News / Ship scrapping accelerates ahead of Panama Canal re-opening, and victims get younger

© Koscusko

The number of container vessels sent to breakers’ yards so far this year will shortly eclipse the total demolished in 2015 – in terms of teu capacity, 2016 is already way ahead.

According to the latest data from shipbroker Braemar ACM, the year-to-date figure is 72 vessels, 243,000 teu, compared with 85 vessels for 187,500 teu in the whole of last year.

The surge in vessels sold for scrap – 19 container vessels reported this month alone  – has helped to lower the idle tonnage fleet, notes industry consultant Alphaliner.

It ...