Newbuilding Orders: Summer Lethargy Lingers

Despite some anticipation in increased activity as the summer holidays come to an end, there are just two orders to report this week both focused on the more specialised markets, says Clarkson Hellas in their latest S&P Weekly Bulletin.

Asphalt & Bitumin carriers
There has been one addition to the orderbook for Asphalt & Bitumen carriers, with a yet unknown European owner contracting a single 37,000dwt vessel at Hyundai Mipo. Delivery is understood to be in early 2017, with pricing around USD 50 Mill. This is the largest size vessel of this type currently on order, although on a par with one unit contracted at AVIC Dingheng by Sargeant Marine Inc. (USA) in the final quarter of last year.

Clarkson Hellas explains that the  total orderbook for Asp&Bit carriers lies just above 15 vessels, and so far this year they have seen a steady stream of ordering mainly focussed on the smaller sizes – including four 4,900dwt vessels for Suisse- Outremer also at AVIC Dingheng, and orders for one vessel each of 3,600dwt and 15,000dwt in Japan and Croatia respectively.

Gas Carriers
Stealth Gas have now signed contracts for two additional 22,000cbm LPG carriers at Hyundai Mipo, both for delivery in 2017 with pricing reported in the low/mid USD 50s Mill per vessel. The declaration of these two options takes the series on order up to four vessels and means the yard are now building a total of seven semi-ref handysize LPG carriers vessels, following their order for three vessels from Yara International at the beginning of the year.

Source: Clarkson Hellas – S&P Weekly Bulletin