testata inforMARE
Cerca
05 June 2023 - Year XXVII
Independent journal on economy and transport policy
15:58 GMT+2
LinnkedInTwitterFacebook
FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics


The Ro-ro market
in 2000

 
Searching for shelter

top

The ro-ro ships are something of a niche market within the mainstream liner-shipping sector, and their special characteristics set them apart from the rest. Although the concept of 'roll-on / roll-off' is older than containerisation, within the regular liner routes, they have been largely replaced by the latter.

Competition from the containerships was first felt on the long-haul routes, and then spread itself to other areas where the time at sea was preponderant over the time in port. Although this is not a hard and fast rule, it underlines the sensitive ratio of the voyage cost to the transit cost. A large proportion of the core ro-ro traffic is protected from the competition of containers because of this criterion, but they nonetheless have to comply with the exacting requirements of shippers to whom the transit-time remains a predominant factor. In order to meet this condition, ships have to be increasingly fast, and this has resulted in a real split within the fleet.

However, while speed is a vital concern, it is not the only yardstick used, especially in the trailers sector, where the need is for vessels having a bigger loading capacity, but also being of the right configuration to allow quick turnaround times in port.

1999 and 2000 were both difficult years for many owners whose ships were not sufficiently specialised and who therefore had difficulty finding employment. The charter market severely suffered from the delivery of numerous newbuildings, ordered by liner-operators who proved to be some of the most active players in the market. Pooling and mergers among some of the large groups which led to fleet rationalisations, also contributed towards making the market well and truly depressed.

"Made to measure" seems to have been the guiding force prompting a number of companies to order new vessels which could fit precisely into their specific routing requirements, as for many years such units were rarely available on the tramp market.

Although this has resulted in a well-needed renewal of the fleet, at the same time it produced a considerable slowing-down of activity in the spot market. We therefore have been confronted in 2000 with a two-tier market - between modern vessels ordered by owners who had sufficient faith in their need, and older ones which for a large number of them have become commercially obsolete.

The chartering market thus became very quiet, far too quiet for many, and consequently very little long-term business was seen.


 

Ro-ro ships on long-hauls

top

This sector of the market is extremely confined and fragile, given the small number of vessels and actors. The combination of several factors dealt a blow to these ships.

First, the delivery of several PCC and PCTC* have gradually replaced, with a domino effect, certain large ro-ro ships dedicated to cars and mixed cargoes. In addition, the consecutive mergers of Nosac and Wilhelmsen, then the new group (Nosac Wilhelmsen Lines) with Wallenius, have left their mark. This has resulted in no fewer than seven big ro-ro ships being put back on the market, which then remained, for the most part, idle for several months over the year. Elsewhere, NSCSA which is leaning more and more towards containerisation, took two of their vessels out of service, and have been unable to find either employment or a buyer. The first three months of the year therefore did not offer any option but to look for voyages covering the displacement needs of various international organisations and military authorities. However at year's end, some operators, in view of the depressed state of the market, took the plunge to charter out on a rather long-term period, but at rates averaging 25-30 % less than those achieved a year ago. The vast majority of this tonnage is best suited to business on the West African coast, where the ro-ro concept is (still') accepted. In this respect, Grimaldi, Delmas, and Setramar have signed new agreements starting in 2001 to form a partnership on the Mediterranean / West African routes, where both large combined ro-ros and mixed geared ro-ros will be used.

This type of vessel is rarely built nowadays, and outside of Nosac-Wilhelmsen or even more Grimaldi, the fleet is to all intents and purposes not being renewed. It should be pointed out that the large vessels ordered in the last three years have virtually nothing in common with the existing fleet, which has an average age of almost 16 years. The former are expensive ships, capable of more than 20 knots, and built for dedicated routes combining both forest products and heavy rolling material.

Others have a large car-carrying capacity but are also equipped with cranes to be able to handle situations in certain areas such as Africa which do not have the necessary port-handling facilities.
 

FINNMASTER
11,530 grt, blt 2000 by Jinling - Operated by Finncarriers

 

Ro-ro ships in the trailer sector

top

Over the course of the year, there has been a noticeable split in the market ' based on the size and speed of the vessels. There has been a sustained demand for ships which can be classified as a 'new generation' (2,200 - 2,800 lane metres length, 20 knots or more), but on the other hand almost absent for older ships, which have lower loading capacities and speeds, which seem to interest nobody.

No one could foresee that vessels in the category 1,700 - 2,000 lane metres, capable of 17-19 knots, would have the dickens of a time to find employment throughout the year. Many of these, idle for weeks on end, did occasional trips transporting military equipment or as a last resort did temporary fill-in voyages for some line-ships. The rates that they were able to get were considerably below the previous year, in the order of 30-40 % less.

