油轮板块点评：美国准备制裁伊朗，油轮供需有望再获提振

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Recommended (Maintain)" [1] Core Viewpoints - The report highlights a strong recovery in passenger volume during the Spring Festival, with a year-on-year increase of 10.2% [2] - The oil tanker sector is expected to see long-term investment opportunities due to supply-side adjustments and geopolitical factors, particularly the U.S. sanctions on Iran [2][3] - The report anticipates a significant acceleration in the clearing of old oil tankers due to aging fleets and increased sanctions, which will enhance the demand for compliant oil transportation [3] Summary by Sections Supply Side Background - The average age of the oil tanker fleet is nearing 12 years, with 42% of vessels over 15 years old, negatively impacting operational efficiency [3] - U.S. sanctions have led to the emergence of a large black and gray market fleet, absorbing older vessels that should have been retired [3] Demand Side Background - Domestic demand for oil is expected to improve, which will support the transportation demand for VL/ULCC oil tankers [3] - The report notes a potential increase in U.S.-China oil trade volumes, which may lead to new strategic oil reserve policies [3] Recent Catalysts - The U.S. has intensified sanctions against Russia and Iran, which is expected to boost both supply and demand for compliant oil tankers [3] - As of early 2025, 440 out of 2326 oil tankers have been sanctioned, representing 18.9% of the fleet, which constrains the black and gray market and increases demand for compliant vessels [3] Future Outlook - The report predicts a limited delivery of new tanker capacity over the next two years, with a low order backlog of only 9.3% [3] - The combination of aging fleets and expanded sanctions is expected to lead to a significant clearing of capacity in the coming years, enhancing the market for compliant operators [3] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that oil tanker rates have entered a recovery phase, with optimistic projections for future price increases [3] - The report recommends focusing on compliant oil tanker operators, particularly China Marine Bunker (CMB) [3]