Tanker asset values remain red hot heading into August, with sale and purchase (S&P) activity accelerating across the size spectrum, according to a report by Hans Thaulow in Splash247. Brokers report renewed momentum in the tanker S&P market, with deals emerging on chemical carriers, VLCCs and LR2 product tankers as values continue to hold at exceptionally strong levels.
Nisshin Shipping Sells Chemical Tanker Hongkong
Japan's Nisshin Shipping has reportedly sold the 19,900 dwt stainless steel chemical tanker Hongkong for $30m, according to Splash247. Built in 2017 at Usuki Zosensho, the vessel is the first tanker sold this year by Nisshin, one of Japan's largest owners with a fleet of more than 100 ships.
CMB.TECH's Ninth VLCC Sale
Belgian shipping giant CMB.TECH is continuing to prune its tanker fleet with the sale of the 299,999 dwt VLCC Donoussa. The 2016 DSME-built vessel was sold to undisclosed buyers for around $122.8m, broadly in line with its VesselsValue valuation, sources told Splash247. The transaction marks CMB.TECH's ninth VLCC sale this year. In February, the company sold another Korean-built VLCC of a similar age and size for $102.5m, highlighting the sharp rise in asset values over the intervening months.
LR2 Momentum: Velos Tankers and Western Shipping
Greek owner Velos Tankers is reportedly selling the 2008-built LR2 tanker Velos Emerald for $50m, according to Splash247. Multiple brokers pointed to the remarkable return on an asset acquired from Mitsui OSK Lines just five years ago for about $17m. The ship has now changed name to Verald and is with Chuan Bo Maritime, a Hong Kong-registered outfit. The sale tag is roughly $3.6m more than market-level pricing portal VesselsValue sets for the Sasebo-built ship.
Another notable LR2 transaction has also come to light. Western Shipping has sold the 110,000 dwt LR2 tanker Ellie Lady to Trafigura for $48m, according to market sources cited by Splash247. The 2009 Sungdong-built, scrubber-fitted vessel has already been renamed Bom Dia.
Vintage Tonnage: Sin Phyong 9
The week's most unusual transaction involves the 1,200 dwt small clean tanker Sin Phyong 9. Built in 1990 by Suzuki in Japan, the vessel was sold by Korea Myongryu Trading to fellow North Korean owner Pomsan Shipping for an undisclosed price, according to the VesselsValue sales register.
Deal Summary
| Vessel | Type | Size / Build | Reported Price | Seller / Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hongkong | Stainless steel chemical tanker | 19,900 dwt; 2017 at Usuki Zosensho | $30m | Nisshin Shipping |
| Donoussa | VLCC | 299,999 dwt; 2016 at DSME | Around $122.8m | CMB.TECH to undisclosed buyers |
| Velos Emerald (now Verald) | LR2 | 2008; Sasebo-built | $50m | Velos Tankers; now with Chuan Bo Maritime |
| Ellie Lady (now Bom Dia) | LR2 | 110,000 dwt; 2009 at Sungdong; scrubber-fitted | $48m | Western Shipping to Trafigura |
| Sin Phyong 9 | Small clean tanker | 1,200 dwt; 1990 by Suzuki | Undisclosed | Korea Myongryu Trading to Pomsan Shipping |
Implications for Operators
For freight forwarders, logistics managers and ocean carriers, the tanker S&P market is a leading indicator of fleet composition and vessel availability. The sharp rise in asset values — from the February VLCC sale at $102.5m to the Donoussa's roughly $122.8m — signals that owners are paying a premium for modern tonnage. Scrubber-fitted LR2s such as Ellie Lady remain attractive to commodity traders like Trafigura, which may reflect continued demand on clean product trades. The steady pace of deals across vintage, modern and small specialist tonnage suggests the market for tanker assets remains exceptionally strong as the industry heads into August.
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