75 percent of perishable cargo is likely to shift from special specialist reefer vessels to containerships by 2014, according to London's Drewry marine consultants, Shippingazette reports.
A Drewry Maritime Research report says the downward rate of charter rates against an emptying newbuild orderbook - currently at zero - will force the sector to use reefer slots on containerships.
During 2010 the reefer sector lost 10 per cent in charter rates and although forecast higher in 2011, it is still on a downward trajectory.
The global reefer fleet stands at 691 vessels and with scrapping to continue it could dwindle to less than 200 within four years allowing containerships to acquire greater perishable market share.
A Drewry Maritime Research report says the downward rate of charter rates against an emptying newbuild orderbook - currently at zero - will force the sector to use reefer slots on containerships.
During 2010 the reefer sector lost 10 per cent in charter rates and although forecast higher in 2011, it is still on a downward trajectory.
The global reefer fleet stands at 691 vessels and with scrapping to continue it could dwindle to less than 200 within four years allowing containerships to acquire greater perishable market share.