Scorpio Bulkers has accelerated its push out of dry cargo with sale of seven ultramax vessels to leading sector consolidator Star Bulk Carriers.

The deal involves a combination of New York-listed Star Bulk shares and the assumption of lease payments.

Petros Pappas-led Star Bulk will push its fleet, already the biggest in bulkers, to 126 vessels with the acquisitions.

The deal comes as Scorpio is moving fully into the market for wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs).