Clarksons issues mid-year review of shipping markets

Clarksons Research has this week released its mid-year review of shipping markets.  Cross-market day rate tracker the ClarkSea Index softened overall by ‘only’ 5% year-on-year in 1H to $24,101/day, but excluding container markets (+79% y-o-y), the index was otherwise down 31% y-o-y, with tankers declining 33%, bulkers 31% and LPG 22%.

Summarising the mid-year trends, Steve Gordon, Global Head of Clarksons Research, said it had been especially ‘tricky’ reading the markets during the past half-year with shipping often ‘at the frontline’ of geopolitical uncertainties.

Global seaborne trade volumes were stable at 12.6n tonnes per year, he said, but growth varied across segments as underlying Chinese economic trends introduced weakness and US tariff policy increased complexity.

Global shipbuilding output was stable year on year - with China accounting for 48%, Korea 31% and Japan 13% - while new orders for China dropped to a 52% share vs 70% in 2024.

Fleet supply growth remains below trend overall, Gordon added, with demolition expected to increase going forward and ageing demographics supportive of fleet renewal.

‘Green Transition’ consensus weakened, the Clarkson review noted, but remains a key underlying trend and economic opportunity, while energy transition and energy security remain trends supporting gas and offshore.