Gulf Tanker Rates Fall

Crude tanker rates from the Arabian Gulf to Asia on 2mn-barrel tankers fell to its lowest in more than six weeks as the ships available at the end of August outnumber cargoes, according to a Bloomberg report. In less than a month freight rates for VLCCs reportedly have dropped 40 percent as charterers held back from hiring vessels, allowing a surplus to build up. GS Caltex Corp, South Korea’s second-largest oil refiner, booked a VLCC, Hebei Mountain to load crude on August 23 at WS 62.5, as measured in Worldscale points, shipbrokers including Oslo-based PF Bassoe said in notes to clients. GS Caltex’s rate is 5.5 points, or 8 percent, down from yesterday on the benchmark route to Japan, Bloomberg data show. Transport costs on the route are $1.10 a barrel compared with $1.20. Petron Corp, the largest Philippine oil company, booked a vessel at the same rate.