Container overhang could last until 2014: Alphaliner

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Paris: The idle containership fleet has jumped  to 392 ships for 1,100,000 teu (8.8% of  the cellular fleet), according to Alphaliner  records.
‘A rebound of Chinese exports after the  Lunar New Year failed to materialize. Actually, Chinese exports are expected to fall by 15-20% in Q1 2009 when compared to Q1 2008, according to current estimates,’ the Paris-based organization said.
The figures are the highest recorded in containership history, way above the 3.2% recorded in March 2002 and even larger than the 5% or so reached in 1986 when the whole fleet of US Lines was frozen further to the bankrupt of this leading carrier. USL owned at that time the world’s largest container ships.
This figure raises the spectre of overcapacity hanging through to 2013or even 2014, the firm warned. [18/02/09]