Rob Willmington
Markets Editor
Rob has two decades of experience in maritime data, research & analysis and feature writing. He has contributed to numerous B2B maritime publications including Fairplay, Fairplay Solutions, Safety at Sea, JOC and Containerisation International. In addition, he has been involved in various research projects including the IHS Markit multiclient study: ‘What bunker fuel for the high seas?'.
Rob has a particular interest in global shipbuilding, ship design and technology and vessel supply matters in the container, cruise/ferry, dry cargo, ro-ro, vehicle carrier and tanker vessel sectors.
Latest From Rob Willmington
Alternative fuel bunker fleet sees newbuildings and retrofits boost
Almost half of all bunkering vessels ordered in 2024 have been contracted to serve the burgeoning LNG dual-fuel ship fleet. At the same time, more dedicated methanol bunkering ships are being introduced through newbuildings or via retrofits of existing chemical tankers
Höegh Autoliners chief unfazed by deluge of vehicle carrier newbuildings
Newbuilding deliveries are easing pressure on capacity and filling in gaps following a decade of underinvestment, says Höegh Autoliners chief executive Andreas Enger
Japan’s Nihon Shipyard wins methanol-fuelled VLCC order from compatriot shipowner
Japanese energy shipping provider Iino Kaiun Kaisha has confirmed newbuilding contract for very large crude carrier. It is only the second VLCC to be ordered capable of methanol fuel operations
Viking boosts total cruiseship orders placed at Fincantieri to 22 ships
Switzerland-headquartered cruiseship group Viking has added two 54,300 gt ships at Fincantieri to brings its backlog of newbuildings on order to 10. Viking has ordered a total of 22 cruiseships from the Italian shipbuilder since 2012
Boxship time charter rates nudge upwards amid vessel shortages
Braemar reports a panamax ship and a post-panamax vessel have been chartered out by their liner operator owners to other carriers for up to three years. This confirms that some operators are choosing to capitalise on current high rates, instead of operating the ships themselves
MSC and Spliethoff both sell 1980s-built tonnage to Turkish ship recyclers
MSC has sold a 1982-built boxship latterly serving as a Red Sea feeder vessel, while Netherlands-based Spliethoff has sold the 1984-built heavy lift ship Happy Buccaneer. Both are bound for recycling in Türkiye