Greek drybulk carrier Diana Shipping Inc said it will spin off 80 percent of its current interest in its containership unit.

The Athens, Greece-based company, which has a 55 percent interest in Diana Containerships, said it will distribute about 2.7 million shares of the unit.

The company said Diana Containerships common stock is expected to begin regular trading on Nasdaq on January 19, 2011 under the symbol "DCIX".

The company said its shareholders will own about 44 percent of Diana Containerships immediately after the distribution on Jan. 18. (Reuters)