Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has reached a key point in its contract negotiations with owners, having struck a deal with Eyal Ofer's Zodiac Maritime to restructure charter deals, TradeWinds understands.

Zodiac was seen as a vital block in the process as HMM seeks to trim rates in order to strengthen its financial position.

Market sources tell TradeWinds that Zodiac has now penned an accord with HMM that will see it reduce charter rates on 10 vessels over a number of years.

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