Container orderbook hits post-2009 peak as charter rates reach four-year high

· Logistics · China

The containership orderbook has grown to 16.2 million teu, equal to 46.5% of the active fleet — the highest share since 2009 — as carriers race to secure ultra-large tonnage. Chinese shipyards alone have booked a record 4.94 million teu this year, accounting for 88% of the total. At the same time, charter rates have climbed to a four-year high even as fixtures fall: Braemar's charter index stands at 325.8, up 21% year on year and the strongest since autumn 2022. The gap points to near-term tightness in tonnage alongside a large wave of new capacity expected from 2028, which could reshape supply-demand balance on major trades.

Why it matters：Record ordering and four-year-high charter rates show carriers betting on scale while near-term tonnage stays tight; the 2028 delivery wave is the key supply risk facing freight rates, charter markets and shipyard order books over the next several years.

Key points

  • The orderbook is 16.2 million teu, or 46.5% of the active fleet.
  • Chinese yards booked a record 4.94 million teu this year, 88% of global orders.
  • Braemar's charter index at 325.8 is up 21% year on year despite fewer fixtures.

Sources (original reporting)

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