NS United Kaiun Kaisha has made its first reported ship sale in two years, according to brokers. It is a significant move for the Japanese powerhouse, which has kept its fleet of more than 50 ships in tact, while other Japanese owners of similar size have rushed to offload tonnage all year.

The fresh sale from the Tokyo-listed outfit for the 19,702dwt Diamond Orchid chemical tanker gives it US$20m in fresh equity. Tufton Oceanic is linked as the buyer. The UK owner has been scouring much tonnage of late and is also revealed as the buyer of two Jinhui bulkers.