The Jones Act market is rife withrumours that Koch has relet the 49,000-dwt American Phoenix (built 2012) toExxonMobil for approximately $120,000 per day.

Industry observers are quick to pointout that the vessel made headlines in the summer of 2013 when the samecharterer hired the unit for $100,000 daily.

Upon conclusion of the contract withKoch, which is widely believed to be paying $55,000 per day, market sourcesclaim the American Phoenix will be fixed to Philips66 for up to five years withan initial day rate of approximately $75,000.

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