Trading giant Gunvor's Clearlake Shipping has been linked to an order for two aframaxes at South Korea's Daehan Shipbuilding in a shipowning debut for the group.
Clarksons lists two 114,000-dwt ships contracted in October by the company, for delivery in August and November 2019.
John Dragnis-led Oceangold Tankers, a partner of Gunvor, was first linked to the deal.
This followed the order of two aframaxes by Oceangold in February. These are due in May and June, the Oceangold website says.
The size of these vessels is given as 113,400 dwt.
TradeWinds reported earlier that the first two crude carriers were inked on the back of long-term charters from Clearlake.
Shipbuilding players said Clearlake was planning to order the pair of tankers itself as it wanted to take advantage of the low shipbuilding price to expand its fleet. However, it changed its strategy and roped in Oceangold to contract the newbuildings instead.
Now it appears it has inked its first vessels as an owner.
Gunvor and Daehan have been contacted for comment.
Oceangold has nine ships in the water and another six MRs on order at STX in Korea.
