Current Market Reports

Inland Pushboat Market Report - Dec 2023

In December 2023, Marcon reported 45 push boats officially on the market for sale out of 819 tracked. This is down from one and five years ago. The U.S. inland market seemed slower in 2023 than in 2022, with continuing low water levels, lingering effects from the pandemic shutdown and long distance impact of hostile actions in key foreign ports. However, operators saw high utilization and strong charter rates for both inland towboats and barges. Marcon continues to see a very limited supply of good second-hand tonnage for sale.

Tug Market Report - Nov 2023

In November, Marcon reported 268 tugs officially on the market for sale out of 5,149 tracked. This is down 34% from one year ago and 51% from five years ago. Marcon closed 32 sales and charters in 2023. These sales included 12 twin screw tugs totaling 48,990BHP. The second-hand tug market in the U.S. was very active over 2023 with available tonnage that is USCG Certified becoming scarce. Owners are upgrading older tonnage to meet changing requirements as newbuild costs have risen substantially and delivery delays are quite extensive. There is very little to offer on the market currently, especially for Z-pellar tugs.

Tank Barge Market Report - Oct 2023

As of October, Marcon had 12 inland and 22 ocean/coastal tank barges available for sale out of 676 tracked. Since our last report, the generally improved market for inland and coastal tank barge service in the U.S. has continued to maintain momentum into this past quarter of 2023. Year on year spot pricing is reported to be improving in both segments, and term contracts are being renewed at higher rates than a year ago as well. However, low river levels and Illinois lock closures caused drops in overall inland utilization, compared to this time last year. In the coastal market we have seen a drop in available tonnage during the past six to eight months with good utilization levels being advised.

Offshore Market Report - Sept 2023

In our September 2023 offshore market report, Marcon reports 355 supply, tug supply, crew, fast supply and pilot boats officially on the market for sale out of 4,075 tracked worldwide. We have fewer offshore support vessels listed for sale now compared to one and five years ago. We expect the U.S. mini supply / DP1 vessel market to soften in the coming months due to the end of the season for P&A work. However, we see rates remaining high and tight availability for bigger DP2 over 240' supply vessels working long term deepwater projects. Demand and supply has been impacted by the offshore windfarm markets as new projects are announced or plans are abandoned. So far in 2023, Marcon International has sold three platform supply and three anchor handling tug supply vessels.