Shipping Confidence Rises to 3.5 Year High -Survey

 

The average confidence level expressed by respondents was unchanged at the level of 6.2 out of 10 recorded in the previous survey in August 2017. Confidence on the part of charterers was significantly up, from 4.7 to 7.7, the highest rating recorded for this category of respondent since the survey was launched in May 2008 with an overall rating of 6.8. Managers (up from 5.8 to 6.1) were also more optimistic, while brokers’ confidence was unchanged at 6.3. The rating for owners, however, fell from 6.5 to 6.4. Confidence levels were down in Asia, from 6.4 to 5.7, and unchanged in Europe and North America, at 6.3 and 5.8 respectively.

 

The likelihood of respondents making a major investment or significant development over the next 12 months was down from 5.4 to 5.3 out of 10. Charterers’ confidence, however, was up from 4.0 to 6.2. Expectations on the part of owners and brokers were up from 5.8 to 5.9 and from 4.4 to 5.3 respectively, but down from 5.4 to 5.3 for managers. Asian respondents (down from 5.9 to 5) were less confident in this regard, but in North America the rating was up from 4.9 to 5.4. In Europe, expectations held steady at 5.2.

 

Although overall expectations of making major investments over the next 12 months were marginally down on the three-year high recorded in the previous survey, several respondents saw encouraging signs of recovery, and potential for further improvement, particularly in the dry bulk sector. One respondent said: “Undeniably, things are a little better, but there is not such a significant improvement that we can break out the champagne and celebrate a recovery.”

 

Fifty-nine percent of respondents expected finance costs to increase over the coming year, up from 50 percent last time to equal the highest figure since October 2008. Owners’ expectations were up from 48 percent to 54 percent, while the increase for charterers was from 67 percent to 83 percent, and for brokers from 42 percent to 60 percent. Managers, meanwhile, recorded a fall from 62 percent to 61 percent.

 

Despite a fall from 27 percent to 23 percent, demand trends continued to be the factor expected to influence performance most significantly over the coming 12 months followed by competition and finance costs.  One respondent said, “Shipping continues to be volatile and unstable, with an oversupply of tonnage, and new finance continuing to pour in, while geopolitical issues and new regulations are causing disruption.”

 

The number of respondents expecting higher freight rates over the next 12 months in the tanker market was down by 1 percent on the previous survey to 44 percent, while there was a one percentage-point fall, to 13 percent, in those anticipating lower rates. There was a six percentage-point fall, to 50 percent, in the numbers expecting higher rates in the dry bulk sector, and a five percentage-point increase to 12 percent in the numbers anticipating lower rates. In the container ship sector, the numbers expecting higher rates dropped by four percentage points to 36 percent, while there was a two percentage-point fall, to 15 percent, in those anticipating lower container ship rates.

 

Net sentiment was positive in all the main tonnage categories. It was unchanged in the tanker market at +31, but down in the dry bulk market from +49 to +38, and in the container ship sector from +23 to +21.

 

In a stand-alone question, respondents were asked to estimate where the US Federal Reserve’s Federal Funds Rate would stand in 12 months’ time. 35 percent put the figure at 1.5 percent, with 24 percent opting for 1.75 percent. While 6 percent of respondents thought the figure would be 2 percent, 19 percent opted for 1.25 percent. Levels of 1 percent and less than 1 percent were each cited by 8 percent of all respondents, just 1 percent of whom expected the rate to be more than 2 percent. One respondent said, “Increased economic uncertainty, relations with North Korea, and Iran trade restrictions are among the factors which will increase the risk level in the market and lead to higher interest rates.” Another simply said, “Rates will continue to rise until there is a market correction.”

 

Richard Greiner, Moore Stephens partner, Shipping & Transport, said, “Confidence is at its highest level for three-and-a-half years, testament to the industry’s remarkable durability. 

 

“Charterers are leading the way in terms of improved confidence and appetite for new investment. There is optimism in the dry bulk trades, and evidence of continuing improved confidence in the gas sector. The Baltic Dry Index, meanwhile, has risen by over 50 percent in the past six months, and net sentiment in all three main tonnage categories remains positive.

 

“Not all our respondents were upbeat and uncertainty persists, for example, over how and when to comply with the Ballast Water Management Convention and the true extent of cyber-crime. But the portents, overall, are encouraging. 

 

“A slowdown in newbuilding activity has started to redress the imbalance in supply and demand, and that should be reflected in improved freight rates. There is an appetite for investment, and finance is available. The shipping recovery might not yet be fully under way, but 2017 may come to be regarded as the year when the downward spiral was halted.”