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 January 2011

EXCEL MARITIME CARRIERS LTD.

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

Par La Ville Place

14 Par-La-Ville Road

Hamilton, HM JX Bermuda

 (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 hereto as Exhibit 1 is a press release dated January 10, 2011:  Excel Maritime Announces Delivery and long-term Time Charter of Newbuild Capesize M/V “Mairaki” .

Exhibit 1

    

Excel Maritime Announces Delivery and long-term Time Charter of Newbuild Capesize M/V “Mairaki”

ATHENS, GREECE – January 10, 2011 – Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd (NYSE: EXM), an owner and operator of dry bulk carriers and a leading international provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes, today announced that it has taken delivery of the Newbuild Capesize, M/V Mairaki.

 

The Company has taken delivery of the newbuild Capesize vessel M/V Mairaki today from the STX Shipyard in South Korea. The vessel has a carrying capacity of 181,000 dwt. Upon its delivery, the M/V Mairaki will be commencing its 5-year time charter with a first class European Charterer, at a gross base rate of $28,000 per day with a 50% profit sharing above the base rate, based on the monthly AV4 BCI time charter rates as published by the Baltic Exchange.

Mr. Pavlos Kanellopoulos, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, commented, “We are very pleased to have taken delivery of the M/V Mairaki which expands our operational fleet to 49 vessels. We continue to implement our balanced charter strategy by securing period employment for our Capesize vessel Mairaki under profitable time charter with profit upside. Our time charter coverage for 2011 stands at 47% leading to an increased cashflow visibility for the year.   

About Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd

Excel is an owner and operator of dry bulk carriers and a provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes, such as iron ore, coal and grains, as well as bauxite, fertilizers and steel products. Excel owns a fleet of 42 vessels, among which one Capesize vessel is through a majority joint venture and, together with 7 Panamax vessels under bareboat charters, operates 49 vessels (7 Capesize, 14 Kamsarmax, 21 Panamax, 2 Supramax and 5 Handymax vessels) with a total carrying capacity of over 4.2 million DWT.  Excel Class A common shares have been listed since September 15, 2005 on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EXM and, prior to that date, were listed on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) since 1998. For more information about the Company, please go to our corporate website www.excelmaritime.com.

Contacts:

Investor Relations / Financial Media: Nicolas Bornozis President Capital Link, Inc. 230 Park Avenue – Suite 1536 New York, NY 10160, USA Tel:  (212) 661-7566 Fax: (212) 661-7526 E-Mail: excelmaritime@capitallink.com www.capitallink.com	Company: Pavlos Kanellopoulos Chief Financial Officer Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. 17th Km National Road Athens-Lamia & Finikos Street 145 64 Nea Kifisia Athens, Greece Tel: 011-30-210-62-09-520 Fax: 011-30-210-62-09-528    E-Mail: ir@excelmaritime.com         www.excelmaritime.com

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.

EXCEL MARITIME CARRIERS LTD.
(registrant)

Dated: January 10, 2011

By:

/s/ Pavlos Kanellopoulos

Pavlos Kanellopoulos

Chief Financial Officer