Period rates for MR tankers are closing in on all-time highs as market prospects strengthen further.

Spot rates dipped 9% in the Atlantic Basin to hit $18,400 per day on Wednesday, but Fearnley Securities said longer-term deals show “how firm the market and outlook already is”.

The one-year time-charter rate stands at $26,000 per day, the second-highest ever after the vessels reached $27,000 per day in 2007.