The undeniable tendency of the vast majority of the main liner-operators over the last two or three years has been to order new ships or to charter-out for long-term periods (often three to five years) against these newbuildings. Gradually the delivery of these new vessels has had the knock-on effect of putting back on the market units which had previously been chartered-out. Many people anticipated a revival in the chartering market as a direct consequence of seeing these ships come back onto the market. The market's reaction was unfortunately quite the opposite and demand remained negligible.

Often when the market is at its depths for a long period, new line projects rear their head, and newcomers start to try their hands in view of the attractive rates. Nonetheless, the repeated attempts of such initiatives have frequently fallen flat, and unfortunately such was the case this year. One should however look carefully at the development of some liner business which is dreamed up to provide an alternative to the overloaded roads. The quality of service offered, the efficiency of the ships used, and the subsequent involvement of road-hauliers in the projects, are all elements that seem essential to us to ensure their success. But in time, such new developments should come about.

The big merger between Tranfennica and Finnlines finally collapsed at the end of the year, just as it seemed on the point of being concluded. This combined force would have resulted in the largest single owner, in terms of units, within the ro-ro fleet. It is highly probable that we shall see in the coming years, as in other parts of the shipping industry, a trend towards consolidation, enabling players to benefit from large economies of scale, which is becoming indispensable in today's competitive climate.


 

In total contrast to the containership market, very few new generation ro-ro vessels can be found for tramping. On the other hand, as the graph on the age structure of the current fleet shows, it strikes us as of prime importance that the pace of scrapping should be accentuated in order to get to the root of the problem. Whilst there has been a successful renewing of the fleet at the top, there is a pressing need to balance this out by cutting back some of the oldest units, which apart from age are totally obsolete both technically and commercially.

Scrappings have in fact increased in 2000, with 28 ships demolished and four others sold for conversion, totalling 275,000 dwt, compared to 10 ships and 59,000 dwt in 1999. The cable-laying market is still interested in sturdy ro-ro ships with a forward superstructure, which are excellent bases for conversion. The sale of such ships over the last two years for this purpose has at least allowed them to obtain a better price than the traditional market would have offered at the same time - namely scarcely above the scrap value.

If we exclude ro-pax ships, among the 51 ro-ro ships delivered in 1999 and 2000 (respectively 32 and 19), around 40 units were employed by their owners, and 10 were placed on long-term charters. These figures illustrate what we have previously pointed out, namely that there are precious few vessels left purely for tramping.

We do not foresee a sudden revival in the chartering market in 2001, in terms of the volume of business. However, provided that scrapping levels remain sufficiently high, owners with good quality ships should logically be able to profit from an improvement in rates, especially as the number of newbuildings to be delivered in 2001 will be equivalent to 2000 (with around 20 vessels) but far below the 1999 level (of more than 30 units).
 




