Spending on newly-developed fuel-efficient vessels has begun from last year and demand for ECO newbuildings stands still firm even amid a depressed shipping market, due to shipowners' competition, fleet replacement, IMO's environmental regulations etc. 
Park Mu-Hyun, analyst at E*Trade Securities in Korea, said on August 6, "Leading shipowners and shipping companies with fleet competitiveness have usually made an investment in the doldrums and increased market domination."
He emphasized that it would be necessary to pay attention to newbuilding demand for ECO-designed vessel.
Park said Hyundai Heavy Industries was able to become the global top shipbuilder in 1983, having contracted 66 vessels of a cumulative 2.075m gt, accounting for 10.6% of global new order, mainly by shipowners' newbuilding investment competition which was lighted by Sanko Steamship of Japan.
He suggested that shipping market and shipbuilding market should be distinguished, saying "Shipping industries are not necessarily investing in newbuildings only in prosperous days."
Park emphasized that there would be a number of reasons to boost new order in a depression and during that period shipowners would be better to invest in newly-developed vessels that could enhance fleet competitiveness.