Non operating owners have tripled their vessel orderbook in the past year, slowing a six year contraction in the charter fleet, reported the UK's Seatrade Maritime News.

Consultant Alphaliner said the NOO fleet has shrunk since 2020, with 980 ships sold to operators and only 380 newbuildings delivered. Many Asian owners initially contracted ships for their own services but later chartered them out, effectively adding to NOO tonnage.

In the year to March 2026, NOOs ordered 116 vessels totalling 435,000 TEU, including 70 ships of 3,000 to 3,600 TEU and 46 of 4,000 to 5,000 TEU. Chinese and Greek owners such as Costamare, Alpha Bulkers, Conbulk, Minerva, Euroseas and Chartworld were among the most active, alongside MPC Container Ships and Songa of Norway.

Larger orders included 90 ships totalling 630,000 TEU in the 5,300 to 9,000 TEU sector, with Eastern Pacific Shipping, Capital, Danaos, Zodiac and Navios leading activity. A further 71 units of 1,500 to 1,900 TEU totalling 130,000 TEU were ordered by Capital, EPS, Cosmoship, Minerva, Marla, Danaos and MPC.

Alphaliner said replenishment of the NOO fleet is positive for the charter market but will only partly ease carriers' liquidity problems. Most ordered ships are tied to long term charters and will not enter the open market, leaving charter vessels in short supply.

China's newbuild activity in the 2,000, 3,000, 3,600 TEU and 4,600 to 4,800 TEU ranges has added to vessel availability. Alphaliner warned that any downturn could see opportunistically deployed ships return to intra China trades.