In 2023, the tanker industry experienced significant growth, primarily driven by the crude oil sector, which saw a notable increase of 86 million tonnes compared to the previous year. Other segments showed relatively stable growth rates. December marked a robust period across all sectors, with crude oil witnessing a 7% increase, LNG surging by 15%, LPG rising by 6.8%, and chemical tankers declining by 5%.
During December, global demand for crude oil saw a substantial uptick, particularly outside of China. LNG demand experienced a surge in the latter months of 2023, primarily driven by Asian markets, while European demand remained relatively stable.