Asian demand for storage, both ashore and afloat, ahead of the IMO 2020 sulphur regulations is providing a new lease of life for veteran VLCCs.

Around 15 VLCCs built in the early 2000s have been sold in the past 10 months, according to VesselsValue.

At least 40% of them have been bought by recognised Asia-based bunker suppliers, marine fuel traders and storage specialists such as Ocean Tankers, Prima Marine and Equatorial Marine.