Global shipping’s sustained oversupply keeps outlook negative

“Substantial oversupply will constrain freight rates for at least the next 18 months, particularly weighing on earnings in the dry-bulk and crude oil tanker segments, while falling US crude oil imports and declining European demand are likely to depress seaborne deliveries,” says Marco Vetulli, a Vice President – Senior Credit Officer in Moody’s Corporate Finance Group and author of the report. “We expect aggregate EBITDA in the global shipping industry to decline by around 5%-10% in 2013.”

Moody’s does not expect to see a major improvement in the container segment’s financial performance in 2013 as it is the most sensitive to bunker fuel costs, which are likely to remain high. However, the container segment has the potential to outperform other shipping sectors this year if players maintain market discipline through proactive fleet management, such as laying up ships to reduce supply, and control costs.

Shipping finance will remain tight with selective bank lending continuing. In general, rated shipping companies have stronger liquidity than the industry average, which should enhance their ability to weather challenges posed by the weak operating environment. The strongest operators may also have access to bond financing.