Charterers in a bullish mood

AS the old saying goes, you can't please all the people all the time. At the moment, it appears the shipping market is pleasing charterers but making much of the rest of industry slightly more nervous.

At least, that is a broad brush interpretation of the latest Shipping Confidence Survey from international accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens. Overall confidence levels in the shipping industry fell slightly in the three months to August but are still higher than a year ago.

However, confidence among charterers, the companies that "rent" ships from owners to carry cargo, actually reached a six-year high.

The amount of anticipated significant new investment over the next 12 months was down over the three-month period, as were expectation of improved freight rates in the dry bulk and containership sectors. Once again, the dominating concern among respondents was the perceived adverse effect on the market of an excessive amoun…