Drewry report: Big ship orders underscore industry supply pressures

摘要

Efforts by shipping lines to address ship overcapacity are negated by new orders for Ultra Large Container Vessels hitting the news, according to Drewry's monthly report, "Sea & Shipper Insight." Recent headlines that China Shipping Container Lines will join Maersk in the super-size containership trend, with their intention to purchase five 18,000-TEU ships, is further proof of the demand for these fuel-efficient ULCVs among the major lines, Drewry said. Although obviously the new ships won't be in service for years to come, Drewry says the psychological impact will keep the attention on capacity and how carriers can absorb it all, and may keep freight rates down.