Idle fleet at three-year low

The idle container ship fleet has fallen to a three-year low, according to French-based Alphaliner.

However, the data research company reckons that it is likely to start to grow again at the beginning of the fourth quarter as the northern hemisphere peak shipping season draws to a close.

There were 119 vessels of more than 500 TEU capacity - a combined capacity of 230 900 TEUs - without work on July 28, the lowest level since August 2011.

The 500 to 2 000 TEU size range recorded the largest decline with the number of idled vessels falling in two weeks from 97 to 85 units. This was mostly because extra ships were needed to cater for severe congestion in Manila and Tunisia where vessels have had to wait between two and four weeks for a berth, according to Alphaliner.

The number of unemployed ships of more than 5 100 TEUs increased by two to six units since mid-July, and included three 5 500 to 6 500 TEU vessels owned by NYK Line, OOCL and Hamburg-Sud.

The temporary idling of these carrier-owned vessels accounted for the reduction in the non-operating owners’ share of the idle fleet from 90% to 81%.

The idle fleet is expected to remain at current levels through October, and then is expected to increase as carriers suspend some service loops and blank sailings on certain services, the industry analyst said.