FORM 6-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D. C. 20549 Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the month of February 2007 Commission File Number: 001-32458 DIANA SHIPPING INC. (Translation of registrant's name into English) Diana Shipping Inc. Pendelis 16 175 64 Palaio Faliro Athens, Greece (Address of principal executive offices) 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): ___ 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: ___ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes [ ] No [ X ] If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): ________. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT Attached to this Report on Form 6-K as Exhibit 1 is a press release issued by Diana Shipping Inc. on February 21, 2007 announcing its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2006 and declaring a cash dividend for the fourth quarter of 2006. Exhibit 1 Corporate Contact: Ioannis Zafirakis Director and Vice-President Telephone: + 30-210-9470100 Email: izafirakis@dianashippinginc.com For Immediate Release Investor and Media Relations: Edward Nebb Euro RSCG Magnet Telephone: + 1-212-367-6848 Email: ed.nebb@eurorscg.com DIANA SHIPPING INC. REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND OF 46 CENTS PER SHARE FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2006 ATHENS, GREECE, February 21, 2007 - Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), a global shipping transportation company specializing in dry bulk cargoes, today reported net income of $19.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to net income of $13.9 million reported for the same period of 2005. Voyage and time charter revenues were $35.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, compared to $24.0 million for the same period of 2005. This increase was due to the growth in the number of vessels in the Company's fleet and to increased time charter rates. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2006, amounted to $61.1 million compared to net income of $65.0 million for the same period of 2005. Net income available to common stockholders during the period, after the non-recurring preferential deemed dividend of $20.3 million relating to the purchase of Diana Shipping Services S.A. on April 1, 2006, was $40.8 million. Voyage and time charter revenues were $116.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $103.1 million for the same period of 2005. Dividend Declaration The Company has declared a cash dividend on its common stock of $0.46 per share, based on its cash from operations during the fourth quarter of 2006. The cash dividend will be payable on or about March 14, 2007 to shareholders of record as of March 7, 2007. The Company has 53.05 million shares of common stock outstanding. "We are pleased that our earnings per share performance has continued its positive sequential trend during the year 2006. EPS rose during 2006 to US$0.37 in the fourth quarter, up from US$0.32 in the third quarter, US$0.28 in the second quarter (before the non-recurring preferential deemed dividend), and US$0.26 in the first quarter. We believe that our strategy of expanding our fleet, while maintaining a flexible chartering policy that permits the Company to benefit from the dynamic nature of the freight market, has driven our strong results and enabled us to continue increasing our dividend for the fourth quarter of 2006 to 46 cents per share," said Simeon Palios, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Diana Shipping Inc. Fleet Employment Profile Currently Diana's fleet is employed as follows: Sister Name ships(3) Year Built DWT Employment (1) Charter Expiration(2) ---------------- ----------- ------------- ---------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------- Nirefs A 2001 75,311 4TCs Average(4) + 4.5% Oct 23, 2007 - Jan 23, 2008 Alcyon A 2001 75,247 $22,582 Oct 15, 2007 - Feb 15, 2008 Triton A 2001 75,336 $24,400 Oct. 17, 2009 - Jan 17, 2010(5) Oceanis A 2001 75,211 $17,000 Apr 19, 2007 - Jun 19, 2007 Dione A 2001 75,172 $28,500 Nov 7, 2007 - Jan 17, 2008 Danae A 2001 75,106 $30,000 Apr 5, 2007 - Apr 24, 2007 Protefs B 2004 73,630 4TCs Average(4) Jan 04, 2007 - Mar 4, 2007 Calipso B 2005 73,691 $26,750 Dec 21, 2007 - Feb 21, 2008 Clio B 2005 73,691 4TCs Average(4) +$850 Feb 28, 2007 Thetis B 2004 73,583 $25,000 Aug 3, 2007 - Oct 18, 2007 Naias B 2006 73,546 $21,000 Jun 28 , 2007 - Sep 28, 2007 Erato C 2004 74,444 $30,500 Nov 9, 2007 - Jan 9, 2008 Coronis C 2006 74,381 $27,500 Jan 18, 2009 - Mar 18, 2009 Pantelis SP - 1999 169,883 $47,500 Jan 25, 2008 - Mar 25, 2008(6) Sideris GS D 2006 174,186 $41,000(7) Oct 17, 2010 - Jan 16, 2011(8) Semirio D 2007 175,000 $41,000(9) Apr 30, 2011 - Jul 30, 2011(8) Hull H1107(10) D 2010 177,000 - - Hull H1108(10) D 2010 177,000 - - ---------------- Total: 1,841,418 (1) Gross time charter rate per day. (2) Charterers' optional period to redeliver the vessel to owners. (3) Each vessel is a sister ship of the other vessels that have the same letter. (4) Adjustable every 15 days based on the average of four main pre-determined time charter routes, as published by the Baltic Exchange. (5) The charterer has the option to employ the vessel for a further 11-13 month period at a daily rate based on the average rate of four pre-determined time charter routes as published by the Baltic Exchange. The optional period, if exercised must be declared on or before the end of the 30th month of employment and can only commence at the end of the 36th month. (6) The vessel has been sold and is expected to be delivered to its new owners in July 2007. (7) The daily time charter rate will be $46,000 during the first year; $43,000 during the second year; $39,000 during the third year and $36,000 during the fourth year. (8) The charterer has the option to employ the vessel for a further 11-13 month period, counting from the end of the 48th month, at the daily time charter rate of $48,500. (9) The daily time charter rate will be $51,000 for the first and second year and $31,000 for the third and fourth year. The vessel is expected to be delivered to the Company in June 2007. (10) Expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2010. Summary of Selected Financials & Other Data Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2006 2005 2006 2005 -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) INCOME