DryShips Exercises Second Option to Acquire a Very Large

New Post Public Reply Private Reply Replies (0) Message Board
News Desk 2018
75
DryShips Exercises Second Option to Acquire a Very Large Gas Carrier With a 5 Year Time Charter Attached to an Oil Major

ATHENS, GREECE--(Marketwired - Mar 6, 2017) -  DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS) (the "Company"), a diversified owner of ocean going cargo vessels, announced today that it has exercised its second option under the previously announced option agreement to acquire up to four Very Large Gas Carriers ("VLGCs") currently under construction at Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. ("HHI") for a purchase price of $83.5 million. Part of the purchase price (approximately 25%) will be paid on closing, expected within March 2017, with the balance payable in installments until the vessel's delivery from HHI. The VLGC will be employed on a fixed rate time charter with five years firm duration to an oil major. The charterer has options to extend the firm employment period by up to three years. The Company expects the total gross backlog associated with this time charter to be $54.0 million, or $92.7 million including the optional periods, and expects to take delivery of the vessel in September 2017.

The transaction was approved by the independent directors of the Company based on third party broker valuations. 

George Economou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"We are very pleased to have declared our second option to purchase a high specification VLGC with long term employment to an oil major at above market rates. This second investment in the gas carrier segment marks our confidence to the expected positive long-term fundamentals of the gas market and allows us to deploy the Company's available liquidity immediately."

 About DryShips Inc.

The Company is a diversified owner of ocean going cargo vessels that operate worldwide. The Company owns a fleet of 13 Panamax drybulk carriers with a combined deadweight tonnage of approximately 1.0 million tons, 1 Very Large Gas Carrier newbuilding, 1 Very Large Crude Carrier and 1 Aframax tanker newbuilding, each of which are expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2017 and 6 offshore supply vessels, comprising 2 platform supply and 4 oil spill recovery vessels.

The Company's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market where it trades under the symbol "DRYS."

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with such safe harbor legislation.

Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.

The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company's records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Company's control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

Important factors that, in the Company's view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the factors related to the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including changes in charter rates and vessel values, failure of a seller or shipyard to deliver one or more vessels, failure of a buyer to accept delivery of a vessel, our inability to procure acquisition financing, default by one or more charterers of our ships, changes in demand for Drybulk, oil, or LPG commodities, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers, scheduled and unscheduled drydocking, changes in our voyage and operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, changes in governmental rules and regulations, changes in our relationships with the lenders under our debt agreements, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, international hostilities and political events or acts by terrorists.

Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by DryShips Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 20-F.

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

Scroll down for more posts ▼

Top 10 Most Recent News Articles

Cannabis Industry Pushes for Robust Financial Services

Updated Category News Views 3

Industry Gears Up for Financial Action Clearly, cannabis businesses are shouting louder than a vendor at a ballgame, demanding more than just the basic chips-and-soda banking service. They’re on the hunt for serious credit facilities, payments, and the traditional financial tools that most sectors take for granted. I mean, check this out: Shield Compliance just dropped...

Continue Reading
Sandbox VR Expands to Melbourne, Betting on Immersive Fun

Updated Category News Views 3

Sandbox VR Ventures into Melbourne's Heart Every now and then, a venture takes its ambitions and rolls the dice on a prime location. Sandbox VR is swaggering into Melbourne's bustling Central Business District, fresh out of its success on the Gold Coast. Opening this Melbourne venue on September 14 marks a significant leap in the company's Aussie expansion—a bold nod to...

Continue Reading
GBI Bio's New CEO Jesse McCool to Propel Growth

Updated Category News Views 1

Jesse McCool stepping into GBI's CEO shoes is the kind of move that makes you sit up straight and take notice. Let me tell you, the biomanufacturing scene is buzzing with this appointment, and McCool's got his work cut out for him in leading GBI Biomanufacturing's shift towards commercial-scale operations while expanding their early-stage biotech portfolio. A Veteran in...

Continue Reading
Cap Juluca: Caribbean Luxury Redefined on Maundays Bay

Updated Category News Views 2

The Tranquil Call of Maundays Bay Find me dipping my toes in the sands of Maundays Bay come October 10, 2026, and you'll understand why this slice of Anguilla stakes its claim to being the best beach on the globe. Cap Juluca, that crown jewel of Caribbean luxury, swings open its doors once more, promising indulgence framed by turquoise waters and the soft whisper of white...

Continue Reading
WNET's 25th Anniversary 9/11 Tribute: Stories and Lessons

Updated Category News Views 3

Reflecting on a Dark Day with WNET's Programming Nothing quite hits you like the anniversary of a colossal tragedy. The memories of September 11, 2001, remain etched in the urban landscape of New York City, and this year marks 25 years since that heart-wrenching day. The WNET Group steps up to the plate with a comprehensive slate of programming aimed at honoring the...

