Uncertainty over tanker market prospects next year has prompted an unusual rise in trading of forward freight agreements (FFAs) out into positions three to four years ahead.

Market players reported an uptick in action on 3 and 4 December, which continued into the early part of this week.

Will Clarkson, who runs the tanker FFA business at Oil Brokerage, said that at this time of year it would not be uncommon to see trading in calendar year 2021.