Small products tankers have faced a challenging operating environment for a couple of years, caused by mass tonnage oversupply and falling palm oil production in Southeast Asia.

Vegetable oils are among the main cargo sources for coated products tankers between 10,000 dwt and 29,000 dwt. 

A Banchero Costa (Bancosta) report on the global vegetable oil trade released last week suggests that strong growth may result in the return of profits that have recently proved elusive for small tankers.