COSCO and Hapag-Lloyd’s new orders last week have lifted the total number of containerships ordered in 2025 to a record 633 ships for 5.08m teu, according to data from Linerlytica, surpassing the previous record of 4.74m in 2021 and 4.77m in 2024.
China’s shipyards have accounted for a remarkable 72% of the orders in the year to date in teu terms.
“The rush to secure container feeder tonnage at Chinese shipyards shows no signs of slowing, with the only apparent constraint being the availability of building slots,” broker Braemar noted in its latest container markets update published yesterday.
Adding to the 5.08m teu record today, Splash is reporting MPC Container Ships has ordered six 3,700 teu ships at Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering.
Filipe Gouveia, BIMCO shipping analysis manager, noting how the container orderbook-to-fleet ratio now stands at 33%, told Splash he had concerns about the huge tonnage overhang incoming.
“From a supply/demand balance development, we find the container orderbook size the most concerning, not least since the container sector will see the largest demand reduction if ships return to normal Red Sea/Suez Canal routings,” Gouveia said, going on to predict that the container market will see supply outpacing demand for the next five years.
