NYK Bulk & Projects is in the process of selling one of its older bulk carriers to as-yet undisclosed Vietnamese interests.
The Japanese shipowner’s 31,900-dwt bulker Lodestar Princess (built 2005) is changing hands for $6m, brokers reported this week.
Market sources suggested that the vessel is being acquired by Tan Binh, Vietnam’s most prolific buyer of handysize and handymax tonnage.
While Tan Binh could not be reached for comment, its past buying history shows a strong preference for middle-aged Japanese-built ships. That would make the Hakodate Dock Shipbuilding-constructed Lodestar Princess an ideal purchase candidate.
The Vietnamese owner bought two handysize bulk carriers earlier this year, and now operates a fleet of 19 vessels.
In contrast to Tan Binh's focus on buying older ships, NYK Bulk & Projects prefers to keep a modern fleet. The subsidiary of Japanese giant NYK Line covers smaller bulkers, multipurpose vessels and heavylift ships.
It frequently sells off ships when they reach the 15-year age mark, and finds no shortage of takers for these unwanted vessels.
This year, the company has sold off both handysize and supramax tonnage, and now has a fleet of 35 vessels, with an additional two multipurpose heavylift ships on order at CSC Jinling Shipyard.
