Bloomberg reports US-to-China tanker hire costs exceed rocket launch expenses
Summary
It has become more expensive to hire a tanker from the US to China than to launch a rocket into space, according to Bloomberg. This dramatic shift is largely attributed to a global shortage of oil tankers, exacerbated by rerouted trade flows and security issues in key maritime corridors. As a result, Asian refiners are increasingly turning away from US crude imports to seek alternative sources, driven by the high costs of shipping, while tanker owners are benefiting from record freight rates amidst the changing market dynamics.
Analysis
Bloomberg: Bloomberg is a leading global provider of financial news, market data, and analytics that serves professionals across industries. It published a report today detailing how a severe shortage of oil tankers has driven charter costs for US-to-China routes higher than the expense of a typical rocket launch. The outlet maintains ongoing coverage of energy markets, geopolitics, and their impact on global trade flows. Energy Trade: Asian refiners are increasingly avoiding US crude imports in favor of alternative sources due to elevated shipping expenses. Market Dynamics: Tanker owners are seeing strong profits from record freight rates while refiners confront squeezed margins. Shipping Industry: A global shortage of oil tankers is worsening amid rerouted trade flows and security issues in key maritime corridors.
Categories
macro
Related sources
- https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Asian-Refiners-Ditch-US-Oil-as-Supertanker-Rates-Hit-82-Million.html
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2026-09-30/bloomberg-daybreak-asia-equities-rebound-ai-meeting-podcast
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-09/the-global-oil-tanker-shortage-is-getting-worse-by-the-day
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-09-24/bloomberg-businessweek-daily-09-24-2026-video
- https://ground.news/article/us-to-china-oil-tanker-costs-more-than-launching-a-rocket
- https://www.bloomberg.com/uk
- https://www.jalopnik.com/2282476/shooting-rocket-into-space-cheaper-than-hiring-oil-tanker/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJYib7fiqWw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or3kUq4rRG8
- https://www.ttnews.com/articles/us-china-oil-tanker-costs