Idle containership capacity has risen to 336,000 TEU or 2.4 per cent compared to 328,000 TEU in early November, reports the Paris-based maritime research agency Alphaliner.
The total number of idle ships dropped to 142 vessels, from 148 units in early November. Eight postpanamax vessels and nine maxi-panamaxes of nearly 5,100 TEU are now idle due to service withdrawals and shrinking demand for the winter season.
In response to the decrease in cargo volumes, carriers do their best to keep most their ships operational by launching new services and extending service loops.
Idle boxship capacity currently stands at 189,000 TEU compares to 707,000 TEU a year ago.
But utilisation has not been enhanced. The drawback of this is a pressure on cutting freight rates. The Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI) has been falling for 20 weeks in a row.
The total number of idle ships dropped to 142 vessels, from 148 units in early November. Eight postpanamax vessels and nine maxi-panamaxes of nearly 5,100 TEU are now idle due to service withdrawals and shrinking demand for the winter season.
In response to the decrease in cargo volumes, carriers do their best to keep most their ships operational by launching new services and extending service loops.
Idle boxship capacity currently stands at 189,000 TEU compares to 707,000 TEU a year ago.
But utilisation has not been enhanced. The drawback of this is a pressure on cutting freight rates. The Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI) has been falling for 20 weeks in a row.