Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation (CSET), one of the world’s largest crude tanker owners, has begun a trial operation of its VLCC pool that includes more than 50 vessels.

The project is part of Shanghai and Hong Kong-listed CSET’s stated efforts to enlarge shipping capacity, maximise profits from tanker operations and become a more influential industry player.

CSET has put its 52 VLCCs into the pool and it hopes to attract tonnage from suitable partners

Source close to the company

“The pool’s operation is at the trial stage,” a source close to the company said.