A VLCC (~2.0 mln barrels) has been fixed to lift crude from the Persian Gulf to
India at WS 897 — about 897% of the Worldscale benchmark — brokers said,
reflecting a severe regional shortage of available ballast tonnage. The vessel
was supplied by Korean owner Sinokor Group and the booking was priced on a
Persian Gulf–Singapore route basis. Brokers said the fixture is the highest VLCC
rate so far this year. Sinokor has been expanding in the tanker market since
late last year and was among the most active Gulf participants during the war.
