Container Shipping News

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New Alliances Begin to Impact Containership Schedule Reliability

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced their new alliance called the Gemini Cooperation for key east-west trade routes promising 90 percent reliability for the key long-distance trade routes. Based on large investments in terminals and port operations, they are using a new approach based on more feeder routes into hub ports and fewer port calls for the larger vessels on the long-distance routes.

Sea-Intelligence says it will only be possible to truly evaluate the performance this summer as the transitions in the industry are completed and carriers settle into new patterns. However, the possible safe return to Red Sea routes could also have a strong impact on container shipping, and other segments, with some analysts expecting it could happen by the second or third quarter of 2025.

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Maersk slashes 2025 global container projections - Splash247

“Container volume data for Asian exports in April will not be available before early June, but indications from carriers and forwarders suggest a Chinese booking downfall in the -30% to -50% range, much greater than the 4%-5% reduction in capacity. While the Chinese volume drop will be partially offset by uptake elsewhere in Asia, it does not seem likely that gains in the rest of Asia can offset the loss from China. This could result in even more blank sailings in the coming weeks, and possibly lead to a significant drop in spot rates,” Sea-Intelligence said in a recent report.

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The MAERSK NAMSOS ready for delivery Photo : Jameson ©

Japan’s Imabari Shipbuilding has delivered the MAERSK NAMSOS a 2,086TEU containership on June 4.
The Panama-flagged ship has a gross tonnage of 25,723 and measures 171.9 metres in length, 32.2 metres in width, and 16.8 metres in depth. It is classed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and has a service speed of approximately 18 knots.According to Imabari, the vessel is fitted with three deck cranes, enabling cargo operations at ports without handling equipment. It can load a significant number of reefer containers on both deck and hold and is capable of transporting dangerous goods in line with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
The vessel also includes a double-tiered bridge design to facilitate container stacking.

The MAERSK NAMSOS meets the latest energy efficiency design index (EEDI) requirements, the company said. The vessel is also equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system on the main engine and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for the generator, in compliance with IMO Tier III standards.

Source: DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2025– 165

PS> Looks like this vessel is intended for inter-Asia service:

Search for Shipping and Vessel Schedules | Maersk Line, Limited

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On the lower end of the subject of moving containers, here is a simple way for the first or last step in the process:

New container movement equipment released - Splash247

No electronics, no problems.

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New container ship named ONE Singapore is latest of 32 vessels in Ocean Network Express’s fleet expansion:

Container ship name Singapore part of Ocean Network Express’s US$20 billion...

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Doesn’t look like MSC is scared from ordering ships in China, regardless of US attempts to discourage it:

MSC ramps up megamax expansion with $1.2bn shipbuilding deal in China -...

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Not exactly a news story, but interesting that COSCO register ships under the Red Duster:

The 2001 built UK flagged COSCO SHANGHAI IMO 9221097 outbound passing Rozenburg. Photo: Gilbert Gyssels © via Maasmond Newsclippings 203-2025

BalticShipping.com

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Shipping lines to face space crunch through 2028, Analysts warn - India...

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MSC plans historic renewal of ageing feeder fleet - Splash247

…looking to order up to 120 vessels ranging in size between 1,100 and 5,000 teu.

Geneva-headquartered MSC will become the first carrier to cross through the 7m teu mark in the coming months. It has nearly tripled in size over the past decade via a massive newbuild campaign and a historic foray in the secondhand markets.

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Excess, unidentified baggage in containers is breaking the back of shipowners...

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Oversupply forecast to haunt liner markets into 2029 - Splash247

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Container market sends mixed signals as charter rates hold firm, spot rates...

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Seaspan is building more ships in China, despite the threats of tariffs and aditional port dues in USA:

Seaspan grows newbuild pipeline with 12-ship deal in China - Splash247

The world’s largest boxship lessor, with a fleet of over 180 ships in operation and more than 40 newbuildings confirmed, concluded the deal in renminbi rather than US dollars, with ICBC Financial Leasing backing the project. The latest newbuilds, costing more than $100m each, will be delivered as conventionally fuelled, with a dual-fuel ready option.

PS> They are fully aware that only 15% of world trade involve USA + counting on increased trade between other countries in the future.

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OOCL admits upcoming US port fees will have ‘relatively large impact’ -...

