Valles Steamship has taken up an option for an aframax tanker at Sumitomo Heavy Industries.

The Vancouver and Hong Kong-based company, which is controlled by the Koo family, signed the original deal for one 112,000-dwt tanker, with an option, in January this year.

Brokers are pricing the option in the “high $40m-range” which is in line with Clarksons' estimate of $48.5m.