Ships' values soar
It is indeed a record. According to data from Clarkson Research, the value of the global merchant fleet has surpassed a trillion dollars in April due to rising prices for second-hand ships, especially in the container and bulk sectors.
The broker's general second-hand price index has risen 33% since September last year to reach its highest value in seven years, putting the current value of the global merchant fleet at precisely USD 1.042 trillion.
Clarkson Research states that it is the container vessel sector that has seen the largest price increase for second-hand vessels. The upward trend in the freight market in this sector has caused a 47% revaluation of the container ship fleet since June 2020.
A ship of 6,600 teu capacity and ten years old reaches USD 50 million, a price hike of 138% in this period of time. In the case of the 4,500 teu ten-year container ships, the upswing has been even greater (268%) to USD 35 million. (cd)