in vessel operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
 
(q) Share Based Payment:  ASC 718 “Compensation — Stock Compensation”, requires the Company to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions). That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award — the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. Employee share purchase plans will not result in recognition of compensation cost if certain conditions are met. The Company initially measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award or liability instrument based on its current fair value; the fair value of that award or liability instrument is remeasured subsequently at each reporting date through the settlement date. Changes in fair value during the requisite service period are recognized as compensation cost over that period with the exception of awards granted in the form of restricted shares which are measured at their grant date fair value and are not subsequently re measured. The grant-date fair value of employee share options and similar instruments are estimated using option-pricing models adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments (unless observable market prices for the same or similar instruments are available). If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost is recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification.
 
(r) Variable Interest Entities:  ASC 850-10-50 “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, addresses the consolidation of business enterprises (variable interest entities) to which the usual condition (ownership of a majority voting interest) of consolidation does not apply. The guidance focuses on financial interests that indicate control. It concludes that in the absence of clear control through voting interests, a company’s exposure (variable interest) to the economic risks and potential rewards from the variable interest entity’s assets and activities are the best evidence of control. Variable interests are rights and obligations that convey economic gains or losses from changes in the value of the variable interest entity’s assets and liabilities. The Company evaluates financial instruments, service contracts, and other arrangements to determine if any variable interests relating to an entity exist, as the primary beneficiary would be required to include assets, liabilities, and the results of operations of the variable interest entity in its financial statements. As of December 31, 2010, no such interests existed.
 
(s) Concentration of Credit Risk:  Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its temporary cash investments, consisting mostly of deposits, with high credit qualified financial institutions. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of those financial institutions that are considered in the Company’s investment strategy. The Company limits its credit risk with accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral for its accounts receivable and does not have any agreements to mitigate credit risk.


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Table of Contents

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
3.  Transactions with Related Party
 
Diana Shipping Services S.A. (“DSS” or the “Manager”):  DSS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Diana Shipping Inc. (or “DSI”), a Company’s major shareholder, provides (i) administrative services under an Administrative Services Agreement, for a monthly fee of $10,000; (ii) brokerage services pursuant to a Broker Services Agreement that DSS has entered into with Diana Enterprises Inc., a related party controlled by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Mr. Symeon Palios (Note 7), for annual fees of $1,040,000 (to increase to $1,300,000 following the completion of an initial public offering); (iii) commercial and technical services pursuant to Vessel Management Agreements, signed between each shipowning company and DSS, under which the Company pays a commission of 1% of the gross charterhire and freight earned by each vessel and a technical management fee of $15,000 per vessel per month for employed vessels and $20,000 per vessel per month for laid-up vessels.
 
For the period from January 7, 2010 (date of inception) through December 31, 2010, management fees under the Vessel Management Agreements amounted to $203,000 and are included in Management fees in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. In the same period, commissions charged by DSS amounted to $57,347 and are included in Voyage expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations (Note 9).
 
For the period from January 7, 2010 (date of inception) through December 31, 2010, administrative expenses and brokerage services amounted to $88,000 and $606,667, respectively, and are included in General and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. As at December 31, 2010, an amount of $397,853 was due from DSS, representing Company’s payments in excess of DSS charges, and is included in Due from related party in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
 
4.  Vessels
 
On June 8, 2010, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries Likiep and Orangina, entered into memoranda of agreement with a third party company, to acquire Hulls 558 and 559, respectively, named “Sagitta” and “Centaurus”, respectively, for the purchase price of Euro 37.3 million, each. On June 11, 2010, the Company paid Euro 3.73 million, or $4,528,238 (by using the exchange rate of Euro/US$ on the date of payment) for each vessel, representing an advance of 10% of the purchase prices as per the relevant agreements. The balance of the acquisition costs of Euro 33,570,000, or $41,123,075 (by using the exchange rate of Euro/US$ on the date of payment) for Sagitta was paid on June 29, 2010, and the balance of the acquisition costs of Euro 33,570,000, or $42,697,430 (by using the exchange rate of Euro/US$ on the date of payment) for Centaurus was paid on July 9, 2010, on the vessels’ respective deliveries. Additional costs included in the cost of vessels amounted to $321,478 for Sagitta and $332,727 for Centaurus and relate to vessels’ permanent equipment, delivery expenses and on-site supervision costs incurred during the construction period.
 
                         
          Accumulated
       
   
Vessels’ Cost
   
Depreciation
   
Net Book Value
 
 
- Acquisition and other vessels’ costs
  $ 93,531,186     $     $ 93,531,186  
- Depreciation for the period
          (1,453,877 )     (1,453,877 )
                         
Balance, December 31, 2010
  $ 93,531,186     $ (1,453,877 )   $ 92,077,309  
                         
 
Both vessels, having a total carrying value of $92,077,309 as of December 31, 2010, have been provided as collateral to secure the loan facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA discussed in Note 5.


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Table of Contents

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
As of December 31, 2010, both vessels were operating under time charter agreements.
 
