Norwegian owner JL Mowinckels Rederi has concluded its first deal this year by moving into the stainless-steel chemical tanker market.
In a 50:50 joint venture with investor Harald Moraeus-Hanssen, the company has purchased two Japanese-built, 19,900-dwt tankers (both built 2006).
Mowinckels chief executive Geir Belsnes confirmed the deal but declined to reveal the price.
VesselsValue estimates the Fukuoka-built tankers to be worth $11m each.
Other deals
Last year, TradeWinds reported that Mowinckels was working with Fearnley Securities on an order for up to four suezmax tankers at China's New Times Shipbuilding, but no deal materialised.
Today, Mowinckels — founded in 1898 by three-time Norwegian prime minister Johan Ludwig Mowinckel — has 50% stakes in a panamax bulker, a supramax bulker and a suezmax tanker.
Moraeus-Hanssen is a high-profile Norwegian investor. TradeWinds reported in September that he and co-investors had teamed up for an order for two 63,000-dwt bulkers at New Dayang Shipbuilding in China.
He has previously made profitable investments in containerships after spending most of his career in the Astrup Fearnley Group.
