Zodiac Maritime is expanding its large bulker fleet with its fourth purchase in the segment this year.

The UK-based company is renewing its fleet and has bought a 14-year-old VLOC controlled by Japan's Kotobuki Shipping.

European brokers said the Eyal Ofer-controlled company has purchased the 203,000-dwt Azul Fortuna (built 2005) for $15.8m.

That price is seen as attractive for the buyer, as VesselsValue estimates the bulker is worth $16.9m