- 20 modern or resale VLCCs are in talks to be sold at high prices.
- Six sale groupings have been touted as the real sales candidates.
- They have been identified as Arne Fredly-backed Hunter Group’s seven VLCCs.
- Trader Vito is reportedly in possession of four VLCC newbuilds.
- Two ships are controlled by Hartree Maritime Partners for whopping $107m on its newbuild.
- Sales talks relating to these later-delivering vessels are centring on prices of about $94m per ship.
According to an article published in Tradewinds, there is a rumour being floated around regarding the asset play over Economou-Ofer-Stray Spetalen.
Talk of the industry
Close to 20 modern or resale VLCCs are in talks to be sold at high prices and offering higher returns. These six sale groupings have been touted as the “real sales candidates”.
The ships that are up-for-sale have been identified as Arne Fredly-backed Hunter Group’s seven VLCCs, three of which – the Hunter Laga, Hunter Alta and Hunter Saga have been delivered and have started the trading process.
Under construction vessels
Also, four vessels remain under construction with delivery dates touted to be in the first quarter. The two ships are controlled by Hartree Maritime Partners who received a whopping $107m on its newbuild 3,00,000 DWT Lady to Economou-Ofer-Stray Spetalen.
Resale talks
Trader Vito is reportedly in possession of four VLCC newbuilds that are also for sale with three of them under construction at HHI in South Korea. The final vessel 3,00,000 DWT Elandra Albus has started trading.
South Korean shipowner Sinokor Merchant Marine has a quartet of VLCCs being built at DSME, with delivery dates in the first quarter of 2021.
Brokers suggested this week that sales talks relating to these later-delivering vessels are centring on prices of about $94m per ship. Aside from the potential resales and new buildings, brokers mention three trading VLCCs controlled by the Transportation Recovery Fund – the 300,000 DWT Leicester, 298,000 DWT Horton and 298,000 DWT TRF Horton for sale.
Moreover, the pool includes two of NS Lemas’ scrubber-retro fitted tankers – the 319,000-DWT Irini N Lemos and Agios Nikolas.
Rumours on the rise
The rumours continued when it emerged that Economou controlled company TMS Tankers would take on the management of the Lady.
Stray Spetalen’s Oslo-lísted company SD Standard Drilling (SDSD) apparently confirmed the purchase of the Hartree VLCC resale Lady with a 33.3% stake worth $36.5m.
The partners were not revealed by SDSD but hinted that they are well-experienced partners. The scrubber-fitted vessel will be renamed Gustavia S.
Brokers said the VLCC would likely have been contracted at a sales of about $82m. Currently, newbuilding prices for VLCCs are being quoted at around $92m.
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Source: Tradewinds
