Commodity trader and tanker owner Mercuria has bought its first bulk carrier in a significant departure for the group.

S&P Global data shows Mercuria’s subsidiary bought the 169,100-dwt capesize Nordboen Sun (built 2010) from Norwegian lessor Sole Shipping, for a price reported by brokers as $23.5m.

The deal, first reported by TradeWinds late last year, did not initially disclose the buyer.