SnP and Newbuilding Weekly 22 May 2026

The tanker sale and purchase market has slowed leading up to Posidonia, with only a few transactions reported. This includes a scrubber-fitted VLCC sold for USD 40-41 million and various MR tankers reaching firm prices, indicating ongoing strong demand despite softened activity. Meanwhile, the newbuilding market remains vibrant, especially for tankers where lower rates are pushing demand towards newbuilds as replacement options become more appealing amidst constrained delivery times. The geopolitical backdrop surrounding Iran continues to impact tanker volumes, but demand appears resilient with buyers willing to commit far into the future. Conversely, the dry bulk segment is experiencing robust transactions despite a softening BDI, highlighting a potential shift in trading interest as younger vessels maintain their value amid increasing scrapping rates and aging fleets across sectors.