Greek owner NGM Energy has locked two of its aframaxes into one-year charters as the tanker market is enjoying a seasonal upturn.

Litasco has fixed the 113,000-dwt Ace (built 2008) at $15,750 per day and Concord Maritime has chartered the 113,000-dwt Free Spirit (built 2008) at the same rate, European shipbrokers say.

Oslo-based broker Fearnleys says the one-year rate for an aframax is $15,500 per day, while spot rates for the ships have been climbing strongly in the fourth quarter.