Bloated oil freight charges could surge yet higher this year, adding to the already inflated cost of world oil imports, shippers said. Tanker brokers are predicting a mid-November stampede to ship crude from the Middle East, pushing charter rates to new peaks amid a perceived shortage of quality vessels. In January, very large crude carriers (VLCCs) sailing from the Gulf to Japan were fetching a price of worldscale 49, equivalent to 75 cents a barrel. The rate since has more than trebled and now stands at WS 165, $2.50 a barrel. For a 250,000 ton, or 1.8 million barrel shipment, that means an increased freight charge of $3 million on a $50 million cargo of crude. "Eastern charterers have been paying higher rates," said one VLCC broker. Rates for a 280,000 tonner to the U.S.