testata inforMARE
30 March 2023 - Year XXVII
Independent journal on economy and transport policy
04:28 GMT+2
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FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics


 

The transport of refined oil products 
in 2001

 
With regards to the transport of refined oil products in 2001, although the year began in euphoric mood it ended in one of uncertainty and according to some analysts even of pronounced pessimism. Owners and charterers together expect 2002 to be a difficult year.

Nonetheless, 2001 will go down as being a vintage year for product tanker shipowners. Daily returns for ships operating on the spot market were on the whole higher than those of 2000, which in themselves were excellent.

Although the drop at the beginning of the year was a technical correction and largely predictable, nobody thought that the levels achieved, more than $50,000 per day for the LR and more than $30,000 per day for the MR, could be maintained. It was generally thought that the market would find an equilibrium in the middle of the year, but it was not the case: the drop in rates which began in May started gathering speed month after month to finish the year at the levels of end 1999.

The freight market for product tankers suffered a continuous drop in revenues throughout the year 2001 for all sizes

The 'handysize' (handy product) from 25,000 to 40,000 dwt 
20,000 / 49,000 dwt product tankers
It is in this category that the imbalance between supply and demand was greatest at the beginning of the year, resulting in returns of over $30,000 per day. Not helped by the delivery of more than 30 newbuildings, it was the weak American and to a lesser degree the European demand that explains the dramatic drop in revenues which attained at the end of the year levels close to $10,000 per day.

The creation of the Handy Tankers K/S pool, formed around AP Moller, Seaarland Motia and d'Amico Tankers which consists of 25 ships in 2001, led certain oil companies to cover their medium-term tonnage needs. BP took control of seven ships in this size, as well as CSSA, while Shell, Agip and Tamoil all took on two each.

Either by chance or as a result of this policy, the pool does not seem at least for the moment to have accumulated a sufficient share in the deals concluded to have had a significant impact on rates.
 

Kersaint Kersaint 
37,263 dwt, blt 2001 by Hyundai Mipo, owned by Socatra
The 'medium range' (MR product) from 40,000 to 50,000 dwtl
Following the delivery of 11 ships in 2001, this category of the fleet of product tankers is the most modern with two-thirds of ships being less than 10 years.

As for the 35,000 tonners, many charters have been concluded for periods of two years or more, notably for account of Stasco (five), Coastal-El Paso (three), ExxonMobil (two), and Glencore (three) at rates between $16,000 and $18,000 per day.

Naturally given to covering inter-zone voyages, these ships suffered from the shortening of their voyages as soon as American demand fell-off as from the month of June, and their daily returns which were over $35,000 per day at the beginning of the year collapsed to $11,000 per day in December. As from October they also suffered from a lack of activity in the Far East.

 
The 'long range' (LR product) from 55,000 to 110,000 dwt

This category benefited from the good performance of the market in the Far East during the first half of the year, during which their daily returns always remained above $30,000 per day and sometimes went up to $50,000 per day. The second-half was more difficult due to the fall in Japanese demand and a virtual disappearance of jet voyages MEG/Europe as from September.

The LR1 were largely used for exports of jet from Middle East Gulf or from the Indian Ocean, as well as voyages of gas oil and fuel oil from Europe to the U.S. The few very modern ships (less than five years) saw rates of close to $20,000 per day for periods of one to five years.

The existence of the "LR2 pool" and contracts at variable levels based on different indices (notably Platts) helped to avoid a really sharp fall in rates for these ships, although the result was achieved at the cost of considerable waiting time which affected daily returns.

The explanation of the slow but steady drop in product tanker freight rates is due more to a fall in demand than a rise in availability.

 
Product tankers tce
The demand
The U.S. down
The North American zone represents more than 30 % of world demand for oil products (45 % of gasoline demand). However U.S. consumption fell as from the beginning of the second quarter, well before the terrorist attacks of September 11th which merely amplified to a larger extent the decline. The most spectacular example can be found in jet consumption for the month of November 2001 which was 20 % lower than that of November 2000, although the annual consumption for jet and diesel oil was 3 % higher. In November 2001, distillate stocks (gas oil, diesel, and jet) were 15 % above those of November 2000, whilst stocks of gasoline were 10 % higher than the previous year.
 
Europe lagging behind
European demand was not able to pick up the slack, partly because it only represents a small proportion of world oil product demand and partly because its growth rate of 1.6 % was insufficient. Although European buyers have become a privileged target of exporters from the Middle East Gulf, the Far East and more recently India, this traffic which is a strong generator of tonnes-miles, stumbled at the end of the year principally due to a big drop in jet imports (the daily consumption falling by 14 % in November).

