Oslo-listed Siem says Daya has handed over a $1.4m deposit for the Siem Daya 1 and Siem Daya 2 (both built 2013) and now has until April to fund the first 10% of the $282m swoop.

When the move came to light last August, the buyer had 150 days to get funding in place.

In an update to the  market today, Siem said Daya will continue to charter the ships ahead of the likely sale conclusion in July.