Gunvor forms new ship holding jv СlearOcean Tankers
Gunvor Group, one of the largest physical energy trading companies in the world, has entered into a joint venture with Oceangold Tankers and Maas Capital to form ClearOcean Tankers, a new ship holding company. The three partners hold an equal share in ClearOcean Tankers, which has been incorporated in Cyprus, the company said in its press release.
ClearOcean Tankers has entered into shipbuilding contracts with STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. for four MR2 product tankers, and with Daehan Shipbuilding Co for two LR2 product tankers. All six of the contracted vessels will be delivered during the first half of 2019, and will be eco-friendly and scrubber-ready, in view of the International Maritime Organization’s new standard for lower global sulphur emissions from international shipping that will be implemented in 2020.
Clearlake Shipping, Gunvor’s wholly-owned shipping division, has entered into long-term time charters for the vessels and Oceangold Tankers is also acting as construction supervision and technical manager of the vessels. ClearOcean Tankers may acquire additional newbuilding, resale or second-hand crude oil or product tankers in the future.
Jan Andersen, Head of Shipping at Clearlake, commented: “Expanding into vessel ownership and taking advantage of the historically low shipbuilding prices to contract eco-friendly, scrubber-ready newbuilding tankers represented an attractive opportunity. Teaming up with solid partners like Oceangold Tankers and Maas Capital enables us to control more vessels and to de-risk our investment.”
John Dragnis, CEO of Oceangold Tankers, commented: “We are delighted with the establishment of a unique partnership that brings together one of the largest charterers of product tanker vessels in the world with in-depth market knowledge, a ship owning and management group with unblemished track record and a financial investor with a longstanding track record in the shipping industry.”
Mark Ras, Managing Director of Maas Capital Shipping, commented: “This investment exemplifies our investment approach of acquiring top assets at a compelling price in partnership with top industry participants. We aim to invest together with leading and longstanding industry players and are excited about this new partnership with Gunvor Group and Oceangold Tankers.”
About Gunvor Group
Gunvor Group is one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy, metals and bulk materials from where they are sourced and stored to where they are demanded most. With strategic investments in industrial infrastructure—refineries, pipelines, storage, terminals, mining and upstream—Gunvor further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers.
About Oceangold Tankers
Oceangold Tankers is a management company that was established by the Dragnis family in 2007 and today operates a fleet of 10 tankers internationally, comprising five MR2 product tankers, one Panamax crude oil tanker, two LR1 and two LR2 product tankers.
About Maas Capital
Maas Capital, is a dedicated investor with a long-term vision and focus on the Shipping & Intermodal, Oil & Gas and Renewables sectors.