Boxship orderbook bulges as race for giant vessels heats up

The container shipping orderbook has swelled to 46.5% of the active fleet, a post-2009 peak, as carriers race to secure ultra-large tonnage.

With the orderbook at 16.2m teu, newbuilding activity shows no sign of slowing – Chinese shipyards alone have booked a record 4.94m teu this year, accounting for 88% of the total capacity ordered, according to Linerlytica.

The orderbook-to-fleet ratio is also expected to grow, with Maersk and CMA CGM in the market for more giant ships.

Tellingly, Hengli Heavy Industries announced today it had won orders for 52 ultra-large dual-fuel containerships: 20 of 24,000 teu; 20 ; of 19,000 teu; and a dozen of 22,000 teu.

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