Panamax bulker resale market shows activity recently, as cash rich shipowners are investing in buying newbuildings to take opportunities of record-low prices.
Industry sources say unnamed Japanese shipowner has decided to buy five panamax bulker newbuildings waiting for completion in 2014 from Jinhai Heavy Industry of China.
These newbuildings are said to be three 82,000-dwt and a pair of 79,600, valued in around $23.5m apiece.
Meanwhile, undisclosed Turkish shipowner resale purchased two 82,000-dwt bulkers, scheduled to be delivered from the end of 2012 to early 2013, from China's Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry. Contract values at around $22.5m-$23m, sources said.
Another resale deal was made by NYSE-listed Diana Shipping. The Greek owner announced on December 21 that it decided to buy 82,131-dwt bulker in resale, to be delivered by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding of Japan in the end of January 2013. The newbuilding values around $26.5m.