5.  Long-Term Debt, Current and Non-Current
 
The amount of long-term debt shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is analyzed as follows:
 
         
    2010  
 
DnB NOR Bank ASA
  $ 19,670,000  
Less related deferred financing costs
    (180,367 )
         
Total
  $ 19,489,633  
         
Current portion of long term debt
  $ (1,361,538 )
         
Total
  $ 18,128,095  
         
 
On July 7, 2010, the Company, through Likiep and Orangina, entered into a loan agreement with DnB NOR Bank ASA to finance part of the acquisition cost of the vessels “Sagitta” and “Centaurus”, for an amount of up to $40.0 million. An arrangement fee of $400,000 was paid on signing the facility agreement.
 
On July 9, 2010, the Company, through Likiep and Orangina, drew down the first two advances of $10.0 million each to finance part of the acquisition cost of the vessels “Sagitta” and “Centaurus”. On December 31, 2010, an amount of $19,670,000 was outstanding under the loan facility. On February 4, 2011, the Company drew down the remainder of the available facility amounting to $20.0 million (Note 14). The loan is repayable in 24 quarterly instalments of $165,000 for each advance and a balloon of $6,040,000 payable together with the last instalment. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.40% per annum. The Company paid commitment fees of 0.96% per annum on the undrawn portion of the loan, which for the period from January 7, 2010 (date of inception) through December 31, 2010 amounted to $96,000 (Note 10). During 2010, the weighted average interest rate of the loan was 2.82%.
 
The loan is secured by a first preferred ship mortgage on the vessels, general assignments, charter assignments, operating account assignments, a corporate guarantee and manager’s undertakings. The lender may also require additional security if the market values of the mortgaged ships do not cover 125% of the aggregate outstanding balance of the loan. The loan also includes restrictions as to changes in management, ownership, additional indebtedness, a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 70% and minimum liquidity of 4% of the funded debt (to be measured semi-annually and at the end of each calendar year), which is presented as Restricted cash in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Furthermore, the Company is not permitted to pay any dividends that would result in an event of default or when an event of default has occurred and is continuing.
 
Total interest incurred on long-term debt amounted to $273,596 and is included in Interest and finance costs in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations (Note 10).


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Table of Contents

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
On May 4, 2011, the existing loan was refinanced according to the terms described in Note 14. Pursuant to the new terms of the loan, the maturity of the Company’s loan facility described above, as of December 31, 2010, and throughout its term is as follows:
 
         
    Principal
 
Period
  Repayment  
 
January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
  $ 1,361,538  
January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012
    1,403,077  
January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013
    1,403,077  
January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014
    1,403,077  
January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015
    1,403,077  
January 1, 2016 and thereafter
    12,696,154  
         
Total
  $ 19,670,000  
         
 
6.  Commitments and Contingencies
 
(a) Various claims, suits, and complaints, including those involving government regulations and product liability, arise in the ordinary course of the shipping business. In addition, losses may arise from disputes with charterers, agents, insurance and other claims with suppliers relating to the operations of the Company’s vessels. Currently, management is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company accrues for the cost of environmental liabilities when management becomes aware that a liability is probable and is able to reasonably estimate the probable exposure. Currently, management is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company’s vessels are covered for pollution in the amount of $1 billion per vessel per incident, by the P&I Association in which the Company’s vessels are entered. The Company’s vessels are subject to calls payable to their P&I Association and may be subject to supplemental calls which are based on estimates of premium income and anticipated and paid claims. Such estimates are adjusted each year by the Board of Directors of the P&I Association until the closing of the relevant policy year, which generally occurs within three years from the end of the policy year. Supplemental calls, if any, are expensed when they are announced and according to the period they relate to. The Company is not aware of any supplemental calls in respect of the 2010/11 policy year, which is the first year in which the Company’s vessels were entered into their P&I Association.
 
(b) As of December 31, 2010, the minimum contractual charter revenues, net of related commissions, to be generated from the existing non-cancelable time charter contracts until their expiration, are estimated at $8.5 million for 2011 and $4.0 million for 2012.
 
7.  Consultancy Agreements
 
On March 29, 2010, the Company entered into consultancy agreements with companies controlled by its executive officers for the services to be provided by them, with an effective date of January 7, 2010. The aggregate annual consulting fee for the executive officers was $1,040,000.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
On June 1, 2010, the Company terminated the above Consultancy Agreements and as of that date, such services are provided by DSS under the Administrative Services and under the Brokerage Services Agreement between DSS and Diana Enterprises Inc. (Note 3). For the period from January 7, 2010 (date of inception) through June 1, 2010, consultancy fees amounted $418,889, and are included in General and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
 
8.  Change in Capital Accounts
 
(a) Private offering:  On April 6, 2010, DCI sold 5,892,330 shares of common stock in a private offering pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S and Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Offering”), of which 3,333,333 common shares were acquired by Diana Shipping Inc., a related party and a major shareholder. The net proceeds of the private offering amounted to $85,280,896 of which $50,000,000 related to the purchase of the Company’s shares by Diana Shipping Inc. Effective upon the closing of the private offering, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-laws were amended and restated, and its authorized share capital increased to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
 
(b) Incentive plan:  On April 6, 2010, DCI adopted an equity incentive plan and reserved a total of 392,198 common shares for issuance, of which 213,331 common shares of restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $3,199,965 were issued to the Company’s executive officers pursuant to the Company’s Incentive Plan and in accordance with terms and conditions of Restricted Shares Award Agreements signed by the grantees. The shares are subject to applicable vesting as follows: (i) 25% or 53,335 shares were vested on May 6, 2010; and (ii) the remaining shares vest ratably over three years by one-third each year.
 
