A division of China Merchants Energy Shipping looks to have secured long-term business for one of its VLCCs in a deal which has the market pondering if the summer momentum has been maintained.

CPC Corp of Twiwan has booked a vessel from CMES company Associated Maritime on a three year contract, brokers say.

It comes at time of strong sentiment in the tanker market in the buildup to IMO 2020 and a series of time charters which have shown strong rates over longer periods.