The cautious recovery in earnings levels and charter hire rates for multipurpose heavylift ships has stalled again, with period rate[ds_preview] assessments for major vessel types moving sideways or a bit lower over the past weeks. Hamburg broker Toepfer Transport’s index (TMI) for 12,500 dwt F class vessels remained flat in July at 6,265 $/day, following 4 months of steady slight increases. London shipbroker Clarksons Platou even reduced its assessment of 12 month hire rates for geared 17,000 dwt and 12,000 dwt types to 7,750 and 6,500 $/day, respectively. This is down from 8,000 and 6,700 $/day back in May. As far as E- and F-class vessels with up to 360t combined lifting capacity are concerned, charter tonnage availability has reportedly tightened following a resurgence of period fixtures over the last weeks and months. As far as spot cargoes are concerned the market looks »pretty empty«, as one German agent told HANSA. Enquiries and bookings eased off again since May, especially in Europe, the manager said.
However, latest surveys from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and British oil and gas industry consultant Wood Mackenzie offer some hope of growing project cargo liftings for upstream oil and gas projects over the coming year. In its world energy investment report, the IEA pointed to growing capital spending in the US shale oil sector while Wood Mackenzie forecast that final investment decision for new projects in oil and gas worldwide may double to 25 this year. With its requirements for steel and plant engineering equipment, the energy sector represents one of the largest customer segments for project and heavylift carriers.
