The world’s largest shipowner plans to complete the first $400m phase of the $1bn programme by the end of this month.

In an update issued to investors today, AP Moller said a total of DKK 1.69bn ($283.69m) has been spent on its more liquid B-Shares since the initiative was launched.

A further DKK 409.15m ($68.70m) has been used to pick up its own A-shares.