Banks and leasing companies are pushing major Chinese private owners — including Dalian-based Fortune Ocean Shipping and Qinhuangdao-based Hebei Ocean Shipping (Hosco) — for capesize sales to raise cash in an increasingly promising dry bulk sale-and-purchase market.

Finance and shipbroking sources said Fortune Ocean's 175,400-dwt Cape Star and Hosco's 182,100-dwt Ocean Emperor (both built 2010) are being circulated, either by shipowners inspired by bankers or directly by the banks.