Janet Nodar

An “unbroken faith” in the underlying strength of the breakbulk market is pushing up indices and bolstering the optimism of multipurpose carriers, analysts say.

An “unbroken faith” in the underlying strength of the breakbulk market is pushing up indices and bolstering the optimism of multipurpose carriers, analysts say.

The latest iteration of the multipurpose sentiment index reveals short-term optimism and little relief in sight for longer-term capacity pressures.

Multipurpose vessel (MPV) charter rates are rising as tight capacity due to diversions away from the Red Sea, port congestion and higher spot rates prompt shippers to shift containerized cargo to MPVs.

After navigating the 2019 implosion of Zeamarine and the tumultuous pandemic spillover market with MPV carrier UHL, Stehle will rejoin the project forwarding side of the breakbulk shipping segment as chief commercial officer of the Swiss forwarder deugro.

Trade disruption and related congestion, high container rates and tight capacity are pushing shippers to rethink transport modes and make early moves toward revisiting the spillover market seen during the pandemic.

Security forces preoccupied with Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and an increase in Indian Ocean shipping, thanks to ongoing route diversions, have created an opening for Somali pirates.

Managing federal funding requires transparency, early coordination between logistics and finance, and early planning with MARAD in mind.

Billions of dollars in federal funds are available to scale up innovative green energy projects, once would-be developers make it through the DOE’s loan qualification process.

The US offshore wind buildout will be a boon for Jones Act vessels in the long run, but current equipment shortages, high costs and the restrictive effects of cabotage laws are hampering initial construction.

Voyage diversions needed to avoid Panama Canal drought restrictions and the increasingly risky Red Sea route will remove multipurpose and heavy-lift capacity from the global fleet, which in turn is likely to slow the rate slide seen during 2023, analysts say.

Although carriers and project forwarders have seen lower wind volumes in some markets this year, the slowdown is bringing the US wind buildout to a more realistic level, stakeholders say.

Although carriers and project forwarders have seen lower wind volumes in some markets this year, the slowdown is bringing the US wind buildout to a more realistic level, stakeholders say.

Multipurpose owners and operators are growing increasingly wary of the breakbulk market’s downward trend as cargoes remain hard to find and the wind energy market falters.

Breakbulk carriers and their clients must prepare for the EUs new emissions trading system before the Jan. 1 start

The MPV sector’s market correction appears to have bottomed at rates still healthy for owners and carriers, even as the sector feels pressure from minor bulk carriers hunting for cargo.

Bottlenecks and a lack of needed infrastructure may put the “aspirational” global offshore wind installation schedule out of reach, an analyst says.

Breakbulk shipping: Low-code digital platform Voyager Portal is focused on reducing complexity and cost in non-containerized global shipping operations.