In the first half of the year, only seven boxships were dismantled, for a total capacity of 14,000 TEUs.
In the first half of 2025, only seven container ships were sent for scrapping, totaling 4,000 TEU. Alphaliner reports this, noting that at this rate, the current year could close with a new all-time low, marking the lowest capacity figure in the last 20 years.
A record was actually reached in 2022, when only five boxships were sent for scrapping. However, analysts point out, in that case, the hold removed from the market was three times greater than that eliminated in the first six months of 2025, or approximately 12,000 TEU.
It should also be noted that in the current year, the average age of container ships dismantled was 28 years, higher than the average of the last twenty years, which is approximately 26 years.
Alphaliner drew attention to the issue of low containership demolitions while, at the same time, colleagues at Linerlytica were highlighting the boom in new vessel orders. The average age of vessels scrapped in 2025 stands at 28 years, higher the two-decade average of around 26 years.
In a recent report, analysts said they believe the global orderbook has now reached 10.4 million TEU, equal to approximately 31.7% of current capacity, thanks in part to orders for 4.4 million TEU signed in 2024 alone.
This record volume, given the low demolitions, is a concern for the sector, considering, Linerlytica noted, that the volume is similar to that reached in 2010 and which, they noted, “took 10 years” to absorb.
Related : Alphaliner : Container ship demolitions are collapsing.
