Offshore freight rate determinants - A study of PSV term charter freight rates from 2004-2015

Abstract

This master thesis investigates PSV term charter freight rates in the offshore industry . Fixtures in Brazil and the North Sea from 2004 - 2015 are examined. The offshore markets and term structure of freight rates are presented and discussed. Thereafter, the data and determinants of the freight rates are analyzed and later optimized. We find that both vessel and contract specific properties are significant determinants of the freight rate. Macro determinants are also found to be key variables in determination of the freight rate. Further, the periods before and after 2009 are compared in the analysis to identify whether the freight rate determination have changed during the last decade.