Carriers that already have idled about 6 percent of the global fleet are likely to start idling more ships in the next few weeks as the peak season winds down, according to a global shipping consultant.
Facing freight rates on the Asia-Europe trade that again turned unprofitable in the third quarter, carriers are just beginning to cut back on deployed vessel capacity on that trade. Maersk Line, the G6 Alliance, the CKYH Alliance and Hanjin Shipping have suspended or even eliminated some Asia-Europe services, but many observers say it won’t be enough to sustain rates in 2013, when scheduled ship deliveries will add 7 to 9 percent to the world fleet, while demand is forecast to grow 4 to 6 percent.