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Chinese EV Exports Push Car-Carrier Charter Rates Toward $100,000 Daily

Charter rates for modern car-carriers are climbing back toward $100,000 a day as Chinese electric vehicle exports surge.

Average rates for the sector stand around $67,000 daily, but newer tonnage commands premium pricing. Atlas EMF secured a two-year charter of the 7,000-ceu Clean Star at $80,000 a day with an unnamed Chinese operator ahead of its delivery from CIMC Raffles this month. In March, Atlas EMF fixed the 7,000-ceu Eco Star to Wallenius Wilhelmsen for $53,000 daily.

SAIC Anji Logistics, the shipping arm of SAIC Motor, recently chartered Eastern Pacific Shipping's newly built 7,060-ceu Lake Rotorua for $90,000 a day following its delivery by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing. Charter rates peaked at $100,000 daily in August 2022 before normalizing in late 2024 as newbuilding deliveries flooded the market.