Southeast Asian owner Oceanic Container Lines, Inc (OCLI) from the Philippines has rescued to two smaller multipurpose ships from the breakers, according to sources.

The outfit has spent some US$2m for the 1996-built 5,000dwt Niu Ailan Coast and sister Niugini Coast from another shortsea expert, Consort Express Lines of Papua New Guinea.

The buyer, OCLI, is a domestic specialist with almost 20 years experience in the liner business, focusing mostly on building up a small fleet of MPP vessels.

The seller of the two ships, Consort Express Lines, owns and operates a fleet of geared, multipurpose vessels that links Papua New Guinea with Australia.