As of 21 September 2026, 970 vessels were broadcasting a "for orders" destination worldwide, up 24 (3%) from the previous report. Tankers made up 746 of them (77%), alongside 188 bulk carriers and cargo ships. The busiest regions were the Mediterranean (307), North-West Europe (146), South-East Asia (64). Common waiting areas included Port Said, Egypt (47); Singapore, Singapore (23); Port Arthur, United States (20); Kumport, Turkey (18). Vessels sail "for orders" when they are underway without a confirmed discharge port, awaiting instructions from their charterer — a hallmark of the spot market.
By region
| Region | Vessels for orders |
|---|---|
| the Mediterranean | 307 |
| North-West Europe | 146 |
| South-East Asia | 64 |
| the Middle East & Arabian Gulf | 11 |
Busiest waiting areas
Ports and anchorages with the most vessels currently sailing for orders nearby:
| Port / area | Vessels nearby |
|---|---|
| Port Said, Egypt | 47 |
| Singapore, Singapore | 23 |
| Port Arthur, United States | 20 |
| Kumport, Turkey | 18 |
| Avcilar, Turkey | 16 |
| Corpus Christi, United States | 14 |
| Limassol, Cyprus | 13 |
| Muuga, Estonia | 13 |
Notable vessels this week
| Vessel | Type | Destination | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELEVATION IMO 7407324 | Cargo | ORDER | At Vila do Conde, Brazil |
| ATHERINA IMO 9445473 | Tanker | FOR ORDER | Off Luderitz, Namibia · 69 km |
| APOLYTARES IMO 9419474 | Tanker | FOR ORDER | Off Cape Town, South Africa · 20 km |
| DHT OSPREY IMO 9734111 | Tanker | FOR ORDERS | At sea |
| DHT COLT IMO 9813450 | Tanker | FOR ORDERS | At sea |
| MARAN ARETE IMO 9776547 | Tanker | FOR ORDERS | Off San Diego, United States · 54 km |
This is a snapshot in time. For the current, continuously-updated list, see the live tracker: vessels sailing for orders.