Export growth, Miles driven, Ship orders

Ship Orders Fall to Lowest Level in 15 Years

Ship orders world-wide have shrunk to the lowest level in 15 years as vessel owners struggle with excess capacity that has kept freight rates well below break-even levels.

There were 3,200 vessels of a combined 81 million gross tons ordered globally in the first quarter, the lowest figure since 2004, marine data provider Clarksons PLC said in a report released Friday.

Headline export and import news still negative:

Taiwan Export Orders Fall for 5th Straight Month

Thai Imports Fall Sharply in March

Thai Exports Drop More than Expected