Charter rates are expected to continue strengthening in the short term as activity has picked up in the overpanamax sector with Ship Finance International fixing four 8,700-TEU newbuildings for seven years.
The charterer is believed to be Hamburg Sud and the rate is US$40,000.
MISC has sublet the 8,540-TEU Seroja Empat to United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) for a six-week Pacific round voyage at $25,500 until it takes delivery of a 9,000-TEU chartered newbuilding.
Peter Doehle has secured a three-month charter with Wan Hai Lines for its 5,527-TEU Talassa at a rate of $18,000, a major improvement on previous fixtures of similar tonnage, reported Alphaliner.
The panamax sector has performed well in the last few weeks with a sustained demand and charter rates finally on the up.
MSC paid $9,000 for a 12-month charter of a 4,992-TEU ship. Such vessels could be hired for $7,000 only a few weeks ago. Elsewhere, PIL has agreed to pay $8,350 for a 10-12 months charter of a 4,252 TEU box ship.
The 3,000 to 3,500-TEU segment showed some life. In the Atlantic, Diana Containerships secured a four to seven month extension on its 3,426-TEU Centaurus with CMA CGM at $8,000, an improvement on the $7,500 previously paid for the vessel.
In Asia, CMA CGM fixed the 3,534-TEU Hansa Shipping-controlled HS Wagner for 50-70 days at $7,300, in line with previous fixtures.
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