AP Moller-Maersk has joined the growing ranks of liner operators prepared to sublet vessels deemed surplus to requirements on major east-west trades.

The Danish giant has fixed the 6,700-teu Northern Monument (built 2004) to rival operator SeaLead Shipping for six months at a low benchmark rate of about $38,500 per day.

That compares with more than $100,000 per day that a vessel of this size might have earned in September for a six to 12-month fixture.