Auerbach Schifffahrt is in pole position to take over 43 multipurpose (MPP) ships being sold by Nord/LB. The Hamburg-based MPP operator has entered into exclusive talks with the bank, with a view to taking over a fleet of ships of 5,000 dwt up to 20,000 dwt, said German sources.

Lucius Bunk-led Auerbach is understood to have teamed up with US financial partners charged with raising capital to acquire the fleet, which has an estimated value of around €200m ($235m).