Oil major Chevron is expanding its presence in the suezmax tanker segment by taking a 10-year- tanker on charter from Russian shipping giant Socomflot (SCF Group) for a year.
European shipbrokers said the DSME-built, 158,000-dwt SCF Samotlor (built 2010) has been fixedfor 12 months at $45,000 per day.
The Russian shipowner could not confirm the deal and Chevron does not comment on its commercial activities.
The SCF Samotlor had previously been employed in the Stena Sonangol Suezmax Pool.
TradeWinds reported Tuesday that Chevron had fixed two suezmaxes from Teekay Tankers. The oil company had taken both the 160,000-dwt Pinnacle Spirit (built 2008) and the 158,000-dwt Rio Spirit (built 2013) for a year. The rate in this deal is also believed to be $45,000 per day.
The rate for the three tankers is surprisingly firm. In the last month, the spot market for suezmaxes has dropped from some $70,000 per day to some $40,000 per day.
This could mean that period charter deals are much more stable, but also that these deals were clinched some time ago.
Sovcomflot has a fleet of more thank 100 tankers plus newbuildings. Its fleet includes 11 suezmaxes with an average age of 14 years.
The company has started selling its oldest units in this segment. This year, it ofloaded the HHI-built 159,000-dwtt SCF Altai (built 2001) and SCF Khibny (built 2002) to Greek newcomer Edge Maritime. The company paid $17.7m for the SCF Altai and $19m for the SCF Khibny..
Some sources said a third sistership, the SCF Caucasus (built 2002), has gone to an undisclosed buyer for $19.5m.
