Container lines

The ongoing rise in trans-Pacific spot rates has so far not been replicated in contract rates for large shippers.

French line CMA CGM has followed through on its commitment to making Singapore its Asian hub with the opening of a regional operations centre in the city-state.

Bond issuance comes ahead of its merger with United Arab Shipping Co.

Asia-Europe container carriers are breathing a sigh of relief as traffic edged higher in 2016, despite another dull peak season, reversing the previous year’s slump.

US ports will face unprecedented operational challenges when ocean carriers on April 1 restructure their vessel-sharing alliances.

Brazilian beef producer Minerva Foods is expanding internationally on the back of a US regulatory ruling.

Creditors worried they won’t be properly compensated with the sale proceeds.

Trans-Pacific spot rate increases again in run-up to the Chinese New Year.

OOCL's partners in the Ocean Alliance are the most likely to buy the Hong Kong-based container line, analysts say, provided it is for sale.

Spot rates on Asia-Europe are still well above last year's levels with tight space supporting prices.

If additional carriers go bankrupt, the lines that remain will quickly consolidate their power, enabling them to dictate pricing.

Steadily increasing bunker fuel prices will enable carriers on the intra-Asia trade to raise rates that are at unprofitable levels on some regional routes.

Takeover talk has long swirled around Hong Kong-listed OOIL, parent of OOCL, and new rumors are again seeing intense trading on the local bourse.

Maersk Line has expanded its footprint in Iran by adding a second port of call.

Eimskip is facing a strike on its container ships next week.

Market uncertainty is seeing Asia-Europe shippers and carriers sitting on the fence rather than at the service contract negotiating table.

2016 was one of the wildest years in container shipping history, and with the industry in such a dynamic state, 2017 will likely hold its own surprises.

Years of unprofitability lie ahead for carriers with excess capacity and low rates likely to drive further consolidation.

As a smaller number of ship lines ply the trans-Pacific, shippers may opt for higher rates to avoid risk.

Ports, terminals, carriers, and shippers are preparing for significant challenges that will come from this spring’s shuffling of vessel-sharing agreements.

After a strong finish to the year, spot market rates on the Asia-Europe and Asia-Mediterranean trades declined slightly this week.

The last time the WCI composite index exceeded $1,700 per 40-foot-equivalent unit was in March 2015.

The idle container ship fleet further retreated from the all-time high reached in October.

From consolidation and alliances to a new president and regulatory environment, 2017 will introduce new challenges and opportunities. In a roundtable discussion with JOC.com, three shippers discuss their biggest concerns in the year ahead.

Hanjin's collapse and the widened Panama Canal has left ship charterers contemplating their worst year ever.

The trans-Pacific is one of the world’s most competitive container trades, with at least six container lines over the last six years having entered the trade lane only to pull out later.

With freight rates hovering around historic lows, liners have tried to find savings wherever possible.

The global container ship fleet is expected to grow faster in 2017 than in 2016.

The "HMM + K2 consortium" will initially facilitate vessel- and slot-sharing.

The sharp increase in freight rates at the end of 2016 will be temporary, with overcapacity dragging prices back down after Chinese New Year, according to industry watchers.

Fierce competition, weak freight rates, and infrastructure shortcomings at many ports across Asia are making life difficult for ocean liners in the world’s largest container trade.

Trans-Pacific spot rates to the United States shot up this week.

Spot rates on Asia-Europe have managed to hold on to gains as 2016 draws to a close, continuing a steady upward trend that began in March.

Since Hanjin Shipping failed, the 2M has increased its share of imports from Asia to the United States.

Industry analyst doubts Hyundai Merchant Marine’s goal of a 5 percent share of the global container market by 2021.

Indian maritime authorities have backed down from their pledge to abolish all shipping surcharges following stiff resistance from container lines.

Container exports from Asia will drop off sharply after Chinese New Year and carriers are blanking sailings in anticipation of the slowdown in demand.

Hanjin Shipping’s US liabilities far exceed its US assets, the company told a New Jersey bankruptcy court Tuesday amid close scrutiny from a host of US creditors.

The Asia-Europe spot rate rose this week.

Trans-Pacific spot rates gave back some of their double-digit surge from last week.