Both OOCL and parent COSCO, part of the Ocean Alliance, have already started taking action – launching transpacific services, for instance, that avoid the US and make for Mexico instead.
OOIL did add that ongoing disruption could actually help boost its bottom line.

The ongoing changes in tariff policies and trade disputes have undoubtedly played a decisive role in shaping market trends in the first half of 2025.”

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Carriers reroute fleets to sidestep US levy - Splash247

In April, the US Trade Representative detailed plans to start charging China-linked tonnage calling at US ports from the October 14 this year, in a bid to both curb China’s dominance in the field of shipbuilding as well as boost domestic shipyard capabilities.

Both OOCL and parent COSCO, part of the Ocean Alliance, have already started taking action – launching transpacific services, for instance, that avoid the US and make for Mexico instead.

Maersk has publicly stated it will look to avoid putting any Chinese-built ships onto the US trade, something it expects its competitors to follow suit.

US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has been designated to collect the new fee regime targeting China-linked vessels, as authorised by a US Trade Representative ruling. The rules are structured for rollout starting October14, 2025, and will apply to both Chinese-owned/operators and Chinese-built ships, with non-payment potentially blocking cargo operations and port clearance via imminent operational bans.

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SCFI blip can’t mask deepening container carnage ahead of Q4 - Splash247

John McCown, whose company Blue Alpha Capital provides regular container updates, is warning of a dire end to the year on the transpacific. McCown describes the National Retail Federation’s projection of a 5.6% decrease in total inbound volume for 2025 as “a reasonable estimate” for US containerised imports. Given that year-to-date volume is up 3.6% through July, this forecast indicates a severe 17.5% decline for the final five months of 2025.

PS> If import drops so much, doesn’t that mean that other countries (read “China”) pay less tariff to the US Government coffer?
Or has the MAGA crowd eventually figured out that THEY pay the import duty?
(+ x% mark-up by importers and retailers)

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41% of container transport is empty - Splash247

“Some regions export far more than they import, while others are primarily import-driven. This creates container imbalances where one port is overflowing with empties while another struggles with shortages,” Acumen explained, pointing out that ports in Asia often face container shortages due to high export volumes, while ports in North America and Europe may see surpluses as more imports arrive than exports leave.

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COSCO pledges stable transpac coverage as US fee regime nears - Splash247

"We will maintain competitive rates and surcharges, along with related policies that align with market conditions,” Beijing-headquartered COSCO stated.

The opaqueness of the incoming legislation has led some to argue that, like other negotiating tactics that the Donald Trump trade team has adopted this year, the October 14 deadline may well be extended, or even scrapped.
“Not everyone is convinced that the October 14 USTR port call fees on China-made vessels and operators will materialise, as the issue may be part of the ongoing US-China negotiations,” commented Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, a box booking platform.

So, if the Oct. 14 threat actually occure COSCO will follow the market rate, which will most likely go up.

IOW; the cost of goods shipped to US will go up. (Unless the trade drop so much that non-Chinese owned/built ship will cover the market need).

BTW; the higher cost will probably apply to anything exported FROM the US, (not only containerized goods) since more and more ships are owned/built in China.

PS> May this post should have gone in the “Self-inflicted Wounds” thread?

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Singapore-based PIL names LNG dual-fuel container vessel “Kota Odyssey” in Ghana

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines

The vessel will operate on PIL’s South West Africa Service (SWS), connecting China, Singapore, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire through a direct weekly service. This strengthens trade flows between Asia and West Africa and reinforces Ghana’s role as a strategic logistics hub.

PIL has operated in Africa since the 1970s and now serves over 30 African countries, with seven weekly services and a feeder network connecting more than 40 ports. Ghana is home to PIL’s West Africa regional head office, and a key gateway for inland transport into Burkina Faso.

Source: https://www.manifoldtimes.com/news/singapore-based-pil-names-lng-dual-fuel-container-vessel-kota-odyssey-in-ghana/

Kota Odyssey: https://www.shipvault.com/ships/458120

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China’s Sea Legend launches Arctic express box service to Europe - Splash247

ETA Felixtown 09. Oct. at 2100 hrs.

ISTANBUL BRIDGE, Container Ship - Details and current position - IMO 9200811...

She has a history sailing the NSR:

Large container ship completes historic Arctic transit, cutting weeks off...

Not bd for a 25-year old vessel that has had many owners since built as Kuala Lumpur Express in 2000