Crude Tanker Rates Surge as Oil in Transit Hits Highest Level Since 2020

Market Intelligence Analysis

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Why This Matters

Crude tanker rates have surged due to the highest level of oil in transit since 2020, driven by geopolitical disruptions and delivery delays of sanctioned oil cargoes.

Market Impact

Moderate to high market impact, as rising crude tanker rates can influence the cost of oil production and transportation, potentially affecting global oil prices.

Sentiment
Bullish
AI Confidence
80%

Article Context

Note: This is a brief excerpt for context. Click below to read the full article on the original source.

Crude tankers are once again firing on all cylinders, with freight rates surging across all segments as oil in transit reaches its highest level in more than five years. According to data from Vortexa, total crude and condensate in transit rose to 1.31 million barrels per day in mid-October, a level not seen since May 2020 during the pandemic-era floating storage boom. The surge is being driven less by traditional supply-and-demand dynamics and more by geopolitical disruptions, notably delivery delays of sanctioned oil cargoes bound for China and…

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Original article published by OilPrice.com on October 23, 2025.
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