Former tanker giant Hellespont is being linked with a dramatic comeback as a shipowner for the first time since it was bailed out by the Papachristidis family in the post-2008 crash of the German KG (limited partnership) market.

The Greek-backed, Hamburg-­based company is tipped as the owner behind an order for up to four 51,000-dwt medium-range tankers at Cosco Shipyard in China.