To chart the history of oil tankers is to put a mirror to more than a century of technical evolution, disaster, politics and regulation. Read more
Coronavirus: Chinese box rate recovery on hold
With efforts to prevent the spread of the virus extending the post-Chinese New Year cargo lull, the traditional spot rate bounce is on standby. Carriers are responding with unprecedented capacity cuts to limit rate declines. However, analysts warn that port closures and cargo restrictions will heap further pressure on the spot market. Read more
Demand for cleaner energy driving LNGC orderbook and retrofits
The LNG carrier (LNGC) fleet passed a new milestone in 2019 when the five hundredth vessel hit the water, reflecting the astonishing growth in this sector which has mirrored growing demand for LNG in developed and developing countries. Read more
IMO 2020 – lower sulphur means higher freight rates
‘From our discussions with Maritime Strategies International (MSI) and other active participants in the freight market, we now expect a higher uptake of scrubbers. We estimate that 20-25% of the larger Capesize vessels will have scrubbers fitted by end 2020. For the mid-size Panamax vessels, the uptake is lower at 5%.’ Read more
Littel Cheer from Lunar New Year for bulk carrier market
While tanker owners toast their good fortune, bulker operators are downing a cocktail of higher costs, weaker demand and a supply side influx. Read more
MSI predicts dismal Q1 for bulker operators
Dry bulk carrier operators don’t seem to have a lot of reasons to be jolly as they enter 2020 with higher fuel costs, weaker demand, and a supply-side influx swirl into a perfect storm. Read more
Scrubber-fitted vessels the early winners in IMO 2020 transition
A volatile first half could see big moves in hi-lo price differential but the trend of falling HSFO prices gives the advantage to users of scrubber systems, says Maritime Strategies International. Read more
2020 Offshore Exploration Outlook
Exploration and production companies are expected to enter 2020 with measured optimism for offshore exploration prospects, after 2019 delivered a moderate increase in exploration drilling and no-so-moderate rise in licensing activity. Read more here
Now you see them: dry bulk market haunted by phantom orderbook
Will Fray comments in Splash- ‘The late reporting of orders to qualify ships as IMO tier II compliant fails to mask a continued fall in 2019 contracting’ – Read more
Future Tendencies in the Global Shipbuilding market
Dr. Adam Kent presents at the OECD on the shipbuilding market, looking at vessel demand, supply side changes, emissions and the evolution of shipbuilding. Read his presentation here