Newbuild prices edge down

Latest data from Clarksons Research shows that after three bumper years of orders, the appetite for newbuilds among owners is weak, down 57% year-on-year, which has also seen newbuild prices finally edge down.

Clarksons is reporting newbuild prices are down 1.2% from the start of 2025, though they are still historically firm.

Prices have dropped most notably in the tanker sector, down 5% versus the start of 2025. Newbuild prices have also softened in other sectors, with bulker and containership prices down 2.2% and 1.4%, respectively.

Danish Ship Finance has also forecast that newbuilding prices will decline in the near term, with the number of shipyards securing new orders may fall as the appetite for new vessels wanes along with what it sees as softening freight rates.

“We expect that current worldwide uncertainties will prevail, with a renewed pressure on freight markets delaying investment decisions. The new wave of shipbuilding expansion will have a downward impact on newbuilding prices, which should weaken during 2025 by more than 10% depending on type and size of ships, despite the resistance that will remain given the considerable orderbooks,” broker BRS predicted in its annual review published towards the end of March.