CM Lemos company Nereus Shipping has reportedly sold a bulker pair ordered expensively at the height of the dry bulk boom in 2008, just before the market crashed.
A sale would be in line with several similar deals by high-profile Greek companies that seem to think the moment is right to part with ships of that size class.
Broking sources in the US and Athens said Nereus's 58,000-dwt Asiatic and Laconic (both built 2012) are sold for $11.5m each. There is little clarity about the supposed buyers. Depending on various reports, they are said to be from China, Greece or Bangladesh.
The Asiatic and Laconic were among a supramax quartet that Nereus ordered at SPP Shipbuilding in South Korea for close to $50m each.
Nereus, which did not respond to requests for comment, held on to the costly bulkers for a long time. The company is believed to have ordered them with cash. It was Nereus's first move at a South Korean yard as the company had previously preferred Japanese shipbuilders.
At about the same time of its supramax order, Nereus Shipping also inked a pair of capesizes, which are still in the company's fleet and are regarded as the most expensive units ever in that price class.
Nereus has kept its investment focus on the tanker sector since. In addition to its eight suezmaxes on the water, the company signed up for another four newbuildings set for delivery in 2022.
Thenamaris, Navios seen selling
A decision by Nereus to sell its supramax pair now would be in line with similar moves by other Greek owners recently.
Thenamaris reportedly sold to Chinese interests the 56,900-dwt sisterships Seahope II and Seapace (built 2010) for about $17m in total. US-listed Navios Maritime Holdings is said to have found Turkish buyers for the 53,500-dwt Navios Astra (built 2006) for $6.8m.
The deals are characteristic for a recent shift in emphasis on the dry bulk secondhand market away from larger capesizes to smaller tonnage.
"There is a strong appetite for supramaxes and ultramaxes... [which] is expected to keep pace since fresh enquiries keep coming in for such tonnage," Doric Shipbrokers said in a recent report.
In another deal, Almi Marine reportedly offloaded its oldest ship, the 52,300-dwt Almasi (built 2001), to Chinese buyers for $5.35m. The vessel has been circulating for just a few days before it was sold.
In neighbouring Turkey, Marinsa Shipping is said to have agreed the sale of its 57,300-dwt Densa Jaguar (built 2012), possibly to Chinese interests, for $10.75m.
