Sources report that Imperial Petroleum, part of the Vafias Group, has solda 160,000 DWT Suezmax tanker Suez Enchanted for $49 million. The vessel has already undergone a change of name and ownership.
Built in 2007, the vessel was acquired by Imperial Petroleum in 2022 as part of a package deal—alongside the 2008-built Suezmax tanker Suez Protopia—for a total price of $46.8 million.
The Vafias Group operates several shipping companies, including three U.S.-listed companies—StealthGas, Imperial Petroleum, and C3is Inc.—as well as two privately held companies, Stealth Maritime and Brave Maritime.
Currently, Imperial Petroleum operates a fleet of 21 vessels, including 9 oil tankers and 12 bulk carriers. According to Imperial Petroleum’s first-quarter financial report released in May of this year, the company has signed purchase contracts to add 4 new handy-size bulk carriers and 1 new product tanker.
The value of tanker assets has risen rapidly, prompting some shipowners to lock in substantial profits by selling their tankers. According to Xclusiv statistics, over the past 12 months, the value of tanker assets across all ship types and age groups has increased by between 8% and 74%. Riviera previously reported that this summer, both Olympic Shipping and Management and Hellenic Tankers completed lucrative VLCC transactions.
Xclusiv data shows that from January through July 2026, a total of 365 tankers were traded, compared to 239 during the same period last year—a 53% increase. Tankers aged 16 to 20 years accounted for 157 of these transactions, representing approximately 43% of all trades, up from 110 during the same period last year.
Greek shipowners have once again emerged as the market’s leading sellers, accounting for nearly one-fifth of global tanker transactions.