Vintage VLCCs are back in fashion
London: This week saw a string of S&P transactions for older VLCC tonnage at favourable prices, at least one of which is bound for conversion.
Greece’s New Shipping is said to have paid Japan’s NYK Line $27m for the 15-year-old VLCC Takasuzu (208,000 dwt, built 2000), according to data from London-based shipbroker Alibra Shipping.
This is New Shipping’s second vintage VLCC acquisition in recent months. In early February, Polemis-led company bought the GC Haikou (298,600 dwt, built 2000) for $31m.
The 17-year-old Al Saheia (310,000 dwt, built 1998) was bought this week by unnamed interests from Kuwait Oil Tanker Co for $26.5m, Alibra says.
Earlier this week, Cardiff Marine was reported to have sold its 18-year-old VLCC Universal Prime (301,200 dwt, built 1997) to unknown buyers for $31m. Reports say the vessel is to be converted into an FSPO.
Online valuation platform VesselsValue.com values 2000-built VLCCs at $29.79m and 1998-built vessels at $23.53m, based on 300,000-dwt vessels.