Refining giant Phillips 66 has concluded two time-charter deals in the aframax crude tanker sector, European brokers said.

The 115,000-dwt Phoenix Admiral (built 2011) is now reported taken from Singapore’s Phoenix Tankers for up to two years.

P66 has reportedly fixed the ship, whose owner is a subsidiary of Japanese giant MOL, for a year at $14,950 per day with an option for a second year at $19,950 per day, which reflects an anticipation that rates will pick up towards 2020.