The future for high-reefer containerships is bright, but existing designs are increasingly being challenged by the arrival of larger, more-efficient tonnage, say analysts.

Traditional workhorses face an earning squeeze in what is seen as one of the more promising areas of the boxship business.

The changing market was epitomised by the addition earlier this month of the 3,596-teu Venta Maersk (built 2018) to Maersk Line’s intra-European subsidiary Seago Line.