It used to be that you could measure confidence in the container shipping industry by the ever-increasing scale of the carriers’ vessels and the size of their ship orders. Shipping boxes stuffed with clothing, electronics, manufacturing parts and a broad range of consumer goods across the oceans is the backbone of global trade. Shipping Headwinds Trade wars, excess capacity and a looming global slowdown are keeping container ship freight rates below breakeven levels. London-based Braemar ACM Shipbroking Services PLC estimates demand for container shipping will grow between 2% and 3% annually over the next four years, while fleets are expected to expand at a 5% annual rate. But the world’s container shipping lines are stuck with their megaships and only a big rebound in global trade will turn around their business.

Source: Wall Street Journal March 03, 2019 11:26 UTC