Topic
Container Shipping
Logistics Big Boxships Flood into Mediterranean Trades as Vessel Sizes Nearly Double
The number of containerships exceeding 8,000 TEU in Mediterranean trades has risen from nine to 16 over the past year, a 78% increase, according to Alphaliner. MSC operates nine of these large vessels, while COSCO and Hapag-Lloyd also increase deployments. The 9,962 TEU Maersk Sirac now holds the record as the largest boxship in the region.
Logistics Multiple Factors Set to Reset Ocean Rates in Coming Weeks
Spot ocean rates on the Asia-U.S. West Coast route held at $4,836/FEU while East Coast rates rose 4% to $6,558. The imminent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could ease fuel costs, but peak season surcharges and early demand frontloading are keeping upward pressure on container rates. Full normalization of shipping through the Strait may take months.
Logistics Euroseas Expands Feeder Containership Orderbook with Two Additional 1,800 TEU Vessels
Euroseas has exercised options for two additional 1,800 TEU feeder containerships at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific, continuing its fleet renewal. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in December 2028 and March 2029, at a cost of about $32.26 million each. The order brings Euroseas' total newbuilding backlog to 12 vessels.
Logistics World's Largest Bulk Carrier to Container Ship Conversion Completed in China
The world’s largest bulk carrier-to-container ship conversion has been completed in China, transforming the 80,000 dwt Kuang Chi Delta into a 3,600 TEU containership. China Classification Society (CCS) inspected and certified the six-month refit at Zhoushan Xinya Shipbuilding & Repair. At least two more Diamond 53 supramax bulk carriers are slated for conversion to around 2,500 TEU, reflecting tight container market conditions.
Logistics Eitzen orders two all-electric 900 TEU boxships for Northern European green corridor
Norwegian investment group Eitzen, through its subsidiary Zen, has ordered two all-electric 900 TEU container vessels from Zhejiang Dongpeng Shipbuilding. The ships will operate on a green shipping corridor between Hamburg, Gothenburg, and Oslo, with first delivery in 24 months. The project is backed by NOK200 million in funding from Enova.
Logistics Emarat Maritime Orders Up to Six Feeder Containerships at Chinese Yard for 2028 Delivery
Dubai-based Emarat Maritime has ordered up to six feeder containerships at China's Guangji Xinneng Shipbuilding, with three firm 930 TEU vessels and options for three more, scheduled for delivery in 2028. The order marks the company's continued expansion beyond its traditional tanker and dry bulk markets into container shipping.
Logistics Antwerp-Bruges Port Targets Bigger India Share as Cargo Volumes Slip
Cargo volumes between India and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges declined to 6.3 million tonnes in 2025 from 7.2 million tonnes in 2024, while container traffic dropped to 330,000 TEUs from 358,000 TEUs. The port's chairman, Johan Klaps, is examining why India's export growth has not translated into higher flows to Europe. The port is betting on green hydrogen to boost future trade.
Logistics Containerlines Cash In as Chinese Car Exports Surge 73% in May
Chinese passenger car exports surged 73% year-on-year in May to approximately 809,000 vehicles, driven by a doubling of new energy vehicle shipments. The booming export volume has pushed car carrier charter rates to fresh highs, forcing Chinese OEMs to divert growing volumes onto containerships, with around 1 million cars now shipped via container.
Logistics Lohmann Sells Final Feeder Ships to Lila Global
Hermann Lohmann Bereederung has sold its last two container vessels, Marina L and Theodor, to Lila Global, marking its exit from container shipping. The vessels are currently chartered to CMA CGM and X-Press Feeders.
Logistics Icon Energy Ventures into Container Shipping
Icon Energy, a Greek dry bulk owner, is diversifying by acquiring a minority stake in a container shipping venture. The investment involves a 2,000 TEU feeder vessel chartered at $26,500 per day, generating $19 million over two years.