Greek owner Chios Navigation appears to have found a buyer prepared to pay a strong price for a 16-year-old supramax bulker it put up for sale last month.

The Tsuneishi-built, 52,000-dwt Doric Pride (built 2001) is being sold to a Chinese buyer for a firm $8m, sources say.

Brokers had been expecting a price in excess of $7m for the vessel, which is not due for special survey until July 2021.