Israeli liner operator Zim is forking out $240m to snap up four traditional panamax containerships.

It has purchased the 4,300-teu vessels from two different owners for about $60m each, according to European market sources.

The deal would mark the first move by the Haifa-based company into the secondhand market under the management of chief executive Eli Glickman.

It points to a subtle shift away from its reliance on an "asset-light" strategy based on chartering vessels.