Non-operating owners account for 172 of the 195 idled vessels, reported IHS Media, citing figures from Alphaliner.
"Owners' reluctance to scrap surplus tonnage, due to the recent improvement in charter rates is starting to have a negative impact on idle figures and thus contributes to pushing down charter rates," Alphaliner was quoted as saying.
With a dozen newbuildings waiting at Asian shipyards for work, the immediate prospects for the idle fleet are expected to remain challenging in the absence of fresh demand.
Charter rates continue to fall for larger vessels and classic Panamaxes, however, the market for ships under 4,000 TEU remains generally stable.
"Owners' reluctance to scrap surplus tonnage, due to the recent improvement in charter rates is starting to have a negative impact on idle figures and thus contributes to pushing down charter rates," Alphaliner was quoted as saying.
With a dozen newbuildings waiting at Asian shipyards for work, the immediate prospects for the idle fleet are expected to remain challenging in the absence of fresh demand.
Charter rates continue to fall for larger vessels and classic Panamaxes, however, the market for ships under 4,000 TEU remains generally stable.