Scrapping of containerships is picking up pace and 2013 is expected to set the new record with scrapping reaching 450,000 teu, which exceeds the previous record of 381,000 teu in 2009.
According to Alphaliner, during the first four months of this year, a total of 93 vessels of a combined 195,000 teu were sent to scrappers.
It explained that growing boxship demolition is caused by active demolition seen in the 3,000 to 5,000-teu category. And the average age for scrapping of containerships has fallen to 22 years, versus the historical level of 25 to 30 years.
However, boxship fleet overcapacity will not be improved due to heavy newbuilding deliveries, Alphaliner expected. Close to 500,000-teu was delivered in the first four months of the year and total deliveries this year could rival the previous record of 1.57 million teu handed over in 2008.