In 2025, shipping lines ordered around 600 new container vessels, up 42% year-on-year compared with 2024 (413 ships). This marks the second-highest order volume on record, according to Veson Nautical.

The figure is given as an estimate, as some contracts are still in the final confirmation stage. Still, the trend is clear: despite high newbuilding prices, regulatory uncertainty, and the lack of clarity around future fuels, carriers continue to invest heavily in fleet expansion.

Order activity in 2025 was supported by steady container demand, growth in global trade, and longer sailing distances caused by diversions around the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, which temporarily absorbed available fleet capacity.

At the same time, the orderbook structure is shifting. The market is moving away from ultra-large vessels toward more flexible ship sizes. The main focus is on Post-Panamax ships, with 213 orders placed (+53% YoY). These vessels are seen as a “sweet spot”: suitable for East–West trades without the infrastructure constraints faced by ULCVs.

Where the ships were ordered:

China accounted for about 78% of all orders (around 468 vessels), driven by pricing, scale, and shipbuilding capacity. South Korea took roughly 19%, focusing on more complex and alternative-fuel projects.

Who placed the orders:

China led among buyers with 159 vessels (including Hong Kong and Taiwan), followed by Singapore with 70 orders (+43%). European shipowners remained selective, prioritising technology over volume.

Veson Nautical cautions that after 2026, supply growth may begin to outpace demand. If Suez transits normalize, ton-mile demand could decline, increasing pressure on freight rates.