(01.10.2020) The container charter market continued to rise further backed by limited tonnage supply, very high freight rates and thus still healthy demand by the Liners.

Owners are pushing for longer periods whenever possible and Charterers are so far resisting the commitment by paying up for shorter periods which is driving the market further.
This is also illustrated by the shrinking spreads between the New ConTex rates for the quoted periods of e.g. 12 or 24 months.

In fact the 4250 TEU cluster is now the only one rated higher for 12 months than the 24 months. Especially larger ships remain predominantly in demand which is what the New ConTex is also showing. The larger the ship, the higher the valuation increase.

(25.9.2020) Whilst the weekly figures are still in positive territory, with only the 5700 TEU segment taking a small breather with a very slight negative movement of -0,1%, the general tendency of last week, whereby the month-on-month numbers showing a stronger growth than the weekly figures, is being replicated. The New ConTex has moved up by 1,6% this week, which is basically in line with the Year-on-Year trend. Strongest performer this week was the 1700 TEU segment.  Given the lack of available tonnage in most areas as well as due to further strong cargo volumes, the general positive trend can expected to continue for the time being. Demand should be further supported by a few new services being opened and new trade link opening as a result of the agreements between Israel and the UAE.

(21.08.2020) The Container Market trajectory remains clearly upwards and, unlike the slowing in pace experienced last week, the market's recovery has actually gathered pace this week, with the New ConTex Index gaining an impressive 24 points rise on last week. The Index is now standing at 392; still low historically and still behind where it was this time last year, but a significant inprovement nonetheless.

The shortage of post-panamax tonnage means any large size available can easily achieve a higher rate than last done and, with demand cascading down the sizes, this means growing demand for classical 4250 TEU panamaxes and increasingly the intermediate 3500 TEUs and 2700 TEUs.So it was not surprising to see the 4250 TEUs score the greatest gains with this size being marked up 12.9% (basis 12 months) on last week, ahead of the 9.1% and 9.5% gains being achieved by the 5700 TEUs and 6500 TEUs respectively.

Of particular note this week is the gain being made by the 2700 TEUs and 3500 TEUs, being marked up 6.9% and 8.9% respectively on last week (both basis 12 months). Although rates for all sizes are recovering the smaller feeder sizs are struggling to recover in comparison although, relative to their ealier losses, they have less ground to make up.