The Company follows the provisions in ASC 718 “Compensation — Stock Compensation”, for purposes of accounting for such share-based payments. During the period from January 7, 2010 (date of inception) through December 31, 2010, compensation cost on restricted stock amounted to $1,330,679, and was recognized in General and administrative expenses. At December 31, 2010, the total unrecognized cost relating to non-vested restricted share awards was $1,869,286; and is expected to be recognised over a period of 2.35 years from the balance sheet date.
 
(c) Stockholders Rights Agreement.  On August 2, 2010, the Company entered into a stockholders rights agreement (the “Stockholders Rights Agreement”) with Mellon Investor Services LLC as Rights Agent. Pursuant to this Stockholders Rights Agreement, each share of the Company’s common stock includes one right (the “Right”) that will entitle the holder to purchase from the Company a unit consisting of one one-thousandth of a share of our preferred stock at an exercise price specified in the Stockholders Rights Agreement, subject to specified adjustments. Until a Right is exercised, the holder of a Right will have no rights to vote or receive dividends or any other stockholder rights.


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Table of Contents

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
9.  Voyage and Vessel Operating Expenses
 
The amounts in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations are analyzed as follows:
 
         
    2010  
 
Voyage Expenses
       
Bunkers
  $ 49,576  
Commissions charged by third parties
    160,044  
Commissions charged by a related party (Note 3)
    57,347  
         
Total
  $ 266,967  
         
Vessel Operating Expenses
       
Crew wages and related costs
    1,251,308  
Insurance
    160,428  
Spares and consumable stores
    1,277,523  
Repairs and maintenance
    137,674  
Tonnage taxes (Note 12)
    12,744  
Miscellaneous
    44,933  
         
Total
  $ 2,884,610  
         
 
10.  Interest and Finance Costs
 
The amounts in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations are analyzed as follows:
 
         
    2010  
 
Interest expense (Note 5)
  $ 273,596  
Amortization of financing costs
    110,587  
Commitment fees (Note 5)
    96,000  
Other
    31,108  
         
Total
  $ 511,291  
         
 
11.  Loss per Share
 
All shares issued (including the restricted shares issued under the equity incentive plan) are DCI’s common stock and have equal rights to vote and participate in dividends, subject to forfeiture provisions set forth in the applicable award agreement. As the Company incurred losses from continuing operations in the period, the effect of the unvested restricted stock awards in both basic and diluted losses per share would be anti-dilutive.
 
12.  Income Taxes
 
Under the laws of the countries of the companies’ incorporation and/or vessels’ registration, the companies are not subject to tax on international shipping income; however, they are subject to registration and tonnage taxes, which are included in vessel operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations (Note 9).
 
Under Section 883 of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States (the “Code”), a corporation would be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation on its U.S.-source shipping income if: (a) it is


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
organized in a foreign country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to corporations organized in the United States (“United States corporations”); and (b) either (i) more than 50% of the value of its common stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by “qualified shareholders,”, which is referred to as the “50% Ownership Test,” or (ii) its common stock is “primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market” in a country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to U.S. corporations or in the United States, which is referred to as the “Publicly-Traded Test.”
 
The Marshall Islands, the jurisdiction where DCI and each of its subsidiaries are incorporated, grant an “equivalent exemption” to U.S. corporations. Therefore, the Company would be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation with respect to its U.S.-source shipping income if either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test is met.
 
Prior to the partial spin-off, the Company believes that it satisfied the 50% Ownership Test. After the partial spin-off, the Company does not currently anticipate a circumstance under which it would be able to satisfy the 50% Ownership Test.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the regulations provide, in pertinent part, that a class of shares will not be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market for any taxable year in which 50% or more of the vote and value of the outstanding shares of such class are owned, actually or constructively under specified share attribution rules, on more than half the days during the taxable year by persons who each own 5% or more of the vote and value of such class of outstanding shares, to which we refer as the “5 Percent Override Rule.”
 
After the partial spin-off is completed, the Company believes that should be able to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test and should not be subject to the 5 Percent Override Rule. However, there are factual circumstances beyond the control of the Company that could cause it to lose the benefit of the Section 883 exemption. For example, there is a risk that the Company could no longer qualify for exemption under Code section 883 for a particular taxable year if shareholders with a five percent or greater interest in its common shares were to own 50% or more of its outstanding common shares on more than half the days of the taxable year.
 
