The vessels, SBI Phoenix and SBI Samson, are scheduled to be handed over in the fourth quarter to the unnamed purchaser, Scorpio said. Both vessels were constructed at the Chengxi Shipyard in China.

Since its August announcement revealing plans to enter into a shipbuilding contract with South Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding (DSME) to build a wind turbine installation vessel for delivery in 2023, the bulk carriers are the fourth and fifth Scorpio has sold, with options to build three more similar vessels.

The shipowner, headquartered in Monaco, aims to fully transition from dry bulk shipping to the offshore wind industry, joining an increasing number of maritime and offshore oil and gas companies targeting renewable energy opportunities.

Scorpio has sold three Kamsarmax vessels since September 28, 2015-built SBI Conga for $18.4 million and 2016-built SBI Sousta and SBI Rock for $18.5 million and $18 million , respectively, each for delivery in the fourth quarter to unspecified third parties.

Upon completing the vessel sales, Scorpio Bulkers will have an operating fleet of 47 vessels, consisting of 44 wholly-owned or finance leased dry bulk vessels (including 13 Kamsarmax vessels and 31 Ultramax vessels) and five time chartered-in Kamsarmax vessels, the company said. Scorpio has said it is not going to order any new bulk carriers in the future.

Maritime Business World