Diana Shipping has set itself up to make some money off its panamax collection.
The New York-listed bulker owner has entered into memorandums of agreement to sell two older ships to two affiliated parties for $7.2m each.
The vessels are worth $7.1m each, according to VesselsValue.
The sales, approved by disinterested directors to the higher of two broker appraisals, are for the 75,100-dwt Danae and the 75,200-dwt Dione (both built 2001).
Delivery is expected by 28 June for the Danae and by 15 April for the Dione.
The sales will bring Diana Shipping's fleet to four newcastlemaxes, 14 capesizes, five post-panamaxes, five kamsarmaxes and 18 panamaxes.
Diana Shipping has also entered into two 14-to-17-month charters with Glencore Agriculture for the 77,525-dwt Crystalia (built 2014) and 75,403-dwt Maera (built 2013).
The Crystalia will earn $10,500 per day starting on 23 February.
The Maera will fetch $7,000 per day for the first 45 days of the charter begun on 10 February and $9,450 per day for the remainder.
The deals are expected to make about $8.27m for the charters' minimum periods.
One-year charter rates for 75,000-dwt panamaxes are averaging $9,870 per day, down from $12,550 per day two months ago, according to Clarksons.
