Dry bulk carrier prices have experienced a notable increase recently, according to data from VesselsValue. The uptick in values primarily stems from several significant sales, including the transactions involving the Sea Venus, Oakgate, and Majestic Marina. The Panamax bulker BC Sea Venus, weighing 80,900 DWT and built in October 2013 by New Century, was sold to undisclosed buyers for $16.7 million, slightly above its valuation of $16.57 million.
Additionally, the Ultramax bulk carriers Oakgate and Maplegate, both weighing between 60,400 and 63,500 DWT and constructed between 2018 and 2019 at Oshima Shipyard, were sold en bloc to unidentified Indonesian buyers for $63 million, surpassing their assessed value of $62.34 million. Furthermore, the Handy bulker Majestic Marina, with a capacity of 32,100 DWT and built in July 2009 at Hakodate Dock, was sold to unknown Vietnamese buyers for $10.5 million, slightly exceeding its valuation of $10.25 million. In contrast, the wet segment has shown stability, with various vessels being acquired by Chinese buyers.
The VLCC DHT Lotus and DHT Peony, both 320K and built in 2011 at Bohai, were purchased en bloc for $103 million. In the dirty trading segment, the LR2 Mare Nostrum, weighing 110K and built in 2009 at Mitsui, sold for over $34 million, while the MR2 vessel PS Atene, weighing 50K and constructed in 2018 by HMD, found new ownership for $37.8 million. Additionally, the MR1 vessel Golden Daisy, a shallow draft model built in 2021 at Fujian Mawei, was sold for $32.93 million.
Overall, tanker values have remained relatively stable, though uncertainties persist in the market. For instance, the Aframax P Sophia, with a weight of 105,100 DWT and built in September 2009 at Hyundai HI Ulsan Shipyard, was sold for $36.05 million, above its value of $33.95 million.