OceanPal Inc. Announces Entry Into Agreement to Acquire Capesize Dry Bulk Vessel

Rhea-AI Summary

OceanPal Inc. announced a Memorandum of Agreement to acquire the m/v Baltimore from Diana Shipping Inc. for $22 million. The payment structure includes 20% cash upon signing and 80% in preferred shares upon delivery. The vessel, a 2005-built Capesize dry bulk ship, has a carrying capacity of 177,243 dwt and is expected to be delivered in Q3 2022 after a scheduled drydocking. This purchase utilizes a right of first refusal agreement from 2021 and received approval from independent board members.

Positive

• Acquisition of m/v Baltimore enhances fleet size and capacity.
• Strategic purchase backed by independent broker valuations, ensuring fair pricing.

Negative

• 80% of the payment is in preferred stock, potentially diluting existing shareholders' equity.
• Dependence on the completion of drydocking for timely delivery may introduce delays.

ATHENS, Greece, June 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OceanPal Inc. (NASDAQ: OP) (the “Company”), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of vessels, today announced that it has signed, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, a Memorandum of Agreement dated June 13, 2022, to acquire the m/v Baltimore from Diana Shipping Inc., a related party of the Company, for an aggregate purchase price of $22.0 million. Of the purchase price, 20% was paid in cash upon the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement and the remaining 80% is expected to be paid upon delivery of the vessel to OceanPal in the form of shares of a new series of the Company's preferred stock, the terms of which will be mutually agreed upon between the Company and Diana Shipping Inc., and are expected to include, among other terms, a preferred dividend and the right to convert the newly issued preferred shares into OceanPal common shares at any time after the issue date. The aggregate purchase price of the vessel was based on the average of two independent broker valuations, after adjusting for expected drydock expenses and taking into account the share-based component of the consideration.

The m/v Baltimore is a 2005-built Capesize dry bulk vessel having a carrying capacity of 177,243 dwt. The Company expects to take delivery of the vessel in the third quarter of 2022 following the completion of the vessel’s next scheduled drydocking, the cost of which is reflected in the aggregate purchase price. The purchase of this vessel was made pursuant to the Company’s exercise of a right of first refusal granted to it by Diana Shipping Inc. on six identified vessels (including the m/v Baltimore) based on an agreement dated November 8, 2021. The acquisition was approved by a committee of independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

OceanPal Inc.’s fleet currently consists of 3 dry bulk vessels (1 Capesize and 2 Panamax). A table describing the current OceanPal Inc. fleet can be found on the Company’s website, www.oceanpal.com. Information contained on the Company’s website does not constitute a part of this press release.

About the Company

OceanPal Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership of vessels. The Company’s vessels currently transport a range of dry bulk cargoes, including such commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide shipping routes and it is expected that the Company’s vessels will be primarily employed on short term time and voyage charters following the completion of their current employments.

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.

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,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “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, Company 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 that 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.

In addition to these important factors, other 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 severity, magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including impacts of the pandemic and of businesses’ and governments’ responses to the pandemic on our operations, personnel, and on the demand for seaborne transportation of bulk products; 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 the Company’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Company’s 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, including risks associated with the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and related sanctions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

FAQ

What is the purpose of OceanPal's acquisition of m/v Baltimore?

To enhance the fleet capacity and operational capabilities.

What is the value of the acquisition of m/v Baltimore?

The acquisition is valued at $22 million.

When is the expected delivery date for the m/v Baltimore?

The vessel is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2022.

How is the acquisition of m/v Baltimore financed?

20% is paid in cash and 80% in preferred shares upon delivery.

What type of vessel is the m/v Baltimore?

It is a Capesize dry bulk vessel with a carrying capacity of 177,243 dwt.