US-listed shipowner StealthGas is set to expand in the market for midsize LPG carriers with a $80.4m purchase of three ships from Hartmann Reederei of Germany.

That means the Harry Vafias-led shipowner is paying $26.8m for each of the 35,000-cbm fully pressurised Gaschem Bremen, Gaschem Stade and Gaschem Hamburg (all built 2010).

The price is lower than expected, as separate estimates from VesselsValue and Maritime Strategies International value the ships at $30.4m