In addition, whilst petrochemical demand has slowed considerably, German distillate stocks at the end of the year are at their historic highs.
 

The Far East on a cliff edge?
Japan's inability to extract itself from its structural crisis and the exposure of several emerging economies to external contractions (the crisis in tourism and electronics) has led to stagnating demand for oil products within the Far East. As such the annual consumption of jet and diesel in Asia has fallen by 2 % in 2001. The increase in local refinery capacity (Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, and especially India) has favoured regional exchanges and resulted in shorter voyages and cut off the flow of exports towards Europe and the U.S. west coast, which contributed to the good performance of freight rates last year.

The fear of a major crisis in Japan, which could then ricochet on the fragile economies of Korea and Indonesia, contributes to the pessimism in the minds of many observers. The risk of a serious impact on the world scene cannot be excluded.
 

The fleet
Despite the need to renew the fleet of product tankers, a flood of orders could unbalance the market.

The fleet of handysize (30,000 / 40,000 dwt) increased by 29 units in 2001 for a total of over the million dwt mark. Forty-two additional units should be delivered in 2002 and 47 in 2003, whereas only 17 ships are programmed for 2004. One hundred and thirty five new ships will have be delivered in four years, nearly a third of the existing fleet.

The fleet of medium range has grown by only 11 ships delivered this year for a total of about 500,000 dwt, but 30 ships should be delivered in 2002, 53 in 2003 and 20 in 2004. In 2005 two-thirds of the fleet will be less than 15 years old.

As to the largest size, four were delivered this year, 11 will be put on the market in 2002 and 25 in 2003.

However charterers have adopted extremely strict quality criteria, especially on age, which considerably reduces the number of eligible ships. This has become a very sensitive issue in the handysize sector where nearly 50 % of the ships have become practically unemployable.

Despite the pessimistic outlook for the short-term, it is reasonable to expect an improvement in the medium-term if the anticipations do not stifle the expected recovery at birth.

It is obvious that stock positions at year's end and stagnant demand for oil products do not encourage optimism.

Nevertheless the elasticity of tonnage on offer remains relatively small due to increased concerns on quality. It might suffice therefore that the recovery of the American economy lives up to the analysts' hopes for the third quarter of 2002 and that Japan manages its revival for an increase in oil product demand to produce a rapid and substantial rise in freight rates. After all, isn't it what happened at the start of 2000, when rates were at their lowest?

While an exaggerated pessimism seems out of place in the short term, there is still a risk in the medium-term with a financial market historically favourable combined with a lowering of construction costs leading to a wave of orders which in turn would produce a tonnage surplus, that would unbalance the product tanker freight market for a long time to come

 
Belisaire 
12,681 dwt, blt 2001 by Niestern Sander, owned by Petromarine

 

Product tankers second-hand market
Some 92 ships of 25,000 to 60,000 dwt were sold for further trading in 2001, compared to 67 transactions last year. Fifty-four units were handysize, 31 were medium range and seven were in the long range size.

Eighteen sales were carried out for ships built in the 70's (last stop before demolition?), 31 for units delivered in the 80's, and 43 for tankers built in the 90's.

Amongst the latter, some 20 were less than three years old. Owners wishing to renew their fleet, and taking advantage of well-sustained freight market at the beginning of the year, produced it has been noticed a feverish activity on the resale of ships under construction, with short-term deliveries obtaining at least up until June a premium over longer term deliveries.

OMI Corp. (U.S.) was certainly amongst the most active, buying not less than 16 modern ships in the medium range category, with a number of them being under construction.

A part of the ships sold were done en bloc and often with attached charters or charters back. Notable buyers other than OMI Corp., were clients of the Livanos group (five ships with charters back) and also clients of the Stelmar group (10 Osprey ships).

After record freight levels achieved at the end of 2000 / beginning of 2001, the serious slowdown of the world economy throughout the year weakened rates, which suffered a continual decline with intermittent blips to plunge precipitously mid year. The events of September 11th only reinforced this tendency which got reflected for real upon the value of second-hand ships.

We indicated last year an increase in values of the order of 15 to 25 % for modern units. This year the trend is clearly the reverse as prices have dropped by 18 to 20 % according to size and age.

Since January 2001, 41 ships have been delivered for 1.57 million dwt. At the same time, 28 ships for a total of 0.97 million dwt have been withdrawn from the fleet, but the orderbook holds 221 product tankers for a capacity of 8.97 million dwt, of which 77 for delivery in 2002 and 104 in 2003. Combined with a slowdown in the world economy, this additional capacity will indubitably weigh upon rates and therefore on second-hand values.

