VLCC spot rates continue to move higher Wednesday, with average earnings at a level not seen in five months.

The day's rise came despite sluggish steps by charterers to book vessels for November loading requirements.

The day's fixtures saw chartering giant Unipec hire Maran Tankers Management's 310,000-dwt Maran Regulus (built 2000) for WorldScale 66.5 for a trip from the Middle East to China, according to Tankers International.

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