Continue Reading
Shareholder Rights in Focus: Examining Key Buyouts

Updated Category News Views 4

Shareholder Concerns Rise Amid Corporate Buyouts The stakes are high for the shareholders of Distribution Solutions Group, Eagle Financial Services, Safety Insurance Group, and Utz Brands as their companies face potential buyouts. Let's chew over what's on the table: the sweet deals insiders might score and the legal maneuvers in play. Halper Sadeh LLC, a heavy-hitting...

Continue Reading
Unpacking RAGEism: Power Dynamics in U.S. Policies

Updated Category News Views 1

Seeing Patterns in Crisis: Jackson and Flint When Jackson, Mississippi's latest water crisis hit the news, it wasn't the first time folks were left high and dry. No, this fiasco's got deep roots, and it resonates with another infamous case: Flint, Michigan. In Maya Rockeymoore Cummings' book, RAGEism, these are badge-worthy examples of 'Resource Hoarding' where government...

Continue Reading
Diaper Affordability: A Hidden Crisis, Taxpayer Burden

Updated Category News Views 4

A Silent Crisis Lurking in Diapers Diapers. We don’t think about them much until we need them, but nearly half of U.S. families are painfully aware of their cost. According to a report from the NDBN Diaper Check 2026, many struggle to meet this basic necessity. This isn't just about keeping babies clean—it's a public health issue with economic ripples Congress can't...

Continue Reading
AbbVie's Bold Leap in Menstrual Migraine Treatment

Updated Category News Views 1

AbbVie's Game-Changing Atogepant Study When it comes to pushing boundaries in the pharmaceutical world, there's no sitting on the fence. AbbVie's Phase 3 LUNA study results are painting a bright picture for women who suffer from the relentless grip of menstrual migraines. In a world where not a single treatment option has been approved specifically for this condition,...

Continue Reading
Rare Collectibles Highlight Morphy's Auction on Oct 4

Updated Category News Views 1

Anticipation Builds for Morphy's Auction Event Morphy's upcoming event on October 4th is all about tapping into the era of revved engines, gleaming gasoline signs, and some history that could put Hollywood tales to shame. The auction isn't just a stroll down memory lane; it features over 650 lots, each a time capsule of America's automotive past. From Al Capone's ritzy...

Continue Reading

Top 5 Most Recently Viewed Articles

Global Liver Biopsy Market to Surge with Innovative Techniques

Updated Category News Views 175

Understanding the Growth of the Liver Biopsy Market The liver biopsy market demonstrates robust growth, projected to reach USD 1.65 billion. A recent report highlights that in 2023, the market valuation stood at approximately USD 0.90 billion. This significant increase is primarily attributed to the rising incidences of liver diseases and advancements in biopsy...

Continue Reading
CarParts.com to Showcase Innovations at Key Investment Event

Updated Category News Views 123

CarParts.com to Showcase Innovations at Key Investment Event CarParts.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTS), a leading e-commerce provider of automotive parts and accessories, is excited to announce its presence at the 19th annual LD Micro Main Event. This highly anticipated event will be held at the picturesque Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. Ryan Lockwood, the Chief Financial...

Continue Reading
Sabina Adamski Introduces Her New Lending Team at Guaranteed Rate Affinity

Updated Category News Views 138

The Launch of The Sabina Adamski Group In a transformative move within the mortgage sector, Sabina Adamski has officially launched The Sabina Adamski Group following her return to Guaranteed Rate Affinity as Vice President of Mortgage Lending. This new initiative aims to provide a modern, client-first approach tailored for homebuyers. Expanding Reach and Enhancing...

Continue Reading
Innovative Sepsis Treatment STC3141 Hits Clinical Milestone

Updated Category News Views 308

Breakthrough Achievement for Grand Pharma's STC3141 Grand Pharmaceutical Group Limited has proudly announced a significant milestone in medical research with its innovative drug, STC3141, successfully reaching the clinical endpoint in a Phase II clinical study aimed at treating sepsis. This impressive achievement highlights not only the Group's commitment to pioneering...

Continue Reading
Vera Bradley's Fiscal Q2 Results Highlight Future Growth Plans

Updated Category News Views 176

Overview of Vera Bradley's Recent Financial Performance Vera Bradley, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRA) has shared its financial results for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2025, showing a consolidated net revenue of $110.8 million. While this marks a drop from $128.2 million from the same time last year, the company remains hopeful about its future direction. Key Financial...

Continue Reading