Excel Maritime Reaches Agreements with Senior Lenders

Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd.

, an owner and operator of dry bulk carriers and an international provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes, today announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with a steering committee of its senior lenders on the terms of a financial restructuring to strengthen its balance sheet. Through this agreement, Excel Maritime expects to reduce its funded indebtedness and enhance its liquidity profile with the support of its senior lenders as it continues to provide first class service as a premier provider of dry bulk transportation services. Under the terms of the agreement Excel will receive: Up to $50 million infusion of capital as a result of an agreement between the senior lenders and an entity affiliated with the family of Gabriel Panayotides, Excel Maritime's Chairman of the Board of Directors. Under the terms of that agreement the entity affiliated with the family of Mr. Panayotides will receive a majority of the equity in Excel. The release