The Oslo-listed shipbuilder said the vessels are the45,800-dwt Florida (built 2013) and Pennsylvania (built 2012).

The deal with the US owner does not include four 50,000-dwt ships being builtfor Crowley for delivery in 2015 and 2016.

The yard's CEO Kristian Rokke said: "This sale represents a small step in a larger strategy to maximize the value of our shipping assets over  time.

“This particular step allows AKPS  to realize significant profit on a transaction conductednearly two years ago intough market  conditions."