testata inforMARE
03 de junio de 2023 - Año XXVII
Periódico independiente sobre economía y política de transporte
13:01 GMT+2
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FORUM de lo shipping y
de la logística


The Chemical Carrier Market in 2001

 
After experiencing a morose period over the last four or five years, characterised by very low freight rates and an important surplus of supply over demand, the chemical carrier market started moving up during the fourth quarter of 2000. This tendency continued at the start of the year 2001 practically without interruption until the month of September. The tragic events of September 11th in the United States brought about an abrupt halt to spot activity throughout all markets and at the end of the year, as we write, no recovery has really manifested itself. Nonetheless, it should be noted that all through the year and even after the events of September, term contracts have remained extremely active and have allowed owners a comfortable level of employment for their vessels.

The year 2001 has also given rise to an overall improvement of the financial standings of the main owners and operators, which is a significant achievement. It has been quite a time since such a situation has occurred.

The financial results posted by the main operators over the first six months of the year give an idea of the magnitude on the increase in freight rates as compared to 2000. Stolt-Nielsen showed a 64 % improvement on turnover over the first two quarters and Odfjell-Seachem 40 % over the same period.

The general improvement this year in the chemical sector can be explained by both structural and temporary reasons.

From a purely structural point of view, whereas the market over the last few years was suffering from a chronic imbalance due to the important surplus tonnage, the year 2001 gave place to a more balanced situation often in favour of owners with demand in certain markets being in excess of vessel availability.

Freight rates have logically benefited from this better balance. The rise registered already in the first quarter, carried on right up to the end of the second quarter, then marked a pause during the summer months. The slowing down of the world economy, particularly in America which plays such a prominent role, made itself felt at the middle of the year, and the resulting drop in demand mainly for voyages from the US Gulf, led to a substantial drop in spot rates at this time. These lower levels have spread throughout all markets following the events of September 11th. However, the overall balance in supply and demand which exists and seems not to be under threat for the next three years means that the petrochemical sector, in contrast to others such as the dry bulk, containers and tankers which have all seen plunging rates, has freight levels which have levelled out but without any appreciable drop.

Another structural change which has contributed to the general improvement of the market has been the rationalisation within the chemical carriers, put in place by owners several years ago in order to reduce costs and to adapt to the new regulations and ever more stringent requirements in terms of security and efficiency. Mention should be made of the agreement between Stolt-Nielsen and Tokyo Marine on the routes to the Far East done in order to reduce the competition and the risks of port delays.

Other factors but of a temporary nature also contributed to the positive improvement of financial results for owners this year. On the one hand the continuous drop in crude oil prices which have gone from $24 per barrel at the beginning of the year to finish at $18 at the end, has resulted in lower bunker prices and thus lower operating costs. On the other hand, the strong dollar in relation to European currencies has helped European owners and has also had a beneficial effect on their financial results.

Clearly at year's end, uncertainties as to the future of the chemical carrier sector exist. These uncertainties lie mainly in the increases for insurance premiums to be applied for next year on hull & machinery, the P&I Clubs or risk premiums paid out to the crews, but above all on the timing and the extent of the recovery in the world economy.



Freight rates
The North European market maintained a good level of freight rates with a steady increase right up till the third quarter, thanks to the solid covering on term business and a well-sustained spot market. At the end of the year, a significant drop in rates came with the slow-down in spot activity, but generally it was a good year for owners with rates rising by some 10 / 20 %.

Inter-Mediterranean activity has become a two-tiered market distinguished by some charterers requiring only quality ships, with the result that good modern vessels have obtained substantially higher levels.

The North European short-sea traffic, movements to and from the Mediterranean, have experienced significant fluctuations in the volumes and freight rates, with notably a strong demand in the first quarter in the northbound voyages and then in the second quarter on the southbound voyages. Rates increased by as much as 20 % in the peak period and by some 10 % on average over the year, which has resulted for 3,000 ton chemical lots in freights at around $30 per ton for cargoes into the Med and some $27 / 28 per ton on the Med / North Europe leg.

