COVID-19 may lead to delays at Japanese and Korean shipyards
Six MR chemical/products tankers to be delivered by Korea in March
Chart shows scheduled deliveries of chemical and chemical/product tankers for each country
Japanese and Korean shipyards that are using equipment and steel plates made in China may experience possible delays in delivery of newbuildings with the temporary closure of some Chinese plants and factories because of COVID-19 (Tradewinds). Though operations have restarted in selected plants and factories, labour shortages due to quarantine policies and transport issues may still affect production in the near future. Shipbuilding operations in Japan and Korea may face issues with the busiest months in terms of chemical tanker deliveries falling in May to June for Japan, along with March and May to July for Korea. For Japan, 11 vessels are scheduled for delivery in March. All 6 vessels slated for delivery from Korea in March are MR-sized and above.