Abu Dhabi’s expanding Al Seer Marine has struck its first vessel financing deal outside the United Arab Emirates.

It has arranged $80m of funding from China’s Bank of Communications Financial Leasing (Bocom Financial Leasing) for two new alternative fuel-ready MR tankers delivered this year in South Korea.

The 49,700-dwt Betelgeuse and Bellatrix are assessed by VesselsValue as worth $55m each.