Shipowners are optimizing fleets to boost cargo capacity and flexibility amid shifting market dynamics, according to gCaptain's report from Ventura, California.
Shipowners are adapting fleet strategies to maximise cargo capacity and improve operational flexibility as market dynamics shift, reports Ventura, California's gCaptain.
ABS Europe noted consolidation in freight and charter rates amid high vessel deliveries and diversions via the Cape of Good Hope. Smaller ships under 1,000 TEU average nearly 20 years of age, while larger vessels above 12,000 TEU are newer but growing rapidly in number. Clarksons data suggests scrapping could reach 605,000 TEU in 2027, the second highest in a decade.
Fleet analysis shows a trend toward lower maximum speeds, with older ships reaching 27 knots and newer designs rarely exceeding 22 knots. Vessels between 3,000 and 12,000 TEU are becoming shorter and more compact, while the Maxi-NPX class retains Panama Canal dimensions.
ABS stated that owners can boost cargo capacity through measures such as higher stowage tiers, raised deck houses, castle stowage, and bay extensions. In one case, a 9,000-TEU vessel's nominal capacity was raised by 10.6 percent to 9,860 TEU. ABS also offers lashing studies, hull optimisation, and advisory on bow flare design under its SLAM-B notation.
Energy efficiency measures are gaining traction, with sail-assisted propulsion offering potential fuel savings of up to 20 percent on a 4,000 TEU vessel. ABS supports feasibility studies, regulatory compliance, and shipyard integration to help owners reduce emissions and future-proof assets.