On movements from US to Europe, the market has remained quiet up until September, despite certain occasional variations. Since the events of September 11th, spot activity has slowed down considerably, in particular for "trading" cargoes. The contract nominations however have been kept at a high level throughout the year, even despite a slight reduction since the month of September.

In the beginning of the year freight rates for easy chemical lots of 3,000 tons between Houston and Rotterdam stayed at the levels that they experienced at the end of 2000, namely in a bracket between $37 / 39 per ton. At the end of the first quarter, rates dropped down to $35 per ton and steadied out at this level until the middle of the summer.

The drop registered at this time worsened with the slowing down of the American economy and the events in New York in September, to achieve a level of about $33 per ton at the end of the year.

On movements from Europe to US, the market continued to rise during the first quarter with a peak coming in March / April 2001. Big parcel lots of oil products and MTBE started seeing lower rates as from May onwards and this tendency carried on up until the end of the year. Cargoes of chemical products however have remained at healthy levels both in terms of volume and rates right through the year.

For 5,000 / 7,000 ton lots of easy chemicals from Rotterdam to Houston, freight rates went from $29 per ton at the start of the year up to $39 per ton in March / April and have settled down since May to a level of $32 / 35 per ton.

Traffic from Europe into the main ports of S.E. Asia has been on the increase and freight rates have also risen considerably over the year, with a high at the end of the summer. Four main owners share this market, covering for the most part contracts in the hands of industrialists.

On the spot market rates for lots of 1,000 tons requiring stainless steel tanks have increased by some 20 %, for example out of Rotterdam into Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan the market has gone from $55 per ton to $65 per ton.

Nonetheless it should also be noted that at year's end the fall-off in activity linked to a policy of wait-and-see, in particular by China and her Asian interests, preferring to hold off for the cost of raw materials to drop further before restocking. The events of September 11th as well as the over-optimism in the demand forecast have also provoked a lack of confidence with exporters of chemical products.

This slow-down has brought with it a drop in the market which is now back to the freight rates that were seen at the end of last year.
 

chemical tanker spot rates

The fleet
A slower rate of increase in the chemical carriers fleet which began during the past two years has continued in 2001. It results from the dramatic drop in new orders placed by the main operators since 1999, pursued in 2000 and maintained this year. The important fleet modernisation programme undertaken in the years 1995-1998 had as consequence a plethora of new tonnage coming into service during the years 1997-1999. The protracted depression in chemical carriers resulting from the Asian crisis of 1997 combined with the excess tonnage, seems at last to have caused owners to be more prudent when investing. The declining rate in the increase of the fleet is however offset by the very low level of scrapping. The drop in the number of vessels on order would have been even more significant without the delay in delivery dates of a number of ships in certain shipyards, which are experiencing technical problems in completing orders.
 

chemical carrier orderbook (dwt)

chemical carrier orderbook (number)

Since the beginning of the year, 22 vessels for 406,000 dwt have come into service, compared to 78 vessels for more than 1 million dwt delivered in 1998, or 44 chemical carriers for 800,000 dwt delivered last year. The average size of these ships is 18,500 dwt. To this total however, three vessels of 59,000 tons should be added which are due for delivery by the end of the year but will probably slip into 2002 for two of them. The orderbook for the end of 2001 amounts to 39 ships for 960,000 dwt. The majority of orders do not extend beyond 2003. New orders placed this year have gone mainly to the Japanese who have offered relatively prompt deliveries: 22 vessels for 448,000 dwt are foreseen to come into service in 2002, and nine vessels for 267,000 dwt in 2003, the balance being the delayed orders placed in Poland for the account of Odfjell-Seachem. This year none of the main chemical carrier operators have placed orders and essentially new orders have come from Japanese operators such as Iino Kaiun who have invested in new ships to replace older units.

The level of scrapping has remained extremely low. It is unfortunately a recurring theme in this sector which is preventing a steady elimination of the oldest units. Since January 2001 only six vessels for 32,720 dwt have been sent to the scrapyards. These figures are to be compared with last year's eight ships for 93,000 dwt and in 1999 with only three for 7,200 dwt.

