It could be a temporary sign, or the beginning of a new trend, but the fact of the matter is that the past week, was the most active of all, since the start of 2013, according to the latest weekly report from shipbroker Clarkson Hellas. In total, the past week saw the ordering of close to 40 newbuilding vessels, across all major sectors. Of course, as is the case, many of these contracts were signed a while back, only to be made public just now, but, anyhow, it still is a sign of things to come. According to Clarkson Hellas, the majority of these orders are scheduled for delivery in 2015 and options into 2016, suggesting the yards are continuing to offer only a reduced level of available capacity in order to maintain, at the very least, current price levels.
In a separate report, shipbroker Golden Destiny noted that "overall, the week closed with 20 fresh orders reported worldwide at a total deadweight of 1,189,900 tons, posting 62% week-on-week decrease from previous week, with no reported activity in the tanker segment and the same hot volume of contracts for bulk carriers. This week’s total newbuilding business is 13% down from similar week’s closing in 2012, when 23 fresh orders had been reported, 5 for bulkers, 3 for tankers, 4 for gas tankers, 5 for Ro-Ro and 6 for special projects. In terms of invested capital, the total amount of money invested is estimated in the region of more than $516 mil, 3 newbuilding contracts reported at an undisclosed contract price. A hefty amount of money was invested in the bulk carrier segment with an invested capital of about $296mil by grasping 57% share of the total invested capital through the placement of 13 new contracts" the Piraeus-based shipbroker said.
It added that "in the bulk carrier segment, China’s Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry won a contract for the construction of three firm ultramax bulkers of 64,000dwt from an undisclosed Japanese contractor for delivery in 2015 at a price of region $24-$25mil. The contract includes an option for two more vessels. In addition, Golden Ocean, part of John Fredriksen’s group of companies, ordered two 60,000dwt bulkers at Japan Marine United for delivery in the first quarter of 2015. The fuel-efficient design by JMU “represents the future design” of supramaxes, said Golden Ocean in its filing. It added: “The board is of the opinion that it has obtained favorable terms, attractive pricing and considers risk/reward as attractive from a historical perspective.” Furthermore, Turkish player, GSD Marine, is said to have placed an order for up to two 63,500dwt vessels at Dayang Shipbuilding with delivery in 2014. In the handysize segment, Taiwanese bulker specialist Shih Wei Navigations aid it ordered two 36,000dwt bulkers for $22.6M each at Shikoku Dockyard and one 37,000dwt bulker for $23M at Onomichi Dockyard for delivery from the end of 2014 to the middle of 2015.Shih Wei said the newbuilding orders are to respond to market demand and to replace older ships. In addition, Thailand’s Precious Shipping reported to have placed an order for one more cement carrier 20,000dwt, following its previous order placed in December 2012 for two identical vessels. The newbuilding cost is around $24,2mil for construction at China Shipbuilding Shipbuilding & Offshore International and Shanhaiguan New Shipbuilding Industry Co with delivery in July 2014. In the kamsarmax segment, Callimanopoulos Group is said to have inked an order for three firm kamsarmax bulkers 82,000dwt at Jiangsu New Yangzijiang Shipbuilding with delivery in 2015-2016 with a newbuilding cost around $26mil each. The contract includes option for two more vessels. In the large capesize segment, German carrier Oldendorff is reported to have finalized its newbuilding deal for the construction of up to six newcastlemax vessels with delivery between the end of 2014 and early 2015. The newbuilding cost for each vessel is believed to be more than $50mil, while the contact begins with the first four firm vessels with option one plus one vessel" Golden Destiny said.
In the tanker business, Clarkson Hellas noted that "the orders in the product tanker sector have continued this week with Scorpio Tankers declaring a further two options for 37,000 DWT Ice Class 1A product/chemical tankers at Hyundai Mipo. These are the 7th and 8th vessels in the series with delivery of both vessels understood to be lined up for the third quarter of 2014. In addition, Scorpio has reported yet more orders in the LR2 sector this week, with a further four 114,000 DWT product carriers at Hyundai Samho and also two additional vessels of the same size at DSME, all for delivery in the second half of 2014. The latter deal is understood to include a number of options with the firm vessels costing a reported USD 50 Mill. Additionally, it was reported that clients of Lundqvist Rederierna contracted a single 104,000 DWT Aframax at Sumitomo with delivery in 2H 2014. In the container sector, SITC are understood to have recently contracted two firm 1,800 TEU container vessels with a further six options at CSBC Keelung. Pricing of the firm
vessels is reported at circa USD 23 Mill with delivery planned for the last quarter of 2014 with the options in 2015 if declared. Zhejiang Yangfan has received an order for two firm 1,100 TEU container vessels from Ningbo Ocean Shipping with delivery lined up for 2014" it said.