Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Maritime has sold a modern ultramax bulker at a time when such units remain in demand.
The shipowner has offloaded the 63,400-dwt Beechgate (built 2019), market sources say.
Brokers are placing a price of between $34.6m and $35.6m on the Japanese-built ship.
Sources say the transaction was done at the top end of this range, at north of $35m and comfortably above the average of the past five years for such vessels.
This compares with the $34.6m VesselsValue has against the bulker, one of almost 40 dry cargo ships in the Zodiac fleet.
Multiple buyers are understood to have shown an interest in the Beechgate, supporting the price secured.
Brokers tell TradeWinds the deal reflects the present market levels and the price was aided by the lack of rival tonnage available in the market for purchase at the same time.
They add that the price of bulkers over 12 years old is declining, while the value of modern eco bulkers is showing greater resilience.
Data from Clarksons shows Zodiac has a fleet of more than 150 ships trading. It also has around 30 newbuildings on order.
The Beechgate sale is one of a handful of sale-and-purchase transactions by Zodiac this year.
Its outgoings include the eye-catching sale of the 4,363-ceu car carrier Silver Glory (built 1994) to Sallaum Lines of Switzerland.
Zodiac’s most notable purchase has been a VLCC from Norwegian owner Transportation Recovery Fund.
The 297,600-dwt TRF Horten (built 2018) is reported to have cost Zodiac $102m in February this year. The tanker was initially incorrectly reported sold to Greek owner Tsakos.
According to VesselsValue, it is one of seven VLCCs in the Zodiac fleet.
