The Aframax segment has remained one of the most dynamic segments of the tanker market in recent months, shaped by shifting trade patterns, evolving regulatory landscapes, and regional imbalances in demand. In this environment, the ability to adapt swiftly and strategically has never been more crucial. At Signal, this principle is at the core of our operations. By leveraging data-driven insights and staying attuned to global market movements, we’ve been able to make bold fleet repositioning decisions—moves that, while initially challenging, are now delivering strong returns and reaffirming the value of long-term thinking in a fast-paced industry.
Repositioning with Purpose: Strategy Over Short-Term Gains
At a time when many operators were chasing immediate returns, Signal took a different path. The decision to reposition its Aframax fleet came with initial hurdles — from idle days to lower backhaul earnings — but it was a move grounded in market intelligence and a clear long-term strategy. Through continuous analysis of route profitability, cargo flows, and macro trade patterns, the company identified key regions where demand was likely to intensify. Rather than react to short-term volatility, Signal acted with conviction, trusting in its data, experience, relationships and the strength of its operational model.
Delivering Strong Performance: Results That Validate the Strategy
The recent months have validated Signal’s strategic decisions, as the Aframax Pool continues to deliver strong, measurable results. Net TCE figures have seen a significant increase, rising at $43.6k/day and $60.7k/day in April (98% fixed) and May (27% fixed) 2025 respectively, demonstrating a steady upward trajectory, highlighting the impact of the fleet’s careful repositioning. Signal’s year-to-date net TCE stands at $31.1k/day. Compared against peers, Signal’s performance has been consistently competitive, maintaining a clear advantage in cumulative earnings through 2025 with a notable year-to-date overperformance of approx. $3k/day. The Pool’s ability to outperform even in a volatile market further showcases the effectiveness of the early repositioning strategy and the value delivered to its partners consistently since its inception in 2018.
Staying Agile in a Shifting Market
While the recent performance results are encouraging, Signal remains fully aware that the maritime landscape continues to evolve. Flexibility, speed of execution, and continuous market monitoring are vital to sustaining competitive advantage. With the same strategic mindset that guided the latest repositioning success, Signal is committed to maintaining agility—ready to respond to shifts in global trade patterns, regional supply developments, and emerging regulatory requirements. Looking ahead, Signal will continue to leverage its operational intelligence, advanced analytics, and commitment to excellence to navigate whatever challenges and opportunities the market presents.
Stay connected with the latest from The Signal Group — including platform innovations, market insights, and industry updates. For demo inquiries or to learn more, reach out to us or visit our Newsroom for the latest developments across our businesses. Click here to read the previous article by the Signal Maritime team.
Creating a sustainable world requires us to embark on a journey towards a zero emission future, where every step is a commitment to preserve our planet for future generations.
Albert Greenway
Environmental Scientist, Sustainability Expert
Increased Use of Renewable Energy:
Shipping companies are embracing renewable energy sources to power onboard systems and reduce emissions during port operations. Solar panels and wind turbines are being installed on vessels to generate clean energy, reducing reliance on auxiliary engines, and cutting down emissions. Shore power facilities in ports allow ships to connect to the electrical grid, eliminating the need for onboard generators while docked.
Collaboration and Industry Partnerships:
Recognizing that addressing emissions requires collective action, shipping companies, governments, and organizations have formed partnerships and collaborations. These initiatives focus on research and development, sharing best practices, and promoting knowledge transfer. Joint projects aim to develop and deploy innovative technologies, improve infrastructure, and create a supportive regulatory framework to accelerate the industry's transition towards a greener future. The Zero Emission Shipping - Mission Innovation.
