FORM 6-K


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549



                        Report of Foreign Private Issuer
                      Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                          For the month of August 2006


                               DIANA SHIPPING INC.
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                               Diana Shipping Inc.
                                   Pendelis 16
                              175 64 Palaio Faliro
                                 Athens, Greece

                    (Address of principal executive offices)

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

                        Form 20-F  X      Form 40-F
                                 -----             -----

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

                              Yes         No  X
                                 -----      -----



INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT

     Attached to this Report on Form 6-K as Exhibit 1 is a press release  issued
by Diana  Shipping  Inc. (the  "Company")  announcing  the  Company's  financial
results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006 and announcing a cash
dividend with respect to the second quarter of 2006.



                                                                       Exhibit 1
                                         Corporate Contact:
                                         Ioannis Zafirakis
                                         Director and Vice-President
For Immediate Release                    Telephone: + 30-210-9470100
                                         Email: izafirakis@dianashippinginc.com

                                         Investor and Media Relations:
                                         Edward Nebb
                                         Euro RSCG Magnet
                                         Telephone: + 1-212-367-6848
                                         Email: ed.nebb@eurorscg.com



                  DIANA SHIPPING INC. REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS
            FOR THE SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006

                 DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND OF 35.5 CENTS PER SHARE
                             FOR THE SECOND QUARTER


ATHENS,  GREECE,  August 9, 2006 - Diana  Shipping  Inc.  (NYSE:  DSX), a global
shipping transportation company specializing in dry bulk cargoes, today reported
net income of $13.2  million  for the second  quarter of 2006,  compared  to net
income of $20.1 million reported in the second quarter of 2005.

The  results  for  the  2006  second   quarter  also  include  a   non-recurring
preferential  deemed  dividend in the amount of $20.3  million,  relating to the
purchase of Diana  Shipping  Services S.A.,  the fleet  management  company that
Diana Shipping Inc.  acquired on April 1, 2006. Taking into account this amount,
the Company recorded a net loss available to common  stockholders for the second
quarter of 2006 of $7.1 million.  The accounting treatment of the acquisition of
the fleet manager was first  described in the Company's  initial public offering
prospectus.

Voyage and time charter  revenues were $26.1  million for the second  quarter of
2006,  compared to $29.4 million for the same period of 2005,  due to a decrease
in prevailing  time charter rates offset by an increase in the number of vessels
in the Company's fleet. Voyage and time charter revenues and net income reported
for the second quarter of 2006 have been reduced by $0.8 million, reflecting the
non-cash  amortization  of the prepaid time charter revenue of the vessel Thetis
to apply for the entire duration of the time charter contract.

Net income for the six months  ended June 30,  2006,  amounted to $24.9  million
compared to net income of $34.7 million for the same period of 2005.  Net income
available to common stockholders during the period was $4.6 million.  Voyage and
time  charter  revenues  were  $50.3  million  for the first six months of 2006,
compared to $53.3  million for the same period of 2005.  Voyage and time charter
revenues  and net income  reported  for the six months  ended June 30, 2006 have
been  reduced by $1.6  million,  reflecting  the  non-cash  amortization  of the
prepaid  time  charter  revenue  of the  vessel  Thetis to apply for the  entire
duration of the time charter contract.

"We are pleased to announce that we have increased  earnings per share, prior to
the preferential  deemed dividend,  to US$0.28 from US$0.26 as compared with the
first  quarter,  an increase  of 7.7%.  Our  business  strategy  and  successful
chartering  policy have  resulted in our being able to increase our dividend for
the second  quarter  of 2006 to 35.5 cents per share,  more than we paid for the
first quarter of 2006. Since our Company became public, we have declared US$95.8
million in dividends for our  shareholders,"  said Simeon  Palios,  Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Diana Shipping Inc.

