According to Clarkson, totally ten VLCC were delivered in January, a new high of monthly delivery since 1976.
Considering vessel age and old vessel value, shipowners are inclined to take new vessels in January. Therefore the delivery booms are usually in the first month of a year.
By the beginning of February, global VLCC fleet has grown to 586, increasing by 6.73% year-on-year. The current VLCC newbuilding orderbook stands at 121 vessels, of which 61 are due for delivery this year, 46, 13 and 1 respectively to be delivered by 2013, 2014 and 2015.
It is easy to predict that the overcapacity issue will be more severe in VLCC sector and insiders say more cancellation and scrapping sales will moderate the condition.
According to Clarkson database, 11 VLCCs of 3.3m dwt were recycled last year. The volume of 2009 and 2010 are separately 2.4m dwt and 3.5m dwt.