Unipec, the trading arm of oil major Sinopec, has reportedly become more active in the period charter market for tankers in recent weeks.
The move is garnering attention because the Chinese state-owned company, which is the world’s largest tanker charterer in tonnage terms, is known for its general preference for spot deals and contracts of affreightment.
Fixture reports and market sources said Unipec has taken at least two VLCCs, one aframax, one LR2 and one LR1 on period charters since early September.
