Since the start of the year, newbuilding prices have risen 3% to their highest level since 2008. Compared to their most recent low in late 2020 they are up 53%. During the same period, the order book has grown by 72%, reaching its highest level since early 2012 and is up 2% year-to-date.
Shipyards’ global order book currently stands at 133m Compensated Gross Tonnage (CGT), an increase of 56m CGT compared to the order book’s most recent low in late 2020. LNG and container ships have accounted for respectively 35% and 30% of the increase while bulk carriers, tankers and LPG have accounted for the rest.
Main drivers of growth
So far this year, the tanker and LNG segments combined have been the main drivers of growth in the global order book. In addition, the LPG tanker, cruise ship, chemical tanker and RoRo ship order books have seen double digit growth.
Between 2010 and 2020, the shipyard industry was plagued by overcapacity. Therefore, prices only varied +/- 10% from the period’s median price.
Looking ahead, the need to start replacing the large generations of ships built in the 2000s, as well as the need to decarbonise, appear to bode well for future contracting. Avoiding a massive build-up of shipyard capacity like in 2000s will be critical if shipyards are to avoid a rise in overcapacity and a scenario where prices fall back to the levels seen in the 2010s.
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Source: Bimco
