Meghna Group continues to expand its fleet despite rising asset values in the bulker market.

The Bangladeshi shipowner has purchased the 56,000-dwt bulker Santa Phoenix (built 2006) for more than $12m, sources say.

Clarksons reports that the Mitsui-built ship is owned by Sanzo Enterprise of Japan.

Meghna did not immediately respond to TradeWinds' request for confirmation on the purchase.

Reports of the deal come a year after the shipowner bought the 10-year-old sistership Fleet Phoenix (built 2006), paying just $8.85m.