The historically high charter market has finally convinced Non-Operating Owners (NOOs) to return to the newbuilding arena for small and medium-sized tonnage, addressing the alarming under-ordering of these ship classes which Alphaliner highlighted in a report in Dec’20.
Since the beginning of the year, NOOs have ordered no fewer than 113 ships (equal to 454,000) teu in the 1,300 – 7,000 teu size segments, according to Alphaliner data.
Demand for sub-1,000 teu vessels has nevertheless been brisk in recent times, suggesting a continued need for such #tonnage, particularly for units of 700 – 900 teu.
Although NOOs have been busy rebuilding the small and medium-sized charter fleet of 1,300 to 7,000 teu units, there is, to date, still no ordering of charter vessels under 1,000 teu, a concern for a segment displaying a 16 year-old age profile.
Source: Alphaliner
