Executive manager Dirk Lammerskotter of HSH Corporate Finance said that now is the best time for German shipowners to invest in newbuildings and upgrade capacity.
Comparing with newly developed design, current tonnages are uncompetitive in fuel efficiency, design, etc.
Moreover, with newbuilding prices maintaining at historically low and favorable payment term for shipowners, if owners place orders now, deliveries will be when shipping market sees recovery.
Therefore, he pointed out that invest in newbuildings or not now will influence shipowners' future.
Meanwhile, Seaspan's executive officer Gerry Wang said comparatively conservative Chinese shipowners insist that no investment during depression. But he said recently stagnant market with lower newbuilding prices is an opportunity to book fuel-efficient newbuildings.