It is not anticipated that the Company will have any vessel operating to the United States on a regularly scheduled basis. Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of the shipping operations and other activities of Diana Containerships, it is not anticipated that any of the U.S.-source shipping income of the Company will be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
 
Based on its U.S. source Shipping Income for the period ended December 31, 2010, the Company would be subject to U.S. federal income tax of approximately $8,000, in the absence of an exemption under Section 883.
 
13.  Financial Instruments
 
The carrying values of temporary cash investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value of long-term bank loan approximates the recorded value, due to its variable interest rate.
 
14.  Subsequent Events
 
(a) Loan drawdown:  On February 4, 2011, the Company drew down the remaining $20.0 million under the loan with DnB NOR Bank ASA mentioned in note 5.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
(b) Vessel acquisitions:  On April 13, 2011, the Company, through its newly established subsidiaries Ebon Shipping Company Inc. (“Ebon”), Mili Shipping Company Inc. (“Mili”) and Ralik Shipping Company Inc. (“Ralik”), entered into three Memoranda of Agreement (Ralik with Maersk Line UK Ltd., and Mili and Ebon with A.P. Moller Singapore Pte. Ltd.) for the purchase of three Panamax container vessels, the MV “Maersk Merlion”, the MV “Maersk Malacca” and the MV “Maersk Madrid”, respectively. The MV “Maersk Madrid” is a 1989-built vessel of 4,206 TEU capacity. The purchase price for the MV “Maersk Madrid” is $22.5 million. The MV “Maersk Malacca” and MV “Maersk Merlion” are both 1990-built vessels of 4,714 TEU capacity each. The purchase price for the MV “Maersk Malacca” and MV “Maersk Merlion” is $24 million each. On April 18, 2011, the Company paid to the Sellers 10% of the vessels’ price amounting to $2.4 million for each of the MV “Maersk Malacca” and MV “Maersk Merlion” and $2.25 million for the MV “Maersk Madrid”. The remaining consideration shall be paid upon delivery of the vessels.
 
The expected delivery from their previous owners to the Company for all three vessels is in June 2011. Each of the three vessels is chartered to A.P. Møller-Maersk A/S for a period of minimum twenty-four (24) months plus or minus forty-five (45) days at a daily rate of $21,450 less a 2.25% commission. The charterer has the option to employ each vessel for a further twelve (12) month period plus or minus forty-five (45) days, at a daily rate of $25,000 less a 2.25% commission starting twenty-four (24) months after delivery of the vessel to the charterer. Each charter will commence on or about the day of that vessel’s delivery to the Company.
 
(c) Management agreements:  On April 13, 2011, Mili, Ralik and Ebon, entered into Vessel Management Agreements with DSS to provide them with commercial and technical services (Note 3).
 
(d) Loan agreement:  On May 4, 2011, the Company through its subsidiaries except Lemongina, entered into a loan agreement with DnB NOR ASA for a maximum of $85.0 million in order to refinance the outstanding balance of the loan facility dated July 7, 2010 (Note 5) and to partly finance the cost of the vessels mentioned in note (b) above and for general working capital purposes. The loan will be made available in two tranches. Tranche 1 shall be the lesser of 65% of the market value of the vessels “Sagitta” and “Centaurus” and $65.0 million and tranche 2 shall be the lesser of 35% of the market value of the vessels mentioned in note (b) above and $20.0 million. Tranche 1 will be available for drawing in a single drawdown and tranche 2 in three drawdowns until July 31, 2011. Tranche 1 shall be repaid in 24 consecutive quarterly installments of $1.1 million each, plus a balloon installment of $37.6 million to be paid together with the last installment. Tranche 2 shall be repaid in 8 consecutive quarterly installments of $2.5 million each. The loan will bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.6% per annum. The Company paid $382,500 of arrangement fees on signing of the agreement and on May 6, 2011, the Company drew down Tranche 1 of $65.0 million, with which it repaid the then-outstanding balance of indebtedness under its secured term loan facility entered into on July 7, 2010 (amounting to $38.7 million plus interest).
 
The loan will be secured with a first priority mortgage each of on the vessels, a first priority assignment of the time charters, a first priority assignment of the earnings, insurances and requisition compensation of the vessels, a first priority assignment of any charter, or other employment contracts exceeding 12 months, and an unconditional, irrevocable guarantee from Diana Containerships. The lender also requires the market values of the mortgaged ships to cover 125% of the aggregate outstanding balance of the loan. The loan also includes restrictions as to changes in management, ownership, additional indebtedness, a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 70% and minimum liquidity of 4% of the funded debt.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
 
 
                 
   
March 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
    (Expressed in U.S. Dollars -
 
    except for share data)  
 
ASSETS
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 31,811,827     $ 11,098,284  
Accounts receivable, trade
    44,580       37,429  
Due from related party (Note 2)
          397,853  
Inventories
    567,235       623,643  
Prepaid expenses
    177,975       218,805  
                 
Total current assets
    32,601,617       12,376,014  
                 
FIXED ASSETS:
               
