A joint venture of US-listed StealthGas and unknown partners is parting with its largest LPG carrier at a considerable profit.

The 38,500-cbm LPG carrier Eco Nebula (built 2007) changed hands for $27.75m, according to ship-management sources and several brokers in Athens, London and New York.

This compares with the $20m that StealthGas chief executive Harry Vafias and his joint venture partners spent to acquire the vessel three years ago.