Shipping markets’ volatility even more pronounced in 2022

Shipping markets’ volatility even more pronounced in 2022

The shipping markets have had to navigate even more turbulent waters so far in 2022, than in the past couple of years, of COVID and supply chain disruptions. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Allied Shipbroking said that “despite having gone through 2 years of COVID-19 lockdowns and supply chain disruptions, shipping markets have found 2022 much more difficult to navigate. The year so far has been fairly volatile, even by recent standards, while as we slowly reach the end of Q2, this volatility in global markets has still not eased. Yet despite all this turbulence, for the time being, the majority of the shipping market has not only managed to hold their bullish ground but in some cases even managed to find support for a strong recovery (such in the case of tankers). This has of course brought with it a renewed sense of optimism, the likes of which we haven’t seen for more than a decade”.

According to Mr. George Lazaridis, Allied’s Head of Research & Valuations, “across many shipping sectors, average earnings are holding at decade-high levels, while renewed interest for investments and newbuilding orders (albeit these have in their majority centred around the Containership and Gas carrier markets for now) has elevated SnP market transactions to similar highs. Yet amidst all this high optimism, the global economy seems to be showing signs of strain and buckling under the pressure. Since the second half of 2021, economists have been trying to grapple with how best to fight off the rising inflation that had accumulated during the “COVID years”.

Source: Allied Shipbroking

By that time, it was already starting to become evident that it would not subside quickly nor was it only a temporary effect as part of the disruptions being noted on supply chains. The majority of the main industrial commodities had already managed to upkeep most of their price gains, passing on their inflation down the supply chain, while in the case of energy commodities such as coal and oil, they were in a perfect state to tip-off into an even grander “energy shock” such as the one that eventually transpired from late February onwards as the situation in Ukraine started to escalate”.

Lazaridis added that “the inflationary shocks that have been noted up to now seem to still be well countered by strong demand and consumption levels fueled by the massive loosening of monetary policy in the West as well as the disproportionate amount of savings most consumers in the US and Europe had amassed during their respective lockdowns. This pent-up demand however has an end date and can’t keep the global economy in balance for perpetuity. At the same time, it is worth pointing out that it’s the less developed economies that are under the biggest threat at this point and where most of the attention should be focused. Given the constant battle they have to undertake against the increasing prices and shortages on key food and energy commodities, they are on a very precarious balance that can’t last much longer.

Source: Allied Shipbroking

If these economic and trading partners were to falter on their obligations, we would surely see a domino effect unfold. Shipping markets however are, as of yet, far from negatively affected by all of this up to this point. The bolstered demand and longer tonne-miles that emerged from all these disruptions have benefited the majority of sectors. At the same time there is a sense of optimism that is based on the fact that for sectors such as that of dry bulkers and tankers, their orderbook stands at historically low levels and seems to still be dropping, leaving as such markets with very limited risk of a supply glut in the making. As such, one would expect that they are primed to benefit extremely well if demand were to make a sharp rise, but also capable to better manage and self-correct in the case that demand starts to slump. The crucial question in regard to the latter risk, however, is to what extent?”, Allied’s analyst concluded.
Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

Share this post:

Share on linkedin

LinkedIn

Share on facebook

Facebook

Share on twitter

Twitter

Share on pinterest

Pinterest

Share on tumblr

Tumblr

AMG Logistics is a Lagos-based TRACE certified logistics company. Our services include Freight Forwarding, Customs Clearance, Trucking, Distribution, and Warehousing within Nigeria.

CONTACT US

Tel: +234 909 199 9866

sales.nigeria@amglogistics.com
+234 909 199 9866

customer.services@amglogistics.com
+234 909 199 9841

cs.abuja@amglogistics.com
+234 909 199 9805

documentation.department@amglogistics.com
+234 909 199 9813

AMG Logistics Locations

HEAD OFFICE
7c Creek Road
Apapa
Lagos

ABUJA BRANCH
B3 ground floor
84 Keane Nkrumah Street
Asokoro Business & Lifestyle centre
Abuja

PORT HARCOURT BRANCH
NAMA Admin Building
Port Harcourt International Airport
Omagwa
River State

LET US CONTACT YOU

CONTACT US NOW