Diana Shipping inc.

Thank you for standing by, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Diana Shipping Inc. conference call on the second quarter 2026 financial results. We are joined by the company's chief executive officer, Ms. Semiramis Palewo. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. There will be a presentation followed by a Q&A session. To ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad and wait for your name to be announced. Please note that this conference is being recorded. We will now turn the floor over to Ms. Paliu. Please go ahead.

Thank you. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Diana Shipping Inc. Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results Conference Call. I am Samira Ms. Paliu, the CEO of the company, and it's a pleasure to present alongside our esteemed team, Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis, Director and President, Ms. Maria Dede, Co-CFO and Treasurer, Mr. Dave Vanderlinden, Chief Commercial Officer of Diana Shipping Services. Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone to review the forward-looking statements on page four of the accompanying presentation. The second quarter of 2026 maintains strong momentum, which carried over from the previous quarter. Disruption caused by geopolitical events continues to create significant inefficiencies in the market. Minerals are increasingly shifting from ordinary commodities to strategic national assets. Resource-rich countries are using their leverage to impose export and pricing controls, while import-dependent countries are scrambling to diversify supply chains and energy needs. The result is a dry bulk market supported by near-term trade flow adjustments, but still exposed to longer-term uncertainty, mainly due to considerably supply increases, especially in the sub-cape segments. For now, congestion, slower speeds, dry docks, and longer ton-mile trades have been able to absorb the new tonnage. In the quarter, Diana took period coverage across several sizes in the fleet, again at rates significantly higher than their previous charters. Meanwhile, we continue to avoid sending our vessels into conflict areas and are thought to remain with the many crew members which are in harm's way. Turning to slide five, let's review our company snapshot as of today. Diana Shipping Inc. Founded in 1972 and listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2005, operates a fleet of 36 dry-bulk vessels, one of which is mortgage-free. Our fleet has an average age of 12 1⁄2 years and a total deadweight capacity of approximately 4.1 million tons. We anticipate the delivery of two methanol dual-fuel new-building Camp Thermax dry-bulk vessels at the end of 2027 and early 2028 respectively. Fleet utilization reached 99.8% for the six months ended June 30th, 2026, highlighting our effective vessel management strategy. As of the end of the second quarter, we employed 943 individuals at sea and the shore. Financially, our net debt stands at 44% of market value. This is supported by $118 million in cash reserves as of quarter end, $155 million equity investment in Genco, approximately $0.50 per share of potential free cash flow to equity based on fixed rates and FFA rates over the next 18 months. and total secured revenues of approximately 157 million U.S. dollars as of July 22, 2026. Moving on to slide six, let's go over the key highlights of the second quarter 2026 and recent developments. On May 4, 2026, We launched a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Genco and Trading Limited, not already owned by Diana, for 23.50 per share in cash. On May 15, 2026, we were awarded the Gold Award in the Governance Leader Award category at the Environmental, Social and Governance Shipping Award 2026. On May 27, 2026, we amended our tender offer price to 24.80 per share in cash and extended the tender offer deadline to June 26, 2026. On June 17, 2026, we submitted an updated non-binding offer directly to the GENCO Board to acquire all outstanding shares of GENCO not already owned by Diana to a total implied value of $27.34 per share, comprised of $24.80 per share in cash plus one Diana share, valued at $2.54, based on Diana's volume-weighted average price per share. On June 29, 2026, we further extended the tender offer deadline to July 10, 2026. On June 30, 2026, we extended the fully committed financing supporting of Diana's offer to acquire the outstanding shares of Genco, not already owned by Diana, in the amount of 1.4 billion US dollars. On July 13, 2026, we further extended the tender offer deadline to July 24, 2026. As of July 22, 2026, we have secured 94.7 million US dollars of contracted revenues for 88% of the remaining ownership days of the year 2026 and have secured 61.3 million US dollars of contracted revenues for 25% of the ownership days of year 2027. On July 27, 2026, We terminated the tender offer. Our June 17th cash and stock offer remains outstanding with the JNCO board. Today we are pleased to declare a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per common share with respect to the second quarter of 2026, totaling approximately $1.3 million. Slide 8 summarizes our recent chartering activity. From May 21st, 2026 to July 22nd, 2026, we have secured time charters for five vessels. An Ultramax vessel at the daily rate of 18,350 for 382 days. Three Panamax and Campermax vessels at an average daily rate of 16,500 for an average of 279 days. Slide nine. Highlights of this disciplined chartering strategy. We focus on staggered medium to long-term charters to avoid clustered maturities, ensuring earnings, visibility, and resilience against market downturns. This disciplined chartering strategy has secured for the remaining of 2026 approximately $94.7 million in contracted revenues Resulting in an average time charter rate of approximately 18,337 U.S. dollars per day. For the rest of 2026, only 12% of the days remain unfixed. The average contract duration is one year and a quarter, covering some days of 2027. Now, I'll pass the floor on to our co-CFO, Maria Dede, for a more detailed financial analysis.

