THE number of containerships idle worldwide stands at 187 units with a combined capacity of 448,000 TEU as of July 15, according to the latest data
Idle box ship fleet rising at 448,000 TEU for 187 ships in mid-July
THE number of containerships idle worldwide stands at 187 units with a combined capacity of 448,000 TEU as of July 15, according to the latest data collected by Alphaliner.
It attributed the increase in the number of idle vessels to the exit of STX Pan Ocean from the container shipping market in June; and the fallout of from the MOL Comfort, which split in two off the coast of Yemen and subsequently sank in the Indian ocean after a fire onboard. Furthermore, the number of idle vessels of 1,000 TEU or less has swelled.
The report said that 12 containerships previously operated by STX Pan Ocean are idle, eight of which are owned vessels ranging in size from 700-2,700 TEU. The other four ships retained by the company are 4,400 TEU ships on 10-year charters originally started in 2007 from Dioryx Maritime Corp.
Alphaliner said that one of STX Pan Ocean's containerships, the 1,815-TEU STX Hong Kong, was reportedly sold to buyers from the Far East for US$17.8 million. The ship, which was delivered this May, is one of two newbuildings ordered by the shipping line in June 2010 for $26 million each from the Guangzhou Wenchong shipyard. Its sister ship, the STX Ho Chi Minh, is slated for delivery later this year.
There are seven ships of above 8,000 TEU that are idle, which include three 8,110-TEU vessels that are sister ships of the MOL Comfort. The trio have been immobilised for 35-45 days for safety inspections.
In addition, 54 ships ranging in size from 500- to 1,000-TEU are idle, including 50 units owned by non-operating owners. The report said, "Containerships of this size are facing obsolescence as feeders or regional ships, as charterers continue to favour larger tonnage."
