According to maritime consultancy Linerlytica, orders for new container vessels have reached a record of 13 million TEUs.
The report highlights that ships currently on order are more than the combined total active vessels of Maersk, CMA CGM, and COSCO, a level not seen in nearly two decades. In 2026 to date, orders for new ships represent more than 1.9 million TEU, and Linerlytica forecasts that the pace will see new orders exceed 5.1 million TEUs.
The Drewry World Container Index has fallen for the third consecutive week, to US$2,216 per FEU, driven by softer rates on the Asia-Europe, transpacific, and transatlantic routes. Drewry predicted that rates will remain under sustained downward pressure due to excess capacity and low demand.
IAM Member Impact: As shipping lines fight for market share, some experts predict overcapacity by 2028, leading to lower freight rates.
Source: Global Trade Magazine