Shipyards are being urged to improve their ability to build low-emission vessels at competitive prices to help themselves survive the industry downturn.

Data from Clarksons Research showed the global orderbook stood at 157m dwt in August, which was a 17-year low.

With financing constraints, regulatory uncertainty and economic problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, only 5.7m cgt of newbuilding orders were placed between January and June — the lowest in 25 years for a six-month period.