Current Market Reports

In August 2019, Marcon reported 97 push boats officially on the market for sale out of 774 tracked. This is down 12 from our last report published in February 2019, six less than one year ago, August 2018, and 12 more than August 2014. The average age of all push boats in the market through Marcon is 47 years, compared to 48 years one year ago and 40 years old five years ago. We have seen continued scrapping, especially within fleets trying to consolidate after recent mergers. Major owners reported tight market conditions and increased utilization for second quarter 2019.

As of June, Marcon reports 275 supply and tug supply boats officially on the market for sale out of 2,998 tracked. This is down 32 vessels or 10.42% from one year ago. The few sales there have been of OSVs remain at deeply discounted levels. It seems the longer the market takes to come back, even bargain prices are not enough to attract buyers. In the meantime, vessels languish on the market for years with market prices dropping, all while Mother Nature takes her toll on condition, further discounting the vessels' values.

As of April, Marcon reports 59 tank barges officially on the market for sale out of 692 tracked. The market for US tank barges, both inland and coastal, shows some signs of improvement over last year in regards to general utilization levels, but sales between US Buyers and Sellers remain few.

Marcon reports 218 crew, fast supply and pilot boats officially on the market for sale out of 1,153 tracked worldwide. The market continues to remain extremely soft for all types of offshore service vessels, including crew boats, as the activity levels across the board for offshore oilfield markets continue to stagnate. As brokers we are aware of some sales in this segment, but they are far and few between and at greatly reduced prices.

Marcon reports 547 tugs officially on the market for sale out of 5,038 tracked. This is down 6.5% from one year ago, mostly due to scrapping of older, lower horsepower tugs. There is still demand for good, higher horsepower, modern tugs, especially ASDs. As of end March, Marcon has sold three tugs so far this year with two about 21 year olds selling for region $1,400-$1,500/BHP and the third, 41 years of age and in the right place at the right time, selling for $374.44/BHP. In 2018, 18 tugs were sold for an average $84.39/BHP with an average age of 37 years.