NewLead Holdings Ltd. Announces 1-for-10 Reverse
Split of Common Shares

Piraeus, Greece, March 6, 2014

NewLead Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: NEWL) ("NewLead" or the "Company") today announced that a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of its common shares has been approved by the Company's Board of Directors and by written consent of a majority of shareholders, effective upon the commencement of trading today, March 6, 2014.

The reverse split will consolidate every ten common shares into one common share, par value of $0.10 per share. As a result of the reverse stock split, the number of common shares outstanding will be reduced from 53,721,525 to approximately 5,372,153 shares, subject to rounding up of all fractional shares to the nearest whole share. In respect to the underlying common shares associated with any derivative securities, such as warrants, options and convertible notes, the conversion and exercise prices and number of common shares issuable generally will be adjusted in accordance to the 1:10 ratio. The number of authorized common shares and preferred shares of NewLead will not be affected by the reverse split.

It is anticipated that the transaction will establish a higher market price for the Company's common shares and reduce per share transaction fees as well as certain administrative costs. The reverse stock split is being undertaken in an effort to regain compliance with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq.

NewLead's transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Co ("Continental"), will also act as exchange agent for the reverse stock split. After the reverse split takes effect, shareholders will receive information from Continental regarding the process for exchanging their common shares. Continental will notify shareholders of record that hold physical certificates as of the effective time to transmit outstanding share certificates, and, unless requested, will subsequently issue new book entry statements of holding representing one post-split common share for every ten common shares held of record as of the effective time. Shareholders that currently hold common shares in book entry form will receive updated statements of holding reflecting the reverse split and need not take any action.

About NewLead Holdings Ltd.
NewLead Holdings Ltd. is an international, vertically integrated shipping and commodity company that manages product tankers and dry bulk vessels. NewLead currently owns three dry bulk vessels, which includes one newbuilding. NewLead owns a wash plant and two mines in Kentucky, USA. NewLead's common shares are traded under the symbol "NEWL" on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. To learn more about NewLead Holdings Ltd., please visit the new website at www.newleadholdings.com.

NewLead Holdings Ltd. press release