Chandris (Hellas) said to re-enter VLCC market with modern purchase ahead of newbuild delivery

The company has been linked to 2020-built, 307,880-dwt CSSC Liao Ning, which was recently renamed Australis.

Shipbrokers reported earlier this year that the vessel had been sold to undisclosed Greek interests for a price close to US$112M.

Chandris (Hellas), which has been approached for comment, previously operated a VLCC named Australis. The 2003-built vessel left the fleet last year after being sold for around US$28M, according to brokers’ estimates.

Based on information available on its website, the Greek owner oversees a fleet of 11 tankers ranging from Handy to Suezmax vessels, built between 2009 and 2026. However, the company currently has no VLCCs in its fleet.

Chandris (Hellas) is also preparing to take delivery of 281,800-dwt Ellinis from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, following an order placed two years ago.

Meanwhile, the group continues to expand across other tanker segments. According to multiple shipping databases, it has emerged as the new owner of 2010-built, 39,729-dwt Handy tanker Aegea, formerly known as Kirsten Maersk.

The Chinese-built vessel changed hands in late April for about US$22M, according to shipbroking records.

Riviera first reported in March that Chandris (Hellas) had also contracted China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC) subsidiary Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) to build two 157,000-dwt tankers.

Earlier this year, the owner took delivery of Astrea, an LNG dual-fuel Aframax tanker built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI). The company is also due to receive a sister vessel next year.