Bulker operator Medmar Inc has ceased operations, leaving several ships at sea with unpaid charter hire.

The Greek company is understood to have "gone down" last Thursday, leaving several counterparts struggling to unravel what broking and shipowning sources described as “a big mess”.

Charterers and owners hit

A handful of Greek and Scandinavian owners as well as big chartering names including German energy provider RWE are understood to have ships caught in the mix.