Large Tanker Orderbook Not as Scary as It Looks

Based on the delivery schedule of the current orderbook, deliveries of new tankers in 2017 will reach the highest level since 2009, however, Poten & Partners argues that the orderbook may not be as scary as it looks.

News ID: 71827

Date: 24 January 2017 - 10:52

While, it is difficult to see how the market can absorb such a large orderbook without further pressure on tanker rates and prices, there may be some mitigating factors to consider, MANA correspondent reported.

The Suezmaxes stand out on the crude tanker side, and if all Suezmaxes that are scheduled for delivery this year leave the shipyards on time, a total of 10.1 million dwt would be added to the fleet, well above the 2009 record of 7.1 million dwt, and two and a half times total 2016 deliveries.

The recent high-water mark for VLCCs was 2011, when 65 new units of 20.1 million dwt hit the water. This year, the yards are scheduled to deliver 15.9 million dwt, while Aframax and LR2 deliveries in this year would reach 9.4 million dwt in total. Deliveries for the Panamax/LR1 segment are expected to stand at 2.4 million dwt in 2017.

However, the main mitigating factor when considering the above fleet statistics is that there can be significant discrepancies between scheduled and actual deliveries, especially in periods with a challenging rate environment.

“Delivery delays and order cancellations picked up considerably after the tanker market dropped in 2009,” Poten & Partners said, adding that VLCCs have the highest average delivery ratio of 80%, ranging from a high of 100% in 2006/2008 to a low of 53% in 2013.

“Based on the historical variability of vessel deliveries and its apparent correlation with the freight market, 25-40% of the crude oil tanker orderbook and up to 50% of the product carriers scheduled for 2017 might not be delivered this year. The orderbook remains high, but the outlook for tanker supply in 2017 is better than a cursory look suggests,” Poten & Partners informed.