Denmark’s Maersk Tankers, owned by A.P. Moller Holding, has launched its first ever pool in the Long-Range 1 (LR1) tanker segment, with Sanmar Shipping becoming its first member.
The Sanmar Group is a global billion-dollar conglomerate headquartered in Chennai, India and is engaged in the key business sectors of chemicals, engineering and shipping, generating around $1.5bln in revenue.
The new LR1 pool offers pool management to owners of tankers ranging from 55,000-80,000 tons dwt and builds on Maersk Tankers’ experience in the commercial management of tankers of all sizes, from 10,000 tons deadweight (dwt) to LR2 vessels.
It will offer partners access to earning spikes in the spot market with the benefit of an array of vessel optimisation opportunities.
Following many years of collaboration, most recently in the LR2 segment, Sanmar Shipping has now entrusted Maersk Tankers with the management of a recently bought LR1 tanker.
“We have had the honour of working with Sanmar Shipping for many years and are proud that we now get to venture into a new segment together,” said Jesper Bo Hansen, global head of partnerships and pool management at Maersk Tankers.
“The demand for LR1 trade remains strong, while the average age of the fleet is continuously increasing. Building on our large customer network and presence, particularly in the East, we believe we can offer a valuable service in this segment, which will give shipowners the opportunity to maximise earnings and optimise vessel performance,” said Hansen. “While initially starting with one partner, we are aiming to forge more partnerships in the segment.”
Maersk Tankers is an asset-light service company, meaning the company does not own vessels, but manages vessels on behalf of shipowners.
With its headquarters based in Copenhagen, Maersk Tankers provides commercial management solutions for shipowners in the tanker industry, operating one of the largest tanker fleets in the world.
