A pair of scrubber-fitted, eco aframaxes have proved to be the only bright spot in the time-charter market for tankers, according to market sources.
Brokers said Signal Maritime took Ionic’s 115,000-dwt Ionic Althea (built 2016) for six months at $17,500 per day.
The deal reportedly can be extended by another six months at $20,500 per day.
Separately, ExxonMobil is said to have fixed the 112,000-dwt Aurviken (built 2019) from Gunvor subsidiary Clearlake Shipping for three years at $23,500 per day.
The news emerged after the US oil major had reportedly secured the 114,000-dwt Sea Turtle (built 2021) from Pantheon Tankers Management for the same period earlier this month.
The rate for that earlier deal remains unknown.
VesselsValue data showed Clearlake had fixed the Aurviken from Viken Shipping on a five-year charter that started in June 2020.
Clarksons Research estimates that the prevailing rate for a one-year charter of a scrubber-fitted eco aframax is $20,250 per day. The arm of broker Clarksons puts the rate of a three-year fixture at $22,500 per day.
Gunvor declined to comment on the fixture. TradeWinds has approached ExxonMobil, Ionic and Signal for comment.
Tanker players said the general market mood remained depressed as most shipowners and charterers preferred to stay on the sidelines.
“The aframax market continues to be the jewel in what is a very dull and withered crown,” Braemar ACM Shipbroking said in a note. “We still have a way to go before we see this sector recover fully.”
With demand worries amid renewed Covid-19 outbreaks in many parts of the world, spot crude tanker rates have stayed in the doldrums on main trading routes.
Some short-term requirements are heard to have emerged for VLCCs but the spread between bids and offers is still wide.
“I don’t think there is a market at all,” said a tanker owner. “The rates charterers are offering cannot cover owners’ expenses on an all-in basis, so owners are not keen in fixing deals.
“But charterers are not interested in raising their offers at all, with spot earnings so low. … I certainly hope the market will improve in the coming winter, but I don’t feel that will happen.”