Vessels (Note 3)
    93,531,186       93,531,186  
Accumulated depreciation (Note 3)
    (2,177,648 )     (1,453,877 )
                 
Vessels’ net book value
    91,353,538       92,077,309  
                 
Total fixed assets
    91,353,538       92,077,309  
                 
Deferred financing costs
          109,046  
Restricted cash (Note 4)
    1,573,600       786,800  
                 
Total assets
  $ 125,528,755     $ 105,349,169  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 4)
  $ 2,764,615     $ 1,361,538  
Accounts payable, trade and other
    445,945       436,251  
Accrued liabilities
    273,928       585,456  
Due to related parties (Note 2)
    436,611        
Other current liabilities
    45,431       45,431  
                 
Total current liabilities
    3,966,530       2,428,676  
                 
Long-term debt, net of current portion (Note 4)
    36,316,231       18,128,095  
Other non-current liabilities
    181,684       181,684  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
           
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
           
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 6,106,161 issued and outstanding (Note 6)
    61,062       61,062  
Additional paid-in capital (Note 6)
    86,747,780       86,551,013  
Accumulated deficit
    (1,744,532 )     (2,001,361 )
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    85,064,310       84,610,714  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 125,528,755     $ 105,349,169  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 7, 2010 (DATE OF INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31,2010
 
                 
   
2011
   
2010
 
    (Expressed in U.S. Dollars — except for share data)  
 
REVENUES:
               
Time charter revenues
  $ 3,240,000     $  
EXPENSES:
               
Voyage expenses
    116,100        
Vessel operating expenses
    954,222        
Depreciation (Note 3)
    723,771        
Management fees (Note 2)
    90,000        
General and administrative expenses (Note 2)
    851,316       236,533  
Foreign currency losses
    6,015       149  
                 
Operating income/(loss)
  $ 498,576     $ (236,682 )
                 
OTHER INCOME/(LOSS)
               
Interest and finance costs
  $ (263,550 )   $  
Interest income
    21,803        
                 
Other loss
    (241,747 )      
                 
Net income/(loss)
  $ 256,829     $ (236,682 )
                 
Earnings/(loss) per common share (including unvested shares of restricted common stock), basic and diluted (Note 7)
  $ 0.04     $ (473.36 )
                 
Weighted average number of common shares (including 159,996 unvested shares of restricted common stock in 2011), basic and diluted
    6,106,161       500  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 7, 2010
(DATE OF INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2010
 
                                                 
          Common Stock     Additional
             
    Comprehensive
    # of
    Par
    Paid-in
    Accumulated
       
   
Income/(Loss)
   
Shares
   
Value
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
    (Expressed in U.S. Dollars — except for share data)  
 
- Net loss
  $ (236,682 )         $     $     $ (236,682 )   $ (236,682 )
- Issuance of common stock at $1.0 per share
            500       5       495             500  
                                                 
Comprehensive Loss
  $ (236,682 )                                        
                                                 
BALANCE, March 31, 2010
            500     $ 5     $ 495     $ (236,682 )   $ (236,182 )
                                                 
BALANCE, December 31, 2010
            6,106,161     $ 61,062     $ 86,551,013     $ (2,001,361 )   $ 84,610,714  
- Net income
  $ 256,829                         256,829       256,829  
- Compensation cost on restricted stock
                        196,767             196,767  
                                                 
Comprehensive Income
  $ 256,829                                          
                                                 
BALANCE, March 31, 2011
            6,106,161     $ 61,062     $ 86,747,780     $ (1,744,532 )   $ 85,064,310  
                                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 7, 2010
(DATE OF INCEPTION) THROUGH MARCH 31, 2010
 
                 
   
2011
   
2010
 
    (Expressed in U.S. Dollars)  
 
Net income/(loss)
  $ 256,829     $ (236,682 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    723,771        
Amortization of financing costs
    30,259        
Compensation cost on restricted stock awards
    196,767        
(Increase)/Decrease in:
               
Accounts receivable, trade
    (7,151 )      
Due from related party
    397,853        
Inventories
    56,408        
Prepaid expenses
    40,830       (299,912 )
Increase/(Decrease) in:
               
Accounts payable, trade and other
    9,694          
Accrued liabilities
    (311,528 )     236,493  
Due to related parties
    436,611       300,101  
                 
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities
    1,830,343        
                 
Cash Flows provided by Investing Activities:
           
                 
Cash Flows provided by Financing Activities:
               
Proceeds from long term debt
    20,000,000        
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs
          500  
Contributions from shareholders for share capital increase completed on April 6,2010
          50,000,000  
Changes in restricted cash
    (786,800 )      
Payments of long term debt
    (330,000 )      
                 
Net Cash provided by Financing Activities
    18,883,200       50,000,500  
                 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    20,713,543       50,000,500  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    11,098,284        
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 31,811,827     $ 50,000,500  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest payments
  $ 132,182     $  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
March 31, 2011
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
1.  General Information
 
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Diana Containerships Inc. (“DCI”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). Diana Containerships Inc. was incorporated on January 7, 2010 under the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands for the purpose of engaging in any lawful act or activity under the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act. In April 2010, the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws were amended. Under the amended articles of incorporation, the Company’s authorized share capital increased from 500 common shares to 500.0 million of common shares at par value $0.01 and 25.0 million of preferred shares at par value $0.01. On April 6, 2010, the Company completed a private offering under rule 144A and Regulation S and Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the net proceeds of which amounted to $85,280,896. A controlling ownership interest of 54.6% over DCI’s common stock was acquired by Diana Shipping Inc. (“DSI”) in this private offering.
 
