Oil firms are still capable of fixing tankers from Japanese and Greek owners at lower rates amid the depressed mood in the period charter market, where activity has remained limited during the summer holidays.

Brokers reported Mitsui OSK Lines recently chartered out the 302,000-dwt VLCC Kasagisan (built 2006) to IndianOil for 12 months at $22,000 per day.

The deal can be extended by another year at $25,000 per day.