Modelling and forecasting the demolition market in shipping. Issue 8 (16th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kagkarakis, Nikos D.; Merikas, Andreas G.; Merika, Anna
• Is Part Of: Maritime policy & management. Volume 43:Issue 8(2016)
• Page Start: 1021
• Page End: 1035
• Publication Date: 2016-11-16
• Subjects: Ship-demolition -- tankers -- ship-recycling -- demolition prices -- scrap trade; Marine resources -- Periodicals; Shipping -- Management -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Periodicals; 333.9164
• DOI: 10.1080/03088839.2016.1185181
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8839

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We model the demolition market, an integral part of the international shipping industry. It is shown through the implementation of a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model that international steel-scrap prices contribute decisively towards price discovery in the ship-demolition industry. Our finding is explained and attributed to the fact that the growth models of Southeast Asian countries, where the ship-demolition market is primarily located, rely on scrap metal imports. These are mainly obtained from the developed economies rather than the recycling of vessels. We then proceed to test the forecasting ability of our model and use it for price prediction in the ship-demolition market. We establish that it provides the decision-makers with a useful prediction tool which enables all stakeholders involved, the ship owner, the recycler and the cash buyer alike, to gain valuable insights of the underlying trend in the sector.