In the last week of September, there is some optimism in the VLCC crude oil freight market after a difficult summer season. It should be noted, however, that while there are positive signs, growth rates in tonne days aren’t yet robust. The real test is ahead as we move into October, with supply figures already showing a downward trend. This decline is expected to be a driving force for the recovery of the freight market in the coming months.
Interestingly, the clean segment has seen a significant decline in Russian diesel shipments to all destinations. Russia appears to be prioritising its domestic energy needs, as evidenced by the decline in exports. From a historical perspective, September recorded the lowest volume compared to the same month two years ago and all of 2023.
In summary, while there is hope for the VLCC crude oil freight market in the last week of September, it’s important to monitor rate and demand trends through October closely. The declining supply trend and the unexpected drop in Russian diesel shipments are notable factors that could affect the market recovery in the coming months.
SECTION 1/ FREIGHT
Market Rates (WS)
‘Dirty’ WS
VLCC – Suezmax – Aframax Mixed
The crude freight sentiment appears to be recovering for the second week in a row on the VLCC MEG -China route, while stable levels are being maintained on the Suezmax Wafr-Cont route, and stronger momentum is being seen on the Aframax-Med route.
VLCC MEG-China freight rates rose by 20% from the previous week, WS 51, with signs for a further rise at the end of the month
Suezmax freight rates for shipments from West Africa to continental Europe recorded a downward revision to WS70, down 10% from a month ago, while rates on the Suez-Baltic-Med route remained unchanged at WS72 for three consecutive weeks.
Aframax Med freight rates have exhibited an unexpected surge, reaching WS115 levels, marking a significant 30% increase compared to the preceding week.
‘Product’ WS
LR2 Weaker
LR2 AG freight rates fell to 125 WS, down 7% week-on-week, while a weaker trend appears to be emerging for the end of the month.
Panamax Weaker
Panamax Carib-to-USG rates fell to 131 WS, down 60% from a year ago, with the downward trend continuing since the end of Week 27.
‘Clean’
MR Mixed
MR1 rates for the Baltic continent increased to WS 200, up 12% from the previous week, but rates are still well below those of a year ago, up 45%.
MR2 rates for shipments from the continent to the U.S. remained at relatively flat levels around WS180, with no significant weekly downward revisions, while overall momentum appears to have slowed in September.
SECTION 2/ SUPPLY
Supply Trend Lines for Key Load Areas
‘Dirty’ (#vessels) – Decreasing
Crude oil tanker supply showed the first signs of decline, with the Ras Tanuara VLCC number below the annual average, while the Aframax number approached the annual average, with a tendency to fall to a lower level by the end of the month.
VLCC Ras Tanura: The current number of ships is 52, almost 10 below the annual average, and intense volatility over the last two weeks.
Suezmax Wafr: The figure was revised downward to 70 from a high of over 80 in the previous two weeks, and it remains to be seen whether the downward trend will continue, given the high number of ships recorded in previous weeks.
Aframax Primorsk: The current number of ships is 34, the average for the year, and it remains to be seen if the decline will continue given the recent low number of week 37 (~26)
Aframax Med Novo: The number of ships is now 11, 8 less than two weeks ago, with a downward trend in the second half of September.
‘Clean’
LR2 (#vessels) – Increasing
MR1 (#vessels) – Increasing
Clean LR2 AG Jubail: The number of ships sustained the increase of the third week of September, and rose further to 9 ships, 5 above the annual average.
Clean MR1 Algeria Skikda: The current count is 29 ships, 10 more than a week ago, while the number is still below the annual average of 33.
SECTION 3/ DEMAND
Summary of Tanker Demand per Ship Size & Segment
‘Dirty’ Decreasing
Dirty tonne days: At the end of September, the percentage increase in demand (in tonne days) was down for all crude oil vessel categories; despite signs of an upturn in Aframax, there was eventually a downward correction. In the VLCC segment, growth rates continued to be much steeper than eight weeks earlier.
‘Clean’ Panamax / MR Decreasing
Panamax tonne days: The growth rate has steadily increased over the last two weeks, with the last peak recorded in week 36.
Clean MR tonne days: Downward pressure continues to be revised sharply downward for the MR1 size, while demand sentiment for MR2 appears to be gradually increasing toward the end of September.
Source: By Maria Bertzeletou, Signal Group, https://go.signalocean.com/e/983831/Account-Login/2pf5t7/349510899?h=Ag7ICHj67aMom5VQRh0bBr4dmknhzI4aDirdz5FKIkk