Charter activity for MR tankers has picked up in the period market this month, with several vessels reported fixed for three years or more.

The growing appetite among charterers reflects increasing optimism in the products trade, as global oil inventories continue to fall amid signs of demand recovery, tanker experts suggested.

Among deals, Greece’s Sun Enterprises reportedly secured three-year charters for the 50,200-dwt Alfios and Athina (both built 2020) from Chevron at $15,750 per day.