Bulker operator Western Bulk is to float its shares in Oslo on the back of record profit and its "optimistic" outlook for the dry cargo sector.

The company, which is among the world's biggest operators of supramaxes, said it has begun the process of seeking a listing on Oslo's Euronext Growth market this quarter, according to a statement.

Western Bulk said it is considering raising a small amount of new equity for working capital purposes "to allow for growth and scale on investments made in recent years and benefit from the prevailing strong dry bulk market conditions".