Ionic Shipping has reportedly scored a three-year time charter for an aframax newbuilding in what is certain to be a profitable deal despite a slumping spot market.

The low-key Greek shipowner has fixed its 112,000-dwt Ionic Ariadne (built 2020) for three years to ExxonMobil at $25,500 per day, European shipbrokers said.

The deal for the Sumitomo-built tanker is expected to yield total revenue of $27.5m