Seaspan Enters Car Carrier Segment in Order with Glovis
Containerships owner/operator Seaspan Corporation signaled its entry into the car carrier segment in confirming a deal to order a series of new pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) in partnership with Hyundai Glovis (Glovis).The 10,800 CEU are the largest PCTCs under development to date. They will be dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as ammonia-and methanol-ready.Seaspan said it negotiated the purchase from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a China State Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard.
DNV Reports More New Fuel Car Carrier Orders
According to the latest figures from DNV's AFI platform, November saw eight new vessels with alternative fuel propulsion ordered. Among these, four were for LNG-powered ships, while the remaining four were methanol-powered. All eight orders were withing the RoRo and car carrier segment.So far this year, the platform has logged 268 new orders for alternative fuel vessels, including 112 LNG- and 152 methanol-powered ships. June and July saw the most activity related to LNG with 47 new orders combined…
Supersizing Car Carriers
Similar to container vessels, bulk carriers and cruise ships, car carriers are rapidly growing in size, says a report by DNV GL. A new series of the world’s largest pure car and truck carriers sets a new standard for this segment. The final two vessels in a series of six New Horizon Class pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) were delivered on schedule at the Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry yard in September and December 2016, respectively. Ordered by Norwegian shipping company Höegh Autoliners, the New Horizon Class vessels have a carrying capacity of 8,500 units, and are able to accommodate nearly 15 per cent more cars than ships of same size and type. The 200 m long and 36.5 m wide vessels have a deck area of 71,400 m2, divided over 14 decks.
Panama Canal Reports Record Tonnage
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced a new tonnage record, welcoming 340.8 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS) through the canal for the 2015 fiscal year – a 4.3 percent increase year-on-year. This year's record surpasses the previous record of 333.7 million PC/UMS tons set in FY2012, ACP said. During the fiscal year, which ran from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, containerships registering the highest total tonnage, followed by dry bulk, liquid bulk and car carriers.
Panama Canal Discusses Tolls, Expansion with Car Carrier Segment
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) met with the Japanese Shipowners Association (JSA) and several car manufacturers in Japan as part of the ongoing discussions with the vehicle carrier segment on the Expansion Program’s progress and future toll structure upon its completion. During the meetings, the Panama Canal provided an update on the Expansion Program and presented the analysis of the results for the potential pricing structure for the car carrier segment taking into account the feedback received recently from this group.
DNB Market Report Says: 'Just Look at the Car Carriers'
In its latest shipping sector report DNB Bank, focuses on how ship speed optimization has changed fundamental supply/demand balances. Speed optimisation has completely changed the fundamental supply/demand balances. Over the past year we have pointed out how high bunker prices and speed optimisation have completely changed the fundamental supply/demand balances in the shipping industry. We calculate that utilisation in commodity shipping (dry bulk, tankers, container), is relatively high – around 84% – when reflecting the reported reduced sailing speeds, but 15% lower at 69% when assuming full speed. For those sceptical on our market views, just look at the car carriers.
