A failed deal to sell an MR2 product tanker to Indonesian interests has netted Singapore’s Shenlong Maritime a $1.6m bonus after it was sold instead to an affiliate of Spring Marine Management.
The SPP-built, 50,200-dwt St Jacobi (built 2014) turned up in the Athens tanker operator’s fleet under the name Zumba at the end of last week.
Many of the company’s tankers are named after different types of dances.
Marshall Islands-registered Zumba Shipping, a Spring-linked company, is listed in reputable maritime databases as the new owner.
TradeWinds first reported on Shenlong’s attempts to sell the St Jacobi at the end of April, when it was put on subjects to Indonesian interests in a deal reported to be worth $22.9m.
Tankers sold into Indonesian tanker operators are usually acquired against long-term charters to oil major Pertamina. Potential candidates are included in tender documents submitted by companies bidding for contracts, which requires them to hold ships on subjects for a long period, with deals concluded only when the tender winner is announced.
Broking sources in Singapore said it was likely that whoever had planned to acquire the St Jacobi was not awarded a tender.
In June, the ship was again reported as sold, this time to undisclosed European interests for $24.5m.
The Zumba is the second ship to dance its way into the Spring fleet this year. In April, Babylon Navigation’s 104,900-dwt aframax Martha (built 2006) was acquired by Spring-affiliated Tango Shipping and renamed Lambada.
VesselsValue lists Spring as controlling a fleet of 17 tankers.
The company has been approached for comment.
