Maersk Tankers to launch new tanker pool

Maersk Tankers has committed to launching a dedicated chemical tanker pool.

The AP Moller-Maersk business posted a message on its LinkedIn social media platform saying the pool would launch on 1 October 2024 and be called Maersk Tankers Chemicals.

"Supported by existing Partners and drawing on our extensive experience and expertise with chemical vessels, the new pool is designed to maximise returns for our Partners’ J19 vessels," the post said. "With no minimum commitment period and flexible redelivery terms, the new Chemical Pool offers a seamless onboarding process and a fair and transparent earnings model."

Among the benefits listed on Maersk’s dedicated portal, the company said it offers access to logistics tools and professionals, commercial management and a partnership within a pool of more than 200 vessels.

Within its own fleet, Maersk Tankers counts five J19 chemical tankers and the business operates pools for nine other vessel sizes including Suezmax, Aframax, Panamax, LR1, LR2, MR and others.

In January 2024, Denmark’s Maersk Tankers acquired US-headquartered Penfield Marine to create a large-scale crude and product tanker company offering services to pool partners and cargo customers.

The combined company was set to manage a fleet of around 240 vessels, including approximately 45 vessels owned by affiliated companies, upon its launch. Maersk declined to reveal the value or terms of the deal, which closed on 2 January 2024. 

In a statement on the acquisition, the companies said they would continue to operate as normal, "with no changes to regional presence" as they undertook the process of integrating the respective businesses’ employees, pool partners and customers.

The combined company operates under the Maersk Tankers name and brand and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Tina Revsbech is chief executive. Penfield’s website listed a total managed fleet of 76 vessels across Panamax, Aframax and Suezmax vessel classes at the time of the acquisition.

In 2019, commodities trader and vessel owner/charterer Cargill moved 20 of its tankers under Maersk Tankers’ management in a pooling arrangement, specifically citing Maersk Tankers’ digital tools and management capabilities.