U Ming Marine Transport has put its only directly-owned VLCC on the sale-and-purchase market in a move that could see an end to its direct involvement in the tanker trades.

Sources close to the Taipei-based company said it was inviting inspections of the 318,800-dwt Starlight Venture (built 2004).

Selling was said to be one of the options U Ming is considering for the ship as it reaches its 18th year in service.