Greece's Roxana Shipping emerges as new owner of young MR tanker amid soaring values

Shipbrokers reported in January that 2020-built, 50,000-dwt Maritime Comity and Maritime Tranquility were sold en bloc to undisclosed Greek buyers for around US$39M each. Shipping platform data now reveal that Maritime Tranquility has been renamed Malbec Horizon and is listed under Roxana Shipping’s management.

The Greek owner has been approached for comment.

Roxana Shipping also operates another vessel with a similar name – Malbec, an MR tanker built in 2008.

Both MR tankers were previously owned by Aurora Tankers, the tanker arm of the IMC Industrial Group. Maritime Comity and Maritime Tranquility were the first two vessels to enter the group’s fleet in 2020 as part of an eight-vessel newbuilding programme at CSSC’s Guangzhou Shipyard.

Roxana Shipping currently oversees a fleet of 12 vessels – a mix of MR, LR and chemical tankers – according to information on its website. Affiliated company Roks Maritime is also listed with four bulk carriers.

The owner was recently linked to the sale of a 2010-built LR1 tanker for around US$24.5M.

Rising values, rising deals

The buoyant tanker market has sparked several sale-and-purchase deals across multiple segments in recent months, despite soaring asset values.

Focusing on the MR tanker segment, data from Allied Shipbroking show that values have climbed by up to 18% over the past month, with most gains observed in 10- and 15-year-old vessels.

According to the Greek brokerage firm, a total of 46 MR tankers have changed hands so far this year, making it the second most actively traded tanker segment after VLCCs.

Greek owners continue to drive activity. Paschalis Diamantidis-led Velos Tankers, which was active last month with two additions to its fleet, has now disclosed another acquisition. The owner has purchased 2013-built Velos Turquoise, formerly known as S Fontvieille.