The multipurpose shipping market will see the first signs of recovery by the end of 2017, following in the steps of the dry bulk and container shipping markets, according to the latest Multipurpose Shipping Market Review and Forecaster report published by global shipping consultancy Drewry.

Dry cargo demand is weak but strengthening with multipurpose shipping market share expected to grow at just under 2% per year to 2020. Demolition levels are up in both the multipurpose and competing sectors, whilst newbuilding ordering has waned, which will result in minimal aggregate multipurpose fleet growth to 2020.

The future market prospects for the multipurpose shipping sector are not only dependent on the supply-demand balance for that segment, but also on the other vessels that compete for breakbulk and project cargo, in particular Handy bulk carriers and container vessels.

“Slow growth in supply, alongside better growth in demand, is expected to help multipurpose charter rates in 2017 and beyond, supported by a recovery in the dry bulk market, albeit a slow one. In particular, the oversupply situation, which has dogged this sector for many years, is expected to level out in the medium term,” said Susan Oatway, lead analyst for multipurpose shipping at Drewry.

Read more at Ship Management International.