Net Fleet Growth
The change in fleet capacity over a period — newbuilding deliveries minus demolition — the supply side of the freight balance.
Net fleet growth is deliveries from the orderbook less tonnage removed by demolition (and losses) over a period. It is the supply-side counterpart to trade demand: when fleet growth outruns demand, rates soften; when it lags, the market tightens.
Tracking net growth by segment shows which asset classes are oversupplied and which are tightening, independent of short-term freight noise.
On The Maritime
Also known as: fleet growth, net fleet growth, supply growth.
Related terms
Orderbook
The total tonnage on order at shipyards but not yet delivered — the pipeline of future fleet supply.
Newbuilding
A ship ordered new from a shipyard — and the forward orderbook of such vessels that signals future fleet supply.
Demolition
Selling a ship at the end of her life for recycling, priced per light displacement tonne (LDT).
Plain-English reference definition — our own explanation of a standard shipping concept, not a licensed source or legal advice. See the full glossary or the broader maritime dictionary.
Last reviewed: June 2026.