Stathis Topouzoglou-backed First Ship Lease has boosted its presence in the LR2 market with a $97.2m swoop for two newbuildings.

Singapore-listed FSL plans to place the vessels at Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry after completing an equity issue.

The Tier III tankers will be fitted with scrubbers and are earmarked for delivered in November 2020 and January 2021 should it firm up a letter of intent by the end of this year.