Nova Marine Holdings is making an unusual bid to enter the livestock transportation sector.

The Romeo-family run company has bid $25.2m to acquire the 12,892-gt livestock carrier Ocean Swagman (built 2010).

The vessel, which has a capacity of 7,000 cattle or 26,000 sheep, is being sold by Australian-listed livestock carrier group Wellard.

The offer is $3.2m higher than a previous bid for the Ocean Swagman presented by Wellard’s minority shareholder Heytesbury Holdings.