Maersk leads with the most idle ships - 14, ranging in size from 4,000 to 9,600 TEU with a combined capacity of 94,000 TEU. Six of the ships were displaced from the Asia-Europe trades owing to service suspensions.
It noted that the impact of winter season service suspensions is taking a heavy toll on demand for larger containerships, with a further 150,000 to 250,000 TEU forecast to be laid up by the end of the year.
It said that 24 vessels of above 5,000 TEU are idle, compared to only two in early September. There are 67 idle ships of between 3,000 and 5,000 TEU, 14 more ships than two months ago.
Ocean liners` share of the idle fleet has increased to 35 per cent, or 264,000 TEU, compared to 15 per cent or 80,000 TEU in September. Non-operating owner`s idle fleet has risen to 499,000 TEU, up from 450,000 TEU two months earlier.
As for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), it has three idle vessels, including the 13,050-TEU MSC Rapallo, which has been unemployed since October 8 after being removed from the Far East-Mediterranean Tiger service.
"MSC had so far avoided idling with some success despite having the largest number of new ships delivered so far this year," the report added.