Maersk Tankers has lost about 20 vessels from its pools as members cash in on the red-hot sales market.

In the latest sign of the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the number of vessels under the commercial ship manager has fallen from around 200 to 180.

The change has been driven by owners taking advantage of demand from investors seeking to tap into surging tanker spot rates that have increased for MRs by 300% since February, according to chief executive Christian M Ingerslev.