Shippers turn to longer-term leases as tanker supply tightens

Detours have added significantly to shipping costs and reduced vessel availability. — Reuters

HOUSTON: Rising oil tanker chartering rates due to global shipping disruption are forcing oil shippers to take on longer-term shipping charters, executives say this week at an energy conference in Houston.

The global oil tanker fleet must now travel further to get crude to refineries and fuel to consumers. European sanctions have forced Russian exporters to send oil to Asia that would have otherwise gone to Europe. Attacks on vessels in the Red Sea have forced some shippers to sail around Africa.