But the UK-based firm has quickly found new buyers for two of the vessels it took in as part of a nine-ship acquisition from Commerzbank.

The latest deal sees Borealis, which is backed by US private-equity buyer KKR & Co, take over the 3,534-teu Gabriel Schulte (built 2007) for just $11.5m on a cash basis.

That is around 25% less than what was paid recently for the sistership Georg Schulte (built 2008, see story, right).