The profound changes to the tanker trade prompted by Russia’s war in Ukraine has driven up rates, bolstered the global “dark fleet” and will force oil to travel further to reach its customers in the coming years, data shows.

The average haul for oil in 2024 is expected to reach nearly 7,500 km in 2024 — more than 7% higher than in 2021 — as trade flows change, Russia pivots to Asia and Europe looks further afield to find suppliers of crude and oil products, according to Clarksons Research.