As we mentioned last year, in addition to vessels dedicated to transporting chemicals, there is a growing number of coated product tankers, classified IMO II or III, which can be added and whose orders have virtually exploded since the 'Erika' incident of 1999. In the 25,000 / 50,000 dwt size category, no less than 220 vessels for 9 million dwt are on order and 35 for 1.3 million dwt have been delivered since January. These ships can potentially compete with the stainless ships for transporting easy chemicals. Nonetheless, one can say that the chemical carrier fleet is in the process of getting into better shape.
 

* * *

Globally despite the rather pessimistic economic forecasts for 2002, the chemical carrier sector seems well placed to face the difficulties that lie ahead in the coming months. According to the experts, the slowing down of the economy should produce a pause in the trend towards higher freight rates in this sector for next year, and consequently give reduced returns in the short term for the main operators.

The downturn in the economy will probably bring about certain changes in the flow of traffic, but on the whole demand is healthy and should even see a slight increase of 4 % for next year, above the increase in supply which is planned to be about 2 % in 2002.

We do not foresee an important risk of over-capacity of tonnage over the next few years, except in the case of a collapse in the product tanker market which could then hypothetically look for work within the chemical carrier trade. On balance we believe that freight rates should stabilise over the coming months before starting to pick up again with the predicted, or at least hoped for, recovery of the world economy in the second half of 2002.
 

chemical - Pointe du Croisic Pointe du Croisic
6,500 dwt, blt 2001 by Kleven Flor', owned by Navale Fran'aise
The second-hand market for small product tankers and chemical carriers
The lack of interest posted by the large chemical charterers and even more markedly the oil Majors for single-hulled vessels has been the most notable aspect of the year 2001. It helped push up the value of the rare double-hulled vessels being offered second-hand. We can give as examples the 'Sioux' built in 1981 (6,400 dwt, coated / coiled) which went for the sum of $3 million, the 'Bacalan' (11,500 dwt, built in Finland in 1982, coated / coiled / ice class) sold for $8 million and the 'Trelsi' built in 1991 (15,000 dwt, 17,000 cbm, coated / coiled) sold for $16.5 million.

2001 was thus a year, which was orientated principally towards newbuilding of small product tankers (between 5,000 and 15,000 tons). Turkish shipyards were able to offer numerous resales available for fairly prompt delivery, amongst which were the 'Pyla', the 'Clipper Legend' and the 'Clipper Leader' (10,000 dwt, 12,000 cbm) and the 'Sukran C' (4,700 dwt).

Nonetheless, the number of second-hand sales was considerably higher, which goes to show that it is always possible to find buyers who are looking for valuable employment of ships, be it even single-hull, as long as the price is right. We can illustrate this with the sale to Aksay of two chemical carriers the 'San Mateo' and the 'San Pedro' (11,300 dwt, stainless steel and zinc coated, built in 1988) for $10 million en bloc.

In general it can be said that 2001 is in the post-'Erika' era characterised by a marked acceleration of the fleet's renewal with a confirmed preference by charterers for the 10,000 / 15 000 tons size category.

If we were to judge the chemical carrier market solely within its own confines and criteria, we could conclude that the offer and demand of tonnage is in better balance than two years ago. This is borne out by a firming up of freight rates since the end of 2000. However, we should also take into account the growing number of product tankers which are also suitable for chemical cargoes (as can be witnessed by the numerous product/chemical carriers of 35 / 45,000 tons, ordered in Korea or Croatia this year). The decline in rates, which we are experiencing currently in the sector of product tankers, could weigh indirectly on that of the chemical traffic which is exposed to these ships. We expect in consequence that ships above 20,000 tons in the oil market and the easy chemical sector will play an increasingly reciprocal role as a balancing factor in the coming years, even if in general the chemical carrier market will remain less volatile than that of the products which is more exposed to the spot market.

For vessels under this size category, the prospects are good given the distance still to be covered before a renewal of the fleet meets the growing requirements of the oil charterers and the lack of flexibility of demand in this segment of the market. Once again the proverb of Florian will prove to be true, namely that "To live happily, be discreet".
 



