Diana Shipping Inc. Signs Time Charter Contract for m/v Astarte
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ATHENS, Greece, Sept. 16, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Diana Shipping Inc., a global provider of dry bulk shipping services, has announced a new time charter contract for its Kamsarmax dry bulk vessel, the m/v Astarte. The contract, entered into through a wholly-owned subsidiary, is with Aquavita International S.A. The m/v Astarte will be chartered for a period from September 20, 2026, to November 15, 2027, generating a gross charter rate of US$17,000 per day, minus a 4.75% commission paid to third parties.
The m/v Astarte, built in 2013, has a gross carrying capacity of 81,513 dwt. During its current charter, the vessel has been employed by Propel Shipping Pte. Ltd., at a gross charter rate of US$12,500 per day, minus a 5.00% commission paid to third parties. The new contract is expected to contribute approximately US$5.81 million in gross revenue over the scheduled period.
Diana Shipping Inc.'s current fleet consists of 36 dry bulk vessels, including 4 Newcastlemax, 8 Capesize, 4 Post-Panamax, 6 Kamsarmax, 5 Panamax, and 9 Ultramax vessels. The company is also scheduled to take delivery of two methanol dual fuel Kamsarmax dry bulk vessels by the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028, respectively. As of today, the combined carrying capacity of the fleet, excluding the two vessels not yet delivered, is approximately 4.1 million dwt, with a weighted average age of 12.81 years.
The charter is part of the company's ongoing strategy to optimize its fleet and generate revenue through time charter contracts. Diana Shipping Inc. continues to focus on expanding its operations and maintaining a diverse and flexible fleet to meet the evolving needs of the global dry bulk shipping market.
The company's vessels are employed primarily on short to medium-term time charters, transporting a range of dry bulk cargoes, including iron ore, coal, grain, and other materials along worldwide shipping routes. The charter contract with Aquavita International S.A. is expected to further enhance the company's operational efficiency and financial performance.