Clarksons Research have today released their latest annual review of shipping markets, including full year 2023 data points, charting the progress of market developments across another dynamic year for shipping markets.
Summarising the annual review Steve Gordon (pictured), Global Head of Clarksons Research, commented: “Although our average day rate index, the ClarkSea, fell y-o-y (driven by a now ‘normalised’ container market), it remained 33% above the 10-year trend with gas, tanker, offshore and car carrier all experiencing strong conditions and dry bulk and containers (with Red Sea disruption) rallying late on.
“With a return to trade growth and a good flow of newbuild and S&P, it was positive year for many market segments across the shipping industry.”
Highlights of the review’s findings include:
– Seaborne trade up 3% to 12.4bn but with increasing complexity and impacts from geo-political disruption;
– Strong freight and day rate levels across “energy” shipping including gas, tankers and offshore oil and gas;
– World fleet up 3% to 2.3bn dwt, newbuilding orderbook increases only 3% y-o-y to 126m CGT;
– Shipbuilding production up 10% y-o-y to 35m CGT, with China producing over 50% of output for the first time;
– Significant emissions regulations introduced, investments in alternative fuels and energy saving technologies continue.
