Trafigura has locked in a Shandong Landbridge-controlled VLCC newbuilding into a three-year charter worth $40m over the course of the contract.
European brokers said the Geneva-headquartered trader has chartered a 305,000-dwt tanker set for delivery next year to the Chinese shipowner for $36,500 per day.
The ship is believed to be scrubber fitted, which is believed to have helped push up the day rate.
