The mystery private investor behind International Seaways’ rescue of a six-VLCC purchase from Euronav has been unmasked.

The backer is New York-based BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager.

BlackRock provided Seaways with gross proceeds of $30m on 13 June that enabled the New York owner to purchase six VLCCs from Euronav, rather than four, as a side deal to the Belgian company’s takeover of Gener8 Maritime, according to a public filing.