Odfjell has closed on a deal to acquire five tankers from Chemical Transportation Group (CTG) and form a new chemical carrier pool.

The Oslo-listed owner said it will take delivery of the first ship from the Peter Georgiopoulos-backed company on 14 July.

And the remaining four newbuildings will be delivered at intervals until May 2018.

Odfjell said the formation of the pool is expected to have “a positive contribution on Odfjell’s returns and will strengthen our position and competitiveness in the current state of the chemical tanker market.”