Carriers May Require Up To 200 Extra Ships

Brokers are reporting more “heightened activity” in the containership charter market as ocean carriers fight to secure tonnage to mitigate the impact of Red Sea diversions, says an article published on loadstar website.

Summary

• Brokers are observing increased activity in the containership charter market as ocean carriers strive to secure tonnage to mitigate the impact of Red Sea diversions.
• Maritime Strategies International (MSI) suggests that carriers might need to deploy up to 200 extra ships on their east-west networks to maintain weekly sailings.
• Daily hire charter rates have been rising universally due to the crisis in the Red Sea and growing demand for Asia-Europe extra loaders, Red Sea traders, and feeders in the Atlantic.
• Larger carriers like Maersk and smaller carriers, including Tailwind, Carrier53, and SeaLead, are actively fixing ships for trips between Asia and Europe or to the Red Sea.

Brokers Witness Heightened Activity

Brokers are observing increased activity in the containership charter market as ocean carriers strive to secure tonnage to mitigate the impact of Red Sea diversions. Maritime Strategies International (MSI) suggests that carriers might need to deploy up to 200 extra ships on their east-west networks to maintain weekly sailings.

Rising Daily Charter Rates Across The Board

Alphaliner reports that daily hire charter rates have been rising universally. The crisis in the Red Sea, coupled with growing demand for Asia-Europe extra loaders, Red Sea traders, and feeders in the Atlantic, has kept the charter market busy. Notably, larger carriers like Maersk have been active, securing more than a dozen vessels this month. Smaller carriers, including Tailwind, Carrier53, and SeaLead, are also actively fixing ships for trips between Asia and Europe or to the Red Sea.

Increased Demand For Feeder Vessels In The Atlantic

The demand for feeder vessels has surged in the Atlantic as shipping lines aim to counterbalance delays caused by the rerouting of ships around the Cape of Good Hope.

Adjustments In Carrier Networks On A Semi-Permanent Basis

With no immediate resolution to the Suez Canal diversions, carriers are adapting their networks on a semi-permanent basis. MSC announced its adaptation of east-west routes to manage the disruption, changing rotations and adding vessels. Maersk, as part of the 2M alliance, is making adjustments to proforma schedules and adding vessels to its network to maintain weekly departures.

MSI’s January Horizon Report And Network Adjustments

MSI’s January Horizon report estimated that for the Asia-Europe trade alone, carriers would need to deploy 120 more ships to offer a weekly sailing on all loops based on current service speeds. With a 1.5 knot uplift in average sailing speeds, this number reduces to 80. However, even with this adjustment, a significant number of additional ships are required, with estimates suggesting that the Ocean Alliance might need 29 more vessels on its Asia-Europe loops.

Potential Use Of Newbuild Deliveries To Fill Network Gaps

As carrier network disruptions are expected to persist, MSI suggests that carriers might decide to deploy newbuild deliveries to fill the gaps in their networks. The industry is set to witness a substantial influx of capacity, with 3 million TEU of capacity expected to hit the water this year.

Bonanza Predicted For Non-Operating Containership Owners (NOOs)

Brokers anticipate a boon for non-operating containership owners (NOOs). The duration of the situation in the Red Sea will likely determine how soon the market returns to normal for NOOs. The ongoing challenges emphasize the dynamic nature of the maritime industry and the strategic adjustments carriers are making to navigate disruptions effectively.

Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?

It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe

Source: loadstar

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•