DryShips Inc. Announces Receipt of Nasdaq Notice

Athens, Greece - April 15, 2015

DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ:DRYS) (the “Company” or “DryShips”), a global provider of marine transportation services for drybulk and petroleum cargoes, and through its majority owned subsidiary, Ocean Rig UDW Inc., of off-shore contract drilling oil services, announced today it has received written notification from The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) dated April 13, 2015, indicating that because the closing bid price of the Company's common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, the Company no longer meets the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Global Select Market, set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1).

Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the applicable grace period to regain compliance is 180 days, or until October 12, 2015.

The Company intends to monitor the closing bid price of its common stock between now and October 12, 2015 and is considering its options, including a reverse stock split, in order to regain compliance with the Nasdaq Global Select Market minimum bid price requirement. The Company can cure this deficiency if the closing bid price of its common stock is $1.00 per share or higher for at least ten consecutive business days during the grace period. In the event the Company does not regain compliance within the 180-day grace period and it meets all other listing standards and requirements, the Company may be eligible for an additional 180-day grace period if it transfers to the Nasdaq Capital Market.

The Company intends to cure the deficiency within the prescribed grace period. During this time, the Company's common stock will continue to be listed and trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

The Company's business operations are not affected by the receipt of the notification.

About DryShips Inc.
DryShips Inc. is an owner of drybulk carriers and tankers that operate worldwide. Through its majority owned subsidiary, Ocean Rig UDW Inc., DryShips owns and operates 13 offshore ultra deepwater drilling units, comprising of 2 ultra deepwater semisubmersible drilling rigs and 11 ultra deepwater drillships, 1 of which is scheduled to be delivered to Ocean Rig during 2016 and 2 of which are scheduled to be delivered during 2017. DryShips owns a fleet of 39 drybulk carriers, comprising 13 Capesize, 24 Panamax and 2 Supramax with a combined deadweight tonnage of approximately 4.3 million tons, and 10 tankers, comprising 4 Suezmax and 6 Aframax, with a combined deadweight tonnage of over 1.3 million tons.

DryShips Inc. press release