Tanker Market Stabilizing After Recent Turbulence in International Shipping News 27/04/2026 Clean LR2 The TC1 75kt MEG/Japan index held in the mid to high WS120’s this week. A voyage west also saw the TC20 90kt MEG/UK-Continent index climb to $10.78 million (+$250,000). The TC15 80kt Mediterranean/East index dropped by $250,000 to $11.15 million this week, with the corresponding TCE down to $110,700/day on Baltic description round trip. LR1 The TC5 55kt MEG/Japan index has been assessed up another 10 points this week to WS656. A run west on TC8 65kt MEG/UK-Continent ended the week with the index $492,000 higher to $8.37 million. MR The TC17 35kt MEG/East Africa index firmed 28 points to WS728 this week, which would generate $92,000/day on Baltic description round trip TCE. On the UK-Continent, MR freight levels weakened modestly this week. The TC2 37kt ARA/US-Atlantic Coast index was assessed 9.37 points lower than last week at WS260, with the Baltic TCE for the round trip now at $26,900/day. In the US Gulf, MR’s also took a downturn. The TC14 38kt US Gulf/UK-Continent run is currently assessed at WS394 (-134). The Baltic round trip TCE for the run is now at $56,000/day, down 30% on last week. The Caribbean voyage on TC21, 38kt US-Gulf/Caribbean also dropped dramatically (-$810,000) to go below $2 million and currently sits at $1.39m, with the corresponding TCE now at $57,400/day on Baltic description. The MR Atlantic Triangulation Basket TCE went from $99,900/day to $75,000/day. Handymax In the Mediterranean, Handymax rates spiked this week reflected in the TC6, 30kt Cross-Mediterranean index climbing 106 points to WS571, translating to $132,000/day on Baltic TCE round trip. The TC23 30kt Cross UK-Continent route held resolute this week only losing five points to WS499 this week, which generates $104,500/day on Baltic TCE round trip. VLCC The Middle East situation continues with both the US and Iran claiming the Strait of Hormuz blocked, followed by reports of vessels transiting. The Baltic panellists assess the rate for the TD3C route (270,000 mt Middle East Gulf to China) 31 points firmer than last Friday at WS459.28, which corresponds to a daily round-trip TCE of $467,408 for the standard Baltic VLCC. TD34 (Gulf of Oman/China) was assessed on Thursday at WS167.5, 14.5 points lower than last Friday. In the Atlantic market, the rate for the 260,000 mt West Africa to China route (TD15) softened slightly and is now two points lower than a week ago, at WS137.31, giving a round voyage TCE of a little over $109,200. Meanwhile, in the same period, the US Gulf to China route (TD22) gained about $41,000 to $16,330,556, which gives a daily round trip TCE of more than $102,500. Suezmax In the Suezmax sector, the Western Baltic Exchange routes are firmer. The rate for the 130,000 mt Nigeria/UK Continent voyage (TD20) trip rose 14 points to WS206.11, which translates into a daily round-trip TCE of $91,230. The TD27 route (Guyana to UK Continent basis 130,000 mt) rose 13 points to just shy of WS200 giving a daily round trip TCE of about $88,400. It was reported this week that an oil major has put a 2022-built oil-trader relet on subjects for a 145,000mt at WS210 (equiv of 130 x WS234) so it would appear that the Atlantic Suezmax market is going to take a large step upwards today or next week. The Baltic route of 145,000 mt USG/UKC (TD33), gained five points to WS180. In the Black Sea, rates for the TD6 route of 135,000 mt CPC/Augusta having plumme