Great Eastern Shipping has sold a 19-year-old suezmax tanker at a significantly higher price than the last done deal in the sector.

The move comes as the diversified Indian owner continues to clear out its older suezmaxes.

Shipbroking sources in Europe said Great Eastern has sold the 147,000-dwt Jag Lakshita (built 2000) to an undisclosed buyer for $16m.

VesselsValue estimates that a Samsung Heavy Industries-built tanker of these characteristics is worth just $13.2m.