BIMCO – Container Shipping Market Overview & Outlook: Continued Fleet

The BIMCO Container Shipping Market Overview & Outlook by {authors} discusses the concerns surrounding fleet expansion and the expected increase in supply by 46% in 2026 compared to 2019. Cargo volumes are forecasted to drive ship demand up by 22% between 2019 and 2026. The balance between supply and demand is expected to remain weaker than in 2019, even with declining sailing speeds. The report has changed assumptions regarding the return to normal Suez Canal routings and predicts a weakening of the supply/demand balance in 2025, followed by a significant decline in 2026. Import volumes into South & West Asia and South & Central America are expected to grow the fastest due to economic growth forecasts. The report also mentions the increase in spot freight rates for Shanghai exports and Chinese exports, projecting a potential fall in rates in 2025 and a significant decline in 2026. Time charter rates have remained stable despite falling freight rates, with longer fixture periods expected to impact availability in 2025 and potentially influence rates in 2026.