Introduction The Container market is recovering well from the global pandemic and we have witnessed rates within the sector soaring to 7-year highs. A strong rebound in demand has created a shortage of supply. One of the largest increases in rates has been seen in the 8,500 TEU sector where 1-year time charter rates have …

January 2020: Looking good Total COVID-19 cases = unknown  The quiet before the storm. The Cruise industry had enormous momentum going into 2020. Sailings were at a record high, following a fruitful 2017 and 2018, with 35 and 43 orders placed, respectively. Cruise companies were in good shape, stock for Royal Caribbean Cruises for example …

The New Rules Recently, both Malta and France have important updates relating to VAT due on both long and short term Superyacht charters (or leases). In France, the previous fixed rate reduction of 50%, bringing VAT down from 20% – 10%, is no longer accepted. Instead, the holiday maker (charterer) qualifies for a tax reduction …

The UK Government’s £77.6 million freight contract agreement with leading RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) Operators Stena Line, DFDS, Brittany Ferries and P&O last month was deemed as “necessary to safeguard the smooth and successful flow of freight” as per Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport. Essentially, freight capacity has been bought by the UK Government for the …

The shipping industry is in an interesting position. COVID-19 is wreaking havoc across the world, causing regional and national lockdowns, transforming the way in which ordinary people go about their daily lives, and forcing industries to rethink their usual practices. Despite this ongoing situation, the shipping industry still has to function in order to ensure …

It has been a tough few years for the Vehicle Carrier market. We have seen charter rates for 6,500 CEU vessels fall by more than 40% to $10,000/day in 2020, demand for global light vehicles flatlined in 2018 then collapsed in 2020, and as a result values have come under significant pressure. The industry entered …

Let’s forget morals, politics or personal opinion and instead look at VesselsValue’s trade data to construct an informed view on which party would be better for the shipping markets. Tankers for Trump Headline: Trump’s support of US crude production, his sanctioning of Iran and temporary blacklisting of certain fleets of large Tankers has been beneficial …

Unsurprisingly, trades between China and the US faltered at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic back in February 2020, but a clear recovery has since been made on the popular container route. Container journeys so far this year between China and the US have totalled over 500, 10% more than during the same period in …

Global renewable energy could help a post COVID-19 economic recovery according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). According to IRENA offshore wind costs have fallen by 29% between 2010 and 2019 from £124 per Mwh to £88 per Mwh (megawatt hour). This lowering of costs can be attributed to increases in turbine technology including …