Growth in the crude tanker fleet is likely to hamper earnings potential as markets recover, a new report has warned.

In their fourth-quarter forecast, VesselsValue and maritime consultancy ViaMar argue that new ships joining the fleet will be more than enough to cater for oil volume rises until the end of 2022.

The companies note that overall vessel ordering activity is continuing at a strong pace, but is lower in gross tonnage terms compared with the first and second periods.