A shift by owners and charterers towards larger product tanker sizes means smaller vessels are a dying breed, according to Alphatanker.

But even larger clean carriers are facing a threat from even bigger crude vessels, the consultancy believes.

Panamaxes of between 55,000 dwt and 85,000 dwt are ageing rapidly, Alphatanker said.

"2021 will likely be remembered as the year that the panamax truly went out of fashion," the company added.