SFL - Early Conversion of Convertible Notes Shi

Ship Finance International Limited (NYSE: SFL) ("Ship Finance" or the "Company") announced today that it has entered into separate agreements with certain holders of its 3.25% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes due 2018 (the "Notes") for an early conversion of a portion of the outstanding Notes. The Company is strengthening its balance sheet by converting approximately $121 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes held by such holders into shares of common stock of the Company ("Shares") at prevailing market prices. The number of issued and outstanding Shares following these conversions is estimated to be approximately 103 million.

October 10, 2017

The Board of Directors Ship Finance International Limited Hamilton, Bermuda

Questions can be directed to Ship Finance Management AS:

Investor and Analyst Contacts: Harald Gurvin, Chief Financial Officer, Ship Finance Management AS +47 23 11 40 09 André Reppen, Senior Vice President, Ship Finance Management AS +47 23 11 40 55 Media Contact: Ole B. Hjertaker, Chief Executive Officer, Ship Finance Management AS +47 23 11 40 11

About Ship Finance Ship Finance International Limited has a unique track record in the maritime industry, being consistently profitable and paying dividends every quarter since 2004. The Company's fleet of around 70 vessels is split between tankers, bulkers, container vessels and offshore assets, and Ship Finance's long term distribution capacity is supported by a portfolio of long term charters and significant growth in the asset base over time. More information can be found on the Company's website: www.shipfinance.bm

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release may contain forward looking statements. These statements are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including Ship Finance management's examination of historical operating trends. Although Ship Finance believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its control, Ship Finance cannot give assurance that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or intentions. Important factors that, in the Company's view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in this presentation include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in the Company's operating expenses including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.