Container cargo could grow 4.3% this year - Drewry
Freight forecaster Drewry predicts global container growth of 4.3% this year and the management capacity in the second half of 2012 is crucial for carriers not to undo all their efforts to force rates back to profitable levels, according to the Drewry Container Forecaster report, The Bulletin reports.
In 2013, shippers will pay more for transportation, but Drewry has positively assessed the influence of the Maersk Daily service is having on trade between Asia and Europe on the supply chains of producers. Maersk is now concentrating on generating profits, which has created a more stable service platform and is less likely it will withdraw its services to shippers suddenly when it is no longer profitable, the report said.
However, according to the Container Forecaster, it will be too early to determine whether the strategy of shipping has really changed its approach to profits, since the signs are that operators remain determined to keep rates at the highest levels possible. Performance management and movement of the rates to more acceptable levels are key issues for all companies and if the spot rates are maintained for the rest of the year, carriers will be in a strong position to renegotiate the contracts with shippers in 2013. The main reason behind the recent success of spot rates has been the general determination of all carriers and that rates have more than tripled in the Asia-Europe route since March.
Drewry’s recommendation for east-west routes in the coming year is that the industry needs to be established and continue to create an environment of stability and refrain from ordering new ships over the next 18 months to allow a return to more normal supply in balancing supply/demand in the medium term.
