Containership Market Resilience in Late December
MSI's December Horizon Monthly Containership report, issued around December 22nd 2025, indicated that containership charter markets ended the year on a high note with solid one-year Time Charter Index rates across most vessel sizes despite increasing difficulties in freight markets; rates remained nearly unchanged from previous months as tight supply conditions dictated stable vessel rates.
The report cautioned that record new vessel contracting in 2024 and 2025 will eventually have an effect on rates, with large containership deliveries scheduled for 2026 exerting downward pressure on rates. To counteract these declines, supportive factors like robust U.S. imports from Southeast Asia were identified to help cushion any adverse consequences.
Alphaliner also expressed optimism for 2025's market performance, noting demand across all sizes and rates remains at healthy levels, making 2025 one of the strongest years post-COVID boom; however, longer term oversupply risks due to new deliveries were noted as potential concerns.
Feeder Segments of Mixed Performance.
Rates in the feeder market spanning 0.1-3.9k TEU demonstrated resilience despite structural changes to intra-Asia trade. One-year T/C rates for 2.1k TEU Non-Eco feeders rose 1.4% year over year to US$30,100/day while those of 1.1k TEU Non-Eco feeders dropped 4.8% year-on-year to US$15,800/day; larger vessels over 7600 TEU redeployed from transpacific and Far East-Latin America routes now serve China-Southeast Asia demand by evergreen, Maersk, and COSCO as they redeployed from transpacific and Far East-Latin America routes back onto China-Southeast Asia routes instead.
MSI projected rate increases on intra-Asia routes through early 2026, noting no growth in feeder fleet during the first half of 2018 that would potentially erode market health short term.
Midsize and Large Vessel Stability
Midsize vessels (3.9-7.6k TEU) saw steady rates at year end. One-year T/C rates for 4.3k TEU Non-Eco Classic Panamax rose 0.7% year on year to US$56,000/day with discounts persisted for longer term deals on older units around US$35,000. No deliveries are currently planned within three quarters, providing some relief against immediate rate pressure with only slight softening anticipated in H1 2026.
Large vessels (7.6k+ TEU) experienced elevated earnings, with Non-Eco 8.5k TEU units earning US$76,500/day while Eco units averaged US$90,000. This was the highest since October 2022 and more than twice November 2023 troughs; moderated demand coupled with 450,000 TEU new capacity could limit further gains; this may be offset by regional import strength.
Multipurpose Rates Edge Upward
Toepfer Transport's December 2025 update highlighted a modest rise in multipurpose rates. Average daily T/C rates for 12,500 dwt F-type heavy lift vessels reached USD12,818, up from previous levels due to stable market development, U.S. port due exemptions for Chinese-built ships, and suspended import duties.
Early monthly indices had already shown stability, with January 2025 hitting USD13,246 and December 2024 hitting USD13,110; these numbers indicate low activity during holidays yet mid and long-term installations exceeding index levels. Toepfer projected an approximate annual growth rate of 5.9% over six months and 1.48% growth over 12 months.
Outlook and Sector Notes
Dry bulk weekly estimates were issued December 17, 2025, providing further rate snapshots, while LNG short-term charter rates briefly hit US$90-100,000./day amid winter demand spikes. Meanwhile, feeder buying by mainline operators raised concerns of panamax charter rate decreases in 2026.