Emanuele Lauro’s Scorpio Tankers has cashed in a couple of MR product tankers at eye-catching prices, sources say.
The New York-listed shipowner is reported to have offloaded the 50,000-dwt STI Opera and STI San Antonio (both built 2014).
Some brokers report a price of $41m for each of the South Korean-built ships. However, sources tell TradeWinds the price was $42.5m.
VesselsValue estimates the STI Opera is worth $40.36m and the STI San Antonio $41.36m.
Scorpio has a fleet of more than 50 MRs, alongside 39 LR2s and 14 handymaxes.
It has sold a number of its older ships this year as it rides a strong product tanker market in which asset prices are robust.
Its largest sale came in the summer, when it offloaded its five oldest MRs — four built in 2012 and one in 2013 — in multiple deals worth $179m.
Scorpio has not joined the product tanker newbuilding drive, in which contracting is running at close to record levels.
The company embarked on an enormous newbuilding campaign around a decade ago after its IPO, meaning its fleet was built in 2014 or later.
Scorpio, traditionally a spot player, has been enjoying the strongest product tanker market for several years.
It has been increasing its time charter coverage to lock in some of the higher rates on offer.
