Oslo-listed ADS Crude Carriers has moved into the second stage of its development with the sale of one of its three elderly VLCCs.

The Norwegian company said on Wednesday it had agreed to offload the 290,000-dwt ADS Stratus (built 2002) for a firm $25.5m as talk grows of a second wave of storage deals for big tankers.

The unnamed new owner will take delivery on or around 17 September when the ship has completed its current spot voyage.