Structure, ownership and registration of the world fleet

This chapter reviews the supply-side dynamics of the world maritime industry. The information and data comprehensively cover the structure, ownership and registration of the world fleet. The chapter also reviews deliveries and demolition of ships, tonnage on order, newbuilding prices and markets for second-hand tonnage. The world merchant fleet expanded by 7.2 per cent during 2007, to 1.12 billion deadweight tons (dwt) at the beginning of 2008. With historically high demand for shipping capacity, the shipping industry responded by ordering new tonnage, especially in the dry bulk sector. Vessel orders are at their highest level ever, reaching 10,053 ships with a total tonnage of 495 million dwt, including 222 million dwt of dry bulk carriers. This represents 28 per cent of merchant fleet by number of vessels over 1,000 GT or, a 44 per cent in terms of volume. The average age of the world fleet decreased to 11.8 years. In container shipping, the share of gearless vessels continued to grow; the total TEU carrying capacity on the gearless cellular containerships built in 2007 amounted to 1.18 million TEUs, 8.5 times larger than the combined geared capacity of 0.14 million TEUs that entered the market during the same period.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure