In a clientbriefing equity analyst Omar Nokta said daily levels tied to tonnage hired totransport cargoes from West Africa to the US Atlantic hit $18,000.

The researcherpointed out that this is 55.2% higher than averages seen yesterday andapproximately 42.9% above the day rate recorded seven days prior.

In addition tofixtures involving tankers trading between West Africa and the US, Nokta noteda number of suezmaxes were hired for voyages to South America and Europe.

Going