The number of container ships afloat has decreased in the first half of 2014 and could fall on an annual basis this year, for the first time in at least 20 years. Although the total TEU nominal capacity of the global fleet continues to increase by about 6 percent a year, this growth in capacity now comes solely from the increase in average ship size, not from having more ships.
Worldwide perishable reefer trade increased by 52.1 million tonnes between 2002 and 2012, which represents a combined annual growth rate of 3.6 percent, according to Drewry's latest Reefer Shipping Market Annual Review and Forecast.
Seaborne perishable reefer cargo has increased by a CAGR of 3.3 percent (25.6 million tonnes) from 66.8 million tonnes in 2002 to 92.4 million tonnes in 2012.
Drewry's Annual Review of Global Container Terminals Operators shows that PSA International, Hutchison Ports, APM Terminals and DP World remain the big four players in equity TEU and portfolio terms but with varying levels of activity.
Drewry Maritime Research's latest Container Census reports that the world's container fleet grew by 5.3 percent during 2012, adding 1.6 million TEU to reach 32.9 million TEU. This increase was smaller than for either of the preceding two years, but less erratic than 2011 or 2010.
The Drewry Hong Kong-Los Angeles container rate benchmark, published in the latest Container Freight Rate Insight report, jumped 14 percent to $2,524 per 40-foot container last week, as the January peak season surcharge (PSS) took effect.
