The global commercially idle container vessel fleet remained low and stable in early October despite falling freight rates and China's Golden Week holiday, reported Saint Petersburg's Port News citing Alphaliner.

The idle share stood at 0.9 per cent of the global 32.7 million TEU fleet, the highest in a year but still within full employment levels. No structural idling was observed across the liner sector.

Alphaliner's survey showed a modest increase of 7,155 TEU in idle capacity over two weeks, bringing the total to 91 cellular vessels. Blank sailings around Golden Week have not significantly raised inactivity.

Instead, shipowners used the period to send vessels for drydocking. Tonnage in shipyards for maintenance, retrofitting or conversion rose to 2.1 per cent of the fleet, up from 1.6 per cent in September.