Gravity
At the turn of the century, oil production in the North Sea peaked at about 6.3 mb/d. During 1Q09 output was about 4.4 mb/d - a decline of about 30%, or 1.9 mb/d, and the outlook is not bright. This could, however, become a very positive stimulus to tanker demand.
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It is a Riddle…
...wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma...to partly quote Winston Churchill in his famous speech about the Soviet Union in 1939. Now, we believe it is appropriate to use his words when describing the shipbuilding market these days. The market is flourishing with rumours, statements, and proclamations of all sorts these days. But what is the true situation? Sadly, we think nobody knows.
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Ordem e Progresso!
Nobody would argue strongly against the assertion that China has almost single-handedly been the main driver behind the past five years’ fantastic dry bulk market - this was especially true in the Capesize market with its almost insatiable appetite for iron ore. What now? We observe some ominous trends.
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Old Habits Die Hard
After the disastrous accident in South Korea on the 7th of October 2007, where more than 66,000 barrels of crude oil was spilled into Korean waters, governments and oil companies in various countries cried out with promises to stop using single hull tankers. The picture of oil slick beaches, dying sea birds and several hundred thousands of volunteers’ working day and night to clean up the spill was broadcasted all around the world. With demonstrations by local fisherman who lost their livelihood and general public outrage, the South Korean government indicated that they would reduce the usage of single hull tonnage and ban single hull vessels from 2011, or 2015 with permission from flag and port states. South Korean GS Caltex and STX Energy followed up by banning single hull vessels from 2010 from their import program. Other Asian nations followed suit with the Philippines banning single hull vessels from April 2008. China and Japan also stated that they would reduce the usage of single hull vessels into their ports.
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| Market Update | Updated 01.01.1970 |
Tankers
The recent week proved disappointing to VLCC owners. The MEG VLCC market remained quiet and by the end of last week charterers managed to break whatever resistance there was left from owners’ side. Rates corrected very quickly down to mid w...
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Dry Bulk
Perhaps a slight increase in enquiry this week, which has resulted in a slight uptick at the time of writing, both in the physical and paper market. As per usual, West Australia has been actively fixed, with the miners, traders and steel mi...
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Gas
The lights are still on in the VLGC market, and none of the owners want to leave the party. The first part of the week was busy, while the last couple of days have been more modest as far as activity is concerned. The freight market peaked ...
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Newbuilding
High contracting activity in the dry bulk segment continues also this week, with totally 18 ship orders. This includes the order from Eitzen Eco Bulk for up 9 handysize bulk carriers at the private owned Yangzhou shipyard in China. Also Ol...
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