China's leasing houses can still have a successful year in shipping despite the effects of the coronavirus, according to top executives.

The two biggest ship-leasing operations have already booked impressive drawdowns in the first quarter of 2020.

But observers said a high volume of financing largely represents deals held over from the previous budget year, and that a good full-year figure will depend on a speedy recovery from the outbreak — preferably followed by a stimulus package from Beijing in the style of 2008.