London broker Simpson Spence Young (SSY) said ship scrap prices are running at their highest levels since last August after a strong start to the year.
Activity had increased in the first half of December, which prompted "some notable aggression" on pricing.
Momentum then slowed again as the Christmas holiday period approached, keeping prices stable.
But it added: "The start of 2020 has been very busy."
The company quoted prices averaging more than $385 per ldt, up from $360 in December.
'Extremely active'
European demolition broker Ed McIlvaney said there had been "an extremely active first 10 days of the year, resulting in some high-lightweight, high-priced sales being registered".
"All sub-continental markets...have recently experienced improved prices domestically which has brought about a marked improvement in prices being offered or agreed," he said.
SSY's preliminary data shows 692 ships of nearly 19.5m dwt sold for recycling in 2019.
But this was down from 863 units of 33.35m dwt the year before.
TradeWinds reported on Thursday that Evergreen Marine has sold two more containerships for demolition as it continues to dispose of its 1990s-built vessels.
Scrap brokers in Europe said the Taiwanese liner operator sold the 4,211-teu Ever Develop and Ever Dynamic (both built 1998) "as is" in Singapore.
The ships, both bound for green recycling in India, fetched very different prices at $420 per ldt, or $9m, and $395 per ldt, or $8.6m.
Berge Bulk has also offloaded the 268,000-dwt Berge Hua Shan (built 1993) at $401 per ldt this year.
The company is also reportedly seeking offers for the 289,000-dwt Berge Elbrus (built 1991), which is likely to go to Bangladesh. It could fetch some $13.5m.
