First Ship Lease Trust has confirmed the sale of a chemical tanker in a deal that allows it to reduce debt as it works towards a refinancing agreement.

Singapore-listed FSL says the 20,938-dwt FSL Tokyo (built 2006) has fetched $13.8m, which is below the $14.5m TradeWinds reported in early December when suggestions of the sale first surfaced.

FSL will take an impairment charge of $9m in its fourth quarter accounts, with proceeds from the sale directed toward loan repayments.