BP is paying an averageof $40.9m for the 14 ships, split between nine 50,000-dwt tankers and five of40,000-dwt, according to analyst Sokje Lee.

He says a price inexcess of $41m for the 50,000-dwt ships compares to the $37.5m secure on 22November for MRs by the same yard.

“Despite higherspecifications and some volume discounts, we believe the price has risen bymore than 5% from a month ago (more than 30% from a year ago),” the analystwrote in a note to clients.