Shipping and Shipbuilding Markets in 2001

I N D E X

›››Archivo
DESDE LA PRIMERA PÁGINA
Renovación de la concesión a PSA Venecia
Venecia
Tendrá una duración de 25 años. Una inversión prevista de 78,6 millones de euros y un crecimiento del tráfico de hasta 500mila teu. Concesión a Veneta Cementi
Para su propia descarbonización, el transporte marítimo no tiene que depender demasiado del combustible electrónico
Para su propia descarbonización, el transporte marítimo no tiene que depender demasiado del combustible electrónico
Copenhague
El Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping advierte de tener en cuenta la futura disponibilidad y los precios de los electro-combustibles
La Comisión Europea presenta cinco propuestas legislativas sobre seguridad marítima y prevención de la contaminación marina causadas por buques
Bruselas
El objetivo es también alinear las normas europeas con los reglamentos internacionales
Una cuarta parte de las empresas rusas están en peligro de interrumpir la producción por la dificultad de recibir productos del extranjero
Moscú
El primer vicepresidente del Centro de Investigación Estratégica en Moscú
Camioneros denuncian el bloqueo de acciones para mejorar el funcionamiento de camiones en el puerto de Spezia
El Spezia
Tal vez-acusan a las asociaciones de comercio-es la voluntad de mantener el statu quo
L'ultima lettura del Goods Trade Barometer della WTO segnala una ripresa che però potrebbe essere assai accidentata
La última lectura del Barómetro del Comercio de Mercancías de la OMC señala una recuperación, pero que podría ser muy accidentada
Ginebra
Los pedidos de exportación dan señales positivas
L'ultimo rapporto di AGCS evidenzia la notevole diminuzione della perdita totale di navi
El último informe del AGCS muestra la significativa disminución de la pérdida total de buques
Johannesburgo/Londres/Madrid/Múnich/Nueva York/París/Rotterdam/Singapur
En 2022 la cifra descendió un -36%. Hundimiento, incendio/explosión y colisión son las causas más frecuentes de accidentes
Puerto de Livorno, interdicted cuatro empresarios y tres empresas
Livorno
Incautada más de 8mila euros a un funcionario de la autoridad portuaria
L'elvetica Accelleron ha acquisito Officine Meccaniche Torino
La suiza Accelleron adquiere Officine Meccaniche Torino
Baden
La empresa de Rivoli es uno de los principales fabricantes de sistemas de inyección para motores marinos
Grimaldi encarga otros dos nuevos buques Pure Car & Truck Carrier de 9.000 ceu
Nápoles/Roma
Confirmada la continuidad territorial marítima de Grimaldi Euromed en la ruta Civitavecchia - Arbatax - Cagliari
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
Visto bueno de la Comisión Europea a la refinanciación del Marebonus italiano
Bruselas
Autorizado un programa de ayudas de 125 millones de euros hasta 2027
Assarmatori, buena acogida en la UE de las ayudas italianas a la intermodalidad carretera-mar
Roma
Messina; ahora el objetivo es poder utilizar los recursos lo antes posible
I porti cinesi stabiliscono un nuovo record storico di traffico quadrimestrale delle merci
Los puertos chinos baten su récord de tráfico de mercancías en cuatro meses
Pekín
Nuevo máximo sólo en contenedores
A metà giugno Blue Dream Cruises riattiverà la crociere internazionali dalla Cina sospese per più di tre anni
A mediados de junio Blue Dream Cruises reaccionará los cruceros internacionales de China suspendidos durante más de tres años
Shanghai
Soy Shanghai y Shenzhen los puertos piloto elegidos por el gobierno de Beijing para la reanudación de la actividad
Bennett (ICS): per decarbonizzare lo shipping è necessario fissare una chiara direzione e fornire i mezzi per raggiungere la destinazione
