Summer vacation around the world may have had an impact on decreased newbuilding ordering activity as global new ship orders in July fell to the lowest level seen this year.
The amount of cash splashed on newbuildings also slumped last month despite some big deals signed to secure expensive LNG newbuildings, according to Clarksons.
It counts 64 new vessels of a combined 2.9 million dwt penned at shipyards around the world in July, with the eight LNG newbuildings boosting the 2011 running total in the sector to 37.
LNG orders from Greek owners Cardiff Marine, Thenamaris, Maran Gas and John Fredriksen’s Golar cost a combined $1.6bn, Clarksons says.
This made up the lion’s share of the $2.3bn spent on newbuilding in July, down from a monthly average of $9.2bn in the first half.
Global orderbook continued a downward trend by shrinking every month since February of 2009, Clarksons says.
With a total of 6,849 vessels of a combined 421.2 million dwt or 132.5m cgt, as of August 1st, the backlog is now at its lowest level since April 2006, the shipbroker adds.