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Published: 2024-02-12 17:40:59 ET
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6-K 1 form6-k.htm REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 6-K
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the month of February 2024
Commission File Number: 001-33869
 
STAR BULK CARRIERS CORP.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 
Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
c/o Star Bulk Management Inc.
40 Agiou Konstantinou Street,
15124 Maroussi,
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 ☒ Form 40-F ☐
 

  


INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT

On February 12, 2024, Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (the “Company”) issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing its unaudited financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. A copy of the Press Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Form 6-K, and the documents to which the Company refers in this Form 6-K, as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the Company, contain “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Words such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “targets,” “projects,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” “could” and similar expressions or phrases may identify forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The occurrence of the events described, and the achievement of the expected results, depend on many events, some or all of which are not predictable or within our control. Actual results may differ materially from expected results.

In addition, important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include:

  ●
uncertainties as to the timing of the proposed transaction between the Company and Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (“Eagle”, and such transaction, the “Eagle Merger”);
  ●
the possibility that the closing conditions, including approval of Eagle’s shareholders, to the proposed Eagle Merger may not be satisfied or waived;
  ●
the possibility that costs or difficulties related to the integration of the Company’s and Eagle’s operations will be greater than expected;
  ●
the effects of disruption by the announcement of the proposed Eagle Merger making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, vendors and other business partners;
  ●
risks related to the proposed Eagle Merger diverting management’s attention from the Company’s and Eagle’s ongoing business operations;
  ●
the possibility that the expected synergies and value creation from the proposed Eagle Merger will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period;
  ●
the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the contemplated transactions may affect the timing or occurrence of the contemplated Eagle Merger or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability;
  ●
transaction costs related to the Eagle Merger;
  ●
general dry bulk shipping market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values;
  ●
the strength of world economies;
  ●
the stability of Europe and the Euro;
  ●
fluctuations in currencies, interest rates and foreign exchange rates;
  ●
business disruptions due to natural disasters or other disasters outside our control, such as any new outbreaks or new variants of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) that may emerge;
  ●
the length and severity of epidemics and pandemics, including their impact on the demand for seaborne transportation in the dry bulk sector;
  ●
changes in supply and demand in the dry bulk shipping industry, including the market for our vessels and the number of newbuildings under construction;
  ●
the potential for technological innovation in the sector in which we operate and any corresponding reduction in the value of our vessels or the charter income derived therefrom;
  ●
changes in our expenses, including bunker prices, dry docking, crewing and insurance costs;
  ●
changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities;



  ●
potential liability from pending or future litigation and potential costs due to environmental damage and vessel collisions;
  ●
the impact of increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders, charterers and other market participants with respect to our Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) practices;
  ●
our ability to carry out our ESG initiatives and thereby meet our ESG goals and targets;
  ●
new environmental regulations and restrictions, whether at a global level stipulated by the International Maritime Organization, and/or regional/national level imposed by regional authorities such as the European Union or individual countries;
  ●
potential cyber-attacks which may disrupt our business operations;
  ●
general domestic and international political conditions or events, including “trade wars”, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden;
  ●
the impact on our common shares and reputation if our vessels were to call on ports located in countries that are subject to restrictions imposed by the U.S. or other governments;
  ●
potential physical disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, climate-related reasons (acute and chronic), political events, public health threats, international hostilities and instability, piracy or acts by terrorists;
  ●
the availability of financing and refinancing;
  ●
the failure of our contract counterparties to meet their obligations;
  ●
our ability to meet requirements for additional capital and financing to grow our business;
  ●
the impact of our indebtedness and the compliance with the covenants included in our debt agreements;
  ●
vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hire;
  ●
potential exposure or loss from investment in derivative instruments;
  ●
potential conflicts of interest involving our Chief Executive Officer, his family and other members of our senior management;
  ●
our ability to complete acquisition transactions as and when planned and upon the expected terms;
  ●
the impact of port or canal congestion or disruptions; and
  ●
the risk factors and other factors referred to in the Company’s reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements we make in this document are qualified by the information contained or referred to herein, including, but not limited to, (i) the information contained under this heading and (ii) the information disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended 2022, filed with the SEC on March 7, 2023.

You should carefully consider the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by us or persons acting on our behalf. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, a change in the Company’s views or expectations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.  New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of these factors.  Further, the Company cannot assess the impact of each such factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement.


SIGNATURE
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.
 
Dated:  February 12, 2024
 
Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
  
       

By:
/s/ Simos Spyrou  
    Name:
Simos Spyrou
 
    Title:
Co-Chief Financial Officer
 
       





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