EDITORIAL NO 010 | 2020

The global economic slowdown caused by coronavirus continued to depress shipbuilding orders this week. South Korean yards reported more active orders, with large deals for shuttle tankers, product tankers and a chemical tanker. Chinese orders remained at a low level with deals for chemical tankers reported, but with unconfirmed talk of a major container ship order for a Chinese yard. The naval sector was active. Canada has started the process to build coast guard icebreakers, and signs are that the U.S. Navy is soon to award a huge order for frigates. Coastguard vessels were ordered in Croatia, and Russia’s long-awaited order for helicopter carrier/landing vessels is expected in a matter of weeks.