French shipowner Socatra, headed by Laurent Bozzoni, seems to be very close to sealing a new order for two plus two MR newbuildings.
According to Allied Shipping Research, the Bordeaux-based company has signed a letter of intent, possibly with leasing finance, with Jinling Shipyard in China for two plus two 50,000 tankers set for delivery from 2019 onwards.
Sources tell Splash that the Bozzoni-controlled company is in final negotiations with South Korean shipbuilder STX for the same order, each vessel priced at $32m each.
As of today Socatra operates a fleet of 13 vessels, of which 11 are tankers and two barges, which are used for transporting Airbus A380 components.
