Diana Shipping Fined $1.1 Million

Diana Shipping Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, Diana Shipping Services S.A. (DSS), was sentenced by the United States District Court in Norfolk, Virginia to a fine of $1,100,000 and a period of probation of three years and six months as a result of a conviction earlier this year by which DSS was held vicariously liable for the illegal acts of the M/V Thetis's Chief Engineer and second Engineer who were found guilty by the Court of violating several U.S. statutes and regulations in failing to properly handle bilge wastes, maintain required records and for obstruction of justice.

The Director and Treasurer of DSS, Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis, stated to the court that DSS has previously undertaken a comprehensive review of its existing Management System and operations, and implemented an Enhanced Environmental Management System, or EEMS, to ensure that all of the vessels managed by DSS are operated in accordance with applicable maritime environmental laws and regulations. Mr. Zafirakis also noted that the EEMS has been independently audited and certified as being ISO 14001 compliant and that environmental compliance will continue to be given utmost priority by Diana Shipping Services S.A. He added that DSS intends to continue to transform its corporate culture and operations to make certain that it is a model in the maritime industry for environmental compliance.

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