In a late-breaking statement filed after the close of trading in London the shipbroker said the firm “no longer has a notifiable interest in the company” following the sale of nearly 1.5 million shares.

The development is not a surprise as GFI announced a few weeks ago it no longer felt it necessary to retain its stake in the shipbroker.

The pair have been partners in a joint venture for more than a decade; an accord which will remain in place.

“GFI