Athens and London-based pools and management operation Heidmar has expanded its fleet again in a deal with Allseas Marine.
Heidmar said a 160,036-dwt suezmax tanker built in 2016 is now under its commercial control.
The ship was not named, but was constructed at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding in China.
The only vessel that fits the bill is the RS Tara.
The ship is Allseas’ only tanker among a fleet of eight bulkers and two container ships.
In March, Heidmar outlined its expansion plans ahead of a Nasdaq listing.
The company believes it will boost the fleet from 60 ships to at least 82 this year, as it adds more bulkers to the existing tanker roster.
Heidmar is pursuing a merger with blank-cheque company Home Plate Acquisition Corp that will see it take over the Nasdaq listing of its new partner.
The deal values the combined entity at $261.4m.
Speaking on a conference call, Heidmar chief executive Pankaj Khanna said an associated cash raise of between $55m and $60m will allow it to develop the dry cargo operation and shipbroking activities, as well as moving into technical management alongside commercial management.
In 2022, another Greek shipowner, Evangelos Marinakis, moved into a joint venture with Heidmar in which all 32 of his privately managed tankers entered the operation, and he has continued to contribute vessels since.
Heidmar has also appointed former George Economou group executive Niki Fotiou as head of finance and accounting in the Athens office.
And experienced dry cargo executive Navin Arjun Soni was recruited to run the Singapore office.
