The lack of transparency in one of the world’s most volatile markets has demonstrated the value of tanker pools, despite them being weakened by a rash of vessel sales, according to the chief executive of Maersk Tankers.

Christian M Ingerslev told TradeWinds that the 170-strong Maersk pool is securing rates on the spot market of between $20,000 and $90,000 because of current market volatility — making it harder for individual shipowners to make predictable and high earnings.