Singapore-based IMC is eyeing chemical tanker newbuilds.

Kenny Rogers, who heads up the Tsao family's chemical transportation logistics division, said, "In the next 12 months we are going to evaluate the potential for newbuild ships." He added, "We're confident prices will be attractive to build so long as there is not too much saturation."

IMC currently owns a fleet of 28 chemical tankers.

Rogers said he was "quite bullish" on prospects for the sector this year with freight rates "steadily going up".