Modern suezmax tonnage is fetching a strong premium in the time charter market as charterers wince at high bunker prices, both now and in the future.

Market sources says oil major BP, which issued a suezmax tender in March, put two suezmax newbuildings from the Evangelos Pistiolis-controlled Central Shipping on subjects at $25,000 per day.

The charter is for three years, beginning in mid 2019, with two, one-year options.