Breakbulk carriers

News and analysis of carriers serving the breakbulk, heavy-lift, and project cargo markets

The latest Breakbulk carriers News & Analysis

MPV/HL carriers weigh costly, time-consuming alternatives to Panama Canal

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Low water restrictions and “exorbitant” costs for rare transit slots through the drought-hit waterway mean tramp breakbulk and heavy-lift carriers must use longer ocean routes, thus increasing voyage costs.
Breakbulk NewsMaritimeBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Swire Projects launches project cargo liner service to avoid Panama Canal delays

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
The service was previously operated on an ad hoc basis but is being upgraded due to growing demand for breakbulk and project cargo into the US West Coast to avoid restrictions and delays through the drought-hit waterway.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

MPV indices from Toepfer, Drewry continue down different paths

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
While long-term optimism supports the MPV market, industry analysts see short-term divergence in time charter rate averages.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersEnergy projects

Cosco, Varamar expand MPV reach with strategic partnership

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
The aim of the venture is to broaden the scope of the companies’ current operations, both geographically and in vessel size.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriers

Panama Canal woes present nightmare for Latin American perishables trade: analyst

Richard Bright, Journal of Commerce analyst |
The phased reduction in the number of transits coincides with peak banana exports from Ecuador and the start of the deciduous fruit season in the southern hemisphere.
Cool Cargo NewsBreakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriers

Breakbulk sector poised for boost amid rising commodity prices

Susan Oatway, Research Analyst for Breakbulk and Project Cargo |
Commodity prices continue to rise, leading to further investments in mining, agriculture and oil and gas projects, all of which is good news for breakbulk and project shippers and their service providers.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargoRo/ro cargo

Global ro/ro carriers take steps to boost fire safety

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Although there is little evidence that EVs are a greater fire hazard aboard ro/ro ships than traditional internal combustion vehicles, carriers are ramping up their safety measures.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersRo/ro cargo

Lack of investment constraining US breakbulk port capacity

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
The funding shortage for breakbulk port facilities will create severe constraints on both cargo owners and vessel operators as offshore wind construction accelerates and new types of energy projects are developed.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargoRo/ro cargoEnergy projectsHeavy-haul transportPort News

Key multipurpose index softens as summer slide continues into fall

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
Multipurpose owners and operators are growing increasingly wary of the breakbulk market’s downward trend as cargoes remain hard to find and the wind energy market falters.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersEnergy projects

Global MPV indexes diverge amid strength in European short-sea trade

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
Toepfer’s multipurpose index has maintained its downward momentum due partly to a delay in the emergence of wind cargoes, while Drewry’s index showed some signs of life following a summer dip.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargoEnergy projects

Global MPV/HL fleet is “between technologies”: carriers

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
MPV newbuildings are being designed for higher cargo intake and improved efficiency, but any consensus on green fuels and propulsion systems remains elusive.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargoEnergy projects

Intermarine, JSA target Chilean metals, energy markets with new subsidiary

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Affiliated carriers Intermarine and Jumbo-SAL-Alliance are poised to reap new cargo from the expected growth boom in South American mining, green fuels and wind.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Lack of cargoes holding down MPV rates in near-term: analysts

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, and Susan Oatway, Research Analyst for Breakbulk and Project Cargo |
Despite having fewer cargoes for which to compete, some bulk operators are beefing up their staff of project cargo specialists, implying that those carriers are sensing opportunities ahead.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

MPV/HL orders scarce despite need for sustainable fleet

Susan Oatway, Research Analyst, Breakbulk and Project Cargo, Journal of Commerce |
Newbuilding investments in the multipurpose and heavy-lift fleet will be crucial to the global push to decarbonize energy.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriers

Breakbulk sector preps for EU emissions trading system

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
Breakbulk carriers and their clients must prepare for the EUs new emissions trading system before the Jan. 1 start
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Sliding steel demand weighs on MPV sector

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Weak construction and manufacturing demand, inflation fears and continued economic uncertainty are weighing on global steel volumes, a key commodity for multipurpose vessels.
Breakbulk carriers

Chartering slump keeps MPV sector in August ‘doldrums’

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Although the multipurpose vessel market is expected to further soften on weak charter activity in the third quarter, firmer demand is expected by the end of the year, keeping certain sectors of the market — mainly, project carriers — optimistic, analysts said.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Softening summer market weighs on Toepfer multipurpose vessel index

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
Expected demand for wind cargo, among other factors, is still driving underlying optimism in the MPV sector, but a wind turbine tech “arms race” could cast a long shadow.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersEnergy projects

Emerging from pandemic fog, global reefer market reverts to type

Richard Bright, Journal of Commerce analyst |
If the reefer mode can tough out the rest of 2023, next year should be better for operators largely because there will be more cargo, and therefore demand will be stronger, writes analyst Richard Bright.
Cool Cargo NewsBreakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersSupply chain

