Shipowner CM Lemos looks to be exiting the VLCC market in a deal which indicates a slight firming of asset values in the sector.
Shipbroking sources believe the company has sold the 298,000-dwt Gloric (built 2006) to compatriot shipowner Aeolos Management for a price of $33.3m.
CM Lemos has been signaling an intent to focus on smaller tankers and explored the double sale of two VLCCs to Zodiac Maritime this summer.
In the event, Zodiac only took one of the two ships, paying $33m for the 298,000-dwt Symphonic (built 2006). Zodiac has renamed the ship White Nova.
The two tankers were the only VLCCs in the fleet of CM Lemos and its affiliated management company Nereus Shipping.
VesselsValue says Gloric is worth just $30.2m, while Maritime Strategies International's rival valuation service puts the ship's value at between $32.6m and $37.3m.
The ship's price may have been bolstered by significant spares onboard, some sources suggested.
CM Lemos had owned the VLCC duo since they were delivered from Universal Shipbuilding. They were reported ordered for $90m each.
The shipowner and its management arm Nereus Shipping have six suezmax tankers on the water plus four newbuildings from Japan Marine United.m Nereus also manages six dry bulk vessels.
For Phillip Embiricos-controlled Aeolos Management and affiliated London company Andros Maritime, the Gloric purchase means the company has bought its third VLCC this year.
In April, it purchased the Hyundai Heavy Industries-built 319,000-dwt Spyros (built 2007) from Greek shipowner Enesel for $34.6m, before it was renamed Kassos 1.
And in July, Aeolos bought the Imabari Shipbuilding-constructed, 309,000-dwt Bright Harmony (built 2009), paying $41m. The ship joined the company's fleet as the Serifos.
The Embiricos company also signed up in December for a 318,000-dwt tanker newbuilding at DSME for delivery in 2020, believed to be costing $84m.
This year the outfit also sold the 305,000-dwt tanker Kos (built 2001) and the 298,000-dwt Kymolos (built 1998) for scrap.
Prior to the inclusion of Gloric buy, Aeolos had a fleet of seven VLCCs with an average age of 13 years.