On October 15, 2010, DCI filed a registration statement on Form F-4 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, to register an aggregate of 2,558,997 common shares sold previously in the private offering. On October 19, 2010 the registration statement was declared effective. On January 19, 2011, and following DSI’s decision to effect for a partial spin-off of 80% of its interest in DCI through a distribution to DSI’s shareholders, DCI began “regular way” trading on the Nasdaq Global Market.
 
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for the period ending December 31, 2011.
 
The Company is engaged in the seaborne transportation industry through the ownership and operation of containerships and is the sole owner of all outstanding shares of the following subsidiaries, each incorporated in the Marshall Islands:
 
(a) Likiep Shipping Company Inc. (“Likiep”), owner of the Marshall Islands flag, 3,426 TEU capacity container vessel, “Sagitta”, which was built and delivered on June 29, 2010 (Note 3).
 
(b) Orangina Inc. (“Orangina”), owner of the Marshall Islands flag, 3,426 TEU capacity container vessel, “Centaurus”, which was built and delivered on July 9, 2010 (Note 3).
 
(c) Lemongina Inc. (“Lemongina”), a newly established wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As at March 31, 2011, Lemongina did not have any operations.
 
During the period ended March 31, 2011, two charterers have accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues as follows:
 
         
Charterer
 
2011
 
 
A
    56 %
B
    44 %


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2011
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
2.  Transactions with Related Parties
 
Diana Shipping Services S.A. (“DSS” or the “Manager”):  DSS, a wholly owned subsidiary of DSI, a Company’s major shareholder, provides (i) administrative services under an Administrative Services Agreement, for a monthly fee of $10,000; (ii) brokerage services pursuant to a Broker Services Agreement that DSS has entered into with Diana Enterprises Inc., a related party controlled by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Mr. Symeon Palios, for annual fees of $1,040,000 (to increase to $1,300,000 following the completion of an initial public offering); (iii) commercial and technical services pursuant to Vessel Management Agreements, signed between each shipowning company and DSS, under which the Company pays a commission of 1% of the gross charterhire and freight earned by each vessel and a technical management fee of $15,000 per vessel per month for employed vessels and $20,000 per vessel per month for laid-up vessels.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2011, management fees under the Vessel Management Agreements amounted to $90,000 and are separately presented as Management fees in the accompanying 2011 unaudited interim consolidated statement of income. In the same period, commissions charged by DSS amounted to $32,400 and are included in Voyage expenses in the 2011 accompanying unaudited interim consolidated statement of income.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2011, administrative expenses and brokerage services amounted to $30,000 and $260,000, respectively, and are included in General and administrative expenses in the accompanying 2011 unaudited interim consolidated statement of income. As at March 31, 2011, an amount of $381,611 was due to DSS, for payments made by DSS on behalf of the Company, and is included in Due to related parties in the accompanying 2011 consolidated balance sheet. As at December 31, 2010 an amount of $397,853 was due from DSS, representing Company’s payments in excess of DSS charges, and is included in Due from related party in the accompanying 2010 consolidated balance sheet.
 
3.  Vessels
 
On June 11 and July 9, 2010, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries Likiep and Orangina, took delivery of “Sagitta” and “Centaurus,” respectively. The total acquisition cost for “Sagitta” and “Centaurus” amounted to $45,972,791 and $47,558,395, respectively.
 
The amounts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are analyzed as follows:
 
                         
        Accumulated
   
   
Vessels’ Cost
 
Depreciation
 
Net Book Value
 
Balance, December 31, 2010
  $ 93,531,186     $ (1,453,877 )   $ 92,077,309  
- Depreciation for the period
          (723,771 )     (723,771 )
                         
Balance, March 31, 2011
  $ 93,531,186     $ (2,177,648 )   $ 91,353,538  
                         
 
The vessels, having a total carrying value of $91,353,538 as of March 31, 2011, have been provided as collateral to secure the loan facility with DnB NOR Bank ASA discussed in Note 4. As of March 31, 2011 both vessels were operating under time charter agreements.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2011
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
4.  Long-Term Debt, Current and Non-Current
 
The amounts of long-term debt shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are analyzed as follows:
 
                 
   
March 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
DnB NOR Bank ASA
  $ 39,340,000     $ 19,670,000  
Less related deferred financing costs
    (259,154 )     (180,367 )
                 
Total
  $ 39,080,846     $ 19,489,633  
                 
Current portion of long term debt
  $ (2,764,615 )   $ (1,361,538 )
                 
Total
  $ 36,316,231     $ 18,128,095  
                 
 
On July 7, 2010, the Company, through Likiep and Orangina, entered into a loan agreement with DnB NOR Bank ASA to finance part of the acquisition cost of the vessels “Sagitta” and “Centaurus”, for an amount of up to $40.0 million. An arrangement fee of $400,000 was paid on signing the facility agreement.
 