Cadeler, Eneti combine to create $1.3 billion wind installation vessel operator

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
The merger of wind installation vessel operators Cadeler and Eneti, which already have a combined project backlog worth $1.75 billion, was driven by an expected surge in offshore wind farm projects through 2030, Cadeler CEO Mikkel Gleerup told a webinar Friday.
Breakbulk carriersEnergy projects

Summer doldrums pressure MPV sector, but long-term view positive

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Sentiment is more positive in the longer term, with industry observers predicting a rebound in rates from 2024 onwards due to stronger cargo volumes and tight tonnage supply.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargoRo/ro cargo

Norden aims to diversify cargo base with MPV acquisition

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Norden is looking to capitalize on an expected strong project and breakbulk market with the purchase of Denmark-based multipurpose vessel (MPV) operator Thorco Projects.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Shipping icon Bertram Rickmers, 71, succumbs to injuries from fall

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor |
Visionary shipping legend Bertram Rickmers created the Pearl String, the only round-the-world breakbulk liner service, which operated from 2003 until the fall of Zeamarine in 2020.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

CEVA Logistics shifts into vessel operations with ro-ro newbuildings

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Traditional 3PL provider CEVA plans to lease four new hybrid ro-ro vessels chartered by parent company CMA CGM.
MaritimeBreakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersRo/ro cargo

Softer rates, long-term confidence provide mixed signals for MPV carriers

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, and Susan Oatway, Research Analyst for Breakbulk and Project Cargo |
Multipurpose and heavy-lift carriers expect short-term rate pain but a rising market further out, analysts say.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Boost in container ship capacity puts end to MPV spillover market

Susan Oatway, Research Analyst for Breakbulk and Project Cargo, and Eric Johnson, Senior Editor |
Cargoes “unboxed” during the pandemic market are sliding back to container carriers on the hunt for volumes to fill their ships, while excess containers on MPV ships have disappeared.
Breakbulk NewsContainer Shipping NewsTrans-PacificBreakbulk carriers

Changing of the guard in the works at BBC Chartering USA

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Tim Kopfensteiner will become president of MPV carrier BBC Chartering’s US operations following Per Petersen’s retirement later this year.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Breakbulk23: Methanol has head start in MPV green fuel race

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor |
Breakbulk and project cargo carriers are likely to take their cue from container carriers before committing to building alternative fuel ships to meet aggressive carbon reduction mandates, experts say.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

MPV sentiment improves even as short-term demand softens

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, and Susan Oatway, Research Analyst for Breakbulk and Project Cargo |
Multipurpose carrier analysts report short-term rate softening and a looser spot market, but there is confidence in longer-term energy and renewables demand.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Global car carriers see mixed outlook after stellar 2022

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Vehicle demand is expected to offset declining high-and-heavy volumes in 2023, according to car carriers.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersRo/ro cargo

MPV carrier Swire Projects eyes growth in Australian project market

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
New operator Swire is growing its fleet and gearing up to move cargo for the busy Australian minerals and energy markets.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

New IMO rules muddying vessel strategy for MPV, heavy-lift owners

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
MPV and heavy-lift vessel owners need clarity on emissions, alternative fuels, and regulations before committing to new vessel schemes.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Heavy-deck demand faltering, but long-term outlook remains strong

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Despite a temporary lull, heavy-deck carriers and industry analysts see a “mind-boggling” outlook for global offshore wind demand.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargoEnergy projects

New IMO rule at odds with practical realities: breakbulk executives

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift, and Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent |
Breakbulk industry executives warn new rules aimed at reducing vessel emissions could incentivize vessel operators to implement measures that increase emissions in other areas of the supply chain.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersTransport, Trade, and Regulation News

Multipurpose vessel rates may be at post-COVID bottom: Toepfer

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
The MPV sector’s market correction appears to have bottomed at rates still healthy for owners and carriers, even as the sector feels pressure from minor bulk carriers hunting for cargo.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriers

Breakbulk sector ‘sitting on structural overcapacity’: Dynamar

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
While market indicators such as relatively high charter rates and a strong demand outlook are promising, the Netherlands-based maritime consultancy says the stability of the breakbulk market is by no means guaranteed.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriers

MPV sector slows as rebalancing under way after ‘rush’ of pandemic market

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
Short-term uncertainty and longer-term confidence are the multipurpose sector’s new normal, analysts say, after the extreme volatility of the COVID-driven market.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

MPV rates slump as breakbulk moves back to container sector

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor |
Despite a decline in daily charter rates, the longer-term MPV outlook remains strong due to increased investments in oil and gas and renewables projects.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriers

Plenty of work in the pipeline for breakbulk carriers, but rates uncertain

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
Project and breakbulk carriers and logistics service providers have a healthy to-do list of energy-related cargo projects ahead of them; now the question is whether rates and availability will return to pre-pandemic levels.
Breakbulk NewsBreakbulk carriersProject cargoEnergy projects

Long-term demand to steady MPV/HL fleet: analysts

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift |
The multipurpose/heavy-lift vessel sector is proving to be less volatile than the container and bulk sectors as the pandemic market normalizes, analysts say.
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