Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (Star Bulk) is an international company providing worldwide transportation of drybulk commodities through its vessel-owning subsidiaries for a range of customers of major and minor bulk cargoes including iron ore, coal, grain, cement and fertilizer. As of December 31, 2008, the Company owns and operates a fleet of 12 vessels consisting of four Capesize and eight Supramax drybulk carriers with an average age of ten years and a combined cargo carrying capacity of approximately 1.1 million dwt. Star Bulk’s fleet carries a variety of drybulk commodities including coal, iron ore, and grains, or major bulks, as well as bauxite, phosphate, fertilizers and steel products, or minor bulks. It charters all of its vessels on medium- to long-term time charters with terms of approximately 1 to 5 years, other than the Star Alpha, which is employed under a contract of affreightment (COA).