Newbuild 24,000-TEU ultra-large container vessels are now being idled as soon as they are delivered in Asia, as carriers are obliged to blank more sailings due to weakening demand.
According to a research note from Alphaliner, the 2023-built 24,346-TEU MSC Micol was scheduled to begin its maiden voyage from Shanghai on October 12, joining the 2M’s Asia-North Europe AE55/Griffin loop, but it was cancelled as part of an aggressive blanking program by alliance partners MSC and Maersk.
Alphaliner said the MSC Micol had now been rescheduled to join the AE55/Griffin on January 4, suggesting that the ULCV could be idled for three months.
Read more in an article from The Loadstar.