Paragon Shipping Inc. Reports First Quarter 2012 Results

ATHENS, Greece, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Paragon Shipping Inc. (NYSE: PRGN) ("Paragon Shipping", or the "Company"), a global shipping transportation company specializing in drybulk cargoes, announced today its results for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Financial Highlights
(Expressed in United States Dollars where applicable)

To access the full press release, including the financial tables, please click on the following link, or type this address into your internet browser: http://www.paragonship.com/news.php.

If you would like a copy of the release mailed or faxed, please contact Allen & Caron Investor Relations at 212-691-8087.

Conference Call and Webcast details
The Company's management team will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2012 results on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 9:00 am Eastern Time.

Participants should dial into the call ten minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers 1-877-317-6789 (USA) or +1-412-317-6789 (international) to access the call. A replay of the conference call will be available until July 2, 2012 and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-344-7529 (USA) or +1-412-317-0088 (international) and using access code 10015462.

Slides and audio webcast
There will also be a simultaneous live webcast through the Company's website, www.paragonship.com. Participants should register on the website approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the webcast. If you would like a copy of the release mailed or faxed, please contact Allen & Caron Investor Relations at 212-691-8087.

About Paragon Shipping Inc.
Paragon Shipping is a Marshall Islands-based international shipping company with executive offices in Athens, Greece, specializing in the transportation of drybulk cargoes. The Company's current fleet consists of twelve drybulk vessels with a total carrying capacity of 779,270 dwt. In addition, the Company's current newbuilding program consists of two Handysize drybulk carriers that are scheduled to be delivered in 2012 and two 4,800 TEU Containerships that are scheduled to be delivered in 2013. Paragon Shipping has granted Box Ships Inc., an affiliated company, the option to acquire its two Containerships under construction. For more information, visit: www.paragonship.com (the information contained on the Company's website does not constitute part of this press release).

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for drybulk shipping capacity, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, 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, as well as other risks that have been included in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available at www.sec.gov.

Contacts:

Paragon Shipping Inc.
[email protected]

Allen & Caron Inc.
Rudy Barrio (Investors)
[email protected]
(212) 691-8087

Len Hall (Media)
[email protected]
(949) 474-4300

SOURCE Paragon Shipping Inc.