The rises in newbuilding activity in June and July have been firmly reversed, with just 8 vessels ordered in September - a low not seen since August 2025. There were also only five deliveries: three MRs, one LR2, and one LR1. July and August had seen 41 and 21 deliveries, respectively, so autumn has brought a definite slowdown.
But deliveries for 2026 YTD have already surpassed those of the whole of 2025, and crude tanker deliveries are four vessels away from doubling on the year. For the first time since the end of 2024, no tankers were scrapped in September.
Strong delivery numbers and continuously low levels of scrapping activity have led to the record levels of tanker growth which will take place through 2028, and the fleet has already grown by 4.3 per cent this year.