Eagle Bulk Shipping is kicking off its new dividend policy with a fat $2-per-share payout on the strength of the most profitable quarter in its 16-year history.

The New York-listed shipowner is paying a little more than the promised 30% minimum of net income after recording a profit of $78.3m, or $6.12 per share, for the third quarter.

This reversed a net loss of $11.2m,