Containership operating speeds have fallen by 5% since last year as carriers
implemented slow steaming to cut operating costs. The speed reduction is most
apparent in the largest size segments above 4,000 teu where operating speeds
dropped by between 1 to 2 knots compared to just 0.5 knots reduction for ships
of below 4,000 teu. According to Linerlytica’s estimates, slow steaming has
helped to remove up to 6% of the effective vessel supply globally but the impact
has started to reverse as avera