Sources say the DSME-built, 104,000-dwt Phoenix Alpha and Phoenix Beta (both built 2003), which are due for special survey in 2018, have fetched $20m each, largely in line with expectations.

They were bought from compatriot outfit Ceres Hellenic as the Finesse and Felicity for $53m each in 2004.

Phoenix last made a move in the sale-and-purchase (S&P) market in January when it bought the 176,000-dwt bulker Nord Power (renamed Maritime Power, built 2005) from Danish owner Norden for $12m.