Denmark’s Maersk Tankers has welcomed South Korea’s SK Energy into its pool operations with the addition of an MR vessel.

The 46,000-dwt Grand Ace 10 (built 2008) looks likely to be the first of several ships joining the Danish company from the Asian country’s biggest energy firm.

Maersk Tankers said the deal has been done at a time when “freight rates are soaring and the industry is facing complex challenges”.