Viking Supply Ships subsidiary TransAtlantic has offloaded two mini-bulkers as it continues to run down the unit's business.

The Swedish company said the 4,100-dwt TransSonoro (built 2000) and the 4,300-dwt TransVolante (built 1999) were offloaded during the fourth quarter.

"This transaction will have limited financial impact on the group," it added.

They have now been renamed Sonoro and Volante.

Equasis still lists the owner of Sonoro as the group's Industrial Shipping, which has had the ship since 2013, with Volante owned by Universal Leasing of Russia since December.

Viking has been selling off TransAtlantic vessels, including ro-ros, since deciding in 2016 to "dismantle" its remaining business.

Loss cut in fourth quarter

OSV player Viking also said it had reduced its fourth quarter net loss to SEK 132m ($16.4m), from SEK 145m in 2016.

Total revenue from continuing operations was MSEK 67m, against SEK 75m a year ago, with the EBITDA loss at SEK 61m, up from SEK 52m.

The average fixture rate was $22,100, up from $15,000, for the AHTS fleet and zero for the laid-up PSV fleet.

The average utilisation was 30% for the anchor-handlers, compared to 28% in 2016.

It booked an impairment charge of SEK 19m related to the PSV fleet.

Viking also said it had won a new charter with an international oil company for the 225-bp anchor-handler Brage Viking (built 2012).

The duration is up to 140 days, including optional periods.

Broker Westshore had reported a firm one-month deal, plus options, with Russia's Gazprom for the ship in February.

The company won approval from its banks in the first quarter for its financial restructuring.