Delta Tankers tied to US$156M deal for Metrostar's Suezmax pair

According to European shipbrokers, 2021-built, 156,500-dwt Crude Levante and Crude Zephyrus have changed hands for a combined price of around US$156M, with Delta Tankers linked to the deal. The company has been contacted for comment.

Greek shipbroking sources currently value a five-year-old Suezmax at approximately US$76M.

Delta has reportedly been in the market for modern Suezmax tonnage for several months. Earlier this year, the company was linked to the purchase of a 2017-built unit, though that deal eventually fell through and the vessel was acquired by Teekay Tankers instead.

The Delta fleet currently comprises 28 tankers, mostly Suezmaxes, along with several VLCCs and one Aframax. Metrostar, known for its strategic asset plays in the tanker segment, operates eight vessels, ranging from LR1s to Suezmaxes. Riviera reported that the company sold an Aframax/LR2 tanker to Teekay in recent months.

Second all-Greek deal in two weeks

This marks the second all-Greek Suezmax sale and purchase deal reported over the past two weeks. Performance Shipping, led by Aliki Paliou, recently acquired 2019-built, 157,286-dwt Eco Bel Air and Eco Beverly Hills from TOP Ships, headed by Evangelos Pistiolis, at a reported price of US$75M per vessel.

These deals come amid a shortage of modern tanker units available for sale in the secondhand market. “The ongoing shortage of modern tonnage and firm freight rates continue to limit the availability of competitively priced options for buyers,” Hartland Shipping Services noted in its latest weekly report.

According to Allied Shipbroking, 39 Suezmaxes have changed hands so far this year, with an average age of 17 years.