Restructured Noble Group has sold another bulker as it moves nearer to exiting shipowning.
The Hong Kong trader said its subsidiary Moony Hill has completed the disposal of the 93,000-dwt post-panamax Ocean Sapphire (built 2012) for $12.75m.
Net proceeds, after deducting broker commission, are $12.6m.
The vessel and a sistership, the 92,500-dwt Ocean Garnet (built 2010), were believed sold by Noble Group last November to Greece’s Golden Union.
TradeWinds reported this week they had reportedly been committed again, to unidentified buyers and at much lower prices.
Ocean Sapphire was said to have fetched $14.9m in November.
Ocean Garnet has been reported sold for about $11m, compared with $13.7m two months ago.
One ship remaining?
Noble has been rapidly winding down it fleet.
In September, it sold the 93,000-dwt Ocean Topaz (built 2013) for $14.88m.
This followed the offloading of the 93,000-dwt Ocean Ruby (built 2010) for $13.2m to Oldendorff, leaving it with three ships before the recent deals.
If the Ocean Garnet move is confirmed, Noble would now own only the 180,000-dwt Aqua Vision (built 2011).
The company has an overall asset-light shipping policy focused on covering the commodities trader’s shipping requirements through short and long-term charters.
A total of 12 ships have been confirmed sold in the last two years.
In December, a new company was formed from the ashes of "Old Noble", with substantially all of the assets and business being transferred.
Creditors have taken over 70% of the new entity, with 20% held by shareholders of the previous company and 10% by management.
