Bankrupt Japanese carrier Daiichi Chuo has sold a capesize bulker and its charter to compatriot company NS United.
Katsura (207,800 dwt, built 2010) was reported sold for $60.38m. It is currently on long-term timecharter to Daiichi’s second largest shareholder, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, until September 2030.
VesselsValue.com estimates Katsura‘s market value to be $32m.
NS United said in a statement it aims to operate a fleet of 50 capesizes by the end of the fiscal year 2018.
“This is our most important mid-term goal in addition to expanding a share of transportation for Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation,” said the vessel buyer, which expects to receive delivery of the Katsura in November.
Daiichi filed for bankruptcy protection in Tokyo on September 29, as Splash predicted days earlier.