Negative correlation between activity and rates this week...

There appeared to be a negative correlation between activity and rates on clean voyages out of the Gulf this week. The LR2 market saw an increase in activity, but the rate on the Gulf-Japan route still fell to WS 115 as last week’s oversupply persisted. Meanwhile, although the LR1 market was not as busy, the rate for a Gulf-Japan voyage firmed by WS 5 points w-o-w to WS 145, on the back of a very tight tonnage list. Meanwhile, with the holiday season fast approaching, charters are now looking to cover their requirements for the Christmas period.