Car carrier orderbook surge raises oversupply fears

The orderbook for pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) has surged amid booming Chinese vehicle exports and elevated charter earnings, raising concerns that an expanding fleet could outpace demand as European restrictions on Chinese vehicle imports threaten to curb a key source of cargo growth.

Greek brokerage Intermodal said last week that 82 PCTCs were contracted in the first nine months of 2026, compared with just nine vessels ordered throughout 2025 and a 10-year annual average of 35 vessels.

The orderbook-to-fleet ratio has consequently risen to 26%, well above its historical average of 14%, pointing to a substantial expansion in carrying capacity over the coming years.

CMA CGM boss Rudolphe Saade said in a recent interview with Lebanon’s L’Orient-Le Jour that the French line targets to have 21 PCTCs in the coming years. Currently, its 3PL arm, CEVA Logistics, operates 11 PCTCs.

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