The interest of the shipbuilding players and owners in building and ordering bulkers in 2016 has subsided as shipyards believe they can earn more from constructing other types of ships as they are more profitable, such as tankers for example.
On the other hand, the best time to invest in modern bulkers is now having in mind that they are available at lower prices- below those expected by shipyards.
The reason why the interest in bulkers is so low is the depressed bulker market on a global scale, prompted by oversupply of vessels that have pushed the rates down.
However, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel as older tonnage is pushed out of the global fleet.
Clarksons Research’s data showed that the first three months of 2016 have been the busiest quarter on record for bulk carrier demolition, with owners fighting to restore balance in supply-demand capacity.
In January 2016, BIMCO said that this year can be the busiest year with respect to scrapping activity. Namely, around 40 million DWT is to be sold for demolition during 2016, BIMCO estimated.
World Maritime News Staff, Infographic: VesselsValue