The New York-quoted owner says the 52,000-dwtSTI Onyx, the fifth in a series of ten MR newbuildings, has been chartered outfor up to 120 days at a rate of $18,500 daily in a contract that includes aperformance clause based on fuel consumption.
At first glance market sources say the pricetag looks high when compared to Atlantic Basin spot market averages of around$11,500 per day but note it’s not uncommon for charterers to pay a premium forfresh tonnage when shipping palm oil, which thrives in virgin tanks.
At the recentJefferies 2012 shipping conference in Manhattan, Scorpio management said theirfreshly minted tankers were outperforming certain peers due to engines anddesigns that maximize fuel efficiency and also boast features that reduce the riskof cargo contamination.
With offices in Monaco and New York, theEmanuele Lauro-led operator boasts a fleet of 32 products tankers in total.Five are under construction, 12 are owned and the remainder are chartered in,according to a recent statement.
