Malaysia-based AET Tankers is being mentioned as a potential acquisition target for US-listed Teekay Tankers (TNK), which has kept the market guessing since disclosing it was negotiating with an unidentified owner in December.

Likely fuelling the AET talk is that Kevin Mackay, TNK’s chief executive, is a former manager with the company. He served as AET’s Houston-based regional director for the Americas from 2005 until 2009.