THE CONTAINER charter market continues to show stability, with demand and available tonnage largely in balance, and few signs yet of any Lunar New Year slowdown.   

According to the Hamburg and Bremen Shipbrokers’ Association (VHBS) rate levels across most key segments are holding firm or softening only slightly, with charterers maintaining measured optimism amid ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility.

Rates for 1,100 teu vessels remain particularly robust, supported by strong demand for shortsea feeder tonnage across Europe, the Caribbean and West Africa.

“Year-on-year growth in this segment highlights the structural role these vessels play in tightly constrained logistics networks, especially units equipped with reefer plugs and eco-design features,” noted VHBS.

Despite easing slightly from earlier highs, the sub-1,800 teu segment continues to demonstrate resilience. VHBS attributed this to persistent congestion at smaller ports and the looming impact of emissions trading system-related regulatory costs.

The 1,800 teu class remains in high demand, especially vessels offering elevated reefer capacity and compliance-ready specifications.

While one year charter rates have edged lower, short-period fixtures remain elevated, indicating that charterers are prepared to pay premiums for prompt availability ahead of an anticipated cargo build-up toward the end of the first quarter.

Charter rates for the 2,500 teu and 2,700 teu segments are broadly stable, though with a slightly softer bias due to a steady inflow of newbuildings.

“While newbuild deliveries are gradually entering the segment, the overall impact has been muted by ongoing rerouting pressures and regional trade resilience,” VHBS said.

Rates across these classes remain well above pre-2023 levels, suggesting that underlying market support remains intact.

The 2,500 teu and 2,700 teu classes continue to play a critical role in Red Sea detours and extended liner rotations, even as freight rate momentum has moderated from fourth-quarter peaks.

With charterers seeking forward cover on 12 to 24-month periods and ongoing uncertainty surrounding Suez Canal security, VHBS expects these vessel classes to retain a premium, particularly for eco-designed or scrubber-fitted tonnage.

Overall, charterers are increasingly prioritising efficiency, predictability and ESG compliance, reinforcing a rate environment in which modern ships command clear premiums.

Shipbroker Braemar reports relatively high levels of container chartering activity, defying the seasonal slowdown typically associated with the Lunar New Year period.

“Despite the typical Chinese New Year slowdown, the container charter market remained, with particularly strong momentum in the sub-panamax segment between 2,000 and 3,000 teu,” Braemar said.

Forward fixing discussions remain ongoing, with prompt vessel availability described as extremely limited. Operators continue to prioritise modern tonnage, although such vessels are becoming increasingly scarce, lending further support to market rates.

Braemar said that Cosco has extended five modern 2,400 teu vessels from forward mid-to-late 2026 positions, fixing them for periods of 30 to 34 months at rates of around $25,000 per day, broadly in line with prevailing market expectations.

CMA CGM is also understood to have extended two sub-panamax sister vessels for slightly longer durations.

Meanwhile, Maersk is said to have extended two elderly 2,500 teu vessels from late-2026 positions for shorter periods of 18 to 20 months, highlighting continued appetite for older tonnage when availability is constrained. They comprised the 2,456 teu SPIL Nisaka (IMO: 9232412) and 2,524 teu SPIL Niken (IMO: 9273947). Built in 2002 and 2003 respectively, both were extended at a daily rate of $26,000.

In the feeder and small feeder segments below 2,000 teu, market conditions remain stable. Northern Europe continues to show particular firmness, with owners actively pushing for improved terms and pricing levels edging higher in recent weeks.

Recently reported fixtures included the 1,718 teu Green Horizon (IMO: 9629158) which was extended by container line Panasia with effect from June for $22,500 per day.

Meanwhile, DP World’s Unifeeder has fixed the 974 teu Pavo J (IMO: 9355458) for a one year fixture at a strong daily rate of €14,200 ($16,900).