Japanese shipyards' newbuilding contracts for export ship in April 2012 decreased to 10 vessels of a combined of 0.52m gt, down by 44% year on year, according to the Japan Ship Exporter’s Association (JSEA) on May 16.
Six panamax bulkers, two post-panamax bulkers, one ore carrier and one LPG carrier were placed for orders.
About 90% of contracts were denominated in foreign currency and the rest were in both yen and foreign currency. Last month saw no yen-denominated contract for the first time in JSEA's statistical report.
91% of newbuildings are slated for delivery in 2013 and 9% in 2014.
Meanwhile, during the same period, 39 vessels of a cumulative 1.79m gt went through customs, up by 40% on the same month last year. In the first four months, 144 vessels of a combined 6.39m gt got clearance, similar to previous year.
At the end of April 2012, orderbook for newbuilding export ship stands at 721 vessels of a cumulative 32.56m gt or 14.38m cgt - 352 vessels (15.73m gt) to be delivered in 2012, 243 (11.04m gt) in 2013, 114 (5.18m gt) in 2014 and 12 (0.6m gt) in 2015.