Low-profile Greek owner Aegeus Shipping is selling a 25-year-old bulker for further trading. The DSME-built, 44,000-dwt United Stars (built 1995) has been sold to an undisclosed buyer for $3.3m, which is marginally over scrap price, brokers say. Managers at the Athens-based company declined to comment on the reports.

The vessel must have been a solid cash earner for the owner having been purchased as early as September 2003 as United Purpose from BW Group, then World Wide Shipping, for $13.5m.