Even the less efficient VLCCs are now earning six-figure rates.

Howe Robinson said on Friday that a non-eco, non-scrubber-fitted VLCC sailing from the Middle East Gulf to China was earning $108,644 per day, while one from West Africa to China was earning $106,028 per day.

“To say this week has gone against many expectations might to some be an understatement — many were of the impression that charterers had been busy covering all their immediate cargoes prior to the Bahri week — to concentrate on the job at hand,” the London broker said.