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TOP SHIPS ANNOUNCES SALE OF THE M/T FAULTLESS
ATHENS, GREECE (March 19, 2008). TOP Ships Inc. (NasdaqGS:TOPS) announced
today that it has entered into an agreement to terminate its bare-boat charter for the
Suezmax tanker Faultless (DWT 154,970, built 1992), after sale of the vessel from its
owners to a third party.
The deferred gain from the original sale of approximately $4.2 million will be recognized
upon delivery of the vessel to its new owners, which is expected to occur in late March
2008.
Evangelos J. Pistiolis, President and CEO of TOP Ships Inc. commented: “The
unwinding of an additional Suezmax leasing contract is another step towards reducing
our financial expenditure and disposing our older tonnage. We will continue to pursue
further such opportunities, which we believe will enhance shareholder value.”
About TOP Ships Inc.
TOP Ships Inc., formerly known as TOP Tankers Inc., is an international provider of worldwide
seaborne crude oil and petroleum products and of drybulk transportation services. Upon delivery
of the Faultless to its new owners, the Company will operate a combined tanker and drybulk
fleet as follows:
• a fleet of 17 tankers, consisting of 9 double-hull Suezmax tankers and 8 double-hull
Handymax tankers, with a total carrying capacity of approximately 1.8 million dwt, of
which 85% are sister ships. Twelve of the Company’s 17 tankers are on time charter
contracts with an average initial term of over two years with all but three of the time
charters including profit sharing agreements above their base rates. In addition, the
Company has ordered six newbuilding product tankers, which are expected to be
delivered in the first half of 2009.
• a fleet of five drybulk vessels with delivery of one additional drybulk vessel expected
during March/April 2008. Including this vessel, three of the Company’s six drybulk
vessels will have period charter contracts for an average period of 18 months.
Top Ships Press Release
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