The end of 2012 coming ahead, last week (November 16-23) saw rather an active ordering, as shipowners clinched newbuilding contracts which have been under negotiations with shipyards for some time.
Ordering on commercial ships, such as bulker, tanker, boxship, etc., has been depressed but niche segments of the market, PCTC for example, have won more orders.
Latest weekly report from Clarkson Hellas said already 25 firm PCTCs had been contracted year-to-date and with further options to be declared within the end of this year, the total number of PCTC contracted will creep into the 30's. 2012 sees an active investment in newbuilding PCTC, comparing with 12 vessels in 2009, 21 in 2010 and only four in 2011.
STX Offshore & Shipbuilding has recently won an order for a pair of 6,500-ceu PCTCs with additional option for two, with delivery slated for 2015. The pricing is said to be around $65m per ship.
Meanwhile, China's Jiangnan Shipyard is said to have contracted to build six plus ten VLGCs, valued in about $60m apiece, with compatriot Oriental Energy last week. And Hyundai Mipo Dockyard of Korea booked additional two 28,600-dwt Con-Ros from Italian owner Grimald.
Korea's Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction's Subic shipyard in the Philippines won an order for two plus four 9,000-teu containerships from CCNI, with newbuilding price amount around $82m per ship.
Also, Oshima Shipbuilding penned two 84,000-dwt bulkers with option for two more from U-Ming Marine Transport of Taiwan. Deliveries are slated for 2014 and newbuildings cost around $33.8m per ship.
As for offshore sector, Jurong Shipyard of Singapore and Norway's Prosafe finalised a contract for Jurong to build the second unit of a accommodation semi-submersible worth $295.2m.
And Hyundai Heavy Industries were placed an order for one dive support vessel by Subsea 7 of UK.