Containership charter rates climb sharply between June and September

The one‑year time‑charter rate for MSI’s 1,700‑teu geared Non‑Eco benchmark increased from $28,800 a day in June to $34,100 a day in September, while the 6,500‑teu gearless benchmark rose from $68,400 to $78,300 a day over the same period.

The market’s upward movement is attributed to a shortage of charter‑market‑sized vessels available for near‑ and medium‑term hire, with non‑operating owners taking the lead. Charterers remain willing to fix vessels for two to three years at healthy rates, and broker assessments for classic 4,300‑teu panamaxes have whipsawed slightly, reflecting thin liquidity. Liner operators are scrambling to secure ships even as they accelerate plans to route vessels back through the Red Sea.