The shipping sector, particularly tankers, experienced notable market activity and earnings reports this week. European tanker stocks such as Frontline Plc (FRO), Hafnia Limited (HAFN), TORM plc (TRMD), and Teekay Tankers Ltd. (TNK) showed strong gains of 2-6% following the recent OPEC+ production increase announcement. Several vessel sales were reported, including the Suezmax tanker SEAWAYS MONTAUK chartered by Vitol for $35,000 per day for 12 months, and the VLCC Layla sold by Bahri for $46.75 million to Chinese buyers, surpassing the earlier sale of its sister vessel Wafrah for $40 million. Additionally, four Suezmax newbuilds from Daehan were sold en bloc for $96 million each. Container freight futures rebounded with increases of 1-4%, led by companies like ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) and Maersk (MAERSK), despite weakness in U.S. liner stocks. Tanker forward freight agreements (FFAs) also rose, with VLCCs up 3-4% and Suezmax and Aframax segments up 1-2%. However, spot rates for tankers showed some recent declines, with VLCC rates at $51,000 per day (-3%) and Suezmax and Aframax rates down 7%. The broader shipping market saw a slight downturn of 0.5% in Europe, partially reflecting a U.S.-Houthi ceasefire impact. Overall, tanker equities maintained a positive trend amid mixed container and bulk freight market conditions.
Shipping down 1-2% in Europe, catching up to a weak US afternoon yesterday (U.S.-Houthi ceasefire). $FRO weak: $DIS.MI strong $AGAS $BWLPG $GCC $WAWI $OET $HAFNI $FRO $TRMD $DIS.MI $GOGL $HAUTO $CLCO https://t.co/WwK8pSL2DW
Today’s tanker ECO spot rates (non scrubber) (d/d): VLCC $51K, -3% Suezmax $38K, -7% Aframax $37K, -7% LR2 $25K, -8% LR1 $24K, -5% MRs $17K, -1% Rates sliding over the past few days. $FRO $NAT $TEN $TRMD $BWET $STNG $TNK $DHT $INSW $ASC $ECO $HAFNI
$MAERSK $HLAG $ZIM $CMACG https://t.co/4v6j4xHqoZ