Laskaridis Shipping said to be eyeing MR tanker resale deal in China

Rising demand for newbuildings

According to sources, Laskaridis Shipping has been actively seeking opportunities in the MR tanker newbuilding market. In September 2024, various shipbrokers reported that the company had placed an order for two similar-sized vessels at China’s Penglai Jinglu Shipyard. At the time, Laskaridis Shipping denied these reports. 

Laskaridis Shipping, along with its sister company Lavinia Corporation, manages one of the largest Greek-owned fleets, encompassing bulk carriers, tankers, and refrigerated cargo ships. Additionally, the group is undertaking a newbuilding program for six Kamsarmax bulk carriers at China’s Qingdao Yangfan Shipyard and Cosco Yangzhou.

Greeks favour MR tankers

This year, Greece-based shipowners have shown a strong preference for MR tankers when it comes to newbuilding orders. Notable players include Brave Maritime, led by the Vafias family; Laskaridis Maritime, backed by Thanassis Laskaridis (brother of Panos); and Monte Nero Maritime, all of which have placed significant orders recently.

The Greek trend aligns with global interest in MR tankers, with major companies like Shell also placing new orders in this segment.

Data from Xclusiv Shipbrokers shows that as of the end of September 2024, the MR2 orderbook-to-fleet ratio had risen to 17.3% in terms of deadweight tonnage, up from 15.9% just a month earlier. MR2 tankers currently have the second-largest orderbook in the tanker market, trailing only the Aframax/LR2 segment.

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