International Seaways has found a trading buyer for a veteran VLCC in a move that sees Andreas Hadjiyiannis’ Hellenic Tankers extend its investment in the sector.

New York-listed Seaways has been marketing the 298,600-dwt Seaways Sakura (built 2001) for sale, with many suspecting it would head for demolition.

Now Hellenic has emerged as the likely buyer of the tanker, at a price of $18m, which is more than it would have secured from a scrap sale.