Japanese owners who are facing the early return of dozens of ships prior to termination of charters are increasingly turning to leading international dry bulk pools as an emergency measure to survive the market downturn.

Traditional tonnage suppliers in the west of Japan have seen bulkers returned early from collapsed companies Sanko Line, Daiichi Chuo Kisen, Bulk Invest and Global Maritime Investments (GMI) and are also involved in charter-rate negotiations with Pacific Carriers Ltd (PCL) and Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM).

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