The capacity of container ships ordered so far this year is up 60 percent on the same period in 2014, at just over 1 million 20-foot-equivalent units, driven by a wave of contracts for mega vessels, according to Alphaliner.
The surge in orders is largely focused on vessels above 18,000 TEUs, with 39 units of 18,000-21,200 TEUs already contracted this year, the industry analyst said.
Eight carriers have ordered these next generation mega-ships “which brings into question the future of those carriers that, until now, have stayed away from committing to vessels of a size class which is quickly becoming de rigueur on the Far East-Europe trade,” Alphaliner said.
