The Chinese military could help tankers experience a "golden age" in the coming years.

In its monthly report, Alphatanker said the languishing tanker market could be in for a substantial upturn driven by a lack of shipyard capacity preventing owners from getting newbuilding deliveries in 2023 and 2024.

The lack of berths has mostly been driven by boxship owners securing new tonnage, but the AXS Marine research arm said Beijing was also pushing for military newbuildings at state-controlled yards.