Stifel says the containership market appears to be having its best year since the end of the great recession in terms of growth. But high vessel supply and strong orderbook are still working against shipowners' favour.

As such, analyst Ben Nolan lowered full-year 2017 earnings estimates for two of the largest lessors in the space, Seaspan and Costamare.

Nolan cites the consolidation among the operators as stabilising freight rates and making the industry more efficient and profitable.