Denmark's Maersk Line could postpone the delivery of some 18,000TEU ultra-large newbuildings, an analyst forecasts.
The first triple-E class ships will hit the water from next year. But Lawrence Li of UOB Kay Hian said, “It is very likely [Maersk] will ask Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering to defer deliveries, as what other carriers are doing.”
In a note to clients he said, “As the largest container carrier with a 16% market share worldwide, Maersk's switch of strategy shows the capacity discipline within the industry remains intact and hence the industry is bottoming out.”
Maersk is set to take delivery of a total of 20 triple-E vessels from DSME by 2016.