HSH Nordbank has been identified as the seller of a fleet of boxships to MPC Container Ships (MPCC) in what could be its last major shipping deal before the state-owned bank is itself sold next week.

Banking sources in Hamburg confirm that 14 containerships of between 1,300 teu and 2,800 teu have been disposed of by the lender ahead of an anticipated sale of the bank next week to Cerberus and J.C.