Pyxis Tankers has seen its fourth-quarter losses almost triple compared with a year ago, as higher costs and vessel impairment charges hit the bottom line.

The Valentios Valentis-led shipowner lost $1.9m in the last three months of 2018 against a loss of $709,000 12 months earlier.

The US-listed MR specialist suffered a vessel impairment charge of $700,000 while voyage-related costs and commissions increased 62.5%