Equinor and Solal are being linked to a string of period charter deals for suezmax and aframax tonnage.

Equinor, the Norwegian state-controlled energy company formerly known as Statoil, has picked up at least three vessels for periods of two to three years at what brokers described as being fairly firm rates.

The charters represent $32m in gross charter hire.

Equinor, which does does not comment on individual deals, has reportedly fixed the 160,000-dwt Chios (built 2016) from Greece's Sun Enterprises for three years at $21,700 per day.