Page 23: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 1993)

WORLD SHIPBUILDING

Completions Rise, Orders Drop During 1992

The world shipbuilding numbers from 1992 were not as glowing as many had hoped, however there are some bright spots.

According to Lloyd's Register, new orders for all ship types dropped nearly 36 percent as compared to 1991 figures. To date, new orders reportedly totaled 12.8 million gross tons, roughly 5.8 million gross ton less than the same period last year.

However, ships completed dur- ing the year reportedly totaled 1,506 ships and more than 18.5 million gross tons, over 2.5 million more gross tons than the year prior.

Leading the way for 1993 and beyond, at the moment at least, are the tanker and cruise ship catego- ries. The recent proliferation of en- vironmental legislation, coupled with the age of the world tanker fleet and the ensuing pressure from the world classification societies and insurers, will pressure operators to drive tanker newbuilding in the 1990's, according to Ian Marriott,

Drewry Shipping Consultants, Ltd.,

London. According to figures com- piled by Lloyd's Register, the total tanker tonnage broken up was the largest for the past six years, and was more than 15 times the total of two years ago.

Also, according to a recent report compiled by IMA Associates, Inc. (Washington, D.C.), at the begin- ning of 1993 there were 373 tankers on order worldwide representing approximately 29.6 dwt.

Recent tanker contract news in- cludes Mitsubishi getting a $105 million contract for a 240,000-dwt

VLCC, and three Japanese firms, including Mitsubishi Heavy Indus- tries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsui Engineering and Ship- building close to an accord for seven 25 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News