Golden Ocean Group Limited (NASDAQ: GOGL / OSE: GOGL) (the "Company" or "Golden Ocean"), a leading dry bulk shipping company, today announced its results for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. Reports net income of $6.5 million and earnings per share of $0.06 for the fourth quarter of 2016, an improvement of $33.2 million compared with a net loss of $26.7 million and a loss per share of $0.25 for the third quarter of 2016. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter was $24.2 million compared with $8.6 million in the third quarter of 2016. Reports net loss of $127.7 million and a loss per share of $1.34 for the full year 2016 compared with a net loss of $220.8 million and a loss per share of $7.3 in 2015. Took delivery of the Capesize newbuilding Front Mediterranean and immediately sold and delivered the vessel to its new owner, resulting in net positive cash flow of $12.7 million in the fourth quarter. Reached agreement with shipyards to defer delivery of ten newbuildings and achieved aggregate price reductions of $15.3 million. Took delivery of two Ultramax newbuildings, Golden Virgo and Golden Libra and two Capesize newbuildings, Golden Surabaya and Golden Savanna subsequent to the end of the fourth quarter. Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Ocean Management AS commented: "Freight rates improved during the fourth quarter as the dry bulk shipping market saw increased demand, combined with port congestion and a tight Atlantic market. The quarter was also characterized by rate volatility, which could be an early sign of a recovering market. Our results improved in the fourth quarter, and better rates will also have a positive impact on our results for the first quarter of 2017. Against this market backdrop, we continued to execute on our strategic plan by achieving further deferrals of vessel deliveries and securing price reductions related to the deferred newbuildings." Per Heiberg, Chief Financial Officer of Golden Ocean Management AS, added: "As earnings have strengthened and are now above the levels anticipated in our first quarter 2016 restructuring, we expect that a cash sweep will be triggered in the second quarter of 2017.  Given our significant leverage to an improving market, any sustained period of market strength will allow us to begin to deleverage the Company's balance sheet."