Istanbul: Turkish owner BMZ Group has reportedly purchased the chemical tanker Shovket Alekperova (7,100 dwt, built 2014) for $18m from Maltese owner Armada Voyager Seven Company.
The vessel is operated by Istanbul-based Palmali Shipping and was built at compatriot shipyard Besiktas.
BMZ Group has cancelled its order for five tankers, plus five options, at Turkey’s Yardımcı and Türkter shipyards, Turkish media reports say. The group will instead expand its fleet by acquiring secondhand tankers with an average age of two years, and is said to be planning to spend around $180m on up to 10 product tankers.
Earlier this month, the company paid $18m for the Malta-flagged CPP tanker Begim Aslanova (7,150 dwt, built 2015). In July 2014, the group acquired the Mecid Aslanov (7,150 dwt, built 2014) from the Palmali group for $35m.
The group is led by Bilal Erdogan, son of the Turkish president, and his two uncles, Ziya Ilgen and Mustafa Erdogan.
