Analysis contained in the March issue of Splash Extra published today suggests this is the best year this century for VLCC, suezmax and aframax owners.

The in-depth look at the crude tanker trades in Q1 and projections for the rest of the year also feature the views and data from Braemar, BRS, Evercore, Lorentzen & Co, Maritime Strategies International, VesselsValue and Vortexa. 

Andrew Wilson, head of research at brokers BRS, said he broadly agreed with the Splash Extra analysis, with his company’s time charter equivalent rate projections for Q2 projected to be better than Q1, based on inefficiencies in the fleet such as ballast lengths becoming greater.