It is the Bangladeshi market that has been impressing everybody of late (and for yet another week) with a lot of pent-up demand being realized and even news of some choice purchases at decent numbers on units that have managed to receive L/C approvals.Indeed, we have once again seen levels over $600/LDT in Bangladesh for the first time since the same time last year
Another solid showing from sub-continent markets has given encouragement to ship owners and cash buyers, to start testing potential prices with firm candidates. Indeed, several deals have been concluded off the back of these improved numbers, including one more Capesize bulker at firm levels basis an ‘as is’ Singapore delivery.
Following a virtually inert 2022 and a slightly busier start to 2023 at the various recycling destinations, much of the Far East was off celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year holidays this week and it has expectedly been a quieter period - in terms of sales and activity.A larger number of container vessels have so far been sold for recycling at the start of the year
A degree of increased positivity has entered recycling markets this week, said GMS, as prices push on in both India (off the back of firming steel and settling currencies) and Bangladesh (off of a rising demand and a currency that has recently found its stability around BDT 105).In fact, a number of sales have reportedly even taken place at increasingly firm numbers
As we close out another year, sub-continent markets remain suspended at their weakest point for some time now. Pricing remains firm (given the historical price average has been around $350/LDT or so), but sentiments and conditions on the ground across all locations remain somewhat precarious.
According to GMS, "some unbelievably low and unrealistic offers" have started to emerge from sub-continent markets this week, and as such, both owners and cash buyers would be well advised to leave ship recycling destinations alone for the time-being, especially until some sort of floor is reached and stability regains a foothold.
RWO recently completed two installations of its next-gen advanced water treatment system (AWTS); the CleanSewage Membrane Reactor (CS-MBR), for Celebrity Cruises. The sewage treatment plant on the Celebrity Solstice-class vessels, Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection, have been upgraded to the CS-MBR system, with an additional three orders placed to complete the fleet-wide upgrade.
Any vessels that were made available over the past few weeks have swiftly been withdrawn as recycling markets show an ineptitude to offer any sort of serious numbers, having seemingly forgotten how to buy ships after a prolonged period on the sidelines.Consequently, there have been no market sales for another week
As we head into the fourth quarter of the year, activity seems to be increasing in terms of general availability of candidates and demand from sub-continent Buyers for tonnage. It has been an extremely inert summer / monsoon period across all markets, as rates have cooled off tremendously due to sliding steel plate prices and collapsing currencies.
The international ship recycling malaise that has gripped the markets over these recent / summer months continues for another week, with minimal-to-no activity and barely any firm interest from recyclers, while fundamentals remain ever so fragile.Steel plate prices have once again started to display their share of volatility in India
Sub-continent markets are going to be (seemingly) deprived of tonnage in the foreseeable future, as recycling rates continue their downward descent and tighter restrictions are placed on importing large LDT tonnage into Bangladesh and now Pakistan (with limits on large $ value L/Cs).
Following the recent dramatic price plunges which have seen almost $100/LDT wiped off prices, the ship recycling industry in the Indian sub-continent seems to be taking a bit of a pause, as end buyers remain less than confident to offer any firm prices with certainty, according to GMS.