More product tanker newbuilding contracts have been agreed in the first six months of 2023 than in the whole of last year, according to Bimco.

The product tanker orderbook-to-fleet ratio has increased from 5.4% in December 2022 to 9.3% in June, driven by a 337% year-on-year rise during the first half, the shipowner industry group said.

LR2s have led the way with orders amounting to 5.6m