Tufton Secures 81% Charter Rate Uplift on MR Tanker as Product Tanker Market Strengthens

## Tufton Scores Major Charter Uplift on MR Product Tanker London-listed investment fund Tufton Assets has capitalised on buoyant conditions in the product tanker market, securing a significant charter rate increase for one of its medium range (MR) tankers, according to Splash247. The vessel *Mia Grace* has been fixed at $39,000 per day for a period of 12 to 14 months, marking an 81% uplift on the ship's existing employment rate of $21,500 per day. The new fixture underscores the continued strength of the MR tanker segment, where tight vessel supply and robust refined product trade flows have kept earnings elevated well above historical averages. ### Market Context The MR product tanker sector has remained a standout performer within the broader tanker market, driven by shifting refinery capacity, longer trade routes for refined petroleum products, and sustained demand from key import regions. Rates at or above $39,000 per day reflect a market that continues to reward vessel owners with strong returns on deployed assets. For Tufton Assets, a specialist maritime investment vehicle listed on the London Stock Exchange, the re-fixing of *Mia Grace* at such a substantial premium to its previous charter demonstrates the fund's ability to generate enhanced income for shareholders by actively managing its fleet's commercial exposure. The 12-to-14-month duration of the new charter also provides meaningful forward earnings visibility. ### Investor Implications The deal is likely to be well received by Tufton's investor base, as it directly improves the fund's near-term cash flow profile. Shipping investment funds have increasingly been in focus among income-seeking investors, and fixtures of this nature reinforce the investment case for listed maritime vehicles during periods of elevated freight rates. The broader product tanker fleet continues to benefit from a relatively constrained orderbook, with limited new tonnage expected to enter service in the near term — a structural factor that many analysts believe will support rates through the medium term. Tufton's latest charter fixture serves as a timely reminder of the value that active commercial management can deliver in a favourable rate environment, and will be closely watched by other listed shipping funds and institutional investors tracking the sector.