Japanese export ship orders fall 80pc in first half
EXPORT orders for Japanese-built ships have plummeted by 79.3 per cent to 2,343,750 gross tons between January and June, its lowest level in 16 years, according to figures supplied by the Japan Ship Exporters' Association.
The weak demand for export ships from one of the world's top shipbuilding nations, along with South Korea and China, shows that demand for newbuildings from shipowner/operators is not going to pick up any time soon amid a situation of excess capacity and shrinking global demand.
In the first six months of the year, Japanese shipbuilders received orders for 55 export ships, including 40 bulk carriers totalling 1,462,900 gross tons, 12 oil tankers totalling 794,850 gross tons, one general cargo vessel of 72,000 gross tons and two other ships totalling 14,000 gross tons. The 55 ships total 1,155,380 compensated gross tons, reports Newark's Journal of Commerce.
By comparison, during the first half of 2008 Japanese shipbuilders received orders for 255 export ships, comprising 213 bulk carriers, 32 oil tankers and 10 general cargo vessels.
In June, the total volume of Japanese export ship orders fell by 72.9 per cent year-on-year to 636,990 gross tons. Japanese shipbuilders received orders for 13 export ships in June, comprising nine bulk carriers, three are oil tankers and one general cargo vessel.
The weak demand for export ships from one of the world's top shipbuilding nations, along with South Korea and China, shows that demand for newbuildings from shipowner/operators is not going to pick up any time soon amid a situation of excess capacity and shrinking global demand.
In the first six months of the year, Japanese shipbuilders received orders for 55 export ships, including 40 bulk carriers totalling 1,462,900 gross tons, 12 oil tankers totalling 794,850 gross tons, one general cargo vessel of 72,000 gross tons and two other ships totalling 14,000 gross tons. The 55 ships total 1,155,380 compensated gross tons, reports Newark's Journal of Commerce.
By comparison, during the first half of 2008 Japanese shipbuilders received orders for 255 export ships, comprising 213 bulk carriers, 32 oil tankers and 10 general cargo vessels.
In June, the total volume of Japanese export ship orders fell by 72.9 per cent year-on-year to 636,990 gross tons. Japanese shipbuilders received orders for 13 export ships in June, comprising nine bulk carriers, three are oil tankers and one general cargo vessel.