The VLCC market has quietened considerably after last week's record rates, with East of Suez slowing most as charterers step back and Gulf of Oman STS operations face delays. Fujairah-East was last seen at WS 792.5, with talk of WS 750, as STS activity shifts towards India's west coast. Atlantic activity has almost stalled, although an opportunistic ECM-WCI fixture was reported at USD 47.75 Mn. Suezmaxes eased in the Atlantic, with TD20 falling from WS 490 to WS 435, CPC steady at WS 500, and USG-TA ending at WS 362.5. Fujairah-East held a premium at WS 690 after touching WS 800. Aframaxes firmed, with Med TD19 settling at WS 645 and North Sea TD7 reaching a near-record WS 425.
AG LR2 deal count was slightly calmer, but rates rose sharply on a tight list. STS Sohar-Japan jumped from WS 330 to WS 470, WCI-UK Cont via Bab-el-Mandeb went on subs at USD 9.5 Mn, and Yanbu-UK Cont reached a historically high USD 6.65 Mn. AG LR1s rallied hard, with TC5 at WS 450 and expected to reach WS 500. Westbound ideas sit near USD 7.5 Mn for Vadinar-UK Cont via Bab-el-Mandeb or USD 8.25 Mn via the Cape. MR TC7 exceeded WS 500 in Southeast Asia, while Med MR naphtha replaced at WS 260 Med and USD 3.95 Mn Japan. Med Handies reached 30 x WS 270 X-Med, and TC2 should exceed WS 170.