Economic downturn/ global slowth

[MattB]

During this slowdown in growth and it's subsequent knock-on effect, do you think bulkers are in more demand than say, crude carriers?

[ozzy76]

I read somewhere that the dry cargo sector was looking up. As in the past the newbuildings have NOT outstripped the new demand for trade/cargoes to a great degree..
In other words, there isn't that much excess tonnage.
In short it says that the increase in tonnage is perdicted to be 7 %   while the demand will rise 10% , for dry bulk shipping..
The first time that demand has been higher than new tonnage built in 6 years..

It also points to a new refinery in Saudi Arabia, leading to an increase in demand for product tankers..
Here's the link.
http://afloat.ie/port-news/port-and-shipping-news/item/21890-imdo-weekly-review-asia-europe-rates-declining-new-oil-refinery-dry-bulker-fleet-expands

[evanbnsf]

I've been investing in the maritime industry since 2010. Needless to say, the sector is in bad shape. Massive over supply, a dwindling demand, mainly stemming from China & other emerging markets. Companies such as Nordic American Tankers and Dryships inc are showing share holders really how bad things are for the maritime industry. It'll be a few more years before things pick up speed again, and demands return to their 2007'ish levels. Hopefully.

[rd77]

There is still an oversupply of bulkers, despite record scrapping levels and a drop in deliveries in newbuilds. Fleet growth this year is expected to slow down to a more manageable 5 to 7%. HOWEVER, orders have picked up since the beginning of this year, as newbuild prices are extremely low. This might put a spannner in the works and extend the oversupply problems.

On the tanker side, only the product tankers are doing quite well.

[Jean Hemond]

Surely maritime shipping precludes the world's industrial activity.  But the Baltic Dry trade Index  is still, and was in my school years, the best reference since the ship charter business is most sensible and in advance. But also I guess it must nowadays be read with the container charter index,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_Dry_Index
But I guess most of us are aware of this.
All the recent graphics:http://www.dallasfed.org/assets/documents/institute/global.pdf