Ciner Shipping Industry & Trading has entered into talks to build a series of suezmax tankers worth about $240m.

The Turkish shipowner plans to order up to four 158,000-dwt crude tankers, with South Korean shipyards deemed most likely to win the business.

Chief executive Vasileios Papakalodoukas said that Ciner is making its move at a time when newbuilding prices are low and environmental regulations have opened “a window of opportunity” for such a project.