Kondinave SA, a Greek shipping company led by former broker Alexis Kondilis, has emerged as the buyer of one of the last vessels in the owned fleet of Hong Kong-based Noble Group.
The 93,000-dwt post-panamax Ocean Sapphire (built 2012), which Noble confirmed it was selling last month to unidentified buyers for $12.8m as part of its restructuring efforts, has now emerged in Kondinave’s fleet under its new name, Melissus.
The move is a rare buy for Kondilis, whose last recorded bulker purchase took place more than three years ago. However, the acquisition is more likely a fleet-renewal move rather than a fleet-expansion one.
As TradeWinds reported in October last year, Kondinave sold an older, similar vessel for further trading: the 101,600-dwt Niki (built 2006) to United Arab Emirates-based buyers for about $12.1m. TradeWinds understands that the Niki is to be delivered to its new owners by spring.
The Noble Group is heading towards the shipowning exit door as it is focusing on trading only.
The company has just two vessels left: the 92,500-dwt Ocean Garnet (built 2010) — a sistership to the Ocean Sapphire — and the 180,000-dwt capesize Aqua Vision (built 2011).
Some brokers have reported both ships as being sold as well. The Noble Group reportedly committed the Ocean Garnet to unidentified Greek buyers in January, for about $11m.
Last week, Athens-based brokers said the Aqua Vision went for about $20m, again to undisclosed buyers.
Other sources expressed doubt that any final deal has been concluded for Noble Group's last two ships. The company has not confirmed any of the deals, and the market has been ripe with Noble Group ship sale rumours for months.
The Ocean Garnet and Ocean Sapphire had been reported sold as early as in November in deals that never materialised.
Some market sources believe that Noble Group ships are frequently sold in deals on subjects, which eventually are not lifted.
