John Wobensmith has voiced an interest in mergers and acquisitions and direct vessel purchases for a recapitalised Genco Shipping & Trading.

Wobensmith, the New York-listed owner’s chief executive, said the moves were now possible given the company has “one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry”.

“One of our main focus is right now is where do we go from here in terms of growing the company,” Wobensmith said on the owner’s fourth quarter conference call.