Equity analysts covering listed tanker companies are raising price targets, signaling expectations of further upside in VLCC freight rates. For logistics operators and cargo owners, this translates to increasing crude oil transportation costs with potential downstream supply chain implications. Shippers relying on VLCC capacity should consider locking in tonnage ahead of anticipated further rate increases.
Rate Direction
Rates up
Time Horizon
weeks
Confidence
35%
Routes Affected
Strait of Hormuz / Persian Gulf / Indian Ocean / Suez Canal / Cape of Good Hope
Ports / Terminals
Jebel Ali / Bandar Abbas / Fujairah / Ras Tanura
Source
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/tankers/vlcc-rates-how-high-and-for-how-long-published 27 Feb 2026, 10:02 UTC