Ocean Longevity is set to dispose of its four oldest ships — three panamaxes and a handymax.

The first sale, that of the IHI-built, 42,700-dwt handymax Heng Chang (built 1997), is almost complete, subject to finalising memorandum-of-agreement terms and board approval.

An official at the Hong Kong bulker owner confirmed that the Heng Chang is close to a sale for more than $4m.