It said the 48,000-dwt Free Jupiter (built 2002) has gone for $12.25m.

The company will pay $5,325 per day to take it back on a bareboat basis, equalling about $13.6m over the full term.

There are a number of re-purchase options along the way. The buyer is thought to be Norwegian.

CEO Ion  Varouxakis said the deal releases significant liquidity and is evidence of the company's ability to leverage its balance sheet.

“The