Supertanker Rally Lures Investors as War Squeezes Vessel Supply
According to Xclusiv Shipbrokers, the Baltic VLCC index reached $722,946 a day on Sept. 18 as war-risk disruptions tightened supply.
- Charter rates for VLCCs surged to approximately $722,946 per day by Sept. 18, compared with $79,700 in mid-Sept 2025, according to The Baltic VLCC index.
- Geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz reduced vessel availability while forcing route diversions and longer voyages that increase tonne-mile demand.
- Xclusiv Shipbrokers reported secondhand vessel prices climbed significantly, with 15-year-old vessels surging from $83.5 million to $135 million, nearly 61% in roughly two months.
- Market Activity remains robust with 103 VLCC sales recorded this year through Sept. 14, while the Average age of vessels reached approximately 18 years in Sept, up from 13.6 years.
- Rising transport costs are feeding into broader inflationary pressures internationally and in Greece, with implications for energy-intensive industries as freight rates increased 807.1% over 12 months.
39 Articles
39 Articles
2026 will be remembered for this paradoxical trend in the oil transport market by sea. Used supertankers have become more expensive than new ones. This is no less unique than the negative cost of oil during the 2020 pandemic. How did such an anomaly develop this time and why it is not good for Russia? A unique situation exists in the tanker market: five-year-olds and ten-year-old tankers have risen sharply, and deals are now concluded in a few d…
Oil supertanker rates surge 807 per cent as Hormuz disruption tightens supply
Freight rates for very large crude carriers (VLCCs) surged by more than 800 per cent over the past year, with the sharp rise now feeding directly into second-hand vessel values, according to an analysis by Xclusiv Shipbrokers. The acceleration has been particularly pronounced since late July, with geopolitical disruption surrounding Iran and the Strait of […]
VLCC Freight Rates Surge More Than 800% Amid Hormuz Tensions, Used Tanker Values Rise Up to 62%
ATHENS - The market for very large crude carriers (VLCCs) has entered one of its strongest periods of price appreciation in recent years, as the explosive rise in freight rates is now feeding directly into the value of secondhand vessels. According to an analysis by Xclusiv Shipbrokers, the acceleration has been particularly pronounced since late July, with geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, reduced effective vesse…
The global market for oil tankers is experiencing a historic and unprecedented phenomenon. Due to astronomically high freight prices, the value of older supertankers has risen so sharply that, for the first time, they fetch more than brand-new vessels. In an overheated market, everything revolves around one thing: how fast can a ship take to the sea?
The VLCC market has seen one of the strongest appreciations in recent years, as the explosive rise in freight rates is now being passed directly onto the prices of used ships. According to an analysis by Xclusiv Shipbrokers, the acceleration has been particularly strong since the end of July, with geopolitical turmoil around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, reduced actual ship availability and high revenues creating a particularly strong environme…
The cost of used supertankers has surpassed the price of new ones for the first time
According to the Financial Times, this shift is driven by record-high freight rates in the Middle East, with the daily charter rate for oil tankers capable of carrying at least 2 million barrels reaching $1.2 million. Fueled by this surge in demand...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
