Alf Andersen-led Oslo Bulk has chartered in seven vessels in the past six months to cover its shipping needs as it sells down its fleet to take advantage of surging secondhand prices.

As such, the company is not behind the purchase of two midsize multipurpose (MPP) vessels that have been attributed to it, Andersen told TradeWinds.

Instead, the company is extending long and medium-term charters with established partners in the niche segment — including Germany's Navalis Shipping and Cyprus-based Sea Shipping — that own vessels...