In what was thought a re-financing deal, Germany’s Hartmann was said to have sold nine products carriers to US investment companies Blackstone and Tufton Oceanic.

The sellers will keep 15% of shares and retain the vessels’ management.

The vessels involved were reported as two LR1s managed by Donnelly and seven MRs managed by Intership.

In addition, Tufton Oceanic was also believed to have purchased Iino’s MR ‘Freja Selandia’ for $21.5 mill. The deal includes a five-year bareboat charter to Lauritzen Tankers.

Leaving the fleet were the large 1978-built combination carrier ‘Maharshi Karve’ sold to Indian breakers for $422 per ldt and the 1992-built shuttle tanker ‘Navion Fennia’, reportedly sold by Teekay Norway to Bangladesh breakers for $435 per ldt.

Source: Tanker Operator