Shipyard berths for 2024 delivery of large vessels are rapidly filling up, but heady newbuilding prices are deterring buyers from fighting over the remaining slots.

Brokers and yard representatives said South Korea's big three shipbuilders — Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings — have now ­limited 2024 slots to ultra-large containerships, LNG carriers and VLCCs.