SINGAPORE, 02 June 2026: Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) and Champion Tankers announce the launch of a new IMO II Medium Range (MR) tanker pool, bringing together eight high-quality IMO II MR vessels under a unified commercial platform.

Back from Left: Thomas Hansen, EPS Commercial Director; Knut Estensen, EPS Senior Commercial Advisor; Henning Kvalheim, Champion Tankers Chartering Director; Idan Ofer; Rajeev Ahuja, EPS Commercial Director; Alexander Pettersson, Director at Raffles Shipping; Dhruv Chopra, EPS Commercial General Manager; Nicolai Estensen, Raffles Shipping Front from left: Karl Kvalheim, Champion Tankers Chairman; Cyril Ducau, EPS CEO

The pool will commence operations with four vessels from EPS and four vessels from Champion Tankers, creating a modern and flexible fleet positioned to serve the growing demand for clean petroleum products, chemicals and specialty cargo transportation.

By combining the strengths, experience and market presence of both companies, the pool will offer customers enhanced flexibility, broader cargo coverage and reliable service across key global trade routes, while upholding the highest standards of safety, operational excellence and environmental performance.

The jointly managed platform is designed to optimise fleet deployment, strengthen commercial reach and create greater efficiencies for customers, while providing owners with enhanced market access and scale within the IMO II MR segment.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering long-term value to customers and stakeholders alike,” said the partners in a joint statement. “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. Together, we are well placed to provide charterers with greater flexibility, broader cargo coverage and the reliable, high-quality service they expect from both organisations.”

The launch further strengthens both companies’ presence in the product and chemical tanker markets and reflects their shared commitment to providing safe, reliable and efficient transportation solutions to customers worldwide.

With a history spanning 60 years, Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd. (“EPS”) is a leading shipping company that is committed to the green and technology-driven growth of the industry. Headquartered in Singapore for the past 30 years, EPS is driven by its mission to be the safe and efficient transportation provider of choice to the shipping industry. Empowering that mission is a 7,000 strong and growing workforce across sea and shore. They oversee a versatile fleet of over 350 vessels and 37 million deadweight-tonnes across core segments of containership, PCTC, dry bulk, gas and tanker vessels. Following the completion of its merger with CoolCo, EPS has further strengthened its gas shipping platform. EPS’ shore team is fully integrated with in-house commercial, finance, innovation, IT, legal, manning, operations, and technical departments.