SIMIC

THE ClarkSea overall day rate on the charter index that covers tankers, bulk carriers, containerships and gas carriers increased 30 per cent in 2022 year on year to reach an all-time annual high of US$37,253/day.
The London maritime research house and ship broker Clarksons started its index in 1990, noted Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide.
The maritime sector managed wide ranging disruption during 2022 from global events including the onset of the Ukraine war, continued impacts from the Covid crisis as well as a slowing world economy and inflation.
The container sector began the year at record levels with freight and charter rates peaking at around five to six times the start 2020 levels, but it experienced a sharp correction in 2H as trade volumes and congestion unwound. Although charter rates remained well above 2020 levels for the moment, freight rates have returned to 2020 levels.
Among bulkers, rates eased in 2022 amid pressure on demand and easing congestion, with average bulk carrier earnings falling 24 per cent year on year to $20,478/day. Rates were more resilient in the smaller sizes where rate levels remained fairly "healthy" for much of the year.
An average supramax trip earnings fell 14 per cent to $23,467/day in 2022, while capesize earnings, influenced by soft Chinese demand, dropped 58 per cent to $11,877/day.
The tanker market saw big improvement through 2022, benefitting from the redistribution of Russian exports / European imports as a result of the Ukraine war and the impact of direct sanctions on tonnage, as well as improved global oil demand and supply post-Covid.
Tanker earnings averaged $40,766/day, more than four times the 30-year low of $7,127/day recorded in 2021. Trends were especially strong in the mid-sized crude and products segments, with VLCC earnings averaging $23,885/day (up from $3,000/day in 2021), Aframax earnings averaging a record $55,967/day (up 579 per cent on 2021) and MR earnings averaging a record $31,775/day (up 371 per cent).
LNG dayrates reached all-time highs, with short term spot rates and one year TC rates both averaging around $130,000/day in 2022 for a 160k cbm unit (spot rates peaking at $450,000/day in November), amid a focus on energy security (particularly in Europe). Newbuild investment also rose to reach a new record, with 186 vessels of an estimated $39 billion ordered in 2022, more than double the previous annual record set in 2021.
LPG: Very large gas carriers spot earnings rose 53 per cent to $54,088/day, on the back of improving exports from key supplier regions and impacts from vessel delays in some regions.
Chemical tanker term rates rose firmly through 2022, benefitting from reduced competition from swing tonnage amid the very strong clean products market. The one year TC for a 19,999-dwt ship reached $21,500/day by end year, up from $13,250/day at the start of the year.
Car carriers rates hit all-time highs, on the back of a post-Covid rebound in car trade, a boost to vessel demand from shifting trade flows and ongoing congestion. By end 2022 the one year TC rate for a 6,500 ceu PCTC stood at $105,000/day, up from $20,000/day in early 2021.