WhileVLCC rates have slumped since the turn of the year, an aframax owner can nowpocket $66,500 daily for a cross-Med voyage, up by two thirds on the previousday.

Theovernight leap came after around 11 vessels were fixed in the Mediterranean yesterday.

“Usually20-22 aframaxes are booked on a weekly basis in the region, and so booking halfa week's volume in one day has had a major impact,” said Global HunterSecurities in its daily market report.

Therate