Shipping and Shipbuilding Markets in 2000

I N D E X

›››File
FROM THE HOME PAGE
Fraudulent mechanism for tax evasion and tax evasion implemented by a paved logistics company
Pavia
Employees 138 irregular workers and VAT evasion and direct taxes for more than 1.6 million
Japan's ONE took delivery of its first 24,000-teu container ship
Kure
Another five ships of the same capacity built by Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United Corporation will follow.
Switzerland will subsidize the travelling motorway between Fribourg and Novara until 2028
Bern
Measures will be introduced to make the Swiss merchant naval flag more attractive
FEPORT discussed the effects on ports and terminalists of EU climate rules
Saintes Maries de la Mer
Highlights the need for European governments to transpose the minimum corporate tax directive to avoid distortions caused by tonnage tax
In 2022, combined European transport marked a slight decline.
Brussels
Historical record of national volumes, while international traffic has decreased by -0.5%
An engine failure of an oil tanker in the Suez Canal has not stopped traffic in the waterway.
Ismailia
The "Seavigour" transports crude from Russia to China
Renewed the national contract of the mowers and barcaioli
Rome
Average economic increase of 175 euros
Renewal of the concession to PSA Venice
Venice
It will have a duration of 25 years. A planned investment of 78.6 million euros and a traffic growth of up to 500mila teu. Concession to Veneta Cementi
For its own decarbonisation, shipping does not have to rely too much on e-fuel
For its own decarbonisation, shipping does not have to rely too much on e-fuel
Copenhagen
The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping warns to take into account the future availability and prices of electro-fuels
EU Commission presents five legislative proposals on maritime safety and prevention of marine pollution caused by ships
Brussels
The aim is also to align European standards with international regulations
A quarter of Russian companies are in danger of disrupting production for the difficulty of receiving goods from abroad
Moscow
The first vice president of the Center for Strategic Research in Moscow
Truckers denounce the blocking of actions to improve the operation of trucks in the port of Spezia
The Spezia
Perhaps-they accuse the trade associations-it is the will to maintain the status quo
L'ultima lettura del Goods Trade Barometer della WTO segnala una ripresa che però potrebbe essere assai accidentata
The latest reading of the WTO's Goods Trade Barometer signals a recovery, but one that could be very bumpy
Geneva
Positive signals come from export sales orders
L'ultimo rapporto di AGCS evidenzia la notevole diminuzione della perdita totale di navi
The latest GATS report shows the significant decrease in the total loss of vessels
Johannesburg/London/Madrid/Munich/New York/Paris/Rotterdam/Singapore
In 2022 the number dropped by -36%. Sinking, fire/explosion and collision are the most frequent causes of accidents
Port of Livorno, interdicted four entrepreneurs and three companies
Livorno
Seized more than 8mila euros to a port authority official
Le Aziende informano
La Ant. Bellettieri & Co., presente da più di 140 anni nel Porto di Civitavecchia, opera nella logistica portuale e nell'intermodalità mare, ferro, gomma
L'elvetica Accelleron ha acquisito Officine Meccaniche Torino
Switzerland's Accelleron has acquired Officine Meccaniche Torino
Baden
The Rivoli-based company is a leading manufacturer of injection systems for marine engines
Grimaldi orders two more new Pure Car & Truck Carrier Ships from 9,000 ceu
Naples / Rome
Affirmed the reliance on Grimaldi Euromed of maritime territorial continuity on the Civitavecchia-Arbatax-Cagliari route
European Commission's OK to refinance the Italian Marebonus
Brussels
Aid programme worth EUR 125 million authorised, running until 2027
Assarmatori, good EU approval of Italian aid for road-sea intermodality
Rome
Messina; now the aim is to be able to use the resources as quickly as possible
I porti cinesi stabiliscono un nuovo record storico di traffico quadrimestrale delle merci
Chinese ports set new record for four-month cargo traffic
Beijing
New peak in containers alone
The handling of the freight traffic at Genoa airport was entrusted to the city's freight forwarders
Genoa
Giachero (Spediport) : It is essential to relaunch the cargo sector
At the end of the month APM Terminals will leave the management of the Itajaí terminal container
Itajaí
Superintendência do Porto will try to implement a new transitional solution pending the tender unopened by the federal government
GEODIS has bought Swiss Transport & Shipping helvetica
Levallois-Perret
In 2022, it recorded a turnover of 58 million Swiss francs
Conference in Genoa on the State of Implementation of the National Logistics Platform
Genoa
Organized by Federlogistics and Conftransporto-Confcommerce, it will be held next Monday
Livorno, air quality monitoring campaign in neighboring city areas to port
Livorno
The discovery campaign will last 240 days
Fincantieri agreement in Canada to propose "Vigilance" patrolman for the Royal Canadian Navy
Trieste
Two initiatives to commemorate Giuseppe Bono
On June 30 in Genoa, the second edition of the Youngster Shipping Summer Party will take place
Genoa
The event is promoted by Assagents
Fincantieri will build the third NFS submarine of the Italian Navy's Navy
Trieste
The first two batons will be delivered in 2027 and 2029
ABB plans a whale tail for the propulsion of small and medium-sized ships
ABB plans a whale tail for the propulsion of small and medium-sized ships
Zurich
The first prototype will be available in 2025
