Box ships losing money, layups to come: Deutschen FondsResearch

SIXTY-SIX per cent of smaller containerships are losing money today, and the trend looked all but universal, according to a survey by Hamburg-based analysts at Deutschen FondsResearch.

Some 130 ships in the 2,100 to 2,700 TEU range surveyed revealed that 32 per cent were paying for themselves, earning sufficient charter hire to cover costs and make payments, reports London's Containerisation International.

A slowdown in the third quarter followed improvement in the second. Deutschen FondsResearch was pessimistic about fourth quarter prospects appeared poor and that layups will increase.