FSL has reportedly added another veteran product tanker to its portfolio, reflecting continued activity in the secondhand tanker market. The transaction highlights ongoing interest in older vessels as shipowners assess asset values, operating costs and opportunities in the product tanker segment.
Older product tankers can attract buyers seeking to enter or expand their presence in the market at a lower initial investment than purchasing newbuildings. However, vessel age, maintenance requirements, fuel efficiency and regulatory compliance remain important considerations in such acquisitions.
According to shipping industry reports, FSL’s subsidiary FSL-14 has agreed to sell the 4,426-DWT product tanker Speciality, built in 2006 at Qingshan Shipyard in China, to an undisclosed independent buyer. The buyer has deposited 10% of the purchase price in escrow, while the sale value and buyer’s identity have not been disclosed.
The vessel was previously employed under a bareboat charter with UK-based James Fisher. It was returned to FSL in May 2026 and subsequently sent for dry-docking. The sale agreement follows the end of its previous charter arrangement.
Following completion of the transaction, FSL’s fleet is expected to decline from six vessels to five, all operating under existing charter arrangements. The disposal continues the trust’s fleet-reduction strategy, following the sales of Clyde Fisher in 2025 and Cumbrian Fisher in December 2024.
FSL has not disclosed the expected completion date or the financial gain from the latest sale. Further details are expected after the transaction is finalised.