Thailand’s newly-listed shipowner Prima Marine decided to expand its fleet as it ordered four tankers on December 23.
The vessels, which will feature 3,000 dwt, were ordered on the back of an increase in oil transportation demand in the Asia-Pacific region.
Prima Marine said that the first tanker from the batch is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2019. The contract was signed with a Chinese shipbuilder and has a value of THB 702 million (USD 21.7 million).
The order follows the company’s debut on Thailand’s stock exchange in September 2017, when Prima Marine raised some USD 157.6 million through its Initial Public Offering (IPO).
At the time, Prima Marine unveiled its plans to increase capability in the transport and storage of crude oil, petroleum products, semi-finished oil products and liquid petrochemicals.
Namely, the company said it aims to double the size of its fleet over the next three years and expand its coverage to routes including Myanmar, China and Japan.
World Maritime News Staff