The number of sale-and-purchase transactions dropped last year, but resurgent bulker and boxship sectors saw deals increase.

Analysis by valuation platform VesselsValue shows deals were down nearly 11% compared with 2019, at 1,370 ships across major cargo types.

"Initially, Covid-19 greatly restricted the number of transactions that were able to take place, presenting issues for vessel inspection, crew changes and delivery," VesselsValue said.