Cruise Shipping’s Historic Rebound

Battered by Covid, the cruise industry was down but not out. Today it is setting records in passenger count + the size and cost of a new fleet.Post-Pandemic, the fortunes of the big cruise companies have brightened dramatically. A late December, 2024 earnings release from Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL), encompassing brands including Carnival Cruise, Holland America, Cunard, Princess Cruises and others, says it all: “This has been an incredibly strong finish to a record year,” said CCL’s CEO Josh Weinstein, in its statement.
Navigating the Stormy Seas of U.S. Offshore Wind

Companies that once committed to investing in U.S. offshore wind infrastructure and supply chains are now scrapping their plans as the industry experiences significant challenges. These setbacks stem from project delays, soaring costs, and the potential loss of federal support under former President Donald Trump’s proposed policies.The downturn in the offshore wind sector over the past two years has led to prolonged project delays, budget overruns, and even outright failures of planned wind farms…
South Korea Tops China in January Shipbuilding Orders

South Korea beat China in global shipbuilding orders in January, according to Clarkson Research Services data.South Korean yards received orders for 900,000 CGT for 13 ships, 62% of the global total. This included 12 LNG dual-fuel container ships ordered from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and one from Samsung Heavy Industries.Chinese yards received orders for 270,000 CGTs for 21 vessels, 19% of the global total.The global ship order volume in January was reported at 1.46 million CGT…
Shipbuilding: Container Ship Order Book Soars to New Heights

“At the end of 2024, the container ship order book was 8.3m TEU, a new record compared with the previous high of 7.8m TEU in early 2023,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.As 4.4m TEU were contracted during 2024, the second highest ever, the order book grew despite deliveries hitting a new record high of 2.9m TEU.“Making up 92% of the order book capacity, ships 8k TEU or larger dominate the order book. The largest segment, 12-17k TEU, makes up 46% of the order book capacity…
Philly Shipyard Begins Building New Aloha Class Vessels for Matson

Philly Shipyard on Monday held a steel-cutting ceremony to signal the start of construction on the first of three new Aloha Class liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled containerships to be built for U.S. ocean carrier Matson. Matson placed the $1 billion three-ship order with Philly Shipyard in 2022 following the deliveries of Aloha-class vessels Daniel K. Inouye and Kamina Hila from the same yard in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The shipyard also delivered four containerships to Matson between 2003 and 2006.“Today we celebrate not only the beginning of production…
Containership Order Book Expected to Rise, Hapag-Lloyd Says

The global ship order book, representing 18% of the world fleet, is expected to increase, but within plausible levels, the head of German container liner Hapag-Lloyd told analysts on Wednesday."I expect the 18%, which as such is not worrying, to nudge up a bit, but delivery windows are long and so it does not have to be a problem," said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of the company, which is the fifth-biggest worldwide in terms of operating tonnage.The company reported lower net profit in the first half of 2024 but expected a good performance going forward amid high demand and spot freight rates, whi
Concordia Damen Books River Cruise Ship Order from Swiss Operator

Concordia Damen has secured a contract with an undisclosed Swiss luxury river cruise operator to deliver its River Cruise 135 vessel.The new ship will have hybrid propulsion for reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions, high insulation, laser-controlled ventilation, and environmentally friendly materials are used for the outfitting, to name but a few features. “We are excited to partner with this leading Swiss operator to deliver our innovative River Cruise 135. One of the features I personally like best is the fact that we’ve integrated solar panels in the railing…
Crystal MoA for 2+1 Cruise Ship Order

Fincantieri and Crystal signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the construction of two cruise ships, plus an option for a third unit. A value for the contract was not available.If built, the new units will be 61,800 gross tons with capacity for approximately 690 passengers, suites with private balconies, as well as several single-occupancy staterooms, a highly sought-after option ideal for solo travelers. Delivery of the first vessel is scheduled for spring 2028, while more information on the second unit will be made known later.
Shipbuilding Prices Climb to Highest Level in 16 Years

The prices for newbuild vessels have risen to their highest level in 16 years, according to latest figures from shipping association BIMCO.“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,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.Shipyards’ global order book currently stands at 133m compensated gross tonnage (CGT)…
Carnival to Sunset P&O Cruises Australia

Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company, announced that in March 2025, the company will sunset the P&O Cruises Australia brand.The New-York-listed cruise giant said the move is once of several intended to increase guest capacity for its flagship brand, Carnival Cruise Line, which will absorb the operations of shuttered Australian cruise brand. P&O Cruises Australia ships Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure will be rebranded and operated by Carnival Cruise Line…
Fincantieri Lands Norwegian Cruise Line Order for Four Next-Gen Cruise Ships

Fincantieri has received a highly significant order from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings for the construction of four new next-generation cruise ships.The order entails the construction of two cruise ships for the Regent Seven Seas Cruises and two for the Oceania Cruises brands respectively.The ships designated for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2029, will boast a gross tonnage of 77,000 tons and accommodate approximately 850 passengers.Meanwhile…
Fincantieri Wins $436m Four Season Yachts Ship Order

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri said on Monday it had signed a contract worth more than $436 million to deliver a second luxury vessel for Four Seasons Yachts. Fincantieri had won a first order from Four Season Yachts last year."Today's result also bears witness to the start of the orders recovery for the sector, at the same time reinforcing Fincantieri's leadership in the new extra-luxury segment based on haute hotellerie," Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero said in a statement.Four Seasons Yachts…
ONE Orders 10 Containerships

