The Jones Act market is rife with rumours that the company, which is backed by AKPS, American Shipping Co and private equity funds, has already pulled the trigger.

In its fourth-quarter earnings report AKPS said Philly will likely exercise options to order two more 50,000-dwt vessels but didn’t indicate whether pen has met paper.

“AKPS is confident in the demand for these two vessels and expects them to be constructed either for Philly Tankers or for others if the existing option is not declared,” it added.

Erik