Marine stocks skyrocketed in New York Thursday as prior worries about the presidential election converted into optimism about the key proposals of President-elect Donald Trump.

The vast majority of shipping, cruise and offshore stocks in positive territory, and at least 16 equities rose by more than 10%.

The day saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise above 18,800 points for the first time ever as investors turned their focus from election uncertainty to the prospects that Trump will splash out on infrastructure spending while cutting taxes.

"With the results of Tuesday's historic election now coming into focus, we have a unique opportunity to begin this work immediately by embracing innovative ideas and approaches to improving our infrastructure," said Republican Representative Bill Shuster, who heads the House Transportation Committee.

The shipping-focused Dow Jones Marine Transportation Index surged 3.6%, building on gains in global shipping shares.

Bulker owners led the charge, on a day that saw rates rise for capesize and panamax vessels.

Arctic Securities analyst Erik Nikolai Stavseth said that in dry bulk, the Trump victory highlights the impact of high inflationary risk on vessel values.

George Economou's DryShips climbed by more than 133% today to $11.90, a day after the bulker and offshore vessel owner reported that its quarterly loss shrank.

Fellow bulker owners Star Bulk Carriers, Diana Shipping, Eagle Bulk Shipping, Navios Maritime Holdings, Genco Shipping & Trading and Globus Maritime all saw their shares jump by more than 10%.

Tanker stocks also gained as spot rates jumped significantly in the aframax and suezmax sectors.

Seaport Global Securities analyst Magnus Fyhr tied the rates jump to rising output in Libya, where the country's largest crude export terminal is gearing up to reopen.

"It remains to be seen if they can sustain exports out of Libya, but it's caused some short-term increase in rates," he said.

Peter Georgiopoulos-led Gener8 Maritime led tanker names with a 21% bump to $4.56.

Nordic American Tankers and Ardmore Shipping also gained more than 10%.