IDLE global containership capacity of above 500 TEU has fallen to 121 ships for a total of 251,000 TEU, representing just 1.4 per cent of the world fleet, and the availability of ships 2,000 TEU+ has dwindled in recent weeks.
Oblivious to the small-ship capacity squeeze, charter rates have stubbornly remained depressed as new ship deliveries and re-deliveries of chartered tonnage continue to weigh down on the market, reported Alphaliner.
The results show that a number of idle ships in the 2,000-3,000 TEU size range has shrunk to only nine units, compared to 34 vessels last year.
Apart from demand from the intra-Asia market, a significant number of these ships were fixed for short-term Asia-West Africa trading, where the vessels act as extra sailers to fill temporary gaps left by missing tonnage in the larger 4,000 to 5,500-TEU class.
Tonnage of 3,000-5,100 TEU has dropped to a three-year low, withjust 20 vessels currently idle due to the recent surge in demand from West Africa.
"Enquiries for vessels above 5,100 TEU remain strong while the rather unexpected abortion of the plans to form the P3 alliance has generatedsignificant uncertainties in the market," the analysts stated.
"Following last week's surprise rejection of the proposed alliance by Chinese authorities, Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM now have to consider their next steps.
"All three carriers are expected to need charter tonnage to fill gaps in their vessel requirements over the coming months. However, much will depend on how the alternatives service structures, to be put in placed instead of the halted P3 Network, will look like.
"With some 90 container ships for 600,000 TEU due to be delivered between June and September, there remains a significant numbervessel deliveries in the next few months. These will continue to exertpressure on charter rates."
WORLD SHIPPING
25 June 2014 - 07:15
Small ship capacity squeeze, as idles drop to 1.4pc of total fleet
IDLE global containership capacity of above 500 TEU has fallen to 121 ships for a total of 251,000 TEU, representing just 1.4 per cent of the world fleet, and the availability of ships 2,000 TEU+ has dwindled in recent weeks.
WORLD SHIPPING
25 June 2014 - 07:15
Small ship capacity squeeze, as idles drop to 1.4pc of total fleet
This news 18912 hits received.
These news may also interest you