Swiss bulker operator SwissMarine is banking a firm price for two modern Japanese-built capesize bulkers.
Brokers in Europe said the Imabari-built, 181,000-dwt Corsier and Celigny (both built 2016) are each fetching $42.5m from US-based JP Morgan Global Maritime.
Peter Weernink is taking back control of SwissMarine, but he said he could not comment on the matter at this stage. JP Morgan declined to comment.
UK-based online firm VesselsValue assesses the vessels as worth $41.4m each.
SwissMarine is primarily an operator of bulkers and has in recent years been scaling down its owned fleet.
Some capesizes have been taken over by JP Morgan.
Corsier and Celigny were reported ordered in 2013 for $50m each.
Last year the NKK-built, 169,000-dwt Certoux (built 2000) was sold to Cyprus Sea Lines for $11m and SwissMarine will now be left with the NKK-built 172,000-dwt Crassier (built 2000), which is also likely to be disposed of.
But this in no way means that SwissMarine is disappearing from the large bulker scene.
Former CEO Weernink is set to make a comeback in the company as an operator of post-panamax, baby-cape and capesize bulkers.
Big plans for fleet
The Cargill-trained Dutchman formed SwissMarine in 2001 and built up the company to one of the dominating players in the capesize market before he left the firm in April 2018 when the shareholders led by Glencore were unable to commit to growth of the shipping business.
Weernink-led Singapore Marine is now taking over SwissMarine for an undisclosed price.
The idea is to create a new bulker giant with around 150 ships.
Weernink said: "We have a group of committed new investors, who would like to build a much bigger and greater business.”
He told TradeWinds that he had always planned to buy back SwissMarine.
The investors are now buying the shares of his co-shareholders in SwissMarine, including Glencore, steel trader MUR and Greek shipowner Victor Restis for an undisclosed price.
John Fredriksen's Golden Ocean is one of the key investors working with Weernink.
Singapore Marine made its entrance into the bulker market in March with Weernink as the major shareholder with a 35% stake.
