Chios Navigation of Greece has ordered a pair of 52,000-dwt products tankers at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea.
Managing director Menelaos Pangalos confirms the two ships have been booked at a just over $37m each with delivery slated for February and May 2013.
“We have decided that we want to diversify a little bit, so these products tankers are our first move into the wet market for many years,” he added.
The owner is taking a cautious step into the sector. Both ships have been fixed for five years to a major charterer at what Pangalos calls “a decent rate”, plus a profit-sharing arrangement.