Norway’s Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi (KGJS) is close to completing its withdrawal from tankers following the disposal of most of its product carrier fleet to Torm last year.
Broker talks have centred on a deal being agreed to offload the final two ships, the 119,500-dwt LR2 pair SKS Darent (built 2011) and SKS Driva (built 2010), for a combined price of $104m.
The KGJS fleet of LR2s has been owned through a 50/50 joint venture, SKS Greentankers, with funds managed by London financier Hayfin Capital since the end of 2021.
In November, KGJS said it was focusing on bulk carriers after selling eight LR2s to Torm for $399m.
TradeWinds understands one of the remaining tankers has been sold and the status of the other is uncertain.
Hayfin declined to comment, while KGJS has not responded to TradeWinds’ enquiries.
VesselsValue assesses the SKS Darent as worth $52.85m, with the sister at $50.24m.
This is up from $27m and $25m, respectively, two years ago.
Spot rates for LR2s soared to more than $100,000 per day last week due to disruptions on the Red Sea route.
Market rumours had linked UK owner Union Maritime to the ships, but the company denied it was involved.
Union Maritime is, however, reported to have acquired the 17,900-dwt product tanker Peninsula XI (built 2023) from Peninsula International of Singapore, for an undisclosed price.
Hayfin staying active in shipping
The remaining two tankers continued to be managed by Jebsen’s SKS Tankers operation, it added.
KGJS owns five kamsarmaxes and a cement carrier.
Hayfin said in November it remained active in the maritime space and has acquired more than 80 vessels — including LNG, dry bulk, container vessels and tankers — on behalf of managed funds.
Denmark’s Torm said the purchase price for the LR2s comprised $239m in cash and 5.5m of its shares.
Danske Bank analyst Havard Lie said the deal may be the start of KGJS/Hayfin buying a larger stake in Torm.
KGJS, a long-established shipowner in Bergen, has been winding down its tanker exposure at a time when asset prices have been hot.
The latest vessels are of high specification, which further supports the premium pricing.
Hayfin is not the sole significant financial partner collaborating with the company led by Hans Peter Jebsen. On the dry cargo front, it has a venture with JP Morgan.
