It said the net result to 31 December was $5.16m, up from $3.01m in the same period of 2013.

Revenue grew to $36.68m from $13.46m, as its capesizes earned daily rates of $13,200, compared with $10,200 in the third quarter.

It banked $6.4m as final settlement for a claim for damages and unpaid charter hire.

Annual profit was $15.99m, against a loss of $3.9m