ClarkSea Index Hits Record High, Surpassing 2007 Peak by 27%
The Clarksons ClarkSea Index has surged to a new all-time high of $64,569 per day, driven by record tanker earnings and strong conditions across bulk
The ClarkSea Index, a cross-sector benchmark from Clarksons, reached a new record of $64,569 per day on Friday. This marks a 27% increase over the previous peak set during the 2007-08 shipping boom.
The index rose 14% in a single day, propelled by extraordinary earnings in the crude tanker sector. Clarksons stressed that very strong conditions have also spread to very large gas carriers (VLGCs), bulk carriers, containerships, and car carriers.
Tanker Market Leads the Rally
Crude tankers are the standout performers, with earnings driven by geopolitical tensions. Clarksons reported global average VLCC earnings hit a record $643,000 per day last week, a 40% weekly increase. Other tanker segments also commanded high rates.
New York broker Poten & Partners noted in its weekly report that the tanker market is benefiting from the current situation. "The escalating conflict has created more risks, uncertainties and dislocations in the market and spiked freight rates to unprecedented levels," the firm stated.
A snapshot of average daily earnings for key tanker types from Clarksons data is below:
| Tanker Type | Average Daily Earnings |
|---|---|
| VLCC | $643,000 |
| Suezmax | $375,000 |
| Aframax | $184,000 |
Broad-Based Strength Across Sectors
The significance of the record is the breadth of the rally beyond tankers. The dry bulk market is entering its seasonally stronger period from an already high base. Clarksons put average bulk carrier earnings at $24,233 per day, which is 63% above the ten-year average.
The container market is also showing robust performance, though with significant divergence between trade lanes. Data from Xeneta shows spot rates from Asia to the US West Coast and US East Coast have surged more than 320% since the end of February. Asia to US East Coast rates stood at $11,259 per forty-foot equivalent unit (feu), just 11% below their pandemic-era record.
Gas and Car Carriers Also Soar
Very large gas carriers are another highlight. Clarksons assessed earnings for the Houston-Japan route at $189,711 per day on Friday, up 23% week-on-week and near all-time highs. Rates for the Middle East Gulf-Japan route reached $219,297 per day. Clarksons said the US position list was effectively empty until the end of October, forcing charterers to book tonnage further in advance.
Car carriers are enjoying very solid earnings as well. Clarksons assesses a 6,500 car equivalent unit (ceu) pure car and truck carrier at $85,000 per day, a 30% increase over three months. This is dramatically higher than the $49,375 average recorded in 2025. The driving force is booming Chinese vehicle exports, which are absorbing ship capacity faster than new vessels can be delivered.
