The number of tankers scrapped fell steeply in 2019 amid bright earnings prospects — but some market players expect the situation to be reversed this year because of new environmental regulations.

Clarksons data shows only 52 crude tankers totalling 3.54m dwt were recycled last year, compared with 175 totalling 20.3m dwt in 2018.

The number of VLCCs sent to the breaker’s yard dropped from 31 to four, suezmaxes from 22 to six and aframaxes from 46 to one.