Hamburg-based Hellespont has launched a pool for modern IMO 2 chemical/product tankers. The Seatramp Intermediate Tanker Pool will initially consist of three KG-financed and Hellespont-operated 13,000 dwt vessels, and Hellespont has committed a further eight 17,000 dwt newbuildings due between now and 2011 to the pool. Talks with other owners are at an advanced stage and the aim is to bring the pool to around thirty vessels by the end of 2010. Christian van Oldershausen, managing director of Hellespont AG, said, “In the current market consolidation of fleets into pools makes a lot of sense. It smoothes earnings, allows the pool to develop long term relationships with large charterers and balance tonnage against cargo commitments and overall increases returns as tonnage utilization rises.