The two monthly rises in newbuilding activity in June and July were followed by a sharp drop in August, which saw the second-lowest number of contracts since August 2025. Product tankers made up the majority of deliveries, with MRs again leading the way in deliveries and in new contracts. LR2s and Aframaxes also generated interest.
Deliveries for 2026 YTD have already surpassed those of the whole of 2025, and at their current rate, crude tanker deliveries will more than double on the year. Four tankers were scrapped in August.
Strong delivery numbers and continuously low levels of scrapping activity have led to the record levels of tanker growth which will take place through 2028, and the fleet has already grown by 3.8 per cent this year.