FORM
6-K
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
REPORT
OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the
month of February 2010
Commission
File Number: 001-33869
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Star
Bulk Carriers Corp.
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|
(Translation
of registrant's name into English)
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|
7,
Fragoklisias Street, 2nd
floor, Maroussi 151 25, Athens, Greece
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(Address
of principal executive office)
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under
cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F
[X] Form 40-F
[ ]
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted
by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___
Note:
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K
if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security
holders.
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted
by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)7: ___
Note:
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K
if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign
private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction
in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the
registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on
which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other
document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been
distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material
event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission
filing on EDGAR.
INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
Attached
as Exhibit 1 is a copy of the press release of Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (the
"Company"), dated February 2, 2010, announcing the Company's sale of the Star
Beta. Attached as Exhibit 2 is a copy of the Company's press release
dated February 22, 2010, announcing the Company's acquisition of a capesize
drybulk vessel. Attached as Exhibit 3 is a copy of the Company's press
release dated February 23, 2010, announcing a cash dividend of $0.05 per
outstanding share of the Company's common stock for the three months ending
December 31, 2009.
This
report on Form 6-K, except for the sections entitled "Akis Tsirigakis, President
and CEO of Star Bulk, commented" contained in each of Exhibits 1, 2
and 3, is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company's
registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-153304) that was filed with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") with an effective date of
November 3, 2008, and the Company's registration statement on Form F-3 (File No.
333-156843) that was filed with the Commission with an effective date of
February 17, 2009.
Exhibit 2 has been revised
to correct a typographical error.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
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Star
Bulk Carriers Corp.
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Dated: February
24, 2010
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By: /s/ Prokopios
Tsirigakis
Name: Prokopios
Tsirigakis
Title: Chief
Executive Officer and President
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Exhibit
1
STAR
BULK ANNOUNCES THE SALE OF THE CAPESIZE VESSEL STAR BETA
ATHENS, GREECE,
February 02, 2010 - Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (the "Company" or "Star
Bulk") (NASDAQ: SBLK), a global shipping company focusing on transportation of
dry bulk cargoes, today announced that the Company has entered into an agreement
to sell the Star Beta, a 174,691 dwt Capesize vessel, built 1993, to a
third party for a contracted sale price of $22 million. The company
expects to deliver the vessel to the buyers in the second quarter of 2010 upon
its redelivery from the current time charter.
Akis Tsirigakis,
President and CEO of Star Bulk, commented: "We are pleased having agreed
to sell one of our oldest vessels. We look forward to concentrate on
renewing and growing our fleet. Our entire fleet is secured by period contracts
and following the sale of the Star Beta, 92% of the fleet operating days for
2010 will be contracted and the fleet average age will be 9.4
years."
About
Star Bulk
Star Bulk
is a global shipping company providing worldwide seaborne transportation
solutions in the drybulk sector. Star Bulk's vessels transport major bulks,
which include iron ore, coal and grain and minor bulks such as bauxite,
fertilizers and steel products. Star Bulk was incorporated in the Marshall
Islands on December 13, 2006 and maintains executive offices in Athens, Greece.
Its common stock and warrants trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the
symbols "SBLK" and "SBLKW" respectively. Currently, Star Bulk has an operating
fleet of eleven dry bulk carriers with a definitive agreement to sell one of its
carriers. The total fleet consists of three Capesize, the largest type of dry
bulk vessel and eight modern type Supramax dry bulk vessels, equipped with
cranes and fitted with grabs for self-discharging. The average age of the fleet
is approximately 10.1 years with a combined cargo carrying capacity of 931,178
deadweight tons.
Forward-Looking
Statements
The
information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements
regarding: (1) the delivery and operation of assets of Star Bulk; (2) Star
Bulk's future operating or financial results; (3) future, pending or recent
acquisitions, business strategy, areas of possible expansion, and expected
capital spending or operating expenses; (4) drybulk market trends, including
charter rates and factors affecting vessel supply and demand; and (5) other
statements identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan,"
"estimate," "expect," "intend," "should," "may," or words of similar
meaning.
