Rumours have circulated in shipbroking circles suggesting Euronav is considering selling the world’s second-biggest tanker, three months after offloading the largest.

One European broker reported an agreement had been struck for the 441,600-dwt ULCC Oceania (built 2003) with an unknown buyer at $50m.

The Belgian shipowner is not commenting, but other sources have said the vessel had not been sold.

TradeWinds is told Euronav would require a price closer to $60m to tempt it to part with the tanker.

VesselsValue assesses the huge ship as worth $46.76m, up from $43m a year ago.

The Oceania has been holding very low-sulphur fuel oil for Euronav’s own use.

The sister ship, Europe (built 2002), which is bigger at 442,500 dwt, was sold to unnamed interests in October for a reported $42m, with a special survey due, indicating price ideas have risen sharply in the interim.

Singapore’s VE Marine Services was later reported as the buyer of the world’s biggest tanker.

AIS showed the ship’s new name as SA Europe, a prefix used by VE Marine for other vessels.

The ULCC is now rated as worth $46m.

The Europe was debt-free after 18 years under Euronav ownership, generating a profit of $34.7m for the seller.

Two other huge tankers survive as FSOs

Euronav had said that the vessel would be delivered in the fourth quarter for use as a storage ship.

Only two other ships of this massive size still exist.

Euronav’s 432,000-dwt FSO Asia and FSO Africa (both built 2002) were converted into floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessels.

The company bought out partner International Seaways’ 50% holding in the ships this year to take 100% control.

The FSOs are on long-term contracts in Qatar.