Category Archives: Ports

 Should Maersk invest in more Ultra Large Container Ships?

Jan Hoffman, President of the International Association of Maritime Economists and Chief, Trade Facilitation Section at UNCTAD, published these reflections on large container ships.  they’re on Linkedin Pulse.   Everyone’s talking about whether big ships should be built or not.  But he asks a good question, whether the conventional arguments are relevant.  Anyway, do we have any institutions capable of doing anything about the perfect competition in ocean shipping? He correctly points out that eliminating big ships and consolidation will lead to higher prices for delivered goods throughout the world, and consumers of these products will pay more.

Jan Hoffmann   Linkedin Logo

Containerships have never been bigger than today, container freight rates have never been lower, and never has so much container carrying capacity been idle. Not a trilemma, but three sides of the

Source: Three irrelevant reasons why Maersk & Co should not invest in more Ultra Large Container Ships | Jan Hoffmann | LinkedIn

Container carriers must address poor quality of service

Alliances are leading to poorer perceived service to shippers.  It’s more evidence that ocean carriers need to pay attention to the entire supply chain and the overall performance.

American Shipper

Source: GSF: Container carriers must address poor quality of service | AS Daily Newsletter | AS Daily | American Shipper

The Panama Canal Expansion: Is it Time Versus Cost?

Many continue to see an advantage for East coast ports due to the impending opening of the Panama Canal.  Regardless, the west coast ports need to continue their relentless drive for productivity and service to the end customer.  To know if they will succeed, see what measures they do take, and especially which ones actually improve service for the end customer, not just for ocean carriers and transport operators.

The Panama Canal expands in 2016, allowing for more and larger (post-Panamax) ships to make the passage from East Asia to the United States.

Source: The Panama Canal Expansion: Time Versus Cost Trade-Off – Supply Chain 24/7

Here’s the report:

CHRobinson_BCG_Panama_Canal