The world’s shipowners have placed orders for a record number of new oil supertankers, surpassing a boom back in 2008 that ultimately led to a glut and a collapse in rates.
There are currently 262 supertankers, each capable of hauling 2 million barrels of crude oil, on order at shipyards around the world, according to Clarkson Research Services Ltd., a unit of the world’s largest shipbroker. The number, which would be enough to handle the entirety of the vast US crude oil-export program, exceeds the prior peak, set in October 2008. Deliveries for these very large crude carriers are expected ...