Demand for oil supertankers continues to rise across the global shipping industry. According to data from Clarksons, there are currently 262 supertankers on order worldwide, each with a capacity of around 2 million barrels of crude oil. This figure has surpassed the previous record set in 2008.
According to sea-news.az the recent surge in the tanker market to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and increased risks in the Strait of Hormuz. Against this backdrop, freight rates for tanker transport have sharply increased, reaching historic highs on some routes.
However, analysts warn that the rapid growth in orders could eventually lead to an oversupply of tonnage, which in turn may drive freight rates downward. They point to the prolonged downturn that followed the 2008 shipbuilding boom as a key historical example.
Industry representatives say one of the main drivers of new orders is the aging global tanker fleet, as well as shortages caused by sanctions-related restrictions on vessels.
The average age of the world’s operating supertankers has reportedly reached its highest level in the past 25 years.
Experts also note that not only the tanker segment but the broader shipbuilding industry is experiencing one of its strongest order books in the past 14 years.
