Asian buyers swoop for CMB.TECH’s VLCCs and Capesize bulkers in latest sales round

The publicly listed shipowner announced on 7 January that it has sold eight vessels, generating a total capital gain of approximately US$269M. 

Proceeds from the sales will be used to repay existing debt facilities, while the company intends to distribute 50% of the profit from these transactions.

The tanker arm of the diversified group, Euronav, sold six VLCCs: Daishan (2007-built), Hirado (2011), Hojo (2013), Dia and Antigone (both 2015-built), and Aegean (2016). 

The transactions are expected to generate a capital gain of roughly US$261M in Q1 2026, based on net sales prices and book values, with delivery of the assets scheduled for the current quarter.

Shipbrokers have linked a South Korean shipowner to the majority of these VLCC acquisitions.

These sales follow the recent divestment of 2007-built Dalma, which now appears to be under Chinese ownership and has been renamed Violett.

Capesize deals

CMB.TECH also disclosed the sale of its 2009-built Capesize bulk carriers Golden Magnum and Belgravia from its dry bulk arm, Bocimar, generating a capital gain of approximately US$8M.

Both vessels have already been delivered to their new owners and now trade under the names Sunrise Pioneer and Sunrise Monarch, according to shipping data platforms.

The buyer appears to be a Hong Kong-based entity, which previously acquired 2009-built Battersea (renamed Sunrise Prosperity) from CMB.TECH. Another recent Capesize sale involved 2011-built Golden Zhoushan, now trading as Cape Hefei under Chinese ownership.

CMB.TECH currently oversees a diversified fleet of approximately 250 vessels, including bulk carriers, crude oil tankers, chemical tankers, container vessels, offshore energy vessels, and port vessels.