News / Second-hand box ship market still red hot, with profit to be made – for now

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In an extremely tight tonnage market, the purchase price paid for many second-hand containerships is higher than their newbuild cost.

However, Alphaliner has warned of the risk of exposure for buyers when the market eventually turns bearish.

The consultant today reported that a record 572 container vessels, for 1.94m teu, changed ownership last year, of which MSC purchased almost a quarter – 132 ships for 453,000 teu.

This enabled MSC to overtake its 2M alliance partner, Maersk, to become the world’s biggest carrier ...