The New-York listed shipowner SFL Corporation has agreed to sell the two 2008-built chemical tankers SFL Weser and SFL Elbe. The company didn’t reveal the name of the buyer.
Divesting of older vessels is part of SFL’s strategy to continuously renew and diversify its fleet, and the net cash proceeds are expected to be reinvested in new assets.
The shipowner, with investments in the tanker, bulker, container, car carrier and offshore segments and a significant charter backlog, said the sales proceeds to SFL are approximately $19.5 million for the debt free vessels.
Both vessels have been employed in the spot market the last two years and delivery of the vessels to the buyer is expected to take place in the second quarter. A book impairment of approximately $7 million is expected to be recorded in the first quarter relating to the sales.
The 2009-built suezmax tanker Glorycrown, which was announced sold in February, has been delivered to its new owner in March. The final sales price of approximately $43.5 million is higher than previously disclosed, and a book gain of approximately $9 million is expected to be recorded in the first quarter relating to the sale.
