Nordic American Tankers Ltd (NYSE: NAT) – Important transactions in a strong market. Solid prospects
Rhea-AI Summary
Nordic American Tankers (NYSE: NAT) announced signed contracts to build two suezmax tankers at Daehan Shipbuilding for $86 million each, with delivery expected in 2028. The company also completed the sale and delivery of two older vessels (built 2004 and 2005), generating $50 million net cash to NAT. Management said it has refinanced parts of the fleet, sold four ships, bought two ships, and ordered two newbuildings amid a favorable tanker market, and described the company as being in a solid position.
Positive
- Signed contracts for two suezmax tankers at $86M each
- Sale of two older vessels generated $50M net cash
- Refinanced parts of the fleet, reducing immediate funding risk
- Completed a cycle of fleet renewal: sold four, bought two, ordered two
Negative
- Committed capital of $172M for the two newbuilds with 2028 delivery
News Market Reaction – NAT
On the day this news was published, NAT declined NaN%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
NAT was up 0.74% while key peers TEN, TK, NGL and PBT showed declines between -0.86% and -1.65%, and CLCO was flat, indicating stock-specific strength rather than a sector-wide move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22 | Insider share purchases | Positive | +1.5% | Hansson family increased stake above 5% ownership threshold. |
| Dec 18 | Fleet sale & newbuilds | Positive | -2.3% | Sale of two older Suezmax tankers and preliminary newbuilding deal. |
| Dec 12 | Market conditions update | Positive | -0.6% | Strong spot market with high TCE rates versus operating costs. |
| Nov 28 | Earnings & dividend | Positive | -3.2% | Results, higher dividend and confirmation of 113th consecutive payout. |
| Nov 21 | Annual meeting results | Positive | +3.2% | All AGM resolutions approved and strong market outlook reiterated. |
Recent positive corporate and market updates have often seen mixed or negative next-day price reactions, with occasional strong alignments on governance or insider buying news.
Over the past few months, Nordic American Tankers reported a strong tanker market, fleet optimization actions, and consistent dividends, including its 113th consecutive quarterly payout. Insider purchases in late December 2025 increased family ownership above 5%. The company also agreed to sell older Suezmax vessels and pursue newbuildings for delivery in 2028. Today’s announcement finalizes those earlier preliminary agreements and confirms cash proceeds from vessel sales, extending this fleet renewal theme.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement confirms that preliminary fleet transactions have been executed, with two Suezmax newbuildings contracted at $86 million each for 2028 delivery and $50 million in net cash realized from selling two older vessels. It extends a clear fleet renewal narrative in what management calls a strong tanker market. Investors may watch future updates on chartering performance, capital allocation, and additional fleet changes to assess ongoing impact.
Key Terms
suezmax technical
newbuildings technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Dear Shareholders and Investors,
I am pleased to inform you that the following transactions have been carried through:
- The earlier announced preliminary agreements for the construction of two suezmax tankers have now been signed.The price is
$86 million for each ship. - The South Korean shipyard Daehan Shipbuilding is the builder. The ships will be delivered to NAT in 2028.
- This week we have also finalized the previously announced sale of two vessels built 2004 and 2005. The two ships have been delivered to the buyer. The net cash to NAT is
$50 million .
These transactions show an active period. We have refinanced parts of our fleet, sold four ships, bought two ships, and ordered two newbuildings.
We experience a very favorable tanker market.
NAT is in a solid position.
Sincerely,
Herbjorn Hansson
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Nordic American Tankers Ltd. www.nat.bm
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.
The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “expect,” “pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC’s petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the prospectus and related prospectus supplement, our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and our reports on Form 6-K.
Contacts:
Bjørn Giæver, CFO
Nordic American Tankers Ltd
Tel: +1 888 755 8391
Alexander Kihle, Finance Manager
Nordic American Tankers Ltd
Tel: +47 91 724 171
FAQ
What did NAT announce about new ship orders on January 16, 2026?
How much cash did NAT receive from recent vessel sales reported January 16, 2026?
How do the transactions affect NAT's fleet composition?
When will the two new NAT suezmax tankers be delivered?
Does NAT report the tanker market outlook in the January 16, 2026 announcement?
