Shipping Market Mid-Year Review : Clarksons Research

LONDON : Clarksons Research have Wednesday released their mid-year review of shipping markets. With shipping often at the “frontline” of uncertain geo-political dynamics, understanding underlying market trends has often been “tricky”. Our cross-market day rate tracker the ClarkSea Index softened “only” 5% y-o-y in 1H to $24,101/day, but, container aside (+79% y-o-y), tankers (-33%), bulkers (-31%) and LPG (-22%) all eased back. Summarising the mid-year trends, Steve Gordon, Global Head of Clarksons Research, commented:

• A half year of building complexities, with shipping often at the “frontline” of uncertain geo-political dynamics
• Our cross-market charter rate ClarkSea Index softened “only” 5% y-o-y in 1H but excluding container markets the index is down 31% y-o-y
• Global seaborne trade volumes stable at 12.6n tonnes per year but growth varied across segments as underlying Chinese economic trends introduce weakness and US tariff policy increased complexity
• Asset markets market activity has also slowed, with newbuild order volumes down 54% (in the context of a very active 2024) and S&P volumes more resilient (down 16% y-o-y)
• Global shipbuilding output stable year on year (China 48%, Korea 31%, Japan 13%) while new orders for China dropped (52% share vs 70% in 2024)
• Fleet supply growth remains below trend overall, demolition expected to increase going forward and ageing demographics supportive of fleet renewal
• ‘Green Transition’ consensus weakened but remains a key underlying trend and economic opportunity, energy transition and energy security remain trends supporting gas and offshore

See attached the full summary.

Shipping Intelligence Network (SIN) is Clarkson Research’s market leading digital platform and the most comprehensive source of data on shipping and trade. The system provides immediate access to uniquely powerful data and analysis tracking and projecting market supply / demand, freight, vessel earnings, vessel values and macro-economic data around trade flows and global economic developments.

About Clarksons Research 

Clarksons Research, the data and analytics arm of Clarksons, are the market leaders in the provision of independent data and intelligence around shipping, trade, offshore and the maritime energy transition. Millions of data points are processed and analysed each day to provide trusted and insightful intelligence to thousands of stakeholders across maritime. Better data for better decisions.