Lloyd’s List: Large Crude Tankers see Fixture Volumes Rise

“Last year saw an increase in reported dirty tanker spot-market fixtures in the very large crude carrier and suezmax sectors, but a slow-down in bookings for smaller aframax and panamax vessels, according to New York-headquartered brokers Poten & Partners. Rising Middle Eastern and West African crude-oil production has increased the number of large dirty tankers booked for longhaul voyages, with the last three years bringing significant growth to global fleets. Poten counted 1,922 VLCC bookings in 2011, up 11% over 2010 and an increase of almost a quarter on 2009 levels.”