A pair of VLCC newbuildings originally ordered by Kyriakou family-controlled Athenian Sea Carriers are passing under the management of Greek peer George Economou.
Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries delivered the 300,000-dwt vessel — Hull No 8052 — under its new name of Caspar earlier this month.
Clarksons identifies Economou’s Cardiff Marine as the vessel’s new manager, while IHS Markit and Equasis say it is affiliated TMS Tankers.
A similar arrangement seems underway for a sistership with Hull No 8053, which is due to be delivered in June as Degas.
The two VLCCs have been at the centre of much speculation last year when Athenian Sea Carriers was said to be lining up a big-ticket resale deal for them.
Rumours flared in December, when unidentified Greek owners reportedly picked up the vessels at $98m each.
The transaction probably involved the newbuildings’ leasing financiers.
VesselsValue identifies ICBC Financial Leasing as the pair’s buyer at the time. The Chinese financial powerhouse is listed as the vessels’ ultimate owner by IHS Markit as well.
According to Equasis, the pair’s registered owners are two entities named Hai Kuo Shipping 2248 and 2249. The “Hai Kuo” prefix has been used by ICBC to name special purpose vehicles before.
ICBC is, furthermore, known to conclude sale-and-leaseback deals with major tanker owners, such as Hafnia.
The Caspar and Degas are not the only VLCCs that Athenian Sea Carriers sold last year.
Between June 2021 and February 2022, the Kyriakou company sold another three such ships on the secondhand market. The sales have shrunk the company’s operating fleet by half, to just three VLCCs.
