The Moore Stephens report said running costs in 2009 declined 2 percent for every ship type except reefer vessels that transport refrigerated cargo. The largest drop in operating costs came from the containership segment dropping 8.9 percent to $7,473 per day.
The only cost to increase was crewing, which showed its largest gain since the first study was published in 2000. The data were derived from a survey of 2,550 vessels.
Drewry Shipping Consultants, in a report released in August, said that while costs fell in 2009, they are likely to rise 1.7 percent to 2 percent this year, with increased costs in manning and maintenance likely.
