US-listed Safe Bulkers has divested one of its three oldest ships as busy secondhand markets in the wake of improving freight rates led to more competition among prospective buyers, especially in China.

The Polys Hajioannou-led company first circulated the 74,300-dwt Paraskevi (built 2003) for sale in the summer of last year.

It is only now, however, that Safe Bulkers considered conditions ripe enough to actually sell the vessel.