Four large tanker owners have signed a letter of intent to set up a new VLCC (very large crude carrier) pool, controlling around 50 modern VLCCs.
Partners in the pool will be Mitsui OSK Lines, Phoenix Tankers, AP Moller Maersk (Maersk Tankers), Samco Shipholding, and Ocean Tankers (Singapore) - all financially strong and quality-focused tanker owners.
The partners are in detailed discussions and the VLCC Pool is expected to become operational from February 1, 2012 with offices in Singapore, Copenhagen and New York.
The VLCC pool will operate a combined fleet of around 50 quality VLCCs by the end of 2012 with an average age of only three-years.
