Ships of around 1,800 teu are one of the container fleet categories that has continued to increase in popularity over the past few years.
For many mid-scale intra-regional and feeder trades, vessels of ‘Bangkokmax’ size have become a de-facto standard, and the class is one of the most liquid charter market sizes.
In many cases, the 1,800 teu class has encroached into territories formerly served by the next smaller ship category the popular 1,100 teu size.
Though initially designed to ‘max out’ the physical dimensions that ships can have and still navigate the Chao Phraya River in Thailand, the modern ‘Bangkokmax’ has gained success on a wide range of loops, serving key ports such as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong, Keelung, Manila and many more.
Compared to ‘non-Bangkokmax’ ships of almost similar size such as the ‘Wenchong 1700’ which currently goes for USD 26,000 / day (basis 12 months) in the charter market, a contemporary 1,800+ teu ‘Bangkokmax’ presently fixes at about 31,000 / day.
Source: Alphaliner
