Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) announced that charterers have fixed two of its VLCCs for at least three years.
The US-listed company interpreted the deals as an early sign of a much-awaited recovery in tanker freight rates.
"We are pleased to announce these accretive employments, which reflect the positive signs the tankers markets are beginning to exhibit," TEN chief operating officer George Saroglou said in a statement on Friday.
TEN identified neither the vessels nor the charterers, other than to say that the latter are "major oil concerns", which have agreed to employ the ships for between three and five years.
If the charters go over the maximum period, they will generate at least $110m in income, excluding any additional amount accruing from profit-sharing provisions.
"As rate fundamentals turn positive, we are exploring similar opportunities with other high-calibre clients," Saroglou said.
Together with TEN vessels in the spot market and the delivery of an LNG carrier expected in the next quarter, Saroglou said the company should be able "to fully participate in the tanker recovery going forward".
Earlier on Friday, Clarksons and Seasure Shipbroking reported that Trafigura fixed TEN’s 299,000-dwt VLCC Ulysses (built 2016) for at least three years at $29,000 per day.
Another long-term fixture was reported for a couple of Turkish-owned MR tankers.
According to Seasure, Yasa Shipping saw Norden fix the 49,900-dwt Yasa Hawk and Yasa Seagull (both built 2017) for at least two years at $16,200 per day, including options.
