Greece's Pantheon Tankers has achieved a surprisingly firm price for one of its oldest aframaxes, highlighting a slow but persistent trickle of buying amid tanker freight markets that are still unfavourable to owners.

According to ship-management sources in Athens, the 159,100-dwt suezmax Astro Perseus (built 2004) has been sold to Middle Eastern interests for around $18.5m.

The deal has already been concluded and the Hyundai Heavy Industries-built vessel will be delivered promptly to its new owners.