Japanese shipping company Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd (ONE) on Wednesday announced it has ordered 10 new 13,700 TEU vessels for delivery in 2025 and 2026, adding more tonnage to the industry's crowded containership orderbook.ONE, which is jointly owned by the Japanese shipping lines Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ("K" Line), did not reveal financial details or where the vessels will be constructed.The 10 new vessels will be ready for methanol and ammonia fuel and equipped with a bow cover and other energy saving technologies, ONE said.
Hapag-Lloyd CEO: Bounce in Shipping Demand Short-lived

Germany's Hapag-Lloyd is seeing a small uptick in demand for shipping after a decline in recent months, but the company on Tuesday reiterated its more muted outlook for the industry as pandemic disruption fades.The container business, a bellwether of global economic trends, had seen a noticeable contraction in demand in September and October as economies around the world grappled with sharply spiking inflation and cost-of-living crises in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine."I don't think the market is as weak as it was four or eight weeks ago…
NYK to Order Two LNG-Fueled Large Coal Carriers

Japan's NYK is set to order two LNG-fueled large coal carriers from Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The vessels are scheduled to be delivered in 2025."This ship order is a part of a bulk carrier fleet development aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the NYK Group's oceangoing businesses by 2050," NYK said.NYK says that compared to conventional heavy oil-fueled ships, the two new ships will emit zero sulfur oxides (SOx), 80% less nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 30% less carbon dioxide (CO2).
Fincantieri Bags 'Ultra-luxury' Cruise Ship Order

Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri said it has secured a contract to build up to three "ultra-luxury" cruise ships for an unnamed international buyer.The €1.2 billion deal is for one vessel to be delivered by the end of 2025, with options for two additional vessels, Fincantieri said.Fincantieri did not share any specifics about the cruise ships' size and technical details.The cruise ship order is one of only a handful placed since the cruise industry was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic…
Fincantieri in Talks with NCL for $4 Billion Cruise Ship Order

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri is in talks with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) over an order worth around $4 billion to build new cruise ships, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Monday.Italian daily Il Secolo XIX reported on Sunday that six new ships could be built by Fincantieri for the Miami-based company.Norwegian Cruise Line was not immediately available for comment.(Reuters - Reporting by Francesco Zecchini; Editing by Cristina Carlevaro and Keith Weir)
Meyer Turku-led Finnish Project Studies Climate-Neutral Cruise Ship

The NEcOLEAP project, led by Meyer Turku, is determined to design and build a climate-neutral cruise ship.Meyer Turku was selected to take part in Business Finland’s financing project for leading companies and their partner ecosystems, which aims to help companies to increase their RDI investments in Finland. Meyer’s NEcOLEAP project develops carbon-neutral and sustainable technological solutions for cruise ships through an extensive partnership network. The goal is to secure a billion-order cruise ship order for Turku Shipyard.According to the shipyard…
New Cruise Ship Ordered at Meyer Werft

A new cruise ship order placed at Meyer Werft this week marks the first since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the German shipbuilder said.The 229-meter, 51,950 GT cruise ship is scheduled for delivery in 2025 to Asuka Cruise, a joint venture between Japanese firms NYK Group and Anchor Ship Partners. It will be fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG).The order is significant for the cruise industry and specifically for the Meyer Group, whose three shipyards in Papenburg and Rostock…
OOCL Swings to Profit
Hong Kong-based international transportation and logistics company Orient Overseas International (OOCL) reported an interim net profit of US$138.9 million for the first half of 2019, swinging from a loss of US$10.3 million this time last year.Overall revenue for the company rose 6 per cent to US$3.3 billion in the first half of this year from US$3.1 billion in the same period last year, said a stock exchange announcement from the the parent company of Orient Overseas Container Line.In this period, container shipping industry has been quicker in responding to ever changing demands in its response to the underlying condition of our ever-changing markets and more complicated global economic and trade situations.
DSME Wins LNG Ship Order from Maran Gas
South Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co (DSME) said that it has won a deal to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier from Maran Gas Maritime (MGM).The affiliate of Greece’s largest shipper, Angelicoussis Shipping Group ordered the 174,000 cbm unit on June 12.According to Yonhap, The vessel will be built at Geoje Okpo Shipyard and is scheduled for delivery by the first half of 2022.The Korean shipbuilder said that Maran Gas Maritime is one of its biggest customers who has ordered five of its six LNG carrier newbuilds this year and is also discussing additional LNG carrier orders.With the order, Daewoo Shipbuilding has achieved 32 percent…
2021: The Year of the Containership

What’s not to like about 2021 for container shipping? Freight rates are record high, record amounts of cargo are shipped across the Pacific Ocean, as well as globally, and the previous yearly record for new container ship orders has just been broken (measured in capacity) in less than eight months.As a result of very healthy shipowner bottom lines and carriers experiencing a lack of tonnage, 619 container ships are now on order for future delivery. Of those, 381 have been ordered in 2021 alone and never has 3.44m TEU been ordered in such a short time span.
Royal Caribbean's New Cruise Ship Odyssey of the Seas Delivered

Royal Caribbean Group on Wednesday took delivery of its newest cruise ship Odyssey of the Seas, built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.The 169,000 GT, 347.1-meter vessel is the last of five Quantum Ultra class cruise ships started in January 2013 with the launch of Quantum of the Seas."Royal Caribbean Group commissioned us in 2011 to build the first two units of the Quantum class, which have been very popular with passengers since day one. We have continuously improved and developed these ships…