Trafigura has been tied to a string of period charter deals worth at least $131m that has seen the trading giant lock in rates for the crude tankers for at least three years.

Recent weeks have seen the company strike deals for at least three VLCCs, as well as a suezmax newbuilding, according to various broker reports.

Among the charters are three- to five-year fixtures of two Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) vessels.