The Chemical Carrier market 
in 2000

 The predominant cause of the poor returns for owners, was the near doubling of bunker prices as compared to 1999. Shipowners were caught unawares by this hike in fuel prices, especially when they found that they were not able to pass on these increases within their long term contracts, as the majority did not allow for a bunker price revision. Likewise despite the higher spot freight rates this year on most routes, they reflected little more than the higher bunker costs being incurred.

 During the first half of the year, the North European market remained weak with freight rates down to 1999 levels. A revival in activity was seen in the second half thanks to an increase in contractual business, which helped to push up spot rates by some 10%. By year end this tendency accentuated itself, and a further tightening of rates led to increases of some 20-25% over the start of the year.
 

With respect to the European short-sea traffic and especially the North European/Mediterranean movements, as well as inter-Mediterranean, the market remained very stable throughout the year both in terms of volume and rates. The only exception to this was during the past two months of the year, when quality vessels became scarce and led to sudden jumps in freight rates. On the North European/Mediterranean movement for 3,000 ton cargoes of easy chemicals, rates remained around $26-27/ton up until October when they rose up to and even above $ 30/ton by year end.

 Over the same period traffic between West Coast Italy/Rotterdam for 3,000 ton lots of easy chemicals were achieving $ 25-26/ton compared to $24/ton at the beginning of the year.

On the US/Europe trade, after a promising start at the beginning of the year the market tailed off somewhat towards the end. A significant increase both in rates and volumes occurred during the third quarter. Rates for 3,000 ton lots of easy chemicals between Houston and Rotterdam ranged from a level of $34/ton at the beginning of the year to around $ 39/ton at year's end. On the Europe/US routes the market stayed calm throughout the year with only a few short-lived variations. An increase in volumes and freight rates showed itself at the start of the autumn. It is worth mentioning that on this route the clean product market offers an interesting alternative to owners since the middle of 2000.

 In the 5-7,000 ton category of easy chemicals, rates on the Rotterdam/Houston route went from $ 20/ton in January to $ 28-29/ton in December.

As in the past, three or four shipowners operating parcel tankers have continued to dominate the Europe/Far East market. There has been no significant changes over the year on this market either in terms of rates or volumes.

As an example freight rates for 3,000 ton cargoes of easy chemicals outbound from Rotterdam to the major Far Eastern ports remained around $55/ton throughout the year and $ 70/ton for lots of 1,000 tons requiring stainless steel tanks. 

With regards to term contracts, which is traditionally sketchy in this market, we can only report that the little business concluded this year was for short periods, from 1 to 6 months, and that rates reflected the considerable increase in spot rates. For example newly-built stainless steel vessels of 8,000 dwt achieved levels of around $ 8,000 per day and vessels of 12,000 dwt close to $ 9,500 per day.  

STOLT CORMORAN 5,498 dwt, blt 1999 by INMA - Owned by Stolt-Nielsen

By end November 2000 the world chemical fleet comprised 1,834 vessels with a combined deadweight of 25 million. Following the arrival on the market of the large number of vessels ordered in 1997 and beginning 1998, the chemical carrier fleet seems to be slowly getting back into a more healthy balance. The number of newbuildings on order has continued to decline, with 92 units for 1.5 million deadweight as of December 1st 2000, as compared to 120 vessels the previous year.

46 vessels are due for delivery during 2001, and 22 for 2002 and beyond. There are a further 14 units being added in the month of December 2000, of which some will probably slip into the new year. Since January 2000, 49 new vessels have come into service with a total deadweight of 729,358. The reduction in newbuilding orders has been noticeable during 2000, when only 32 units have been placed by the main operators since January 1st. Having undertaken an important modernisation of their fleet over recent years, shipowners have been particularly circumspect during 2000, contenting themselves mainly with taking delivery of the previous years' orders. Only Jo Tankers and Odjfell amongst the main operators have committed to newbuildings this year.
 

Within the vessels dedicated to carrying chemicals there has been an increasing number of oil product tankers which are being refitted and particularly in the IMO II and III medium range category, following the 'Erika' disaster. Since the beginning of the year no less than 80 orders (three million dwt) have been placed with Far East shipyards. These vessels with a capacity between 37,000- 48,000 dwt could compete with the stainless steel vessels for easy chemicals, particularly should the product tanker market show signs of weakening. 

The chemical carrier fleet is in delicate balance. Despite a slight increase in scrapping during 2000, the number remains modest. Even when markets were at their lowest, the level of scrapping was negligible. Only eight vessels were demolished in 1997, three in 1998, and five in 1999 for a total deadweight total of less than 0.1 million. In 2000, 12 vessels left the fleet for 0.14 million dwt, including the regrettable losses of both the 'Ievoli Sun' and the 'Martina'.
 

Probably the most important development this year is the decline in the deliveries of newbuildings combined with a drop in the number of new orders. This should ensure that the market which has been oversupplied for quite a time should gradually get back into a better balance between supply and demand, and make for an easier integration of delivery of new vessels into the market, with the ability to maintain freight rates at respectable levels.

Finally following the recent accidents at sea, there is special attention and importance now being placed on the quality of vessels and their operators. In particular on movements which require oil companies' approval, this will force the scrapping of vessels which cannot comply to these new standards of age and security.