Eastern Pacific Shipping and Champion Tankers have launched a joint commercial pool featuring eight high-quality IMO II Medium Range (MR) tankers split equally between the two companies. Headquartered in Singapore, the unified platform aims to optimize fleet deployment, expand cargo coverage, and achieve greater operational efficiencies across global clean petroleum, chemical, and specialty cargo markets.
Singapore | June 2, 2026 – Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) and Norway’s Champion Tankers have officially announced the creation of a new, jointly managed commercial platform: an IMO II Medium Range (MR) tanker pool.
The strategic partnership aggregates eight premium IMO II MR tankers under a unified commercial structure. The pool marks a significant move to gain commercial scale and fleet optimization as global demand intensifies for the specialized transportation of clean petroleum products (CPP), chemicals, and specialty cargoes.
Strategic Fleet Composition
The newly established pool commences immediate operations with a balanced, eight-vessel contribution from both founding partners:
- Eastern Pacific Shipping: 4 IMO II MR Tankers
- Champion Tankers: 4 IMO II MR Tankers
By pooling these high-specification assets, both companies have engineered a modern, highly flexible fleet capable of driving asset utilization higher across key global maritime trading lanes. The platform will operate as a single, coordinated commercial entity, providing cargo charterers with enhanced flexibility, expanded cargo grade combinations, and broader geographic coverage.
| Fleet Parameter | Pool Integration Details |
| Initial Fleet Size | 8 High-Quality Tankers |
| Vessel Segment | IMO II Medium Range (MR) |
| Target Cargoes | Clean Petroleum Products (CPP), Chemicals, Vegetable Oils, & Specialties |
| Core Objective | Optimized Fleet Deployment & Commercial Scale |
Executive Leadership Assembly
The launch was formalized in Singapore by high-level executives from both organizations and affiliated key stakeholders:
- Eastern Pacific Shipping: Cyril Ducau (CEO), Thomas Hansen (Commercial Director), Rajeev Ahuja (Commercial Director), Dhruv Chopra (Commercial General Manager), and Knut Estensen (Senior Commercial Advisor).
- Champion Tankers: Karl Kvalheim (Chairman) and Henning Kvalheim (Chartering Director).
- Raffles Shipping: Alexander Pettersson (Director) and Nicolai Estensen.
- Principal Stakeholder: Idan Ofer.
Joint Leadership Statement: “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering long-term value to customers and stakeholders alike. By combining modern, high-quality tonnage with complementary commercial expertise, we have created a stronger and more flexible platform that enhances our service offering while positioning the pool to capitalize on opportunities within the IMO II MR segment.”
Market Positioning & Commercial Flexibility
The joint pool addresses a critical market need for reliable, versatile tonnage within the chemical and clean product sectors. Because IMO II MR tankers feature advanced cargo segregation capabilities, the unified fleet is uniquely positioned to handle volatile spot market demands for complex chemical and specialty cargo trade routes, alongside staple clean petroleum products.
Furthermore, the platform’s shared infrastructure is designed to streamline vessel positioning, minimize ballast legs, and achieve greater operational efficiencies, directly translating into cost benefits and reduced emissions parameters for international charterers.
About the Pool Partners
Champion Tankers
Based in Bergen, Norway, Champion Tankers is an established, private tanker operator specializing in the transport of vegetable oils, liquid fertilizers, easy chemicals, molasses, and clean petroleum products. Known for its sophisticated commercial management and aggressive fleet renewal strategies, the company operates a diverse mix of owned, chartered, and third-party managed tonnage, reinforcing its footprint in the high-spec product and chemical trades.
Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS)
With a maritime legacy spanning 60 years, Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd. is an industry leader anchored to technology-driven and green shipping initiatives. Headquartered in Singapore for the past three decades, EPS manages a diverse, multi-segment fleet of over 350 vessels exceeding 37 million deadweight tonnes (dwt) across the container, PCTC, dry bulk, gas, and tanker sectors. backed by a robust 7,000-strong global workforce, EPS features a fully integrated shore-side team comprising technical, operational, legal, and commercial departments.
Source: EPS