According to the survey, there was evidence of increased
enthusiasm for new investment, although doubts persisted about the availability
of bank finance.
In May 2013, the average confidence level expressed by
respondents in the markets in which they operate was 5.9 on a scale of 1to
10, compared to the figure of 5.8 recorded in the previous survey in February
2013.
It marks the highest figure since a 6.0 recorded in November
2010. The survey was launched in May 2008 with a confidence rating of 6.8.
The likelihood of survey respondents making a major
investment or significant development over the next 12 months was up marginally
from the previous survey. On a scale of 1 to 10, the number rose from 5.5 to
5.6 – the highest level since a 5.7 was recorded in February 2011.
Demand trends, competition and finance costs were the top
three factors cited by respondents overall as those likely to influence
performance most significantly over the coming year.
For demand trends, the overall numbers were down one
percentage point to 22 percent; competition numbers were static at 20; and
finance costs were also unchanged at 16 percent, according to Moore Stephens.
After the top three, tonnage supply was in fourth place at
12 percent, a decrease of one percentage point from the previous three month
period.
The number of respondents overall who expressed an increased
expectation of higher rates in the tanker sector over the next 12 months was up
by two percentage points to 37 percent. For the dry bulk sector, there was a 10
percentage-point fall, from the highest figure in the life of the survey three
months ago to 40 percent this time, in the overall numbers of those
anticipating rate increases.
In the container ship market, there was an eight percentage-point
fall in the overall numbers expecting rates to go up, to 26 percent from 34
percent.