We would like to think that owners could refrain from having such big appetites when ordering, but the anticipated weakness of the yen, the likely reduction in construction costs and the low interest rates will doubtless make it irresistible for some. This will inevitably affect the second-hand values of even the most modern ships.


 


Shipping and Shipbuilding Markets in 2001

I N D E X

›››File
FROM THE HOME PAGE
Naviris ' joint venture, the joint venture Fincantieri-Naval Group, will be renewed.
Genoa / Paris / Rome
Pierroberto Folgiero has been appointed president, Damien Raby CEO
TX Logistik, weekly triangular intermodal service between Romania, Austria, Italy and Germany
Troisdorf / Vienna
Rail Cargo Group transforms the triangular link between Austria and the port of Trieste in two direct trains
All 16 Italian port authorities with Assoports at Seatrade Cruise Global
Fort Lauderdale
In Italy, cruising traffic shows a steady recovery
In 2022 the turnover of the CIMC resulting from the sale of the containers fell by -30.7%
Shenzhen
In the second half of the year alone, the decline was -40.4% percent.
Launched the tender for the infrastructure of the bulk terminal in the Cagliari Port
Cagliari
Amount at auction of more than 19.5 million euros
ESPO urges EU and European governments to lay out funding schemes for the installation of OPS in ports
Brussels
Satisfaction with the preliminary settlement agreement on the infrastructure for alternative fuels
UIRR recalls that it is possible to develop European intermodal transport and the necessary measures have already been suggested
Brussels
The association agreed with the dismal analysis of the European Court of Auditors ' sector.
Agreed on how to install electric charging stations for cars and trucks on the roads of the EU
Brussels
Preliminary agreement between Parliament and Council also for hydrogen filling stations
Nearly 2,000 workers in the Italian shipbuilding industry paid with irregular pay
Venice
Nearly 2,000 workers in the Italian shipbuilding industry paid with irregular pay
This is an income stream of six million euros, not subject to taxation or contribution.
The WSC against the bill that in the USA would repeal antitrust exemptions to foreign shipping companies
Washington
Foreign maritime monopolies-indicted by Costa Costa-have manipulated the maritime transport sector. Butler : misunderstanding how VSA helps supply chain to work better
BRT and the Italian subsidiary of the Geodis have been placed in judicial administration
Milan
A systematic exploitation of several thousand workers would emerge from the investigation.
Carnival realizes the best wave season ever
Carnival realizes the best wave season ever
Miami
New record bookings of cruises in both the North American and European markets
A new historical record of cruising traffic in Italian ports was expected in 2023.
Fort Lauderdale
A new historical record of cruising traffic in Italian ports was expected in 2023.
According to Cemar, passengers will be 12.8 million, with a 37.6% on 2022 and a 9.2% on the 2019
APM Terminals cooperates with Hateco in the realization of the new container terminal in Haiphong
APM Terminals cooperates with Hateco in the realization of the new container terminal in Haiphong
Two million euros for tax evasion in the logistics and home delivery sector
Trieste
Reported 20 entrepreneurs
Austria's Gebrüder Weiss has inaugurated a new logistics terminal in Tyrol
Reutte / Lauterach
It is located in Reutte, near the border between Austria and Germany
Maersk-SIPG agreement for bunkering of green methanol in the port of Shanghai
Shanghai
Expected supply from ship to ship of the new container ships ordered by the Danish company
ESPO, ships should use cold ironing systems in ports, if available, already before 2030
Brussels
Ryckbost : It is hoped that the requirements for ships related to when to use electricity at berth clarify the matter
ECSA, EU agreement on ship fuel gives strong political signal and provides clear climate goals and guidance for industry
Brussels / Rome
Assshipowners, welcome our main instances
T&E, today's EU decision marks the beginning of the end of dirty fuels in the shipping industry
Brussels
The organisation highlighted the need to prevent the agreed standards from presenting loopholes
Last year in Greece, 593 ships were subjected to repair work (-0.7%)
Pyreo
Gross tonnage tonnage has increased by 7.3%
Greek Attica bought the ro-ro ship Clementines
Kallithea
Built in 1997, it cost 13.4 million euros
RINA classifies the autonomous ride-hailing workboat of the RC Dock
RINA classifies the autonomous ride-hailing workboat of the RC Dock
Genoa
Delivered the class certificate to the first boat of a fleet that will be able to operate up to 200 miles from the coast
Charity night on board the Fantastic of GNV in support of the Stella Maris
Genoa
It was organized by the National Welfare Committee of the Gente di Mare
Poseidon Acquisition signs the final deal to buy the Atlas Corp.
London
Transaction of the value of approximately 10.9 billion
