Japan scoop orders

In September Japanese yards took orders for 38 ships (including 33 bulkers) totalling 1,350,000g bringing the total to 133 (4.8 million gross) since April. Order levels are running at twice the rate of last year with the latest orders taking the backlog to 389 vessels – up from 371 in August.

During the same period Korean yards took orders for 16 ships totalling 1,212,600g Which brings the total to 110 ships (5,795,300g) during the first nine months of this year. This is a decrease in gross tonnage of 16 per cent compared to the corresponding period of last year.