Banking giant JP Morgan is making a debut in the LR2 tanker segment with resale newbuildings. The US-based investment house has acquired two 114,000-dwt aframax product tankers that are being built at South Korea’s Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC).

Broking sources said JP Morgan has bought the LR2 newbuildings from Belgian shipowner Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB) for $55m each.