Final free route to the link between the port of Ancona and the State Road 16
Ancona
Aquaroli : It is a fundamental work for the development of the port, Ancona and the Marche
SAILING LIST
Visual Sailing List
Departure ports
Arrival ports by:
- alphabetical order
- country
- geographical areas
CMA CGM has completed the acquisition of La Méridionale
Marseille
Next order for two new LNG ships announced
Venice Boat Show inaugurated
Venice
Over 220 exhibitors. 300 boats presented, 240 of which in the water
MSC Crociere ha preso in consegna la nuova MSC Euribia
MSC Cruises took in delivery the new MSC Euribia
Saint-Nazaire
In the ship yard of Chantiers de l'Atlantique also took place the coin ceremony of "MSC World America"
Agreement between the AdSP of the Central Adriatic and the regional agency of the Marches for environmental protection
Yang Ming orders to HHI the construction of five portacontainer from 15.500 teu
Keelung
Commitment worth $927.9 million
Port of Genoa, procedural errors in paperwork reduced by 70%
Genoa
this is the result of what was experienced during a course organised by the Harbour Master's Office and Assagenti
Confitarma expresses satisfaction at EU approval for road-sea intermodality support, but denounces lack of resources
Rome
Mattioli: We hope that the new government will open a concrete discussion with the armament industry on this issue in view of the next Budget Law
KHI and DNV will define a method to calculate the CO2 emissions of the liquefied hydrogen supply chain
Tokyo
Specific memorandum of understanding signed
The Spanish FENADISMER will start a new class action against oil companies
Madrid
They are accused of taking advantage of the effects of the conflict in Udrain to apply a surcharge to fuels
Eni Agreement - RINA for the energy transition and decarbonization of naval transport
Rome/Genoa
Among the purposes, the development...
Chinese investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone
Beijing
Production activities will be installed
In the first trimester of this year the traffic of the goods in the Croatian ports has grown of +14,9%
Zagreb
The increase is determined by the rise of the bulk volumes
Event in Genoa for the relaunch of the economy of the sea
Genoa
The sector - it has been emphasized - in recent decades has been dramatically underestimated in its potential
Assiterminal, Assologistica and Fise-Uniport Convention for Safety at Work
Genoa
It is by definition with the support of RINA
CMA CGM compra il quotidiano economico francese “La Tribune”
CMA CGM buys the French economic daily "La Tribune"
Marseille
The company is already active in publishing with the newspapers "La Provence" and "Corse Matin"
Next month Metrans will activate an intermodal link Rijeka-Budapest
Prague
The terminal of the Hungarian capital will be connected to the Serb terminal of Indija
Ok to a contribution of 2.2 million to the genoese harbour company CULMV
Genoa
Resolution approved by the Management Committee
ITA Airways, confirmed the agreement with Lufthansa
Rome
Uilt, important now to realize the objectives of development and growth of the industrial plan
German Schües is the new president of the BIMCO
Copenhagen
Subentra to Sabrina Chao who concluded his biennial term
PSA has acquired a minority share in the Vietnamese logistics company Sotrans
Singapore
It was ceded by Indo Trans Logistics Corporation
Inaugurated the second phase of the Vietnamese container terminal of Nam Dinh Vu (Haipong)
You have Phong
It has an annual capacity pairs to 1,2 million teu
In April the traffic of the goods in the port of Barcelona is dropped of -7.8%
Barcelona
The decrease has been determined by the decrease of the container, in particular by the ones in transit
TIL orders ZPMC nine cranes of quay for the TPO/TNMSC terminal of the port of Le Havre
Le Havre
They will be able to serve ships from 24,000 teu
GNV expands its support to the project for the protection of turtles and cetaceans in the Mediterranean
Genoa
The researchers, as well as on the Naples-Palermo route, are being housed on board the ships deployed on the Barcelona-Tangier and Valencia-Palma routes.
Positive the first quarter of MPC Container Ships
Oslo
The Norwegian company is concerned that supply growth in the segment of large container carriers could also have an impact on the fleets operated on intra-regional routes
PORTS
Italian Ports:
Ancona Genoa Ravenna
Augusta Gioia Tauro Salerno
Bari La Spezia Savona
Brindisi Leghorn Taranto
Cagliari Naples Trapani
Carrara Palermo Trieste
Civitavecchia Piombino Venice
Italian Interports: list World Ports: map
DATABASE
ShipownersShipbuilding and Shiprepairing Yards
ForwardersShip Suppliers
Shipping AgentsTruckers
MEETINGS
On May 25 in Genoa, a conference will be held on the programming, operation and management of transport networks
Genoa
It is organized by the International Institute of Communications and CIFI
On May 26 in Genoa, the first Mare Global Forum will take place
Genoa
It is organized by the Strategic Advisory Centre "Giuseppe Bono"
››› Meetings File
PRESS REVIEW
Budget proposes to cut tax on containers used in shipping
(The Daily Observer)
Exclusive: Malaysian tycoon weighs selling a stake in $2.7 bln port business -sources
(Reuters)
››› Press Review File
FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics
Relazione del presidente Daniele Rossi
Napoli, 30 settembre 2020
››› File
- Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Genoa - ITALY
phone: +39.010.2462122, fax: +39.010.2516768, e-mail
VAT number: 03532950106
Press Reg.: nr 33/96 Genoa Court
Editor in chief: Bruno Bellio
No part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher
Search on inforMARE Presentation
Feed RSS Advertising spaces

inforMARE in Pdf
Mobile