Ocean carriers have absorbed nearly 100 container ships with a combined capacity of 554,000 20-foot equivalent units by introducing extra slow steaming on key liner trade routes, according to a new report.
Extra slow steaming absorbed only five ships of 46,000 TEUs a year ago, but the additional capacity employed will reach 580,000 TEUs by the beginning of July based on carriers' plans to slow down existing service rotations and cut speeds on new services.
"It could rise further by the end of the year as slower sailing speeds take hold across all line-haul trades," according to Alphaliner, the Paris-based container shipping consultancy.
