CMA CGM has launched an impressive fixing spree in the upper end of the container ship charter market.
It is taking up to nine newbuildings of between 7,000 teu and 7,500 teu on long-term charter, according to chartering sources.
The move reflects the shortage of tonnage in the larger container ship charter segment, where most vessels on the water are already committed to near-term fixtures.
The French carrier is believed to be taking several vessels for five years at rates in the region of $35,000 to $36,000 per day.
Other vessels are said to have been fixed at around $38,000 per day for periods of around three years.
The identity of the ships has not been revealed, but Alphaliner lists several tonnage providers with ships of this size under construction for delivery in 2023 and 2024, including Asiatic Lloyd, Cido Shipping, Danaos, Sea Consortium and XT Shipping.
The fixing frenzy shows how strong demand is for large, modern, energy-efficient tonnage, the analyst added.
Smaller vessels too
CMA CGM’s fixing spree is not limited to the larger segment.
It is also one of the driving forces in the market for longer fixtures of traditional panamax and sub-panamax boxships.
The carrier has fixed the 4,250-teu Navios Azure (built 2007) for two years at $22,000 per day, as well as the 3,421-teu GSL Alice (built 2014) for two years at $20,400 per day.
The fixtures raise the prospect that the longer periods could soon be mirrored in the smaller boxship segment.
CMA CGM is active in this segment too, having extended charters of five high reefer container ships controlled by reefer specialist Seatrade.
The 2,259-teu Seatrade Blue (built 2017) and four sisters have been taken for a further 24 months at rates in the low $20,000-per-day region, according to Alphaliner.
CMA CGM has also been the most active charterer in the feeder segment, fixing the 1,800-teu Viking Orca (built 2023) for 12 to 18 months at $18,000 per day, which brokers said is an improvement on the last done.
The Viking Orca was reported sold by StarOcean Marine of China last month to Singapore-based Norse Shipholding as part of an en-bloc sale, according to Clarksons data.
CMA CGM has also been active in fixing smaller geared vessels, including the 1,209-teu Lila Haren (built 2002), taken on extension for 12 months at $14,000 per day.
