Greek owner Fafalios Shipping is said to have disposed of a 17-year-old panamax bulker in what appears to be part of a fleet-renewal effort.

Brokers in Europe said the company has sold the 74,000-dwt Alkyon (built 2001) to a Chinese buyer for $9.7m, which is within the $9.1m to $10.7m value estimated by VesselsValue and Maritime Strategies International.

The Hitachi Zosen-built vessel has been in the company’s fleet since it was new.