Strait Talk: Black Hole Sums

In this week's Strait Talk, Argus experts examine why freight rates are rising so rapidly, whether increasing Middle East exports are driving demand for tankers, and what the implications are for crude-importing regions such as Europe and Asia.

As shipping costs climb, the economics of oil trading are becoming increasingly strained. Freight premiums are adding tens of dollars per barrel to delivered crude costs, raising questions about demand destruction and the sustainability of current market pricing.