Cyprus-based shipowner Castor Maritime has moved up a league with the acquisition of its first capesize bulker.

The Petros Panagiotidis-led shipowner has spent $17.5m to buy a Japanese-built bulker constructed in 2016, the company confirmed in a statement.

“We are very pleased that we have been able to quickly utilize our recently raised capital by agreeing to the acquisition of our seventh vessel,” the company said.