Brokers report that Zodiac Maritime has struck again linking the Eyal Ofer-chaired outfit with its fourth capesize purchase since May.
Zodiac is linked to the 2009-built Aurora Venus for $26m, $1m more than online portal VesselsValue.com values the Japanese-built ship at. The news will bring Zodiac’s cape spending up to more than $100m this year.
Zodiac’s London office declined to confirm the purchase when contacted by Splash.
Brokers commended Zodiac for getting a very good price for the ship – a sign of the depressed markets. Just three months ago, a similar sized and aged capesize was sold for $37m.
Zodiac is listed as operating 12 capesize vessels and 11 VLOCs.