The number of idle container vessels has stopped increasing. According to AXS-Alphaliner 485 container vessels, with a combined capacity of 1.42 million TEU, were idle on March 30, which is only one vessel more than on March 16 and represents 11.3 per cent of the world container fleet. The French consultants claim some of the larger liner companies are about to reactivate 25 to 30 larger vessels to meet a slight rise in volumes in the spring. ”However, it is still too early to signal a reverse in the trend of increased containership idling as cargo volumes have not returned in any significant numbers. Some smaller ships that are currently active will also be pushed into the unemployed ranks as the larger ships are re-introduced.” So far this year 79 container newbuildings with a total of capacity 297,000 TEU have been delivered and only 37 vessels with 65,000 TEU capacity have been sold for scrap, which gives a 1.9 per cent net increase in total capacity so far 2009.
Fredrik Davidsson
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