Subscribe to RSS feedReefers at all-time low
ABOUT 10% of the specialised reefer fleet is currently inactive, according to Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit. About 40,000 dwt, or 85 vessels, greater than 100,000 cu ft are currently classified as not having any movement or AIS activity for more than 35 days.
The number of ships moving into lay-up for summer comes as April time charter yields in the spot market reached “an all-time low” according to the reefer specialists Orion Shipping.
April rates for large modern vessels were US$0.38 per cu ft, compared with US$1.49 for the same period last year, the Norwegian broker said.
Older vessels of the same size averaged rates of US$0.21 per cu ft, compared to US$1.15. Smaller vessels secured US$0.41 – less than a third of last year’s levels.
Rates have since risen slightly for the estimated 100 reefer vessels operating in the spot market from the global fleet.
However, rising bunker prices “were eating up any increases owners were able to get”, a reefer broker with Hamburg-based Ernst Russ said.
He estimated that 20 reefers were laid up, but he did not believe as many as 85 vessels would be inactive.
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