Mr. Palios also cited the Company's  low debt,  high dividend  payout policy and
prudent  chartering  strategy.  He noted, "The time charter contracts we entered
into for four of our vessels  earlier this year,  which  adjust  their  earnings
based on the  daily  average  time  charter  rates on four  established  routes,
together  with the vessels  whose  employment  contracts  are due for renewal in
2006,  should enable our Company to take  advantage of favorable  freight market
conditions going forward."

Dividend declaration
The  Company  has  declared a cash  dividend  on its common  stock of $0.355 per
share,  based on the Company's results from operations during the second quarter
ended June 30, 2006.  The cash  dividend  will be payable on or about August 31,
2006 to  shareholders  of record as of August 18,  2006.  The  Company has 53.05
million shares of common stock outstanding.

Fleet Employment Profile
Currently Diana's fleet is employed as follows:

             Sister    Year
  Name       ships(3)  Built       DWT         Employment (1)      Expiration(2)
-----------  --------  -------  ---------  ----------------------  -------------
Nirefs          A       2001       75,311  4TCs Average(4) + 4.5%  Oct 23, 2007
Alcyon          A       2001       75,247         $22,582          Oct 15, 2007
Triton          A       2001       75,336         $17,000          Sep 14, 2006
Oceanis         A       2001       75,211         $17,000          Apr 19, 2007
Dione           A       2001       75,172         $17,000           Oct 7, 2006
Danae           A       2001       75,106         $30,000          Jan 13, 2007
Protefs         B       2004       73,630     4TCs Average(4)      Jan 04, 2007
Calipso         B       2005       73,691     4TCs Average(4)      Dec 21, 2007
Clio            B       2005       73,691  4TCs Average(4) +$850   Jan 02, 2007
Thetis          B       2004       73,583         $25,000          Jul 19, 2007
Naias(5)        B       2006       73,546         $21,000          Jul 11, 2007
Erato           C       2004       74,444         $21,000          Oct 22, 2006
Coronis         C       2006       74,381         $21,000          Dec 27, 2006
Pantelis SP     -       1999      169,883         $47,500          Jan 25, 2008
                                ---------
                        Total:  1,138,232

----------
(1)  Gross time charter rate per day.
(2)  Estimated dates assuming earliest redelivery by charterers.
(3)  Each  vessel  is a sister  ship of the  other  vessels  that  have the same
     letter.
(4)  Adjustable  every 15 days based on the average of four main  pre-determined
     time charter routes, as published by the Baltic Exchange.
(5)  Expected to be delivered on August 11, 2006.



Summary of Selected Financials & Other Data



                                                              Three Months Ended                    Six Months Ended
                                                                   June 30,                             June 30,
                                                            2006              2005              2006               2005
                                                        -------------     -------------     -------------     -------------
                                                        (unaudited)       (unaudited)       (unaudited)        (unaudited)
                                                                                                  
INCOME STATEMENT DATA (in thousands of US Dollars):
  Voyage and time charter revenues                      $  26,142          $ 29,391          $ 50,322            $ 53,297
  Voyage expenses                                           1,155             2,004             2,910               3,638
  Vessel operating expenses                                 5,348             3,448            10,275               6,624
  Net income                                               13,198            20,116            24,914              34,671
  Net income/(loss) available to common
  stockholders                                             (7,069)           20,116             4,647              34,671
FLEET DATA
  Average number of vessels                                  13.0               9.6              12.9                 8.8
  Number of vessels                                          13.0              10.0              13.0                10.0
  Weighted average age of fleet (in years)                    4.0               3.7               4.0                 3.7
  Ownership days                                            1,183               872             2,329               1,595
  Available days                                            1,176               872             2,288               1,595
  Operating days                                            1,175               871             2,283               1,589
  Fleet utilization                                          99.9%             99.9%             99.8%               99.6%
AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS
  Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate (1)                 $ 21,247          $ 31,407          $ 20,722            $ 31,134
  Daily vessel operating expenses (2)                    $  4,521          $  3,954          $  4,412            $  4,153


