Newbuilding ordering activity has been on the down side during the past few weeks, a trend also noticeable during the course of the past few days, as ship owners are scaling back their investments in the newbuilding market. As a result, during the past week, shipbrokers reported only limited new orders being placed in various shipyards around the world. It seems that the current oversupply issues which have plagued both the dry bulk and the tanker markets, as well as part of the container business as well, as a result of the pace of newbuilding deliveries, is one of the reasons why owners are looking to help the market "breathe", by limiting further ordering activity.
In addition to the above, the current state of the global economy and the latest world trade trends, aren't favorable for a faster absorption of these new vessels, which are currently been delivered at a record pace. Last week, the World Trade Organization downgraded its view on the projected growth of world trade for the 2012-2013 period, something already evident in many dry bulk trades, especially since China has entered a period of rebalancing and controlled growth. At the same time, another important issue for some ship owners at least, is that of financing. Finding the proper financing scheme from banks still active in the shipping sector can be a tricky thing these days. Most owners are reporting that the costs of financing have risen exponentially, especially since some banks have found themselves being ship owners, through reposessing those assets from bankrupt shipping companies. As a result, only cash-rich investors are able to take advantage of the favorable conditions now prevalent in pricing of vessels.
Still, some owners are finding it difficult to turn down ordering opportunities, since shipyards, which are eager to fill up their slots for the years 2014-2015 are offering quite attractive deals, at prices close to halved, when compared to similar orders taken during 2007-2008. But, most owners are avoiding orders for traditional-type of vessels, like VLCCs or Capesize dry bulk carriers. Instead they are looking to capitalize in the growth prospects of niche markets rising in the shipping industry, from LNG carriers, to offshore rigs and car carriers, ship owners are increasingly hunting for new business opportunities, which could yield significant financial benefits in the future.
As a result of this, Clarkson Hellas said in its latest newbuilding report, that the few number of orders reported this week, "have followed in a similar vein to recent times, with the orders either placed in the more niche sectors such as the car carrier markets, or for newer more economical conventional tonnage. Whilst global market conditions continue to remain somewhat challenging, enquiry is now beginning to pick up in various sectors, as owners increasingly look to take advantage of not only the capacity on offer at the shipyards, but also the design development work that has been carried out by them. The container market in particular is beginning to see some signs of movement, with various discussions being mooted amongst the yards and owners. This sector, like the dry and tanker sectors before it, has seen plenty of recent design improvement work carried out by the yards. With many of the yards hungry for business, this sector in particular, with its typically more complex design requirements looks an attractive option for the yards as they attempt to best utilise their available capacity" said Clarkson Hellas.
It added in its report that "in regards to the reported business; In Dry, Sasebo Heavy Industries are reported to have won two separate orders for a total of 3 x Panamax Bulk carriers. Clients of DST shipping are understood to have ordered 1 x 75,000dwt unit with delivery in 2013, whilst clients of Fundador Naviera are reported to have taken a further two units, believed to be 77,000dwt, with delivery in 2014 onwards. Pricing for these latter units, is expected to be in the region of USD 30 Mill. Jiangsu Eastern have also been reported to have won an order from clients of Oldendorff for 1 option 1 x 94,000dwt Bulk Carriers. The unit is understood to be a self‐unloading bulk carrier and delivery is scheduled within 2014. Finally in Car Carriers, DSME Mangalia are reported to have taken an order for 2+2+2 x 6,500 CEU PCTCs from clients of Ocean yield AS. Delivery for these units has provisionally been scheduled from 1H 2014 onwards. Pricing has not been disclosed" the report concluded.