Chinese Newbuilding Orders on the Rise Again
Newbuilding ordering activity has been on the rise once more, particularly in China, despite the existing tensions. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “after a rather quiet period, Newbuilding activity, particularly in China, was booming despite trade tensions and fears of a broader economic downturn. Notably, we recorded orders for 51 units last week. In the Container sector Nantong COSCO KHI (NAKCS) was awarded an order for 14 x 18,000 teu containerships for a reported $3.08 bln. NAKCS and DACKS will share the order with 7 vessels each, deliveries between Sept 2028 and Sept 2029. Huanghai Shipbuilding agreed to build for 2 x 1,800 teu ordered by SITC International Holdings for a reported $49.8 mln each. This appears to be an exercised option which brings the total to 14 vessels, dely in 2028. X-Press Feeders ordered 2x 2,800 teu at Hyundai Mipo at a reported $56 mln each, deliveries expected within 2027. In the Crude Oil sector, New Times Shipyard secured an order for 2 x 159,000 dwt Suezmax Tankers from Dynacom. The price for each vessel was reported at $80 mln, deliveries in 2028. SteelShips and Sea World Management jointly ordered 4 x 50,000 dwt MR2 to K Shipbuilding. The price was reported at $50 mln, deliveries in 2027 and 2028. In the Chemical sector Primeco Navigation (formerly Hongtong Shipping) an order emerged for 3 x 13,000 dwt fully stainless steel tankers at Zhoushan Dashenzhou Shipbuilding. The 3 units will be delivered within 2026. In the bulker sector, New Dayang agreed to build 2 x 64,000 dwt Crown63 for Kasuga Kaiun at $34 mln each, deliveries are scheduled in 2027 and 2028”.
Source: Banchero Costa
Meanwhile, in the S&P market, shipbroker Xclusiv added that “on the Capesize sector, the “Mineral China” – 171K/2003 HHI was sold for excess USD 13 mills basis surveys due. Moving down the sizes, the Supramax “Puffin Bulker” – 58K/2011 Yangzhou Dayang was sold for USD 12.8 mills. The Handysize sector saw significant activity this week, accounting for over half of all bulk carrier sales. Turkish buyers acquired the Handysize “Ansac Moon Bear”- 33K/2017 Shin Kurushima for USD 18.5 mills. On the same sector, the “Western Miami” – 39K/2015 JNS changed hands for USD 14.5 mills basis surveys due. Last but not least the Handysize “Fuga” – 38K/2012 Shimanami found new owners for USD 15 mills basis BBHP structure”.
Xclusiv added that in the wet segment, “this week saw significant activity in the VLCC and Suezmax sectors, with 5 and 4 sales recorded, respectively. The Scrubber fitted VLCCs “Iris” – 314K/2012 HHI, the “Hakone”- 303K/2010 Universal and the “Hakata” – 303K/2010 Universal were sold generating a total capital gain to sellers of USD 96.7 mills. On the same sector, the “Pacific Loyalty” – 307K/2006 Dalian found new owners for USD 42 mills, while the 3-year older “New Naxos” – 300K/2003 Universal was sold for USD 33 mills to Singapore based buyers. On the Suezmax sector, the “Geneva Star” – 158K/2025 Daehan, the “Lausanne Star” – 158K/2025 Daehan, the “North Star”- 157K/2025 Daehan and the “Viking Star” – 157K/2025 Daehan were sold enbloc for USD 96 mills each. Finally, on the MR2 sector, the “Celsius Philadelphia” – 50K/2021 JNS and the “Celsius Portsmouth”- 50K/2021 JNS were sold enbloc for USD 72 mills to Greek buyers basis TC attached till the end of the year”, the shipbroker noted.
Source: Xclusiv
Banchero Costa added that “in the bulk sector, the Panamax MIYAMA 75,777 dwt built 2005 Sanoyas was reported sold to Greek interests at $9.45 mln. For comparison, in March SALDANHA 75,707 built 2004 Sanoyas was sold at $7.50 mln. In the Supramax segment Vietnamese interests were behind the purchase of IMKE SELMER 55,869 dwt built 2011 IHI Marine United at $14.90 mln. In the Handy segment, UNITY STAR 37,614 dwt built 2015 Oshima was reported sold to undisclosed interests at $18 mln. Turkish interests were behind the purchase of ANSAC MOON BEAR 33,326 dwt 2017 reported sold at $18.50 mln. Two sisterships, CELSIUS PORTSMOUTH and CELSIUS PHILADELPHIA, 49,000 dwt built 2021 Jiangsu were reported sold to Greek interests at $35 mln each”, the shipbroker concluded.
Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
