Dryships (DRYS) shares have been grinding higher today, recently up 30 cents to $6.77 amid relative strength in the dry bulk shippers Friday (SFL, TK, TNP, GNK, DSX). In the options market, volume has been impressive, with 56K calls and 6,500 puts traded. While action is scattered across a number of different contracts (Jun 7, Jan 6, Mar 7, Jan 7.5, Jan11 10s), Feb 7 calls are the most activves. 15.9K traded and, with about two thirds trading at the ask, it looks like buyers are dominating the action. No news today. DRYS saw a pop Tuesday on chatter about new contracts with two larger drillships — still unconfirmed.