The slight lull in newbuilding activity didn't seem to wane down on new contracting, evidenced by the latest reports regarding new orders for the last week of December and the first week of 2013. According to shipbroker reports, there was enough work for the troubled shipyards that are offering low prices, in an attempt to attract more rejuvenating business and secure their survival in the current envinronment of shipbuilding recession for many yards. In its latest report, Piraeus-based shipbroker Golden Destiny noted that "in this turmoil orders continue to be cancelled or investment interests to be withdrawn. It was announced that Global Energy of Taiwan decided to put off its plan estimated at $1billion to acquire six VLCCs, while Samsung has an FPSO cancellation that was signed in 2007. The project was worth $471.7m (505bn won).
Overall, the week closed with 50 orders reported worldwide at a total deadweight of 3,751,000 tons, posting a 61 % increase since our last report of 21st of December 2012. This two week’s total newbuilding business is 212 % up compared with the similar period of last year, when 16 orders had been reported with bulk carriers grasping 81% of the total ordering activity. In terms of invested capital, the total amount of money invested is estimated at region $3.8 billion with 28% of the total number of orders being reported at an undisclosed contract price. Notable ordering business has been in the tanker segment with STX Offshore & Shipbuilding winning a contract for the construction of 13 crude oil tankers at a value of $695 million. The deal includes an option for the construction of eight more tankers that would increase the total contract value at about $1,13 billion. In addition, South Korean shipbuilders, Hyundai Heavy Industries and its affiliated Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries won orders for the construction of one 155,000 cbm LNG carrier from Brunei Gas and four 174,000 cbm LNG carriers from Maran Gas of Greece respectively" said Golden Destiny.
The shipbroker mentioned that "in the bulk carrier segment, China’s Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has won contracts from two undisclosed European owners for the construction of up to six capesize newbuildings of 180,000dwt with an option to add four more vessels. The vessels will adopt Waigaoqiao’s newly developed sixth generation design for 180,000dwt capesizes that will reduce oil consumption by 20% and improve transport capacity by 30% compared to its previous design.
In the tanker segment, 24 orders were reported grapsing 48% of the total number of ordering activity. BP proceeded with an investment of 10 Aframaxes and 3 Suezmaxes, all of them ordered at STX Shipbuilding, while Great Eastern Shipping of India ordered one MR 50,000dwt vessel at STX Dalian of China with delivery at the end of 2015, including an option for one or more vessels. Lastly, Sinokor of Korea exercised its options for 10 x 52,000 tankers from the initial order at end November. On a final note Sinotrans of Hong Kong appears to be investing around $ 250 million on ultramax vessels at two Chinese yards. Chengxi will receive 4 firm orders plus 2 options, while Guangzhou Huangpu will receive 2 firm plus 2 options, with no further details regarding the delivery dates and contract prices relieved so far" it said.
Golden Destiny added that "in the gas tanker segment, Brunei Gas, owned by Brunei LNG, ordered one 155,000cbm LNG carrier at Hyundai HI for about $210 mil, while its affiliated shipyard, Hyundai Samho HI won an order for four 174,000cbm LNG carriers from Maran Gas of Greece at a value in the region of $840mil, including an option of two more vessels. According to Hyundai Heavy Industries, these membranetype LNG carriers are scheduled for delivery in 2015-2016 and will feature the Dual Fuel Diesel Engine System (DFDE), which allows the ship to run on diesel fuel or natural gas.
In the offshore segment, China Oilfield Services ordered two VS4612 anchor handling vessels and four VS485 MKIII platform supply vessels for construction in Chinese builders, while it also ordered four 832 series of platform supply vessels for delivery in 2014 at Havyard Leirvik of Norway. In addition, Germany’s Nordic yard has been awarded the construction of two icebreaking rescue and salvage vessels from Russia’s transport ministry at a value of EUR150mil. Norwegian shipbuilder Kleven has won the construction of an underwater maintenance vessel at an undisclosed contract price, while China’s Fujian Mawei shipbuilding has signed a contract with compatriot offshore exploration company, China’s Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding to build a 7,000hp multipurpose offshore support vessel" the report concluded.