Brokers say the Danish owner is in the process of selling the 58,000-dwt Thunderbird Bulker and Toucan Bulker (built 2011).

A figure of $29m has been placed on each of the ships, which is considered strong today.

Sources say the vessels were made available for inspection in the early days of December, with another viewing window this week.

Attempts to reach J Lauritzen chief executive Jan Kastrup Nielsen and Lauritzen Bulkers president Peter Borup for comment were not immediately successful today.