Category Archives: Shipping

Is it really the right time to buy ships?

When prices are down we should buy ships! Is this the right time? This has been an interest of mine since I learned about microeconomics.  It is the classic preference argument that says you are better off whether the market goes up or down (assuming enough liquidity).  You scale down when prices are high, and scale up when they are low, and you make your money off the capital gain, rther than the operation.  shipowners have been trying to do this for years, and many have been very successful. In particular, Greek shipowners have made this a specialty.

It actually works because they are able to operate the ships they do own efficiently. So they sell off the less useful ones when times are good, and buy ships for new market niches when there is a glut of ships.

Is it really the right time to buy ships?, International Shipping News, Shipping News, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide, Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and International Shipping.

Port Strategy – Berth plan

An interesting article on the need for good data to build a berth scheduling plan that will benefit all. Another example of cooperation needed for improving efficiency and customer service at ports.

http://www.portstrategy.com/news101/port-operations/port-performance/berth-plan2

Top 30 U.S. Ports: Economies of scale in play

Regional cooperation is the theme of this study. That and bigger is better. It is interesting to note that they talk about evaluating ports on different standards than TEU lifts, but then go on to do just that.

Top 30 U.S. Ports: Economies of scale in play – Article from Logistics Management.