Now the shortage of container ships and the rising international freight rates make many ship owners feel that this is a good opportunity to make money and refit their bulk cargo ships into container ships.

In this tense situation, Franbo Lines, a Taiwanese shipping company, also joined the container transportation market and converted their bulk cargo ships into container ships to make huge profits.

The general manager of the company disclosed to the media that five of the 18 bulk carriers in use can transport containers. Therefore, the freight rate of these five ships will be higher than that of ordinary bulk carriers.

He also said that if the five ships were rented out, each ship could earn $20000 a day. And last year's daily rent of $6000, the profit margin increased by 15%.

Another ship owner announced that bulk cargo ships would be used to transport containers

After the bulk carrier owner Pacific Basin announced that the bulk carrier would transport containers. Swire bulk followed suit and announced that it would use its own bulk carrier to transport containers.

Its general manager said that although such transportation efficiency is not as high as that of standard container ships, it can help shippers with urgent needs to complete shipment. 

This can provide some support for solving the current supply chain congestion.

However, in response to this phenomenon, many P & I associations have warned that if an accident occurs, it may affect the progress of claims.

They all believe that if the bulk carrier is not equipped with necessary fixed accessories, the use of bulk carriers to transport containers will increase the risk of accidents. 

At the same time, the ability of the crew should be evaluated. After all, it requires superb technology.

Drury's manager said that if the bulk carrier owner can ensure that the transportation process is safe, it is feasible to join the container industry. But if they join in for high profits, once the price falls, they will be seriously hit.

At the same time, a French classification society has issued guidelines for refitting bulk carriers into containers.

In fact, not all bulk carriers have joined the ranks of containers. The chairman of Chinese maritime transport made it clear that his company would not develop in this direction because it was only a special case.