After its spate of sale-and-leaseback deals, Teekay Tankers is focused on weathering what is left of the pandemic-driven tanker downturn.

On the third-quarter earnings call on Thursday, chief executive Kevin Mackay said the New York-listed shipowner is looking to keep its "eye on the ball" for any more uncertainties that Covid-19 could create for the slowly improving tanker market.

"[What we have done] over the last couple of years is really to strengthen the company and get our organisation [to a] better place to get ready...