Shipowner-backed Maritime & Merchant Bank says the credit quality of its bulker and boxship loans have increased over the third quarter as it seeks new business.

The Oslo-listed lender, which counts Henning Oldendorff and Klaveness Marine Finance among its shareholders, said the improvement has been "significant" after a deterioration in the second three months of 2020.

"The deterioration has however flattened out and partially turned back to more normal levels for both container vessels and bulkers towards the end of the third quarter," M&M Bank added.