Shipping Boom in the Norwegian Stock Market – Commentary

MPC shares rise on Oslo Børs
Market for all
Strong demand for cargo combined with a lack of supply and a lean global fleet has caused freight rates and shipping shares to skyrocket. After the market decline in 2020, the analysis of 2021 shows historic growth in the sea freight market. But not everyone was on board, it was first the containerized freight segment that had grown, followed in its wake by the break-bulk market.
MPC shares rise on Oslo Børs
The Oslo Stock Exchange, part of the Euronext group, is the world leader in the energy, shipping and seafood sectors. It operates the regulated markets for securities trading in Norway, advising principal of Oslo Børs and Oslo Expand, as well as the Euronext Growth multilateral trading facility. The markets operated by the Oslo Stock Exchange are part of the Norwegian maritime cluster, with access to domestic and international investors, industry-focused investment banks, seasoned legal advisers and a highly skilled research community, as well as efficient settlement, listing and admission processes. and trading systems.
Among the top 20 winners in the Norwegian stock market in 2021 were shipping companies MPC Container Ships (MPC), Jinhui Shipping and Transportation, Awilco LNG, Belships, Wilson, Golden Ocean Group and 2020 Bulkers.
The freight boom has resulted in soaring share prices on the Norwegian stock market for shipping companies in general, and the container freight industry in particular. MPC is considered the “stock market rocket” of the year on the Oslo Stock Exchange. MPC also strengthened its position in the market with the new acquisition of Songa Container for 1.8 billion crowns, increasing its fleet from 64 to 75 feeder vessels. Commenting on the market in an interview with Norwegian financial website E24, MPC’s Constantin Baack said he believed MPC would see a quick return on its new acquisition and expressed strong optimism for 2022.
MPC assumes a gross operating profit of more than $350 million in 2022, which equates to around 3 billion crowns, an increase from around 170 to 180 million crowns in 2021.
The listing of Western Bulk Chartering shares on Euronext Growth had its first trading day on September 20, 2021. Following the issuance of new shares, Western Bulk Chartering attracted strong interest and found it necessary to reduce the subscription period. Investors from Arctic Securities and DNB Markets completed the issue of 130 million crowns in just a few hours.
Market for all
Professional and retail investors are stocking up on container stocks. MPC, the only pure container company on the Oslo Stock Exchange, also attracts many Norwegian retail investors.
For dry bulk on the Oslo Stock Exchange, companies such as 2020 Bulkers Ltd hit all-time highs in mid-August 2021, almost three times the market capitalization compared to the same period in 2020. Similarly, Golden Ocean Group reached an all-time high in early September 2021, well over three times the market capitalization of the same period in 2020.
For more information on this subject, please contact Dag Erik Rasmussen Where Simen Varhaug in Wikborg Rein by phone (+47 22 82 75 00) or email ([email protected] Where [email protected]). The Wikborg Rein website can be accessed at www.wr.no.