Maritime Industry Briefing: Used Equipment Shortage, Fumed Silica Market Growth

## Used Equipment Inventory Declines as Rentals Increase According to the latest market reports from Sandhills Global, inventory levels of used construction equipment on platforms like MachineryTrader.com and LiftsToday.com are trending downward across most markets, except for forklifts. This shift is attributed to more equipment being absorbed into rental fleets rather than remaining available for purchase on the secondary market. 'The quality used machinery inventory has been shrinking as equipment shifts into rental fleets to meet ongoing demand,' said Greg Sexson, Rental Market Analyst at Sandhills Global. 'Rental companies have been acquiring equipment at a rapid pace to keep up with the needs of their customers, leaving less available for the used equipment market.' This trend is being observed across a range of construction and industrial equipment types, signaling tightening supply in the used machinery market. Rental companies are prioritizing fleet expansion to service robust demand, reducing the pool of quality used assets available for direct purchase. ## Fumed Silica Market Projected to Grow to $2.14 Billion by 2030 In separate industry news, a new report from MarketsandMarkets projects the global fumed silica market to grow from $1.58 billion in 2025 to $2.14 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. Fumed silica is a key material used in a variety of maritime applications, including silicone elastomers, paints, coatings, inks, adhesives, sealants, and composite materials. The report cites growing demand from end-use industries as the primary driver for this market expansion. 'The increasing usage of fumed silica in various applications, such as silicone elastomers, paints, coatings, and inks, is expected to drive the growth of the fumed silica market,' the MarketsandMarkets report states. 'The Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing market for fumed silica during the forecast period.' This growth in the fumed silica market is an important development for maritime manufacturers and suppliers who rely on this specialized material for their products and processes.