Classic panamax boxships ranging in size from 3,000 to 5,999 teu are tipped by online pricing portal VesselsValue to appreciate by more than 40% through to 2022, leading all other major shipping sectors.
In a report out today, VesselsValue has partnered with Oslo-based shipping consultancy firm ViaMar to provide future market values for each individual vessel segment in the tanker, bulker, container and LPG fleet.
The overall trend seen in the four sectors is for vessel prices to remain flat or decline this year before picking up around the middle of 2020, likely peaking by the start of 2022.
VesselsValue has been bullish on classic panamax boxships for some time. This particular segment saw massive scrapping three years ago and has since seen very minimal ordering.
Commenting on the sector, Court Smith, an analyst at VesselsValue, told Splash today: “Panamax container vessels have increased their speed from the start of 2019, a positive indicator of demand. The intra-Asia trade is critical for these ships, but they continue to see wide usage in other ports globally as ports continue to adapt to larger, more economical ships. The diversity of the ports these ships are traveling to has increased since the start of 2013, making them less dependent on one specific trade.”