----------
(1)  Time charter  equivalent rates, or TCE rates, are defined as our voyage and
     time charter  revenues less voyage  expenses during a period divided by the
     number of our available  days during the period,  which is consistent  with
     industry  standards.  Voyage expenses  include port charges,  bunker (fuel)
     expenses,  canal charges and commissions.  TCE rate is a standard  shipping
     industry  performance  measure  used  primarily to compare  daily  earnings
     generated  by vessels on time  charters  with daily  earnings  generated by
     vessels on voyage  charters,  because  charter  hire  rates for  vessels on
     voyage  charters  are  generally  not  expressed  in per day amounts  while
     charter hire rates for vessels on time charters are generally  expressed in
     such amounts.

(2)  Daily  vessel  operating  expenses,  which  include  crew wages and related
     costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance,
     the  costs of  spares  and  consumable  stores,  tonnage  taxes  and  other
     miscellaneous   expenses,  are  calculated  by  dividing  vessel  operating
     expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.


Conference Call and Webcast Information
Diana  Shipping Inc. will conduct a conference  call and  simultaneous  Internet
webcast to review  financial  results at 9:00 A.M.  (Eastern  Time) on Thursday,
August 10,  2006.  Investors  may access the webcast by visiting  the  Company's
website at  www.dianashippinginc.com,  and  clicking  on the webcast  link.  The
webcast also is accessible at www.viavid.net,  by clicking on the Diana Shipping
link under  "Events".  The conference  call also may be accessed by telephone by
dialing   1-877-692-2086   (for  U.S.-based   callers)  or  1-973-935-8599  (for
international callers).

A replay of the webcast will be available  soon after the completion of the call
and will be accessible on both  www.dianashippinginc.com  and www.viavid.net.  A
telephone  replay will be available by dialing  1-877-519-4471  (for  U.S.-based
callers) or 1-973-341-3080 (for international callers); callers must use the PIN
number 7673476.

About the Company
Diana Shipping Inc. is a global  provider of shipping  transportation  services.
The  Company  specializes  in  transporting  dry bulk  cargoes,  including  such
commodities  as iron  ore,  coal,  grain  and other  materials  along  worldwide
shipping  routes.  Diana  Shipping Inc.  priced its initial  public  offering of
common stock on March 17, 2005.


Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Matters   discussed  in  this  press  release  may  constitute   forward-looking
statements.  The Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe
harbor  protections  for  forward-looking   statements  in  order  to  encourage
companies   to   provide   prospective   information   about   their   business.
Forward-looking  statements  include  statements  concerning plans,  objectives,
goals, strategies,  future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and
other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.

The  Company  desires to take  advantage  of the safe harbor  provisions  of the
Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995  and  is  including  this
cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation.  The words
"believe," "except," "anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project,"
"plan,"  "potential,"  "will," "may,"  "should,"  "expect"  "pending and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The  forward-looking  statements  in this press  release are based upon  various
assumptions,  many of which  are  based,  in  turn,  upon  further  assumptions,
including  without  limitation,   our  management's  examination  of  historical
operating  trends,  data  contained in our records and other data available from
third parties.  Although we believe that these  assumptions were reasonable when
made,   because  these   assumptions  are  inherently   subject  to  significant
uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and
are beyond our control,  we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish
these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these important  factors,  other  important  factors that, in our
view,  could cause actual results to differ  materially  from those discussed in
the  forward-looking  statements  include the  strength of world  economies  and
currencies,  general market conditions,  including fluctuations in charter rates
and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity,  changes in
our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs,
the market for our vessels,  availability of financing and refinancing,  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.  Please see our  filings  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission for a more complete  discussion of these and
other risks and uncertainties.

