Shadow fleet tankers contribute to significant rise in first-quarter recycling volumes
- Few large tankers were sold for recycling in 2023 and 2024 but the sale of elderly tankers finally began to rise in 1Q25
- Two tankers on Ofac sanctions list were recycled in India during the period
- Cash buyers willing to take the risk of handling sanctioned vessels, bought at a big discount, can make large profits
Total recycling volumes, measured by gross tonnage, almost doubled in the first quarter