With global newbuilding market keep declining, the Clarkson newbuilding assessments have also witnessed straight eight month decrease. By the end of February, the index has dropped to 136.3p, even lower than the point in 2009. The assessment saw mild rise in 2010 but then turn to downturn since last year. 
Containership newbuilding has given the best expression of the momentum. After last year’s order boom, only one containership was ordered till now. The price of 1,100TEU containerships has declined by 14% to $18.5m, the recorded low since December 2003. However, the newbuilding prices for mega boxships have been relatively stable in the period.
Energy-efficient and eco-friendly bulker and tanker has seen some orders recently with relevant regulations has become more strict. However, it is not enough to turn around the overall declining momentum of bulker and tanker sector. By the end of February, the newbuilding price for 180,000dwt Capsize is about $47.0m, 14.5% down year-on-year. The prices for Panamax and Handysize fell by 17.7% and 13.5% respectively.
In tanker sector, the cost to build a 320,000dwt VLCC has decreased by 5.8% to %97.5m. The newbuilding assessment of Suezmax and Aframax tankers fell to $59.0n (9.2% down) and $51.5m (6.4% down) separately in the period.
The rising LNG market has remained the upturn this year. The price for 160,000CMB LNG carriers has been almost the same level with last year, while the newbuilding cost for 24,000CBM LPG rise by 2.2% to $46.0m.
According to Clarkson, totally 107 vessels of 5.7m dwt tonnage were ordered in the first two months, falling by 5.2%. of the combined contracted value, 3.7m orders are for offshore plants.