Category Archives: Strategy

Bigger box ships calling at fewer ports puts serious pressure on hinterland connections – The Loadstar

Good article on the effects of larger box ships (which are calling at fewer ports). The hinterland infrastructure is going to have to adjust. I don’t think the ocean carriers are going back to smaller ships. The big ones are just too efficient to give up.

Source: Bigger box ships calling at fewer ports puts serious pressure on hinterland connections – The Loadstar

De-Risking Oil Tanker Investment Decisions

MIT students supervised by Dr Ioannis Lagoudis have come up with an analysis of tanker ownership buying or leasing.  This is a summary of the study.

A simulation study was made, based on a decision tree that covers chartering (leasing) a time charter or voyage charter (per trip), and buying a new or second hand vessel, and various horizon lengths.

It also discusses the risks.  Outcomes seem to show that under their assumptions, time charter is the least risky strategy.

It isn’t profound, but it is a very nice analysis.

 

 

Source: De-Risking Oil Tanker Investment Decisions

FMC Rejects Japanese Trio’s Shipping Agreement 

More on the issues of mergers.

The rejection was technical, based on the fact that the three companies wanted to share information prior to a merger.  The FMC claimed no jurisdiction in this case. After the merger, the alliance could be reconsidered and might be allowed to share data.  I don’t feel it will ultimately affect the alliance plans.

 Source: FMC Rejects Japanese Trio’s Shipping Agreement | World Maritime News