Kukje Maritime Investment Corp (Kmarin) of South Korea is expanding its fleet with 10 aframax tanker newbuildings belonging to BP Shipping.

Sources say the oil major has struck a deal to sell the 110,000-dwt vessels it has under construction at STX Offshore & Shipbuilding to the tonnage supplier and bareboat charter them back.

No details of the agreement have been disclosed, although it is known to include a purchase option for the seller.

Officials