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 March 2020

SAFE BULKERS, INC.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Apt. D11, Les Acanthes 6, Avenue des Citronniers, MC98000 Monaco
(Address of principal executive office)

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  x           Form 40-F   o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in the Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes   o           No   x

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):








EXHIBIT INDEX


1.  Press Release dated March 19, 2020: Safe Bulkers, Inc. Announces Expansion of Common Stock Repurchase Program and Adoption of Preferred Stock Repurchase Program.







SIGNATURES

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.


Date: March 19, 2020

 

SAFE BULKERS, INC.

  

  

 

By:

/s/ Konstantinos Adamopoulos

 

Name:

Konstantinos Adamopoulos

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer









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Safe Bulkers, Inc. Announces Expansion of Common Stock Repurchase Program and Adoption of Preferred Stock Repurchase Program

Monaco – March 19, 2020 -- Safe Bulkers, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE: SB), an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, announced today that it has authorized the expansion of the previously announced share repurchase program with respect to 5,000,000 shares to 6,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. As of March 16, 2020, the Company has repurchased 3,093,035 shares of the Company’s common stock under the pre-existing share repurchase program and 3,406,965 shares of the Company’s common stock remain available for repurchase under the expanded share repurchase program. If the maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock are purchased pursuant to the repurchase program, it would represent approximately 3.3% of the shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock and 6.6% of its public float.

The Company also announced today that it has authorized a share repurchase program under which it may from time to time in the future purchase up to 100,000 shares of 8.00% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares, $0.01 par value per share, liquidation preference $25.00 per share (the “Series C Preferred Shares”) and up to 100,000 shares of 8.00% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares, $0.01 par value per share, liquidation preference $25.00 per share (the “Series D Preferred Shares”).  As of the date hereof, the Company has outstanding 2,300,000 shares of Series C Preferred Shares and 3,200,000 shares of Series D Preferred Shares.

The program does not obligate the Company to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock or preferred stock and the program may be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice. Any such purchases will be made in the open market in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and purchases of the Company’s common stock on the open market will be conducted within the safe harbor provisions of Regulation 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The purchases will be funded using the Company’s existing cash resources.

About Safe Bulkers, Inc.

The Company is an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, transporting bulk cargoes, particularly coal, grain and iron ore, along worldwide shipping routes for some of the world’s largest users of marine drybulk transportation services. The Company’s common stock, series C preferred stock and series D preferred stock are listed on the NYSE, and trade under the symbols “SB”, “SB.PR.C”, and “SB.PR.D”, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events, the Company’s growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy, including expected vessel acquisitions and entering into further time charters. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “hopes,” “estimates” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in the demand for drybulk vessels, competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates, risks associated with operations outside the United States and other factors listed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

For further information please contact:

Company Contact:

Dr. Loukas Barmparis

President
Safe Bulkers, Inc.

Athens, Greece

Tel.: +30 2 111 888 400

Fax: +30 2 111 878 500

E-Mail: directors@safebulkers.com


Investor Relations / Media Contact:

Nicolas Bornozis, President

Capital Link, Inc.

230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536

New York, N.Y. 10169

Tel.: (212) 661-7566

Fax: (212) 661-7526

E-Mail: safebulkers@capitallink.com