BP is reportedly divesting six medium-range (MR) tankers in a deal valued at around US$200 million.
The vessels include British Cadet, British Captain, British Chief, British Officer, British Engineer (all built in 2017), and British Sailor (built in 2016).
According to brokers, the ships attracted multiple offers over the past two weeks. Although the ownership transfer has been completed, the identity of the buyer has yet to be disclosed.
The 57,000-deadweight-ton vessels were built by Hyundai Mipo and are currently listed under the ownership of ICBC Financial Leasing. VesselsValue data indicates that the tankers were originally sold to ICBC in 2015 under a 10-year bareboat charter agreement and subsequently leased back to BP.
Several Greek shipping firms, including Tsakos, have been rumored as potential buyers.
BP Shipping operates a mix of owned and leased vessels to manage its global energy logistics, typically relying on time charters while maintaining a smaller fleet under its own branding.