Libya's General National Maritime Transport Co (GNMTC) has secured short-term charters for two of its suezmax tankers at strong rates, reflecting firming market sentiment for crude carriers.

The Tripoli-based shipowner has chartered out the 164,000-dwt Barbarosa (built 2009) and the 159,000-dwt Libya (built 2007) for up to six months at $23,000 per day each, with deliveries in Singapore, European shipbrokers report.