Thanks, Maria Dede. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us today. I will walk you through our financial performance for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2026. For the second quarter of 2026, time charter revenues increased to $57.3 million from $54.7 million in the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA increased to 24.3 million from 22 million in the prior year period. Net income was 20.8 million compared to 4.5 million in the second quarter of 2025. Net income attributable to common stockholders was 19.3 million compared to 3.1 million in the second quarter of 2025. Diluted earnings per common share were $0.16 for the second quarter of 2026 compared to $0.03 for the second quarter of 2025. Profitability during the quarter benefited from the higher time starter equivalent rate achieved by the fleet, lower interest expense resulting from the continued reduction of debt and lower average interest rates. Earnings also reflected increased dividend income and a significant gain on equity securities during the quarter, compared to a loss recognized in the second quarter of 2025. We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet and substantial liquidity while steadily reducing leverage. As of June 30, 2026, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash amounted to 117.9 million, Long-term debt and finance liabilities net of deferred financing costs decreased to $606.1 million out of June 30, 2026 from $636.1 million out of December 31, 2025, reflecting scheduled debt amortization and our disciplined capital management strategy. During the quarter, we operated an average of 36 vessels compared to 37 vessels during the same quarter of last year. This decrease reflects the smaller fleet size following a vessel sale completed last year which affected ownership available and operating days. Our fleet generated a time charter equivalent rate of $16,581 per day representing a 7% increase from the $15,492 per day in the second quarter of 2025. Flip utilization remains strong at 99.6%. Vessel operating expenses were $21 million compared to $20 million in the second quarter of 2025. On a per day basis, daily operating expenses increased to $6,396 from $5,944 in the prior year quarter, reflecting higher crew related costs and stores repairs and maintenance expenses. In the six months ended June 30, 2026, time charter revenues increased to 112 million compared to 109.6 million during the same period last year. Voyage expense amounted to 6.5 million and consisted primarily of brokerage commissions. In the six months ended June 30, 2026, our fleet generated a time charter equivalent rate of $16,309 per day, representing a 4% increase from the $15,615 per day in the six months ended June 30, 2025. Fleet utilization increased to 99.8% compared to 99.5% in the prior year period. Vessel operating expenses were 40.4%. compared to $40 million in the six months ended June 30, 2025. On a per-day basis, daily operating expenses increased to $6,203 from $5,905 in the prior year period, reflecting higher crew-related costs and stores repairs and maintenance expenses. In this slide, debt maturity and amortization profile, we continue to maintain a disciplined approach to leverage. Our debt portfolio remains well diversified among secured bank facilities, sale and leaseback arrangements, and our senior unsecured bonds. This structure provides a balanced mix of floating and fixed rate exposure while maintaining financial flexibility. Our amortization profile remains gradual and predictable, with no significant near-term refinancing concentrations. The principal maturity remains the 175 million senior unsecured bonds maturing in 2029, which we intend to address well in advance to ensure continued liquidity stability, minimize refinancing risk, and maintain predictable cash flows. As of June 30, 2026, our cash flow break-even rate stood at $16,859 per day, including various operating, general and administrative expenses, financing costs, and debt amortization. For the remainder of 2026, we have secured 88% of our ownership days at an average contracted charter rate of approximately $18,337 per day, Providing estimated contracted revenues of approximately 94.7 million. Based on the FFA of July 22, 2026, total potential revenues for the remainder of 2026, including both fixed and unfixed operating days, could reach approximately 110.3 million exceeding our break-even cost by 11.4 million or approximately 10 cents per share. For 2027, we have secured 25% of our ownership days at an average contracted charter rate of approximately $18,807 per day, providing estimated contracted revenues of approximately 61.3 million. Based on the FFA curves of July 22, 2026, potential revenues for 2027, including both the fixed and unfixed operating days, could reach approximately 267.9 million, exceeding our break-even cost by 46.4 million, or approximately 40 cents per share. Our competitive break-even level reflects our continued focus on operating efficiency, cost discipline and prudent financial management. At the same time, our chartering strategy provides meaningful upside exposure should market conditions continue to improve. This slide highlights our commitment to return capital to shareholders. The company has consistently declared quarterly dividends since the third quarter of 2021 through both cash dividends and dividends in kind. In line with this policy, we declared a dividend of $0.01 per share for the second quarter of 2026. Including this declaration, cumulative distributions to shareholders since 2021 amount to approximately $2.72 per common share. As always, future dividends remain subject to board approval and will depend on earnings, cash flow generation, capital requirements, and overall market conditions. And I will now hand over to Dave van der Linden for an overview of the dry bulk market.

