UK based Zodiac Maritime is re-entering the VLCC market with the Eyal Ofer-led company buying a secondhand VLCC for the first time in more than 10 years .

The Dalian built, 298,000-dwt Dalian Venture (built 2011) has been purchased from Hong Kong based tanker and bulker owner Wah Kwong Shipping.

Sources say the tanker has fetched a firm $53.5m, albeit a fraction of the $140m it was reported Wah Kwong paid for the vessel as a newbuilding.