TANKER MARKET & OUTLOOK
A recovery in the tanker cycle has continued to be deferred during the second quarter of 2021. Freight markets remained difficult driven by three key factors. Firstly, long awaited oil production rises has not translated into sustainable increases in global crude exports. This is mainly from OPEC+ tapering production cuts and non-OPEC nations (e.g. Brazil & US shale) responding to higher crude prices. Secondly, persistent localized outbreaks of Covid-19 have continued to curb economic activity, thus slowing the return to the full pre- covid oil-demand. This is particularly the case for Jet Fuel demand. Thirdly, available tonnage, whilst not increasing, has remained stubbornly elevated in particular in key export markets like the Middle East.
The anticipated timeline of Iran’s return to global oil markets has also been pushed back. Crude tanker markets would benefit from a resolution of this situation via (1) a return of additional barrels to the commercial sector and (2) increasing pressure to exit the market on those (largely elderly) VLCC/Suezmax tankers engaged in illicit trading activity in recent years.
However, there are a number of improving elements building foundations for future recovery. Asset prices continued to rise – VLCC and Suezmax newbuild prices rising 9% during Q2 alone, as steel prices hit their highest level since August 2008. Recycling also accelerated during the second quarter – year to date 9 VLCCs have exited the global fleet – more than double of the total amount in 2020. The number of phase out candidates continues to accumulate, with 9% of the VLCC fleet for instance already over 20 years of age. Elevated recycle values based on high steel prices, rising bunker prices for higher consuming older tonnage and upcoming emissions regulations, should incentivize more phasing out going forward.
Further pockets of encouragement come from the level of global onshore oil inventories returning to the five-year pre-Covid-19 average. This is an important building block required for tanker market recovery to generate volume demand for crude imports/exports and therefore tanker employment. During the recent quarter there has been a sustained rise in Middle East cargoes, with June’s tanker cargo count in the region being the highest since December 2020. Toward the end of Q2 this was reducing the surplus tonnage in the region.
Higher demand for crude is assumed as economies re-open from Covid-19 restrictions. Economic agencies (IEA/EIA) both expect global demand to be just 1 million bpd below the pre-Covid-19 peak by the fourth quarter of 2021. Strong oil production growth – historically a key driver for tanker ton-miles – is therefore required to meet this anticipated 3-4 million bpd forecast demand increase during the second half of 2021.
The eventual agreement within the OPEC+ coalition to begin increasing production by 400,000 bpd starting this month, could see an additional 2 million barrels in circulation by the year end – with 1 million bpd in crude exports requiring on average 30 VLCCs to transport them. The target to end the entire 5.8 million bpd production cuts by September 2022, if enacted, is particularly encouraging.
These two interlinked factors, demand for and supply of crude, remain the key variables for tanker markets short term. Visibility on demand remains limited. Rising crude demand has largely been and led by OECD nations (US & Europe) where vaccination rates have been highest. Full emerging market engagement (limited due to lower vaccination rates) and international travel (restrictions on movement) remain limited in demand contribution. Increases in production need to translate more fully into exported barrels. Both factors are required to move into equilibrium with one another before freight rates can gain upward traction and prevent the (already high) oil price to move to levels where it could curtail demand. In addition, the recent ramping up of climate change regulations is a structural feature for the tanker market to manage over the medium term.
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