Leading liner operators Wan Hai Lines and Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) continue to plunder the secondhand boxship market.

Wan Hai, a Taiwanese line, is forking out nearly $40m to acquire two midsize containerships — its seventh and eighth purchases in two months.

It is making the move as charter rates for traditional panamax boxships look set to spike at a 10-year high of $30,000 per day.