[060911.EN.SEA] Idle Ship Numbers Rise To More Than 100 As Peak Season Fails To Take Hold

THE number of idle containerships rose to more than 100 units at the end of August as a weak summer peak season forced several carriers to abandon plans to deploy ships on planned services over the last few months.

In its latest weekly report, Paris-based maritime consultancy Alphaliner said that for the first time since March, the idle fleet has returned to more than 100 units.

A total of 116 ships were be idle, based on Alphaliner's survey as of August 29, compared to 98 units a fortnight before.

The total idle capacity stood at 211,000 TEU, or 1.4 per cent of the fleet as the idle ship numbers increased across most size segments.

Although the idle capacity has increased, carriers have still not curbed their appetite for tonnage.

Only two of the top 20 carriers have reduced their operated capacity over the past six month while the total capacity of the top 20 carriers rose by 5.8 per cent over the same period.

Struggling Chilean carrier CSAV and South Korea's Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) are the only ones to have shed capacity during the period, with CSAV cutting back by 119,000 TEU while HMM reduced its capacity by 19,000 TEU.

Source : HKSG.