Stolt-Nielsen boss Niels Stolt-Nielsen has no qualms about driving up vessel contract prices as it faces huge fleet renewal costs in the coming years.

The Oslo-listed chemical tanker group said contract of affreightment (COA) renewals saw fees rise 30% in its fourth quarter, with potentially bigger increases still to come in 2023.

“I don’t feel guilty,” Stolt-Nielsen told a conference call with analysts.