French carrier CMA CGM has acquired four 2007-built 5,060TEU ships from Greek owner Niki Shipping.
VesselsValue shows that the Ital Laguna, Ital Lunare, Ital Lirica and Ital Libera were sold to CMA CGM for an undisclosed price on 23 August.
The online ship valuer indicates that each ship, which Niki Shipping commissioned at the now-defunct Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction, is now worth around US$74 million.
Part of the North Star Group that has offices in Greece and Switzerland, Niki Shipping was founded by Theophilos Priovolos.
Since hitting the water, the ships had been on long-term charter to Taiwanese operator Evergreen Marine Corporation.
Like many of its peers, CMA CGM has been buying ships as the relentless spike in freight rates brings historic profits to liner operators.
Since the market began rising, the Marseille-headquartered box line has bought 25 ships totalling around 86,000TEU, with the first of these vessels purchased in November 2020.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
