Container Lines

In-depth coverage of container freight, including TEUs, iso containers, container standards and relevant issues.

Commentary

 
The trans-Pacific eastbound trade is taking considerably longer than in the past to settle annual service contracts that will run through next April. Some ocean carriers walked away from large deals, while others are walking into them even at rates that appear to be below costs.

News & Analysis

 
17 May 2013
Starting June 9, Cosco and ANL will jointly operate Sino Australia Service with six vessel deployments, including five vessels from Cosco and one from ANL.
 
17 May 2013
APL will boost rates for dry and refrigerated cargo in its trade from Asia, Australia, East Africa, the Middle East and West Asia to Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, starting June 1.
 
17 May 2013
Mediterranean Shipping Co. will increase rates on three of its trade routes, effective June 1...
 
17 May 2013
Cosco Container Lines will hike rates for all shipments, including refrigerated cargo, in its trade from the Far East to South America’s east coast, starting June 14.
 
17 May 2013
Hapag-Lloyd will boost rates for all cargo and container types on its trade from East Asia, excluding Japan, to the Persian Gulf, effective June 1.
Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, North Europe, week of May 17, 2013. Source: Shanghai Shipping Exchange
 
17 May 2013
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index saw further rate erosion in European lanes, pulling the overall SCFI index below the $1,000 per 20-foot container mark for the first time since February 2012, to $990.78.
Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, U.S. West Coast, week of May 17, 2013. Source: Shanghai Shipping Exchange
 
17 May 2013
Shanghai Containerized Freight Index spot rates for U.S.-bound trade lanes slightly increased in the week of May 17, following five weeks of declines.
 
17 May 2013
Euroseas today reported a net loss of $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2013, improving from a net loss of $9.0 million in the first quarter of 2012.
 
17 May 2013
MSC Belgium has introduced a new container release system that allows customers in the Port of Antwerp in Belgium to collect their containers quickly in a secure environment.
 
17 May 2013
Fesco, the operator of Russia’s largest ocean carrier, has successfully sold $75 million of corporate bonds, just weeks after it closed on a $800 million bond sale.