Gulf Energy Maritime looks to have exited the LR2 market with the sale of two tankers in a transaction brokers say provides an important price point for such tonnage.

The shipowner placed the 114,000-dwt Gulf Vision (built 2012) and Gulf Valour (built 2013) on the market in October, as TradeWinds reported at the time.

Now brokers believe the vessels have been sold at $64m en bloc, with multiple Greek owners mentioned as the potential buyer.

Shipbrokers tell TradeWinds the price offers a fresh benchmark for LR2 tonnage at a time product tanker sale and purchase activity has picked up, backed by a rising winter market.

The increase in asset prices of late is said to have tempted GEM into a sale.

Calls to the shipowner seeking comment and clarification on the sale of the ships were unanswered at the time of writing on Monday.

GEM has a fleet of 19 tankers on the water with a sizable position in both the LR1 and MR sectors.