Orderbook
The total tonnage on order at shipyards but not yet delivered — the pipeline of future fleet supply.
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.
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
Selling 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.
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.