Greek shipowner Nikolaos Vafias is poised to repeat another profitable asset play, circulating a 14-year-old capesize bulker that he purchased just a few months ago.

Several broking sources in Athens and London said the 176,000-dwt Cape Aria (built 2005) has been offered for sale. The Japanese-built vessel is available for inspection in Rotterdam until 16 October, according to some reports.

Vafias, who is known for flipping ships in asset-play deals, bought the Cape Aria in May from Greek peer Phoenix Energy Navigation. The vessel, which was trading as the Maritime Power at the time, is said to have changed hands for between $12.5m and $13.5m.

It could fetch a significantly higher price this time. The 177,500-dwt Aristofanis I (built 2005), another Japanese-built capesize in the same age category, was reportedly sold for more than $16.5m last month.

Some brokers believe the Cape Aria was already sold last week. Rumours spread then that Chinese buyers picked up the vessel in a straight sale for more than $17m. Others said it fetched $16.3m in a deal subject to the conclusion of a long-term time charter. However, none of these agreements seem to have materialised.

Executives at Universal Tankers Management, the Cyprus-registered entity listed as managers of the Cape Aria, did not respond to a request for comment.

Despite its name, Universal Tankers Management is listed as a commercial or technical manager of six bulkers. Most of them were previously linked in one way or another with Vafias family company Brave Maritime.

Vafias is known for his countercyclical plays. In 2016, he is estimated to have made a net gain of more than $5m by flipping two capesize vessels just five months after he purchased them.