First Tanker Fixed For Next Phase Of Oil For Food Deal

The first tanker to carry Iraqi oil exports under the next phase of the U.N. "oil for food" deal has been chartered subject to the program being extended, according to shipping brokers. The Panamanian-registered VLCC Kristhild has been fixed to Russian trader Ursa to sail from the Gulf port of Mina al-Bakr to the U.S. Gulf, provided the United Nations and Iraq reach an accord to continue exports beyond Nov. 20. The 258,075-dwt ship has been fixed at Worldscale 40 assessed rate equivalent to around $6.55 per ton.