Sources say the 4,992-teu Halifax (built 2004) has been sold for $340 per ldt or $6.7m. It is the first vessel the Eyal Ofer-led company has sold for scrap this year.

Thirteen were sent for recycling in 2016, the last being the 4,992-teu MSC Panama (built 2002), which was sold in November for $320 per ldt.

Elsewhere, Greek containership owner Costamare has disposed of the 5,060-teu Romanos (built 2003) to India.