SIMIC

NEARLY 50 containerships have been laid up by ocean carriers during the past month alone, as carryings and rates have continued to fall across their networks.
According to the latest survey by Alphaliner, taken on February 13, 366 vessels were idle, including those owned by lessors and non-operators, for a capacity of 1.6 million TEU, representing 6.2 per cent of the global cellular fleet.
This compares with the 260, for a capacity of 1.3 million TEU, 4.9 per cent of the fleet, noted by the consultant on January 16, reports London's Loadstar.
The data shows a significant increase in carrier-operated idle tonnage, from 70 ships for 509,000 TEU in mid-January, to 117, with a capacity of 734,000 TEU a month later, and a big spike in lay-ups of vessels of over 12,500 TEU from 14 to 25.
And the number of carrier-controlled lay-ups will get progressively worse as a tidal wave of newbuild arrivals displaces incumbent ships in service.
Alphaliner said growth in commercially idled tonnage had "accelerated significantly" at the end of last year and "remained on an upward trajectory this month".
The consultant added: "Vessel inactivity increased across all ship sizes with the exception of the below 1,000 TEU category, which remained more or less stable."