Such
forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions, many of which are
based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, Star
Bulk's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in their
records and other data available from third parties. Although Star Bulk believes
that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are
inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are
difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its control, Star Bulk cannot
assure you that Star Bulk will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs
or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the
failure of a seller to deliver one or more vessels, the strength of world
economies and currencies, general market conditions, including changes in
charterhire rates and vessel values, changes in demand that may affect attitudes
of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydocking, changes in Star
Bulk's operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance
costs, or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from
pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions,
potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents and political events or
acts by terrorists. Additional factors that could cause Star Bulk's results to
differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be
found in Star Bulk's Registration Statement on Form F-1/F-4, Annual Reports on
Forms 20-F for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, in Registration
Statement on Form F-3 filled in September 2008 and its amendments, in
Registration Statement on Form F-3 filled in January 2009 and its amendments,
and reports on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") and available at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). The
information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and Star Bulk
disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements
as a result of developments occurring after the date of this
communication.
Contacts:
Company
:
George
Syllantavos
CFO
Star Bulk
Carriers Corp.
c/o Star
Bulk Management Inc.
7
Fragoklisias Str.
Maroussi
15125
Athens,
Greece
www.starbulk.com
Investor
Relations / Financial Media:
Nicolas
Bornozis
President
Capital
Link, Inc.
230 Park
Avenue, Suite 1536
New York,
NY 10169
Tel.
(212) 661-7566
E-mail:
starbulk@capitallink.com
www.capitallink.com
STAR
BULK ACQUIRES A CAPESIZE BULK CARRIER TO REPLACE THE RECENTLY SOLD CAPESIZE STAR
ALPHA
ATHENS, GREECE,
February 22, 2010 – Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (the "Company" or "Star
Bulk") (NASDAQ: SBLK) today announced that it has entered into a definitive
agreement to acquire a Capesize bulk carrier of approximately 171,000 dwt, built
in 2000 in Japan, for approximately $42.5 million from a third party. The vessel
will be financed through a combination of company cash and bank
debt.
The
vessel, to be renamed the M/V Star Aurora, is currently expected to be delivered
charter-free to Star Bulk within October/November 2010. Star Bulk intends to
secure period time-charter employment for the vessel prior to its delivery to
the Company.
The
Company acquired the vessel to replace the Capesize Star Alpha which was sold
and delivered to its buyers in the fourth quarter of 2009. This acquisition will
bring Star Bulk's fleet to twelve vessels of approximately 1.1 million dwt and
an average age of approximately 10.2 years.
Akis Tsirigakis,
President and CEO of Star Bulk, commented: "We are pleased to acquire a
younger capsize vessel of quality to replace the older one sold. Currently, our
fleet is contracted 92% for 2010 and 53% for 2011 operating days, amongst the
highest contract coverage. We continue to focus on enhancing shareholder value
supported by our strong balance sheet and liquidity."
About
Star Bulk
Star Bulk
is a global shipping company providing worldwide seaborne transportation
solutions in the dry bulk sector. Star Bulk's vessels transport major bulks,
which include iron ore, coal and grain and minor bulks such as bauxite,
fertilizers and steel products. Star Bulk was incorporated in the Marshall
Islands on December 13, 2006 and maintains executive offices in Athens, Greece.
Its common stock and warrants trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the
symbols "SBLK" and "SBLKW" respectively. Currently, Star Bulk has an operating
fleet of eleven dry bulk carriers with definitive agreements to buy one as well
as sell one of them. The fleet consists of three Capesize, and eight
grab-fitted, self-discharging Supramax vessels with an average age of
approximately 10.2 years and a combined cargo carrying capacity of 931,178
deadweight tons.
Forward-Looking
Statements
Matters
discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor
protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to
provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements
include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future
events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which
are other than statements of historical facts.
