Clarksons says a rapid increase in US exports is aiding the products tanker market and is expected to benefit medium range tankers further.
“In particular, trade volumes on routes from the US to Mexico and South America are projected to increase by 24% year-on-year in 2012 to 1.8m bpd,” Clarksons said.
“This will generate increased demand for MR tankers, and may encourage investors to order MRs in the near future.”
It notes, however, that the Atlantic trader is likely to be hindered by a recession in Europe while the MR orderbook up until 2015 is the largest in the sector.
As a result Clarksons warns opportunities in the products tanker market are more "complex" that previously considered.