China’s Tianjin Southwest Maritime (TSM) has taken a hefty 100% profit on the sale of a secondhand VLGC that it bought eight months ago.

According to market sources, the 78,500-cbm Gas Sapphire (built 1995) has been sold to a low-profile owner, Billion Gentle, for $17m.

TSM acquired the gas carrier from South Korea's SK Shipping for $8.5m in August, then known as G Commander.