On July 9, 2010, the Company, through Likiep and Orangina, drew down the first two advances of $10.0 million each to finance part of the acquisition cost of the vessels “Sagitta” and “Centaurus”. The Company drew down the remainder of the available facility amounting to $20.0 million on February 4, 2011. As at March 31, 2011, an amount of $39,340,000 was outstanding under the loan facility. The loan is repayable in 24 quarterly installments of $165,000 for each advance and a balloon of $6,040,000 payable together with the last installment. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.40% per annum. The Company paid commitment fees of 0.96% per annum on the undrawn portion of the loan, which for the period from January 1, 2011 through February 4, 2011 (date of drawdown of the remaining available loan balance) amounted to $18,133.
 
The loan is secured by a first preferred ship mortgage on the vessels, general assignments, charter assignments, operating account assignments, a corporate guarantee and manager’s undertakings. The lender may also require additional security if the market values of the mortgaged ships do not cover 125% of the aggregate outstanding balance of the loan. The loan also includes restrictions as to changes in management, ownership, additional indebtedness, a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 70%, and minimum liquidity of 4% of the funded debt (to be measured semi-annually and at the end of each calendar year), which is presented as Restricted cash in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Furthermore, the Company is not permitted to pay any dividends that would result to an event of default.
 
Total interest incurred on long-term debt amounted to $215,158 and is included in Interest and finance costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2011
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
On May 4, 2011, the existing loan was refinanced according to the terms described in Note (9). Pursuant to the new terms of the loan the maturity of the Company’s loan facility described above, as of March 31, 2011, and throughout its term is as follows:
 
         
Period
 
Principal Repayment
 
April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012
  $ 2,764,615  
April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013
    2,806,154  
April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014
    2,806,154  
April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015
    2,806,154  
April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016
    2,806,154  
April 1, 2016 and thereafter
    25,350,769  
         
Total
  $ 39,340,000  
         
 
5.  Commitments and Contingencies
 
(a) Various claims, suits, and complaints, including those involving government regulations and product liability, arise in the ordinary course of the shipping business. In addition, losses may arise from disputes with charterers, agents, insurance and other claims with suppliers relating to the operations of the Company’s vessels. Currently, management is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company accrues for the cost of environmental liabilities when management becomes aware that a liability is probable and is able to reasonably estimate the probable exposure. Currently, management is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company’s vessels are covered for pollution in the amount of $1 billion per vessel per incident, by the P&I Association in which the Company’s vessels are entered. The Company’s vessels are subject to calls payable to their P&I Association and may be subject to supplemental calls which are based on estimates of premium income and anticipated and paid claims. Such estimates are adjusted each year by the Board of Directors of the P&I Association until the closing of the relevant policy year, which generally occurs within three years from the end of the policy year. Supplemental calls, if any, are expensed when they are announced and according to the period they relate to. The Company is not aware of any supplemental calls in respect of the 2010/11 policy year, which is the first year in which the Company’s vessels were entered into their P&I Association.
 
(b) As at March 31, 2011, the minimum contractual charter revenues, net of related commissions, to be generated from the existing non-cancelable time charter contracts until their expiration, are estimated at $11.0 million to be generated in 2011, at $11.8 million in 2012, and $1.6 million in 2013.
 
6.  Changes in Capital Accounts
 
Incentive plan:  On April 6, 2010, DCI adopted an equity incentive plan and reserved a total of 392,198 common shares for issuance. As at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 213,331 common shares of restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $3,199,965 had been issued to the Company’s executive officers pursuant to the Company’s Incentive Plan and in accordance with terms and conditions of Restricted Shares Award Agreements signed by the grantees. The shares are subject to


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2011
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
applicable vesting as follows: (i) 25% or 53,335 shares were vested on May 6, 2010; and (ii) the remaining shares vest ratably over three years by one third each year. Such shares bear non-forfeitable dividends and according to the provisions of ASC 260 “Earnings per Share” the Company considers them as participating securities in the earnings per share calculations.
 
The Company follows the provisions in ASC 718 “Compensation — Stock Compensation”, for purposes of accounting for such share-based payments. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, compensation cost on restricted stock amounted to $196,767, and was recognized in General and administrative expenses with an equal credit in Additional paid-in capital. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the total unrecognized cost relating to non-vested restricted share awards was $1,672,519 and $1,869,286 respectively, and is expected to be recognised over a period of 2.10 years from the balance sheet date.
 
