s.

Sea Consortium is understood to have picked up the 1,732-teu Hermann Hesse (built 2007) for around $9.1m, say European brokers.

It has also been linked to a bid for similar ships including the 1,740-teu Hansa Ronneburg (built 2004), a Leonhardt & Blumberg-managed vessel that is understood to have received offers from rival operators in the region of $8.4m.

Brokers report interest in the ships had originated from liner operators, tonnage providers, as well as US interests seeking to use the vessels for contracts with the US Military Sealift Command.