Run on newbuilds continues
The next tsunami of new vessels is on the horizon. Industry service Alphaliner reports a run on newbuilds in H1/2021 by shipping lines, non-operating owners, investment banks and lessors alike. In fact, orders for about 300 vessel to be built at wharfs in China, South Korea and Japan have been inked.
These newbuilds bring a total further capacity of 2.88 million teu to the market, "or 11.75% of today’s overall container fleet capacity of 24.47 million teu," as Alphaliner put it.
The calm of H1/2020 is over. Together with the newbuilds ordered in late 2020, the units in preparation turned from " a low point of 2.29 million teu a year ago to 4.94 million teu."
The upturn was not restricted to H1/2021, though. In July, further orders for 7,000 teu ships for TS Lines and Sea-Span were registered, amongst other units. (cd)