Commodity Atlas
Categories/Freight/Tankers/Concept

Tanker Segmentation: Crude, Clean, and Product Routes

Tanker markets segment by cargo type and vessel class, with crude and product corridors reacting to different demand and refinery signals.

Core Points

  • VLCC/Suezmax/Aframax economics differ by route and terminal constraints.
  • Product tanker rates track refinery output and arbitrage windows.
  • Route disruptions can quickly shift class-relative earnings.

Case Studies

Case: VLCC Middle East-Pacific Pull

Higher Asia-bound crude demand tightened VLCC availability and repriced key MEG routes.

Case: Product Route Arbitrage

A regional crack differential opened a long-haul product arbitrage lane, tightening LR/MR availability.

References

Last reviewed: 2026-03-21