Bennett (ICS): para descarbonizar el envío es necesario fijar una dirección clara y proporcionar los medios para llegar al destino
Nel primo trimestre i ricavi della CMA CGM sono diminuiti del -30,2%
En el primer trimestre los ingresos de CMA CGM se disminuyen de -30,2%
Marsella
La facturación del segmento de envío es de -40,3%. -72,1% del beneficio neto
Livorno, campaña de monitoreo de calidad del aire en las áreas vecinas de la ciudad a puerto
Livorno
La campaña de descubrimiento durará 240 días
Acuerdo fincantieri en Canadá para proponer patrullero "Vigilance" para la Marina Real de Canadá
Trieste
Dos iniciativas para conmemorar a Giuseppe Bono
El 30 de junio en Génova, se llevará a cabo la segunda edición de la fiesta de verano del joven
Génova
El evento es promovido por Assagents
Fincantieri construirá el tercer submarino NFS de la Armada de la Armada italiana
Trieste
Los dos primeros batones se entregarán en 2027 y 2029
ABB planea una cola de ballena para la propulsión de barcos pequeños y medianos
ABB planea una cola de ballena para la propulsión de barcos pequeños y medianos
Zúrich
El primer prototipo estará disponible en 2025
Ruta final libre al enlace entre el puerto de Ancona y la carretera estatal 16
Ancona
Aquaroli: Es un trabajo fundamental para el desarrollo del puerto, Ancona y el Marche
PROXIMAS SALIDAS
Visual Sailing List
Salida
Destinación:
- orden alfabético
- nación
- aréa geogràfica
CMA CGM ha completado la adquisición de La Méridionale
Marsella
Se anuncia el próximo pedido de dos nuevos buques de GNL
Inaugurado el Salón Náutico de Venecia
Venecia
Más de 220 expositores. 300 barcos presentados, 240 de ellos en el agua
MSC Crociere ha preso in consegna la nuova MSC Euribia
MSC Cruceros tomaron en entrega el nuevo MSC Euribia
Saint-Nazaire
En el astillero de Chantiers de l'Atlantique también tuvo lugar la ceremonia de moneda de "MSC World America"
Acuerdo entre el AdSP del Adriático Central y el organismo regional de las Marchas para la protección ambiental
Yang Ming ordena a HHI la construcción de cinco portacontainer de 15.500 teu
Keelung
Compromiso por valor de 927,9 millones de dólares
Puerto de Génova: los errores de procedimiento en los trámites se reducen un 70%
Génova
este es el resultado de lo vivido durante un curso organizado por la Capitanía Marítima y Assagenti
Confitarma expresa su satisfacción por la aprobación por la UE de las ayudas a la intermodalidad carretera-mar, pero denuncia la falta de recursos
Roma
Mattioli: Esperamos que el nuevo Gobierno abra un debate concreto con la industria armamentística sobre esta cuestión con vistas a la próxima Ley de Presupuestos
KHI y DNV definirán un método para calcular las emisiones de CO2 de la cadena de suministro de hidrógeno licuado
Tokio
Firma de un memorándum de acuerdo específico
El FENADISMER español iniciará una nueva acción de clase contra compañías petroleras
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
Roma/Génova
Entre los propósitos, el desarrollo...
Inversión china en la Zona Económica del Canal de Suez
Beijing
Se instalarán actividades de producción
En el primer trimestre de este año el tráfico de las mercancías en los puertos croatas creció de los +14,9%
Zagreb
El aumento se determina por el aumento de los volúmenes de vracs
Evento en Génova para el relanzamiento de la economía del mar
Génova
El sector - se ha subrayado - en las últimas décadas se ha subestimado dramáticamente en su potencial
Assiterminal, Assologistica and Fise-Uniport Convention for Safety at Work
Génova
Es por definición con el apoyo de RINA
CMA CGM compra il quotidiano economico francese “La Tribune”
CMA CGM compra el diario económico francés "La Tribune"
Marsella
