OSG suspends dividend payments

Tanker giant Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (NYSE: OSG), says that its Board of Directors has suspended the payment of regular quarterly dividends.  No dividend will be paid in the first quarter of 2012.

Commenting on the dividend suspension, Morten Arntzen, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated:  “The downturn in our international flag markets has been deeper and has lasted longer than we anticipated, as evidenced by a fairly tepid winter market.  At the same time, economic uncertainty in the world persists and the banking markets have become more challenging.  Therefore, to preserve liquidity and maintain financial flexibility, the Board suspended the quarterly dividend until further notice.  The Board will reassess the dividend as our markets improve.”

Mr. Arntzen added, “Today’s action should be seen as part of the longer term program at OSG to preserve liquidity, control costs and reduce general and administrative expenses throughout the company, an effort that has seen such expenses come down from $144 million in full year 2008 to under $90 million last year.  More recent actions include reduction in Director compensation, elimination of cash bonuses for 2011 and salary increases in 2012 for the entire senior management team, and return of vessels under loss making charters-in.  Management is committed to further reducing costs in 2012.”

February 9, 2011