Diana Shipping has sold and leased back two capesize bulkers to two undisclosed Japanese buyers in deals that bring in $66.4m in proceeds.

The Semiramis Paliou-led owner of 43 bulkers said on Wednesday that it sold the 180,960-dwt New Orleans and the 179,426-dwt Santa Barbara (both built 2015) for $33.2m each to two unaffiliated Japanese third parties.

New York-listed Diana will bareboat charter-in the vessels for eight years and may buy the ships back after the third year of the deals.