Another ship has joined the fleet of Velos Tankers, a venture set up by Paschalis Diamantides a few weeks ago in Athens.
The company has emerged as the owner of the 75,000-dwt Breezy Victoria (built 2007), an LR1 product tanker reportedly sold by Japan’s MOL in late August for $13.5m.
IIHS Markit and VesselsValue list the Minaminippon Shipbuilding-constructed vessel in Velos Tankers’ fleet under its new name, Velos Ruby.
That belies earlier reports that suggested Estoril Navigation, another Greek company, was behind the purchase.
The Velos Ruby joins at least three MR2 tankers purchased by Velos Tankers since late August.
The acquisition of the 50,000-dwt Velos Leo and Velos Aquarius (both built 2008), a pair previously with Diamond S Shipping, has already been confirmed. Velos Tankers has also reportedly acquired a third MR2, the 47,300-dwt Challenge Pacific (built 2007).
Confirmation of the Challenge Pacific deal would bring Diamantides’ spending bill to nearly $60m. As he expands, however, he has steered clear of markets in which his father, Diamantis Diamantides, is active. Diamantis’ company Delta Tankers is a crude oil outfit managing seven aframaxes, 20 suezmaxes and five VLCCs.
Delta Tankers also has a product carrier, but it is an LR2 that would not compete with ships in the Velos Tankers fleet.
The fact that Velos Tankers is expanding in LR1s makes it a possible buyer of a similar tanker sold by Gulf Energy Maritime last week.
The Dubai player is believed to have shed up to four LR1 tankers, some of them to Greeks.
Velos Tankers registered with Greek authorities in the summer. It has recently been listed under the same address as Delta Tankers.
