A former top executive of India’s Essar Shipping has emerged as the man behind a prospective $320m order for products tanker newbuildings at China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC).

Sanjay Mehta, who was chief executive of Essar for nearly a decade, is said to be behind the order for six to eight long-range-one (LR1) units for delivery in 2017 and 2018.

Mehta