This new deal is in line with the company’s strategy of building scale through partnerships driven by the use of digitalisation to cut CO2 emissions and boost partner returns.
“We are pleased about the trust shown in us by Xihe and its lenders,” says Claus Gronborg, Chief Investment Officer at Maersk Tankers. “We will increase the tradability of the vessels and harness our commercial and digital expertise to boost their performance, providing attractive financial returns to them and our existing pool partners.”
Strategic growth benefits customers and partners
Since the beginning of 2020, Maersk Tankers’ managed fleet has grown to more than 220 ships, a rise of above 20 per cent. This benefits both existing pool partners and the pools’ cargo customers. With more ships available, the pools can offer greater flexibility to customers in transporting their cargoes. This also helps optimise the utilisation of the fleet, which can result in lower CO2 emissions and higher earnings for partners in the company’s pools.
The first of the four vessels, the MR Ocean Mercury, has already joined the MR Pool, with the next three vessels, two MR vessels and a 9,500 dwt vessel, joining the fleet over the coming weeks.