Nordic American Tankers boosts suezmax fleet

Nordic American Tankers (NAT) is pressing ahead with fleet growth and renewal plans with the addition of a 2016-built suezmax.

The Herbjorn Hansson-led owner and operator has picked up the unnamed vessel from what it says is “a first-class owner” in a deal struck in the mid-to-high $60m area.

The unit will change hands in the second quarter of this year and be financed with cash and lease financing.

The New York-listed company recently told investors it would add fresh tonnage and let go of some of the older vessels in its fleet.

NAT has already sold and delivered the 2003-built 160,000 dwt Nordic Apollo to UK interests and exercised purchase options at Norwegian owner and sale and leaseback player Ocean Yield for a pair of 2018-built suezmaxes Nordic Aquarius and Nordic Cygnus.

Following the latest confirmed transaction, the company’s fleet on a fully-delivered basis currently stands at 20 ships. Meanwhile, S&P sources suggest NAT has bought two scrubber-fitted, 2016-built suezmaxes, the Diamondway and Goldway from Singapore’s Eastern Pacific Shipping for $68m each.