The VLCC sweep up continues with Sinokor on a tear, buying supertankers on a scale never seen before. The 2013-built Eagle Varna has just fetched $86.5m with docking due – a lighter price against the 2013-built Agneta Pallas III which secured $90m a couple of weeks back, however that was scrubber fitted. Putting some perspective on what a pump on prices Sinokor has done to the VLCC segment, Hartland noted: “The wave of recent secondhand VLCCs achieving high numbers may have somewhat numbed us to just how high these prices are, but it is worth noting that this is a 13yo ship, selling for a price that would have been equivalent to newbuild VLCC prices at some low points in market cycles (e.g. 2020 or 2017).” While tanker sales have fallen when compared to the same period last year, with 30 sales reported, compared to 42 in February 2025, values have continued to strengthen for the tanker sector as a whole, the total value of sales in February 2026, has increased by 6% year-on-year to $1.23bn, according to data from VesselsValue. The decrease in sales was expected, with the lunar new year celebrations falling in February this year. Other headline S&P tanker transactions include the en bloc sale of the 2012-built Ilma and Ingrid VLCCs by CMB.TECH to Sinokor for $178m, while Thenamaris pounced for the 2022-built Sunriseway and Emeraldway suezmaxes for $176m en bloc. On the back of unseasonably strong spot and time charter rates, bulker values firmed across almost all sub sectors and size categories this month with capesizes experiencing the biggest leap. For example, VesselsValue data shows 10-year-old vessels of 180,000 dwt increased by 5.31% month-on-month from $51.25m to $53.97m. The volume of sales, however, was down year-on-year, likely a combination of elevated asset values, and the timing of Chinese New Year, which fell on February 17 this year compared to January 29. Key bulker transactions included Geneva-headquartered Mercuria Energy buying the 2010-built Epic cape for a price in the mid-$32m range. A CM Lemos affiliate, Nereus Shipping, sold the vessel. The deal represents a step up from the one-year-younger Namura-built Frontier Kotobuki (built 2011), which changed hands a few weeks ago for $31.4m. The Anglo Red and Anglo Barinthus, sister kamsarmaxes built in China 13 years ago, were sold by Anglo International Shipping for $34m en bloc. In containers, secondhand sales were down 80% year-over-year, and top buyer MSC was notably quiet as attention remained on VLCCs. However, values held firm overall supported by a stable charter market, a lack of tonnage available on prompt delivery, and strong buyer interest. Among the few concluded deals, Erasmus Shipinvest paid $33m for the 2022-built, 1,930 teu Kanway Lucky, while Metrostar Management Corp paid $13.5m for the 2008-built, 1,300 teu Warnow Beluga. TagsSplash Extra February 2026