Amid a depressed newbuilding market overall, during the first four months in 2012, market has seen a significant rise in the investment on LPG carriers and medium-range products carriers.
According to Clarkson data, from January to April this year, an estimated total of $18.5bn was invested in new ship contracts, which represents a decrease of 45% on an annualized basis compared to 2011.
During the same period, $820m was invested in LPG carrier, slightly more than the $810m invested during the whole of 2011, which trebles 2011 on an annualized basis. If current investment trends continue, then the LPG carrier sector is to see the greatest amount of annual investment since 2006 ($4.7bn).
Investment in MR PC (30,000-60,000dwt) sector has also seen a significant increase. 10 MR PCs were newly ordered just in April and overall 35 vessels, totalling $1.6bn during the first four months of this year, which increased by over 100% compared to 2011, on an annualized basis.
Meanwhile, during January-April period, the total investment seen in the tanker sector remained at the $2.4bn - VLCC $400m, suezmax $100m, aframax $200m, panamax $100m and MR PC $1.6bn).
During the same period, as for bulker sector, around $1.8bn was invested - capesize $300m, panamax $700m, handymax $600m and handysize $300m - down by 62% compared to the previous year, on an annualized basis.
In case of containership, $200m was invested and overall seven newbuildings were ordered (all below 4,800TEU, ordered at Chinese shipyards).
Meanwhile, ordering for offshore-related vessels and LNG carriers turned out to be slightly daunting.
During the first four months, a total of $9.5bn was invested in offshore vessels, including drillship, FPSO, offshore support vessel, etc., down by 32% on an annualized basis compared to 2011, while $2.6bn was invested in LNG carrier sector, down by 23%.
During the same period, investment in the cruiseship and Ro-Ro ferry sectors remained at $900m and $100m each.