Five months after entering the oil carrier business, Symeon Palios-led Performance Shipping is said to be purchasing its third aframax tanker.

Athens-based sources said New York-listed Performance has committed to buy the 115,600-dwt Virgo Sun (built 2006) at a robust price of about $26m.

The Sasebo Heavy Industries-built vessel is currently in the fleet of UK-based Zodiac Maritime.