Greek-German outfit Interunity Management has picked up the 2009-built handysize bulker, Antaeus, and has since renamed it Pioneer Spirit.

The ship previously belonged to Greek outfit Pyrsos Shipping. Brokers reported sale at US$8.9m and it is the most expensive bulker added to the emerging handysize specialist fleet list.

The ship was added from a judicial sale in South Africa, brokers note. In October, Interunity bought another similar sized bulker, also at auction this time in Hong Kong after China's Beihai Maritime Court ordered its detention. The ship has since been renamed Pioneer Skipper.