World fleet changes in November 2003

摘要

Compared with recent months, container-ship ordering during November has been more modest. A total of 28 container-ships were ordered, providing a combined slot capacity of 90,058TEU. To put this figure into perspective, the monthly average TEU capacity ordered between January and October 2003 was 170,000TEU. It is apparent that many owners and operators are keen to exercise options they hold with shipbuilders, due to the lack of yard space anticipated over the next three years. P&O Nedlloyd (PONL) has extended its orders with IHI Marine United (IH1MU). It has exercised an option to take an additional 2 x 8.152TEU vessels from the Kure-based shipyard. Six vessels were originally ordered from IHIMU back in April 2003. The first of the eight ships will be delivered during the later part of 2004, and the building programme is expected to be completed by the middle of 2007.