China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) has announced it has sold six aged bulkers for RMB147.86m (US$22.43m).

The vessels were built by Japan-based Oshima Shipbuilding between 1995 and 1997.

CMES said that the sale of the vessels is part of the fleet optimization plan.

In addition, CMES announced that its subsidiary China VLCC has entered into vessel charter deals with BP and Taiwanese company CPC for two VLCCs. The charter period for the vessels is two years and the deal is expected bring RMB495m ($75m) revenue to the company.