The
Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary
statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe,"
"anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential,"
"may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements.
The
forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various
assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions,
including without limitation, examination by the Company's management of
historical operating trends, data contained in its records and other data
available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these
assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently
subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or
impossible to predict and are beyond the Company's control, the Company cannot
assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or
projections.
In
addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the
Company's view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those
discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world
economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in
charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping
capacity, changes in the Company's operating expenses, including bunker prices,
drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Company's vessels,
availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and
regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from
pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political
conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or
political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other
factors. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The
information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and the Company
disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements
as a result of developments occurring after the date of this
communication.
Contacts
:
Company
:
George
Syllantavos
CFO
Star Bulk
Carriers Corp.
c/o Star
Bulk Management Inc.
7
Fragoklisias Str.
Maroussi
15125
Athens,
Greece
www.starbulk.com
Investor
Relations / Financial Media:
Nicolas
Bornozis
President
Capital
Link, Inc.
230 Park
Avenue, Suite 1536
New York,
NY 10169
Tel.
(212) 661-7566
E-mail:
starbulk@capitallink.com
www.capitallink.com
]STAR
BULK DECLARES DIVIDEND OF $0.05 PER SHARE FOR THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31,
2009
ATHENS, GREECE,
February 23, 2010 – Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (the “Company” or “Star
Bulk”) (NASDAQ: SBLK) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a
cash dividend of $0.05 per outstanding share of the Company's common stock for
the three months ending December 31, 2009. The dividend is payable on or about
March 11, 2010 to shareholders of record as of March 8,
2010.
Akis Tsirigakis, President and CEO of Star Bulk, commented: "We are pleased to continue rewarding our investors through the distribution of quarterly dividends. We are particularly pleased to be re-paying debt in an accelerated manner while still maintaining ample liquidity and achieving this in an organic manner through initial planning, set as early as 2007.”
About
Star Bulk
Star
Bulk is a global shipping company providing worldwide seaborne transportation
solutions in the dry bulk sector. Star Bulk's vessels transport major bulks,
which include iron ore, coal and grain and minor bulks such as bauxite,
fertilizers and steel products. Star Bulk was incorporated in the Marshall
Islands on December 13, 2006 and maintains executive offices in Athens, Greece.
Its common stock and warrants trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the
symbols "SBLK" and "SBLKW" respectively. Currently, Star Bulk has an operating
fleet of eleven dry bulk carriers with definitive agreements to buy one as well
as sell one of them. The fleet consists of three Capesize, and eight
grab-fitted, self-discharging Supramax vessels with an average age of
approximately 10.2 years and a combined cargo carrying capacity of 931,178
deadweight tons.
Forward-Looking
Statements
Matters
discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor
protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to
provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements
include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future
events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which
are other than statements of historical facts.
The
Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary
statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe,"
"anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential,"
"may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements.
The
forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various
assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions,
including without limitation, examination by the Company's management of
historical operating trends, data contained in its records and other data
available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these
assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently
subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or
impossible to predict and are beyond the Company's control, the Company cannot
assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or
projections.
In
addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the
Company's view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those
discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world
economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in
charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping
capacity, changes in the Company's operating expenses, including bunker prices,
drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Company's vessels,
availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and
regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from
pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political
conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or
political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other
factors. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The
information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and the Company
disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements
as a result of developments occurring after the date of this
communication.
Contacts
:
Company
:
George
Syllantavos
CFO
Star
Bulk Carriers Corp.
c/o
Star Bulk Management Inc.
7
Fragoklisias Str.
Maroussi
15125
Athens,
Greece
www.starbulk.com
Investor
Relations / Financial Media:
Nicolas
Bornozis
President
Capital
Link, Inc.
230
Park Avenue, Suite 1536
New
York, NY 10169
Tel.
(212) 661-7566
E-mail:
starbulk@capitallink.com
www.capitallink.com