Monte Nero Maritime has been linked to a purchase of an 18-year-old aframax tanker from US-listed tanker owner International Seaways.

Brokers in the US and in Europe said the shipowner has sold the 112,000-dwt Seaways Fran (built 2001) for $13.6m.

That is in line with VesselsValue's estimate for a vessel of the Hyundai Heavy Industries-built ship's characteristics, while Maritime Strategies International puts its value at $12.2m.