Paragon Shipping Announces Listing Transfer To Nasdaq Capital Market

ATHENS, Greece, Nov. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Paragon Shipping Inc. (NASDAQ: PRGN) (the "Company") announced today that it received a positive determination from the Nasdaq Stock Market granting approval of the Company's request to transfer its listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market from the Nasdaq Global Market. The Company has also been granted an additional 180-day grace period to regain compliance with the Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement.

The Company's securities will begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market effective at the opening of business on November 11, 2015. The Company's common shares and senior notes will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the symbols "PRGN" and "PRGNL," respectively. The Nasdaq Capital Market is a continuous trading market that operates in substantially the same manner as the Nasdaq Global Market. Listed companies must meet certain financial requirements and comply with Nasdaq's corporate governance requirements.

As previously reported, the Company was notified by Nasdaq Stock Market on May 14, 2015, that it no longer satisfied the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing of $1.00 per share, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). In anticipation of not meeting the minimum bid price requirement by November 10, 2015, the end of its initial 180-day grace period, the Company applied to transfer the listing of its stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market. As a result of the transfer to the Capital Market, the Company is being provided with an additional 180-day grace period to regain compliance with the Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement. In order to regain compliance, the minimum bid price per share of the Company's common stock must be at least $1.00 for at least ten consecutive business days during the additional 180-day grace period, which will end on May 9, 2016. The Company has provided written notice of its intention to cure the minimum bid price deficiency during the second grace period by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. If the Company fails to regain compliance during this grace period, the Company's common stock will be subject to delisting by Nasdaq.

About Paragon Shipping Inc.

Paragon Shipping is an international shipping company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands with executive offices in Athens, Greece, specializing in the transportation of drybulk cargoes. Paragon Shipping's current fleet consists of twelve drybulk vessels with a total carrying capacity of 719,769 dwt. In addition, Paragon Shipping's current newbuilding contracts consist of two Ultramax and three Kamsarmax drybulk carriers that are scheduled to be delivered between the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016. The Company's common shares and senior notes trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbols "PRGN" and "PRGNL," respectively. For more information, visit: www.paragonship.com. The information contained on Paragon Shipping'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]

DresnerAllenCaron
Rudy Barrio (Investors)
[email protected]
(212) 691-8087

SOURCE Paragon Shipping Inc.