StealthGas opened the year back in the black with a modest profit and a plan to make good on its promises to buy back shares.

The Harry Vafias-led gas carrier owner posted a $2m profit for the first three months of 2019, while extending the charters of seven ships and launching a $10m buyback plan Thursday.

"With our stock trading at a large discount to our net asset value, our board has taken the decision to initiate a share buyback program of up to $10 million," chairman Michael Jolliffe said.