News / Cost of mothballing containerships deters carriers, despite continued weak demand

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The global financial crisis hit container shipping hard. At its worst, more than 600 boxships laid-up at anchorages around the world. However, despite capacity continuing to exceed supply, it appears that mothballing vessels is a last resort for owners and ocean carriers.

According to Drewry Maritime Research’s latest data, there were 175 vessels with a combined capacity of 516,000teu idle in mid-January – an increase on the 165 ships (471,000teu) laid-up in December, but significantly down on January 2013’s tally of ...