Singapore-based, Chinese-backed bulker company Winning Shipping has solidified itself as a big-league capesize bulker player with the acquisition of a middle-aged vessel from the fleet of Japan’s Kitaura Kaiun.

Brokers are widely reporting that Winning has bought the 180,000-dwt bulk carrier Ocean Caesar (built 2008) in a move that will bring its fleet strength up to 40 capesizes.

The Imabari Shipbuilding-built Ocean Caesar, which trades in the NYK fleet, is said to have been sold for between $19.7m