It is being linked to the purchase of a third medium-range (MR) products tanker in as many months, bringing its vessel count in that segment to 17.
The Andreas Martinos-controlled company is now being named as buyer of the Japanese-controlled, 47,400-dwt Sapphire Express (built 2009). The Onomichi-built tanker was acquired for $21m, sources say.
In January, Minerva was said to have bought another Onomichi-built 47,500-dwt tanker — the Nord Obtainer (built 2008) — for $19.8m.
