🔔 Subscribe to ShipUniverse Weekly →
The secondhand ship market is producing unusually strong prices across several vessel classes, with tankers providing the clearest evidence of just how far asset values have moved. Angola's Sonangol has agreed to sell the 2007-built, 158,425-dwt Suezmax Sonangol Namibe for just under $50 million, a striking valuation for a tanker approaching 20 years of age. The sale follows a series of large crude-carrier transactions, including 2017-built VLCCs reported at $135 million each, while CMB.TECH is realizing substantial gains by selling much younger Suezmaxes. Dry bulk prices are also firm, with several recent Japanese-built Kamsarmax, Ultramax and Handysize vessels changing hands above estimated market values. Containership S&P activity presents a different picture: only 126 fully cellular ships totaling 351,734 teu changed hands in the first half of 2026, down 37% by vessel count, but industry data attributes much of that decline to owners being unwilling to release ships into a market where charter-backed assets remain valuable.
Operator Impact Snapshot
Old Suezmax tonnage still commands serious money
Sonangol Namibe is 19 years old, yet its reported sale price sits just below $50 million as tanker asset values remain firm.
Prompt crude capacity carries a scarcity premium
Two 2017-built VLCCs were recently reported sold at $135 million each as large tanker buyers secure immediately available tonnage.
Japanese-built midage ships are drawing premiums
The 2015-built Kamsarmax Royal Hope sold for $30.8 million against a reported valuation of $28.6 million.
Fewer ships are trading, but prices remain firm
First-half containership sales fell sharply by vessel count, with limited seller availability constraining transactions.
12 Secondhand Deals Defining the Market
Recent reported transactions across crude tankers, dry bulk and containerships show both the level of prices and the types of assets buyers are competing for.
| Vessel / Package | Type | Built / Size | Reported Price | Seller / Buyer | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonangol Namibe | SUEZMAX | 2007 / 158,425 dwt | Just under $50M | Sonangol / undisclosed | A 19-year-old crude tanker still pricing close to $50 million. |
| Front Humber | VLCC | 2017 / 298,800 dwt | $135M | Frontline / ADNOC L&S | Modern VLCC sale close to assessed market value. |
| Front Vefsna | VLCC | 2017 / 297,400 dwt | $135M | Frontline / ADNOC L&S | Another large prompt crude carrier secured at premium pricing. |
| Alaska + Archangel | SUEZMAX | 2006 / ~163,000 dwt | $50.8M each | Tsakos Energy Navigation / buyers undisclosed | Twenty-year-old large tankers remain highly valuable. |
| Bristol | SUEZMAX | 2024 / 156,851 dwt |
Undisclosed $56.9M expected gain |
CMB.TECH / undisclosed | Two-year-old tanker sale crystallizes a very large asset gain. |
| Royal Hope | KAMSARMAX | 2015 / 81,000 dwt | $30.8M | Tokei Kisen / undisclosed | Sold above reported $28.6 million valuation. |
| Amis Wisdom II | ULTRAMAX | 2010 / 61,600 dwt | $22M | Wisdom Marine Lines / undisclosed | Price roughly 11% above reported valuation. |
| CMB Jordaens | ULTRAMAX | 2019 / 63,400 dwt | $35.2M | CMB.TECH / Bangladeshi buyers | Modern Japanese-built dry tonnage remains sought after. |
| Seacon Tokyo | ULTRAMAX | 2023 / 66,600 dwt | $41.6M | Seller undisclosed / OBE Ships Maritime | Near-new Ultramax sold above its reported $40 million valuation. |
| 4 × 7,000 teu ships | CONTAINER | 2023–2024 / 7,000 teu | $340M total | Third party / MPC Container Ships | Ships arrive with three-year charters attached. |
| Spirit quartet | CONTAINER | 2007 / 3,750 teu each | $40M each | Capital Containers / undisclosed buyers | Charter-attached ships sold well above reported standalone values. |
| A Ontake | FEEDER | 2023 / 1,096 teu | $26.8M | Any Shipping / undisclosed | Nearly new feeder demonstrates persistent small-ship demand. |
Secondhand Vessel Deal Screener
Test whether a high secondhand purchase price can be supported by the vessel's expected earnings, operating costs, financing and eventual exit value.
Earnings Sensitivity
Annual cash available to equity under a 20% lower TCE, the entered base TCE and a 20% higher TCE.
We welcome your feedback, suggestions, corrections, and ideas for enhancements.
Please click here to get in touch