Thank you, Maria. And again, welcome to the participants on this latest quarterly earnings call from Diana Shipping Inc. Let's move to slide 16 for a brief dry bulk market overview. Like our CEO mentioned earlier, the dry bulk market maintained its positive momentum in the second quarter, with both spot rates as well as period rates improving across all sizes. The factors supporting the market remain largely the same, not necessarily an explosion in demand, but rather a utilization tightening caused by longer ton miles, a substantial dry dock schedule, and slower speeds. Cape-sized vessels once again outperformed with Q2 earnings at 39,806, based on the new 182.5 TC index. Mid-sized vessels continued their momentum as well, with Q2 earnings averaging 19,243 for CAMSAR MAX and 19,402 for ULTRA MAX vessels. In the second quarter, we saw the 12-month time charge rate increase for all sizes as well. However, the start of Q3 is witnessing a bit of a softening in the near-term sentiment, especially on the larger sizes. For a 182,000 index type without scrubber, the one-year rate stand at around $31,000 a day. And the rate for a modern Kamsar Max is around 20,000 a day and for a modern Ultra Max is around 18,500 per day. The market remains heavily influenced by significant geopolitical and trade disruptions that continue to alter shipping patterns and freight dynamics. The recent escalation in the Middle East conflict has caused bunker prices to spike again. And even though the lack of adequate fuel supply seems to have subsided, vessel speeds remain at or near historical lows. We move to the next slide. We're going to take a look at the key demand drivers. The Cape size sector saw the highest rate increases in the quarter due to strong iron ore flows from Australia and a considerable ramp up in Simandou shipments from Guinea. The Guinean bauxite exports also witnessed a strong quarter in the first half of the year. They ended with a 17% increase year-on-year. However, since then, this trade has been tapering off as we are heading into the rainy season and also following the report that winning transferred one of its transfer stations from bauxite to iron ore. Meanwhile, we haven't heard any news regarding a possible export limit, which was expected to be imposed by the Guinean government in the second half of the year. The Kamsar Mac sector remains supported by grain shipments in the Atlantic and coal shipments in the Pacific. The Ultra Mac sector has managed to take advantage of the same trading patterns and has additionally seen an increase in Atlantic coal shipments. Global seaborne grain loadings continue their rise in Q2, with China importing a record 13.5 million tons of soybeans in June, mainly from Brazil, which had a record harvest in excess of 180 million metric tons. We also continue to see strong coal movements, and Thurlstone comments that the demand for coal cargoes could rise even more in the near future. As further disruptions in LNG flows appear to be likely after the latest escalation in the Middle East. Higher oil and gas prices together with energy security concerns have encouraged utilities to maximize coal-fired generation where possible. Even China has picked up their coal imports. Customs data showed that China imported 42.78 million tons of coal in June, up 29% from a year earlier, as a mine accident in late May tightened domestic supply and led to higher imports. For the first half of the year, China's coal imports rose 1.7% from a year earlier. Amidst rising expectations of a strong El Nino and current projections for lower water levels at Gatun Lake, the Panama Canal Authority has cut daily booking capacity already from 36 to 34 transits, effective July 25. It is worth recalling that at the height of the Strait of Hormuz disruption, it was estimated by BIMCO that Panama Canal transits had increased by 8%. Now after the current escalation, the canal operating near maximum capacity, any disruption such as reduced rainfall during the expected El Nino may cause vessels to reroute via the Cape. Regarding global GDP, the Middle East conflict continues to negatively affect global growth, with China's GDP growth slowing to 4.3% in the second quarter, down from 5% in the first. Brief look at the supply outlook on the next slide. According to Clarkson's, the bulk carrier fleet is forecast to grow by 3.2% in 2026. However, the first half of the year has already seen a 2% increase, so we may end up with a higher number. For capes, the projected tonnage increase is only 1.7% in 2026, and Q2 saw, again, a limited amount of cape-sized vessels being delivered, only 11 units. Gansamax and Ultramax vessels, the fleet projected increase is substantial, 4.3% and 4.5% respectively, and deliveries for both these sizes remain substantial in Q2, with more than 50 deliveries in each of those segments. However, for now, this remains partly upset by the number of vessels directly affected by the Middle East conflict, as well as slower speeds due to elevated bunker prices, congestion, and heavy dry-dug schedules. Regarding the dry-bulk fleet order book, according to Ifcar Galbraith, it now stands around 160 million tons dead weight, or 1,700 vessels, which represents nearly 13% of the existing fleet. Sentiment in the ship recycling industry remains cautious, and only four bulkers were recycled in June for less than 250 tons dead weight. It will be a challenge to reach the 5 million dead weight of scrapping in 2026, which analysts were predicting at the beginning of the year. And last but not least, let's end with the main positive and negative factors that analysts expect will influence the dry bulk market going forward. On the positive side, Global seaborne trade is expected to stay steady for the balance of the year, supported by iron ore demand and minor bulks such as bauxite and especially grains. Some mild support is expected to continue strong and with longer iron ore flows from Brazil as well as West Africa. Grain exports from East Coast South America also are expected to stay strong. The dry dock schedule in 2026 is expected to be similar levels to 2025, when about 3,200 dry bulk vessels underwent special surveys. And then heat and drought caused by an expected strong El Niño could support cold movements, as well as ton-mile increases in the second half of the year. Possible negatives are, of course, the fleet growth, especially for CAMS, ARMAX, and ULTRAMAXs. It could exceed demand, and demolition is expected to stay historically low. Cold demand, while seeing a temporary increase, is expected to remain fundamentally under pressure, especially in China. Then there's macro and policy risks, mainly in Guinea, China, and Indonesia, and of course the geopolitical uncertainty, which can highly influence the global economy. It's very hard to predict the medium to long-term effects of this current Middle East conflict on dry bulk and the economy in general. A prime example is the recent spike in hostilities in the Red Sea, which has pushed avoidance of the area to new heights. And on this note, I will pass the call back to our CEO, Mrs. Samira Mispaliou, for some important takeaway points from this call. Thank you.

