Newbuilding Market Surges Despite Slow Year
The newbuilding market has shown remarkable resilience as it closed out 2025, despite an overall slowdown in contracting activity throughout the year. According to a recent report from shipbroker Intermodal, the last week of the year saw a notable uptick in newbuilding orders, particularly in the wet and containership segments. A total of 11 new orders were reported, comprising 30 firm vessels and 9 optional ones, indicating a strong finish to the year.
Key Orders and Market Activity
Intermodal’s report highlighted significant developments in various segments of the shipping industry. In the bulk carrier sector, DryDel placed an order for a 182,000 deadweight ton (dwt) unit at Namura Shipbuilding, with delivery scheduled for 2029. The wet segment also saw robust activity, with Cape Shipping contracting a 319,000 dwt crude carrier from Qingdao Beihai for $119 million, expected to be delivered in 2028. Additionally, Kyoei Tanker confirmed a 310,000 dwt crude tanker at JMU Ariake, set for delivery in 2029. CMES also made headlines by signing a deal for two 154,000 dwt shuttle tankers at DSIC, targeting delivery in 2028.
Greek interests remained active in the market, with Monte Nero securing two 114,000 dwt LR2 product carriers at Hengli Shipbuilding. The container segment saw MSC contracting six firm and six optional LNG dual-fuel units, each with a capacity of 11,400 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) at Zhoushan Changhong, scheduled for delivery in 2029. Taiwanese owner Wan Hai Lines ordered six LNG dual-fuel 6,000 TEU containerships at Huangpu Wenchong, with deliveries expected in 2030 and prices estimated between $75.2 million and $82 million. MPCC also moved forward with six units of 3,700 TEU each at Taizhou Sanfu, priced at $48.8 million each.
World’s First Methanol-Fuelled Engine Ordered for VLCC Segment
Ship Sales and Transactions in the Market
In a separate analysis, shipbroker Xclusiv reported a flurry of activity in the sale and purchase (S&P) market, particularly in the bulk carrier sector. Transactions were noted across larger and medium-sized segments. In the Capesize sector, the bulk carrier “EUROPE,” a 179,000 dwt vessel built in 2010 by Daewoo, was sold for $30.9 million to Chinese buyers. In the Panamax segment, the ice-class vessel “THE GIVER,” a 76,000 dwt ship from 2006, changed hands for $11.5 million, also to Chinese buyers. Other notable sales included the supramax “WARIYA NAREE,” sold for $9.85 million, and the handy “SEPETIBA BAY,” which fetched low to mid $11 million.
Tanker S&P activity was characterized by en bloc transactions in the LR1 segment, alongside additional sales in the MR and small tanker sectors. The sister vessels “STI GOAL” and “STI GALLANTRY,” both 110,000 dwt ships built in 2016, were sold together for $104.6 million each to undisclosed buyers. In the MR segment, the 50,000 dwt “NORD SUPERIOR,” built in 2015, was sold for $33.8 million. The small tanker “LILAC,” a 7,000 dwt vessel from 2009, was sold for $4.5 million. These transactions reflect a dynamic and active market as 2025 comes to a close.
