Eagle Bulk Shipping to Build New Vessels

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc., which specializes in dry bulk shipping, signed contracts with the Japanese shipyard IHI Marine United Inc. to build two new vessels for about $33.5 million apiece. Eagle expects to take delivery of the Future-56 class Supramax vessels in the first quarter of 2010. Once delivered, Eagle Bulk Shipping's fleet will number 18 vessels, and 14 of them will be Supramax class, or slightly larger than the more popular Handymax vessels used in dry bulk shipping. The company also said it increased its borrowing capacity from the Royal Bank of Scotland to $500 million from $450 million. The company used $24.8 million from the credit facility as a down payment on the vessels. Eagle Bulk Shipping said more than $260 million remains on the credit facility. The company said financing the new vessels will not affect quarterly dividends. Shares of Eagle Bulk Shipping rose 3 cents to close at $17.10 on the Nasdaq. Source: AP