Greek shipowner Soloi is being linked with the purchase of a panamax bulk carrier from Taiyo Kaiun of Japan.

Brokers report Soloi to have snapped up the 76,600-dwt FD Vittorio Raiola (built 2010).

A price of $18m is being placed on the vessel, which is in line with other recent transactions.

Executives at Soloi did not reply to requests for comment at the time of writing.