According to Alphaliner, 126 fully cellular containerships totalling 351,734 teu changed hands by the end of June, down 37% in vessel numbers and around 31% in capacity compared with the same period last year.

The decline reflects a shortage of willing sellers rather than weak demand.
Strong freight and charter markets are encouraging owners to retain tonnage, while liner operators continue to buy ships to secure long-term capacity and reduce charter-market exposure.

MSC remained the most active buyer, acquiring 23 vessels, while liner companies accounted for nearly half of all secondhand purchases. Feeder vessels below 3,000 teu dominated transactions, representing around 75% of the total.

The market, however, faces a major test ahead.

Around 1,000 new containerships totalling 8.5 million teu are scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028. Cargo growth, demolition activity, slow steaming and the timing of any large-scale return to the Suez Canal will determine whether today’s strong asset values can be sustained.