In russian federation, prices for ice-class vessels will increase significantly

BRS analysts of the Braemar brokerage company predict a crisis of ice-class vessels, which can significantly increase the rates for these ships russian federation.

Last winter saw record profits for Aframaxes, which carried russian oil on the now suspended TD17 from Primorsk to Wilhelmshaven, reaching $350,000 a day in the first weeks of the russian invasion of Ukraine, writes Splash 24/7.

Recently, rates for Aframax vessels have increased again. According to BRS data, there are currently 700 ice-class tankers with a deadweight of 34,000 tons or more. They make up 13% of the entire fleet of tankers with a deadweight of more than 34,000 tons.

For example, the 15-year-old ice-class Aframax recently changed hands for $33 million, double what it cost a year ago. MR vessels have also changed hands at an “impressive” price, BRS reports, suggesting that ice-class tonnage will not be written off while the war in Ukraine continues.

“As winter approaches, russian exporters are desperately trying to preserve their exports, there is a possibility of further price increases for ice-class tankers,” analysts predict.

There are less than six weeks left before the EU ban on russian tankers takes effect. Previously, USM wrote that Russia is trying to quickly build up its fleet before the oil embargo.