Top broker expresses surprise that containership demolition activity remains so low, given the weak state of the charter and freight markets.

So far this year, only around 40,000 teu has been sold for scrap, according to Maersk Broker.

Although a total of 78,000 teu is expected to head to the breakers this year, the impact on the fleet will still be minimal.

“With a challenged charter market and continued high bunker prices, we continue to see indications of, or at least a basis for, an increase in scrapping activity during the remainder of the year,” Maersk Broker comments in its latest monthly charter market report.

“We simply do not understand why more owners and liner operators are not taking quick advantage of the relatively high demolition prices and actual low replacement cost, either via purchase or demolition.”

Containership scrapping soared in 2009 when cargo demand collapsed, having been very low in 2004 and 2005, and only modest in 2006-2007 before picking up in 2008 as the economic slowdown began. The busiest period was the third quarter of 2009 when 56 boxships were sold for scrap, whereas only 12 went to the breakers in the corresponding period of this year, according to Braemar Seascope.

Braemar Seascope is anticipating a full-year scrapping total of up to 70,000 teu, or less than 0.5% of the fleet.

Alphaliner is forecasting a slightly higher 2011 figure of 80,000 teu. But this is still significantly lower than in 2009 when 381,000 teu was removed, and the 2010 figure of 184,000 teu. The average age of ships scrapped has risen to 30 years, Alphaliner calculates.