Increasing worldwide GDP will likely have a more direct impact on shipping rates. Over the next 2-3 years, BWTS and sulfur regulations could have the biggest impacts going forward. Both are expensive and the decisions will be made to upgrade newer, more expensive ships and scrap those 15-20 years of age. Scrap prices today are the best they have been in years. Some owners may decide to scrap now and place orders that won't be delivered for 2-3 years. If even 2% of the fleet is scrapped it would cause a profound shift in the supply/demand intersection and spot rates would be significantly higher.
Time will tell, of course. For today though, spot rates are as high as they have been in over 3 years. Without all of the one time charges, DRYS should post a profit in the 3rd quarter. Still waiting to see whether Heidmar helped DRYS shareholders. It clearly benefited GE.
