More than half of shipowners will order new ships over the next five years
In this year’s survey, 54 percent of shipping companies state that they plan to order new ships or rigs over the next five years. Shipping companies estimate that they will order a total of 162 ships and eight rigs over the next five years. In particular the transport segments (deep sea and short sea) have the largest proportion of companies stating that they intend to sign contracts.
Within deep sea, almost six out of ten state that they will contract ships over the next five years. This segment accounts for almost half of the estimated contracts over the next five years, with its estimated 81 newbuildings.
We also see a great need and a strong desire for fleet renewal in short sea shipping. Nine out of ten short sea shipowners plan to order new vessels over the next five years. This means that the potential for renewal in short sea is great, and that the average age of short sea vessels will be reduced. The potential for testing new climate and environmental technology is great in short sea shipping, with shorter distances and more frequent calls than for ships in deep sea and offshore service. In total, this segment expects to contract 21 vessels over the next five years.
Almost half of offshore service companies are planning to build new ships over the next five years. In total, offshore service companies state that they estimate to contract a total of 58 vessels. Close to four out of ten rig companies state that they anticipate building a total of eight rigs.
New construction is also expected in the passenger ship segment. It is estimated that two new ships will be contracted over the next five years.
Norwegian shipowners are very important to Norwegian shipyards and the supplier industry. Contracting new ships will mean improving the order book for both Norwegian shipyards and equipment suppliers in the maritime cluster. Around two out of three shipping companies want to use Norwegian shipyards when building their vessels. But unfortunately, only one in three believes that Norwegian shipyards will be relevant.
Among short sea shipowners, none consider Norwegian shipyards to be relevant. The figure is significantly higher in offshore service, where three out of four state that Norwegian shipyards will be relevant when building ships. Within the passenger segment, Norwegian shipyards are seen as both desirable and relevant for shipbuilding. Within the deep sea, no shipowners consider Norwegian shipyards to be relevant.
When shipping companies are asked which barriers prevent them from choosing Norwegian shipyards, more than 90 percent reply that costs are an obstacle. For deep sea shipowners, it is a combination of costs and capacity. Part of the explanation lies in the size of the docks at shipyards and Norwegian shipyards’ inability to deliver large bulk or tankers.
For the short sea segment, costs are the only barrier. This shows that there is a great potential for building short sea vessels in Norway, if construction costs are reduced. If more ships are built in Norway, it will mean ripple effects for the maritime clusters along the coast, and an increase of activity at the shipyards, which have faced a very demanding situation since the fall in oil prices.
For offshore service shipping companies, Norwegian shipyards are still relevant for shipbuilding, and a growing order book from offshore service shipping companies is welcome news for the shipbuilding industry and the rest of the Norwegian maritime industry.