Broking sources tell Splash that Zodiac Maritime’s flavour of the month is Japanese.

This time Zodiac is said to be opening its wallet paying Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) close to $9m for the Japanese-built 171,900-dwt, Ocean Ceres.

This appear to be good deal as is $300,000 less than Vesselsvalue.com values the 1999-built ship.

Eyal Ofer who is chairman of Zodiac Maritime fits one broker’s description of what type of owner goes for ships in the current depressed market.

The broker says that while the psychology remains negative the buying interest comes from big speculative players who are positioning themselves, or by cash rich shipowners who are attracted by the “bargains” out there.

If finalised this will be the third cape bought by Zodiac so far this year and the third Japanese built cape reported sold in a couple of weeks.