For over a decade, the shipping industry was obsessed with size. The Ultra Large Container Vessel were dominant in global trade, but now, in 2025, the tide is turning.
Recent data reveals a sharp slowdown in the commissioning of megaships. According to Financial Times only six vessels above 17,000 TEU are slated for delivery in 2025, down from 17 in 2020. On contrary, A rising preference for vessels in the 12,000 to 16,999 TEU range.
The original logic behind ULCVs was compelling: fewer ships, lower fuel per container, and lower cost per nautical mile. But geopolitical volatility and climate regulations are shifting the calculus.
The Red Sea crisis forced many carriers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding weeks to voyages raising the issue of agility and survivability.
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