London-listed fund manager Tufton Oceanic is offloading one of its two suezmax tankers, prompting speculation that the owner may depart from the segment.
European brokers said the company has sold the 160,000-dwt Bacaliaros (built 2003) to an undisclosed Greek buyer for $15.3m.
Tufton declined to comment on the deal.
The transaction, if confirmed, leaves Tufton with the sistership Tonos (built 2003) as its last suezmax.
The company bought the duo from Konig of Germany in 2015 in an en-bloc deal for $31m each.
The Bacaliaros sale comes days after Tufton sold the 159,000-dwt tanker Bonny (built 2005) to Indian shipowner Seven Islands Shipping for some $19m.
The UK shipping fund manager has a diversified fleet of 48 ships including containerships, tankers, bulkers and LPG vessels, according to Clarksons.
But in general Tufton has been adding tonnage to its fleet. The company sold ships for the first time in February, when it disposed of three general cargoships.
The London-listed shipowner is backed by Tufton Investment Management.
