Diana Shipping Inc. a global shipping company specializing in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, today announced that it has entered into a time charter contract with Cargill International S.A., Geneva, for one of its Capesize dry bulk carriers, the m/v Semirio, at a gross charter rate of US$17,350 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period of about twenty-two (22) months to about twenty-six (26) months. The charter is expected to commence mid-May 2011.

This employment is anticipated to generate approximately US$11 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the charter.

The m/v Semirio is a 174,261 dwt Capesize dry bulk carrier built in 2007.