Hong Kong and Shanghai-based Asia Maritime Pacific (AMP) has concluded a sale and charter-back deal with Japan’s Doun Kisen in what it hopes to make a broader long-term partnership.

The tie-up involves five large modern handysize bulkers that AMP recently acquired from Hamburg Bulk Carriers (HBC). The Jiangmen Nanyang-built ships were worth about $125m, according to broker estimates when they changed hands in two separate deals in July and August.