Maersk Tankers has offloaded its oldest vessel for an attractive price in China.
Multiple broking sources said the Danish group has sold the 29,000-dwt Chinese-built handysize tanker Maersk Bering (built 2005) to undisclosed Chinese interests.
The price has been estimated at up to $16m.
VesselsValue assesses the ship as worth $15.3m, compared to $12.3m a year ago and just $8m five years ago.
Maersk Tankers told TradeWinds it does not comment on market rumours.
The Maersk Bering has been operating in the Maersk handy pool.
The ship has been owned by Maersk Tankers since its delivery from Guangzhou CSSC Longxue Shipbuilding.
The owner still has two other ships from 2006, and another four built in 2008.
The newest vessel in the fleet dates from 2018.
Maersk Tankers has 31 owned ships in operation in total, according to UK shipbroker Clarksons.
Additionally, 10 ammonia-capable VLGCs are on order at HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in South Korea, scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028.
Tanker sales at very low levels
Brokers, analysts and owners have all noted a big slowdown in secondhand tanker deals.
Frontline chief executive Lars Barstad said on a conference call that the market is “paralysed”, with fewer players discussing prices.
He believes the appetite for older tankers is drying up in a saturated market for sanctioned oil trading from Russia, Iran and Venezuela.
