Platts launches Med-Black Sea Handysize Clean tanker assessments Oct 1

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has launched a daily clean tanker freight assessment for a 30,000-mt cargo carried on a Handysize ship on the Mediterranean-Black Sea route, effective Oct. 1, 2025.

Platts published the above decision in a subscriber note Sept. 3 here.

Following market feedback, Platts has recognized a need for a freight rate for Handysize tankers transporting refined products from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, driven by increased activity levels and evolving transportation routes within the two basins.

Data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea indicate that northbound refined product flows from the Mediterranean basin to the Black Sea have increased steadily in recent years, reaching 4.9 million metric tons in 2024 -- a 26% rise from 2023 levels and a 130% increase compared with 2022. Platts understands this sustained growth to be indicative of a structural shift in regional trade flows.

The main routes for the assessment are:

The assessments are as follows:

The new clean tanker freight assessments reflect spot freight rates for Handysize tankers carrying refined product cargo in lump-sum values and $/mt at 1630 London close. The assessments follow the London publishing schedule.

The assessments are published in the Platts Clean Tankerwire and Platts Clean Tankerwire Monthly and on fixed pages, PGA0900, PGT1910, SHP1320, PGT1911, SHP132.

Please send all comments or questions to tankers@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available to the public upon request.