Secret Oil Tanker Buying Spree Quietly Reshapes Global Shipping Industry
A hidden buying spree has quietly reshaped the global oil shipping industry. Gianluigi Aponte, co-owner of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has used Sinokor Merchant Marine to purchase dozens of supertankers without public scrutiny. Together, the two firms now control a fleet of 76 vessels worth around $6.7 billion. Since late 2025, Sinokor has spent over $3.3 billion acquiring at least 60 very large crude carriers (VLCCs). Another 31 tankers, linked to Aponte through Panama- and Liberia-registered firms named Haut Brion, bring the total to 76 ships. Of these, 11 worth $900 million are flagged in Panama, while 20 valued at $820 million fly under Liberia's registry. The remaining 29 have yet to be re-registered.
The surge in acquisitions comes as oil transport costs climb. Spot rates for Middle East-to-China routes now reach nearly $486,000 per vessel per day, up sharply from pre-2023 levels of $20,000–$40,000. Annual charters have also risen, commanding $111,000 per ship. While Red Sea disruptions and geopolitical tensions since 2025 have pushed rates up by 20–30%, no direct evidence ties these increases to MSC or Sinokor's purchases.
Analysts suggest the buying spree aims to dominate the market and influence freight pricing. The move follows MSC's broader expansion, with over $40 billion spent since 2022 on container ships and other assets. Yet unlike its container operations, the supertanker deals have remained largely unnoticed in public records. The combined fleet of 76 supertankers gives MSC and Sinokor significant control over global oil transport. With rates at historic highs, their expanded capacity could further shape pricing in the years ahead. The lack of public disclosure means the full impact of these acquisitions remains unclear.
