Trafigura has chartered an LR2 from Zodiac Maritime Agencies at what appears to be a strong rate as the healthy crude tanker market spills over into the product carrier sector.
The Dutch commodities trader has fixed the 114,000-dwt tanker Tavistock Square (built 2019) from the UK shipowner for six months at $26,500 per day, with an option for six more months at $31,500 per day.
Zodiac director David Ofer said the vessel is scrubber-free.
“Our fixture was indicative of the market and being a first class and considered top choice operators and feel that this level reflects a non-scrubber eco LR2 today in a very strong tanker market that continues to rise,” he said.
Zodiac bought the Tavistock Square and the sistership Hanover Square (built 2019) last year for $42.3m each. They are likely worth some $48m to $50m each today and are described as super eco, but non-scrubbers tankers.
Diversified Zodiac Maritime has a fleet of five LR2 tankers.
The deal comes as the latest Clarksons data shows that the rate for a one-year charter for an eco LR2 jumped to $27,000 per day last week, up $5,000 from the prior week.
Oil major BP has fixed the 119,000-dwt SKS Doda (bult 2012) for 12 months at a somewhat lower rate than that. The Kristian Gerhard Jebsen-controlled LR2 is set to earn $23,000 per day.
BP has also taken another LR2, the 115,000-dwt Pink Stars (built 2010), from Andromeda Shipping. The vessel was three years at $21,000 per day.
