Scorpio Bulkers has secured a further boost to its balance sheet with its latest sale and leaseback deal.

The New York-listed owner has agreed to sell and leaseback six vessels in a pact with AVIC International Leasing, a subsidiary of Chinese aerospace and defence juggernaut Aviation Industry Corp of China.

The 2015-built, 77,546-dwt sister ships headed over to AVIC's balance sheet for the next eight years are the Antares, Bravo, Hydra, Leo, Lyra and Maia.