VLCC
In the Middle East Gulf, enquiry slowed and rates eased to WS 93.75/94 for 270,000mt to China. Going west, 280,000mt to the US Gulf was fixed three points higher at around WS 43 Cape/Cape. West Africa to China basis 260,000mt lost eight points to WS 89/90 region. US Gulf to South Korea went at $8.4 million. Fuel from Rotterdam to Singapore was fixed at around $5.9/6.0 million.

Suezmax
West Africa gained 7.5 points to WS 120 for 130,000mt to UKContinent, aided by firming Mediterranean and Black Sea markets. Black Sea sits at WS 155/160 for 135,000mt to the Mediterranean up from WS 130 the previous week and South Korea discharge paid $4.5 and subsequently 4.85million.

Aframax
Healthy tonnage availability saw rates for 80,000mt in the Mediterranean ease 45 points, with Ceyhan load fixed at WS 120, Black Sea fixed at both WS 135 and WS 125. Baltic rates for 100,000mt dropped 15 points to WS 95, with 80,000mt cross North Sea assessed 12.5 points lower at WS 120. In the Caribbean, rates eased 10 points to WS 237.5/240 for 70,000mt from Venezuela to the US Gulf.

Clean
Status quo was maintained in the 75,000mt Middle East Gulf to Japan trade at WS 120, with the market for 55,000mt marginally softer at WS 127.5 region.

Healthy enquiry and reduced tonnage availability saw levels in the 37,000mt Continent/USAC trade firm 37.5 points to low WS 150s, while the 38,000mt backhaul trade from the US Gulf fell 12.5 points to WS 122.5.
Source: The Baltic Briefing