La empresa ya está activa en la publicación con los periódicos "La Provenza" y "Corse Matin"
Mes siguiente Metrans activará un enlace intermodal Rijeka-Budapest
Praga
El terminal de la capital húngara se conectará al terminal serbio de Indija
Ok a una contribución de 2,2 millones a la compañía portuaria genovesa CULMV
Génova
Resolución aprobada por el Comité de Gestión
ITA Airways, confirmó el acuerdo con Lufthansa
Roma
Uilt, importante ahora para realizar los objetivos de desarrollo y crecimiento del plan industrial
Alemán Schües es el nuevo presidente de la BIMCO
Copenhague
Subentra a Sabrina Chao que concluyó su mandato bienal
PSA ha adquirido una participación minoritaria en la compañía logística vietnamita Sotrans
Singapur
Fue cedida por Indo Trans Logistics Corporation
Inauguró la segunda fase de la terminal de contenedores vietnamitas de Nam Dinh Vu (Haipong)
Tienes a Phong.
Tiene una capacidad anual uniforme a 1,2 millones de teu
En abril el tráfico de las mercancías en el puerto de Barcelona se redujo de -7.8%
Barcelona
La disminución se ha determinado por la disminución del contenedor, en particular por los que se encuentran en tránsito
TIL ordena a ZPMC nueve grúas para el terminal TPO/TNMSC del puerto de Le Havre
El Havre
Ellos serán capaces de servir barcos de 24.000 teu
GNV amplía su apoyo al proyecto de protección de tortugas y cetáceos en el Mediterráneo
Génova
Los investigadores, así como en la ruta Nápoles-Palermo, están siendo alojados a bordo de los buques desplegados en las rutas Barcelona-Tánger y Valencia-Palma.
Positivo el primer trimestre de los buques de contenedor de MPC
Oslo
A la empresa noruega le preocupa que el crecimiento de la oferta en el segmento de grandes portacontenedores también pueda tener un impacto en las flotas que operan en rutas intrarregionales.
UniCredit financia las dos primeras inversiones en la zona ZES del Interport de Nola
Roma
Desde el banco, un total de 17 millones a favor de Spa Themes y el grupo Farvima Medicaid.
PSA-Acuerdo de Ferrocarriles de Kazajstán para el desarrollo del Corredor Transcaspic
Singapur/Astana
Se ha firmado hoy con motivo del Foro Empresarial Kazajstán-Singapur
En abril, el tráfico en el puerto de Valencia cayó un -14,2% por ciento.
Valencia
En el primer trimestre de 2023, el descenso fue del -9,6% por ciento.
Intercargo representa el 32% de la capacidad de la flota mundial a granel de graneleros
Dubai
La asociación tiene más de 3.200 graneleros a cargo
Orden de 313 millones a Hyundai Mipo Dockyard para cinco nuevos portacontenedores
Ullan
Se entregarán en el primer semestre de 2026
PUERTOS
Puertos italianos:
Ancona Génova Rávena
Augusta Gioia Tauro Salerno
Bari La Spezia Savona
Brindisi Liorna Taranto
Cagliari Nápoli Trapani
Carrara Palermo Trieste
Civitavecchia Piombino Venecia
Interpuertos Italianos: lista Puertos del mundo: Mapa
BANCO DE DATOS
Armadores Reparadores navales y astilleros
Expedicionarios Abastecedores de bordo
Agencias marítimas Transportistas
MEETINGS
El 25 de mayo en Génova, se celebrará una conferencia sobre la programación, funcionamiento y gestión de las redes de transporte
Génova
Está organizado por el Instituto Internacional de Comunicaciones y CIFI
El 26 de mayo en Génova, tendrá lugar el primer Foro Mundial de la Mare
Génova
Está organizado por el Centro Asesor Estratégico "Giuseppe Bono"
››› Archivo
RESEÑA DE LA PRENSA
Exclusive: Malaysian tycoon weighs selling a stake in $2.7 bln port business -sources
(Reuters)
Malaysia's Ekuiti Nasional Explores Sale of Shipping Unit Orkim, Sources Say
(Bloomberg)
››› Reseña de la Prensa Archivo
FORUM de lo shipping y
de la logística
Relazione del presidente Daniele Rossi
Napoli, 30 settembre 2020
››› Archivo
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