Containership supply growth rate down to 5.1pc from 9.7pc at 2010 peak

THE growth in the world's containership fleet is slowing as the flow of orders declines, according to the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO).

Growth peaked at 9.7 per cent in 2010 and BIMCO expects 2012's forecast growth of 7.2 per cent to drop to seven per cent next year, said BIMCO according to a report from Vancouver's Ship & Bunker. Only 46 newbuildings were ordered during 2012, the lowest level on record with most order made in the last three months.

Some 550,000 TEU, or 3.4 per cent of the fleet, stands idle while year-to-date growth lags at 5.1 per cent with the addition of a little more than one million TEU being added.

Some 216,000 TEU of capacity has left the fleet through the scrapping of 118 smaller tonnage ships with an average age of 25 years.

BIMCO said that of the new vessels delivered, 44 had a capacity of over 10,000 TEU, while 37 containerships, each of less than 2,000 TEU on average.

Despite slowing growth, 2013 is estimated to be the biggest year ever for containership deliveries, which will include 48 ships with an average capacity of over 13,500 TEU.