The second half of this year is expected to see an alarming containership delivery programme unfold, with over 30 vessels in the so-called megaship capacity bracket emerging from shipbuilding yards.
According to latest statistics provided by PR News Service, there will be 32 vessels of 10,000 TEUs and above, delivered bet-ween the beginning of July and the end of December.
Alarmingly, all of them will either be heading for the Asia-Europe trade, or even for lay up. With most Asia-Europe services.
running on a "slow steaming" basis, and requiring at least nine vessels to operate weekly, theoretically, the newbuilding programme for the rest of this year could see at least three further East-West strings introduced on this trade.
The data also shows that by the end of 2012 a further 131 megaships are expected to be delivered, meaning again, that unless there is a huge growth in the transpacific trade demand and the US West Coast ports gear up to handle these vessels, the number of new strings being introduced on the Asia-Europe trade could be as many as 15.
It is interesting to note that the orderbook is headed up by Mediterranean Shipping Co with a staggering 36 vessels expected to be delivered by the end of 2012.
CMA CGM follows in second place with 23 vessels, and COSCO in third with 16 vessels of over 10,000 TEU capacity.
Cargonews Asia
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