HispanicBusiness

Vessel Operating Expenses
Vessel operating expenses decreased 2.7%, or $0.8 million, to $29.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $30.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. The reduction is mainly attributable to the reduced costs of 6.1 vessels on average which were laid up during the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to 2.7 vessels on average during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The overall decrease in vessel operating expenses was offset in part by the increased average number of vessels in our fleet during the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012.

The average daily operating cost per vessel was reduced to $5,912 for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $5,945 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 (excluding those vessels on lay-up).

Depreciation & Amortization
Depreciation & Amortization includes Depreciation and Amortization of Deferred Dry-docking and Special Survey Costs.

Depreciation
Depreciation expense increased 7.3%, or $2.3 million, to $34.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $31.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase in depreciation expense was due to the increased average number of vessels in our fleet during the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Amortization of Deferred Dry-docking and Special Survey Costs
Amortization of deferred dry-docking and special survey costs increased 41.7%, or $0.5 million, to $1.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $1.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase reflects increased dry-docking and special survey costs incurred within the year and amortized during the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012.

General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased 2.1%, or $0.1 million, to $4.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $4.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was mainly the result of increased fees paid to our Manager in the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, due to the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.

Other Operating Expenses
Other Operating Expenses includes Voyage Expenses

Voyage Expenses
Voyage expenses increased by $0.2 million, to $3.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $2.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was mainly the result of increased voyage expenses, due to the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.

Interest Expense and Interest Income
Interest expense increased by 24.5%, or $4.5 million, to $22.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $18.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. The change in interest expense was due to the increase in our average debt by $263.7 million, to $3,388.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $3,125.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012. Furthermore, the financing of our newbuilding program resulted in $2.6 million of interest being capitalized, rather than such interest being recognized as an expense, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to nil interest being capitalized for the three months ended March 31, 2013, following the completion of our newbuilding program in June 2012.