News Breakbulk & Project Cargo
Despite an increase in orders, the average age of the MPV fleet remains nearly 17 years old. Jaris Ho / Getty Images short-sea shipping activities,” Jessica Saari, Meriaura’ s business development director, said in a statement.
Positive outlook
The most recent One World Shipbrokers quarterly market sentiment index reflected the resilience of the MPV market, which said“ short-term cargo volumes have modestly improved and longer-term expectations remain positive.”
“ Trade patterns suggest that Europe is currently operating closer to a spot market, while in Asia, carriers report bookings being made several weeks ahead, as breakbulk and project cargo becomes available more quickly than vessels returning on the longer Cape of Good Hope route,” Justin Archard, founder of the shipbroking house, wrote in the report.“ Time charter rates remain high enough to reward owners of current stock but are not high enough to encourage speculators.”
Despite an increase in newbuilding orders, including deals by Cosco Shipping and Chipolbrok in early January, the average age of the MPV fleet is still close to 17 years old, with vessel scrapping likely to outstrip the arrival of new ships in the fleet, One World said in the Jan. 28 report.
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