With Golden Week and National Holidays in both Japan and Korea this week, shipbuilding orders have taken a step back, as evidenced also by the fact that the only major newbuilding deal reported, involving Hellenic ship owners was the one where Med.
Maritime contracted three more 1,700 teu container ships.
According to the latest weekly report from Clarksons, the market has been a little subdued in terms of activity in the Far East. Nevertheless - there continue to be reports of new business being concluded, with the container sector continuing to dominate the bulk of new orders in accordance with the broad trend of the year.
“Whilst this interest in the container sector has been well received and assimilated by those yards with good Container experience - it has meant that shipyards have been forced to re-evaluate their existing position on Dry and Wet - and this has in turn lead to a more innovative drive to improve design concept and efficiency for both dry and wet sectors - in an attempt to re-invigorate interest in these sectors.
As a direct response, efficient ship designs have become an increasingly important factor in winning new business, especially in light of the continuing rise in bunker pricing and consequent operating costs. We continue to see the yards and design houses work to develop these new designs, in which improvements to Fuel consumption and efficiencies are being witnessed through new hull forms, utilising new engine types and many other innovations. As, or when, appetite returns to these sectors, it should be anticipated that the yards to have done the most in terms of developing these designs will be the ones best placed to benefit from any changes to the current demand cycle” said Clarksons.
In a similar report on the newbuilding market, Piraeus-based shipbroker Golden Destiny said that after almost three weeks of intense activity the ordering sentiment has cooled off in the bulk carrier segment with containers looming as the protagonists of the newbuilding scene. The week ended with 37 units reported on order, equalling to a total deadweight of around 3,2 mil tons, representing a 43% negative w-o-w change. The total invested capital of this week is more than $2,2 bn of dollars with containers grasping the 62% share of the total ordering activity. The offshore segment has been on the sidelines, while no ordering interest has been revealed for the gas carriers. However, market holds an optimistic view for further newbuilding business in the LNG or LPG segment.
In terms or reported business; In Containers, Hanjin Subic are reported to have won an order from Zodiac Maritime for 4 option 2 vessels of their 6,600TEU container design with the vessels scheduled to deliver within 2013 and 2014. Zodiac are also reported to have signed a deal at Daewoo Mangalia for 4 option 4 vessels of 9,000TEU in size with the firm vessels again due for delivery within 2013 and 2014. SITC have also been busy and have increased their order for 1,100TEU containerships at Yangfan, originally 8 vessels signed last year to a total order of 10 + 6 units due for deliveries throughout 2013 and 2014 at a price in the region of USD18.1 Mill pre vessel.
In Dry, KC Maritime are reported to have signed 2 option 2 x 82,000dwt Kamsarmax Bulk carriers at Daewoo Mangalia set to deliver in 2013. Yangfan meanwhile have won more business, this time with Hongxiang for 2+2+2+2 x 205,000dwt Capesize bulkers to deliver from End 2012 and through 2013.