VIEWPOINT »Never get nervous...«

摘要

Earnings prospects for liner operators remain good and should keep the container ship charter market on a firm path, say managing directors Claudia Paschkewitz and Michael Zankl of Hanse Bereederung. The chartering outfit of Schoeller Holdings sees only limited opportunities, though, for multipurpose tonnage in box trades. Ongoing increases in container ship period rates make people rub their eyes. How much longer can the rallye be sustained? HB: The chance of further charter rate increases seems limited. However, based on current demand for long-term periods basis forward dates (2-3 year durations even for feeder class ships), there is no turning point on the horizon yet. The speed of increases might slow down during the second half but the market is likely to stay firm for the rest of 2021. In any case, as owners brokers, it's important to be watchful and select the right partners.We want to minimise any surprises if new market imbalances and stresses emerge, i.e. freight rates dropping after ships got fixed at higher t/c levels.