All 12 Panamax ships that China United Lines (CULines) redelivered early to Antong Holdings have found new charterers, in another sign of the firm charter market.
Ship brokers said that Dubai-based SeaLead Shipping, which has started new services linking the Far East to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, as well as Australia to the Indian subcontinent, and Transatlantic services, has taken five of the ships, identified as Ren Jian 8, Ren Jian 19, Ren Jian 20, Ren Jian 26 and Ren Jian 27.
MSC, which has been aggressively purchasing and chartering ships to consolidate its market share, chartered three of the ships, Ren Jian 9, Ren Jian 10 and Ren Jian 16.
French carrier CMA CGM, which has also been actively buying and chartering ships, has fixed the Ren Jian 15 and Ren Jian 17, both operated by its intra-Asia subsidiary CNC Line.
South Korean regional operator KMTC Line, is understood to have fixed Ren Jian 25.
Two ships, which are unidentified, have been chartered to Dubai-based Serenity Shipping for Persian Gulf services.
In December 2022, CULines, initially an intra-Asia carrier, withdrew from the Asia-Europe lane as freight levels tanked. Subsequently, the company prematurely terminated the charters of the Panamax vessels, compensating Antong, parent of domestic operator Quanzhou Ansheng Shipping, with US$67.4 million.
Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Weekly said that the majority of the fixtures this week have come from a few mainlane operators who remain active.
Clarksons said, “The prevalence of two-year periods (and longer) is increasing, partly due to the scarce supply of prompt tonnage in the majority of segments. With a significant list of uncovered requirements still looming, it is possible there won’t be a change in direction in the coming weeks.”
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
