Harry Vafias’ private bulker arm, Brave Maritime, has snapped up three Japanese-built handysize bulkers from Dubai-based MUR Shipping, broking sources report. 

The Namura-built 34,000 dwt trio, named African Heron, African Goshawk, and African Merli, were sold en bloc for just under $53m, according to multiple brokers. 

The deal lifts the Athens-based owner’s handysize fleet to 12 ships, making it Brave Maritime’s largest segment, ahead of its cape division, which stands at seven units. 

Vafias, a longtime fan of Japanese tonnage, remains one of Greece’s most active secondhand buyers this year.