Abu Dhabi-based Al Seer Marine, a subsidiary of IHC, has completed the sale and delivery of its 2013-built very large crude carrier (VLCC) Twin Castor, Baird Maritime reported. The company announced completion of the deal on 5 November 2026. The buyer and the price were not disclosed.
A younger fleet
- The sale follows the September sale of the Twin Pollux. Al Seer Marine said both disposals benefited from high second-hand tanker values and left it with no directly owned vessels older than ten years.
- The company said the Twin Castor was sold halfway through a typical 25-year operating life.
- Seven of the nine vessels it owns directly were built in 2020 or later, and the average fleet age has fallen to about 3.8 years from about 5.4 years before the sales.
- It keeps the 299,999 dwt VLCC Acrux, built in 2020, along with its medium-range (MR) product tankers and a bulk carrier.
Fleet and strategy
Al Seer Marine’s commercial fleet totals 16 vessels: one VLCC, seven MR tankers, one bulk carrier, two LPG carriers and five dual-fuel very large gas carriers. Seven of these are held through joint ventures. The company moved its VLCCs from the spot market to long-term time charters starting in late 2023.
Chief executive Guy Neivens said maintaining a modern fleet maximises asset value and reduces maintenance expenses.
Source: Baird Maritime, 9 November 2026. Photo: file image of a crude oil tanker at sea; not the Twin Castor.
