New York-listed Eagle Bulk Shipping has for the second time in three weeks been able to use its stock to carry out an acquisition of secondhand vessels.

Gary Vogel-led Eagle has struck a deal with Connecticut neighbour Alterna Capital to acquire three 2011-built supramax bulk carriers that are sister vessels to 17 units already in the fleet.

Eagle did not identify the seller in announcing the deal on Thursday, but market sources point to Alterna.