Tanker owners may need to take a “leap of faith” if they want to order newbuildings, given the current market, says Poten & Partners.

The oil tanker industry is in a transition period at the same time as it is slowly coming out of a depressed rate environment, while facing geopolitical turmoil.

“While it is not new for our industry to be pulled in several different directions at the same time, the current situation highlights the particular challenges facing shipowners today,” Poten said.