Laskaridis company Lavinia Corp is close to buying a Chinese-controlled capesize, in a deal that highlights the rising value of secondhand ships in the sector.
Market sources said Lavinia has agreed in principle to purchase the 180,400-dwt New Dalian (built 2010) at a price slightly below $27m.
TradeWinds, however, understands that the deal has not been finalised yet and is still on sellers’ subjects of about 10 days.
The Dalian Shipbuilding-built vessel is currently in the fleet of China Cosco Shipping Corp.
The ongoing transaction provides a further gauge for how much capesize tonnage has appreciated over the course of this year.
Brokers reported the New Dalian as sold to unidentified Greek buyers as early as in February this year, but at a much lower price of $24m. The deal, however, did not materialise at the time.
The vessel first circulated for sale in November of 2017, when it was brokers reported it as inspectable by possible buyers in Indian waters.
Lavinia Corp has been expanding its bulker fleet while at the same time getting rid of older reefer vessels which once formed the backbone of its operations.
Lavinia currently lists 40 bulkers on its website, including six newcastlemaxes.
The New Dalian would be the company’s first traditional capesize, at least in recent years for which records are immediately available.
Laskaridis brothers Panos and Thanassis also have four kamsarmax newbuildings under construction at Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu shipyard in China, ordered last year in a deal valued at more than $100m.
The 81,600-dwt ship quartet is scheduled to join the Lavinia fleet in 2019 and 2020.
At the same time, the Laskaridis brothers have sold two reefers for demolition during the summer.
The 8,900-dwt Frio Athens (built 1988) and the 6,500-dwt Frio Antarctic (built 1988). Some brokers say the 10,600-dwt Taganrogskiy Zaliv (built 1993) has also been scrapped.
