News / Top-heavy growth in container tonnage sparks overcapacity concerns

© Bayazid Akter

The number of containerships sold for scrap has slowed dramatically as shipowners in the smaller sectors take full advantage of a rejuvenated charter market and reactivate mothballed tonnage.

According to Alphaliner, only 12 ships, equating to 21,778 teu, have been sold for demolition so far this year, compared with around 70 vessels for 230,000 teu at the same time last year.

The consultant said that, as a consequence, it was adjusting its full-year scrapping estimate to 200,000 teu for 2018, compared with the 413,982 ...