                         (See financial tables attached)




                               DIANA SHIPPING INC.
                                FINANCIAL TABLES
  Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share, per day and fleet data

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


                                                                       Three Months Ended                   Six Months Ended
                                                                           June 30,                             June 30,
                                                                    2006              2005               2006              2005
                                                                -------------     --------------     -------------     -------------
                                                                (unaudited)        (unaudited)       (unaudited)       (unaudited)
                                                                                                           
REVENUES:
 Voyage and time charter revenues                               $     26,142      $      29,391      $     50,322      $     53,297

EXPENSES:
     Voyage expenses                                                   1,155              2,004             2,910             3,638
     Vessel operating expenses                                         5,348              3,448            10,275             6,624
     Depreciation and amortization of deferred charges                 3,986              2,459             7,743             4,338
     Management fees                                                       -                431               572               794
     Executive management services and rent                                -                 37                76               379
     General and administrative expenses                               1,705                904             2,529             1,334
     Foreign currency losses (gains)                                    (28)               (10)              (18)              (18)
                                                                -------------     --------------     -------------     -------------
     Operating income                                                 13,976             20,118            26,235            36,208
                                                                -------------     --------------     -------------     -------------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
     Interest and finance costs                                      (1,084)              (228)           (1,870)           (1,905)
     Interest income                                                     306                226               549               368
                                                                -------------     --------------     -------------     -------------

     Total other income (expenses), net                                (778)                (2)           (1,321)           (1,537)
                                                                -------------     --------------     -------------     -------------

Net Income                                                      $     13,198      $      20,116      $     24,914      $     34,671
                                                                =============     ==============     =============     =============

    Preferential deemed dividend(1)                                 (20,267)                  -          (20,267)                 -
                                                                -------------     --------------     -------------     -------------
                                                                -------------     --------------     -------------     -------------

Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders              $    (7,069)      $      20,116      $      4,647      $     34,671
                                                                =============     ==============     =============     =============

Earnings/(losses) per common share, basic and diluted           $     (0.15)      $        0.50      $       0.10      $       1.00
                                                                =============     ==============     =============     =============

Weighted average number of common shares, basic and diluted       46,888,462         40,000,000        45,949,448        34,803,867
                                                                =============     ==============     =============     =============


----------
(1)  The amount  presented  as a  preferential  deemed  dividend  relates to the
     purchase  price in excess of the  historical  book value of Diana  Shipping
     Services S.A.,  the  management  company that was acquired on April 1, 2006
     and as of that date became a wholly owned  subsidiary.  Please refer to the
     Company's  registration  statements  filed with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission for a description of the preferential deemed dividend.



BALANCE SHEET DATA
                                                    June 30,       December 31,
                                                     2006              2005
                                                  ------------     ------------
                                                  (unaudited)
ASSETS
------
 Cash and cash equivalents                             18,715           21,230
 Other current assets                                   5,049            5,367
 Advances for vessels under construction and            3,963            4,221
       acquisitions and other vessel costs
 Vessels' net book value                              342,091          307,305
 Other fixed assets, net                                  925                -
 Other non-current assets                               3,039            3,826
                                                  ------------     ------------
     Total assets                                     373,782          341,949
                                                  ============     ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
 Current liabilities                                    5,296            4,667
 Long-term debt                                             -           12,859
 Other non-current liabilities                          1,479              265
 Total stockholders' equity                           367,007          324,158
                                                  ------------     ------------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity       373,782          341,949
                                                  ============     ============


OTHER FINANCIAL DATA


                                                           Three Months Ended            Six Months Ended
                                                                June 30,                     June 30,
                                                          2006          2005           2006          2005
                                                       -----------   -----------    -----------   -----------
                                                       (unaudited)   (unaudited)    (unaudited)   (unaudited)
                                                                                      
Net cash provided by operating activities              $   18,926    $   22,529     $   34,531    $   40,283
Net cash used in investing activities                      (3,963)      (14,785)       (41,880)      (87,017)
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities     (15,666)       (4,400)         4,834        83,649




                                   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.

                               DIANA SHIPPING INC.
                                  (registrant)


Dated:  August 9, 2006                      By:  /s/ Anastassis Margaronis
                                               -----------------------------
                                                 Anastassis Margaronis
                                                 President








SK 23159 0001 693506