Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX) has entered into a time charter contract for its Kamsarmax dry bulk vessel m/v Astarte with Aquavita International S.A., according to a press release from the Athens-based company.

The gross charter rate is $17,000 per day, minus a 4.75% commission paid to third parties. The charter period runs from a minimum of September 1, 2027 to a maximum of November 15, 2027, with commencement expected on September 20, 2026. The contract is anticipated to generate approximately $5.81 million in gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period.

The m/v Astarte is an 81,513 deadweight ton Kamsarmax vessel built in 2013. The vessel is currently under charter to Propel Shipping Pte. Ltd. at a gross rate of $12,500 per day, minus a 5.00% commission paid to third parties.

Diana Shipping's fleet currently consists of 36 dry bulk vessels, including 4 Newcastlemax, 8 Capesize, 4 Post-Panamax, 6 Kamsarmax, 5 Panamax, and 9 Ultramax vessels. The company also expects to take delivery of two methanol dual fuel new-building Kamsarmax vessels by the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028. The fleet's combined carrying capacity, excluding the two undelivered vessels, is approximately 4.1 million deadweight tons, with a weighted average age of 12.81 years.