Portline Bulk International and Goodbulk have been linked to sales of capesize bulkers amid some hopeful signs for secondhand prices.
Goodbulk, however, has denied reports that it has sold one of its large bulkers.
Lisbon-based Portline has reportedly sold its only capesize, the 176,000-dwt Ina (built 2003), which could see it become a pure ultramax and supramax owner.
The Universal-built vessel is believed to have fetched $9.1m, which is higher than expectations.
VesselsValue estimates the vessel is worth $8m, which is also the value it puts on the ship for scrap.
However, Portline's top executive played down reports of a sale.
“Ina is not yet committed,” Portline executive director Jorge Fernandes said.
The company has already been renewing its fleet.
Last month, brokers reported Portline sold its two oldest ships, the 50,000-dwt Achilleus and 52,000-dwt Port Estoril (both built 2001), for $4.2m each.
The company is also believed to be close to selling another supramax, the 52,000-dwt Angela (built 2004).
Buying and selling interest
Fernandes has told TradeWinds that Portline is open for both buying or selling more ships.
The company’s eight ultramax bulkers are on average just two years old, while the seven supramaxes are 12 years old.
Portline was once controlled by the Portuguese state but is now in private hands.
The Ina deal emerged after the Baltic Exchange's Sale and Purchase Assessment for capesize bulkers inched upward to $31.9m on Friday, from $31.8m a week earlier.
Meanwhile, Goodbulk has been linked to the sale of one of its oldest vessels, in what is seen as part of a renewal process for the Monaco-based bulker owner.
Brokers said the company, primarily a capesize owner, has sold the 117,000-dwt Aquadonna (built 2005) for $12m. Goodbulk told TradeWinds, however, that the ship has not been sold.
VesselsValue estimates the Namura-built vessel is worth $9.7m.
Japanese premium
The price confirmed a premium for Japanese-built tonnage.
Goodbulk is listed with 22 capesizes that are on average 10 years old. It did not respond to requests for comment.
The John Michael Radziwill-led company has sold three capesizes this year.
In January, the 175,000-dwt Aquacarrier (built 2011) went to Berge Bulk for $17.6m.
One month later, the company sold the 171,000-dwt Aquajoy (built 2003) to Seacon Shipping Group for $10.8m. In September, Goodbulk sold the 171,000-dwt Aquacharm (built 2003) to Moundreas of Greece for an undisclosed price.
Speaking at TradeWinds digital forum recently, Radziwill claimed the pandemic had created a “compelling case” to invest in secondhand dry bulk tonnage.
Separately, brokers in London and the US report this week that Athens-based Olympic Shipping and Management is selling its only two capesize bulkers.
The 182,600-dwt Olympic Hope and Olympic Harmony (both built 2016) are said to have fetched a price in the "high $30m" range each.
However, TradeWinds understands that no deal to sell these ships has been finalised.
Harry Papachristou and Eric Martin contributed to this story.
