Despite uncertainty across the container shipping sector and rising concerns over future overcapacity, the second-hand container ship market remained active throughout 2025. New figures from Alphaliner show firm prices, strong demand across most vessel sizes, and a limited pool of charter-free tonnage available for sale. Medium-sized ships dominated transaction volumes, while activity at the very large end remained subdued.
Despite the multiple uncertainties the container shipping industry faced in 2025, and the risks of overcapacity for the coming years, the second-hand container sale and purchase market remained vibrant throughout the year.
Demand for tonnage was strong across most segments, prices remained firm, and the pool of charter-free ships offered for sale was limited.
Overall, 332 cellular container vessels with a combined capacity of 859,000 teu were reported sold for further trading, compared with 333 units totalling 1.1 million teu changing hands in 2024.
While globally a good year for sellers, activity remained well below the record levels seen in 2021, when 598 container vessels totalling 2 million teu changed ownership.
The most transacted ships were medium-sized units, with 162 vessels of 900–2,000 teu sold, up significantly from 101 units in 2024. Vessels in the 2,000–5,100 teu range were also popular, with 92 ships sold for a combined 308,000 teu.
In larger sizes, most activity took place between 5,100 and 10,000 teu, with 32 ships sold for a total of 245,000 teu, fewer than the 52 units traded in 2024. Ships of 8,000–8,900 teu proved particularly popular, with 21 units changing ownership.
Above 10,000 teu, activity remained limited, with only four vessels of 13,000–14,500 teu sold, compared with ten units the previous year.
Meanwhile, prices remained on a bullish course for most of the year, with several notable transactions reported.
Source: Alphaliner
