Two medium range vessels being sold by New York-listed Scorpio Tankers have been the subject of persistent sales speculation this week.
Scorpio called in Clarksons and Fearnley to explore the sale of the 52,000-dwt STI Fontvielle and STI Ville (both built 2013) in March.
Following the close of an offer period, Torm was initially linked with the ships.
Now multiple brokers are pointing to PCL of Singapore as the likely buyer.
A price in the region of $27m per tanker has been reported, with the vessels being sold in part as Scorpio looks highlight its true net asset value.
The figure reported by brokers, however, may not tell the full story.
Both STI Fontvielle and STI Ville are from the early line of more than 100 eco vessels ordered by Scorpio as newbuildings and are now approaching their first special survey.
An imminent sale would allow the seller to pass on this this cost.
Despite the close attention around the two ships, market sources suggest that no final deal is yet in place.
As TradeWinds has reported, Scorpio Tankers is looking at a range of actions following concerns about a 2019 bond payment that have been pulling down its stock price this year.
It remains possible that other assets could also be sold, with leaseback deals and further leverage also an option.
