NewLead Holdings Ltd. Announces Completion of First Phase of Turnaround -- $21.7 million sale of three non-core vessels -- $37.0 million purchase of newbuild Post-Panamax vessel

PIRAEUS, Greece, April 28, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --NewLead Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: NEWL) ("NewLead") announced today that it has completed the first phase of its turnaround with the sale of three additional non-core vessels and the agreement to purchase one newbuild Post-Panamax vessel.

Since the recapitalization of NewLead in October 2009, management has focused on a new strategy including the disposition of inefficient vessels, exit from the container industry, acquisition of vessels with quality time charters and creation of a newbuilding program. As a result of these actions, NewLead's fleet has expanded by over 50%. In addition, management focused on improving profitability by bringing in-house commercial and technical expertise.

As a result of the transactions announced today, NewLead will have a diversified fleet of 17 vessels, of which seven are product tankers and ten are drybulk vessels (including newbuildings) with an average age of 9.4 years and total dwt of 408,606 for product tankers and 1,141,308 for drybulk vessels (including newbuildings).

Michael S. Zolotas, President and Chief Executive Officer of NewLead Holdings Ltd., stated, "Our ability to secure the Post-Panamax contract at a competitive price is a testament to our relationship with the leading shipyards. With the two newbuild Kamsarmaxes announced earlier this year and the addition of this Post-Panamax, we are renewing our fleet in order to maintain a competitive position in the industry."

Purchase of One Newbuild Post-Panamax Vessel

NewLead reached an agreement to purchase a 92,000 dwt Post-Panamax vessel, being constructed at a first-class shipyard in Korea. Delivery is expected in the second quarter of 2011. NewLead anticipates financing the vessel with a combination of debt and cash from the balance sheet. Once delivered, the vessel will immediately be chartered-out for approximately seven years at a floor rate of $15,000 per day plus 50/50 profit sharing from a first class European charterer.

Sale of Non-Core Vessels

NewLead concluded the sale of the High Rider and entered into an agreement to sell the Ostria and the Nordanvind for anticipated aggregate gross proceeds of $21.7 million. The High Rider is a 1991 Japanese-built, 41,502 dwt, MR tanker. The Ostria and the Nordanvind are 2000 and 2001, respectively, Romanian-built, 38,615 dwt, MR tankers. The sale of Ostria and Nordanvind is expected to be concluded during the second quarter of 2010. NewLead also intends to sell the High Land, its last non-core vessel, a 1992 Japanese-built, 41,450 dwt, MR tanker during the third quarter of 2010.

The four vessels had been operating at sub-par rates on the spot market for an extended period. Divesting these inefficient vessels is expected to favorably impact EBITDA by approximately $6.6 million annually. NewLead plans to use the proceeds from the sales to renew its fleet or reduce its outstanding indebtedness.

About NewLead Holdings Ltd.

NewLead Holdings Ltd. is an international shipping company that owns and operates product tankers and dry bulk vessels. NewLead's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market where it trades under the symbol "NEWL".

Source: NewLead Holdings Ltd.