UK shipping fund Tufton Oceanic Assets is said to be kick-starting a new phase of expansion with a deal for Japanese chemical tankers.

Brokers have linked the London-listed company to a $41m en-bloc purchase of Nisshin Shipping's 19,900-dwt stainless-steel quartet — the AS Orelia (built 2008), Octaden, AS Olivia and AS Omaria (all built 2007).

VesselsValue assesses the tankers as worth about $13m each, or more than $52m combined, which suggests Tufton Oceanic may only be taking three of the ships.