In Dry Bulk Market,International Shipping News 18/03/2017
The industry remains well on target for profitable freight rates in 2019! This relies however, on the projected fleet supply growth rate of 0% in 2017 continuing. The handymax segment may even see profits in 2018 as demand may go beyond 2% in 2017 – before reverting to 2% in 2018 onwards. In 2016, the supply side grew by 3.0% and the demand side grew by 2.4% – measured on a tonnemile basis.
This resulted in a worsening of the fundamental market balance. However, as the original “Road to Recovery” in May 2016 projected an even worse fundamental deterioration in 2016 – we are today, in a relatively better position than anticipated nine months ago.
BIMCO’s Chief Shipping Analyst Peter Sand comments:
“Estimating a return to profitability in the dry bulk industry remains a moving target, and one that differs from one company to the next. But by projecting a course for profitability, everyone in the industry can use it as a reference.The fact that the first half of February 2017 was a troublesome period came as no surprise and it makes the strong comeback in the following month stand out as even more remarkable. During that time, the BDI went from 688 to 1,147.This lift in freight rates is certainly positive, but there is still work to be done on the supply side. A significant level of demolition activity must be maintained, and increasing focus must also be on keeping slow steaming around”.
Source: BIMCO estimates (2017-), BIMCO utilisation est. (2007-2023), Clarksons demand growth rates (2007-2017)
Note: Net supply growth of 0 million DWT in 2017. Demand growth rate of 2.2% in 2017. Note: The years circled are where demand growth outstrips supply growth = improving the market.
What has changed? Besides a relatively better fundamental balance, mostly the daily running costs! The drop in OPEX more than makes up for the fundamental deterioration of the freight market. Speed may also be a factor coming into play as renewed optimism and upwardly moving freight rates are often followed by a less intense focus on maintaining slow steaming.
In total, freight rates will be slightly higher than originally projected for the coming years. Combining the relatively better freight market, with a 10-year-low OPEX level in 2016 – the dry bulk industry remains on the road to recovery.
Even small changes matter
Using the assumptions already mentioned above for the supply and demand side, a further drop in OPEX of 5% will also bring profits for the handysize sector in 2018. This will then mean a justprofitable industry in 2018 overall. However, not profitable for all the sub-sectors, as the panamax and capesize sectors are estimated to remain in the red.
Moreover, a higher supply side growth rate than 0% in 2017, which BIMCO expect to be the case, may not completely wipe out recovery in 2019. As demand is expected above 2% as a target growth in 2017, ‘damage’ from a slip on the supply side is reduced by a stronger demand side.
Source: Peter Sand, Chief Shipping Analyst; BIMCO
