Figures Point to Market Recovery in 09

WHILE there has been much fear and gnashing of teeth over the current financial downturn, global growth forecasts suggest otherwise, and many within the liner shipping industry are optimistic of a short downturn with a market recovery coming late next year, leading into 2010.

If this is to be the case, and the US and European economies do recover late next year, this will be just in time for when a large bulk of the mega vessels enter the European trades.

The industry may still face an excess in supply, but not nearly as much as what was first feared and the fact that freight rates have plummeted on the Asia-Europe trade to the levels they are now at, highlights the fact that carriers have panicked before they really needed to.

In the meantime, the emerging markets are still witnessing solid trade growth, and this is keeping some of the more rational liner operators optimistic .

- Extracted from The Container Shipping Manager