TONNAGE of laid-up tankers has dropped for the first time since July, after reaching four-year highs, says London-based ship brokers John I. Jacobs.
After reaching its highest level since November 1988 in January, laid-up or mothballed tonnage declined in February to 6.36 million tonnes, 632,305 tons less than the previous month.
A total of 57 ships were out of the market in February as one 30,300-deadweight tonne (dwt) tanker was taken out of service and five other ships resumed trading.
Vessels resuming trading included two tankers, the 109,464-dwt Leontas and the 136,156 dwt Omi Columbia, laid up in September and August, respectively.
Three combined carriers, the Amber, Cornelian and Linardos at 162,363 dwt, 152,922 dwt and 101,700 dwt, respectively also were put back into work.
They were taken out of service last year.