To pave the way for a greener future in shipping, the availability of alternative fuels plays a vital role in their widespread adoption. However, this availability is influenced by factors such as port infrastructure, local regulations, and government policies. As the demand for cleaner fuels in shipping rises and environmental regulations become more stringent, efforts are underway to improve the accessibility of these fuels through infrastructure development, collaborations, and investments in production facilities.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure has seen significant growth in recent years, resulting in more LNG bunkering facilities and LNG-powered vessels. Nonetheless, the availability of LNG as a marine fuel can still vary depending on the region. To ensure consistent availability worldwide, there is a need for further development of LNG supply chains and infrastructure. For biofuels, their availability hinges on production capacity and the availability of feedstock. Although biofuels are being produced and utilized in various sectors, their availability as a marine fuel remains limited. Scaling up biofuel production and establishing robust supply chains are imperative to ensure wider availability within the shipping industry.Hydrogen, as a fuel for maritime applications, is still in the early stages of infrastructure development. While some hydrogen vessels have been tested or introduced in the first quarter of last year, the infrastructure required for hydrogen production and distribution needs further advancement.
Ammonia, as a marine fuel, currently faces limitations in availability. The production, storage, and handling infrastructure for ammonia need further development to support its widespread use in the shipping industry.Methanol, on the other hand, is already a commercially available fuel and has been used as a blend with conventional fuels in some ships. However, its availability as a standalone marine fuel can still be limited in certain regions. Bureau Veritas in October 2022 published a White Paper for the Alternative Fuels Outlook. This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of alternative fuels for the shipping industry, taking into account key factors such as technological maturity, availability, safety, emissions, and regulations.
Creating a sustainable world requires us to embark on a journey towards a zero emission future, where every step is a commitment to preserve our planet for future generations.
Albert Greenway
Environmental Scientist, Sustainability Expert
Increased Use of Renewable Energy:
Shipping companies are embracing renewable energy sources to power onboard systems and reduce emissions during port operations. Solar panels and wind turbines are being installed on vessels to generate clean energy, reducing reliance on auxiliary engines, and cutting down emissions. Shore power facilities in ports allow ships to connect to the electrical grid, eliminating the need for onboard generators while docked.
Collaboration and Industry Partnerships:
Recognizing that addressing emissions requires collective action, shipping companies, governments, and organizations have formed partnerships and collaborations. These initiatives focus on research and development, sharing best practices, and promoting knowledge transfer. Joint projects aim to develop and deploy innovative technologies, improve infrastructure, and create a supportive regulatory framework to accelerate the industry's transition towards a greener future. The Zero Emission Shipping - Mission Innovation.
To pave the way for a greener future in shipping, the availability of alternative fuels plays a vital role in their widespread adoption. However, this availability is influenced by factors such as port infrastructure, local regulations, and government policies. As the demand for cleaner fuels in shipping rises and environmental regulations become more stringent, efforts are underway to improve the accessibility of these fuels through infrastructure development, collaborations, and investments in production facilities.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure has seen significant growth in recent years, resulting in more LNG bunkering facilities and LNG-powered vessels. Nonetheless, the availability of LNG as a marine fuel can still vary depending on the region. To ensure consistent availability worldwide, there is a need for further development of LNG supply chains and infrastructure. For biofuels, their availability hinges on production capacity and the availability of feedstock. Although biofuels are being produced and utilized in various sectors, their availability as a marine fuel remains limited. Scaling up biofuel production and establishing robust supply chains are imperative to ensure wider availability within the shipping industry.Hydrogen, as a fuel for maritime applications, is still in the early stages of infrastructure development. While some hydrogen vessels have been tested or introduced in the first quarter of last year, the infrastructure required for hydrogen production and distribution needs further advancement.
Ammonia, as a marine fuel, currently faces limitations in availability. The production, storage, and handling infrastructure for ammonia need further development to support its widespread use in the shipping industry.Methanol, on the other hand, is already a commercially available fuel and has been used as a blend with conventional fuels in some ships. However, its availability as a standalone marine fuel can still be limited in certain regions. Bureau Veritas in October 2022 published a White Paper for the Alternative Fuels Outlook. This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of alternative fuels for the shipping industry, taking into account key factors such as technological maturity, availability, safety, emissions, and regulations.
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