Castor Maritime's Christmas shopping list has just got a bit longer, with the US-listed company announcing its first bulker acquisition in four months that marks a new landmark in its rapid expansion.

The Petros Panagiotidis-led outfit said it agreed to spend $23.55m on a Japanese-built panamax built in 2012.

The company did not identify the vessel other than to say that it was purchased from a third party in which a Panagiotidis family member has a minority interest.