What's In Store for Tanker Owners? (January 30, 2015)

How can the oil market balance supply and demand?

2015 seems to be off to a very good start for tanker owners. Rates are strong and the outlook appears favorable, at least for the next 6 to 12 months. There is an expectation that a significant number of large crude oil tankers will be employed in floating storage as a result of a widening contango in the oil markets. As these vessels leave the spot market, spot rates will experience another boost. Going forward, some of the key questions are (1) how much excess oil is in the market, (2) where will it be stored, (3) how long can this imbalance last and (4) what happens next?