Is Iran's Oil Output Surge A Bullish Sign For Oil Tankers?

Iran's desire to boost its oil output to regain market share it lost during an economic sanction has been widely reported over the past few months. This could have a large impact on not only the price of oil but oil tanker companies. According to a report from

more than 25 supertankers owned by European and Asian companies are contracted with shipping Iran's oils to its end clients. In fact, the country struggled as recently as April in finding suppliers as some economic sanctions are still imposed on the Tehran regime which could make shipowners nervous about doing business with the government. However, shipowners concerns appear to be easing as the country was able to obtain limited "protection and indemnity" insurance to shippers. However, Reuters noted that large accidents might not be fully covered which is causing many publicly listed shippers such as

,

and

from not doing business in Iran. Nevertheless, Iran appears to be proceeded without oil exports as planned. Reuters reported that that 26 foreign tankers with capacity to deliver more than 25 million barrels of light and heavy crude oil have either been fully loaded in the past 2 weeks or are scheduled to do so at Iran's Kharg Island and Bandar Mahsahr terminals. As such, Iran's oil exports surged to between 2.1 million and 2.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in April and May, up from just 1.3 million bpd in the same period a year ago. "Iran has ramped up harder and faster than expected," Reuters quoted Citi analysts as saying.