The sale of a Gestion Maritime kamsarmax is being seen as a sign that after months of depressed markets for bulkers, prices may now be starting to climb, especially for modern Japanese-built ships.
The Monaco-based shipowner has reportedly attained $30.5m for the 82,000-dwt Giovanni Corrado (built 2020).
The vessel, constructed at Oshima Shipbuilding, is fitted with a ballast water treatment system.
VesselsValue says the Giovanni Corrado is worth just $28.3m and Maritime Strategies International estimates it at $29m.
Gestion did not respond to requests for comment.
The vessel is understood to have gone to a Chinese buyer.
The Monaco-based shipowner ordered the kamsarmax in December 2015, but the deal was never reported.
In June, another Oshima-built vessel, the 82,000-dwt Genevan Trader (built 2020), was reported sold for $29m.
In a similar deal, Wisdom Marine has sold its Namura-built 81,000-dwt bulker Sakizaya Justice (built 2017) for just over $25m. VesselsValue says this ship is worth just $23.9m.
Gestion is listed with a fleet of seven bulkers all kamsarmaxes or post-panamaxes. The Giovanni Corrado is the newest vessel in its fleet.
The company is now a pure bulker player, although it entered the tanker scene in 2013 when it ordered two MR product carriers at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for $32.5m each. They were fixed for five years from delivery in 2015 to Stena Weco.
Last year, BW Group-controlled Hafnia bought the duo for an undisclosed price, likely about $31m each.
