Sovcomflot (SCF Group) is pushing ahead with fleet-renewal efforts as it turns its focus to disposing of its early 2000-built suezmaxes.

The Russian tanker giant has reached a deal to sell its 159,000-dwt SCF Altai (built 2001) to Sea Pioneer Shipping of Greece for $17.7m, European brokers said. The transaction is understood to be on subjects.

Brokers said Sovcomflot is also selling the slightly younger sistership SCF Khibiny (built 2002) for $19m.