Orderbook
The total tonnage on order at shipyards but not yet delivered: the pipeline of future fleet supply.
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How it works
The orderbook is the aggregate of all vessels contracted at yards and awaiting delivery. Expressed as a percentage of the existing fleet (the orderbook-to-fleet ratio), it is the standard gauge of how much new capacity is coming to a segment.
Because ships take years to build, today’s orderbook largely determines supply growth over the next few years, a key input to any medium-term freight or asset-value view.
Where it shows up on The Maritime
Also known as: order book, orderbook ratio.
Related terms
Newbuilding
A ship ordered new from a shipyard, and the forward orderbook of such vessels that signals future fleet supply.
Demolition
The sale of a ship at the end of her life for recycling, priced per light displacement tonne (LDT).
Net Fleet Growth
The change in fleet capacity over a period (newbuilding deliveries minus demolition): the supply side of the freight balance.
More markets and pricing terms
A 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: .