Global ship repair activity has jumped 7% this year, far outpacing overall fleet growth, according to new figures from Clarksons Research.
The uptick comes as an ageing fleet hits key survey milestones and as owners rush to install energy-saving technologies (ESTs) to meet tightening decarbonisation goals.
Clarksons said the 15-year anniversary of the 2009–10 shipbuilding boom has created a sharp rise in vessels now due for their third, fourth and even fifth special surveys, generating strong demand for repair slots worldwide.
While the frenzy of scrubber retrofits that choked yards in 2019 and 2020 has long faded, shipyards are now seeing a steady pipeline of decarbonisation work. More than 540 vessels have received EST retrofits so far this year, while early-stage projects for carbon capture systems and fuel conversions are beginning to emerge.
China dominates the market like never before, home to 17 of the world’s 20 busiest repair yards, cementing its position as the sector’s undisputed heavyweight.
With yard capacity tightening and off-hire days creeping up, brokers are warning that owners may soon face higher repair costs and longer waits for docking slots.
