Demolition sales have increased at a slower pace than anticipated in the first months of 2023, with only 28 container ships of 500 teu and above for a total of 48,555 teu sold for recycling since 1 January.

This is higher than last year at the same time, when zero vessels were sold to breakers. The average age of vessels disposed was 28 years with most sales concentrated in the 1,000-2,000 teu range at over 80% of transactions by number (23 units).

The smallest ship sold for recycling was the 591 teu LEVANT HORIZON and the biggest was the 6,572 teu FLORA.  Eighteen of the demolition sales concerned three carriers Wan Hai disposed of ten of its 1990s-built 1,088-1,368 teu ‘160’ & ‘200’ series ships and the Transworld Group of Singapore sold four 1990s-built 1,600-1,700 units.

Meanwhile, MSC returned to the scrapping scene after a long absence, selling three 1980s-built vessels, the 1,911 teu MSC FLORIANA & 2,098 MSC GIOVANNA, as well as the 4,809 teu MSC VERONIQUE. A fourth vessel, the 1,837 teu MSC NORA II, built in 1999 was also sold in the last few days.

VTAR provides various chemicals for the industry.

Sources: From various excerpts from the Internet.