Sources say the Hitachi-built VLCC, Kin A, a 298,000 dwt tanker now 26 years old, has been sold to undisclosed interests and renamed Helga. The vessel, flagged in Comoros, is no longer classed by any member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). According to VesselValue, its class with Bureau Veritas has been withdrawn. The tanker is currently reported at anchor in southern China. Despite its low-profile ownership structure, there is no public record linking the ship to sanctions. In November 2024, Splash previously reported on a similar deal involving another 2000-built VLCC. The vessel, then named Tricia II, a 281,000 dwt Mitsubishi-built tanker, was sold to undisclosed interests for about $21m at 24 years old. That vessel is now trading as Voy (formerly Lily). This vessel is explicitly identified as a shadow-fleet tanker. Voy is currently listed with the class from Asia Shipping Certification Services. The ship’s value has risen by around $14m over the past couple of years. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); });