Clarkson: Global container shipments to grow 5.5pc this year

The global container trade will grow by 5.5 per cent in 2010, industry research group Clarkson said.
The gains are expected to be led by Far East-Europe trade, which after witnessing a 9.5 per cent decline last year, is forecast to rise by 4.6 per cent, or by 15.9 million TEU, American Shipper reported.
Transpacific trade will increase by about 2.7 per cent, or 18.6 million TEUs, according to Clarkson analysis, while transatlantic shipments would likely see gains of two per cent, or 5.1 million TEU.
Global container trade overall, which in 2009 declined by 9.5 per cent, is expected to total 130 million TEU by the end of the year.