Shipyards are wrestling with tenders covering enquiries for nearly 30 leviathan containerships over 20,000 teu each worth a combined total of over $4.5bn.

Brokers say Taiwanese giant Evergreen is expected to select shipowners to build 11 mammoth boxship newbuildings before the end of this year.

Evergreen is understood to be looking to secure delivery dates from 2017 onwards, plus a further six optional slots.