Saudi Arabia's Bahri has stepped up its chemical carrier capability in a nine-ship charter deal with Peter Georgiopoulos-owned United Arab Chemical Carriers (UACC).

The Riyadh-based tanker giant said its Bahri Chemicals unit has concluded a long-term deal to take the IMO type-2 MR vessels from April for undisclosed rates.

Bahri used to operate the ships, which will bring its IMO type-2 MR fleet to 31 units.