German shipowner John T Essberger has emerged as the buyer of three chemical tankers unwanted by Norway's Odfjell in Asia.

Odfjell said earlier this month that it had agreed a deal to offload the 9,150-dwt Bow Fuling, 9,000-dwt Bow Dalian (both built 2012) and 9,100-dwt Bow Nangang (built 2013) as it pulled out of Asian shortsea trades.

Essberger managing director Jan Eghoej confirmed his company has acquired the trio, which VesselsValue assesses as worth about $27m.