7.  Earnings/(Loss) per Share
 
All shares issued (including the restricted shares issued under the equity incentive plan) are DCI’s common stock and have equal rights to vote and participate in dividends, subject to forfeiture provisions set forth in the applicable award agreement. Unvested shares granted under the Company’s incentive plan (159,996 at March 31, 2011 in total) receive dividends which are not refundable, even if such shares are forfeited, and therefore are considered participating securities for basic earnings per share calculation purposes. The Company has not declared any dividends through the period from inception to March 31, 2011. For the period ended March 31, 2011, the effect of the incremental shares assumed issued, determined in accordance with the antidilution sequencing provisions of ASC 260, was antidilutive. For the period ended March 31, 2010, and on the basis that the Company incurred losses from continuing operations, basic and diluted losses per share are the same amount.
 
8.  Financial Instruments
 
The carrying values of temporary cash investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value of long-term bank loan approximates the recorded value due to its variable interest rate.
 
9.  Subsequent Events
 
(a) Vessel acquisitions:  On April 13, 2011, the Company, through its newly established subsidiaries Ebon Shipping Company Inc. (“Ebon”), Mili Shipping Company Inc. (“Mili”) and Ralik Shipping Company Inc. (“Ralik”), entered into three Memoranda of Agreement (Ralik with Maersk Line UK Ltd., and Mili and Ebon with A.P. Moller Singapore Pte. Ltd.) for the purchase of three Panamax container vessels, the MV “Maersk Merlion”, the MV “Maersk Malacca” and the MV “Maersk Madrid”, respectively. The MV “Maersk Madrid” is a 1989-built vessel of 4,206 TEU capacity. The purchase price for the MV “Maersk Madrid” is $22.5 million. The MV “Maersk Malacca” and MV “Maersk Merlion” are both 1990-built vessels of 4,714 TEU capacity each. The purchase price for the MV “Maersk Malacca” and MV “Maersk Merlion” is $24 million each. On April 18, 2011, the Company paid to the Sellers 10% of the vessels’ price amounting to $2.4 million for each of the MV “Maersk Malacca” and MV “Maersk Merlion” and $2.25 million for the MV “Maersk Madrid”. The remaining consideration shall be paid upon delivery of the vessels.
 
The expected delivery from their previous owners to the Company for all three vessels is in June 2011. Each of the three vessels is chartered to A.P. Møller-Maersk A/S for a period of minimum twenty-


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DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2011
(Expressed in US Dollars — except for share data)
 
four (24) months plus or minus forty-five (45) days at a daily rate of $21,450 less a 2.25% commission. The charterer has the option to employ each vessel for a further twelve (12) month period plus or minus forty-five (45) days, at a daily rate of $25,000 less a 2.25% commission starting twenty-four (24) months after delivery of the vessel to the charterer. Each charter will commence on or about the day of that vessel’s delivery to the Company.
 
(b) Management agreements:  On April 13, 2011, Mili, Ralik and Ebon, entered into Vessel Management Agreements with DSS to provide them with commercial and technical services (Note 2).
 
(c) Loan agreement:  On May 4, 2011, the Company through all its subsidiaries except Lemongina, entered into a loan agreement with DnB NOR ASA for a maximum of $85.0 million in order to refinance the outstanding balance of the loan facility dated July 7, 2010 (Note 4) and to partly finance the cost of the vessels mentioned in note (a) above and for general working capital purposes. The loan will be made available in two tranches. Tranche 1 shall be the lesser of 65% of the market value of the vessels “Sagitta” and “Centaurus” and $65.0 million and tranche 2 shall be the lesser of 35% of the market value of the vessels mentioned in note (a) above and $20.0 million. Tranche 1 will be available for drawing in a single drawdown and tranche 2 in three drawdowns until July 31, 2011. Tranche 1 shall be repaid in 24 consecutive quarterly installments of $1.1 million each, plus a balloon installment of $37.6 million to be paid together with the last installment. Tranche 2 shall be repaid in 8 consecutive quarterly installments of $2.5 million each. The loan will bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.6% per annum. The Company paid $382,500 of arrangement fees on signing of the agreement and on May 6, 2011, the Company drew down Tranche 1 ($65.0 million), with which it repaid the then-outstanding balance of indebtedness under its secured term loan facility entered into on July 7, 2010 (amounting to $38.7 million plus interest).
 
The loan will be secured with a first priority mortgage each of on the vessels, a first priority assignment of the time charters, a first priority assignment of the earnings, insurances and requisition compensation of the vessels, a first priority assignment of any charter, or other employment contracts exceeding 12 months, and an unconditional, irrevocable guarantee from Diana Containerships. The lender also requires the market values of the mortgaged ships to cover 125% of the aggregate outstanding balance of the loan. The loan also includes restrictions as to changes in management, ownership, additional indebtedness, a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 70%, minimum liquidity of 4% of the funded debt.


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COMPANY LOGO
 
14,250,000 Shares
Common Stock
 
PROSPECTUS
June 9, 2011
 
Wells Fargo Securities
BofA Merrill Lynch
Jefferies
BB&T Capital Markets
Morgan Keegan
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
Dahlman Rose & Company
DnB NOR Markets
RS Platou Markets