Clean-product tankers posted clear gains this week while very large crude carriers softened, according to a market note from reports on 27 September 2026.
Owners of LR2s saw their benchmark move sharply higher as the TC1 75,000‑tonne MEG–Japan index climbed by 41.67 points to WS875.56, lifting the Baltic round‑trip time‑charter equivalent from $237,000 per day to $252,100 per day.
Clean tankers leading the advance
The eastbound LR2 measure drove most of the upward momentum for clean tonnage, and profits on a westbound routing also expanded materially, the TC20 90,000‑tonne MEG–UK Continent assessment rose by $662,500 to $17.27 million, the report stated.
The TC15 80,000‑tonne Mediterranean–East fixing improved by $336,000 to $7.73 million, reinforcing the broader picture of stronger demand for clean fixtures across principal trade lanes.
VLCCs and the crude complex
By contrast, VLCCs eased, reflecting a divergence between the larger crude carriers and the clean sector this week. The report identifies the softening in very large crude carrier markets even as refinery feedstock flows and clean product voyages strengthened.
Market participants will watch whether the gap between clean and crude freight trends narrows as seasonal flows and refinery maintenance cycles evolve, with tonnage supply and demand balances remaining key determinants of near‑term rate direction.
Brokers and owners assessing earnings will be paying close attention to TCE moves after the substantial rise in LR2 returns, which has pushed daily earnings markedly higher compared with the start of the week.
Where rates have moved up, charterers may face tighter options and higher voyage costs, while owners of modern, fuel‑efficient tonnage are likely to capture a larger share of the upside until the position lists adjust. The reports note provides the raw indices and dollar‑value shifts that underpin these conclusions.
The coming days should show whether clean tanker strength sustains or proves transitory, and whether VLCCs recover ground as crude trading patterns respond to refinery demand and regional stock movements.