Outlook: The container ship charter market remains relatively firm, with fixing and enquiry holding up. The ConTex again remained at 372 last week, after flirting with a tiny gain. For most index vessel types, the broker panellifted average rate assessments; only geared 1.100teu types suffered a drop, down 0.4%. More 4,200-4,500teu Panamaxes were fixed and extended at fairly strong levels in the middle and high $9,000$, raising expectations that momentum could be strong enough to prevent major losses during the festive season. Brokers said 2,000-3,000teu sub-Panamaxes continued to be fixed and extended at about last-done levels. The gearless 2,700-2,800teu class, one of the best performers this year, could be facing more pressure as a number of ships run into spot positions.
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