Schoeller Holdings is selling five container ships in a red-hot market just weeks after refinancing them.

The Cyprus-based shipowner is reaping an estimated $210m from the 1,700-teu to 2,700-teu vessels.

Three of the ships have been taken by liner giant Maersk for about $110m en bloc.

Another two vessels of 2,700 teu have been sold to expanding China United Lines (CU Lines) and one other operator for more than $50m each.