Chinese company Sea Star Ships Management logged a hefty profit from flipping a supramax bulker while Greece's AM Nomikos also got into an asset play in the same ship class.
Sea Star's 50,200-dwt Helena (built 2002) is reported sold to an undisclosed buyer for a very firm $9m.
The Chinese company, which was contacted for comment, paid just $4.9m to acquire the ship in October last year. The Mitsui-built Helena is due for special survey in July 2022.
Sea Star is listed with a fleet of 12 bulkers, the biggest of which is the 72,000-dwt Jin Run (built 1998).
Another owner, Pacific Carriers, also benefitted from the ongoing market boom. Its 56,700-dwt supramax Atlantic Merida (built 2012) is one of the 37 ships acquired by serial bulker buyer Costamare and will trade after its delivery to the Greek company as Merida.
According to brokers, the Taizhou Kouan-built ship changed hands for $15m.
Several brokers identified Greek owner AM Nomikos as another party active in the sale-and-purchase scene for supramaxes.
The major owner reportedly sold the IHI-built, 55,000-dwt Dory (built 2010). This ship, which has been circulating for sale since last month, is now said to have been sold to undisclosed buyers for $17.5m.
AM Nomikos purchased the Dory in the autumn of 2019 as K Opal for $12.5m, alongside sistership K Garnet, which is currently trading in the AM Nomikos fleet as Key Ohana.
The Dory is not due for special survey until September 2025.
Managers at AM Nomikos were not available for comment.
