Forward freight assessments gained ground this week even as average VLCC rates fell to levels that some brokers believe will mark the bottom of a recent downward trend, though other experts are not as optimistic.
The Baltic Exchange's assessment for February time-charter equivalent rates on the benchmark eastbound trade showed a 4.6% jump to $27,100 per day.
But average VLCC rates ended the week at $18,700 per day, a 21.2%
