Excel Maritime Agrees to Acquire MV Fiona Bulker

Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd a shipping company specializing in the seaborne transportation of dry bulk cargoes such as iron ore, coal and grains, announced that it agreed in late February 2005 to acquire a Handymax bulk carrier, MV Fiona Bulker, for a purchase price of $25.6 million. MV Fiona Bulker (to be renamed "MV Princess I") is a Handymax bulk carrier of approximately 38,800 dwt, built in 1994 by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries. The vessel is expected to be delivered by late May 2005. MV Fiona Bulker is the ninth vessel that the Company has agreed to acquire since Christopher Georgakis joined Excel Maritime as CEO in late October 2004. CEO Georgakis commented, "The acquisition of MV Fiona Bulker increases our tonnage carrying capacity and decreases the average age of fleet, which is consistent with our overall acquisition strategy."