Newbuilding Activity on the Rise

Despite the year end, newbuilding activity has remained elevated over the past week. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Intermodal said that “this week witnessed significant activity, especially in the dry and containership sectors. In total 28 new buildings were contracted, mostly by Chinese groups. In the dry front, Chinese owner COSCO placed an order for three 210k dwt bulk carriers, with an option of five additional vessels from COSCO Yangzhou, priced at $93m each, Tier III compliant and delivery for 2027- 2028. Everbright Leasing secured ten units of 82k dwt each at Jiangsu New Hantong, China, due for delivery in 2027-2028.

Source: Intermodal

Moving to the container sector, the Swiss based MSC placed an order for ten LNG dual fuel units of 24,000 teu each at Hengli HI, China scheduled for delivery in 2028-2030. Finally, the Chinese Shandong Shipping agreed with Jiangsu Jiuzhou shipyard for the construction of one LNG dual fuel vessel of 1,360 teu, with expected delivery in 2026. In other segments, the Dutch Longship group ordered two 3,700 dwt general cargo vessels at the Dutch shipyard GS Projects and COSCO contracted 2 VLGCs at $120m each with COSCO Qindong China with estimated delivery in 2027”.

Source: Xclusiv Shipbrokers

In a separate note, shipbroker Xclusiv added that in the S&P market for dry bulk ships, “with the last week of December upon us and the Christmas holiday season rapidly approaching, many shipowners engaged in year-end transactions. The Scrubber fitted Newcastlemax “Sikamia” – 208K/2008 Universal was sold for USD 29 mills to Chinese buyers, while the one-year-older “Panoramix” – 204K/2007 CSBC was also sold to Chinese buyers for USD 28 mills. The Kamsarmax “Twinkle Island”- 82K/2012 Tsuneishi was sold for USD 20 mills to clients of Orion Bulk basis 2-year BBHP. On the same sector, the “Bettys Dream” – 82K/2008 Tsuneishi changed hands for USD 12.88 mills. The Supramax “SSI Nemesis” – 56K/2005 Mitsui found new owners for USD10.9 mills. Last but not least, Greek buyers acquired the Handysize “Momo Glory” – 28K/2014 Imabari for USD 12 mills”.

Meanwhile, in the wet market “the tanker market also experienced a busy week, with the small/chemical sector leading in tanker S&P activity, recording 5 transactions. The LR2 “Crude Centurion” – 113K/2010 New Times was sold for USD 33.5 mills. The Zinc Coated MR2 “Kyra” – 48K/2006 Iwagi changed hands for USD17.1 mills. The Ice Class II “DH Honesty” – 13K/2021 Nantong Tongbao was sold for USD 25.6 mills via auction. The StSt “Monax” – 21K/2005 Usuki and the StSt “Marmotas” – 20K/2005 Usuki were sold for mid/high USD 15 mills each. Finally, the “Cumbrian Fisher” – 13K/2004 Samho changed hands for USD 7.15 mills”, Xclusiv concluded.
Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide