In the first part of 2025, tanker sale and purchase (S&P) activity has shown robust health, as Clarksons Research reports 409 tankers totaling 44.5 million dwt and $13.9 billion sold so far—a 27% increase in deadweight tonnage over the 2024 run rate, though only 3% up in dollar terms due to softer secondhand pricing. This signals sustained investor interest in the sector amid evolving market dynamics.
Tanker Volume Boom Amid Price Softness
Clarksons’ five-year-old tanker secondhand price index has averaged 10% lower in 2025 compared to 2024, yet volumes have climbed sharply. Prices have stabilized lately, ticking up 5% since September, with December values holding firm across most sectors. VLCCs led gains, per VesselsValue data, as 20-year-old 310,000 dwt vessels rose 7.27% month-on-month to $43.21 million, driven by demand for older, compliant tonnage amid supply constraints.
- NYK sold the 19-year-old VLCC Towada for $45.7 million.
- Cido Shipping offloaded the 14-year-old VLCCs Mermaid Hope and Mercury Hope en bloc for $120 million.
These deals highlight active trading in mid-life assets, reflecting confidence in long-term tanker demand tied to global energy flows.
Bulker and Container Markets Hold Steady
Bulker S&P has been quieter, with just 14 transactions in early December despite strong freight and charter rates. Values remain stable, but capesize older vessels gained ground—20-year-old 180,000 dwt capes up 5.42% to $19.06 million. Notable sales underscore profit potential:
- NGM Shipping flipped the 14-year-old Japanese-built Pacifist cape from $19 million to $32 million.
- NYK Bulkship sold the 2012-built 107,000 dwt NBA Rembrandt to ArcelorMittal Shipping for $18.7 million, following its sistership NBA Rubens.
In containers, S&P mirrors a cheerful charter market up 35% year-over-year, despite 45% lower spot rates per Drewry. Alphaliner notes firm prices across sizes, exemplified by the en bloc sale of 8,568 teu sisters Cypress, Koi, and Lotus A to Global Ship Lease for $90 million, with a back charter to CMA CGM.
Implications for Shipping Investment
This healthy S&P pace points to resilient shipping fundamentals, where volume growth outpaces value amid normalizing prices—potentially signaling a shift from 2024 peaks. For investors, it offers opportunities in older tonnage with compliance premiums, while stable bulker and container activity supports broader recovery. As geopolitical tensions and energy transitions reshape trade, expect continued demand for versatile fleets, bolstering sector stability into 2026.
