Containership sales declined sharply during the first half of 2026, although strong buying interest and limited vessel availability kept prices firm, according to Alphaliner.
The second-hand sale and purchase containership market saw a significant drop in the number of transactions concluded in the first half of the year, compared to the similar period of 2025.
A total of 126 cellular container vessels for a capacity of 351,734 teu reportedly changed hands for further trading up to 30 June, compared to 199 sales for 513,000 teu in the first six months of 2025. The volume of transactions concluded so far this year was also less than the 144 vessels for 479,324 teu sold in the second half of 2025.
The lower volume of transactions was the result of a reduced number of prompt ships available for sale, with tonnage owners often preferring to hold on to their vessels and continue to trade them profitably, rather than make one-off sale profits.
Healthy freight and charter markets otherwise kept buying interest for ships of all sizes strong across the board, contributing to keeping prices at firm levels for all sizes and ages of vessels.
MSC was again by far the biggest buyer, with 23 vessels (of which 21 NOO ships) acquired, including 4 x 4,300 teu newbuilding resales from Chinese owners.
Source: Alphaliner
