Great Eastern Shipping is understood to be close to buying another LPG carrier, further expanding its presence in the sector.

European shipbrokers said the Indian shipowner is purchasing the 36,000-cbm Solaro (built 1996) from Carbofin of Italy.

The price is believed to be between $7m and $8m, which would be a significant slide for LPG carriers of this vintage. VesselsValue estimates the ship is worth about $8m, well below the $12.2m