First Ship Lease Trust has cashed in one of its oldest vessels.

Singapore-listed FSL says the 1,200-teu FSL Santos (built 2003) has been sold.

It says the $6.2m deal has helped moderate its debt payments due in the fourth quarter of this year.

Roger Woods, chief executive of the Trust, says the sale of the 14-year-old ship will avoid the cost of a special survey due late next year.