Restructured Noble Group has completed its exit from shipowning with the sale of its final bulker.
The Singapore trader said the 180,000-dwt capesize Aqua Vision (built 2011) has been divested by its subsidiary Hamada Construction Engineering for $16.63m.
Net proceeds after deducting brokerage and commissions are $16.13m.
VesselsValue assesses the ship as worth nearly $19m. Brokers had linked the vessel to the Laskaridis group in a sale for $15.75m in October, however, the Greek company told TradeWinds it has not acquired the ship.
Clients of Spring Marine Bulk, another Greek outfit, emerged instead behind the purchase. The ship has been renamed Aipos.
The October price appeared low given that earlier this year the Aqua Vision was reported to have been sold for $20m.
Oldendorff bought penultimate ship
In August, Noble sold the 93,000-dwt bulker Ocean Garnet (built 2010) to Oldendorff Carriers for $11m. This ship is now named Celine Oldendorff.
Noble had recently dry-docked the vessel and installed a ballast water treatment system.
The group is focusing on trading after a financial reboot last year.
Noble has an overall asset-light shipping policy, covering the commodities trader’s shipping requirements through short and long-term charters.
A total of 12 ships have been confirmed sold in the past two years.
Last December, a new company was formed from the ashes of "old Noble", with substantially all of the assets and business being transferred.
Creditors have taken over 70% of the new entity, with 20% held by shareholders of the previous company and 10% by management.
(The article has been changed since original publication to add the ship's buyers)
