Throughout 2025 we have seen the subsea vessel market transitioning from a period of record highs towards a more cautious, but still fundamentally strong, outlook. While short-term activity and rates have softened
Throughout 2025 we have seen the subsea vessel market transitioning from a period of record highs towards a more cautious, but still fundamentally strong, outlook. While short-term activity and rates have softened in the latter part of the year, long-term demand - driven by deepwater projects and global energy infrastructure- remains robust. The market is watching closely how the influx of newbuilds and ongoing corporate consolidation will shape competition and vessel availability in the coming years – with several key developments expected to impact the market already in 2026.
For the first half of 2025 the subsea vessel market experienced a favorable balance, with high dayrates for both 150-ton and 250-ton SWL AHC crane vessels, often exceeding $60,000 and $80,000 per day respectively. For reference, these levels are back to, and even beyond previous peak fixtures.
It is worth noting that a significant portion of the high-specification vessels are now controlled by contractors, however, rather than being available directly from shipowners, which in turn led to more fixtures occurring between contractors instead of through direct charters.
Moreover, charters continue to favor short-term fixtures for these vessel segments. While this makes sense in a project-oriented perspective, it also opens the door
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