A lone shipowner is in final talks with South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for up to eight MR tankers, which are being discussed under Shell’s huge Project Solar order for up to 30 newbuildings worth more than $1.2bn.
Newbuilding brokers say discussions are in play with an as-yet unidentified owner for four firm vessels built to IMO type 3 chemical and product standards.
The contract is understood to include two sets of options for a pair of tankers. It is expected to be signed within this month.
Yard officials remain tight-lipped about the dealings due to strict confidentiality terms.
Shell entered the market last year for a swathe of tanker newbuildings to take on charter deals.
The energy major has consistently declined to comment on commercial matters relating to its shipping business.
This is expected to be the final tranche of Project Solar ships.
At the end of last year, Eships, the shipping arm of the Dubai-based Tristar Group, contracted six 25,000-dwt, IMO type 2 product tankers at HMD, along with a series of optional vessels.
Tristar, which this month hinted at plans for an initial public offering, has proved a go-to owner for Shell after working with the major on its earlier Project Silver deal for 52,000-dwt tankers in 2013.
This week, it emerged that Shell, which is understood to be working with shipbroker Clarksons on Project Solar, had seen its original plans to work with ICBC Leasing on an order for up to 16 handysize chemical carriers rejected more than once by the Chinese financier’s credit committee.
But Chinese shipowner Shandong Shipping is stepping into the breach by signing up to 10 firm ships with three additional pairs of options worth almost $600m in total.