STATEMENT DATA (in thousands of US Dollars): Voyage and time charter revenues $ 35,184 $ 24,005 $ 116,101 $ 103,104 Voyage expenses 1,732 1,291 6,059 6,480 Vessel operating expenses 6,226 4,287 22,489 14,955 Net income 19,425 13,875 61,063 64,990 Net income available to common stockholders 19,425 13,875 40,796 64,990 FLEET DATA Average number of vessels 14.4 10.8 13.4 9.6 Number of vessels 15.0 12.0 15.0 12.0 Weighted average age of fleet (in years) 3.7 3.8 3.7 3.8 Ownership days 1,321 995 4,897 3,510 Available days 1,321 984 4,856 3,471 Operating days 1,319 980 4,849 3,460 Fleet utilization 99.8% 99.6% 99.9% 99.7% AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate (1) $ 25,323 $ 23,083 $ 22,661 $ 27,838 Daily vessel operating expenses (2) $ 4,713 $ 4,309 $ 4,592 $ 4,261 ------------- (1) Time charter equivalent rates, or TCE rates, are defined as our voyage and time charter revenues less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is consistent with industry standards. Voyage expenses include port charges, bunker (fuel) expenses, canal charges and commissions. TCE rate is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter hire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts while charter hire rates for vessels on time charters are generally expressed in such amounts. (2) Daily vessel operating expenses, which include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses, are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period. Conference Call and Webcast Information Diana Shipping Inc. will conduct a conference call and simultaneous Internet webcast to review these results at 9:00 A.M. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, February 22, 2007. Investors may access the webcast by visiting the Company's website at www.dianashippinginc.com, and clicking on the webcast link. The webcast also is accessible at www.viavid.net, by clicking on the Diana Shipping link under "Events". The conference call also may be accessed by telephone by dialing 1-877-692-2086 (for U.S.-based callers) or 1-973-935-8599 (for international callers). A replay of the webcast will be available soon after the completion of the call and will be accessible on both www.dianashippinginc.com and www.viavid.net. A telephone replay will be available by dialing 1-877-519-4471 (for U.S.-based callers) or 1-973-341-3080 (for international callers); callers must use the PIN number 8431680. About the Company Diana Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services. The Company specializes in transporting dry bulk cargoes, including such commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide shipping routes. Cautionary Statement Regarding 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," "will," "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, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe 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 our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our 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 our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our 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. (See financial tables attached) DIANA SHIPPING INC. FINANCIAL TABLES Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share, per day and fleet data CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2006 2005 2006 2005 ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) REVENUES: Voyage and time charter revenues $ 35,184 $ 24,005 $ 116,101 $ 103,104 EXPENSES: Vessel expenses 1,732 1,291 6,059 6,480 Vessel operating expenses 6,226 4,287 22,489 14,955 Depreciation and amortization of deferred charges 4,728 2,976 16,709 9,943 Management fees - 486 573 1,731 Executive management services and rent - 38 76 455 General and administrative expenses 1,932 841 6,331 2,871 Foreign currency losses (gains) 26 (1) (52) (30) ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Operating income 20,540 14,087 63,916 66,699 ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES): Interest and finance costs (1,317) (569) (3,886) (2,731) Interest Income 202 357 1,033 1,022 ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Total other income (expenses), net (1,115) (212) (2,853) (1,709) ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Net Income $ 19,425 $ 13,875 $ 61,063 $ 64,990 ============= ============= ============== ============== Preferential deemed dividend - - (20,267) - ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders $ 19,425 $ 13,875 $ 40,796 $ 64,990 ============= ============= ============== ============== Earnings/(losses) per common share, basic and diluted $ 0.37 $ 0.34 $ 0.82 $ 1.72 ============= ============= ============== ============== Weighted average number of common shares, basic and diluted 53,050,000 41,358,696 49,528,904 37,765,753 ============= ============= ============== ============== BALANCE SHEET DATA December 31, 2006 2005 -------------- ------------- ASSETS (unaudited) ------ Cash and cash equivalents 14,511 21,230 Other current assets 4,551 5,367 Advances for vessels under construction and acquisitions and other vessel costs 24,347 4,221 Vessels' net book value 464,439 307,305 Other fixed assets, net 897 - Other non-current assets 1,930 3,826 -------------- ------------- Total assets 510,675 341,949 ============== ============= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities, including current portion of long term debt 7,636 4,667 Long-term debt, net of current portion 138,239 12,859 Other non-current liabilities 1,697 265 Total stockholders' equity 363,103 324,158 -------------- ------------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 510,675 341,949 ============== ============= OTHER FINANCIAL DATA Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2006 2005 2006 2005 ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------- (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Net cash from operating activities $ 25,547 $ 11,592 $ 82,370 $ 69,256 Net cash used in investing activities (97,306) (77,754) (193,096) (169,241) Net cash from financing activities 77,860 57,408 104,007 119,457 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. DIANA SHIPPING INC. (registrant) Dated: February 23, 2007 By: /s/ Anastassis Margaronis -------------------------- Anastassis Margaronis President SK 23159 0002 750377