FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of December 2005
DIANA SHIPPING INC.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Diana Shipping Inc.
Pendelis 16
175 64 Palaio Faliro
Athens, Greece
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [_]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes [_] No [X]
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
Attached to this Report on Form 6-K as Exhibit 1 is a copy of the press
release issued by Diana Shipping Inc. (the "Company") on December 20, 2005,
announcing that its President, Anastassis Margaronis, was interviewed by the
Wall Street Reporter.
EXHIBIT 1
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Corporate Contact:
Ioannis Zafirakis
Director and Vice-President
Telephone: + 30-210-9470100
izafirakis@dianashippinginc.com
For Immediate Release
Investor and Media Relations:
Edward Nebb
Euro RSCG Magnet
Telephone: + 1-212-367-6848
ed.nebb@eurorscg.com
Diana Shipping Inc. President Anastassis Margaronis
Interviewed by Wall Street Reporter
ATHENS, GREECE, December 20, 2005 - Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX) today
announced that its President, Anastassis Margaronis, has been interviewed by the
Wall Street Reporter online publication. The interview may be heard by logging
onto the website www.wallstreetreporter.com.
Among the topics discussed in the interview are the following:
o Supply and demand conditions and the role of China and India in driving the
growth of the dry bulk shipping market.
o Management's view as to short-term trends in dry bulk shipping rates, and
the effect that any rise in those rates will have on the Company, as Diana
Shipping has seven vessels on short-term time charters that will expire
through early 2006.
o The Company's strategy of maintaining a young, cost-efficient fleet.
o The track record and significant equity ownership of the Company's
management team.
o The Company's low level of debt and its ability to support future growth.
o Diana Shipping's high dividend payout policy (quarterly dividends equal to
100% of cash from operations, less drydocking reserves).
About Diana Shipping Inc.
Diana Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services.
The Company specializes in transporting dry bulk cargoes, including such
commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide
shipping routes. The Company currently owns nine modern Panamax and one modern
Capesize bulk carrier and has agreed to acquire three additional modern Panamax
dry bulk carriers.
Additional information about the Company may be found in the Company's
prospectus dated December 6, 2005, that is filed with the SEC and which you may
obtain, free of charge, by visiting the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking
statements. 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.
Forward-looking statements 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 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 this safe harbor legislation. The words
"believe," "except," "anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project,"
"plan," "potential," "will," "may," "should," "expect" "pending and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various
assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions,
including without limitation, our management's examination of historical
operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from
third parties. Although we believe 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 our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish
these expectations, beliefs or projections.
In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our
view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in
the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and
currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates
and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity, changes in
our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs,
the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, 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, vessels breakdowns and
instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and
other risks and uncertainties.
# # #
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
DIANA SHIPPING INC.
(registrant)
Dated: December 20, 2005 By: /s/ Anastassis Margaronis
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Anastassis Margaronis
President
23159.0003 #628362