Hong Kong-listed Seacon Shipping continues to remain active in the sale-and-purchase market, picking up two modern chemical and product tankers.
The shipowner has purchased the 16,788-dwt Enford and Kenrick (both built 2012) from UK owner Union Maritime for $14m per ship, according to a regulatory filing.
The Guo Jinkui-led shipowner said it expects to take delivery of both vessels by 20 December 2023.
Union Maritime has agreed to take the two vessels back on time charter for two years at $16,250 per day with an option to extend for another 12 months at $16,500 per day.
Seacon said the acquisition of the vessels was in line with the ongoing strategy of the group to expand and diversify its controlled vessel fleet by the addition of two oil/chemical tankers.
“The recent geographical tension in the Middle East has driven the shipping demand for oil products, as witnessed by the surge of Baltic Clean Tanker Index since the third quarter of 2023,” the company said.
“In addition, the management of the company is of the view that the market conditions supporting the demand for chemical products will improve, which in turn will drive the global demand for logistics service for chemical products.
“By increasing the number of oil/chemical tankers, the group’s shipping capacity for oil and chemical products will increase… generating additional revenue and creating greater value and returns for the shareholders,” it added.
Last week, Seacon confirmed the sale of its 57,005-dwt bulker Seacon Dalian (built 2010) for $12.8m to Indonesian company PT Cakra Buana Resources Energi Tbk.
Seacon said the disposal was part of its ongoing strategy to optimise its fleet by gradually phasing out its older ships and replacing them with newer vessels.
The company said the disposal also represented an opportunity to “dispose of the vessel at a reasonable price”, enabling it to enhance its working capital position, further strengthen its liquidity, and provide funding for the acquisition of new vessels to optimise the group’s fleet portfolio.
