Tankers: VLCC Market Still Elevated in International Shipping News 30/03/2026 Clean LR2 The TC1 75kt MEG/Japan index went from WS383 to WS411 this week. A voyage west also saw the TC20 90kt MEG/UK-Continent index climb a little to $7.32 million (+$78,100). The TC15 80kt Mediterranean/East index rose by $1.38 million to $9.98 million this week with the corresponding TCE up to $89,800/day on Baltic description round trip. LR1 The TC5 55kt MEG/Japan index has been assessed up 6 points this week to W424. A run west on TC8 65kt MEG/UK-Continent ended the week with the index $60,700 higher to $5.65 million. On the UK-Continent, LR1 freight down to west Africa jumped another 30 points this week to WS330 for the TC16 60kt ARA/West Africa index. This took the Baltic TCE for the route to $69,400/day round trip. MR The TC17 35kt MEG/East Africa index continued up to the tune of 58 points to WS650 this week. On the UK-Continent, MRs continued their recovery this week. The TC2 37kt ARA/US-Atlantic Coast index was assessed 67.5 points higher than last week at WS300 with the Baltic TCE for the round trip now at $33,900/day. In the US Gulf, MR freight spiked mid-week only to them lose some steam. The TC14 38kt US Gulf/UK-Continent run is currently assessed at WS518 (+48.5) after topping out at WS556. The Baltic round trip TCE for the run is now at $79,900/day. The Caribbean voyage on TC21, 38kt US-Gulf/Caribbean followed the same pattern and is presently assessed at $1.97 million, the corresponding TCE is now at $90,200/day on Baltic description. This after the index peaked at $2.35 million mid-week ($110,000/day). The MR Atlantic Triangulation Basket TCE went from $82,500/day to $101,200/day. Handymax In the Mediterranean, Handymax’s took off this week reflected in the TC6, 30kt Cross-Mediterranean index rocketing 196 points to WS617 this week translating to $139,000/day on Baltic TCE round trip. The TC23 30kt Cross UK-Continent route improved again to WS472 this week (+70) which generates $94,900/day on Baltic TCE round trip. VLCC The ongoing situation in the Middle East is still causing the Baltic panellists some difficulties in assessing the Baltic routes from the region. As a result, Baltic Exchange has started an alternative to the TD3C route, which is on public trial currently. This emergency route is titled TD34 and is basis 270,000mt Gulf of Oman to China. As transits through the Strait of Hormuz are extremely limited, this route offers some semblance of a viable risk attitude for owners and charterers alike. Rates for the TD3C route (270,000mt Middle East Gulf to China) are now being assessed at WS366, down from WS400 last Friday, which corresponds to a daily round-trip TCE of $356,483 for the standard Baltic VLCC. The new TD34 route from Mina al Fahal to China was assessed on Thursday at WS197. In the Atlantic market, the rate for the 260,000mt West Africa to China route (TD15) has climbed back up, gaining 12 points this week to WS163 giving a round voyage TCE of almost $130,000, while the US Gulf to China route (TD22) softened $170,000 to $22,760,556 which gives a daily round trip TCE of nearly $150,500. Suezmax In the Suezmax sector, markets in the West have significantly improved from the already firm situation. The rate for the 130,000mt Nigeria/UK Continent voyage (TD20) trip increased just over 50% to WS412.78 which translates into a daily round-trip TCE of about $215,300. The TD27 route (Guyana to UK Continent basis 130,000mt) gained