OceanPal has struck a deal to invest in an RFOcean-backed project that is ordering a pair of chemical tankers in China.

The move represents a departure from the New York-listed shipowner’s focus on bulkers since it spun off from Diana Shipping in 2021.

The company, led by chief executive Robert Perri and chairperson Semiramis Paliou, said the deal will see it invest in RFSea Infrastructure II and become a strategic partner with the Norwegian entity.