|
Despite complaints by shipping lines that excess capacity was contributing to the current decline in freight rates, containership orders placed in July almost matched the total for the first half of the year.
Clarkson Research Studies reports that 24 new boxships were contracted last month, compared with 29 in the January-June period.
The July orders include nine post-panamax ships, taking the year's total to 12.
However, the 53 containerships of 182,000 TEUs ordered up to end-July are still dwarfed by the 196 ships of 593 million TEUs ordered in 2001.
Of the US$1.9 billion committed in the first seven months of 2002, US$1.5bn will be spent on ships in excess of 3,000 TEU, Clarksons said.
|
