The containership orderbook has reached a record 13 million TEU, with consultancy Linerlytica warning of looming overcapacity as carriers continue to fight for market share, reports Singapore's Splash 247.

Ships on order now exceed the combined fleets of Maersk, CMA CGM, and Cosco. The orderbook ratio stands at 38.3 percent, a level not seen since the global financial crisis nearly 20 years ago.

New ship orders in the first four months of 2026 have already surpassed 1.9 million TEU, with Linerlytica suggesting they are on track to beat the 2025 record of 5.1 million TEU contracted in a single year.

The bulk of deliveries are scheduled for 2028, where firm orders have already reached 5.2 million TEU. Linerlytica described the ordering binge as 'unrestrained' and predicted that overcapacity will soon catch up with the market.

The Drewry World Container Index fell for the third consecutive week on April 30, easing one percent to US$2,216 per FEU, due to softer rates on Asia-Europe, transpacific, and transatlantic routes.

Drewry stated that elevated fuel costs and geopolitical risks have failed to offset downward pressure from excess capacity and weak demand. US consumer confidence fell to its lowest level on record in April 2026, signaling weaker import demand ahead.