Thank you, Dave. Before concluding today's presentation and reflecting on today's results, I would like to emphasize that we believe they clearly demonstrate that Diana's business continues to perform strongly, supported by improving profitability, healthy cash generation, and meaningful operating momentum. At the same time, we believe the market's attention has been disproportionately focused on the proposed acquisition of Genco, which has diverted attention from Diana's own intrinsic value and underlying operating performance. Under normal circumstances, performance of this nature would be expected to receive far greater recognition from the market. Instead, Diana continues to trade at a substantial discount to NAV. We believe this valuation no longer reflects the company's underlying fundamentals, earnings power, or asset quality. As investors increasingly refocus on Diana's standalone performance and intrinsic value, we believe this discount should progressively narrow. Looking further ahead, should the proposed transaction with Genco be completed, the combined company would represent a substantially larger, more diversified, and more liquid platform. While no valuation outcome can be assumed, We believe such a company would naturally be evaluated under a different valuation framework than Diana on a stand-alone basis. We therefore believe Diana's current valuation represents a compelling opportunity for investors to benefit from the company's improving operating performance and the potential for a gradual re-rating over time. Diana Shipping Inc. stands on a strong foundation Built on over 50 years of industry experience and 20 years on the New York Stock Exchange. A seasoned management team adapt to addressing industry challenges and identifying opportunities. Strong stakeholder relationship and a disciplined strategic approach. A solid balance sheet with a strong cash position and a counter-cyclical mindset. Ongoing fleet modernization efforts A focus on rewarding our shareholders when possible. Thank you for joining us today. We are now happy to take your questions and ask that you keep them focused on our second quarter performance and related topics.

Thank you. We will now conduct a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star 2 to remove yourself from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star key. Once again, that's star 1 to ask a question at this time. One moment while we poll for questions. Once again, ladies and gentlemen, to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad. I would like to turn the call back over to management for closing comments.

Thank you for joining us today for Diana's second quarter of the year 2026 financial results. We look forward to presenting to you again in the next quarter. Thank you.

This concludes today's teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.