Car Carrier Market News

With the industry hoping for better “grades” after the “effort” of recent years, this week’s Analysis updates our half year shipping report showing a ClarkSea Index up 9% y-o-y but still below trend since the financial crisis (see Graph of the Week). After comments of “must do better” and “showing potential” in recent years, do the statistics suggest “extra classes” will again be needed over the summer holidays?Progress But No Time To Relax!Our ClarkSea Index (comprising tankers…

Oslo-listed Siem Shipping reported a net profit of USD2.5 million (Q3 2014: net loss USD-0.2 million). The container lines are continuing to use very aggressive pricing strategies to win market share in the reefer segment. The specialist reefer operators continue to fight back by highlighting the superior quality of the service they provide but the margins are being squeezed. The forecasted El Niño climatic event is expected to change the banana supply mix in the coming months from Ecuador/Central America. Siem Shipping is well positioned to adapt to the change in demand whilst continuing to provide a first-class service. The Company’s…

Shipyards in the major exporting regions all report significant year-on-year drops in new contracting activity. For new-buildings there is no doubt that the market continues to remain challenging, particularly for the larger and more conventionally orientated facilities, observes Clarkson Hellas in its recent bulletin. With conventional demand so far being focused primarily on the mid‐sized segments of the market, those yards geared up for the larger spectrum of asset class have found 2012 a struggle. In dry, it has now finally been reported that clients of Norse Management (UK) Ltd have ordered two option two 82,000 dwt Kamsarmaxes at China’s SWS.

The Carrier Car industry has emerged from the global recession with what looks like limited damage compared with the head-on collision others experienced. Drewry believes that this sector, with its small orderbook, is better positioned than most others in the shipping industry, who suffer from large newbuilding orderbooks, to weather a double-dip recession. The downturn hurt car-carrying vessels, with capacity utilisation falling significantly. Operators are now less likely to charter tonnage for long periods, instead placing an emphasis on full employment of owned tonnage. With limited numbers of newbuild vessels coming into service, increased demand is easier to meet and an excess of new capacity is not going to blight operators, if the economy retrenches.

Expanding the Suezmax fleet and greater involvement in carrying oil products are among the ambitions being pursued by theTeekay Tanker Services (TTS) business unit of Teekay. "At the same time, we're working to expand our strong Aframax position," said TTS Vice President Peder Farmen, who heads the product transport sector of TTS from the group's Norwegian office in Stavanger. Teekay's conventional shipping operations in Norway have further diversified the company's fleet, the majority of which is comprised of Aframax vessels. Since Teekay's acquisitions of Bona Shipholding in 1999, Ugland Nordic Shipping in 2001 and Navion in 2002, Teekay has established itself as a leading tanker operator in the North Sea and Atlantic, in addition to the Pacific.

Operating profit before sales gain and depreciation for Leif Höegh & Co. Limited (LHC) for the first quarter showed a significant improvement compared to first quarter of last year. HUAL experienced a strong first quarter. The car carrier market continues to be very tight, with all operators experiencing space pressure. The strong cargo availability out of the Far East continued. In February another large PCTC newbuilding on long term charter was delivered. During the first quarter HUAL entered into long term charters for further two PCTC newbuildings to be delivered in 2007.