According to splash247.com, the global containership orderbook has surged to 45% of the existing fleet — its highest level since 2009 — as carriers race to expand capacity amid mounting commercial pressure.
Record-Breaking Newbuilding Pipeline
Linerlytica reports that there are now 1,925 containerships totalling 15.6 million teu on order — more than double the 7.6 million teu post-pandemic peak recorded in August 2023. This unprecedented pipeline includes Maersk’s latest order for 26 ships of 18,600 teu each and CMA CGM’s 12-ship programme for 24,000 teu vessels.
Orderbook Exceeds Existing Fleets at Five Carriers
Shipping analyst Lars Jensen of Vespucci Maritime identified five operators in Alphaliner’s top 100 whose orderbooks exceed their current fleets: Regional Container Lines at 157%, Zhonggu Logistics at 122%, Kawa Shipping at 130%, OVP Shipping at 105%, and Vietnam’s Hai An Transport at 368%. Tailwind Shipping, Lidl’s in-house carrier, stands at 97%.
Concentration Among Top Carriers Signals Intensifying Competition
Sea-Intelligence calculates that Maersk’s orderbook represents 35% of its existing fleet, while MSC and CMA CGM each sit at 39%, and COSCO reaches 52%. “It seems clear that we are gearing up for a commercial battle between these four carriers,” Sea-Intelligence warned in a recent report, noting that new vessel deliveries will compel each line to grow market share — potentially undermining capacity discipline.
Capacity Shock Looms Amid Disruption and Route Shifts
While blank sailings and disciplined deployment have kept vessel utilisation high despite the swelling orderbook, a second capacity shock may emerge as Asia–Europe services gradually return through the Suez Canal. This shift will shorten voyages and release vessel capacity previously absorbed by longer Cape Horn routings — setting the stage for the largest orderbook in the sector’s history to collide with returning operational capacity.
Source: splash247.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
