Newbuilding orders in the feeder containership segment are set to grow as the shipping industry approaches a deficit of smaller vessels capable of servicing a diverse geographical spread of ports and terminals. New vessel contracting over the past five years has been squarely focussed on the ultra large containership segment, boosting the number of vessels that can carry vast numbers of containers, but lowering the number able to service smaller ports. Vessels and Shipyards With recent orders focussing on larger ships, the age profile of the feeder container fleet has continued to increase, making modern feeder tonnage increasingly scarce as more ships approach scrapping age. Now, shipowners are looking to smaller size segments as an attractive investment proposition against which to obtain long term charters. New designs are emerging as feeders evolve to meet demand for flexible operations, reflecting the need to maximise cargo stowage and optimise operational efficiency. The trend toward increased ordering of smaller ships is also prompting a shift among contracting yards, with smaller facilities seeking to capture a slice of this growing market. The yards entering this sector of the newbuilding market are also geographically diverse, including established territories such as China and newer ones across Asia-Pacific and India. Just as mid-sized yards have expanded into building larger vessels, these smaller yards – often specialised in inland or coastal trading vessels – are upgrading facilities and setting their sights on building ships capable of addressing the demand for new, versatile feeder tonnage. These facilities need guidance and support in adapting to the challenges of building larger, more complex vessels, incorporating the latest operational and safety technology. To do so, they seek to apply new tools including software-based design and modelling, as well as simulations to optimise fuel consumption, cargo safety and carrying capacity. New Challenges F