A strong start to the capesize sector this year has led to an Active Shipping & Management bulker selling at auction for an astonishingly high $18.1m.

However, a Greathorse International capesize of similar vintage was sold via private auction in China for substantially lower, at $15.35m.

Ten eager suitors took part in the online auction of the Active-controlled, 169,000-dwt bulker Cape Providence (built 2010) on Thursday.