Guidelines for the safe transport of lithium-ion batteries in containers
Guidelines for the safe transport of lithium-ion batteries in containers
London
They have been published by CINS, International Group of P&I Clubs, ICHCA and TT Club
Strong criticism of the Court of European Accounts to EU policies for the development of intermodal transport
Luxembourg
Values-objective to increase the share of sustainable modes of transport these are termed unrealistic
Thursday in Livorno a workshop on autonomous navigation
Livorno
Event organized as part of the 5G Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship project
In 2022, China's Sinotrans reported record profits despite a -12.5% percent decline in revenue.
Beijing
In 2022, China's Sinotrans reported record profits despite a -12.5% percent decline in revenue.
The reduction of business volume has been generated in the segments of maritime shipments and e-commerce
In 2022, short sea shipping in Spain experienced a slight decline of -0.4% percent.
Madrid
In 2022, short sea shipping in Spain experienced a slight decline of -0.4% percent.
The only international shipping of ro-ro cargoes marked an increase of 8.0% percent (for the first time since the 2016 percent drop in traffic with Italy)
Pimlico Shipping (Brothers Cosulich) buys a revamped
Genoa
The ship, of 7,967 tpl, will be rented to bare boat from the Argo Shipping
SAILING LIST
Visual Sailing List
Departure ports
Arrival ports by:
- alphabetical order
- country
- geographical areas
Giorgio Bucchioni has passed away, a reference point of breaking and national portions.
Giorgio Bucchioni has passed away, a reference point of breaking and national portions.
The Spezia
Among the institutional assignments, he was Chairman of the Port Authority of Spezia and Confindustria La Spezia
Liberty Lines orders three more monocarena naval vehicles at Spanish shipyard Armon
Belrose
Liberty Lines orders three more monocarena naval vehicles at Spanish shipyard Armon
They will add to the nine already commissioned
Ceremony of laying of the keel of the Silver Ray by Silversea Cruises
Papenburg
The luxury cruise ship is under construction at Meyer Werft
Launched in China the first of two LNG Small Scale & Bunker ships for Fratelli Cosulich
Genoa
Will be taken in delivery in September
The CDA of Interporto Padova unanimously approved the draft budget 2022
Padova
Profit after taxes in line with that of the previous financial year
In Genoa, a centre for the development of new technologies for decarbonisation of shipping has been inaugurated.
Genoa
CapLab will be managed by Ecospray Technologies and the DICCA of the University of Genoa
Collaboration Agreement between the AdSP of the South Tyrreno and Ionian Seas and the University of Calabria
Cowithout
The agreement covers several areas of activity and expertise
In 2022 the transits of trucks through the Swiss Alps decreased by -1.7% percent. Stagnation of rail transport
Bern
In 2022 the transits of trucks through the Swiss Alps decreased by -1.7% percent.  Stagnation of rail transport
Still far away the goal of the transfer of the loads from the road to the rail
In the only fourth quarter of 2022, HHLA Group revenues grew by 4.9%
Hamburg
Operating profit fell by -8.8%
Touax closes 2022 with record revenue
Paris
Expected in 2023 normalization of the container market
E-fuel should only be reserved for air and sea transport
Rome
It highlights an analysis of Transport & Environment, which considers them not useful to decarbonisation of road transport
Agreement between five international organisations to increase the safe transport of cargo in containers
London
Memorandum of understanding subscribed by CINS, CHIRP, COA, ICHCA and SMDG
The port of Livorno initiates an agreement with the Uruguayan ANP for the development of traffics, in particular of forest
Livorno
The port of Livorno initiates an agreement with the Uruguayan ANP for the development of traffics, in particular of forest
In 2022, the labronic climber handled 2.13 million tonnes.
Rixi reassures on the implementation of the sea rollover of the Fincantieri shipyard of Sestri Ponente
Genoa
Rixi reassures on the implementation of the sea rollover of the Fincantieri shipyard of Sestri Ponente
MIT will launch the discussion with Italian Railway Network for moving the railway line
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
Thursday in Livorno a workshop on autonomous navigation
Livorno
Event organized as part of the 5G Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship project
On April 18 Assiterminal will be confronted with politicians and practitioners on the challenges of portugal
Genoa
Meeting at the headquarters of the Federation of the Sea in Rome
››› Meetings File
PRESS REVIEW
Port concession saved Nigeria's economy N3.9tr - Haastrup
(Vanguard)
Can the return of international cruises bolster Japan's beleaguered tourism industry?
(The Japan Times)
››› Press Review File
FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics
Relazione del presidente Daniele Rossi
Napoli, 30 settembre 2020
››› File
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