The US government has tied up a trio of US-flagged tankers either through new contracts or exercising of options at generous rates.

The most recent deal saw the Military Sealift Command (MSC) exercise the second one-year option period for Schuyler Line Navigation’s 49,999-dwt SLNC Goodwill (built 2009).

The extension of the chemical and oil products tanker is costing the US taxpayer $11.4m,