📋 What This Document Is

This is the official proxy statement and notice for Star Bulk Carriers Corp.'s 2026 Annual Meeting. It's an invitation and instruction manual for shareholders. The company needs shareholders to vote on key items, and this document explains what those items are, how to vote, and why it's important.

👉 In simple terms: If you own shares (stock) in Star Bulk, this tells you about the big meeting, what decisions you get to make, and how to have your say.

🏢 What The Company Does

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (ticker: SBLK on Nasdaq) is a major global shipping company. It owns and operates a large fleet of dry bulk carrier vessels. These are the workhorse ships that transport essential commodities like iron ore, coal, and grain across the world's oceans.

👉 Why it matters: The company's performance is tied to global trade and commodity demand. This meeting is about overseeing the company's leadership and financial stewards.

🗓️ The Meeting Details

When: May 12, 2026, at 3:00 PM local time (Athens, Greece). Where: In person at their management office: 40, Ag. Konstantinou Str, 2nd floor, Marousi, Athens 151 24 Greece. Record Date: March 16, 2026. You had to own shares by this date to vote. Quorum Needed: Shareholders representing at least 1/3 (one-third) of all outstanding shares must be present (in person or by proxy) for the meeting to officially conduct business.

🗳️ The Proposals: What You're Voting On

Shareholders will vote on two main proposals. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends voting "FOR" both.

Proposal 1: Elect Four Directors

Shareholders vote to re-elect four "Class A" directors for a 3-year term until the 2029 meeting. The nominees are:

Mahesh Balakrishnan (Age 43): Chairman of the ESG Committee, former Managing Director at Oaktree Capital, deep financial and shipping investing experience.
Nikolaos Karellis (Age 77): Chairman of the Audit Committee, veteran banker with over 35 years in shipping finance, former Head of Shipping at HSBC Greece.
Eleni Vrettou (Age 47): CEO of CrediaBank, extensive experience in corporate and investment banking across Greece and the UK.
Gary Weston (Age 68): Former CEO of major drybulk operators like C Transport Maritime and Eagle Bulk Shipping, former CEO of the world's largest shipbroker, Clarksons PLC.

👉 Why it matters: You are voting on the people who oversee the company's strategy, management, and risk. Their combined experience is in shipping operations, finance, and banking—critical for a capital-intensive, cyclical business.

Proposal 2: Approve the Auditors

Shareholders are asked to approve the appointment of Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A. as the company's independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.

👉 Why it matters: The auditor verifies the company's financial statements are accurate and fair. Approving them is a standard but important check on financial accountability.

📬 How To Vote

You have several options:

By Mail: Complete, sign, and return the proxy card in the pre-paid envelope.
By Internet or Telephone: Follow the instructions on your proxy card.
In Person: Attend the meeting, bring photo ID, and vote directly (which revokes any prior proxy).

⚠️ Critical Point: If you sign and return a proxy without specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted "FOR" all proposals. If you want to vote differently, you must indicate that.

📞 Need Help?

For questions or assistance with voting, the company has retained a proxy solicitor: Advantage Proxy 24925 13th Place South Des Moines, WA 98198 Phone: (206) 870-8565 Email: [email protected]

🧠 The Analogy

Think of this annual meeting like a mandatory, annual tune-up for your car (the company). The shareholders (the car owners) are being asked to:

Approve the mechanic (Deloitte) who will check the engine's health (the financials).
Re-approve the driving coach (the Board of Directors) who sets the route and ensures the driver (management) is performing well.

You can't just ignore it; if you want your investment to run smoothly, you need to participate in choosing the key people who will oversee its operation.

🧩 Final Takeaway

This is a standard but crucial annual procedure where Star Bulk's shareholders are asked to re-elect four experienced directors and re-appoint their auditor. The company's board unanimously recommends voting "FOR" both proposals to ensure continued stable governance and financial oversight.

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. — 6-K Filing