Clarkson: “recession in the mind, not its pocketbook”

London: Shipping today, although supposedly in deep crisis, is in reality still wallowing in cash after one of the best years in its history.

This is the conclusion of Martin Stopford, Clarkson’s research boss, writing in the firm’s latest weekly report. Although the Clarksea index hit a new all-time low of $7,500 a few days ago, the last 12 months is still one of the most profitable on record. Since its peak - $50,381 a day last May, the index has lost about $1,000 each week. However, the 12-month rolling average of the index, which covers the tanker, bulk carrier, gas and containership sectors and is therefore a good reflection of the industry generally, is still at $26,000 a day, admittedly down from its 2008 peak of $38,950, but still not far below the previous all-time peak of $30,000 in May 2005. “From a financial point of view, these numbers tell us that recession is in the industry’s mind, not its pocketbook,” Stopford says.
Read More