Breakbulk carriers

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.

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.

Newbuilding investments in the multipurpose and heavy-lift fleet will be crucial to the global push to decarbonize energy.

Breakbulk carriers and their clients must prepare for the EUs new emissions trading system before the Jan. 1 start

Weak construction and manufacturing demand, inflation fears and continued economic uncertainty are weighing on global steel volumes, a key commodity for multipurpose vessels.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Traditional 3PL provider CEVA plans to lease four new hybrid ro-ro vessels chartered by parent company CMA CGM.

Multipurpose and heavy-lift carriers expect short-term rate pain but a rising market further out, analysts say.

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.

Tim Kopfensteiner will become president of MPV carrier BBC Chartering’s US operations following Per Petersen’s retirement later this year.

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.

Multipurpose carrier analysts report short-term rate softening and a looser spot market, but there is confidence in longer-term energy and renewables demand.

Vehicle demand is expected to offset declining high-and-heavy volumes in 2023, according to car carriers.

New operator Swire is growing its fleet and gearing up to move cargo for the busy Australian minerals and energy markets.

MPV and heavy-lift vessel owners need clarity on emissions, alternative fuels, and regulations before committing to new vessel schemes.

Despite a temporary lull, heavy-deck carriers and industry analysts see a “mind-boggling” outlook for global offshore wind demand.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Moving a significant share of Europe’s inland cargo from road to rail will be costly and challenging, but it is achievable through better utilization of door-to-door combined transport, a new report has found.

US-based MPV operator Intermarine is expanding into Asia and Europe via a partnership with Thailand’s WeShip.

Union workers at Mobile’s breakbulk and general cargo docks are the only ones working for a maritime employer without a ratified contract during the ILA’s current 2018-2024 master contract term.

The ILA’s local union at Mobile’s general cargo and breakbulk docks may walk off the job this week if a deal can’t be reached with breakbulk stevedore CSA Equipment.

Multipurpose and heavy-lift carrier AAL is aiming to increase tonnage despite market volatility as it pursues “long-term sustainable expansion.”

A handful of reefer carriers, having received an unexpected shot in the arm during the pandemic, are adding vessel capacity despite the long-term decline of this niche fleet.

The MPV sector’s long-term outlook remains strong, but shippers are holding off booking in the hope that rates will continue to slide, analysts say.

The specialized reefer fleet has been shrinking for years as perishables shippers have migrated away from breakbulk shipping to refrigerated containers carried on global liner services, but “the mode keeps rescuing itself,” says one observer.

Container carriers are adding incremental capacity to their regional and feeder liner services with MPV and other non-container ships, maritime analyst Alphaliner says.

While spillover cargo flows back to the container market, a strong breakbulk market is keeping the MPV sector afloat.

Pandemic congestion may be easing as container rates fall, but breakbulk spillover cargo shows no sign of slowing at the Port of New Orleans.