EDITORIAL NO 007 | 2020

The disruption to business in China from the coronavirus was again felt in the world shipbuilding market this week. With extended holidays and transport problems, personnel at some Chinese yards were absent. Some Chinese yards have warned customers scheduled to take deliveries of ships that force majeure may have to be declared. The general uncertainty about if the coronavirus will slow world economic growth also depressed the number of shipbuilding orders this week. Still, China received some orders for LNG carriers. South Korea won orders for e.g. product carriers and shuttle tankers. There were reports more icebreakers will be ordered in Russia while a Russian cruise ship project is also reported. Japan is being serious about its moves against alleged South Korean financial support for shipyards, opening the next stage of the World Trade Organisation complaint.