Sinokor has emerged as the dominant force reshaping suezmax pricing, committing approximately $83m per vessel for 10-year-old South Korean-built units and driving benchmark values up roughly 10% in the process, even as overall tanker sale and purchase volumes slump 63% year-on-year to just 15 reported sales compared to 40 in the same period last year, according to VesselsValue. The Korean buyer, which with partner MSC has cornered the VLCC markets in recent months, snapped up the Aegean Vision (159,000 dwt, built 2017 HHI) and the scrubber-fitted Silverway (158,000 dwt, built 2017 Sungdong) at $82 million apiece, with the Aegean Marathon (159,000 dwt, built 2016 HHI) following at the same level. Gibson notes the pricing is approaching Chinese newbuilding berth costs for 2-3 year forward delivery — potentially signalling a fleet renewal inflection point for convinced owners. “It remains very challenging to price vessels throughout all tanker segments,” Gibson acknowledged — yet those willing to transact are doing so at extraordinary levels. Dry bulk sale and purchase activity has fallen sharply, with March transactions down approximately 63% year-on-year to the lowest level since 2020, as high asset values and Middle East uncertainty combine to suppress buyer appetite, according to VesselsValue. Just 29 bulker sales have been reported this month compared to 78 in the same period last year. Yet values remain firm and the deals being done reflect continued conviction among those willing to commit. Gibson highlights kamsarmax activity as particularly notable, with Japanese interests offloading multiple vessels. The Loch Long (82,191 dwt, built 2013 Tsuneishi Zhoushan) achieved $23m, while the MG Mercury (84,790 dwt, built 2016 Imabari) netted $28.5m. The ultramaxes Casda and Gemma sold en bloc to Greek buyers for $61m. Container sale and purchase activity remained muted in March as buyers and sellers reassessed the market following the de facto closure of the Persian Gulf on February 28, according to VesselsValue — yet the second-hand market has shown notable resilience with buying interest holding firm across segments. Global spot rates for 40ft containers are up approximately 15% per Drewry, with time-charter indices beginning to firm on tighter supply, increased Asian port congestion and slowing fleet speeds. Deals continue to be struck. The Hammonia Baltica (2,790 teu, built 2011) is rumoured sold in the low $30ms to Vietnam’s Hai An, while the Erasmus Oasis (1,043 teu, built 2008) is understood to have changed hands for $11 million. The Margarete Schulte and Lucie Schulte sold en bloc to MSC for $50m. “The market remains resilient, and we expect this to continue,” Braemar concluded. TagsSplash Extra March 2026