Recent moves by Chembulk Tankers and Team Tankers to enter their chemical tanker fleets into pools are part of a wider restructuring within the sector, according to industry experts.

Chembulk will move all of its chemical tankers to pools managed by Womar Tanker Pools, while Team Tankers is placing its 27 tankers, including MRs, in Maersk Tankers’ pools.

Many observers believe the deals reflect a wider shift in the sector to seek economies of scale, not through consolidation, but through outsourcing commercial activities.