The Semiramis Paliou-led company Diana Shipping signed a $55m six-year secured term loan facility with National Bank of Greece S.A. on September 29.

As revealed by the shipowner, the full amount was drawn down immediately. The new loan maturing in September 2031 is secured by five vessels.

Ioannis Zafirakis, director, co-chief financial officer, chief strategy officer, treasurer and secretary of Diana Shipping, stated: “Through this strategic transaction, the company reaffirms its commitment to optimizing its capital structure while enhancing its operational and investing flexibility.”

Diana Shipping Inc.’s fleet currently consists of 36 dry bulk vessels (4 newcastlemax, 8 capesize, 4 post-panamax, 6 kamsarmax, 5 panamax and 9 ultramax).

The company also expects to take delivery of two methanol dual fuel new-building kamsarmax dry bulk vessels by the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028, respectively.

Currently, the combined carrying capacity of the company’s fleet, excluding the two vessels not yet delivered, is approximately 4.1 million dwt, with a weighted average age of 11.85 years.