The Standard & Poor’s rating agency has revised the outlook for Singapore’s First Ship Lease Trust (FSL) to negative against a background of concern about exposure to highly leveraged counterparties and the shipping downturn proving prolonged.

The move reflects a S&P assessment that lessees' ability to pay FSL could be affected by weak and volatile freight markets, overcapacity and high bunker prices.

The 12,900-dwt Cumbrian Fisher (built 2004) was leased for ten years from delivery with an option for a further five years to James Fisher.