VLCC spot rates are at their lowest level since early March as thin chartering activity weighs on the market.

Today's chartering included a Trafigura fixture of the VL8-operated, 319,000-dwt As Suwayq (built 2012) for just WorldScale (WS) 60 on the route between West Africa and China, according to Tankers International (TI). The tanker is owned by Oman Shipping.

The fixture marks a drop of WS 10 since the last-done fixture on the route on 14 April.

Clarksons