Eastern Pacific Shipping is one significant player that fills the sidelines in various broking papers. Brokers reveal the outfit owned by Idan Ofer has now entered the handysize market, selling 3 Japanese-built, 28,000 dwt units.

The Westgate and Stargate built in 2011 went to Greek interests for nearly $7 m each while Vietnamese interests took the 10-year-old Crystalgate for just over $6 m.

As well as cleaning out their handies, this year Eastern Pacific sold most of its other smaller bulkers for sale, ending orders for two ultramaxes and a supramax.

Maritime Business World