FT: Gulf oil producers seeking ways to export cargoes amid continued vessel
attacks have driven a surge in crude tanker demand and pushed sale prices and
charter rates to record highs, broker Braemar reports. Last quarter prices for
new and newer second‑hand largest tankers rose to over $130m, the highest since
2008, while one‑year timecharter rates for supertankers reached historic highs.
Producers moving to build or control their own fleets has tightened supply,
lifting second‑hand and charter prices; Braemar’s head of S&P David Holland said
exporters want stronger control over their shipments. Iraq and other producers
without fleets have recently offered larger discounts to persuade buyers to risk
transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
