Rising energy exports suggest the US is the land of opportunity for shipowners in both the tanker and gas markets.

A spike in output from major shale players is forecast to drive demand for up to 50 extra VLCCs and a similar number of VLGCs, according to fresh research.

Escalating US crude tanker shipments helped power the VLCC market in the early months of 2019 and forecast production increases until 2025 bode well for the market, financial services company Kepler Cheuvreux said.